Fifteen county schools – 10 high schools, three elementary schools, and two middle schools – have been named Maryland Unified Banner Schools by Special Olympics Maryland in recognition of their extraordinary efforts to showcase inclusion of all students.
The honored schools are:
Annapolis High School
Arundel High School
Broadneck High School
Chesapeake High School
Crofton High School
Glen Burnie High School
North County High School
Severna Park High School
South River High School
Southern High School
Northeast Middle School
Old Mill Middle School South
Four Seasons Elementary School
Pasadena Elementary School
Riviera Beach Elementary School
With 15 honorees, AACPS has nearly 43 percent of the total number of Unified Banner Schools awarded by Special Olympics Maryland this year.
“This is an incredible testament to the work our schools do every day to create environments where students can Belong, Grow, and Succeed,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell said. “I am so proud of that work and of our ongoing partnership with Special Olympics Maryland.”
The honor is earned by schools that build inclusive practices into their curriculum and student activities. At the high school level, AACPS offers three Unified Sports throughout the year – tennis (fall), bowling (winter), and bocce (spring) – in which student-athletes with and without disabilities train and compete as equal teammates in athletic competition. The program allows all student-athletes to learn about and exhibit good sportsmanship, build positive self-esteem, learn sport-specific skills, improve physical fitness, foster new friendships, and develop and enhance the concept of teamwork. Special Olympics Maryland strives to extend these values beyond the team roster, reaching all students through inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement.
The middle school athletics program also includes Unified Bocce in the winter season to allow students at that level to participate in more inclusive experiences.
AACPS also has Unified Physical Education and Leadership and Unified Dance and Leadership curricula at the middle and high school levels and Unified Visual Arts and Leadership and Unified Music and Leadership at the high school level. All replicate the values of the Unified Sports program and students with and without intellectual disabilities in those classes team up to reach common goals. At the elementary level, clubs like Best Buddies aim to allow differently abled students to build relationships and friendships as they work toward common goals.
Schools that earn Maryland Unified Banner status in two consecutive years can apply for national recognition. To learn more about Special Olympics Maryland, go to www.somd.org.
