By VANESSA STEVENS CORRESPONDENT On May 30, about 150 people— families, teachers and coaches gathered on the back lawn of Hubbell Elementary School to witness students run, catch, throw, laugh and play during Bristol’s second annual Unified Sports Day. Though originally a rain date had been set, arrangements were made instead to hold the event inside if needed. “The children were so excited that we decided to hold the event today, no matter what,” Hubbell schools’ extended resource teacher Barbara Mc Lean said. Barbara has spearheaded the program at Hubbell elementary for the past two years. A registered program of the Connecticut Special Olympics, Unified Sports partners athletes with intellectual disabilities and those without intellectual disabilities but are of similar age and sport skill, to learn basic sports skills together. The program fits Hubbell School’s special education mission which ensures any and all students receive specially designed, high quality instruction to enhance each student’s academic, social/emotional and behavioral development in the least restrictive ways. Unlike the Unified Sports’ middle and high school levels—who compete to win—Barbara says the focus among her fourth and fifth graders is on making new friendships, improving self esteem, and fostering positive changes in attitude, behavior [...]
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