Wayne schools highlight Unified Champion Schools program as participation tops 500

The Wayne Township Board of Education on May 16 highlighted the district's Unified Champion Schools program, saying more than 500 students districtwide — including a growing preschool presence — now take part in student-run social and sports activities that pair students with and without disabilities.

Assistant Director of Student Support Services Jen Verano described Unified as a "social inclusion program where students with and without disabilities come together as leaders to organize and participate in social and sports activities," and said the program began four years ago at the high school level before expanding to middle and elementary schools.

The board showed a short video of Unified activities and presented certificates to participants and their advisers. Verano said examples include "the hour of play" and inter-school Unified competitions such as basketball, bowling and track and field that bring older and younger students together.

Members of the district's special education parent groups praised the program at public comment. Winnie KET, president of the Special Education Parent Advisory Group, said Wayne may be "the only school in the state of New Jersey that offers Unified sports K to 12" and announced the group's next meeting on June 11; Mary Hennessy, president of Wayne Special Parents Association, joined her in thanking the board for its support.

The board also noted ancillary support for Unified events, including a Turkey Trot fundraiser that helps underwrite programming; parents encouraged board attendance and wider community participation.

The meeting packet and remarks did not include a budget line item specifically tied to the Unified expansion in the transcript; board members were thanked for ongoing support and the district said further outreach and photos would follow.