Ithaca, NY – Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman today announced that nine New York high schools – including Ithaca High School – have been named as National Banner Unified Champion Schools in recognition of their leadership creating an inclusive school community where all students are accepted, celebrated, and included. The distinction marks the highest level of achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the nation.
Schools achieving banner status in addition to Ithaca are Churchville-Chili, Horseheads, Irondequiot, Newark, and Victor in the Genessee Region, Starpoint in Western New York, Southampton in Long Island, and Saratoga Springs in the Capital Region.
In a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, students with and without intellectual disabilities play on the same interscholastic sports team, primarily basketball and bowling. These same students also serve as youth leaders who engage the entire school community in activities that encourage and promote inclusion among their peers.
“Students, coaches and educators in more than 10,000 Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools across the country are changing a generation by choosing to include all students in all activities, and our banner schools in New York are the best of the best,” said Hengsterman. “We are incredibly proud to kick off the 2020-2021 school year by recognizing the achievements of our banner schools and encouraging others to join this critically important movement to inclusion.”
Statewide, Special Olympics New York partners with more than 220 Unified Champion Schools and nearly 10,000 participating students. Upstate, a partnership with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association has led to rapid Unified growth in recent years.
“This national recognition for the committed and caring efforts of ICSD students and their educators brings much joy to my heart,” said Ithaca Central School District Superintendent Dr. Luvelle Brown. “Now, others across the nation will have an opportunity to learn about the talents and successes of our champions.”
“Unified Sports has enriched our community and provided platforms for all students to achieve their dreams,” said Samantha Little, Director of Athletics and Wellness. “Unified Sports has created a more inclusive culture and afforded us to put our values at the forefront of what we believe in as a district. We learn and grow together when we contribute to engaging, educating, and empowering everyone.”
“Unified Sports not only allows our athletes to show their athletic potential, but also has taught our partners a better understanding of and compassion for students with disabilities,” said Margie Shaw, educator for inclusion. “I often hear how our partners have applied this new understanding to involve more people during their days at school: sitting with new friends during lunch, playing with friends in the quad, and even attending prom together! Seemingly small actions have a huge impact on everyone and move our district to a more inclusive community.”
“Unified Sports not only allows our athletes to show their athletic potential, but also has taught our partners a better understanding of and compassion for students with disabilities,” said Margie Shaw, educator for inclusion. “I often hear how our partners have applied this new understanding to involve more people during their days at school: sitting with new friends during lunch, playing with friends in the quad, and even attending prom together! Seemingly small actions have a huge impact on everyone and move our district to a more inclusive community.”
“We are so proud of the shift in culture we have seen and felt in ICSD,” said Stephanie Valletta, Unified Sports coach and youth adviser. “We know that the quest for increased inclusion goes beyond the bowling alley or the basketball court and we hope that by earning this national recognition, more and more of our young people will continue to #choosetoinclude in our schools and in our community.”
A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated the highest commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence. The standards were developed by a panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community nationally. The primary activities within these standards include: Special Olympics Unified Sports (where students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates), Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. To achieve banner status, Unified Champion Schools must also demonstrate that they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.
Cheektowaga, Guilderland, Iroquois, and Niagara Falls High Schools were recognized as the first Special Olympics Banner Schools in New York last year.
To get involved in Unified Sports with Special Olympics New York, visit specialolympics-ny.org/unified or send an email to unified@nyso.org.
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About Special Olympics New York
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 67,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 220 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.
