Congratulations to nine additional schools in Virginia who have earned National Banner School status as part of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program!
These nine schools schools have met the 10 national standards of inclusion and have been nominated by their state's Special Olympics program. 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.
National Banner Stories
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Kenmore Middle School Receives National Award from ESPN
It was a day that Kenmore Middle School in Arlington will never forget. Back in September, ESPN announced on the air, their Top 5 National Banner Schools. Kenmore received the honor as a result of having met national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect. Kenmore was one of five schools to receive the distinction, being chosen specifically out of 131 other schools around the country. They were also the only middle school to receive the prestigious honor. -
Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary Recognized as a National Banner School by Special Olympics North America
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona was on hand to surprise the students of Oak Grove-Bellemeade with a Unified Champions Schools banner.
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.
Great job to:
· ECPI University Roanoke Virginia Campus
· Goochland High School
· Kenmore Middle School*
· Kettle Run High School
· Liberty High School
· Northside High School*
· Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School
· Salem High School
· Virginia Tech
Stay tuned to our Facebook page as we share these school-wide celebrations in the coming weeks!