Through a dedication to creating an environment centered on inclusion, Silver Creek High School was honored as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. Silver Creek is one of only eleven schools in the state of New York to achieve this honor.
Schools only receive the National Banner Recognition by meeting ten standards of excellence demonstrating an inclusive school climate, exuding a sense of collaboration, engagement, and respect for all members of the student body and staff.
“This is a huge honor,” Mrs. Janet Decker, Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Advisor and Unified Bowling Coach, said. “We have worked hard to build up our Unified Programs and provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. This recognition was a lengthy process, but Special Olympics of North America recognized the hard work we have put in!”
In Silver Creek, Unified Sports began with Unified Bowling in 2020. In three years, Unified Sports offerings have expanded to basketball and Esports, and will be adding bocce next school year. Also new this year is Unified physical education classes at the middle and high school levels. Unofficially, students with disabilities have also participated in cross country and cheerleading.
Unified Sports allows students with and without disabilities to play together as teammates and partners. Unified Sports are regulated by the same policies and rules as varsity sports through the NYSPHSAA and Section VI. The rules of the games are enforced, and championship events are planned and organized, allowing those involved to engage in the same experiences as other Varsity Sports.
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) works year-round to promote Unified Sports and the inclusion of all students. One way they do that is through Choose to Include Week in March, which includes a spirit dress-up week and having students, faculty, and staff members sign pledge cards agreeing to choose inclusion and acceptance of all students. YAC also gets the whole school community involved by planning and participating in theme games for the Unified Basketball games, including engaging family members, students, and members of both teams in fun half-time activities. YAC has also participated in the annual Buffalo Polar Plunge for three consecutive years and will be attending this year. Last year, students from the Unified teams and members of YAC attended a field trip to see the movie “Champions,” and also volunteered at the Buffalo Bowl, a Special Olympics NY fundraising event at Highmark Stadium.
“Each year our events have gotten bigger, our Unified offerings have expanded, and our students have grown in accepting and celebrating each other as individuals,” Mrs. Decker added.
Special Olympics’ Unified National Banner Recognition is a four-year honor. The school will reapply in 2027 to maintain their status. Special Olympics of New York will present the official banner later this year.
If you would like to learn more about Special Olympics’ Unified Champion Schools or National Banner Status, you can look at the following website:
