- Lauderhill 6 - 12
- Homepage
Bennett Elementary School and Hollywood Elementary School Receive National Recognition from Special Olympics
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) congratulates Bennett Elementary School and Hollywood Park Elementary School for being designated as National Banner Unified Champion Schools by Special Olympics. The national honor recognizes schools for having inclusive school climates that exude a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all students and staffs.
Receiving the National Banner distinction means that Bennett Elementary and Hollywood Park Elementary meet the 10 national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect. These standards were developed by a panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.
The primary activities within these standards include Special Olympics Unified Sports® (in which students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates), inclusive youth leadership and whole-school engagement. The schools also demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities.
“This national recognition is a huge win for Bennett Elementary School, Hollywood Park Elementary and our District,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Vickie L. Cartwright. “The award carries a message that our schools are places where everyone belongs. It represents the commitment our students, teachers and staff have for providing the message of inclusion.”
Bennett Elementary and Hollywood Park Elementary are two of 13 Florida schools to receive this national distinction. The schools will receive a banner to display on campus and will be included on a list of schools around the country that have achieved this status.
A Special Olympics Unified Champion School celebration and presentation of the prestigious banner will be held at Bennett Elementary, 1755 N.E. 14th Street, Fort Lauderdale, on Friday, November 4, 2022, at 9 a.m. Mark Thompson, regional director of Developmental Sports Programs, Southeast Florida Special Olympics, will present the banner to the school community. (A similar celebration and presentation recently took place at Hollywood Park Elementary.)
Media are invited to cover this event.
###
ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Educating all students to reach their highest potential.”
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962, serving more than 256,000 students and approximately 110,000 adult learners in 240 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 90 charter schools. BCPS supports a diverse student population representing 170 different countries and speaking 147 languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app.
About Special Olympics Florida
Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition, crucial health services, and life-changing leadership programs to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It serves nearly 60,000 Special Olympics athletes annually, at no cost to athletes or their families. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.