Studying, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic and The Rock.
The scholars at P373R on Staten Island bought an enormous shock when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson despatched a customized video — and even serenaded them with a tune his character Maui sings within the beloved Disney animated movie “Moana.”
College students on the college had voted to place the musical on as their annual college play — and The Rock delivered the election outcomes to the shocked college students by video.
Christie Byrnes, a particular schooling instructor on the West Brighton center college for youngsters with developmental, emotional and cognitive delays, determined to DM Johnson to let him know the Disney movie had received “by a landslide.”
“I used to be like, ‘I’m simply going to message him, you realize, to see what occurs,’ however by no means pondering that it will transpire into what it did,” Byrnes instructed The Submit.
A few days later, the actor and WWE star’s staff replied to say that not solely would he be offering a video message, however needed to movie the scholars’ reactions to the information.
“He needed to see the children’ dwell reactions,” mentioned Lauren Zdanowicz, a speech therapist at P373R. “It was crucial to him. He cherished the story. He cherished the varsity.”
Whereas they had been on the college, Johnson’s staff additionally frolicked interviewing employees and college students and compiled a video, which the star shared along with his practically 400 million Instagram followers.
Within the clip, Johnson addresses the 75 college students gathered within the auditorium as they erupt in cheers.
“This message goes out to all of the wonderful college students at P373R out in Staten Island,” he begins.
“Your superior lecturers instructed me that yearly, you guys love selecting a musical since you’re so gifted and also you’re so excited . . . I hear that you just guys are unimaginable . . . I really like you guys, have the perfect time. I can not wait to see it.”
He even sings verses of the tune “You’re Welcome.”
The gang was “blown away.”
“We weren’t anticipating him to be singing in it, it was like two minutes lengthy,” Zdanowicz mentioned.
“It was particular to our children after which for him to even inform our college students that he’s they’re primary fan, that was simply actually, actually, actually candy,” added Byrnes.
The kids — who’re followers of Johnson not solely from motion pictures like “Moana” and “Jumanji,” but additionally from skilled wrestling and Fortnite, the place he is without doubt one of the recreation’s unique characters — couldn’t consider their eyes.
“One pupil requested, ‘Is that this AI? I don’t consider it. This isn’t actual,’” mentioned Jamie Forlenza, a particular schooling instructor.
The scholars’ mother and father had been as excited as the children.
“Loads of them grew up with The Rock additionally,” mentioned Zdanowicz. “It’s multigenerational. Everybody loves him.”
Johnson’s Instagram submit acquired greater than 161,000 likes and near 2,000 feedback, which “brings consciousness to the talents and disabilities of our kids,” mentioned Antonio Vastano, assistant principal.
“Now we have college students with emotional disabilities, on the autism spectrum, college students with speech and language delays, college students with cognitive delays. And a whole lot of instances our kids are ignored, and having a platform like that to carry consciousness is large to our children.”
Forlenza added, “We all know how particular our inhabitants is, and we see that every single day, pushing boundaries, combating these stereotypes. And now the world bought to see it too.”
The varsity’s musical takes place on June 12, and the lecturers are hoping for a second shock from The Rock.
“We wish to meet him for certain,” mentioned Forlenza.
