Students with disabilities shine at 'beach day'

KIWANIS CLUB EVENT FEATURES BOAT RIDES, ENTERTAINERS AND ACTIVITIES

By Stacy Brandt
Published May 7, 2012, in the North County Times, nctimes.com
http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/oceanside/article_4375a2d9-e4cb-576f-ae67-e6e0f0a4a507.html

SAN DIEGO, CA - Roughly 150 children with disabilities took boat rides, flew kites and hung out with pirates in Oceanside Harbor on Friday as part of a local Kiwanis Club's annual Beach Fun Day.

The third- through fifth-grade students came from classes throughout the Oceanside Unified School District for the daylong event. Another 150 people volunteered to help make the day possible, including members of various service clubs, students from the city's two main high schools and educators.

The Oceanside Pacific Kiwanis Club sponsored the event with the help of the school district and some community and corporate sponsors.

"We try to make it a big deal for them," said Dwayne Banks, who helped to organize the activities. "It's all about the kids."

The highlight of the event for many of the students seemed to be a 45-minute cruise around the harbor, during which they got to see a group of sea lions, pal around with pirate impersonators and get a look at the city from the ocean.

It was the first time Gildardo Villicana had ever been on a boat. The third-grader from San Luis Rey Elementary School said he loved the experience, though it was kind of scary at times.

Fifth-grader Josue Frausto said he was particularly excited about the big waves that rocked the boat.

"I think it's awesome," he said, as the boat heaved from side to side.

Richard Burton, a member of the Oceanside Pacific Kiwanis, started the event three years ago after organizing similar "fun days" in Salinas and Big Bear. It costs roughly $1,500 each year, which mostly comes from donations, he said.

Volunteers started setting up as early as 6 a.m. for the students to arrive three hours later. The students were split into groups for the harbor cruises. After that, they headed back to the beach to play in the sand, fly kites and watch presentations, among other activities.

"It's a good way for them to interact," said Patricia DeAlva, a special education teacher at San Luis Rey. "It's calm and peaceful and there's so much for them to do here."

The experience is a thrill for the students, who have disabilities that range from mild to severe, because they don't often get the opportunity to do those types of things, said DianaMarie Casato, coordinator of special education for the school district.

Nearly all of the district's students in special needs classes were able to attend the event, she said.

Some of them even prepared with lessons on the ocean and sea life, she said.

"They look forward to this event all year," she said. "It gives them a chance to shine and feel like they're with their peers."