Each year, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board hosts a day of fun and friendship for students with special needs.
In partnership with Special Olympics Ontario, the Physical Activity and Healthy Living (PAHL) Sports Day, brings student athletes with special needs and their mentors together for competition, fun and friendship. This past year, Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton hosted the event to celebrate physical activity and healthy living.
“It’s a fantastic day — you have about 20 student athletes with special needs and each one is partnered up with a friend throughout the day,” said Nina Cantelmi-Cicchi, Special Assignment Resource teacher at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School. “It’s a day of fun and friendship. We love it because it’s a day just for the students. The smiles on their faces are an amazing experience.”
With danceable tunes adding to the festive atmosphere throughout the three hours – plus barbecue hot dogs for all — the teams rotate between golf, football, soccer, baseball, floor hockey, curling and dance.
The next PAHL Sports Day will take place on October 3, 2018.
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