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Abington schools hold makeup Special Olympics and honor longtime teacher Debbie Lee at June board meeting
Summary
District special education director said District held its own Special Olympics events after county competition was canceled due to weather; the board also recognized Roslyn teacher and Abington Education Association president Debbie Lee on her retirement and thanked her for 23 years of service.
The Abington Board of School Directors recognized students who participated in Special Olympics events and honored Roslyn Elementary School teacher and Abington Education Association leader Debbie Lee at its June 10 meeting.
Marie Capitolo, the district’s director of special education, told the board, “It was truly disappointing that we learned that the Special Olympics events held at Hepper Horsham this year were canceled due to the weather conditions.” She said parents, guardians and staff quickly organized school‑based Special Olympics events across five district schools — Abington Middle School, Copper Beech, Highland, McKinley and Roslyn — so athletes could compete in long jump, 25‑ and 50‑meter dashes, hit and release, and softball throw. The district held closing ceremonies and awarded gold medals and certificates; Capitolo read participant names aloud and invited parents and staff to assist with a group photograph.
The board also paid tribute to Debbie Lee, a Roslyn Elementary teacher who the administration said has served the Abington School District for 23 years and been a leader in the Abington Education Association for 16 years. The superintendent and board members thanked Lee for her service and noted she will remain engaged with the community as a member of the Abington Educational Foundation.
Why it matters: The district’s quick local response to a canceled regional event allowed student athletes to showcase their work and receive formal recognition. The retirement recognition highlights continuity of local school leadership and the district’s stated commitment to inclusion.
Ending: Administration and board members encouraged continued community support for special education programming and thanked staff, parents and volunteers for organizing the alternate Special Olympics events.
