Greenwich High School Receives National Recognition

Information via Greenwich Public Schools

GREENWICH, CT — Special Olympics Connecticut has announced that Greenwich High School (GHS), a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, is receiving national banner recognition for its efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without disabilities. GHS is receiving this honor as a result of meeting national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect.

According to a release, GHS will be amongst a select number of schools to receive this distinction. They will be presented with a banner to hang in their school and be included on a list of other schools around the country who have achieved this distinguished status.

"We are so proud of our continued recognition as a Unified Champion School," Principal Ralph Mayo said in a release. "When we look at that banner hanging in our glass corridor, it's a constant reminder that inclusion and respect are crucial to our school, and every day we must build and strengthen our collective commitment to these traits."

According to the program, Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a strategy for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement.

A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement, and respect for all members of the student body and staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards of excellence. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.

"The true heart of the GHS Unified Sports program is its participants. Their unwavering commitment and the countless endeavors they take on to promote inclusion and equality among all individuals are inspiring and impactful," GHS Special Education Teacher and Unified Sports Coordinator Erin Randall said in a release. "Through the program, I have continuously had the pleasure of witnessing a large student body of players with various abilities and backgrounds come together with such seamless solidarity and respect for each other. I’m so proud of their work and accomplishments."