Eisenhower High's Pantherpalooza highlights inclusion for students with disabilities

Barb Hosler, a life-skills teacher at Eisenhower High School, told the Decatur Public School District 61 Board of Education on April 28 that Pantherpalooza — the school’s fourth annual inclusion event — brings special education students together with general education peers, teachers and community partners for sensory exploration, learning and fun.

"We promote sensory exploration, learning, fun, inclusion, acceptance, and community participation," Hosler said, describing stations such as a sensory museum, a foam machine and interactive art projects. She credited local sponsors and volunteers, naming the Decatur Art Council, the Lambda State Foundation for Educational Studies, Scoville Mobile Zoo and local businesses that provided stations, food and activities.

Hosler described student and volunteer participation: she said the event included student volunteers from Eisenhower and community volunteers who ran stations; she noted the presence of school agricultural students who created hands-on activities and a local vendor who provided inflatables and sensory materials. "We had student volunteers who were part of the inclusion experience and 30 to 40 community volunteers," Hosler said.

Students who attended spoke directly to the board. Davonte McMillan told trustees his favorite parts were the face painting and basketball activities; Michael Finch said he enjoyed the tattoo station, face painting and the fire truck. Estrella Ponce, a Johns Hill student speaking later in the meeting, also highlighted how school programs and extracurriculars supported her learning and confidence.

Trustees thanked Hosler and volunteers for organizing the event. Board members praised the foam machine and the inclusive design, and said the program reflected strong community support for students with moderate to severe disabilities.

The presentation closed with Hosler and her team inviting trustees to view photos and to continue supporting inclusive programming across the district.