In an important effort to promote social inclusion and create a welcoming environment for all students, OCFSD is on a mission to become a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. This initiative is designed to create lasting, positive change by fostering an inclusive environment where students with disabilities are fully integrated into school life.

So much more than Sports

At the heart of this initiative lies a simple yet powerful goal: to use sports as a foundation for creating school climates of acceptance and inclusion. The Unified Champion Schools program emphasizes three key components: inclusive sports, inclusive leadership, and whole-school engagement. Through these interconnected elements, the program equips students with the tools, knowledge, and experiences they need to promote acceptance and create a sense of belonging for students with disabilities in every area of school life – from classrooms to extracurricular activities. 

Oak Creek’s Commitment to Inclusion

Director of Student Services Monica Church and Oak Creek High School Athletic Director Scott Holler are at the forefront of this exciting journey. Together, they are working diligently to develop a district-wide commitment to welcoming all students of all abilities. Their combined vision focuses on leveraging the power of sport and teamwork to make Oak Creek-Franklin a place where all students can thrive. “Sports teach us so many life lessons, including unity and the power of friendship,” Holler shares.

“This program has allowed student-athletes to become leaders on and off the field and has allowed athletes with special abilities to show their peers the unique talents they possess,” Church says. “We are learning the strengths of our community and how to share the love of sports as a unified community.” 

Recreational Days: A Step Toward Unity

As part of the ongoing effort to build a more inclusive environment, OCFSD has begun hosting a series of recreational days that bring students with disabilities together with their peers. These events are designed for students to participate in various sports while building meaningful relationships.

High school athletes and coaches from different sports teams are stepping up as mentors, leading the recreational days. “Our high school student-athletes don’t just play for the love of the game—they play to share that passion and inspire others with the joy they find in their sport," Holler explains.“This program has brought so much joy to all of our students and coaches involved thus far and we’re excited to continue growing it in the future.”  

Through these events, all students of all abilities have the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and connect with students they may not otherwise meet. By working together, these students are fostering a culture of acceptance and unity at OCFSD.

Looking to the Future

As OCFSD continues its Unified Champion Schools journey, the vision of a unified, inclusive school community is becoming a reality. “The next steps for the program are to expand from OCHS becoming a unified champion school to our middle schools also becoming unified champion schools,” Church explains. This year OCHS held a UKnighted week to bring awareness to inclusive practices and self-awareness. This was a great leadership opportunity for our students with and without disabilities to plan for and implement a campaign to bring awareness and change.  Inclusive youth leadership occurs when students with and without disabilities work together to lead and plan advocacy, awareness, and other inclusive activities throughout the school year. With the support of dedicated educators, coaches, and student leaders, OCFSD is on the path to transforming its school culture into one where every student is empowered to participate, contribute, and belong.