Unified Champion Schools

National Banner Applications Open Soon

The Special Olympics National School Recognition Program provides an opportunity for schools across the United States to be acknowledged for their achievements with inclusion and their partnership with Special Olympics. Who is eligible to apply? Schools that have never received the National Banner Distinction and Schools that have been National Banner schools recognized in 2019 that would like to renew their status. Please read the details below.

How to become a National Banner School in 4 steps

1) Review the standards for your school

· Elementary Standards

· Middle and High School Standards

2) Evaluate what's needed in your school. 3) Get more students and staff involved in your mission to complete the 10 standards.

4) Be on the look out for applications this spring.

If you're interested, please be sure to let your SOMA school contact know so they 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

Strength and Conditioning

Congratulations to the top 3 teams for the 2023 Strength and Conditioning season:

Salem High School
Dennis-Yarmouth High School
Fairhaven High School

Well done and thank you for creating this opportunity for students to get stronger together.

Please contact kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma.org with questions regarding January 2023.

Track and Field

We are excited for all things track this next month. Please review all dates and attend a coaches meeting! All new coaches are required to attend a Coaches meeting and take the NFHS Unified Sports course

Season overview

Week of 3/20 - Practice begins

Week of 4/3 - Meets begin

4/7 Roster Due

4/7 Intent to Enter Due

Sectionals May 8-May 16

States May 24th, Rain Date May 25th

Please visit the MIAA Unified Track and Field Sports Page -

click HERE

April 23rd - Additional Track and Field Training with our community programs - open to all high school coaches - click here

Please contact kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma.org with questions.

Youth Leadership

Youth Summit Registration

Virtual Youth Summit April 12th!

Join our YAC members as they provide a fun and informative session on what can be accomplished in your school this spring and next year! Join us and be part of the discussion!

Youth Summit

April 12th

9:00-10:15

Virtual session - register your students or class!

Please contact

kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma with questions.

Are you IN?

Can your youth activists organize a fun way to spread awareness and acceptance? We invite your student leaders to rally schools, organizations, and communities to commit to the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

These activities can be done anywhere anytime!

Inclusive Spirit Days - Activities

Share photos of students in action

schools@specialolympicsma.org

Please contact kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma.org 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!

Plunge

Thank you MASC Plungers!

As a kick off to the annual Massachusetts Association of Student Councils (MASC) conference over 500 students and their advisors jump into the ocean at Craigville Beach in support of special Olympics Massachusetts. The students exceeded their goal with $60,767 dollars! Middleborough HS and Marlborough HS were neck and neck until the last few hours.

Top fundraising school - Middleborough HS

Top Individual Fundraiser - Jackson Landine, Tantasqua Regional HS

Costume Contest winner - Minnechaug Regional - 'Men in Black' theme

Contact PolarPlunge@SpecialOlympicsMA.org with any questions.