Unified Champion Schools
The deadline of May 1st is fast approaching to apply for National Banner Recognition.

A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards of excellence.

These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community. Wait, I'm a Unified Champion School now and I could be a National Banner school? Yes, that's right! Each school that starts the program is a Unified Champion school working in the areas of Whole School Engagement, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Unified Sports.
A national banner school is one that is achieving higher levels of Unified programming in these areas.
Please review these standards for each level


Who can apply? Schools that have been a UCS and have not yet been awarded National Banner Status, and schools that were recognized in the National Banner class of 2018.

The application timeline
  • Now open - National Banner Application
  • May 1, 9am- Applications Close
  • May - Initial application review
  • June - National Certifying Body reviews applications.
  • August- National Banner Schools announced

Please connect before working on your application we have some tips for you! contact kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma.
High School
Unified Sports
Unified Track & Field
Track is well underway! Many meets are taking place all across the Commonwealth. At each practice and meet students are hitting their goals!

Important Dates
April 27th - Final Roster Confirmation on Google link sent to all schools
May 3rd - Sectional Meet Registration on Direct Athletics -
(use your school's login to access site).
May 6th - Team Sportsmanship Nomination
May – Sectionals 5/9 through 5/19
May - States 5/25

If you have questions regarding the season please contact [email protected]
Unified Basketball Information Session for New Schools
Do you have schools in your league that are not participating in Unified Basketball? All new schools are invited to attend this informational meeting on how to get started.
Please share this information with your colleagues in other schools!

You are invited to an informational Unified Basketball Zoom meeting. 
When: Apr 27, 2022 11:00 a.m.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you have questions regarding the season please contact [email protected]
Youth Leadership
Interactive Youth Summit a success
Thank you for all that attended the youth summit hosted by our YAC members on April 8th. The summit kicked off with some tunes and Disney themed trivia. Our key note speaker Mackensen Charles got us ready with some ice breakers and shared about our district wide approach. Mr. Collins from Hopkinton HS shared how the Unified Champion School program has changed their school for the better. We split into groups to "Steel and Share" ideas with our attendees. We learned a lot on new and exciting ideas that schools are accomplishing!

Check out the activities on our bulletin Board
use (QR code)- or click link https://padlet.com/lllmdrs/w5dolilgld6om9aco
Do you have students interested in joining our YAC?
The Special Olympics Massachusetts Youth Activation Council (YAC) invites your student leaders to promote Unified Champion School programs at your school and in your community as a YAC member. Please share the application with athlete and partner student leaders. Ideal candidates are Freshmen and Sophomores.

YAC Application - due Friday, 4/29/22

Please e-mail all applications to [email protected].
Whole School Engagement
Inclusion Bulletin Board!
Inclusion Campaign Bulletin Board
Schools shared what they accomplished during the YAC's inclusion campaign. Check out the collection on the padlet bulletin board!

Post on our Padlet (QR code)- https://padlet.com/lllmdrs/w5dolilgld6om9aco
Transition - After High School
Liaisons and Transition Coordinators we need your help!
It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of another school year! We are full of gratitude for all your efforts to make your school a Special Olympics Unified Champion School! As you know, Special Olympics goes well beyond high school with athletes ranging from age 2 to 102+! We want to ensure that athletes and Unified Partners that are ending their school careers are aware of all our programming outside of the school walls.   
 
Please take a minute now to forward this email to all athletes and unified partners on your unified sports teams who are leaving high school by having them complete this 2 minute registration form by May 4th.  Upon completion and as a thank you for helping to make their schools more inclusive, they will receive an email with a $10 Amazon gift card by the end of the school year!
 
We greatly appreciate you sharing this form and reward with them. Every year, you get the unique opportunity to watch your amazing students go through this exciting time in life with new beginnings, opportunities and experiences.
Good afternoon Seniors and Families!
Congratulations on another great school year and year of inclusion! Special Olympics Massachusetts would like to recognize, honor, and celebrate all the Athletes and Unified Partners who will be graduating from High School this year.
We will be sending a $10 Amazon gift card for each graduating student who completes this registration form by Wednesday, May 4th . If you prefer, use the QR code below to access the form.
 
Regardless of your choice after graduation, Special Olympics MA will continue to offer opportunities to remain an engaged member of the Special Olympics MA Unified movement. It is a movement that gives people of all ages the opportunity to play sports, create friendship, and become active members of their communities through social inclusion. We are thrilled to have students as ambassadors for inclusion wherever they go! 
 Congratulations again - and as always, thank you!
Middle School
Middle Schools in the Spotlight!
The Middle School Season comes to a close. Teams celebrated at the season ending Jamborees and a few teams received some great press. We had the good fortune of some great TV coverage. 

If you have questions, please contact [email protected]
Community
Last Call for REVS Clinic & Tryout
Location: Patriot Place for up to 50 interested Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners

Clinic & Tryout Details:
Sunday, April 24th
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tryout Requirements:
Ages: 16-24

Must be able to commit to a full summer of training and competition
Clinic Requirements:

The clinic is open to all Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners who want play soccer with the New England Revolution and gain some skills along the way. There is no age limit and the clinic is open all skill levels. There will be no judging or ranking clinic participants.
Newsletter
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