MINGO JUNCTION — Hills Elementary School will celebrate neurodiversity with a series of activities planned during the week of March 17-21. Through the fourth-annual event, organizers are hoping to educate and bring awareness to students and adults considered to be neurodiverse.

Neurodiversity is the diagnostic label that includes individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and Tourette’s Syndrome.

Coordinating the activity are intervention specialists Alyssa Lollini and Carly Jo Belt, along with speech and language pathologist Emily Gault.

“It’s to celebrate neurodiversity and it has a Hollywood theme,” Lollini said of the event.

“There will be posters of celebrities with neurodiversity, and every day we will read facts about it,” she added.

More than 400 children in grades kindergarten through fourth will be taking part in various themed dress-up days. Photo booths will be situated throughout the building where students can have their picture taken. Older students will have the opportunity to write kind messages to others, while the younger pupils will be able to do artwork that includes making colored handprints. The artwork will be displayed outside of their classrooms, according to organizers.

Everyone is asked to wear green March 17 in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day. Students will dress up or wear a shirt that represents their favorite television show or movie on March 18, officials said. Pajamas will be worn March 19. The colors within the infinity symbol will be worn March 20, including blue for preschool pupils, purple for kindergarteners, red for first-graders, green for second-graders, orange for third-graders and yellow for fourth-graders. Everyone will rock their best socks during World Down Syndrome Day March 21.

Lollini said a Hills student who has Down Syndrome will assist Principal Erin Alloggia and guidance counselor Steve Eft, along with interacting with students.

Officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department will visit the school March 21. The law enforcement personnel are expected to speak with students on topics such as internet safety and making good choices. Sheriff’s department officials will provide activities as part of the Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports initiative, having teamed with the school. They will be conducting a police academy during each grade’s special time, as well, officials said.

“We try to do different things each year,” Lollini said. “This is the first year the sheriff’s office will do the PBIS celebration for us.” She noted the week is designed to help students gain an understanding of others and show kindness and compassion.

“Neurodiversity is a way we can celebrate so many of our kids throughout the week,” Lollini stated. “The week is dedicated to them and to educate students on being neurodiverse. We are all the same, but we learn differently. Some need visual cues more than verbal ones, or a small group to practice skills. They need to be taught in different ways compared to everyone else.”