The Community Services department is now offering inclusive classes, which started Thursday, March 10. These classes are open to children of all abilities and take place in our accessible Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Recreation and fitness opportunities are important for everyone, and we are excited that we can now make them more accessible to our residents with special needs. These classes are also open to children throughout the Peninsula (at no additional fee for nonresidents). As students with special needs are not finding inclusive recreation programs in other communities, we want to take the lead in offering a program that will benefit the larger community. We have recruited instructors who have experience working with children with special needs and who are creative and engaging. We have also made support staff available for the classes so that the teacher-student ratio is more appropriate for students’ needs. Students who need support in class can attend with an aide or caregiver/parent. 

Our new inclusive classes are also open to siblings and peers. The age range is broad to allow for children of varied ages to have experiences being leaders, working collaboratively, and spending fun time with siblings and peers. Enrollment is open now. Classes will be prorated throughout the session. For registration information, visit menlopark.org/onlineregistration