Irving Elementary School Named Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School for Achievements with Inclusion

Irving Elementary School has been named a Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School for its efforts to provide an inclusive school climate for students with and without disabilities. Irving is one of just three schools in Illinois and 155 schools nationwide to receive the distinction this year due to its success in meeting the national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect.

A Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated a commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence that were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.

National banner schools must also demonstrate that they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future. 

Check out the video below, created by Tim McDonald, a District 97 adaptive physical education teacher, to celebrate Irving's achievement!

About Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 20,000 young athletes ages 2 to 7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Its programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. You can access additional information about Special Olympics Illinois by visiting www.soill.org.