Unified Champion Schools

National Banner Applications Open Now!

The Special Olympics National School Recognition Program provides an opportunity for schools across the United States to be acknowledged for their high achievements with inclusion at at their school.

Who is eligible to apply?

1) A school that has not yet received National Banner Status

2) Massachusetts Schools recognized in 2019 (click HERE) that would like to renew their status.

Please read the details below.

How to prepare before you apply

1) Review the standards -

2) Read through the rubrics -

3) Read these application instructions

If you're interested in applying let us know, we can help you tell the story of what is happening in your school, we can give you pointers!

Timeline

April 3- June 5: Applications open.

June 6- July 1: Programs review

July 1 – August 15 National Certifying Body review.

September: Schools are notified.

Renewal

All National Banner schools from 2019 are now eligible to renew their banner status this spring.

Please contact

kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma

with questions.

National Banner Application - click HERE

Unified Sports

Track and Field

Meets are underway!

All new coaches are required to attend a Coaches meeting and take the NFHS Unified Sports course. We will be reviewing the report to validate if all coaches have taken the course.

Important Dates

Sectionals May 8-May 16

States May 24th, Rain Date May 25th

Please visit the MIAA Unified Track and Field Sports Page -click HERE

Format - click HERE

ADDITIONAL COACH's opportunity

April 23rd - Track and Field Coaches Training click here with incentives!

Please contact [email protected] with questions.

Looking to add Unified Basketball?

For any school looking at add Unified Basketball at the high school level, we are holding a quick information session on what it takes to get a team started for the Fall. Join us if you do not yet have a team!

May 2, 11:00 a.m. - Unified Basketball Information Session - how to get started

Please contact [email protected] with questions.

Youth Leadership

Virtual Youth Summit

Once again the YAC hit a home run! The YAC members hosted a summit with 20 schools in attendance. We had a few middle schools join in as well.

Our theme was a "Scrapbook of Memories" students shared and reflected on experiences that had an impact on them in their schools

Our keynote speaker was James Day Keith from North Andover MA- who plays the role of Benny in the film Champions. James shared the activities in high school that gave him confidence to try new things. He urged us all to dream big and that, "You can do anything you put your mind to."

Please save the Date for a Big return to an in person youth summit in OCTOBER!

Please contact

kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma with questions.

Whole School Engagement

Meaningful Inclusion

Meaningful Inclusion creates spaces where students recognize each other's value and the shared benefits of friendship. In schools, it helps both students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) feel a sense of belonging. Meaningful inclusion is next level! Inclusion is for everyone everyday!

Liaisons

Liaisons - 2 different surveys to complete this spring.

National Survey - UMASS Boston

This week each Liaison at each school has been provided an individualized link from the Center for Social Development and Education, CSDE, through UMASS Boston.

The detailed data provided is incredibly helpful to SONA and the US Department of Education, and we are grateful for the time and effort liaisons put into providing it. You do not have to complete all in one sitting. Helpful information in the FAQ below.

FAQ for CSDE - UMass Boston National Survey

Thank you in advance for completing this important survey!

End of Year Survey

Please we ask each Liaison, the person that has the knowledge of what was accomplished this year in your school, to fill out the survey at the end of each school year.

Let us know what you have done throughout the school year in the areas of Unified Sports, Inclusive Leadership and Whole School Engagement.

End of Year Survey - click HERE

Thank you!

Middle School