Lynn students play Special Games

LYNN – Samantha McManus likes her Shoemaker School third-grade class, but there is one simple reason why she preferred spending Wednesday at the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute field house.?I get to eat ice cream,” she said.McManus and 280 public school students from 10 schools spent “Lynn Special Games Day” participating in soccer shootouts, face painting, floor hockey and making their way through an inflatable “corn maze” and a “Black Ops obstacle course.”?These are students who have developmental disabilities. This is a day where they can be themselves with other kids like them. It?s great,” said Lynn schools special education administrator Jessica McLaughlin.McManus and classmate Gavin Millotis started their day parading past school workers, Rotary Club of Lynn members and a dozen police officers who ran to the field house from police headquarters on Washington Street.?This is all for the kids. They really seem to appreciate it,” said Officer Brian Chisholm.Special Games Day has a 46-year history that includes longtime involvement by Rotarians who help organize the day and support it financially.?I make that phone call every January and the answer from them is always, ?We?re here for the children and for you,?” said city Associate Public Works Commissioner Lisa Nerich.McLaughlin has participated in the special games for several years and said each day spent in the field house gives her a chance to see how students have progressed from one year to the next.Tech junior Caroline Macdonald said the day is one of the high points of her academic year.Diagnosed as a child with a learning disability, Macdonald said the help she received throughout her school career inspired her to study early education at Tech.She spent Wednesday painting young faces.?I know what it feels like to work hard and to struggle. If I can do it, they can too,” she said.Lea LaBranche attended Special Games Day with 11-year-old son Peter, whose developmental needs are significant enough for him to receive schooling at home twice a week from a tutor.?He faces so many challenges. To be able to be out with other kids and have a normal day – this is a treat for him,” LaBranche said.?Service above self” is the Rotary motto, said Richard Cuffe, and he smiled Wednesday as he watched students pull on blue T-shirts provided by Lynn club members.?It?s inspiring to see these kids have such a wonderful time,” he said.