Newburgh Free Academy recently hosted a half-day Special Olympics Leadership Summit in which students joined other school districts to learn together.
NFA Unified hosted Inclusion Night during the Girls Varsity Basketball game before the summit. Throughout the day and as spectators entered the game, they were asked to fill out a “#ChoosetoInclude” message. An NFA student read a unified pledge at the start of the game. The messages of support were on display for all to see at the Special Olympics event.
Earlier this year, Newburgh Free Academy was awarded the Development in Program award by the New York State Special Olympics Committee. In 2014, NFA introduced a volunteer Special Olympics Club. In 2017, NFA established the NFA Unified Basketball team. In 2021, NFA had a Special Olympics volunteer bowling club. NFA Unified Bowling just finished their inaugural year.
In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. Unified Champion Schools promotes social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams (Special Olympics Unified Sports) through inclusive student clubs, together in school or community-wide initiatives, and by fostering youth leadership.
Special Olympics is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
On the horizon, the Youth Activation Committee is accepting donations for a dance that will be held at the end of March at Temple Hill Tavern. This activity will be a celebration of diversity and common goals.
NFA Unified is coached by Ms. Sandy Baines & Ms. Christy Puleo.
