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We are excited to announce that ANSER has been selected as one of thirty-six (36) Idaho schools to be a Project UNIFY School. Project UNIFY is a national project through Special Olympics International funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The Project UNIFY vision is to: Promote school communities where all young people are agents of change--fostering acceptance, respect, dignity and advocacy with and for people with intellectual disabilities and, therefore, anyone who is perceived as being different.
"Designed for students of all ages, both typically -developing as well as those with intellectual disabilities, to partner and participate in activities which focus on interactive, inclusive and FUN activities that will increase acceptance and awareness of each others unique strengths and talents while supporting fitness, disability awareness, academic achievement and sports related training". Anser will have access to up to $1000.00 to offset costs associated with our whole school involvement which includes a triad of education, leadership, and sports responsibilities and opportunities..
1. Education, Information and Awareness:
We have been provided with a resource handbooks and a K-12 Service -learning curriculum to support opportunities to educate and create awareness that everyone can be a change agent. As a project Unify school Anser will take a leadership role sharing information and creating awareness. Students will have the opportunity to participate in and in some cases, organize educational and awareness events.
2. Leadership:
Anser students will have opportunity to participate in activities and take formal and informal leadership roles at Anser and in the greater community. One of these opportunities include student participation on the Special Olympics Idaho Youth Activation Council. (YAC). Anser 7th grader Ian Zaleski is already a member of this council and we will be recruiting more interested Junior High Students who are looking for a leadership opportunity that will allow them to serve the community and be a change agent.
3. Sports:
Special Olympics Unified SportsŪ is an initiative that combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (called Partners) on sports teams for training and competition. Age and ability matching of athletes and Partners is defined on a sport-by-sport basis. Here is a link to learn more about Project Unify Sports:http://www.idso.org/public/unified.cfm
As a project Unify School ANSER will sponsor a team and ask our community to participate as Partner athletes and or provide support and be "Fan's in the Stands" to cheer them on. This year ANSER already has two Junior High students, Ian Zaleski and Bryan Kaes, who are participating as Partner athletes on the Ghostbusters, a Unified Sports Floor Hockey team! Next year we hope to sponsor an onsite Bocce Ball team and have even more student participation. And of course, we can help with winter sports next year when the early snow is back!
Check out the Project Unify Idaho Facebook Page and watch for updates from Anser. For more information or to find out how you can get involved please contact Lisa Cates at lcates@ansercharterschool.org or call at 426-9840 ext 221.
Upcoming Project Unify Events and Activities: (we will keep you posted with a permanent calendar in future Flight Plans)
February 18, 2012: 2012 Penguin Plunge "Freezin for a Reason! Registration is at 11:00 AM on Saturday at the Sportsman Warehouse at 3797 Fairview Avenue, Meridian, Idaho. By "taking a plunge" you can raise money and awareness for our Special Olympic Athletes. Go to the Idaho Special Olympics Web site for more information this year's Penguin Plunge!: http://www.idso.org/public/EVENT_DETAILS.CFM?EVENT_ID=3604
March 3, 2012: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM: 2012 State Winter Floor Hockey Competition! Be a "Fan in the Stands" and support special Olympic Athletes and also ANSER's "Ghostbusters" Floor Hockey Tam which includes Anser's own Ian Zaleski and Bryan Kaes.
March 7, 2012: Spread the Word to End the Word Day: Learn about how you can end the demeaning use of the R-word. Check out their web site for more information and to sign on to take the pledge! http://www.r-word.org
Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics: We will share a date when we have it! Here is a link to learn more about the Torch Run:http://www.specialolympics.org/letr.aspx
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SOS - One World Soccer
