Fifth annual Basketball Special Olympics to be held at South Hadley High School

@HughesMorgan_

NORTHAMPTON — The fifth annual Basketball Special Olympics School Day Games will be held Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at the South Hadley High School gymnasium.

Students from surrounding districts including Ludlow, Granby, Ware and Easthampton will come to demonstrate their skills learned in physical education at a variety of activities and stations. Along with basketball, students will get active with bowling and hula hooping as well. The high school band will perform a routine in the morning during the opening ceremony.

Roughly 70 athletes from elementary to high school will participate with the support of student volunteers from the South Hadley boys and girls varsity basketball team and Best Buddies program.

“The addition of these student volunteers really supports the inclusive philosophy of the South Hadley Public Schools,” said Pamela Soderbaum, special education teacher and supervisor of student services.

Local police will come to hand out medals at the closing of the event.

The event is directed by Mackenzie Paolini, an adaptive physical education teacher with the Collaborative for Educational Services.

Parents and spectators are invited to attend, but must sign in at the main office.

There will be a makeup day of the games for athletes on Friday.