Tri-Valley Students Shoot, Score At Special Olympics Basketball

From LVJSUD: If the cheers and applause during the Special Olympics basketball games after each basket or successful dribbling drill were indicative of an MVP, the winner was clear: everyone. The enthusiasm for every team and each participants’ victories during the games kept the positive energy at a constant high. Families, students, and staff moved throughout the courts during both days of the event to support their schoolmates and those who were visiting from around the Tri-Valley.

From LVJUSD: The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJSUD) hosted the basketball portion of the 2017-18 Tri-Valley Special Olympics Northern California Schools Program at Granada High School (GHS) during the month of February. On February 15th, thirteen schools from Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton competed in the elementary school section with over 350 students. The secondary Special Olympics on February 27th involved students from six middle schools, five high schools, and four transition programs from Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, and Castro Valley.

Through a partnership with Special Olympics of Northern California and Tri-Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), GHS was proud to host this section of the games. Previously, Amador Valley High School hosted the soccer event and, in April, Dublin High School will hold the Track and Field events.

The participants in the games were intent on putting forth their best throughout the day, and the resulting competition was friendly rather than fierce. The members of each team were focused on teamwork, ensuring everyone could take a shot. They never lost sight of their reason for being there, namely, to have fun and enjoy the thrill of the sport, and to showcase the abilities of their peers as well as their own personal talent.
“LVJUSD is honored each year to participate in the Special Olympics,” said Frank Selvaggio, Director of Special Education. “The opportunity it provides for our students with disabilities to participate in athletic competition is something that we hope will continue for many years to come. I want to thank each of our teachers and staff, who put in countless hours to make the Special Olympics a reality.”

Images Via LVJUSD