Freeman-Kennedy School in Norfolk Named by Special Olympics as 2025-26 National Banner School

The Freeman-Kennedy School hosted Unified Game Day, partnering with the H. Olive Day School, inviting from Pre-Kindergarten to second grade to participate in a day of inclusive competition. (Photo Courtesy Norfolk Public Schools)

NORFOLK — Superintendent Dr. Ingrid Allardi and the Norfolk School Committee are proud to announce that the Freeman-Kennedy School was named a 2025-26 National Banner School for its achievements as part of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program.

Special Olympics North America congratulated Norfolk Public Schools for the National Banner recognition earned by the Freeman-Kennedy School for demonstrating excellence in the fields of inclusion, advocacy and respect.

The Freeman-Kennedy School was one of only 17 schools in Massachusetts and 288 nationwide to achieve this status for the 2025-26 school year. Special Olympics’ national certifying body recognized the elementary school based on its Special Olympics Unified Champion School programming, which it officially established during the 2024-25 school year.

The Freeman-Kennedy School earned National Banner recognition by meeting Special Olympics’ 10 national standards of excellence for inclusion, advocacy, and respect, for its work in sports, leadership, and whole-school engagement opportunities, resulting in a school environment that promotes inclusion and respect for all. To receive the recognition, National Banner schools must also demonstrate that their Unified Champion Schools programs are self-sustainable.

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Patti Doherty, Vice President of Schools and Community Development for Special Olympics Massachusetts. “This achievement reflects the commitment of the athletes, partners, students, coaches, volunteers, teachers, staff, and administration who work together every day to create a school community where everyone belongs, everyone is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to participate.”

The Freeman-Kennedy School has offered Unified Cornhole and Unified Bocce, along with other athletic activities. This year, the program, which serves children ages 8 through 12, is trying Unified Basketball.

Unified teams consist of students with and without intellectual disabilities, coming together to play in a spirit of inclusion and support for one another.

In addition to parents, students who are part of the Falcons to Falcons peer mentor group are invited to attend the Unified games and cheer on the players from the stands.

“Freeman-Kennedy School has demonstrated what is possible when a school community makes inclusion a priority,” said Doherty. “Your leadership, dedication, and commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students to learn, lead, and grow together have made your school a model for others.”

The Unified Champions School program at the Freeman-Kennedy School came out of a previous grassroots effort started six years ago by special educator Julia Fredette, who serves as the school liaison for the Special Olympics initiative. Fredette, who continues to support the program, aimed to provide more opportunities for her students in an inclusive setting that brings together students of all ability levels.

The Freeman-Kennedy School then decided to become a Unified Champion School about three years ago, with leadership from recently retired Special Education Director Dr. Anna Tupper and Principal Lisa Altham-Hickey. The Unified Champion School program involved several initiatives in addition to Unified Sports competitions. The Freeman-Kennedy School’s Unified Champion School program also included a Peer Leadership initiative and a Whole School Engagement initiative.

Fredette continues to support the Whole School Engagement initiative, with help from the school’s paraprofessional staff.

“I would like to acknowledge that this was a true team effort, spearheaded by Dr. Anna Tupper and her outstanding special education staff, including Julia Fredette and Jason Connelly,” said Principal Altham-Hickey. “I’d like to thank our entire Freeman-Kennedy staff, who had a big role in making our school community, including students, staff, and families, into a place where everyone belongs, feels valued and has the opportunity to participate.”

Throughout the past three years as part of this endeavor, the Freeman-Kennedy School hosted Unified Game Day, partnering with the H. Olive Day School to invite students from Pre-Kindergarten to second grade to participate. Connelly, a special education teacher, organizes Unified Game Day.

“The whole school gets involved with a parade of athletes, with our student body holding signs along the route, and our band director, Mr. John Fouracre, leads his musicians to welcome in the students and onlookers,” said Principal Altham-Hickey.

School staff also hold an annual Unity Day in October, along with Kindness Week in February, in addition to the iCare programming held in January and February, which helps students grow in understanding of abilities and disabilities, while promoting kindness, acceptance and inclusion. As part of the iCare program, parent volunteers come to the school to read books to students about acceptance and inclusion during Ability Awareness Month.

The Unified Champion Schools program exists at schools throughout the country, from Pre-K through the university level.  More than 10,000 schools have participated in Unified Champion programming throughout its history. The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program began in the United States in 2008.

Schools must reapply for National Banner Recognition every four years.

The Freeman-Kennedy School is now among 87 schools that have achieved National Banner Recognition.

The Freeman-Kennedy School would like to thank the following staff and volunteers for their support of the Unified Champion Schools program, including Unified Sports, Peer Leadership and Whole School Engagement: Jake Maguire, Marisa Brodeur, Kelly Pereira (recently retired), Physical Therapist Kirsten Baima and School Adjustment Counselor Liz Longley, who runs the school’s Unified Young Readers program during weekly lunch bunch meetings. Former Assistant Principal Adam Tarczuk was also instrumental in launching the Peer Leadership program.

“Thank you to all of our volunteers and athletes who come together to make this all possible,” said Superintendent Dr. Allardi. “We are grateful to the Special Olympics for offering this wonderful program. We are proud to have achieved National Banner Recognition and look forward to continuing our commitment to maintaining safe, welcoming and inclusive school communities where all students and families are valued and celebrated.”

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Unified Game Day at the Freeman-Kennedy School was organized by special education teacher Jason Connelly. The event was part of the school’s Unified Champion Schools program. (Photo Courtesy Norfolk Public Schools)

Special Olympics North America congratulated Norfolk Public Schools for becoming a National Banner School, recognizing its achievements as part of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program. (Photo Courtesy Special Olympics Massachusetts)