Special Olympics & Inclusive Schools Week

Special Olympics Northern California (SONC) and the Youth Activation Committee (YAC) are excited to announce Inclusive Spirit Week coming up from March 1st – 5th in coordination with “Spread the Word: Inclusion” day on March 3rd!

Below and attached is a list of events for the week, and a few things to note:

We will be hosting “Spread the Word: Inclusion” day contests & a live 49ers Unified Fitness event which can be found on the “Inclusive Spirit Week – LINKS” document. Sign up for both through the attachment!

Register for the Special Olympics Inclusive Spirit Week 49ers Event Here. 

If your school has an Instagram….

·      Promote this week on your school’s Instagram account! A student leader on our YAC created Instagram Squares for all schools to use which can be found here:  Inclusive Spirit Week Instagram Squares

·      Follow us on Instagram @sonc_yac and spread the word to any neighboring schools!

School Partnership Program 

Useful resources for families and caregivers:

• SFUSD Family Resource Link Line: 415-340-1716, Monday thru Friday, 9am - 1pm
• Support for Families of Children with Disabilities (415-282-7494 M-F 9:30-4:30)
• Golden Gate Regional Center 
• The 24/7 Safe & Sound Parent TALK Line: 415-441-KIDS (415-441-5437) 

• Huckleberry House, 24 Hour Teen Crisis Hotline: 415-621-2929

This year we will be having virtual professional developments for special education teachers, general education classroom teachers, Administrators, and more! (All are welcome) 

Please feel free to reach out if you are interested in attending our Professional developments. These are in collaboration with the Special Olympics of Northern California and the Physical Education & Physical Activiites Deparment.  

Professional Development Dates: 

• Wednesday, October 7th, 4-6pm 
• Spring PD Date TBD

December 7-11, 2020

Link to: Inclusive Schools website

During the week of National Inclusive Schools Week, December 7th-11th, The Physical Education & Physical Activity Department of SFUSD is hoping every teacher will provide 1-2 lessons that foster a better understanding among special education students and their general education peers. 

Physical Education & Physical Activities Events:

To Register for any of the following activities, please click this LINK. Please email Mike Prutz, for event password. 

• Dec 8th,  Glen Park Hosts Special Olympics Athlete Speaker 2:00 pm
• Dec 9th,   SF 49ers Workout 9:00 am
• Dec 9th, Galileo Hosts Special Olympics Athlete Speaker 2:30 pm 
• Dec 10th, James Lick Hosts Special Olympics Athlete Speaker 2:00 pm 
• Dec 11th, Thurgood Marshall Access Hosts Special Olympics Athlete Speaker 10:10 am - LINK TO EVENT

More SFUSD Events & Resources for Inclusive Schools Week 

SFUSD Inclusive Schools Week Webpage
Students, Staff, and Family are encouraged to attend to support their students, schools and teams ​

Inclusion Week Lessons and Activities
​Below are lessons and videos you can use. 

LESSONS and ACTIVITIES for:

• GRADES K-2
• GRADES 3-5
• GRADES 6-8
• GRADES 9-12
• K-5 Lessons and Activities
• Grades 6-12 Lessons and Activities
• National Inclusion Week Website ​(Additional Resource) 

Spread the word to end the word lessons

• “Spread the Word to End the Word” Initiative
• Have students take the online Pledge by clicking here

The Fall Special Olympics Games will begin this November! 

• When: November 16 - 20
• Athletes and Unified Partners can compete in Soccer, Golf, Flag Football, and Fitness
• There will be live and off-camera events to choose from for each sport
• Train hard then compete to be eligible for a limited edition medal 
• Score submission will be open from November 18 - November 22
• Registration for Fall Games @Home is now open, check out the website for details!

Special Olympics Unified Games unifies students with & without disabilities through activities that provide them with knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to create and sustain school communities that promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect for all students. We offer unified teams and skills stations through Soccer and Basketball. 

DUE TO COVID-19 ALL in-person events have currently been suspended, until further notice. 

Soccer Special Olympics 

Date: TBD

Location: TBD

Middle School & High Schoool Basketball Special Olympics 

Date: TBD

Location: Various Locations

Elementary Basketball Special Olympics 

Date:TBD

Location: TBD

Track & Field Special Olympics

Dates: TBD

Locations: TBD

SFUSD and SONC Schools Partnership Program will provide competitive and noncompetitive athletic opportunities (including Unified Games) to all school-age children with special needs. Our ultimate goal is for all participating students to experience a fun, inclusive, and safe environment that fosters a deep understanding and respect of individual differences, and that through the spirit of teamwork, inclusiveness, and individual challenges, life skills are enhanced.
​
Our three large events include soccer, basketball, and track & field. Usually, these events take place in winter, spring and late spring/early summer. Our goal is to expand the number of students we reach with our events within SFUSD and provide more events for them to partake in, in the future. ​

The Young Athlete Program introduces PreK/TK children to the world of sport through fun activities that support cognitive developments, strengthen motor skills, and provide social interaction. 
​
If you are interested in this program please email Sasha Trope, from Special Olympics of Nor-Cal.: SashaT@sonc.org