The MPSED Summer Enrichment Program offers valuable opportunities for students with special abilities throughout the month of June. The program provides a structured schedule and routine for students who thrive with a predictable sequence during the summer months. Activities include community outings, social games, and classroom fun.

Often, our students require extra support and supervision when visiting places like parks, fishing spots, zoos, and restaurants. With the guidance of the dedicated MPSED staff, students feel more confident and comfortable navigating these settings alongside their peers, maintaining the same positive expectations they practice during the school year. Because some of our students with profound needs use wheelchairs or require extensive physical assistance, attending off-site community events can sometimes be a challenge.

The Touch-A-Truck event was born from an idea to bring a fire truck directly to them! We are incredibly thankful to the MPSED Life Skills teachers here at MacArthur High School, as well as Mr. Bill Moore, for their collaborative efforts in reaching out to so many of our community partners.

We were thrilled to host the City of Decatur, the Decatur Police Department, Decatur Fire Department, Waste Management, Ziegler Industries, DPS61 vehicles, Shaner’s Towing, Sky’s the Limit Tree Service, the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, Sharp Auto Detail, Troy Page Excavating, and more! Many partners even brought personal vehicles to give our students a full, hands-on experience with all types of transportation.

The event also featured practical demonstrations, including how to change a car tire and a bicycle tire pumping station. These real-world, meaningful experiences were led by Ryan Atwater and Jax McCray. Additionally, students enjoyed a visit from Kona Ice, made possible by the Decatur Public Schools Foundation. This wonderful organization is dedicated to supporting teachers, staff, and schools with vital funding, and we extend a huge thank you to Zach Shields and the foundation team.

Organizer Kate McCray would like to express her deepest gratitude to MacArthur High School and Macon-Piatt Special Education District for making such a fantastic event possible: “Thank you to everyone who helped bring this day together. You have truly made a meaningful impact on the lives of so many students!”