It is #RespectWeek
All week the Special Olympics Iowa community is bringing awareness to the importance of inclusion and celebrating all abilities through activities and thought-provoking conversations. Schools are doing local activities, and Special Olympics Iowa is holding four statewide inclusion hours.

You are encouraged to bring the conversations to social media by sharing how inclusion has impacted your life while using the hashtag #RespectWeek. Also, be sure to follow #RespectWeek to see what is happening throughout the week.
Team Fit
The Team Fit: New Year, Healthy Me winter training program wrapped up last week. Congratulations to all of the athletes, coaches, and partners that committed to pushing themselves to be intentional about taking time to pursue healthy choices a part of their daily routine for eight weeks.
Prepare for Upcoming Sports Seasons with
Team Fit: Spring Training
Team Fit: Spring Training encourages athletes to continue pursuing their health, fitness, and sports goals by completing daily focused activities with the support of a Unified community. The program will build Unified friendships and provide content that athletes can access and work through within their homes. The eight-week program is available to those with and without access to technology as program materials will be available both online and in printed format.

How the Program Works
Step 2: Receive your training booklet through the mail or by downloading it from the Special Olympics Iowa website.
Step 3: Virtually meet teammates and set up weekly communication.
Step 4: Do the daily activities beginning on March 22.
Step 5: Track your activity and collect all eight pins.

Training Runs: March 22 - May 15
To get your training booklet before the first day of training, register by March 6.
Join Us in Taking the Plunge for
Special Olympics Iowa
The Polar Plunge® is a signature fundraiser for Special Olympics that offers a unique opportunity for individuals and organizations to raise money and support Special Olympics Iowa athletes by jumping into frigid waters. Whether you plunge solo or with coworkers, friends, or family, for the ultimate bonding experience, we'll help you take "cool" up a degree or two.

The 2021 spring Polar Plunge season includes the Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Cool School Plunge (new this year), Council Bluffs, and Warren County plunges. Each plunge will have in-person and virtual plunge options.


Virtual Mid-Winter Competition
This month's virtual competition, the Virtual Mid-Winter Competition, will include basketball skills, cheerleading, and powerlifting. We will be celebrating everyone's competition success with a virtual series at the end of the month. All athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and fans are welcome to compete and participate in the virtual series.


Important Dates
Virtual Series Schedule Announced - March 12
Scores Due: March 22
Virtual Series: March 24 - 26
Esports Tournaments Begin this Week
Special Olympics Iowa's first esports tournaments kick off this week! The six-week tournaments are in bowling, basketball (NBA2K), and football (Madden). To participate in these tournaments you will need a gaming console.

LETR Supporter Apparel
Law Enforcement Torch Run supporter apparel is available for purchase! Order your apparel from a local law enforcement officer or by clicking on the link below. All proceeds go towards supporting Special Olympics Iowa athletes and Unified partners.


Coaches Corner
We are excited to share that Class A Volunteer certification and re-certification can now be completed online in three steps.
  1. Complete the Class A Volunteer Application and background check
  2. Take the Protective Behavior Training and quiz
  3. submit a color photo, passport quality, to classa@soiowa.org
Event Calendar

Visit our online calendar for event details!


March
1-5 - #RespectWeek
1-5 - Esports Tournaments Practice Week
1-12 - Virtual Mid-Winter Tournament
2 - Elementry Inclusion Hour
2 - SO College Inclusion Hour
3 - Educator's Inclusion Hour
4 - Middle and High School Inclusion Hour
6-April 16 - Esports Tournaments
9 - St. Ambrose University ADAT - St. Patrick's Day Indoor Scavenger Hunt
21 - Iowa State University Greek Week - Unified Fest
22-May 15 - Team Fit: Spring Training
23 - St. Ambrose University ADAPT - Bingo! Night
24-26 - Virtual Mid-Winter Tournament Series
26 - Ames Greek Plunge

April
6 - St. Ambrose University ADAPT - Craft Night
10 - Council Bluffs Polar Plunge
17 - Warren County Polar Plunge
20 - St. Ambrose University ADAPT - Science Night
27 - St. Ambrose University ADAPT - Spring Formal
1-16 - Esports Tournaments
All Month - Team Fit: Spring Training