Students from the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 joined with others from Tabor Academy to celebrate Unified Game Day on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
MARION — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Jaime Curley are proud to share that students from the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 joined with others at Tabor Academy in Marion to celebrate Unified Game Day on Wednesday, April 30.
The annual Unified Game Day, held in partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts, was a celebration of inclusion, teamwork and community, drawing hundreds of students and educators from throughout the state. Other school districts that participated included Dartmouth Public Schools, New Bedford Public Schools, Wareham Public Schools, Carver Public Schools and Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative.
The event was run and hosted by Denise Larrabee, Manager of the Inclusive Schools Program for Special Olympics Massachusetts, and Tamar Cunha, Science Department Chair and Director of Community Service at Tabor Academy.
Michael Hogan, a senior at Old Rochester Regional High School, who earlier this year bowled a perfect game, and Jacob Castanhinha, a student at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, represented the Old Rochester Regional School District during the opening ceremony for the event known as the Torch Walk. The Special Olympics Torch was held by an athlete from New Bedford.
Throughout the event, students rotated through a variety of stations, featuring sports and games, encouraging collaboration, movement and joy. Students took part in rowing, relay races, volleyball, football tackling drills, and teamwork activities involving a hula hoop.
This day of fun, friendship and athletic challenge is designed to not only promote physical activity but also foster a spirit of inclusion and shared achievement between students of all abilities.
Each of the student athletes, from those in kindergarten through postgraduate up to age 22, was paired with another Unified Sports athlete from Tabor Academy as they went through the various stations together.
The event was a day of service for Tabor Academy involving hundreds of volunteers, from students to faculty to lunch staff, working tirelessly together to make it an unforgettable day of fun, competition and inclusion.
The event was also attended by Superintendent Nelson, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Curley, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner and Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli.
“It’s always great to celebrate inclusion and to challenge ourselves with physical activity. It was an honor to be involved with the cause,” Principal Coellner said. “It was awesome to see my students take part and create valuable opportunities for friendship and understanding through shared sports experiences.”
“Tabor Academy’s Unified Game Day is one of the most exciting and heartwarming events of the year,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Curley. “The day is packed with smiles, high-fives and fun, celebrating friendship and inclusion.”
“We are proud to support Unified Game Day. And I’d like to thank Special Olympics Massachusetts for helping to make this all possible,” said Superintendent Nelson. “This event has become an important way to promote inclusion and ensure that students of all abilities are able to have fun playing sports.”
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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson speaks to a student during Unified Game Day at Tabor Academy. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli shakes a student’s hand during Unified Game Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Old Rochester students pose for a photograph at the Unified Game Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Old Rochester students use rowing machines during Unified Game Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Old Rochester students practice rowing during Unified Game Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Unified Game Day at Tabor Academy in Marion. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Sippican Elementary School School Resource Officer Jonathan Tracy, a Marion Police Officer, with Comfort Dog Norman at Unified Game Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Old Rochester students show off their medals at Unified Game Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Old Rochester students show off their medals at Unified Game Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
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