Special Olympics Project UNIFY® is an education-based project that uses sports and education to create a school-wide atmosphere where every child is accepted and welcomed, regardless of intellectual levels. We will demonstrate how to build relationships through Buddy Clubs, Pep Rallies for Special Olympics, and “Ban the R Word” campaigns.
3. NOT IN OUR HOUSE!
Granite Falls Middle School
Project UNIFY
4. What is Project UNIFY?
Project UNIFY is an education-based
project that uses the sports and
education programs of Special
Olympics to activate young people
across the U.S. in order to promote
school communities where all young
people are agents of change -
fostering respect, dignity and
advocacy for people with intellectual
disabilities.
5. What makes up Project
UNIFY?
Inclusive Sports Opportunities
Youth Leadership
Whole School Involvement
Community Connections
6. Inclusive Sports
Unified Sports
Can be competitive, developmental
or recreational
Young Athletes Programs
2-7 year old inclusive program
focusing on training and
participation in play activities
7. Youth Leadership
Youth Coaches
Youth Volunteers
Games Management Team
Members
Buddy Club Members
Youth Activation Council
9. Whole School Involvement
Get Into It®
R-Word Campaign
Pep rallies for Local Winter and
Spring Special Olympics
Fundraisers--5Ks Run/Walks,
Polar Plunges, Tournaments
Spirit Days—Superhero, Everyone
Counts, We All Rock, We’re All a
Little Wacky, School Pride, etc.
10. Community Connections
Games Management Team
Group Home Activities and
Volunteerism
Community R-Word
Campaigns
Community-based
Fundraisers
Family involvement
opportunities
11. Effects of Project UNIFY
Decrease in bullying, harassment, and
intimidation incidents
Increase in acceptance
Friendships made
Relationships built
Success in Inclusion settings
School feels more like family
Students become agents of change
instead of teachers or administrators
12. We started Project UNIFY in 2011. We have
grown in membership from 22 to 78
members this year!
13. Commitment Contract
Commitment Contract
Must commit to following 10
standards
Consequences
Must fully participate in at least one
activity per semester
Must be a positive role model
Student and parents are required to
sign
Teachers must recommend
14. Project UNIFY Activities at
Granite Falls Middle School
Designed and manned an exhibit at the
Caldwell County Anti-Bullying Fair.
Awarded First Place for Best Exhibit!
22. Other Activities
Christmas party with Santa and
Buddies
YES Summit—attended in 2012,
held at GFMS in 2014
Lunch buddies, morning buddies,
and afternoon buddies
Peer tutoring in Inclusion Classes
23. Contact Information
Wendy Miller, Program
Innovations Director, Special
Olympics of North Carolina, 3012
Roanoke Avenue
New Bern, NC 28562
Cell: 919.818.5947
Office: 252.633.0522
Fax: 252.633.0523
Email: wmiller@sonc.net
24. Contact Information
Stephanie Helton
shelton@caldwellschools.com
Laura Brinkley
lbrinkley@caldwellschools.com
Kimberly Story
kcstory@caldwellschools.com
Bill Schreiber
bschreiber@caldwellschools.com
Granite Falls Middle School 828-
396-2341
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