Unified Champion Schools - SOMD Virtual MOVEment

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Special Olympics Maryland is committed to the growth and development of interactive inclusive school programming throughout the state. ALL students should feel like there is a place for them within their own learning environment. Unified Champion Schools help to provide opportunities for students of all ages and abilities to experience inclusion at their own school through programs such as Unified Sports/Activities, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole School Engagement. Let us help you create a school environment where opportunity is not limited by disability.

Current Campaigns

Unified Sports & Activities

Inclusive Youth Leadership

Whole School Engagement

Unified Sports & Activities

Unified Sports provides a means which brings together students with and without disabilities in a fulfilling inclusive experience. Unified Sports teams are composed of a proportional number of students with intellectual disabilities, with other types of disabilities, and without disabilities who train and compete together on the same team.

Unified Sports & Activities in Maryland

MOVE Challenge

Schools are encouraged to form teams to participate in the SONA Move Challenge. During this 8-week challenge, students of all abilities will track minutes of intentional physical activity and exercise. By participating in individual and (safe) group exercise, students will compete against other teams throughout the state and across the country! Click here to download an overview flyer.

School Intent to Participate (teachers only!)

Student Registration

Inclusive Youth Leadership

Inclusive youth leadership is when young people of all abilities are given opportunities to be leaders in their schools and communities. These leadership activities help students find their voices and teach them to become change agents in their communities by promoting equity and acceptance. Social inclusion is best fostered when activities within the classroom, school, and community are designed and implemented by a diverse group of students within a school. A socially inclusive school ensures every student is given an opportunity to contribute due to the unique skills and qualities they bring to the work.

Whole School Engagement

Whole School Engagement activities positively impact school climate by including all students, teachers, staff, administrators. An inclusive school climate that fosters understanding and respect for all can influence how students think and act within and beyond the school. School-wide opportunities focused on social inclusion raise awareness and create an educational environment where respect and acceptance are the norm and all students feel included and engaged.

See our Whole School Engagement opportunities below!

The Maryland Recognition Program

The Maryland Recognition Program promotes servant leadership among students with and without disabilities while changing their lives as individuals and valued members of their school community. The Maryland Recognition Program recognizes schools that have proven proficiency and “live Unified” by appreciating every member of their community and affording each student the opportunity to be meaningfully involved and contribute. The Maryland Recognition Program is an accolade designed to highlight and congratulate those who make Unified Champion Schools the standard that is embedded in the fabric of their school’s culture.

Component 1 – Unified Sports and Activity

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)

Component 2 – Inclusive Youth Leadership

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.

Component 3 – Whole School Engagement

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.

Component 4 – Sustainability

The school will demonstrate a commitment 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.

Receipt of Donation

To pursue this accolade, PART 1 of the “School Intent Form” is due to UCS@somd.org on or before Tuesday, April 13. Need more time? Please email the Maryland Unified Champion Schools Team at ucs@somd.org. We are happy to help! Questions/concerns? -email ucs@somd.org.

Make Your Pledge for Inclusion

Be a teammate. Be a friend. Welcome someone who has been left out. Sit next to someone alone at lunch. Say hello to someone in the hallway. There are so many ways to spread inclusion. Choose yours. Make a pledge and start today. Join us to make inclusion a reality for all people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Make your pledge below.

Unified Champion Schools Interest

First Name *

Last Name *

School / Organization *

What’s your affiliation at the identified school? * What’s your affiliation at the identified school?

Email *

Phone

Tell us why you choose inclusion. *

I’d like to be added to the following Special Olympics Maryland communications:

Volunteer Opportunities with my local county program; e.g. coaches, team admin support, chaperones.

Volunteer Opportunities supporting the state program; e.g. event volunteers, admin support.

Area Memo distribution - a bi-weekly email update

IMPACT Newsletter - a quarterly distribution via Mail Chimp focusing on celebrations, highlights, starting with a "President's Message"

Unified Champion Schools Newsletter- a monthly distribution with school specific information such as whole school engagement celebrations, inclusive student leadership opportunities, and other SOMD highlights

I give permission to Special Olympics Maryland to use and allow others to use the picture, video, name, voice, and words outlined here for the purpose of promoting Special Olympics Maryland programming." *

Yes

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As a lifelong educator and an advocate for all children, it is a testament to a lifelong commitment to help children see the world around them as a place where everyone is valued.

Heather Hobbs

Administrator, Twin Ridge Elementary

It benefits ALL students involved. Friendships are created, empathy is increased and differences are appreciated. It is the RIGHT thing to do!

Deb Marcus

Staff, Anne Arundel County Public Schools

I choose inclusion because no one deserves to feel out of place or inferior to others. Well are all better off when everyone can participate meaningfully in the community!!

Jackson Murphy

Student, Crofton High School

To work together and be a team. So kids can know they are wanted and to spread positivity and love were it is most needed.

Eowyn Angle

Student, Old Mill High School

I think its a good way to learn about the people around you.

Shannon Koenig

Student, Linganore High School

Everyone has a unique gift. We are a stronger, kinder, and happier community when those gifts are welcomed and shared.

Kelle Brumley

Staff, Catoctin High School

I have Down Syndrome and I like to be included so I want to include others too! It makes me happy!

Chase Ward

Student, Chesapeake High School

UCS Merchandise

We are excited to officially open our Special Olympics Maryland Unified Champion Schools online merchandise store. Now you can show your pride and purchase a variety of merchandise at reasonable prices. Whether you are a fan in the stands, a volunteer, an athlete, unified partner or a family member, there is something for everyone in our store. We'll be adding more merchandise so be sure to check back!”

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