November 1, 2022 – Students from across Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools came together on Friday to get active and enjoy each other’s company during the Fall Health and Safety Jamboree at West Forsyth High School.
The jamboree was the result of a collaboration between the district and Unified Champions, a Special Olympics program that encourages social inclusion through sports and activities. Unified Champions works directly with schools to pair exceptional children with other students that they might not usually interact with. Providing opportunities for camaraderie with students in other programs helps foster the type of accepting and welcoming climate that the Special Olympics strives to create.
“We love to see the students gaining a new understanding of each other,” said Haley Allen, Assistant Director of Youth Initiatives at Unified Champions. “It helps them see that they’re not so different from each other.”
Exceptional students from six middle and high schools around the district took a field trip to West Forsyth, where they received a grand welcome from cheerleaders and the band. From there, they were paired up with partners and walked the track between a variety of stations with sports and games to play. Succeeding in the games required both cooperation and exercise, making them a fun way to build healthy habits and teamwork.
“It allows students to be around their peers from other schools in full inclusivity while also getting them moving and thinking about physical fitness,” said Transition Coordinator Savannah Sperlazza.
For exceptional students, the jamboree was a day of fun with a bigger social group than they get to be a part of on a normal day. For their peers, it was also an eye-opening experience about how talented and capable their classmates could be. Exceptional children have a lot to offer, which makes it all the more important to strive for inclusivity in schools.
“It allows people to see more of their abilities and not just their disabilities,” said Volunteer Coordinator Terry Matthews.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up