School hosts Special Olympics field day

On May 4, the Special Olympics of Florida hosted afield day at the Country Oaks Elementary School in LaBelle.

"Today is an opportunity for the kids in our school district to be able to participate and feel a part of our schools. An opportunity to get outside and participate in activities that our general education students get to participate in. It's really just a day of inclusion." said Bankole Adebanjo, the Regional Director of the West Coast of Florida for the Special Olympics. The field day had many different activities that showcased what the Special Olympics had to offer, such as soccer, t-ball, basketball, running track, hurdles, bowling, and corn hole. "We have our little elites and young athletes, which are our younger age students and we are giving them the opportunity to learn the world of sports. They are getting the opportunity to learn how to throw a ball, dribble a basketball, run, and experience sports. Some of our older middle and high school aged students are running track and other field events related to track." Adebanjo added. "The goal is to integrate the school district and eventually have them compete in our community competition structure. I would imagine in about a year, or so, they will be fully integrated into our community program, meaning that they would go into our county competitions and state competitions which are held at Walt Disney World."

Michelle Beumer, the Regional Director for the East Coast of Florida for the Special Olympics added "This is an entire Hendry County ESE department field day. It ranges all the way from pre-K to 12th grade. It's a unified program so people with and without disabilities all work together on this day. Once the students with special needs turn eight years old they can join the Special Olympics traditional sports programs. Hendry County offers three sports programs: cheerleading, swimming, and basketball."

Mary Pringle, Director of the Hendry County program, said "Next year we hope to have organized the program so that the schools will be taught coaching skills to be able to coach the children so that they will have the opportunity to compete and earn first, second, and third places and let them experience an actual competition."

Crystal Rodriguez, special education teacher at Upthegrove Elementary School, wanted to express her gratitude for Fred Kobe who donated the money for enough water for all the children and volunteer workers that day and to Winn Dixie who de-livered the over forty cases of bottled water.