Geneseo High School hosted a unified basketball game against Moline on Friday, bringing students with and without disabilities together and helping all students develop socially, intellectually and physically while promoting an inclusive environment.
GHS teachers were invited to bring their classes to the school’s main gym for the game. The bleachers were full of cheering students, including some who made signs to show their support.
“The atmosphere was amazing and everyone truly enjoyed themselves,” said Megan Miller, who teaches health and physical education at GHS and organized the game. “I am so proud of all of the students working together in Unified PE, as well as all of the students who came to the gym for our basketball game to positively cheer on their classmates.”
Participants in the game included Erika Cotty, Bella Goethals, Avery Kennedy, Lucy Peters, Callie VanKerrebroeck, Claire Williams, Max Lane, Landon Bassett, Miah Carr, Rileigh Chambers, Chris Collister, Katelyn DeRycke, Fabian Fuentes, Ethan Kimbel, George Petty, Avan Wiltermood, Hunter Lofgren-Reeves and Rachel Muttart-Jibson.
Kjerstin Wildemuth, Liberty Brumbaugh and Kendyl Wassenhove worked at the scorers table, while Kwin VanKerrebroeck, Owen Parker, Bella Brown and Viola Pettit served as the game’s referees.
Unified PE will be offered at the high school starting next school year following a trial course with 18 students this semester. The inclusive class brings students with and without disabilities together through ongoing educational and physical activities.
“Unified PE is a course that anyone in the building can take,” explained Miller. “I am hopeful to keep growing the class and provide numerous opportunities for inclusion in the future!"
In the class, students have the opportunity to participate in new social environments and model different skills for their peers. All activities are adapted or modified to meet the needs of every student.
So far, the reviews have been nothing but positive.
"I always look forward to Unified PE because I am able to be with my friends and my PE teacher,” said student Rileigh Chambers. “We always have fun together and I am able to try new things."
"I like to be able to play with everyone,” shared student George Petty. “My favorite is when we play basketball and volleyball together."
"I think it's super cool to have the opportunity to get to know new people!” said student Callie VanKerrebroeck. “The class is so fun and I look forward to it every day."
"Unified PE is a spectacular opportunity for general education students to create friendships with special education students and it's truly the class we all look forward to every day," added student Bella Goethals.
GHS Life Skills teacher Megan VerStraete was thrilled with the game and how happy it made her students.
“It was absolutely amazing to see our students playing alongside their peers while the crowd cheered them on,” said VerStraete. “I wasn’t sure whether my class or myself would be able to stop smiling that day.”
GHS is planning for additional unified basketball games with a matchup against United Township scheduled for Monday, February 17. The game will start at approximately 9:50 a.m. and anyone wishing to attend should come to the high school’s main entrance.
