New Hyde Park Memorial High School has been recognized as a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics North America. This distinction recognizes leadership in creating inclusive school communities where all students are accepted and celebrated.
In Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, students with and without disabilities take physical education courses together and play on the same sports teams. Students also learn inclusive leadership skills and participate in activities that engage the entire school community to encourage and promote inclusion among their peers.
A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated the highest commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence. The standards were developed by a panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community nationally. The primary activities within these standards include Special Olympics Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership and whole-school engagement.
New Hyde Park Memorial High School was among 13 schools statewide to receive this honor this year.