Chameleons Class

Contact:
Mandy Townsend
Special Needs Coordinator
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The Chameleons classroom is an adaptive setting specifically designed for children, grades K-5, who have mild to moderately severe special needs.  The mission of the Chameleons ministry is to share God’s love and gospel message with special needs children, in ways that are easy to relate to and understand.

Why “Chameleons?“ Just as chameleons change color to adapt to their surrounds and aren’t necessarily what they seem to be; our special needs children may look or act one way but they are really something other than the disability that they have.  They change and adapt to their surroundings as their surroundings effect and change them.

This is why we have loving and nurturing care providers for our special needs children that are sensitive to their basic needs as well as their spiritual needs.

About The Chameleons Class

The Chameleons class is intended for any child with a disability who could benefit from a self-contained Sunday school setting or activity.  Partnering with parents, a profile is created for their child.  This profile is a tool that helps equip the teachers and assistants with information that enables them to structure the Sunday school hour or activity to meet the individual’s basic and spiritual needs.

During the Sunday school hours or activity there are lead teachers and assistants.  These positions are volunteer based with a one year commitment.  We recognize that the more we can provide consistency in our format including teaching staff, the more receptive and comfortable our students are.  The class ratios range from one-to-one to one-to-two.  All teachers and assistants have completed a Children’s Ministries application, been approved and received training.  Ongoing training is available to all our volunteers and staff.

Schedule

Sunday School
The Chameleons class is open each Sunday during thes Class is open each Sunday during the 2nd and 3rd Worship Services.

AWANA
“Trailblazers,” the Special Needs AWANA club, meets Sunday nights during the school year.

Wednesday Night
The Chameleons class is open upon request on Wednesday nights.

Summer Day Camp
There is a special needs class during Summer Day Camp, and registration is required.

Special Events
We often open the Chameleons class for special events based on the needs of our families. Please be sure and keep in touch with us about how we can serve you.

Volunteering in the Chameleons Classroom

All Children’s Ministries volunteers are required to complete and submit an application. Applications are available online or at any of the church welcome desk/kiosks.  Once an application is received and processed, volunteers attend a basic training and have a photo ID taken that is worn any time they are volunteering with children.  (Ongoing training is available throughout the year.)  Special needs certification or training is not required to work within special needs.

You may have had a family member with a disability, a close friend with a disability or possibly you work outside the church setting with special needs. This may be an area that you feel God is calling you to serve in.  We want to encourage you to arrange a time to visit and observe our special needs classroom.   If you love working with children and desire to be part of a team that shares God’s truths and love with them, we encourage you to sign up today!