The Special Olympics bring more than sports to Salt Point Center students – though for them the excitement is all about the athletics.
Diamond Nelson likes being involved in the Basketball Skills competition “because you get to work on your shooting,” she said during a practice session Thursday, Jan. 16. This is her second year participating in the program.
Dakota Coburn said his favorite station is “dribbling with a timer,” as he took a break after several trials.
They are two of the SPC students who will travel to Marist College on March 30 to compete against students from across the Hudson Valley.
But, the Special Olympics is much more than sports, according to Tracey Smith, a special education teacher and certified Special Olympics coach at SPC.
“It is teaching them socialization, how to belong to a team and participation,” Smith said.
Not only do the students interact with each other, their teachers and aides at SPC, but they get to spend time with the Marist College basketball teams and students who run the competition stations.
Practices focus on the three skills students will be tested on: Wall shots, timed dribbling and shooting baskets.
“It is designed as a developmental activity,” Smith said. “As they improve their skills they could play on a team in the future.”
This year, 67% of the students who are participating have not competed previously, Smith said, adding “I will take as many students as parents sign them up for.” Right now, the team numbers about 21.
Students began weekly practices on Jan. 9. During the practices, Smith, gym teachers Scott Calcagni and Adam Repinz, two other certified Special Olympics coaches and staff members from each participating class help guide and instruct students. They also score the students as they move through the stations.
Scores are sent to Marist so that on the day of the competition, students are competing against students with similar abilities.
Smith said she would like to put together a team in the future. Both Nelson and Coburn said if they were to play on a team, they would like to play defense.
Asked why, Nelson answered, “Because I’m a good blocker and my height – I’m taller than many students.”
There is no charge for student participation thanks to fundraising done by Special Olympics (See Polar Plunge below). However, parents must bring students to and from the March 30 competition and provide a lunch.
Students in the Resilience Academy’s Pegasus program will begin practices next week.
Polar Plunge
The Fishkill Polar Plunge is an annual Special Olympics fundraiser and is taking place this year on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill. This is the 12th anniversary for Dutchess BOCES Polar Plunge team, having started in 2014, team captain and CTI teacher Erin Scott said.
So far, there are 12 jumpers, nine staff members and three students. They have a goal of raising $5,000, she said. “Money raised stays in the Hudson Valley and goes to support the athletes. We have a CTI grad who will be going to the World Games in Italy in March for ice skating.”
Show support for the team and Special Olympics by donating to the Dutchess BOCES team at https://bit.ly/polar2025, attending the event or both.
Spectators are welcome at the event, but there is no parking at Sharpe Reservation. A bus will transport attendees from the Dutchess Community College parking lot at Dutchess Mall, 461 Route 9, to the plunge.