LONDONDERRY — Starting next week, a handful of Londonderry High School students with special needs will spend longer hours in school as part of a pilot program for students with cognitive disabilities or autism.

On Tuesday night, the School Board unanimously approved the new program at the urging of Pupil Services Director Kim Carpinone.

Carpinone said there’s a growing need for such a program in the high school setting, as certain students are falling through the cracks with limited opportunities for extracurricular activities.

Though the high school currently has several unified sports teams for young adults with special needs, there are still some students with significant cognitive and physical disabilities unable to participate.

“The extended day program would allow these students to be a part of the larger Londonderry community, both on the campus and throughout the town,” Carpinone told the School Board.

Around eight high school students will participate in the new program, she said, and if the program proves successful, more children will participate next year.

For two afternoons each week, the selected students in the program will explore leisure activities, build upon daily living skills and develop work-related skills.

Leisure activities will take place on and off campus. Some activities will be passive in nature, such as watching athletics or listening to band practice. Others will be active, such as walking, hiking, apple-picking, learning to play outdoor games, weight-lifting or doing yoga.

Activities designed to increase independence with daily living and work-related skills may include shopping, snack preparation and doing laundry. Functional communication will be embedded and facilitated throughout all program activities.

Carpinone said the new program would be designed and staffed by the related service staff (Speech and Language pathologist and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) currently working with this population and two assistants.

“We would also promote opportunities for typical peer mentors who could, in turn, earn a point towards their red cords at graduation,” she said. Since last year, graduating seniors have the opportunity to earn a red cord to wear with their caps and gowns in honor of their volunteerism.

Londonderry High School student Anissa Cote, who serves as the student liaison on the School Board, said she’s volunteered with several of the integrated sports teams at her school and would encourage her peers to consider volunteering in the pilot program.

“The kids on both sides just get so much out of it,” Cote said. “It’s a very rewarding experience.”

School officials said the program’s funding is already in place, since the special education department already has a salary account established for potential extended day activities.

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April Guilmet may be reached at AGuilmet@newstote.com.