Unified Champion Schools (UCS)

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Unified Champion Schools (UCS) Overview Video

Empower Your School. Change the World.

More than 600 schools around Colorado have become Unified Champion Schools (UCS). You can't afford to wait.

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UNIFIED SCHOOLS
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YOUTH IMPACTED STATEWIDE
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OF ATHLETES EXPERIENCED IMPROVED SELF-CONFIDENCE
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OF UCS LIASONS REPORTED REDUCED BULLYING

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) builds on Special Olympics Colorado’s values, principles, practices and experiences to shape a generation that welcomes everyone.

The Unified Champion Schools approach incorporates Special Olympics sports and related activities to enhance the youth experience and empower students to be change agents in their communities.

UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS ALSO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS

of students learn that standing up for something they believe is the right thing to do.

of students learn how to be patient with other students.

of students learn how one’s emotions and attitudes can affect others.

of students who got to know a student with ID considered them a friend.

COMPONENTS OF A UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOL

Unified Sports

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 to build unity.

Inclusive Leadership & Advocacy

Youth leadership provides young people with the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to create and sustain school communities that promote acceptance, respect and human dignity.

Whole School Engagement

Awareness and education activities that promote inclusion and reach the majority of the school population. I.E. Inclusion Campaign, pep rallies, “fans in the stands”, etc.

Health & Wellness Programming (Healthy LEAP)

Healthy LEAP (Lifestyle, Education and Application Program) is a series of health, nutrition, fitness, safety and injury prevention lessons created specifically for youth with and without intellectual disabilities. Healthy LEAP is designed to meet Colorado Department of Education’s Comprehensive Health Standards.

TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM?

SO College Feature - CSU

Special Olympics College

Special Olympics College (SO College) connects college students and individuals with intellectual disabilities through shared experiences. Together, college students and Special Olympics Colorado athletes work together to build accepting campus communities and build friendships that help lead the social inclusion movement of Special Olympics.

Special Olympics College programs are made up of the three components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, Inclusive Leadership, and Whole Campus Engagement.

If you are interested in getting your college involved or want to get involved in an existing SO College program, contact Rick Brady.

*Please Note – Athletes do not need to be enrolled at the college or university they participate with.

Upcoming Events

Click Here to view all events.

07 Feb
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
scheduled

Unified Champion Schools, at all grade levels, have free and direct access to resources and opportunities from Special Olympics Colorado

  • Access to sports equipment, uniforms and transportation to/from Special Olympics CO competitions
  • Inclusion Campaign resources (banners, t-shirts, wristbands, etc.)
  • Youth leadership & advocacy resources
  • Health and Wellness Curriculum (Healthy LEAP)
  • Unified in the Classroom
  • Ideas to implement inclusive sports and health
  • Opportunity to compete at Special Olympics CO regional and state competitions
  • Annual Youth Summit
  • Camp Shriver (application opportunity)
  • Statewide Youth Activation Committee (application opportunity)
  • Other UCS events
Name(Required)
Second School Liaison
(Select One)(Required)

School Resources:
  • Access to sports equipment, uniforms and transportation to/from Special Olympics CO competitions
  • Inclusion Campaign resources (banners, t-shirts, wristbands, etc.)
  • Youth leadership & advocacy resources
  • Health and Wellness Curriculum (Healthy LEAP)
  • Unified in the Classroom
  • Ideas to implement inclusive sports and health
Invitations:
  • Opportunity to compete at Special Olympics CO regional and state competitions
  • Annual Youth Summit
  • Camp Shriver (application opportunity)
  • Statewide Youth Activation Committee (application opportunity)
  • Other UCS events
Get Started
Name(Required)
Second School Liaison
(Select One)(Required)

Current Unified Champion Schools

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TAKE ACTION AND GET STARTED

CONTACT US TODAY

Chaka Sutton

Chief Outreach Officer and Senior Vice President of Sports
(720) 359-3102
Email: css@specialolympicsco.org

Maricela Shukie

Senior Director of Unified Champion Schools
(720) 359-3118
Email: mshukie@specialolympicsco.org

Michelle Andricopoulos

Unified Champion Schools Coordinator
(720) 359-3324
Email: mandricopoulos@specialolympicsco.org

Freda Davenport

Elementary Unified Champion Schools Manager
(720) 359-3114
Email: fmd@specialolympicsco.org

Sam Parker

Southeastern Unified Champion Schools Coordinator
(720) 784-3804
Email: sparker@specialolympicsco.org

Molly Underly

Northeast Unified Champion Schools Coordinator
303-482-6429
Email: munderly@specialolympicsco.org