UNIFIED LUNCH

Unified Lunch

By: Elsa Riley

What is a Unified Champion School?

As a Unified Champion School (UCS), Sparta High School promotes social inclusion between students with a range of abilities. With this program, schools like SHS seek to meet three areas of inclusion:

• Inclusive sports: Students can train and compete as teammates, both disabled and non-disabled.

• Inclusive youth leadership: Students can use UCS activities as opportunities for leadership roles.

• Whole-school engagement: Students can participate in school-wide inclusive activities.

How did Unified Lunch Start?

Last year, Nick Stoddard, a current sophomore, approached Coach Jennifer Schock with a desire to make Sparta High School more inclusive. Ms. Schock coaches the Unified sports teams, and supported the idea of starting a program to promote inclusion in the student body. Lunch time is a time of the day where students enjoy 48 minutes to interact and spend time in the cafeteria, but many look for a calmer environment to spend their time. In addition, lunch is a time when most students have the ability to be involved in activities, because sports typically have limited spaces.

Information About the Unified Lunch

Participation in the Unified Lunch program has grown rapidly in the first few meetings. So far, students Jamie Brylawski, Sarah Darmiento, Zach Frisina, Rylan Papaganeres, Elsa Riley, Nate Stoddard, and Melanie Mata are all part of the planning committee, where we discuss future activities and work through the logistics of a unified and inclusive school environment.

The goal of Unified Lunch is to include anyone that wants to play games, talk, eat lunch, and hang out in a quiet and safe environment. We meet every Day 1 during lunch in room 131, across from the annex gym. The Google Classroom, where we share information and updates, can be joined with the code 7fmm33h. Make sure to pay attention to the Sparta Scoop for more updates, in addition to joining the Google Classroom.

On Friday 11/22, we are holding a Friendsgiving, where we will eat lunch and celebrate Thanksgiving together. We will often hold themed lunches like this, so anyone is welcome to share their fun ideas. We are also considering Unified SEL time, a Unified Field Day, and more. Thank you to anyone interested in joining our wonderful program!