Manhasset Students Enjoy Big Apple Circus
Circus of the Senses Tickets Gifted Treat
Caption: Manhasset students attending the Big Apple Circus and one of the acrobatic acts from the performance.
Some lucky students from the Shelter Rock Elementary school got to attend a special performance of the Big Apple Circus on Wednesday, Jan 5. Thirty tickets, which were donated to Manhasset SEPTA by the Big Apple Circus, were gifted to the Manhasset school district in Dec 2010. Two classes enjoyed the Big Apple Circus’ Circus of the Senses which is special event created expressly for children with physical and developmental disabilities.
“SEPTA is grateful to all the sponsors of the Circus of the Senses and to the Big Apple Circus for providing the tickets to our organization,” Manhasset SEPTA Co-President Helen Weitman stated. “Furthermore, we are delighted that SEPTA was able to provide the tickets to the school district for our special needs students to enjoy this fabulous performance,” Weitman added.
The Circus for the Senses is a special circus performance that supports the needs of children with disabilities including vision and hearing impaired, as well as other sensory input issues. Presenting a slightly modified version of the Big Apple Circus’s annual production, the program allows attendees with special needs to experience the performing arts in a meaningful and compelling way.
Students delighted as performers displayed their skills in the various circus acts, including acrobats, animal tricks, jugglers, and of course clowning routines. There was even an extra lucky Manhasset student asked to join a performer on stage for some funny clowning around! And of course, all the students got to meet performers and interact with the animals from the show.
In thank you letters to Manhasset SEPTA from several students, the horse and dog act seemed to be the favorite. All the students expressed their gratitude and joy in being able to attend the show on a very special class trip.
“A big thank you to all the students who sent SEPTA letters and drawings of their special day out seeing the circus,” Weitman said. “We hope it will be a great memory for all the students and staff that attended.”
Manhasset SEPTA is a local chapter of the National PTA supporting Manhasset’s special education population, including teachers, school staff, children and their families. Through facilitating community and school programs, providing free public resources, SEPTA supports hundreds of special needs families and school staff in Manhasset and on the North Shore. Manhasset SEPTA proudly services the needs of students with disabilities, gifted and talented students, and students receiving academic intervention services.