Yucca Valley High School was excited to begin its third year as a Unified Champion School this school year. To be considered a Unified Champion School, YVHS accepted the challenge of implementing and participating in the following: having a Unified PE class, participate in whole school involvement events, and hold leadership events that included all students both with and without disabilities. Jef Harmatz has more on the program…
The key to the whole program is “Inclusion.” The Unified Champion School programs focus on the physical, intellectual, and social growth of all participants. This program provides both inclusive sports training and competition opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities to highlight their athletic abilities alongside their general education peers as teammates both in a competitive setting and/or an academic setting.
The Unified PE class is being taught by Coach Jay Stepp (PE Teacher and Coach) and Angela Gay (Adapted PE Specialist). The Unified Physical Education class is a fully inclusive program that combines students with and without disabilities in a 50/50 ratio, whenever possible. It allows students of all abilities to participate in developmentally appropriate activities including lifetime activities, physical fitness, and sports. Students will work together to increase competence and confidence in a variety of physical activities.
The Trojans at YVHS believe that every student should have a chance to share in the joy of sports, interact with other students and be part of their school through sports, clubs and extra-curricular activities.
