Moorhead Schools continues partnership with Special Olympics
April 22, 2015
Moorhead Area Public Schools and Special Olympics will continue their 40-year tradition of partnering for the track and field event. While the partnership remains intact, aspects of the partnership will change.
Parents and representatives from Special Olympics and the school district met to take steps forward on a collaborative partnership. A special education administrator from the school district will join the Special Olympics Board to serve as the liaison between the school district and Special Olympics. The liaison will work through the process with the Special Olympics Board to support programming as a community organization.
Diane and Wayne Brendemuhl will become the delegation chair for Special Olympics in the community. The future of Special Olympics is dependent on community volunteers to continue to maintain the program.
Concerns related to the district’s relationship with Special Olympics arose after parents of students involved received a letter explaining that beginning next year the district would no longer be taking the responsibility for student participation in Special Olympics during the school day. The district has faced challenges with being responsible for student participation during the school day because Special Olympics is a separate organization, not all special education students are eligible for Special Olympics, and there are application requirements for participation.
The district liaison to Special Olympics will work with the Special Olympics Board to address the challenges and move forward in providing opportunities for students.
“District administrators are pleased to work together with Special Olympics to pursue expanded activities for all students,” a statement released to the media on April 21 said. “Special Olympics continues to be an important partner for the school district.”
Moorhead Area Public Schools remains committed to providing adaptive athletic programs and inclusive activities for all students. This includes seeking School Board approval to implement adaptive bowling, which is sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, for spring 2016. Students in the program who meet the requirements will be eligible to earn a letter at Moorhead High School, just as other students involved in MSHSL activities who meet requirements are eligible to letter.
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