New Program Provides
Comfort to Patients
Through Music
Students with Special
Needs Growing Through
Sports
F
ine arts students across Mansfield ISD are helping
hospital patients recover by simply doing what they
love.
A new music therapy program named Recovery Notes
allows the young musicians to perform for patients at
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.
Medical center officials said music can be a good
resource to manage pain and anxiety, ultimately playing
a significant part in a patient’s recovery.
MISD students in musical theatre, choir and band
participate in Recovery Notes on Monday evenings. The
program is in its infancy, but it has already proven to be
a benefit.
“The patients really love it and so do the students,”
said Brittany Ross, a fine arts teacher at MISD. “We’ve
even gotten some really great reactions from the nurses.
It really does bring this feeling of joy throughout the
entire hallway.”
Students who participate in Recovery Notes have an
opportunity to win a $500 scholarship to the college
of their choice. Coordinators said the program will
continue in the summer months.
The students and volunteers have fun socializing
between practice runs.
M
ansfield ISD students with special needs have a way
to participate in year-round sports.
With the help of staff members and volunteers, Mansfield
ISD All-Stars provides children in the special education
program sports training and athletic competitions.
The students can choose from aquatics, basketball, bocce,
bowling, cycling, tennis and track and field.
“This allows our students to do an extracurricular activity
too,” said Rebecca Poggensee, an MISD adaptive P.E.
teacher. “Having this type of program allows our students
to interact with other students throughout the district who
are similar to them.”
Coaches said the excitement on the children’s faces
as they push themselves to meet personal goals is the
highlight of being a part of the Mansfield ISD All-Stars.
The athletes and coaches are currently in the track and
field season.
The students are assigned to the cardiac
telemetry floor.
26 Mansfield School & Family
The team will participate at Special Olympics Texas in
Arlington on May 24-27, featuring nearly 3,000 athletes
from all around the state of Texas.