Murray, NEB- This year Conestoga started a school inclusion program called Cougar Crew. The school hopes this group will inspire and foster friendships among the students at Conestoga. Claire Boudro, the school’s speech language pathologist and Dennis Wilfong, the special education teacher for underclassmen, are running the program.

Cougar Crew is based on the program “Circle of Friends” which provides opportunities for students of all abilities. The group plans to meet weekly to play games and promote interactions between students who wouldn’t typically hang out.

Wilfong and Boudro didn’t come up with the group on their own but they both have worked with groups in the past like Cougar Crew. They currently work with students who may need support in building their social skills. “This group is a form of peer-mediated intervention where peers are invited to befriend students with social challenges.” Boudro states, “It can increase the quality of social interactions among students, prevent bullying, develop empathy and caring in peers, decrease behavioral referrals, and increase academic participation.”

Cougar Crew is recommended for anyone who is a positive role model at Conestoga or for anyone who wants to develop new friendships. Wilfong adds, “This is our pilot year, we are starting small, but as it catches on we hope that this grows to include more students in the future.” Students who are involved will end up building new friendships among peers and can help build empathy among them.

Boudro created the name “Cougar Crew” which was made to be geared more towards Conestoga. The name also wanted to be something that students will remember easily. “In addition to promoting positive school culture, we have plans for future fundraising opportunities to benefit the Special Education Department once the club is up and running,” Wilfong said. Cougar Crew was made to bring the students of Conestoga together for the better.