Edina Unified pairs students with and without special needs in a variety of settings, both academic and social. The ultimate goal of this leadership team is to cultivate authentic, lifelong friendships that will last far beyond their time in Edina Public Schools.
Edina Unified Accomplishments
- Assistant Principal is named to Special Olympics’ National Education Leaders Network
- South View Middle School is named Unified Champion School of the Year by Special Olympics MN
- Peer Insights group is honored at PACER Center’s Unity Awards
- First middle school in Minnesota to earn Unified Champion School status by Special Olympics
Assistant Principal is named to Special Olympics’ National Education Leaders Network
South View Middle School is named Unified Champion School of the Year by Special Olympics MN
Peer Insights group is honored at PACER Center’s Unity Awards
First middle school in Minnesota to earn Unified Champion School status by Special Olympics
Key Contacts
Lisa Hanson
EHS Special Education Teacher
Madison Akins
EHS Special Education Teacher
Jodie Mettee
VVMS Special Education Teacher
Jennie Schaefer
SVMS Special Education Teacher
Rachel Knaeble
SVMS Special Education Teacher
UNIFIED DANCE PARTY
UNIFIED TRACK MEET
UNIFIED BINGO
UNIFIED SKI DAY
UNIFIED NIGHT OUT
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a movement aimed at empowering a generation of student leaders to change their school culture to be more inclusive. With sports as the foundation, the three-component model offers activities that equip students with tools and training to create teams, classrooms and entire schools of acceptance. Unified Champion Schools are schools where students with disabilities feel welcome and are meaningfully included in all school activities, opportunities and functions.
This is accomplished by implementing three components of Unified Champion Schools: Inclusive Student Leadership, Unified Sports, and Whole School Engagement. All three areas are crucial to shift the culture of a school towards inclusion. Once the three components are active, a school is considered a Unified Champion School.
South View Middle School has earned the distinction of a Unified Champion School.
Welcome to South View Middle in @EdinaMN where Unified Champion School programming has helped ensure students of all abilities feel included. ❤️ @SpecialOlympics knows educators want every student to thrive, and we're here to help. Watch the full video: https://t.co/McgEfiT4eG pic.twitter.com/2vEiSjhLGE
— Special Olympics Minnesota (@SOMinnesota) September 9, 2022
The goal of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is to make Minnesota’s schools more inclusive. Learn more HERE.
Edina Unified Across the District
EPS is always looking for ways to promote inclusion and acceptance by partnering with Special Olympics MN and their inclusion programs.
Participating in the Cool School Mobile Plunge is one of many ways the district prioritizes and invests in inclusive programming.
2022 Cool School Mobile Plunge
Edina students and staff are Freezin' for a Reason as they took the plunge into freezing cold water to support Special Olympics Minnesota. EPS surpassed its fundraising goal and raised more than $30,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota and Edina Unified programming!
Theatre For All
Established in 2014, Edina High School’s Theatre For All program brings Edina Unified programming to theatre. This course pairs special needs students with their peers to create and perform roles together.
This partnership model allows students who typically do not get the opportunity to engage in performance the chance to be center stage.
By the end of the course, students have created a show which they proudly share with the community.
UNIFIED SKI DAY
UNIFIED DANCE PARTY
UNIFIED TRACK MEET
