Last year, Fluvanna County High School participated in the Medford Basketball League, which is a select sports league for special education students.  FCHS is participating again this year, and the students will be returning for another season.  “I think I did good and it was fun,” said sophomore Peter Mance, the highest Fluco scorer for the Medford Basketball League last year.

This year the school has also enrolled in a program to host a special needs track team through the Special Olympics.  “Our first obstacle is to complete a Quarter Mile of Quarters,” said Special Education teacher Nick Ward.

On Dec. 18 the Medford League track team– consisting of 17 students– will gather with eight adults to line up quarters side by side to make a complete lap around the high school track.  If they are able to do so, they will have raised nearly $4,000 to support the team.  If you would like to help them reach their goal, you can donate quarters to the Main Office, or drop off dollar bills that can be exchanged for quarters.

All of the money raised for the Quarter Mile of Quarters will be used to help pay for students’ meals while at Medford League games, as well as pay for team supplies and help defray travel expenses at the Special Olympics, which will take place during the summer.  The funds will also pay for R-word events to be held at school.

The “R-word campaign” is a campaign to get students to pledge to stop using the R-word.  According to www.r-word.org, it is “a youth-driven movement that is supported by the Special Olympics and Best Buddies International,” both organizations designed to support special education.  Their website has information on special ed events and resources, and includes an online pledge to stop using the R-word.

Another Medford League track event is a 5K which will be held next spring.  The money from this event will be used to help spread knowledge about special education by holding events and assemblies at school and in the community. For more information about the 5K or about how you can support the special education program at FCHS, contact Nick Ward at [email protected].