How sweet it is: Love theme for life skills kids at BVA Valentine’s Day Dance

By Kaylie Moore
kmoore@yourmvi.com
As snow fell outside, things were heating up on the dance floor as Belle Vernon Area life skills students attended the fourth annual Valentine’s Day dance.
Each year, teacher Cindy Pierce invites life skills students from across southwestern Pennsylvania to attend the holiday party in the high school gymnasium.
Although the weather kept some schools away this year, students from Yough, Baldwin and South Fayette school districts joined their BVA counterparts for a morning filled with games, prizes, crafts, snacks and plenty of dancing.
Partners Program members, high school students who devote time to building friendships with life skills students, organized the dance.
Friends First Club, cheerleaders, a mascot, teachers, counselors and administrators also play integral roles in the event.
Partners in physical education teacher Emily Koebler said the event’s overall concept is to bring both general education and life skills students together in a place where they can be themselves.
“I think it’s just the sincere connection these kids have made and the overall concept of service that motivates them to get involved. They’re genuinely friends,” Koebler said. “I love to see people being human beings – being themselves – and focusing on their commonalities rather than their differences.”
The dance is part of the district’s initiative to provide life skills students with a hands-on and immersive learning curriculum.

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