SPECIAL OLYMPICS

February 17, 2010

ORTS

Join the Polar Plunge on Feb. 27.

Click for details.

Global Messenger Training

The training for the 2010 class of Global Messengers will take place Saturday & Sunday, March 27-28 at the Special Olympics Illinois headquarters in Normal. For more information contact PTOEC Board Member Tom Downing through the Contacts page on this site. Todd Downing, son of Tom and Angie Downing, is a Global Messenger. Click here for more details.

Summer State Competition is scheduled for June 11,12 and 13, 2010.

Bocce

Hey bocce fans! Practices will be at Laderman Park on Mascoutah Avenue, Belleville starting Sunday, March 7 from 3:00 to 4:00 and will continue with the following schedule. Will need helpers to set up and take down the court so if anyone is available a few minutes early or can stay a few minutes afterward that would be great. As with all sports the first couple of practices are the most important so that measurements can be obtained for qualifying entry. District competition will be held April 17 at Highland. Please contact Coach Denise at 363-6668 if you have any questions.

March 15 (Monday) 5:15-6:15 PM
March 18 (Thursday) 5:15-6:15 PM
March 22 (Monday) 5:15-6:15 PM
March 25 (Thursday) 5:15-6:15 PM
March 29 (Monday) 5:15-6:15 PM
April 1 (Thursday) 5:15-6:15 PM
April 5 (Monday) 5:15-6:15 PM
April 8 (Thursday) 5:15-6:15 PM
April 12 (Monday) 5:15-6:15 PM

Gymnastics

Gymnastics practices are scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 10th at World Class Gymnastics inside the Belleville Family Sportsplex. Artistic athletes practice at 9 a.m. and rhythmic athletes practice at 10:30 a.m. Please contact Jennifer Hitt at (618) 558-5793 (618) 558-5793 or slp_97@peoplepc.com for further information.

Basketball

State Basketball Competition in Effingham was a huge success! Tigers won first place, Wildcats and Panthers won second place. Everyone had a great time. Congratulations to all athletes and thanks to all the coaches, volunteers and parents that assisted.

Cheerleading

Cheerleaders also went to Effingham to root for the basketball teams. Everyone had a great time. Special thanks to coaches Jennifer and Jenna.

Swimming

Belleville Area PTOEC Aquatics -2010 District Competition Swimmers & Events:

Corey Ames - 100m backstroke, 25 m backstroke, Dolphins 4x25m freestyle relay
Jedd Bauer - 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, Sharks 4x25m freestyle relay
Colleen Costello - 50m breaststroke, Individual Medley
Carrie DeFossett - 25m freestyle, 50m backstroke, Dolphins 4x25 freestyle relay
Craig Dillaplain - 100m backstroke, 25m backstroke, Stingrays 4x50 freestyle relay
Andrew Dorries - 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, Dolphins 4x25 freestyle relay
Tim Heidorn - 25m butterfly, 100m freestyle, Stingrays 4x50 freestyle relay
Brittany Hite - 50m backstroke, 50 freestyle
Tina Johnson - 25m backstroke, 100m freestyle, Stingrays 4x50 freestyle relay
Tom Kish - 25m freestyle, 50m freestyle, Sharks 4x25 freestyle relay
Dusty Kolb - 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke
Hanna Laminack - 25m freestyle
Connor Layeski - 25m freestyle
Allyson Lintz - 25m freestyle, 25m butterfly, Stingrays 4x50 freestyle relay
Danielle Mongeon - 25m backstroke, 50m freestyle
Lucas Moore - 25m freestyle, 25m backstroke
Louise Noe - 25m backstroke, 50m freestyle
Mike Stroh - 25m freestyle, 25m backstroke
Jordan Stumpf - 100m backstroke, 25m freestyle, Sharks 4x25 freestyle relay
Nicholas White - 25m backstroke, 25m freestyle, Dolphins 4x25 freestyle relay
Lauren Williams - 25m freestyle, 50m backstroke, Sharks 4x25 freestyle relay
Swimming practices are from 11:00 AM to noon at the YMCA, 2627 Carlye Avenue, Belleville (across from SWIC). Cost is free this year!!! Need a few volunteers to help in the pool area and help communicate information to parents and coaches. Please contact Coach Jeff Price at 628-3299 if you have any questions and/or able to help. Competition entries are due February 12 so it is very important to attend the first few weeks of practice so swim times can be obtained.

District Competition at SIU-Edwardsville is scheduled for Saturday, March 6. Please note: Saturday instead of Sunday!!!

Practice schedule:

February 21,28
March 14,21
April 11,25
May 2,16,23
June 6
June 11-12-13 Summer Games, Bloomington

TO ALL COACHES & VOLUNTEERS: Special Olympics has implemented new Protective Behaviors training requirements for all coaches & volunteers. This training is offered online at Special Olympics of Illinois. The course takes about 15 minutes to complete. Special Olympics requires a 4:1 ratio of athletes to volunteers at each sports competition event. Please maintain your volunteer or coaching status by completing this course.

Click here for Special Olympics volunteer form for those 17 & under.

Click here for Special Olympics volunteer form for adults.

Contact Darla Klaus for more information jdklaus@charter.net

Facts for New Athletes

Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training & athletic competition for individuals with mental retardation or cognitive delays. The first Special Olympics games were held at Soldier field in Chicago in 1968. Since that time, Special Olympics chapters have been established in all 50 states & approximately 150 countries. For almost 40 years PTOEC has been a proud participant in Illinois Special Olympics. From the first Track & Field competition, to the present offering of eight different sports, PTOEC continues to serve approximately 100 special athletes in the Belleville area. For more information or if you are interested in joining, please call: Darla Klaus, 234-1541

What is required before participating?

Physicals: Physicals are required to participate in Special Olympics. Click here to see your child's physical due date. Click here to for a physical form. Please note, this form was updated April 2008. Older forms will not be accepted.

This form should be completed by you & your doctor & then mailed to:
Darla Klaus
27 South 37th Street
Belleville, IL 62226
PTOEC also has an information form for each new athlete, to be completed by a parent or adult family member.

What does it cost?

There is no charge for an individual to participate in Special Olympics.PTOEC, however, requires an annual $25 membership fee to pay for additional amenities provided to the athletes, including select training sites, uniforms, transportation to summer games as well as meals & lodging at summer games.

Who can participate?

Anyone with mental retardation or cognitive delays between the ages 8 & 21 may join PTOEC Special Olympics. Athletes who reach the age of 22, & who are already members of the organization, may continue to participate as long as they wish, however they must participate in at least one sport per year.

Are the athletes chaperoned?

Parental & family support of all athletic activities is encouraged. The usual chaperone to athlete ratio is 1:4, however special exceptions may be made for wheelchair athletes, or others requiring 1:1 supervision. Athletes are never left unsupervised.

Are there arrangements for transportation?

Parents or other family members are responsible for getting the athlete to practices, & to local or area competitions. Van transportation from a designated pickup point is provided for athletes for any activities that require an overnight stay.

Where are practices held?

Practice session for all sports are held in various locations around the Belleville area.

Are uniforms required?

PTOEC provides uniforms for all team sports. Athletes are also provided with a PTOEC t-shirt to be worn for all sporting events when uniforms are not required.

When do we play?

All sports offer local, district or regional competition where athletes can qualify to attend state Special Olympics competitions.

Basketball: October – January, State Tournament: Third weekend in March

Volleyball: July — September

Swimming: January – June, State Tournament: Summer Games (Third weekend in June)

Gymnastics: January – April, State Tournament: Summer Games (Third weekend in June)

Soccer: March – June, State Tournament: Summer Games (Third weekend in June)

Bocce Ball: February – April, State Tournament: Summer Games (Third weekend in June)

Track & Field: March – June, State Tournament: Summer Games (Third weekend in June)

Baseball: July – September

Bowling: June – August, State Tournament: Third weekend in November