February Impact on Inclusion Award: Northridge Middle School
A component of Special Olympics Unified Champion School® is whole school engagement. Students and staff work together to raise awareness and support for students with intellectual disabilities. In February, this school brought all their students together at a school wide pep rally to recognize the achievement of their athletes for competing at a Special Olympics Arkansas state level event.
Northridge Middle School participated in Special Olympics Arkansas’ State Bowling event at Professor Bowl in Little Rock. They had five students compete: one third place recipient, two received second, and two brought home the gold! During their school’s pep rally, each athlete was recognized and cheered for by each student, staff member, and faculty for their achievement. In addition to the medals they received during competition, they also were awarded plaques and trophies for second and third, and state championship rings for first.
Northridge Middle School’s Impact on Inclusion allowed their students with intellectual disabilities to be recognized as any team on their campus would. They also have implemented a leadership team on campus that includes one teacher from each grade, their resource officer, one special education teacher, and two special education paraprofessionals. This team helps guide athletes and Unified partners to excel and promote inclusion in their school and community. Way to champion inclusion, Northridge Middle School!.
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About Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®:
The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change in K–12 schools and across college campuses. With sports as the foundation, the three component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance. These are school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions.
If you would like your school to get involved with Unified Champion Schools, reach out to Jennifer Edwards.
Northridge Middle School participated in Special Olympics Arkansas’ State Bowling event at Professor Bowl in Little Rock. They had five students compete: one third place recipient, two received second, and two brought home the gold! During their school’s pep rally, each athlete was recognized and cheered for by each student, staff member, and faculty for their achievement. In addition to the medals they received during competition, they also were awarded plaques and trophies for second and third, and state championship rings for first.
Northridge Middle School’s Impact on Inclusion allowed their students with intellectual disabilities to be recognized as any team on their campus would. They also have implemented a leadership team on campus that includes one teacher from each grade, their resource officer, one special education teacher, and two special education paraprofessionals. This team helps guide athletes and Unified partners to excel and promote inclusion in their school and community. Way to champion inclusion, Northridge Middle School!.
____________________
About Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®:
The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change in K–12 schools and across college campuses. With sports as the foundation, the three component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance. These are school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions.
If you would like your school to get involved with Unified Champion Schools, reach out to Jennifer Edwards.
Published January 2025
