The Bellmore Merrick Central High School District is truly a connected place, with all schools inside it being related in a familial way. An example of this lies outside of Mepham, over in Merrick at Calhoun High School, where the Connections Program has a growing presence and was recently recognized for their program.
The Calhoun Connections group is a part of the school’s special education department, and in December they won the Team Up 4 Community 2024 Holiday Heroes Challenge. This win was due to them receiving over 1,500 votes, and their prize was a grant to the program of $3,000 dollars.
The program truly deserved the accolade due to its efforts for inclusivity in Calhoun High School. Volunteers aid within this program in the group’s many activities, including COORE FEE, Challenger Athletics, and special clubs. Specifically, COORE FEE is a program where drinks like hot chocolate and coffee are sold by pairs of buddies, travelling to schools across the district. Challenger Athletics consists of many sports: in the fall, soccer; in the winter, basketball and cheer; in the spring, track. Typical students from Calhoun help out the special education students to conduct inclusive games to take part in. They play modified games with schools from across the Island, including Seaford, Plainedge, and Bethpage. Buddy Club, Express Yourself, and Recreation Club give the special education and typical students another opportunity to create bonds. Three times a week, every other week, these clubs get together to play games, make projects, and learn from each other. This opportunity for students to buddy up and get involved represents the true nature of the name Connections.
For typical students involved in the program, they gain a unique experience from the Connections group that can often aid in their future endeavors. One student, Maddy Chawla, a Calhoun senior actively involved in the program, expresses, “There is nothing like it; when you create a bond with the kids, it is really powerful. Being a part of all these clubs is the reason why I want to study special education in college.” A group like Connections helps students figure out what they want to do in the future and learn more about themselves. It truly brings the community together, supporting all students involved and providing them with valuable opportunities to build friendships.
Special Education Chairperson Ms. Rohr agrees with this point, stating that “Bellmore-Merrick is a supportive community, and we are proud of all of the families and staff who not only support our Special Education programs but further allow our students to shine, access opportunities and reach their potential.”
It’s clear that the bonds created in the program are not temporary; the buddies are leaving the clubs changed for the better.
Originally published Spring 2025 edition.