This past April 1st marked a momentous moment for The Unified Oakers and CHS. After having received Banner School recognition almost two years ago, the Coventry community was finally able to come together and celebrate the tremendous honor of becoming a National Unified Banner School.
This past April 1st marked a momentous moment for The Unified Oakers and CHS. After having received Banner School recognition almost two years ago, the Coventry community was finally able to come together and celebrate the tremendous honor of becoming a National Unified Banner School.
To become a banner School, a unified program must meet 10 rigorous requirements. From there, the school is put in front of a panel to then be decided if they are worthy of Banner School recognition. Coventry High School has worked hard over the past five years to achieve this great honor. The unified Oakers first started off 5 years ago with 5 original members who made it their mission to create a unified school community of acceptance, where students felt welcomed to contribute meanully in school activities. They saw their school community change and felt that they needed to make a more positive environment with more respectful interactions and attitudes. The five original members were Julianna and Abby Sinotte, Jaya Joyce, Riley Campbell and Hannah Gebler. From their original mission, the program now extends to Coventry middle school and elementary schools as we reach to create a unified community of Coventry.
Due to Covid-19, the celebration was postponed twice, in compliance with restrictions, but the Oakers held out strong until we could have as much of the Coventry community join us on the day of celebration. With the gym decorated with school colors and spirit, all attendees received Unified Celebration shirts, reinforcing that we are all in this together. There were many notable guests such as Rhode Island Governor Danial Mckee, CEO of Special Olympics Rhode Island Dennis DeJesus, Cole Campbell, a nationally-recognized Special Olympics athlete, some of the original founding members, a parent perspective from Ronald Matthias and Kevin Coleman, Senior Director of Global Philanthropy and Social Impact from Hasbro. Along with our superintendent Craig Levis and many other Coventry faculty, staff and community members, such as our police force, the day was one of contagious excitement and deep appreciation for the work our community has done.
The day consisted of opening remarks from our special guests, all congratulating Coventry on their hard work and dedication towards making a difference not only in school, but beyond the doors of Coventry High School. Coventry High School received distinction from Governor Mckee, recognition nationally from Hasbro and Special Olympics, acknowledgements from Congressman Jim Langevin and so many more. As the banner was revealed in the gymnasium, the school came together to revite the Unified Pledge, making a commitment to uphold what it means to be (an) Openminded.Accepting.Kind.Encouraging.Respectful.
As a member of the Coventry community
I pledge…
To look for the lonely, the isolated, the left out, challenged, and the bullied
I pledge…
To overcome the fear of difference and replace it with the power inclusion
I choose to include
The ceremony then proceeded to a Unified basketball game against the alumni team of Coventry High School where the crowd let loose to share in the excitement, cheering everyone on in a fantastic match. The halftime performance, coordinated by Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Rocchio, with help from the cheerleading and dance teams, many faculty and students, gave everyone a chance to get out of their seats while dancing to “We Are All in this Together”, continuing in the unification of the celebration. With a conclusion to an amazing game and remarks from dignitaries, the Unified Celebration came to a close with everyone walking away filled with a renewed sense of purpose, Hasbro filling our hands with generous toy donations to every student to enjoy and use as a tool of collaboration to use with others, a great take away to continue the Unified theme.
A special thanks goes to Special Olympics Rhode Island for awarding us our Banner status, Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics International, Hasbro for their generous donations and selecting our school for extra funding towards our celebration, the culinary department for supplying breakfast and lunch to our dignitaries, faculty and staff who helped put the celebration, game and halftime performance together, and the entire Coventry community who support a unified and inclusive environment that helps everyone to grow and show their true self.
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