TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, Feb. 19, winners of Community Living Ontario's 'Together We're Better' contest were announced. The contest invited elementary school aged students from across Ontario to submit a video (class) or poem (individual student) expressing why having students who have an intellectual disability should be included in regular classes alongside students who do not have a disability. Students were asked to create a video or write a poem demonstrating how:
"We're very proud of this year's winners and we're thrilled with the outcome. The number of entrants and the quality of their work far exceeded our expectations," says Chris Beesley, CEO, Community Living Ontario. "It was our intent to motivate elementary school aged students across Ontario to creatively explore why 'Together We're Better'. We know that inclusive education works! Children who learn together in school also learn to live well together as adults and are better able to create and participate in communities where everyone belongs. While we congratulate the winners, we also applaud the other entries for their innovation and creativity."
The top two winners are:
1. First place (VIDEO): St John the Evangelist school in Woodslee Ontario (Grade 3, 4 class).
Link to winning video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4bUiQbpcI60
2. First place (POETRY): Paige Keith, 11-years-old
Link to winning poem: http://communitylivingontario.ca/node/1676
NOTE: For a complete list of contest winners, please visit the Community Living Ontario website at http://communitylivingontario.ca/node/1676
About Community Living Ontario
Founded in 1953, Community Living Ontario is a non-profit, provincial association that advocates for people who have an intellectual disability to be fully included in all aspects of community life. The goal of Community Living Ontario is "that all persons live in a state of dignity, share in all elements of living in the community, and have the opportunity to participate effectively." Community Living Ontario has over 12,000 members and represents 107 local Community Living Associations across Ontario. Learn more at: www.communitylivingontario.ca
Video with caption: "Video: 'Together We're Better' 1st Place Video Contest Winner: Grade 3, 4 class from St John the Evangelist school in Woodslee Ontario ". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140225_C6962_VIDEO_EN_37097.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20140225_C6962_PHOTO_EN_37097.jpg&clientName=Community%20Living%20Ontario&caption=Video%3A%20%27Together%20We%27re%20Better%27%201st%20Place%20Video%20Contest%20Winner%3A%0D%0AGrade%203%2C%204%20class%20from%20St%20John%20the%20Evangelist%20school%20in%20Woodslee%20Ontario%20%0D%0A&title=COMMUNITY%20LIVING%20ONTARIO%20%2D%20In%20Celebration%20of%20National%20Inclusive%20Education%20Month%20Community%20Living%20Ontario%20Proudly%20Announces%20%27Together%20We%27re%20Better%27%20Contest%20Winners&headline=In%20Celebration%20of%20National%20Inclusive%20Education%20Month%20Community%20Living%20Ontario%20Proudly%20Announces%20%27Together%20We%27re%20Better%27%20Contest%20Winners
Image with caption: "'Together We're Better' 1st Place Poetry Contest Winner 11-year-old Paige Keith with 8-year-old sister Sadie Keith (CNW Group/Community Living Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140225_C6962_PHOTO_EN_37096.jpg
Image with caption: "Community Living Ontario (CNW Group/Community Living Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140225_C6962_PHOTO_EN_37100.jpg
SOURCE: Community Living Ontario
*For further information, interview requests and photos, please contact:
Kismet Baun, Director of Marketing and Communications
Community Living Ontario
240 Duncan Mill Road,
Toronto, ON
Tel: (416) 316-1587
[email protected]
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