It’s usually the same routine every year: prom gets planned, girls buy their dresses and guys buy their tuxedos, they get all dolled up, take pictures and enjoy an evening at the dance. Prom is only a few months away for nearly every high school student, but the ordinary prom is a different kind of fun for the kids involved in PE Leadership. That exciting Saturday night isn’t always on the agenda for the special needs students at Kaneland High School.

“As a fun thing in Adaptive PE, the leaders plan a PE prom. The leaders decorate the gym, bring food, play music and everyone dances,” special education teacher Theresa Biddle said.

This does not mean that special needs students aren’t allowed to attend prom.

“We do not segregate due to disability. It is up to the parents whether their child goes to prom,” Biddle said.

The evening just tends to be chaotic for certain students and the PE leadership kids have a more enjoyable time in a comfortable environment that they’re used to.

“It is an adaptive PE class, so it’s more comfortable for them. There’s only about 34 of us in the class and we have the dance in the auxiliary gym, so there’s lots of space and no flashing lights. The kids don’t have to dance if they don’t want to,” senior Brianna Stoiber said.

The girls dress up in dresses and the guys wear nice clothes, but not tuxedos or suits.

“We bring in some of our dresses and let the girls wear them. We might even do their hair and makeup,” junior Shannon Herra said.

According to Biddle, the Adaptive PE kids love the event.

“We have been doing the PE Leadership prom for four years now, It’s only during our class time. Everyone has fun; the girls enjoy the dancing, the boys enjoy the food. It doesn’t cost any money. At the end of class, we just clean up and go to lunch,” Biddle said.