U Windsor program finds new home at Holy Names High School, helping students with special needs stay active

Students at the University of Windsor are working to help those with special needs stay active.

A long-running University of Windsor initiative aimed at helping people with special needs stay active, is getting a new home — inside a local high school.

For the last few weeks, human kinetics have been bringing their apex program into Holy Names.

They’re paired up with students with special needs, helping them get active, build routines and have fun doing it.

The pilot is led by a master’s student and Holy Names grad, alongside Holy Names phys-ed teacher Stacey Ditchfield, who says it’s been amazing for both groups.

“Seeing the joy of accomplishment, having the interaction, learning how to speak and communicate, being patient, understanding that what may come very easy to them is a lot more difficult when you don’t have barriers. And it’s just been such a joy to watch. It’s just wonderful that we’ve been able to implement it,” she said.

The idea started on campus, but bringing it into a high school setting is giving students a more comfortable, familiar space to grow.