The value of having friends in high school can’t be over-emphasized, especially when it comes to students whose lack of social skills may make it hard for them to connect with others.

That’s where the Circle of Friends program enters the picture.

Aurora School District 4R recently received two Autism Action Partnership grants -- $500 for the elementary school and $2,500 for the middle/high school -- to broaden the Circle of Friends program district-wide.

To read more, see this week's print or e-editions