STAY CONNECTED School Programs Newsletter Contact Us:

[email protected] September 2015 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 246

Or visit our website at: http://schools.specialolympicsontario.com

Welcome back! I hope that everyone enjoyed a fun and relaxing summer. Here at Special Olympics Ontario we are excited to kick start the new school year with the introduction of improved and expanded programs that we have been developing over the summer! We will be publishing this newsletter four times per school year (September, November, February, and April). The newsletter will be issued to our stakeholders, educators, and students to keep you up to date on the continued expansion of both our elementary and secondary programs and the multitude of options we now offer for all age groups, and will focus on any news, upcoming events, and stories from previous events. Highlighted within this inaugural issue you will find: Special Olympics World Games athlete spotlight on a number Special Olympics Ontario school athletes who travelled to Los Angeles in August to compete on behalf of Team Canada in the Special Olympics World Games! A rebranding and restructuring announcement pertaining to all of our school programs; both elementary and secondary. An invitation to become a member of our new Special Olympics Ontario School Sports Advisory Committee (SOOSSAC) through which we hope to form an advisory group of educators from all areas of the province, school boards, and school levels to help guide the growth of our programs in schools. Our new Partners in Play program. With the support of the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Sport and Recreation Community Fund, the Partners in Play program will aim to start youth learn to play programs for athletes under the age of 25 across the province through partnering with local generic sports clubs and facilities. This will result in a number of increased opportunities for your students to participate in Special Olympics programming outside of school. We have also expanded our school & youth programs team here at SOO and have a number of new staff to announce! Please take a moment to read through and share these exciting updates with your colleagues as they will come into effect as of the first day of school. As always, should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. Looking forward to another exciting school year! Kirsten Bobbie Senior Program Developer – School Programs [email protected] 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 247

Contact Us: [email protected] 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 246

Or visit our website at: http://schools.specialolympicsontario.com

World Games Athlete Spotlight – Congratulations! Special Olympics Ontario school athletes were well represented in Los Angeles at the World Games. Some of the athletes that made Canada proud are students within the Ontario Secondary School system and are highlighted below. Robert Pipitone – Huron Heights Secondary School Rob is one of Ontario’s most decorated athletes. His involvement with school and extracurricular sports has helped his growth on his pathway to the World Games in Los Angeles. Attending Huron Heights Secondary School, Rob took part in Four Corner events for athletics, bocce, basketball and soccer. His path is a great example of all that Special Olympics Ontario has to offer. Kimana Mar – Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School Kimana was one of the youngest Ontario athletes at World Games in Los Angeles and she came back with a slew of medals. At the young age of 16, Kimana won 5 gold medals and a silver medal in various gymnastics events. She has been practicing her rhythmic gymnastics skills with the Ottawa Rhythmic Spirals club. Lexie Senior – White Oaks High School Lexie had a great showing in the pool at World Games. The White Oaks High School athlete won a gold medal in the 50m Backstroke and a bronze medal as team in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay. Lexie has been a member of the Oakville Marlins Swim Club since 2012 and continues to get better in all her swimming disciplines. Sandi Mercier – Thousand Island Secondary School Sandi recently took part in her first World Games in Los Angeles for Track & Field. She has also taken part in numerous school and Four Corners events for athletics, basketball and bocce. Danny Ristic – Notre Dame High School Danny, from Welland Ontario, recently graduated from Notre Dame High School. While in school he enjoyed taking part in various sports including golf, basketball, soccer, and track & field. Danny sharpened his bowling skills at the Welland Hi Rollers Bowling Club on his way to winning two medals at the World Games in Los Angeles. Celine Labrecque – Windsor, ON Canadian Gymnasts had a great showing at the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles. Celine was no exception as she won two gold and two silver medals at the young age of 18.

Contact Us: [email protected] 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 246

Or visit our website at: http://schools.specialolympicsontario.com

SOO School Programs – A new look and feel! The massive expansion within school programs over the past few years has led SOO to streamline our current programs, but also have a place for programs and expansion coming into play in the next couple of years. This has led to a new branding system for all of our programs from K-12. Although this may not affect everyone, please take the time to read through which existing events and programs will fit under each new umbrella. For existing entities largely affected, more information will come throughout the school year. PAHL Sports Festivals This brand will encompass all events that are not formal sports competition (ie. fun days, multi-sport events, Have a Go’s). The logo can be paired with any school board logo and can be available for packages, posters, t-shirts, etc. The brand is meant to encompass the following types of programs:  

PAHL sports festivals coordinated by SOO for elementary students ‘Fun days’ or multi-sport events hosted by individual schools, a host committee or school boards

SOO School Competitions This brand will encompass all events that are formal sports competition (ie. track meets, bowling tournaments, swim meets). The logo can be paired with any school board logo and can be available for packages, posters, t-shirts, etc. The brand is meant to encompass the following types of programs:  

Sport competitions hosted by individual schools, a host committee, or school boards Development or trial competitions leading towards the Provincial Championships program

SOO School Championships & Qualifiers This brand will encompass the SOO School Championships and it’s Championship Qualifiers across the province (formally known as Four Corners). The brand is meant to encompass the following types of programs:  

Regional qualifying competitions (48 this school year) The Provincial Championships

*Please note: all new brands are to be present on all future communications and will replace any SOO logos or titles used in the past. Previously ordered t-shirts/stock can be phased out over time. New logos/branding can be obtained by contacting Special Olympics Ontario staff*

Contact Us: [email protected] 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 246

Or visit our website at: http://schools.specialolympicsontario.com

News you can use - September We have a new website! http://schools.specialolympicsontario.com Our new site will act as a landing page for everything related to school & youth programs.

SOO School Sports Advisory Committee (SOOSSAC) This committee will be comprised of educators from all areas of the province, and all teaching backgrounds. The committee’s role will be to assist in advising and driving change within school programs. The committee will meet quarterly via conference call. Interested in joining? Please contact us! 2015 Annual Sport Awards We are happy to announce our Educator of the Year for the 2014/2015 school year. Congratulations to Stephanie King of Glebe C.I. in Ottawa! Stephanie has been a strong supporter of SOO programs for a number of years and huge driver of progression for Four Corners in the area! Please note: we will be starting an award for school team of the year and school athlete of the year following this season!

Registration for all School Championships Qualifiers is now open! Visit our website: https://schoolchampionships.specialolympicsontario.ca

Contact Us: [email protected] 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 246

Or visit our website at: http://schools.specialolympicsontario.com

The new SOO School & Youth Programs Team Due to the large growth and demand for both our elementary and secondary school programs, our team is growing! Please join me in welcoming our new staff members to the Special Olympics Ontario organization. Prior to announcing our new staff members we would like to give a sincere farewell to Natasha Jaczek. Natasha was previously the Program Developer for Elementary Schools & Community Youth. Initially starting her Special Olympics career in Yukon, Natasha had an immense impact on Special Olympics Ontario’s youth programs including Active Start, FUNdamentals and PAHL Day Festivals. We wish her the best of luck as she has decided to return back to school to further her education. THANK YOU NATASHA!

Garry MacLean – Program Developer - Partners in Play Garry has been with Special Olympics Ontario since 2013 and was most recently the District Developer for the Greater Toronto Area. Garry will be tasked with the Provincial-wide management of the new Partners in Play program, developing and maintaining partnerships and overseeing the development of multiple learn to play programs. [email protected] – 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 248

Josh Budish – Program Developer – School & Community Youth Programs Josh comes to SOO after having completed a Master of Recreation Management and Community Development at Acadia University. Josh will be tasked with the growth and development of our elementary school and community youth programs. Josh is a previous SOO volunteer with our Active Start program and is excited to be back with the organization! [email protected] – 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 246

Shafeeq Armstrong – Program Developer – Physical Activity and Healthy Living Shafeeq is a recent graduate from the University of Guelph. While in Guelph he volunteered his time to coach a Special Olympics track team and a basketball team. He will be planning Athlete Leadership Programs, Healthy Athletes screenings, and overseeing the Step into Action program. [email protected] – 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 249

Contact Us: [email protected] 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 246

Or visit our website at: http://schools.specialolympicsontario.com

The new SOO School & Youth Programs Team cont’d

Javed Thadani – Project Coordinator, Partners in Play - GTA Javed is a recent graduate from Durham College. He has been with Special Olympics Ontario since the summer of 2014 helping with Four Corner events as well as coaching a Special Olympics Ontario basketball team. Javed will be tasked with assisting with the local planning and execution of both our Partners in Play program, as well as our School Championships Qualifiers program. [email protected] – 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 264

Chris Verlaan – Project Coordinator, Partners in Play – Western Ontario Chris Verlaan is a recent graduate from both Brock University (Honours Bachelor of Sport Management) and Queens University (Honours Bachelor of Commerce). Chris has almost 10 years of experience working in the sport setting, taking on roles across the fields of Communications, Community Relations, Youth Programming, and Volunteer Management. Chris will be tasked with assisting with the local planning and execution of both our Partners in Play program, as well as our School Championships Qualifiers program. [email protected] – 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 265

Kaitlyn Lindensmith – Project Coordinator, Partners in Play – Central & Northern Ontario Kaitlyn has recently finished her Master’s degree in Sport Management from Western University, where her work was focused on the 2015 Parapan American Games. She believes in the important role that sport and physical activity play for everyone across the lifespan and is excited for this new opportunity! Kaitlyn will be tasked with assisting with the local planning and execution of both our Partners in Play program, as well as our School Championships Qualifiers program. [email protected] – 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 266

Contact Us: [email protected] 1 (888) 333-5515 ext. 246

Or visit our website at: http://schools.specialolympicsontario.com