Simsbury High School Named Special Olympics Unified Champion School

SIMSBURY, CT — Simsbury High School (SHS) has been named a Special Olympics Unified Champion School by Special Olympics International. SHS is the only school in the state of Connecticut to receive the designation, and the second in the nation.

Unified Champion Schools engage schools to create climates of inclusion, acceptance, respect and human dignity for all students with and without intellectual disabilities. SHS is the only school in the United States to receive the designation. There were several criteria that had to be met, including demonstrating inclusive youth leadership, offering a Unified Sports team that participates in at least two sports seasons (SHS participates in five) and evidence of whole school engagement.

Director of Athletics and Student Activities Jeffrey Pinney said, “Simsbury High School not only meets these standards, but also raises the bar in terms of the experience that we provide and the support from coaches, paraprofessionals, teachers, student-athletes and families.”

He added, “We are seen throughout the state of Connecticut as the ‘standard’ in how Unified Sports programs should be run and the experiences that we should all be working to provide to students and families with special needs.”

ESPN and representatives from Special Olympics International will be coming to SHS on Oct. 18 to recognize this work with a national champion banner to be proudly displayed in the gym. A pep rally will be held in the gym to introduce some of SHS’s athletes as part of the ceremony. This recognition will then be highlighted on ESPN, as this event marks the beginning of their relationship with Special Olympics International.

For more information about Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, go to http://www.specialolympics.org...

Photo and story courtesy of Simsbury Public Schools

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