Special Guest Provides Extra Teaching Moments for Chestnut Ridge Middle School Sixth-Grade Students

For Immediate Release
January 24, 2025

Mrs. Halicks’ class gathers for a group photo with Lainey Martin during her visit.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Sixth-grade students in Heather Halicks’ class at Chestnut Ridge Middle School recently welcomed a special guest to their classroom to help bring another layer of understanding to their reading of the book Out of My Mind. In the book – and subsequent movie on Disney+, the main character, Melody, is a sixth-grader with cerebral palsy. One of the CRMS students, Dylan Kane, thought the Melody reminded him of a very good friend of his – Thomas Jefferson Elementary School third-grader Lainey Martin.

Dylan was a kindergarten student in Mrs. Katy Martin’s class several years ago, and his family has since kept in touch with the Martin family, including Katy’s daughter, Lainey. So, after reading the book and noticing Melody’s similarities to Lainey, Dylan asked Mrs. Halicks if he could invite Katy and Lainey Martin to the classroom for a deeper lesson.

During their time with Mrs. Halicks class, Lainey was asked many questions about what it is like living with a disability, as well as questions about her likes and dislikes. They talked to her and Lainey answered their questions using her communication device. The students shared their newfound perspectives on the disability community and shared their desires to advocate for inclusion.  

“This was a wonderful experience for both Lainey and the students of Mrs. Halicks class,” Katy Martin said. “A true testament to teaching our students about acceptance, inclusion, resilience, perseverance, and empathy.”

AT LEFT: Lainey Martin and her mother, Katy Martin, are joined by Chestnut Ridge Middle School sixth-grader Dylan Kane during Lainey’s visit to Mrs. Heather Halicks’ class.

- WTPS -