The school must partner with Special Olympics Maryland to participate in at least two Unified Sports and/or activities such as Interscholastic Unified Sports, Young Athletes Program, Unified Physical Education, Unified Dance, intramural Unified Sports. Note: the use of the term “Unified” may not demonstrate satisfaction of this component. Special Olympics Maryland may need to confirm the prescribed standards, as defined by the governing body and/or Special Olympics regulations; e.g. General Rules, Article 1, Unified Physical Education Resources)

The school sponsors a Unified Clubs, inclusive student council, or similar types of inclusive student group, composed of students with and without intellectual disabilities, with everyone contributing in a meaningful way. This group works to lead advocacy, awareness, inclusion, and other activities throughout the school year that supports the Mission of Special Olympics. For elementary schools, which may not have and/or cannot create a student club, the expectation is a bit different: schools will host at least two inclusive leadership trainings for all students or provide at least one opportunity for a Unified group of students to help lead a school-wide inclusion project. The Unified group of students can include students from varying grades, with the students from higher grades coaching those in lower grades. It is critical and required that every club member contributes in a meaningful way.

The school must participate in at least one activity designed around Whole School Engagement that promotes and encourages awareness, respect, and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities. The Maryland preferred options are: Inclusive Schools Week, offered annually in early December; and Spread the Word Inclusion Day, which is a global campaign founded more than a decade ago - the annual day of awareness is held the first Wednesday of March. Schools are encouraged to “sponsor” additional Whole School Engagement events, or choose alternatives that are aligned with the Special Olympics Mission.

The school will demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, Unified Champion Schools, and the Special Olympics mission by making a minimum donation to Maryland Unified Champion Schools. The minimum prescribed donation of $1500 (high schools), $750 (middle schools), and $250 (elementary schools) will provide additional opportunities for more students to become involved in Unified Champion Schools. Schools are encouraged to fundraise to their fullest potential because this donation is intended to invoke a “pass it forward” model, with Maryland Recognition Program schools, schools that have an engrained Unified Champions Schools culture, sponsoring future schools and Special Olympics Maryland programming. And, yes, money raised via the Cool Schools Plunge does satisfy this component. If a school wishes to make a ceremonial check presentation, SO Maryland will make every effort to have a representative in attendance.

The SO Maryland Development staff liaison is ready to help!

Jessie Hayes
Senior Director, Special Events
410-242-1515, ext 117; jhayes@somd.org 

The school will model the ideal by satisfying grant reporting requirements. The schools will complete two participation count reports – one at the mid-year mark and an end-of-year. In a typical year, monthly reports, which will be designed for the Inclusive Youth Leaders to complete, will be submitted. And lastly, completion of a survey that the University of Massachusetts, Boston conducts on behalf of Special Olympics North America – this is usually conducted from early April until early June.