Unified Champion Schools promote social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams (Special Olympics Unified Sports) through inclusive student clubs, together in school or community-wide initiatives, and by fostering youth leadership. At its core, this Unified strategy is about unifying all students— with and without disabilities—using sports as a catalyst for social inclusion and attitude and behavioral change.

Much of the success of our Unified Champion Schools program is due to our fantastic partnership with Missouri Association of Student Councils.

Are you ready to join the Inclusion Revolution? Contact us today to find out how!

See if your school is a Unified Champion School!

Meet our Unified Champion Schools Staff!

PAYTON HARRIS: Unified Champion Schools Manager

✉️ Email: harris@somo.org
Payton conducts the harmony of unity in city schools, turning them into vibrant communities that celebrate diversity. His leadership empowers students to shine as beacons of acceptance.

BEN JOHNSON: Unified Champion Schools Manager

✉️ Email: johnson@somo.org
Ben crafts dreams into reality, ensuring that every school becomes a canvas of inclusion. His creativity and vision make the Unified Champion Schools program a beacon of hope.

Unified Sports

Unified Sports is an inclusive program that combines individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and individuals without intellectual disabilities (Unified Partners) on sports teams for training and competition. Athletes and partners compete alongside one another, each in a meaningful and integral role on the Unified Sports team. SOMO offers 16 Olympic-type sports divisioned by age and ability for its athletes and each and every sport has the capability of being structured for Unified Sports if someone is interested.

There are three Unified Sports models: Competitive Unified Sports, Unified Sports Player Development and Unified Sports Recreation. Each of these models can be incorporated into a SO College chapter to fulfill the inclusive sports component.

Check out this video from a recent Unified track meet at the Training for Life Campus!

Another way to implement Unified Sports is Unified Physical Education or Unified Fitness classes. Check out these free resources below or contact us for support to start these inclusive classes at your school.

Whole School Engagement

Whole School Engagement occurs when the entire staff and student body is engaged in building awareness and understanding of the benefits to all when the assets and contributions of each individual are recognized, honored and supported. This creates communities of acceptance where students with disabilities feel welcome and valued as meaningful participants in school activities.

Your school could:

- Host an Inclusion Revolution

- Have a pep rally for Special Olympics Athletes

- Recognize Special Olympics Athletes in the same way as other athletes at your school

- Participate in Polar Plunge

- Be Fans in the Stands at a Special Olympics Missouri competition

- Campaign to Spread the Word >> Inclusion

Inclusive Youth Leadership

Inclusive youth leadership occurs when students with and without intellectual disabilities work together to lead and plan advocacy, awareness and other inclusive activities throughout the school year. A socially inclusive school ensures every student is given an opportunity to contribute due to the unique skills and qualities they bring to the work.

Your school could:

- Host a Youth Leadership Summit

- Start a Unified Club

- Include students with intellectual disabilities in your existing clubs

For more information about inclusive youth leadership and lessons you can implement at your school check out the following resources:

https://www.generationunified.org/

https://resources.specialolympics.org/community-building/youth-and-school/unified-champion-schools/inclusive-youth-leadership

School of Character

The Special Olympics Missouri School of Character program was established in 2014 for schools who are members of the Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) as a way to recognize their level of involvement in the Special Olympics movement through Unified Sports®, whole school engagement and inclusive youth leadership.

Schools go through an application process, providing documentation of the various activities they have done in the areas of Unified Sports®, whole school engagement and inclusive youth leadership and earn points to achieve Gold, Silver, Bronze recognition.

In addition, there is the highest level, the Award of Merit is given to only one qualifying school who displays outstanding commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities, a true understanding of unity, and a passion for raising awareness and funds for local SOMO athletes.

Those vying for the Award of Merit must provide additional documentation to qualify:

An essay explaining in more detail how they promote an inclusive school environment through Special Olympics initiatives
A video showing events held/organized/participated in during the year
Proof of fundraising efforts

For more information on how to apply, please contact us!

SCHOOL OF CHARACTER SCHOOLS 2023!

Missouri UCS National Banner Schools

2024 -- Marquette High School

2023 -- Poplar Bluff High School, Odessa High School and Webb City Junior High School

2022 -- Ste. Genevieve High School

2020 -- Festus High School

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 primary activities within these standards include: Special Olympics Unified Sports® (where students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates), Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. Banner Unified Champion Schools should also be able to demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.

The expectation of this recognition is that the 10 standards are continuously being met, year after year. To ensure this sustainability, schools reapply for banner status every four years.

School Standards:

For more information on how to become a National Banner Unified Champion School, check out the following resources.

Inclusion Revolution Days

Inclusion Revolution Days have a goal not only to be a fun event for our Special Olympics athletes, but also to promote inclusiveness. The day typically starts with a pep rally. After the pep rally, Special Olympics athletes and their buddies rotate stations playing games, dancing, eating popcorn and sno-cones, face painting and fun. Participants can take the pledge to Choose to Include by signing a banner. Sports stations can include flag football, bocce, kickball, softball home run derby, cheerleading/dance, and pickle ball. Bocce is a sport that many of our athletes have played but may be new to high school students, so it is a way to see the athletes share their knowledge.

Free Resources

Generation Unified:

This website promotes inclusion in schools through sharing digital resources including videos, inclusion tiles and lesson plans that support the Unified Champion Schools strategy. There is also a corresponding app available for individuals or school accounts.

National Federation for High School Sports (NFHS) Unified Sports Training:

This online course will prepare you to coach and implement Unified Sports and Activities on your campus.

High 5 for Fitness:

This is a set of video and digital resources for youth ages 8–21 to help them take control of their own fitness by making healthy choices. Being fit means that you eat well, drink plenty of water, and move a lot every day. Contact us if you would like physical copies or implementation ideas.

Unified PE:

Unified Physical Education is a concept for bringing students with and without intellectual disabilities together, as equals, in a physical education setting where all students earn physical education credit, thus putting all students on equal footing. In the Unified Physical Education course, all students will work toward meeting the grade-level outcomes required by the school district.

Unified Esports:

Check out opportunities for students with and without IDD to compete on Unified Esports teams together through our partnership with Play Vs.

How to Host a Unified Event:

Click the link above for more information!

Research on the Unified Champion Schools Strategy:

Click the link above for more information!

Looking for something else? Contact ucs@somo.org for more information or to get connected with teachers implementing the Unified Champion Schools Strategy near you.

Unified Champion Schools

See if your school is a Unified Champion School!

Meet our Unified Champion Schools Staff!

PAYTON HARRIS: Unified Champion Schools Manager

BEN JOHNSON: Unified Champion Schools Manager

Connect with SOMO