Local school receives nationwide Special Olympics Recognition

Yuma's Mary Otondo Elementary School is just one of a handful of schools recorgnized by Special Olympics

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - It's a question that no parent wants to answer, "why do I go to a different class?" Many students with intellectual disabilities face having to be taught in a different classroom than that of their friends.

At Mary Otondo Elementary School and a handful of other schools across the country, that's simply not the case. The school prides itself in its inclusion curriculum, where students with identified special needs learn alongside their general education counterparts.

It's for that very reason that Otondo meets the Special Olympics Unified Champion Banner School criteria. In order to meet its requirements, schools have to abide by 10-standards.

The Component & Achievement Standards range from classroom engagement to leadership opportunities for students with special needs.

On Thursday, March 17, the school met outside of the school entrance for a special ceremony. Among those invited were school staff, students, parents, and members of the Special Olympics. Also in attendance was a special sponsor.

Toymaker Hasbro has long since been a supporter of the Special Olympics and each student received a gift to mark the occasion.