School spirit and engagement play a powerful role in helping children feel connected, proud, and included. At Mainspring Academy, celebrations like Spirit Month may look fun on the surface, but they actually serve a deeper purpose: building belonging, strengthening social connections, and giving students opportunities to practice important everyday skills.
Why School Spirit Is Important for Our Students
Research shows that students with strong connections to their school community experience better social, emotional, and functional outcomes (Kuhfeld et al., 2020). For children with IDDs, those connections may look different than they do for typical students, but they are just as valuable.
School spirit and engagement activities are functional learning opportunities in disguise. Through events and celebrations, students are practicing skills that transfer into daily life. At Mainspring Academy, school events are more than just costumes and decorations:
- They create routine-breaking experiences that help students practice flexibility.
- They provide team-based activities that nurture cooperation, patience, and turn-taking.
- They encourage students to express themselves and self-advocate by choosing foods and activities they enjoy.
- They allow children to explore different cultures and holidays, broadening their world in a hands-on way.
- They help families and students create core memories together, strengthening bonds that last a lifetime.
- They provide a safe and comfortable place where students can celebrate, be themselves, and feel accepted.
- They remind us that fun, enrichment, and traditions are what make up a true school experience, giving students pride in belonging to their community.
The Role of Parents in School Engagement
Parent engagement is just as important as student participation. When families volunteer, join the Parent Action Committee (PAC), or help plan events, they model the value of community involvement.
- Parents help shape meaningful experiences – bringing in foods, decorations, and ideas that create memorable events.
- Students benefit when they see their parents actively connected to the school, creating a stronger sense of pride and belonging.
- Family participation ensures that events are not just fun, but inclusive and supportive of all students’ needs.
By joining in, parents extend the message: Our family belongs here, and we are proud to be part of this community.
Families can reinforce school spirit and engagement by bringing small traditions into daily life:
- Use countdown calendars at home to prepare for events.
- Practice participation – let your child choose clothing or accessories for a celebration.
- Involve your child in preparation – shop together for small items to bring or help decorate.
- Celebrate milestones at home with music, snacks, or family traditions.
- Share stories and photos from school events to extend conversations and build excitement.
Even small efforts at home reinforce the message: You are part of something bigger, and your contributions matter.
Belonging and Pride
Every special education student deserves the chance to feel:
- Pride in being part of their school.
- Connection to peers and staff.
- Inclusion in traditions, no matter their ability level.
- Joy in celebrating together as a community.
At Mainspring Academy, school spirit isn’t just a celebration – it’s a tool for inclusion. By engaging in these experiences, students build memories, friendships, and skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Because every child deserves to feel that they are not just learning in a classroom, but belonging to a community that celebrates them
Sources
Kuhfeld, M., et al. (2020). Student engagement and outcomes: The importance of belonging and participation. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology.
National Core Indicators. (2022). In-Person Survey Report: Engagement and Inclusion. https://www.nationalcoreindicators.org/
