HCPSSHCPSS/Special Olympics Partnership Supports Meaningful Inclusion and Relationship-Building
September 2nd, 2026
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has partnered with Special Olympics Maryland-Howard County (SOHO) for more than 20 years to promote inclusion and empower students with intellectual disabilities to develop physical fitness, participate in sports training programs, experience the thrill of competitions, and form nurturing relationships.
SOHO supports HCPSS in several ways, including playing a key role in the Cedar Lane School’s (CLS) annual Challenge Day event, in which CLS students participate in an array of activities and athletic challenges that demonstrate the progress they have made throughout the school year through the Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Program. SOHO not only provides equipment, t-shirts, ribbons and medals for participating students; it also supplies volunteers to assist in running the event and supporting students as they undertake the different activities available to them.
“Through their funding, support, and unwavering commitment to our students, Special Olympics makes it possible for our students to be here on Challenge Day, showing off everything they can do,” says Jody Duff, CLS’ Certified Adapted Physical Educator and lead organizer of Challenge Day.
SOHO, along with Special Olympics Maryland, plays a similarly valuable role in supporting HCPSS’ Unified Physical Education and Leadership (UPE) program, which brings students with and without disabilities together to engage in educational and physical activities. The program is funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and is currently offered in 10 HCPSS high schools.
“UPE is designed to promote inclusion and create meaningful opportunities for students to learn and connect with one another through physical activity and shared experiences. Special Olympics has been instrumental in supporting that mission through their involvement in our UPE Showcases, where UPE students and staff engage in a variety of inclusive physical activities and celebrate the teamwork, inclusion, and sense of belonging fostered in UPE classes throughout the school year,” explains HCPSS’ Instructional Facilitator of Adapted Physical Education Katie Prichard.
“Special Olympics is incredibly generous and supportive of our UPE program and students. No matter what we need, their response is always, ‘You’ve got it,’” adds Mt. Hebron High School UPE teacher Melissa McCarthy.
As part of its support for UPE, Special Olympics pays for transportation services for HCPSS students across the county to participate in the annual UPE showcases. SOHO also brings its Global Messenger athletes into HCPSS classes to speak with UPE students. The athletes share information and answer students’ questions about their experiences participating in the Special Olympics.
“The Special Olympics athletes are like celebrities,” says McCarthy. “Our students love it when they visit. They help to inspire our students and enable them to see what is possible in their future.”
“The athletes’ involvement provides powerful examples of leadership and positive role modeling,” adds Prichard.
In addition to its financial support for UPE, Special Olympics Maryland provides teacher development opportunities and resources.
“Special Olympics Maryland is committed to teacher development and creating a programmatic structure by providing resources that support advancing Unified Sports activities, inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement–all of which focus on inclusive experiences that contribute to developing a Unified generation,” explains Jim Schmutz, president and CEO of Special Olympics Maryland.
Complementing its contributions to Challenge Day and the UPE program, SOHO works with HCPSS’ Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) program through its Unified Young Athletes (UYA) program. Funded in part by a grant through the Maryland Department of Health, UYA provides opportunities for HCPSS’ youngest students to learn basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing. Ninety-three classrooms from 26 HCPSS elementary schools participated in the UYA program last school year.
SOHO also shares information with HCPSS Special Education staff about community-based sports, volunteer, scholarship, and transition opportunities for students and families. In addition, SOHO provides professional development on adapted physical education strategies and collaborates with the Special Education Department to support resource sharing and student transitions into community-based Special Olympics programs.
“I’m so proud of our partnership with HCPSS and its role in building a strong sense of community,” says SOHO Director Bob Baker. “We’re helping to connect young people through sports and enabling them to build relationships that they can carry on through school and through life.”
“Together, we’re helping to provide students with and without disabilities with a shared experience, built on mutual respect,” adds Schmutz. “We’re giving them opportunities to learn from each other and engage with each other as true teammates.”
At the same time, Special Olympics’ partnership with HCPSS and other school districts is helping to seed and foster an inclusive mindset, says Tim Shriver, chairman of the Board, Special Olympics International.
“Special Olympics was founded by moms and dads with the belief that everyone has a gift,” he says. “Our partnerships enable us to work together to shape positive, inclusive attitudes and prove that everyone really is on the same team.”
HCPSS recently renewed and updated its partnership with Special Olympics Maryland – Howard County, marking the start of a new and exciting chapter in the groups’ shared history.
As Prichard notes, “Our experiences working with Special Olympics staff and volunteers have been overwhelmingly positive. They have been enthusiastic, responsive, and committed to creating meaningful opportunities for students. We look forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership and the positive impact it has on our students and programs!”