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Scotia-Glenville honored as a Unified Champion School; students and families describe impact
Summary
The district celebrated recognition as a Unified Champion School (state and national levels); coaches, teachers, students and parents described expanded unified sports, inclusive leadership, and community events and congratulated program contributors.
Principal Bednarik introduced a celebration of the district’s Unified Champion School recognition and turned the program over to coach Ashcraft and teacher Caitlin Acre, who said the district had met Special Olympics’ 10 standards of excellence and received state and national recognition.
Acre explained the program’s three components—unified sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole-school engagement—and listed current offerings including unified basketball, bowling, cheer, Unified PE and intramurals. “We were one of nine schools in New York to receive this honor this year,” Acre said, and added that the program had also earned national recognition.
Parents and students described personal benefits. Manny Hempstead said his son’s involvement has given him opportunities and confidence, recalling participation in championship events at the MVP Arena. “To see the smile on his face… that was amazing,” he said. Another parent, Glenn Dixon, described the program’s positive effects on family life and said his son’s performance and social development have improved.
Student partners and participants also spoke. Sam Fiore, a sophomore, said unified activities are a privilege and a point of pride for the high school; student Mia Charmel described the program as “the most judgment-free zone I’ve ever witnessed” and said it reduced her social anxiety. Board members and staff applauded and posed for a photo with a banner recognizing the status.
Other student-led projects and donations were noted during the meeting. Earlier, junior Rourke Fazzoni presented an Eagle Scout project that would build a bench at Lincoln Elementary, install a free little library at the high school and run a privately funded book drive; the board directed staff to place the request on a future agenda. Separately, the board accepted by resolution a donation of period-product kits to the district from Eagle Scout Lily Knapp.
The board encouraged continuing community outreach around unified activities, including a planned float for Memorial Day and Unity Week events; administrators said they will post photos and program information on the district website.
