Elementary Programs
SCHOOL HUB
Welcome to the Elementary Schools Hub, your ultimate resource centre for all things Special Olympics!
Welcome!
Whether you're an educator, board rep, coach, or team member, this hub is designed to provide you with easy access to essential information and support to ensure a smooth and successful experience. Explore our comprehensive sections below to stay informed, prepared, and engaged throughout the exciting journey to creating inclusive school spaces.
NEW Updates
Grants & Funding Opportunities
HOST GRANTS – They're Back!
TRANSPORTATION GRANTS – New!
EQUIPMENT GRANTS – New!
Note: All grants are subject to availability and will be reviewed based on merit. Apply early to secure funding!
Get Started with Free Equipment!
Orders Ship Free in Early FebruarySport Event Information
KICK OFF THE YEAR WITH ELEMENTARY SPORT FESTIVALS!
FESTIVAL REGISTRATION
STUDENT PREPARATION
PAYMENTS
PROGRAM FORMAT
CHAMPIONS IN MOTION: BOCCE & BASKETBALL EVENTS ARE HERE!
Event REGISTRATIONWhat You Can Do
Want to become a Unified Champion School?
Elementary Advisory Educator Council
Council Details:
Interested in joining?
Hosting Opportunities Available!
What Do You Need to Host?
A team of student volunteers – to help with setup, scorekeeping, welcoming teams, and more
Ready to host?
Help Us Grow the Movement!
Educator Shared Resource Hub
Share Your Story – Help Us Grow the Movement!Events & Virtual Sessions
Inclusive FREE Regional Educator Conference Series
October 18th - November 1st
SOO Saturdays are here check out our conference info and registraiton below and find the closest sessions near you
Dates: Saturdays from October 18 to November 1 
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM 
Locations: Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto Hamilton, London, & Virtual for Central/ Northern Ontario + Anyone who wants to join
Meals provided 
Mileage compensation available*
Province-Wide Free Throw Competition
Presented By the Knights of Columbus
Special Olympics Ontario Unified Champion Schools are invited to participate in the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, a province-wide basketball shooting competition for youth aged 9–17. This inclusive opportunity aligns with UCS goals of sport development, leadership, and community engagement.
Competition Structure
- Council Level: Local Knights of Columbus councils host school-based competitions. Schools within the council’s parish or geographic area are eligible.
- District Level: Winners from 3–7 councils advance to district competitions.
- Regional Level: District winners compete at regional events, with potential advancement to provincial and international levels
How UCS Schools Can Participate
- Schools can partner with their local Knights of Columbus council to host or join a Free Throw event.
- Each participant must complete an Entry Form/Score Sheet (SO-1598) and provide proof of age as of January 1st.
- Councils must complete their competitions by January 31st, districts by February 23rd, and regionals by March 23rd
Communications
Emails
SOO Announcements – Monthly
Schools will receive province-wide email announcements and reminders on the first Tuesday of each month.
Regional Communications – Monthly (Calendar Invites)
Schools will receive a calendar invitation email from their regional contact for each local event, followed by a reminder email approximately 10 days prior. After registration, a participant's email with event details will be sent 5-6 days before the event. Additional communications may occur for special events and programs available in the community.
Each area has a regional lead who supports each school directly for all events & programs. If you do not know who your regional contact is, please Click Here.
Newsletters
Stay updated on all things Special Olympics by subscribing to our semester 1 & 2 newsletters. Click Here to subscribe and keep informed about School Championships, award winners, qualifications, news, and opportunities. (Please check your “Other” mailbox or junk folder if you don’t see it.)
Join our official WhatsApp group for educators to connect with teachers across the province. This platform promotes collaboration, engagement, and communication within the Special Olympics community. It’s where SOO shares updates, resources, and news, and gathers feedback.
Click here to join the Special Olympics Educator WhatsApp Community
The Community Includes:
- General Announcements (One-Way) – Key updates from SOO.
- Elementary & Secondary Educator Chats (Two-Way) - Collaborate with fellow educators across Ontario
- Regional/District Chats (Two-Way) – Connect with fellow teachers in specific areas; check descriptions for city details.
- Connective Space for Parents – A dedicated area for parent engagement..
Registration
Special Olympics Ontario has introduced a new registration process for this school year. This will be the system going forward. All schools must complete their registration forms 7 days before their respective event to participate in any SOO events. Schools will receive the link to their registration in their event invitations.
Registration Instructions
Unified Champion Schools Annual ReportUnified Resources
Becoming a Unified Champion School
Unified Sport & Coaching Resources
Active Start & FUNdamentals
Active Start and FUNdamentals are designed to progressively build foundational movement, sport, and teamwork skills in young students. These programs lay the groundwork for future success in physical activity, sport participation, and inclusive team environments.
To support new schools, Special Olympics Ontario provides Active Start & FUNdamentals booklets and t-shirts, helping educators seamlessly integrate these programs into their curriculum. These resources are adaptable for classroom use and physical education settings, encouraging students to develop physical literacy while fostering cooperation and inclusion.
In select communities, students can also participate in local programs that offer Active Start and FUNdamentals activities, extending learning beyond the classroom. To further support educators, a growing library of online resources and activity guides is available, offering flexible tools to enhance instruction and student engagement.
Multi-Sport Guide
The Multi-Sport Guide is a practical resource for educators, offering step-by-step sport development content that can be implemented directly into classroom or gym settings. It includes detailed instructions and lesson plans for SOO’s four core sports:
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Bocce
- Athletics (Track & Field)
Each section is designed to support skill progression, inclusive participation, and teamwork, making it easy for educators to deliver meaningful sport experiences to all students.
Sport Festivals
Sport Festivals introduce Special Olympics to our youngest athletes, focusing on the development of physical literacy, movement confidence, and inclusive play. These events are tailored for students in the Active Start and FUNdamentals stages of the Long-Term Development Model, offering a fun-filled day of exploration through diverse sport and activity stations.
Each festival is designed to be welcoming, engaging, and developmentally appropriate, giving students the chance to try new skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of movement in a supportive environment.
Below is a sample outline of a typical Sport Festival day, including potential activity stations to help educators and participants know what to expect:
Champions in Motion - Intermediate Programming
Basketball & Bocce
Special Olympics Ontario now offers sport development programming tailored for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8, supporting their transition from foundational skills to more structured sport experiences.
In select regions, SOO hosts basketball and bocce events focused on:
- Skill development
- Teamwork
- Gameplay experience
These events are designed to provide a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment where students can build essential sport skills and gain confidence in competitive settings. Participation helps prepare students for future involvement in SOO high school sports, while reinforcing the values of inclusion, respect, and collaboration.
Hosting Resources
General Resources
This school year, we are excited to offer more health programs and resources to students than ever before. Health programs are designed to enhance the physical health, social skills, and emotional well-being of Special Olympics athletes. Through the Special Olympics Fitness App, athletes can engage in fun challenges, track their progress, and work towards personalized fitness goals.
Program Highlights:
- Physical Health: Focus on nutritious eating, improving fitness, and adopting active lifestyles.
- Social & Emotional Well-being: Strengthen social skills and overall mental health.
- Challenges: Participate in exciting challenges like the Fit5 and Step Challenges, designed to keep athletes motivated.
Youth Leadership
Whole School Engagement
Mentorship Program
Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) is excited to launch its new Educator Mentorship Program later this year. This initiative is designed to build a sustainable foundation for inclusive school cultures and strengthen Special Olympics programming across Ontario schools.
Educators interested in mentoring a fellow teacher can indicate their interest on the program intake form. Likewise, if you're looking for support to grow your program, want a colleague to collaborate with, or are new to Special Olympics, you can request to be paired with a mentor.
SOO will aim to match mentors and mentees within the same region whenever possible. Mentors will have flexibility in how they support their peers, with the only requirement being quarterly check-ins and availability to answer questions throughout the school year. A mentorship package with suggested materials will be provided, but mentors are encouraged to tailor their approach to meet the needs of their mentee.
As a token of appreciation, mentors will receive a $100 gift card (Sobeys or Tim Hortons) annually for their support.
In cases where a local mentor is unavailable, SOO staff will step in to provide mentorship directly.
Join our community!
Community Programs
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