CMSD Special Olympics

MISSION:  The mission of Cleveland Metropolitan Schools Special Olympics is to provide year round sports training &athletic competition in a variety of sports. The program is designed for students in the district with Intellectual Disabilities.  Cleveland Metropolitan Schools Special Olympics programs provide continual opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in thesharing of skills and friendship with families, other Special Olympics Athletesand the community.

HISTORY:  Cleveland Metropolitan Schools Special Olympics became an accredited program under Special Olympics Ohio in 1989 toprovide sports programs for students in the Cleveland Metropolitan SchoolDistrict.  The program was founded at James F. Rhodes High School with forty students.  Today, the program includes more than 2,00 0athletes from over forty different Cleveland Metropolitan Schools, which makes it the largest local organization in Ohio.

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES:p  Cleveland Metropolitan Schools Special Olympics provides training & competition opportunities in the following sports: Aquatics, Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball Skills, Bowling,Young Athletes Program, Nordic & Alpine Skiing.  Athletes train during the school day &compete on the local, area & state levels. Special Olympics Athletes or their families are never asked by Special Olympics to underwrite expenses for participation in training & competition.

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Cleveland Metropolitan Schools Special Olympics does not receive any state or federal funding. Funds are raised through individual & corporate sponsors & fundraising projects and events. The Cleveland Metropolitan School District does not assist in the funding of the Special Olympics program. Special Olympics Ohio is legally organized & established as an accredited state chapter of Special OlympicsIncorporated & Cleveland Metropolitan Schools Special Olympics is an accredited program of Special Olympics Ohio & is a registered 501 (C ) (3)nonprofit organization.

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District Special Olympics Program has been met with enthusiastic support from administrators, principals, teachers, and students.

The Athletics and Student Activities Office and Special Olympics Ohio, partner to bring Project UNIFY to Cleveland city students.   Jointly, we empower our students to becomesmarter, stronger, and better through scholarship, mentorship and competitiveathletic opportunities. Project UNIFYprovides the state-of-the-art equipment, and support while CMSD teachers and staff recruits students willing to make a commitment to sports, improved academics and graduating. Special Olympics prepares a student’s mind, body and spirit for future success, on and off the playing field.

The involvement of the general student population with individuals withintellectual disabilities, through the creation of a Peer Coaching program,Partner’s Club program and R-Word campaign, has created more student volunteer opportunities within the Cleveland Schools and its Special Olympics curriculum.

http://www.sooh.org/