Unified Champion Schools
Student Leaders Advocate for Special Olympics with Congressional Legislators

Capitol Hill Day is Special Olympics’ signature government engagement event in the United States. Held every year in early February, Capitol Hill Day provides an opportunity for Special Olympics athletes and partners serving as leaders and self advocates to raise awareness and educate Members of Congress about critical work Special Olympics is doing in health and education (Unified Champion School) programs.

Students from our YAC, Sydney Meininger from Nashoba Reg.HS, Victor Moreno from Chicopee HS, Nick Dutton and Olivia Oesteicher both from Ayer Shirley Reg.HS, worked diligently to prepare for meetings with Representatives, Senators, and their respective staffers from the Commonwealth. Every meeting was met with enthusiastic support, joy, and relief accross the board.

Thank You
Rep. Trahan,
Rep. Clark's office - Wooyoung Lim and Pamela Mejia,
Rep. Pressley's office - Sianay Clifford, Rep. Moulton's office - Olivia Hussey,
Sen. Warren's office -Caroline Ackerman, Sen. Markey's office - Matthew Russett.
Unified Sports
Unified Strength and Conditioning Winds Down

We're hearing great things from coaches about this first year piloting the Unified Strength and Conditioning Program. We will post results in our next newsletter!
Please contact [email protected]
with any questions.
Unified Bocce is underway!
On February 8th, we kicked off our Unified Bocce League for the winter of 2021. Thank you to all the coaches and players who hopped on our Virtual Opening Ceremony to show their school/team spirit. We have 14 schools participating in at-home, in-person, or hybrid models in a season that will run for 3 weeks, with our Closing Ceremony on March 5th.
Teams have already started their games and we are so excited with all of their enthusiasm and participation.

Good luck to all the teams amidst their season, and have a fantastic season!

There is still time to register your school’s team if you’d like to join the league, please email [email protected] 
for more details.
Unified Basketball
The Unified Basketball modifications were approved through the Unified Sports Advisory Committee, Sports Medicine Committee, COVID Task force, and MIAA Board of Directors. This process was the same for all MIAA sports. Below you will find the Town Hall recording, presentation, and the Unified Basketball modifications.
In an effort to discuss all of these plans and arrangements we will be hosting three coaches meetings. Please join us at a time that works for you.
Coaches meetings;
2/23 at 3:00
2/24 at 5:00
2/25 at 6:00
Zoom Links were sent on 2/11 and will be distributed again on Monday, February, 22nd.
Please contact [email protected]
if you have any questions.
Inclusive Youth Leadership
Youth Summit Success!
Our Youth Acitivation Council held a Youth Summit on Feb. 4th. Students attended from schools all over the Commonwealth. YAC members shared ideas and activities they are providing in their schools in the areas of; Whole School Engagement, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Unified Sports.
Thank you all for attending.
The YAC members will be providing another summit in April. Stay tuned!

If you know of a student that would like to a leadership opportunity to serve on our YAC
please contact
Whole School Engagement
We're all about friendly competition at the Polar Plunge, but that comes as no surprise if you've plunged with us in the past! Do you need a fun activity for your school to rally around? Or, are you defending your school title? The Team Leaderboard will put you in divisions based on your team size and funds raised. See where your school ranks! Also, did you know you don't even have to get wet? Check out your options online.

Awards to the Top Ranking Teams in each division at the end of March to close out the 2021 Plunge Season. Your efforts will be supporting the 14,000 athletes in Massachusetts along with more than 500 school programs.

Don't worry if you're not quite there yet. Now is the time to make a difference.
We have lots of creative ways you can 'plunge'.
If you have questions, please e-mail [email protected]
In your community - Sport Skills Centers!
Sports are back in these areas!
We wanted to share about our new sports skills programs!
We have a new program that we'd like you to know about. We've set up 3 sport skills training centers where athletes can work on some sports skills. There are sessions for both young athletes ages 5-12 and older athletes ages 13+. Registration required and is on a first come, first serve basis!

Beverly YMCA - 3/7 - 4/18
Please click on this link for more information and then share the link with families that live near Beverly.

Pembroke - 2/20 -3/27
Please share this link with families in your school and district that live near Pembroke. Pembroke Registration 

Marlboro - 3/6- 4/10
Please share this link with families in your school and district that live near Marlboro.
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