Mead Junior High in Elk Grove raises Special Olympics banner
Mead Junior High School in Elk Grove Village raised a Special Olympics Unified Champion School banner Tuesday, a recognition of its meeting national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect.
Mead is one of only four schools in Illinois and 132 nationwide to attain the National Banner designation.
Schools receiving the distinction have demonstrated a commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.
"The banner recognition shows that these kids have worked hard to make sure everyone is included, regardless of their abilities", said Kelly O'Reilly, a Special Olympics program specialist at Schaumburg Township Elementary School District 54