Join the Movement for Inclusion

New Unified Schools 

New to Special Olympics  Unified before? Please Follow these steps outlined in ourHow to Unify document: 

STEP 1 : Fill out our intake form

STEP 2: Review Unified Champion School resources, the Special Olympics Information Guide, and complete the Unified coaching course

STEP 3: Meet with Special Olympics staff members to ask questions, plan for the school year, and learn more about the program.

STEP 4: Complete registration and UCS application. Determine how your school will participate in the three pillars of UCS.

STEP 5: Develop your leadership team, organize your students, view our resources and get started!

Returning Unified Schools 

Have you participated in Unified before? Please Follow these steps 

1. Complete the Unified Coaching Course (Pick 1 of the 2 options): SO Canada Course or NFHS
2. Complete the (One-Time) UCS application Form: Forms can be found on each school's individual intake

To secure your UCS status and recognition, ensure to fill out the yearly April 30th report found on your spreadsheet

For more information on the program see our Model Model. To implement it see our  Playbook

Its back! Don’t miss your chance to test your athleticism with our Virtual Track events. You can participate in an organized track meet, in gym class, at your local school, or pairing up with other schools to do the event together! Our events include the 50, 100m, 200m, Shot Put, Standing Long Jump and a 4by4 relay!

The submission deadline is April 1st if you wish to be considered for the Provincial Championships! Schools must fill out the track & field spreadsheet on their registration sheet by the 1^st to be considered. Please only input athletes who are interested in advancing.

Its that time of the year again. The basketball season is here, and we are back in every major region in the Province. 

Please keep the following reminders in mind: 

• Event Information: Check our Events Calendar to see when and where your event is happening. Stay tuned for our email invitation, reminder and participant email ahead of the event 
• Register: Ensure your intake form is completed using our new registration process. (Click here to go to the registration section) 
  • Schools will not be eligible to participate in basketball unless this is completed
• Event Registration: Don’t forget to register for the specific basketball event under the basketball tab at least 7 days in advance. 
• Transportation: Book your bus or transportation to the event. 
• Preparation: Ensure each student has a uniform, and a lunch.
• Payments: Remember you do not pay at the event this year see our payment section below for more information
• Review: Make sure to review our updated technical package. (Click here to view technical packages)
  • 3v3, 20-minute games, baskets are two points, change of possession after each made basket

We are thrilled to introduce our 13-member Unified Leadership Student Council, representing each major district in the province. This council comprises both Unified Partners and interested student leaders, along with SOO Athletes.

The council’s mission is to drive the youth movement of Unified Champion Schools in Ontario, engage the student body, and provide Special Olympics with valuable feedback from a student-athlete perspective. If you’re passionate about inclusion and leadership, apply now using this link: Apply Here. The application deadline is November 1st. However, we may accept applications throughout the year. 

 SOO will continue with our 13-member Advisory Educator Council, representing each major district in the province. This council’s mission is to advise and provide feedback to Special Olympics staff on Secondary School programming, ensuring our operations align with the needs of our key stakeholders. Schools can provide ongoing feedback, suggestions, or discussion topics here.  

If you’re not currently part of the council but are interested in getting involved, please reach out to: jaydenm@specialolympicsontario.com  

It’s back! The SOO Athlete Showcase Series is launching across the province, featuring events in every corner of Ontario. Open to all schools, individual participants, and athletes ages 16-30, these events will include an SOO-style basketball and bocce tournament, with food, medals, prizes, and more. Parents and Guardians, don’t miss the chance to watch your children compete!

Special Olympics Ontario is excited to introduce new pilot sports events in select regions: football, volleyball, and handball. Check our Events Calendar to see if a pilot event is happening near you! Note: these are not qualifier events or offical sports.

There are no fees to join Special Olympics or become a Unified Champion School. However, in-person event charges apply: $5 per event, up to a max of $15 per student. Students are not charged after their first three events. Registration fees are waived for a participant's first event. Same fee structures for Traditional SO Athletes and Unified Partners

Ancillary programs (Virtual Programs, Leadership. Health, Showcases, Pilot Sports, etc.) are free.

By May 1st, schools will receive an invoice for their in-person event participation. Athletes should be highlighted based on their participation on the intake form by April 21st, or all students will be charged a flat $15 rate. Payments (cheque or cash) are due by May 30th at 65 Overlea Blvd, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M4H 1P1. Late payments incur a fee, and receipts will be provided by June 17th.

Required Intake School Year Form # of Event Participants Identification: (April 21st)

1-Time Participant (Highlight Name in Orange)

2-Time Participant (Highlight Name in Green)

3+-Time Participant  (Highlight Name in Blue)

New Student (Name in Red Text)

Reminder: All registered Unified Champion Schools Get a $100 registration credit

Help us improve our event and programming by filling out our short feedback forms. Please see all feedback forms below:

Welcome Week: Click Here To Access Form

 Soccer Qualifiers: Click Here to Access Form

Inclusive Schools Conference: Click Here To Access Form

We are excited to offer Floorball equipment support. Only NEW schools that did not place this order last year are eligible to receive our FREE 6-stick and 6 whiffle ball support program.

However, if your school wishes to place an order with us, you can, and we will invoice you for the equipment ordered.

To access these supports, please fill out the order form below. Note: Only active SOO schools or schools intending to participate in a floorball qualifier can order the equipment. Once you have completed the form, no further action will be required.

The deadline to complete the order form is December 18th. Orders will be shipped from our office in mid-January, leaving teams ample time to practice! Please establish the required size (short or tall and orientations Left or Right of your athletes prior to filling out the form)

Google Form: 
https://forms.gle/3EGytygLXeVinEmJ8

To improve the quality and consistency of our events, we are asking all host schools to have one representative join our 30-minute prep call for the bocce season. Everyone will receive a meeting invite

Please share our Get Started Link with colleagues and schools to get new students involved. The educator/school that brings in the most new schools by May 1^st will have their schools registration fees waived for the year.

Click Here to Join the Movement & Get Involved Now!