Freeman Kennedy School earns national Special Olympics recognition for its Unified Sports program.

NORFOLK -- Norfolk Public Schools officials used this week's School Committee meeting to spotlight a sports-related honor for the district.

COMMUNITY -- Superintendent's remarks at the September 22 School Committee meeting announced that the Freeman Kennedy School "was recognized and received an award as a national banner school by Special Olympics North America," calling it "a very exciting thing to receive" and "the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of our staff." Officials credited the effort to retired staff member Dr. Tupper along with the Freeman Kennedy PTO and CPAC, with teacher Julia Ferdadt and special education teacher Jason Conley cited as having "spearheaded the effort," supported by general education teachers who partnered on the school's peer leadership programs. The program was celebrated at the close of last school year with a Unified Game Day, where, according to the meeting, "we had fans that came from both schools celebrating the athletes that were participating."

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.