Earlier this month, students at Centennial Elementary took part in Unified Basketball, an opportunity designed to bring athletes with special needs and their peers together through sport.
The Unified Sports program at Centennial began during the 2022-23 school year under the leadership of Special Education teacher Amanda Krell, and with the support of a dedicated team of paraprofessionals and student families. The program continues to expand, committed to the school’s focus on inclusive, student-centered opportunities. Throughout the year, local partners such as the Firestone Police Department regularly participate in games with students.
“Unified Sports gives our students a space where everyone belongs, and where differences are not just accepted, but celebrated,” said Sarah Coniglio, the Dean of Students at Centennial Elementary. The Unified Basketball teams include student-athletes with a wide range of needs, paired with third- through fifth-grade partners who apply to participate by writing essays about their interest in the program. Teams are formed to balance skills, personalities, and support needs, allowing students to learn cooperation, communication, and sportsmanship in real time. “When students are learning something like a bounce pass, they’re also learning how to take turns, follow sequences, and interact with peers in ways that carry over to the classroom,” said Coniglio.
The impact of Unified Basketball extends beyond the teams themselves, shaping the culture of the entire school. Teachers and staff rally behind the athletes by wearing Unified gear and building excitement leading up to game days, while classmates and families fill the stands to cheer athletes on. “You see compassion, empathy, and genuine joy from students who are proud to support each other,” Coniglio says.