Caroline Knightly, Reporter
@knightlycourant
Freshman Christian Parrott passes the soccer ball to senior Kelly Ritz, who then races across the gym floor to score yet another goal. These two students might never have been in a class or on a team together at NCHS, but because they are both members of the high school’s unified sports team, they interact as friends and teammates on a daily basis.
On the unified sports team, special education students are paired with another student, known as their “buddy”, and these students participate in practices and games with other pairs as part of the unified team. Physical education teacher Priscilla Schulz created the team in 2010. Since then, students of all grades have been volunteering at practices and tournaments, helping to make sure that the special education students have the best time possible.
During fall and winter, the students participate in soccer and basketball, with a tournament towards the end of each season. The team maintains between 10 and 15 players and faces teams from other schools, such as Staples or Fairfield Ludlowe. In a single tournament, the team may face up to 20 other unified teams.
The teams are determined by specific skill levels, which are determined by the pre-existing needs and conditions of the athletes. “Level one has no special accommodations and all students are able bodied. From there it goes down with more accommodations for the lower levels,” Ms. Schulz said. “For example, level 5 students, in addition to having the most accommodations, are also comprised of wheelchair athletes.”
The games are set up according to the ability and level of each student and how much they are able to interact with their teammates. “The tournaments are set up by levels. Level one is the least restrictive,” Ms. Schulz said. “Level 5 is probably the most restrictive, and more accommodations are needed for the athletes in level 5 than in level 1.”
Freshman Christian Parrott is a volunteer player on the team and has enjoyed his time as both a participant and mentor. “I encourage kids to run around and have fun, because sometimes they can give up and start walking. I like to set a good example for them as an athlete and a teammate,” Christian said. “I direct them because sometimes they aren’t sure where to go, so I give them an example to follow.”
Christian practices with the team every Tuesday after school in the auxiliary gym. “What you get out of it is very humbling, and it’s a lot of fun,” Christian said. “We practice every Tuesday for 45 minutes after school, but even that time makes a dfference.”
With the fall season coming to a close and the winter basketball team starting soon, more volunteers are needed. “We do need more student participation and more student players to encourage and interact with the kids,” says Parrott. With more student volunteers, the special education students will have more to compete and practice with, making practices even more eventful and fun.
The unified sports team at NCHS has brought joy to students and teachers around the school. “I know a lot of kids are benefiting from it and the special needs students absolutely love it,” Ms. Schultz said. “They get a chance to participate, and the typical students who come and help out also love it. Everyone involved gets to see a whole other world.”
The mission of the team is to have fun and to allow students to be successful athletes. “To see all the special needs students coming together and participating to the best of their ability and being successful is what it’s all about,” Ms. Schulz said. “Just seeing all the kids have fun, seeing them interact with each other, seeing them participate and learn about themselves and each other is an incredible experience, and a very rewarding one.”
To get involved, contact Priscilla Schulz at priscilla.schulz@ncps-k12.org.
