Schools

Special Olympics Northern California (SONC) and its Youth Activation Committee (YAC) hosted a fun-filled week of events and campaigns during Unified Spirit Week from March 1-5.

Unified Spirit Week was built around the Spread the Word >> Inclusion movement, formally Spread the Word to End the Word. It recognizes the need to build connections and ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued on campus and in their communities.

Unified Spirit Week was driven through social media and encouraged schools, teachers, administrators and students to share and be involved. Activity appeared largely through the new @sonc_yac Instagram account. Daily events were:

Message Monday

• A challenge to learn and share a positive message in American Sign Language or another unique style of communication.

Tie-Dye Tuesday

• A call to wear the most colorful tie-day clothing and create virtual high-fives with classmates, students or peers.

Inclusion Wednesday

• The official Spread the Word >> Inclusion global day of activation. Everyone was encouraged to share a photo or video explaining what inclusion means to them; and sign the 2021 Pledge to Respect and Spread the Word.

Throwback Thursday

• A look back at before COVID-19, this was a challenge to post a favorite photo or video memory of a Special Olympics event at school.

Fan Friday

• Students and staff were encouraged to wear their favorite sports team gear. More than 700 students also took part in a live virtual workout with San Francisco 49ers PREP.

The SONC YAC was primarily responsible for the planning and execution of Unified Spirit Week. The YAC is comprised of students with and without disabilities who work together to learn, grow friendships, and create change. 

To round out Unified Spirit Week, SONC hosted an Unified Essay Contest for students. Check out the winning essay below from Aries, an 11th grader from Hayward High School:

The Teacher of the Season recognition lauds educators who demonstrate exemplary commitment to their students, their respective schools, and the Schools Partnership Program. In a typical school year, nominations are submitted after each season of sport (soccer, basketball, and track & field). Because this year is unlike any other, the Fall 2020 Teacher of the Season nomination process was designated to honor educators working in distance, hybrid and in-person learning models. These nominees have continued to implement inventive and engaging Unified Champion Schools programming and inclusive activities regardless of the challenging circumstances presented in the current school year.

Rayna Blakley, Education Specialist for Inclusion, Mission Valley SELPA

Rayna Blakley has been an advocate for Special Olympics Northern California for many years. She is the primary point person for John Gomes Elementary and displays a passionate desire for inclusion on campus. During this time of uncertainty in which many schools have adapted to distanced or hybrid environments, Mrs. Blakley is been a driving force for Mission Valley SELPA programming to maintain it’s footprint by spreading the word of Special Olympic events through Gomes’ school announcement system and newsletters. Her efforts helped to gain the most representation of attendees in the Special Olympics Northern California Fall Games @ Home Young Athlete Program portion. Way to go Rayna!

Sharon Sobel Idul, Dance Teacher, Pittsburg Unified School District

Sharon Sobel Idul is a dance teacher at PHS and an advocate for inclusion. She teaches a Unified dance class and is a Unified bowling coach. She was actively involved in the Fall into Fitness event and hosted two live Zumba classes for students and their families. Sharon is the Pitt Unify Club advisor and works with student officers to brainstorm ideas for meetings. Students in the club wanted to make a Choose to Include video—Sharon put together the video and shared it on social media giving the club a bigger presence and helping to spread the message of inclusion. Sharon’s school spirit combined with the time and effort she puts in with all students has made a big impact in the PHS Unified program.

Julia Martin, Special Education Services, San Francisco Unified School District

Julia Martin is the Ombudsperson for SFUSD Special Education and has been the Unified Schools Week task force chairperson for two years.  She is responsible for spearheading an events filled week for over 3,000 students, families and community members alongside her yearlong inclusive practice work. Some of the events she instituted for this year’s Unified Schools Week: SF 49ers fitness workout, virtual assemblies with Special Olympics athlete speakers, an online art showcase and a young adults discussion panel.  She has guided and inspired everyone she meets and these events would not have been possible without Julia’s involvement.

Reiko Rushing, Functional Skills Teacher, Central Unified School District

Reiko Rushing is a middle school functional skills teacher at Rio Vista Middle School. Reiko goes above and beyond for her students. She is always ready and willing to take on a challenge to help her students and program succeed. When presented with this year’s Fall Games @ Home event, she jumped in with two feet and successfully encouraged Unified Athletes and Peers from her school to participate. Under Reiko’s instruction, students continued to build upon the foundational soccer skills while on campus and at home by participating in a Virtual Soccer competition. She works tirelessly to make distance learning engaging and created a website to assist students and parents easy access to learning. Reiko provides her Best Buddies class with innovative lessons to facilitate communication between students in General Education and students in Special Education. Rio Vista Middle School is host to multiple Special Olympics and Unified Sports events each year and Reiko’s enthusiasm contribute to the continued success of the program. Keep up the awesome work Reiko!

Alejandro Prado, APE Teacher, Campbell Union School District

Alejandro Prado is an APE teacher for Campbell Union School District working at various schools. He demonstrates a passion for working with students who have significant needs ranging from preschool age students to middle school students. Alejandro has translated this passion to energetic and engaging virtual lessons and comes to schools each day with a high level of energy and enthusiasm.

Thank you to the Coordinators, Administrators and SONC Area Managers for nominating these deserving educators! Learn more about the Unified Champion Schools Program at SONC.org/schools.

In 2015, Special Olympics Northern California (SONC), Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced a partnership to establish an inclusive culture that promotes participation opportunities for student-athletes with disabilities. This partnership enabled CIF member schools to implement unified sports programming on their respective campuses. Now, the CIF and Special Olympics renew their partnership and look to standardize unified competition offered by CIF member schools.

It is estimated that over 10 percent of students in California schools have a documented disability. The inclusion of athletic programs for students with intellectual disabilities increases opportunities and encourages access to academic benefits through athletic participation. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same sports team, teaching teamwork and the value of inclusion for all participants. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

“We are thrilled to continue our game-changing partnership with CIF and the California Department of Education,” said David Solo, president and CEO of SONC. “Students of all abilities should have the opportunity to compete in sports and share in the pride of representing their school. This partnership has created lifelong memories and friendships, and I’m excited for all that we can accomplish together in building a more inclusive California.”

Calvin Lyons, president and CEO of SOSC, adds, “The CIF and the California Department of Education have been incredible partners, and we look forward to an even stronger relationship in the coming years,” said Calvin Lyons, President, and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “Everyone deserves to feel included, respected, and part of a community, and we are accomplishing just that. Together, we are able to provide opportunities to students with and without intellectual disabilities to learn, grow, and reach their dreams.”

With the renewal of this partnership, CIF has updated the Unified Sports section on www.cifstate.org. This resource provides CIF member schools with tools to implement programs for students with disabilities on their school campuses.

“The CIF is appreciative of its long-time partnership with Special Olympics and looks forward to continuing working with Special Olympics to bring meaningful and lasting experiences to our CIF member schools, Unified and partner athletes,” said Ron Nocetti, CIF executive director.