The note below was sent to GHS administrators and several special education teachers, and is shared with permission from Model principal/GHS parent, Tami Hicks:

Putting on my parent hat. 

I just want to take a few moments to thank each of you for all that you have done for Ethan this year and years past.  It truly takes a village for each of our children and a city to support our special needs kiddos.  Thank you for supporting my wish for him to walk at graduation, for him to attend prom last year, the unified sports teams, for always thinking about Ethan’s best interest when placing him with a teacher/para, for the daily communication logs and growth mindsets when he is being a turkey.   You have no idea how much you mean to me. (And to Ethan.).  

Student Alexa Evans also has played a big role in my sanity over the years.  Day in and day out she talks about Ethan and how special he is.  Long story short, when Ethan and Alexa were at GMS, I was behind Alexa who was walking behind Ethan.  Ethan was being very loud (so normal), and Alexa, who had no clue Ethan was my son or that I was behind her said to her friend, “ That kid is Ethan. He went to Prairie View with me and he is my best friend.  I love him so much.”  Then she said hi to Ethan.  I immediately started sobbing. Later I told her how much that meant to me.  She has vowed to take him to prom since then. 😂😂😂. 

Two days ago, she left this note in my door at school.  “I love your son! He is the only man I need!” Alexa

It’s moments like this that truly make me stop and think about how incredibly blessed we are to live in a community that supports us.  

Thank you for all that you do not only for Ethan but for all of our children.

Sincerely, 

Tami