National Recognition Once Again!
This summer, St. Madeleine’s was notified that it was awarded National status as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. One of only 200 schools (elementary through university level) in the country to achieve this designation, staff worked through an extensive application process that required review at both the state and National level.
A national 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 achieving ten standards developed by a professional advisory body which included the authors of the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools criteria. The ten standards are based upon the three over-arching components that include Special Olympics Unified Sports®/Young Athletes, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. National banner schools must demonstrate that they have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.
A banner presentation celebration is planned for later this fall!