CNUSD presents Unified Champion Schools program to Corona City Council
May 20, 2026 | Corona City, Riverside County, California
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Dr. Matt Lance, CNUSD Unified Sports Coordinator, briefed the council on the district’s Unified Champion Schools initiative, a Special Olympics program that integrates students with special needs into athletics and classroom activities.
Lance said the program moves students from the “backs of schools” into mainstream activities and highlighted measurable social and behavioral benefits for participating students and greater empathy among general-education peers. He cited student success stories, including a high-school student who, after three weeks in a unified PE class, prompted multiple staff emails praising his interactions with others.
Lance said the district expanded from four events in its first year to six events this year, and is working to build unified programming in elementary and middle schools as well as high school. He noted CIF-sanctioned unified events and leadership classes at middle and high schools. Lance said the district runs the events during the school day to avoid attendance barriers tied to transportation.
On how to get involved, Lance referenced an email and social-media handle on the presentation slide and encouraged volunteers and local businesses to offer financial or volunteer support to keep programs free and inclusive.
"Change is never easy, but it's always possible," Lance relayed, quoting a student who described his own turnaround after joining the program.
The council received the presentation; no formal council action was required.
Lance said the program moves students from the “backs of schools” into mainstream activities and highlighted measurable social and behavioral benefits for participating students and greater empathy among general-education peers. He cited student success stories, including a high-school student who, after three weeks in a unified PE class, prompted multiple staff emails praising his interactions with others.
Lance said the district expanded from four events in its first year to six events this year, and is working to build unified programming in elementary and middle schools as well as high school. He noted CIF-sanctioned unified events and leadership classes at middle and high schools. Lance said the district runs the events during the school day to avoid attendance barriers tied to transportation.
On how to get involved, Lance referenced an email and social-media handle on the presentation slide and encouraged volunteers and local businesses to offer financial or volunteer support to keep programs free and inclusive.
"Change is never easy, but it's always possible," Lance relayed, quoting a student who described his own turnaround after joining the program.
The council received the presentation; no formal council action was required.
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