Clairemont High School is one of the most unique schools in the San Diego Unified School District because of its diverse population comprised of 18% students with special needs. The Circle of Friends program, created by Barbara Palilis, was adopted at this site in September, 2006 by Marianne Miller, a speech-language pathologist who strongly adhered to the service delivery model of providing speech/language services in a natural setting. A team approach has been utilized in developing a collaborative model of services for students with special needs. Special educators, counselors and administrators contributed to the success of this program by assisting with activities and promoting the program.

The Circle of Friends program has flourished at Clairemont High School this year with the inclusion of 27 students with special needs and 48 regular education students serving as peer friends. The climate at our site has been dramatically changed, from one of "tolerance" to "acceptance" of individual differences. Students with special needs are no longer relegated to a specific location on campus, but they are woven into the campus, creating a sense of belonging, friendship and unity.

This past year, Circle of Friends hosted four large group activities on campus. One of the highlights was the commencement banquet held at the end of the year to honor all of our students who participated. Parents, students and staff attended. We celebrated the success of the program as we listened to several moving speeches written and eloquently delivered by students with special needs and general education students. The impact of this life changing program can best be summed up in the following words expressed by a peer friend, "You have all changed my perspective completely and I realize now what life is really about; it is not about always wanting more than you have, striving to obtain the unattainable in your life, which is what so many try to do and continue to fail at. It is about appreciating the life you have been given and making the most of it."

This program would not have been successful if it weren't for the guidance and support of Barbara Palilis, the club officers, staff and parents who have put forth time and effort in establishing an incredible social skills/inclusion program called Circle of Friends.

Circle of Friends will be expanded to additional schools in the San Diego Unified School District next year under the supervision and direction of Barbara Palilis, Marianne Miller and Ellen Goren, a team of speech-language pathologists who are committed to the philosophy of inclusion through social skill development in a natural context.

9/08 WHAT'S NEW AT CHS? We have just begun our third year in implementing the Circle of Friends program at Clairemont High School and we are already off and running. Membership has soared to over 100 students and we continue to accept applications throughout the year as our motto is: "IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MAKE A FRIEND." Fifteen seasoned officers have taken on leadership positions and are busily working to further establish the Circle of Friends, social skills/inclusion program at CHS.

Five of the fifteen officers have accepted student intern positions and are actively supporting students with communication challenges in the classroom as well as within the COF program.
We are excited to report that we have adopted three furry COF mascots (2 guinea pigs + one dog) named Caramel, Mocha and Higgins who have provided comfort, support and stimulus for discussion during our COF gatherings.
As we continue to expand and grow the Circle of Friends program throughout the district, it is a pleasure to watch others experience the transformation that occurs on their campus as this program catches fire, changing lives everyday.