Inaugural Drauden Point Middle School Event Aims To Promote Inclusion

PLAINFIELD, IL — A new event Saturday at Drauden Point Middle School aims to provide support for neurodivergent students within Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202.

Open to District 202 families, the Friendship Walk, modeled after the Best Buddies Walk in Chicago, will allow students to make connections by creating friendship bracelets, enjoy face painting, touch a fire truck, play yard games and go on inflatable slides. Concessions and raffle tickets will also be for sale.

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The event is planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the middle school, 1911 Drauden Road.

"This variation could include a diagnosed condition like autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but neurodivergence itself is not a diagnosis," the district wrote in a news release. "It just means the brain works differently than what is considered typical. It's neither right nor wrong."

The goal of the Friendship Walk is to reach more District 202 families and involve them in the school community, according to Haley Koziel, event organizer and Drauden Point FBI teacher.

"The Friendship Walk brings everyone together to celebrate inclusion and uplift our neurodivergent students," Koziel said in a statement. "It's a joyful reminder that while we all have unique strengths and differences, we have far more in community than we do apart."

The cost to participate is $5 if registration is completed by Friday, or $10 day-of. Those interested should email Koziel for the registration link, district officials said.