Unified Sports: Growing Inclusion Beyond the Classroom
Last spring, Unified Track launched at Toppenish High School with a simple belief: students grow stronger when they compete together. One year later, Unified Sports in Toppenish brings general education and special education together as teammates in bowling, basketball, track, and cornhole (TMS)! More than 50 students have already participated, and we expect even more this spring.
Inclusion in PE has been part of our district for years. Unified Sports extends that commitment beyond the school day, bringing students receiving special education services and their general education peers together as teammates.
Our Think Pink. Play United! Basketball game on January 28th showed what this means to our community. The stands were packed with students, families, staff, and supporters cheering on our Unified team. The energy in the gym was inspiring. Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer for our students!
Unified Sports is currently funded through Basic Education and Athletics, with early grant support helping launch the program. Community members interested in supporting this growing effort are encouraged to contact Athletic Director, Daniel Sanchez, at dsanchez@toppenish.wednet.edu.