NEWBERRY, S.C. — Newberry High School has earned national banner recognition as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, becoming the first school in Newberry County to receive the national distinction.
The recognition honors Newberry High School’s commitment to creating an inclusive school community where students of all abilities have opportunities to participate, compete, lead, and belong. A Special Olympics Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition must meet 12 national standards of excellence developed by leaders from Special Olympics and the education community. The standards focus on three primary areas: Special Olympics Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. Schools must also demonstrate that their programs are sustainable or have plans in place to sustain them.
“We are incredibly proud of Newberry High School for being recognized as a National Unified Champion School,” said Dr. Jill Christmus, Director of Special Services for the School District of Newberry County. “This honor reflects the hard work, dedication and unwavering commitment of our students and staff to creating a school community where everyone belongs. Their continued support of our Unified athletes and commitment to inclusion truly demonstrate what it means to be One Unified Team with One Unified Mission. Congratulations to Newberry High School on this well-deserved recognition!”
Newberry High School’s commitment to inclusion extends throughout the school and beyond its campus. NHS hosts Unified Prom, Unified Track and Unified Bocce Ball, Club Unify, Reading Buddies, Integrated lunch time, Special Olympics, school beautification/gardening projects lead by Special Education classes, Unity Week, Unified PE, Art, Chorus/Theater classes, and Inclusion craft activities with general education classes.
These experiences reflect the broader mission of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, which intentionally brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create school environments built on acceptance and inclusion. The program combines inclusive sports, youth leadership opportunities and whole-school engagement to help make inclusion an integral part of school culture.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor for Newberry High School because it represents the culture we work to create every day,” said Sarah Harvey, Principal of Newberry High School. "Our teachers are the backbone to our unified culture. They put in extra hours and make great sacrifices to ensure our experiences are meaningful for all students. Our parents have been pivotal by entrusting us with their children and supporting our many initiatives."
Harvey added, "Our students and staff understand that inclusion is about more than an event or competition. It is about making sure every student knows they are valued, supported, and an important part of our Bulldog family. We are extremely proud of our Unified athletes, student partners, coaches and staff who have helped make this recognition possible.”
Special Olympics Unified Sports brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together as teammates. At the high school level, national recognition standards also emphasize inclusive student leadership, schoolwide activities that promote awareness and inclusion, and sustained opportunities for Unified Sports participation and competition.
As part of the national recognition, Newberry High School will receive a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School banner next month. The banner will serve as a visible symbol of the school’s commitment to inclusion and its achievement of Special Olympics’ national standards of excellence.
The national recognition represents both a celebration of what Newberry High School students and staff have accomplished and a commitment to continuing to build a school community where everyone belongs.
About Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® is an education-based program for schools from Pre-K through university that promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities. Through Special Olympics Unified Sports®, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement, the program works to create school communities in which students of all abilities are welcomed, valued and included. Learn more about Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools: https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/unified-champion-schools/banner-recognition-program?utm_source=chatgpt.com