Salem Public Schools Named Unified Champion School District by Special Olympics Massachusetts
Honor underscores District’s commitment to belonging
SALEM (Nov. 24, 2025) – Salem Public Schools was named a Unified Champion School District for its commitment to inclusion through unified sports, announced Patti Doherty, Vice President of Schools and Community Development for Special Olympics Massachusetts, recently.
To earn Unified Champion distinction, schools must offer Unified Sports through the Special Olympics with inclusive leadership roles for students – with and without disabilities – and encourage whole school engagement.
“This creates a socially inclusive climate with the whole school community,” said Michelle Flewelling, Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Physical Therapist Assistant at SPS. “The kids motivate each other. It’s nice to see the friendships and the social and physical skills that improve along the way. There are so many positives with the inclusion and teamwork of all students.”
Currently, Salem High School offers co-ed Unified Basketball in the fall, Strength and Conditioning in the winter, and Track and Field in the spring. The Unified Track and Field program has crowned state champions each year since 2022:
- Jonathan Cote (2022 Division 1-2 100 meter dash)
- Julie Edmunds (2023 Division 1-2 Javelin)
- Alex Done (2024 Division 1-2 100 meter dash)
- Sara Balkus (2025 Division 1-3 Shot Put)
The accomplishments and progress are not lost on Angie Giancola, Activities and Athletics Specialist at SHS.
“This recognition speaks to the commitment to truly infuse inclusive practices at every level, from pre-K through high school and beyond, “ Ms. Giancola said. “It has been so powerful to witness the ways inclusion has transformed our classrooms, athletic programs, the performing arts community, and more. Receiving this distinction is an incredible honor for Salem Public Schools.”
Collins Middle School has expanded its unified cooking classes which meet 2-3 times per week for five weeks and, effective this school year, launched unified bocce. Additionally, CMS expanded unified student leadership by ensuring students with disabilities are represented in and participating members of our PEPS student team.
Each of Salem’s elementary schools, as well as the Salem Early Childhood Center, incorporates unified sports into its recess and physical education curriculum.
Each spring since 2021, SPS stages its Unified Game Day at Bertram Field at which all elementary students take part in skills, exercises, obstacle courses and fun games in a timed stationed setup, with SHS students providing the guidance and motivation. The District is able to do so with the support of the Salem Education Foundation and Salem Commission on Disabilities.
The Salem Early Childhood Center also holds its own Unified Games Day each spring, with Bentley Academy Innovation School upperclass students volunteering their support.
“Students have really been at the forefront of this movement, spurring classmates on towards a community defined by belonging, acceptance, and celebration,” Ms. Giancola noted. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to partner with students and staff across the District to help make this experience a reality for our entire community.”
Prior to 2021, Salem students attended Unified Game Day at Danvers High School, which also hosted other regional schools.
“It’s difficult to describe the joy I see on (students’) faces each year, to see every student participate and realize how far they’ve come,” said Ms. Flewelling. “Each year it gets bigger and bigger. Our staff is so dedicated. Every individual is welcomed. We have a shared commitment to inclusion and we inspire every student to thrive.”
Celebrating and elevating Unified sports and programs is a product of the District’s Strategic Plan core value of centering belonging.
“The commitment to inclusion from the staff and the district plays a significant role,” Ms. Flewelling added. “We have the support from the administration all the way down.”
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
