Esten preschool to host Unified Sports Day as district expands Special Olympics program

Jen Robach, a preschool teacher with Rockland Public Schools, told the school committee the Esten Early Childhood Center has pledged to become a Special Olympics Unified Champion School and will hold a Unified Sports Day for preschool and kindergarten students on June 1, with a possible rain date of June 3.

Robach said the program combines three components — inclusive youth leadership, whole-school engagement and unified sports — to "promote inclusion, kindness, and acceptance for all students of all abilities." She described pairing student athletes with peers, practicing skills in gym and classroom settings and using five activity stations (including a water-balloon toss, soccer, obstacle course, relay and a bean-bag shot put) to build teamwork and social skills.

"Special Olympics helps build important social emotional skills such as teamwork, confidence, communication, and friendship," Robach said. She told the committee the district currently has three of its four schools recognized and participating and said staff are working toward making Rockland Public Schools a unified champion school district in the future.

Committee members praised the plan and recalled prior inclusive initiatives, and presenters said the lead-up to the event includes in-class instruction and partner pairing so students will be prepared. The committee did not take a formal vote on program expansion; the presentation concluded with the organizers thanking the board.

The Unified Sports Day is scheduled for June 1 (rain date June 3) with AM and PM sessions to accommodate both preschool sessions and kindergarten. District staff said they plan to expand the model to additional schools in coming years.