OWASSO, Okla. — A school helping some of Green Country's most special kids is in need. King's Grove School in Owasso is specifically made for special-needs students, but after opening in September, they have to operate just two days per week with volunteer teachers.
Katie Peters-Larson, mother of a special needs student, helped found the school. She knows how difficult it can be trying to get the proper education for her daughter, and how important it is for special-needs students to feel part of a larger family.
"There is a vast gap in education opportunities for children with special needs," Peters-Larson said. "It's a human need and a desire to be understood. And as a special needs parent it's the understanding that is the problem."
It began as a five-day school for kids with special needs, but the school began running out of funds. Donations helped, but not enough to keep operating normally. Teachers like Dana Jennings had to teach on a strictly volunteer basis, but they continued to do so.
"It's my joy to be here with them. We love being together," Jennings said. "We saw so much growth in the first semester; our students became like a little family. And now we look so forward to being together."
The school moved to a two-day week, but teachers continue to work with kids at a one-to-one ratio.
"It's what I love to do," Ted Knotts said, "I think it's what I'm here to do, and to me, volunteering is just easy."
The school operates in Redeemer Bible Church in Owasso. The team wants to get the funds to go back to a five-day week, and expand to bring in more kids. Constant fundraisers are helping, and they're asking for every little bit they can get.
If you would like to donate to help the school, click the link here. You can set up recurring donations, and volunteers say every bit counts. You can even use Amazon Smile to help the school while you shop online.
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