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Special Olympics outlines Unified Champion Schools program to district board
Summary
Julie Briggs of Special Olympics South Dakota briefed the board on the Unified Champion Schools program, describing unified sports, youth leadership and whole‑school engagement and offering district support and grant resources to implement the program in district schools.
Julie Briggs, vice president of Special Olympics South Dakota, told the Stanley County School Board about the Unified Champion Schools program and offered help bringing the program to district schools.
"The Unified Champion School program, really the premise of it is it brings those with and without disabilities together," Briggs said, explaining the program's three components: unified sports and fitness, youth leadership and whole‑school engagement. She told the board South Dakota has 92 participating schools and noted the program is supported through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Education and state grant assistance.
Board members asked about logistics for smaller districts, travel and whether teams would play other schools; Briggs said smaller districts commonly form community teams so students can participate and offered to return for more detailed planning if the district decides to pursue the program.
The presentation concluded with an offer of ongoing technical support and grant assistance; district staff said they would review the information packets provided and meet with Special Olympics representatives to explore next steps.
