24-04-2025
Rochester Prep elementary students participate in Autism Awareness Walk
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Elementary students at Rochester Prep recognized Autism Awareness Month with an Autism Walk on Thursday morning.
Students at the St. Jacobs Campus wore shirts for the event that celebrated 'minds of all kinds' to show their support and participate in a short walk in the area.
Kelly Gardner, Rochester Prep Elementary School Principal, spoke to News 8 about the impact of students walking in the neighborhood with a message to share.
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'As an elementary school, we realize that we are a pillar in this community, so we wanted our students to be able to have their voices heard as well.'
Rochester Prep acknowledged the walk as an event that supports not just the community, but students as well.
The walk included a 'sensory tunnel' at the beginning, which school officials said brings attention to how individuals with autism may be more or less sensitive to sensory experiences with light, sound, movement, or touch.
'We have a lot of diverse learners at our school, and we have for many years.' Gardener said, 'We have a lot of different learners who have different needs, so, we like to bring awareness to our students even as early as kindergarten so that they understand why students are having maybe different accommodations in the community or learning differently, and to understand that everybody is an important part of our community.'
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