With the Special Olympics events postponed over the last couple of years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, educators in Saginaw Township Community Schools didn't want its students to miss out on the fun.
So they offered their own Unified Champion Schools program for students, which is still run in partnership with the Special Olympics.
"This program aims at promoting more social inclusion," said Shannon Dammer, special education supervisor with STCS. "Heritage High School does it every month."
Plans are in the works to expand it districtwide for grades 3-12 for the cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, and autism programs at all Saginaw Township Community Schools.
Students in the general education program who are members of KNOTS (Kids Need Opportunities to Socialize) assist with the program by teaming up with students who have a disability to play Bocce Ball, ping pong, and other games.
"The Unified Champion Schools program is an incredible program," Dammer said, "and our students in KNOTS are a huge help in making it successful.
