Special Olympics Florida- Monroe County School Programs for 2017-18
Who: Athletes- youth ages 8 an above diagnosed with an intellectual disability or related disorder.
Unified Partner- youth ages 8 and above without a disability who desires to be on a team.
Coach/Volunteer- any school staff member, parent or volunteer who has a desire to coach Unified Flag Football, Unified Soccer, Unified Track
What: Unified Champion Schools —registration required via a letter of intent signed by school
administration
Where: Any school within Monroe County School District
When: Programs can begin as soon as August 16, 2017
Unified Champion Schools is an initiative that uses sports and education to encourage students to help create communities that accept everyone, encouraging all young people, with and without disabilities, to participate in athletic and leadership activities together.
Competition based sports programs are running in the following schools; Key West High- Track, Coral Shores High-Track, Poinciana School- Bocce and Track, Gerald Adams Elementary School – Bocce, Key Largo School- Soccer and Flag Football, FKCC- Flag Football. Special Olympics Florida is currently seeking more schools within Monroe County to initiate Unified Programs. Uniforms, coach training and equipment is provided. The sign up period is now open and spaces are limited for competitive programs.
Non Competitive Programs that are available to schools are Young Athletes Program for ages 2-7 and Little ELITES grades 2-5. These programs teach sportsmanship and skills in a play-based atmosphere. Currently these programs are running at HOB School, Gerald Adams Elementary, Stanley Switlik School, Sugarloaf School and Poinciana Elementary. Support, staff training and equipment are provided. There is unlimited space for sign up; Special Olympics would like to support all schools in Monroe County to start these programs.
For more information on how to get any of these programs running at your school please contact Ruth Holland at [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~
About Special Olympics Florida – Monroe County
Special Olympics Florida – Monroe County provides year-round sports training, competition, and health services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. To become involved as an athlete or volunteer please visit our website www.specialolympicsmonroe.org or email [email protected].