Unified Basketball Comes to BHS
cailinclimer'16
This year on the Athletics page, you may notice a new schedule under “winter sports,” and some new games highlighted on the main page. Yes, Unified sports is new this year at Bedford High School.
Unified sports, in this case basketball, are programs dedicated to the collaboration between students with disabilities and those without. They are designed to involve Life Skills students in the school culture to a greater capacity by allowing them to participate in school athletics, simultaneously one of the most integral, and the most out-of-reach, components in the high school experience.
Mrs. Karrie Welch, one of the two coaches of the Unified team (also a Life Skills teacher at BHS) cites this reason as one of the most important behind the formation of the program. “It’s a great thing for Special Ed students to be involved in… They become a bigger part of the school community. Sports are elusive, they’re hard to be a part of… This is a chance for them to participate.”
Mrs. Kasey Campbell-Kelley, the other coach, is also excited about the new Unified sports team. “This is a great way for all of BHS to be involved [in sports].” She then went on to explain the format of the team.
On the court, there is always a mix of both Life Skills students and typical students, working as partners. The on-court ratio is 3 Life Skills students to every 2 typical students. Games take place against other Unified teams, namely Central, West, and Memorial. The games are called by the same referees used for other Bedford teams.
When interviewed prior to their first-ever game, both Justin Tombs and Olivia Murry expressed excitement about the upcoming event, and predicted that they will play more in the future. When asked about how she felt before her first game, Ms. Murry replied “I want to have a good game… I hope we can win.”
Lily Condylis, a student at BHS, was also interviewed. Having coached the Manchester Sundials basketball team, as well as participating in BHS’ Peer-to-Peer class, she felt ready for the unique challenge presented by Unified sports.
The next two games occur on February 9th and 16th, both at 3:30 at the BHS Gymnasium.
Unified sports, in this case basketball, are programs dedicated to the collaboration between students with disabilities and those without. They are designed to involve Life Skills students in the school culture to a greater capacity by allowing them to participate in school athletics, simultaneously one of the most integral, and the most out-of-reach, components in the high school experience.
Mrs. Karrie Welch, one of the two coaches of the Unified team (also a Life Skills teacher at BHS) cites this reason as one of the most important behind the formation of the program. “It’s a great thing for Special Ed students to be involved in… They become a bigger part of the school community. Sports are elusive, they’re hard to be a part of… This is a chance for them to participate.”
Mrs. Kasey Campbell-Kelley, the other coach, is also excited about the new Unified sports team. “This is a great way for all of BHS to be involved [in sports].” She then went on to explain the format of the team.
On the court, there is always a mix of both Life Skills students and typical students, working as partners. The on-court ratio is 3 Life Skills students to every 2 typical students. Games take place against other Unified teams, namely Central, West, and Memorial. The games are called by the same referees used for other Bedford teams.
When interviewed prior to their first-ever game, both Justin Tombs and Olivia Murry expressed excitement about the upcoming event, and predicted that they will play more in the future. When asked about how she felt before her first game, Ms. Murry replied “I want to have a good game… I hope we can win.”
Lily Condylis, a student at BHS, was also interviewed. Having coached the Manchester Sundials basketball team, as well as participating in BHS’ Peer-to-Peer class, she felt ready for the unique challenge presented by Unified sports.
The next two games occur on February 9th and 16th, both at 3:30 at the BHS Gymnasium.
