The Elizabeth Public Schools has been selected to receive a $20,000 Play Unified grant from Special Olympics New Jersey to support the district’s efforts in developing and providing inclusive sports programs after submitting its application among an unprecedented number of school districts from throughout the state.
The three-year Play Unified School Partnership grant assists schools with developing a broad spectrum of inclusive sports and physical activity options to ensure that students of all abilities can experience the benefits of physical fitness and recreational and competitive athletics. Students develop exceptional athletic skills while forming friendships, fostering respect for each other, and becoming leaders on and off the court, which impact and create positive change in the school climate.
Elizabeth schools participating in the Play Unified grant include Nicholas S. LaCorte – Peterstown School No. 3, Elmora School No. 12, Woodrow Wilson School No. 19, Victor Mravlag School No. 21, Juan Pablo Duarte – José Julián Martí School No. 28, John E. Dwyer Technology Academy, and Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Health and Public Safety Academy.
In October, each school will assemble a soccer team of approximately ten students of varying ability levels that are not currently members of an interscholastic athletic team. The teams will practice and ultimately participate in interschool play, intercounty play, and the Shriver Cup Unified Soccer Tournament, which takes place at Mercer County Park on October 30. This year marks the third year the Shriver Cup will include high school level competition.
Funding for the Play Unified grant was made possible by a generous grant from the United States Department of Education, the New Jersey State Department of Education, and the PSEG Foundation.
“Programs that promote the inclusion of all students, regardless of their abilities, in academic and athletic activities provide so many great opportunities to develop character and leadership skills. I thank Special Olympics New Jersey and its sponsors for enhancing the learning experiences of our students through this wonderful partnership,” stated Elizabeth Board of Education President Charlene Bathelus.
Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer takes pride in partnering with an organization that shares the district’s values of equity and inclusion.
“At Elizabeth Public Schools, we believe that all students can learn and achieve at high levels where all means all,” stated Hugelmeyer. “The principles and objectives of the Special Olympics New Jersey Play Unified School Partnership align well with our culture of all meaning all and we could not be more excited to participate in this excellent program with our students.”