Bus Bunch "Everyone is Special"

Everyone is Special A Brite Star Bus Bunch Book Copyright © 2023 by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)3 All rights reserved.

Published by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc. 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway Suite 338 Las Vegas, Nevada 89141 Vincent W. Goett, Publisher

ISBN Paperback

979-8-89750-264-6

Digital

979-8-89750-265-3

No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

Miss Betty greeted the children when they came into class. “Good morning, Miss Betty!” the kids called out.

They loved their teacher and were very glad to see her.

“Children, I want you to meet a new student who is joining our class today. Her name is Julia and she just moved here fromCalifornia.

Please say hello to her,” Miss Bettysaid.

“Hello, Julia!” the childrenshouted.

“Julia, why are you in a wheelchair?”Miles asked.

“Did you get hurt in an accident or something?” Alexander asked.

“No,” Julia answered. “I was born with a condition that makes my legs weak. I’ve been in a wheelchair my wholelife.”

“You guys. You shouldn’t ask her questions like that,” Stella said. Then she turned to Julia and said, Hi. My name is Stella. This is Margaret. I’m sorry Miles and Alexanderare being rude.”

“It’s OK,” Julia answered. “There are always questions about my wheelchair. I’mused to answering them.”

“Miss Betty said you moved fromCalifornia,” Miles said. “ I love the beach and swimming.

We have a lake in Brite Star where we can swim. Oh . . . can you swim?”

“I’d love to see it sometime,” Julia said. “Yes, I can swim. I can do lots of things with a little help from myfriends.”

“We will be your helper friends!” Stella said.

Brite Star is a very friendly place so I’m sure you will have lots of friends very soon!”

“We’ll show you around our classroom,” Margaret said.

After school the kids headed to the school bus. Miles ran ahead of the others and said, “Mr. Emerson, we have a new student in our class. She is in a wheelchair and she is from California and her name isJulia!”

“Yes, I know all about her,” Mr. Emerson said.“I met her yesterday with Principal Scroggins.”

“The Principal?” Miles asked in amazement.“Was she in trouble already? She just gothere!”

“No,” Mr. Emerson said, laughing. “Her mother and the Principal were planning how Julia would get to and from school. She lives near all of you. It looks like she will be one of my Bus Bunch Kids!”

That night Alexander told his family, “A new student came to our class today. Her name is Julia. She came from California. She’s special because she’s in a wheelchair but it doesn’t slow her down at all! Sheeven wants to go to the lake with us!”

“Everyone is special, Alexander,” his mom said.

“People are different from one another. Julia may need help in ways that you don’t need.

That’s all.”

“Right. I help Mrs. Jones across the street.

She’s older so I do some things that are hard for her,” Alexandersaid.

“Right,” Mom said. “And several people help Soldier Rick take groceries to his friends at the Veteran’s Hospital. The injuries he got as a soldier make it hard for him to do some things. But he is a special man who helpshis friends.”

“People help Mr. Simpson, too. He is special because he can’t see but he likes to go to the park and feed birds. He loves helping allkinds of animals at Brite Star Ranch,” Alexander said.

Alexander’s brother, Chucky, joined the conversation, “Mom, why do you say EVERYONEis special? What does Alexander do that’s special? All he does is watch TV and play with Miles.”

“He’s special because he’s a good friend to Miles and to you, too, Chucky,” Mom said.

Illustration Chucky kind of pushing his brother aside. Mom gently putting arms around bothof them.

At school on Friday the children were very excited. The annual field trip to Brite Star Lake was the next day. Everyone lookedforward to swimming and playing on the beach. Their whole families came for the fun day. They had a barbecue on the beach at the end of the day.

Illustration Children playing in the lake.Some playing on the beach.

Julia’s father helped her out of her chair and into the lake. The children were amazed at how strong her arms were. She could bat the beach ball around with them. Later she helped them build a sand castle on thebeach.

Illustration Julia in the water – wearing a float ring, batting a beach ball with her new friends.

At the end of the day the whole class got together for a Beach Day class photo. Julia was right in the middle of the picture with all her new, very specialfriends!

Class photo with Julia in the middle.

Think About It

1. Where did Julia move from?

2. What made Julia different from the other students?

3. How long had Julia been in a wheelchair?

4. What things did Julia say shecouldn’t do?

5. What is Miss Betty’s favorite wayof people being special?

Let’s Work Together!

What ways canyou think of to be a special friend to others? How canyou help someone? How canyou showkindness?

I Will . . .

• Be kind and respectful to anyone whois different from mefor any reason?

• Happily show kindness to others by helping any wayI can.

• Not be afraid to be friends withanyone whois special in ways different from me.

Remember that just because someone is in a wheelchair, speaks another language or is different from me in any way I can still be friends with them.

"The Brite Star Kids” 979-8-89750-263-”Th9979-8-89750Entertaining Through Life Lessons in 263-9 the Magical World of Brite Star!"