Special Olympics Awards Four Boston Public Schools with National Banner

Special Olympics Massachusetts recently honored four Boston Public Schools with National Banner recognition for their efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without disabilities.

Special Olympics Honors Four Boston Public Schools with National Banner Recognition

BPS has four of only 17 schools in Massachusetts and 217 schools nationwide to achieve the status of National Banner School for the 2024-2025 school year.

BOSTON - DECEMBER 19, 2025- Special Olympics Massachusetts recently named Brighton High School, Mario Umana Academy, Trotter Elementary, and the Warren Prescott K-8 School as National Banner schools for their efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without disabilities. The four schools earned this distinguished status as a result of meeting 10 national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy, and respect. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from the Special Olympics and the education community.

"We are incredibly proud that four Boston Public Schools have been recognized as National Banner Unified Champion Schools," said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. "This honor reflects our district's and schools’ commitment to creating inclusive environments where every student of all abilities can participate, lead, and thrive. Through programs like Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole-school engagement, we move closer to building a more inclusive future across all of our schools."

The Unified Champion Schools® model is a strategy for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Unified Sports; inclusive youth leadership; and whole-school engagement. As many as 16 million young people are taking part in inclusive experiences through Special Olympics. National Banner Unified Champion Schools also demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.

"At Warren Prescott, our students are at the center of everything we do and our school community works diligently every day to ensure that all our students have the opportunity to connect, lead, and learn alongside their peers of all abilities," said Principal Michele Davis, Warren-Prescott K-8 School. "Our collaborative efforts are grounded in this vision, allowing students to engage meaningfully with each other and helping build a school culture rooted in equity, respect, and inclusion."

Since October 2023, Boston Public Schools (BPS) has been implementing its landmark Inclusive Education Plan for the Boston Public Schools. The plan outlines systemic changes across all BPS divisions to close opportunity gaps and give every student access to rigorous and culturally affirming instruction. This Inclusive Education Plan will transform learning outcomes for all students, upholding the right of every student to be educated in the least-restrictive environment.

"Trotter Elementary celebrates the power of inclusion every day. Our students participate in Unified Sports and school-wide activities that foster understanding, leadership, and friendship across all abilities," said Principal Sarita Thomas, Trotter Elementary School. "Being named a National Banner School emphasizes our commitment to creating a learning environment where all students can thrive socially and academically."

Brighton High School has made history by becoming the first secondary school in Boston Public Schools to earn Special Olympics National Banner recognition. This achievement showcases the school’s commitment to creating an inclusive community where students of all abilities can fully participate in sports, leadership activities, and school life. With its unified sports programs and strong culture of belonging, Brighton sets a great example of what it means to achieve inclusive excellence at the high school level.

"At Brighton High School, our students are at the forefront of creating a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and included," said Principal Andrew Bott, Brighton High School. "This recognition highlights their dedication to uplifting one another, fostering strong friendships, and making our school a welcoming environment for all. We are incredibly proud of the leadership and compassion our students demonstrate every day, which has earned us the Special Olympics National Banner."

Photo: Piano Lab Ribbon Cutting at Umana Academy, 2025.

“This achievement reflects the power of inclusion, teamwork, and community. At the Umana, every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated, and earning the National Banner recognition affirms that belief,” said Principal Akua-Nia Francillon, Mario Umana Academy. “I am proud of our school, grateful for our dedicated educators, and inspired by our amazing young people who make the Umana a place where belonging and brilliance are lived every day.”

The Unified Champion Schools® model is supported by the Office of Special Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education. This model has been proven, through research, to be an effective and replicable means to providing students with and without disabilities the opportunity to form positive social relationships and promote a socially inclusive school climate.

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Masika Gadson

Director of Community Engagement

Masika Gadson, the Director of Community Engagement at Boston Public Schools, has been a beacon of support for children and families in our city for over two decades. Her unwavering commitment to fostering resilience and healing has touched countless lives and continues to make a lasting impact. Through her leadership, Masika is reshaping the landscape of community-school relationships, driving effective collaboration, and creating opportunities for authentic engagement. Her work not only builds trust but also paves the way for meaningful change in including families in policy and decision-making within our educational system. To learn more about Community Engagement work and how we can all contribute to building a stronger, more connected community.

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ELAINE DIAS

Elaine is a community-driven advocate, parent, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience serving diverse populations across the public health, legal, and government sectors. Deeply involved in children’s education, she is a dedicated advocate for her daughter with an IEP and works closely with families to ensure equitable access to educational resources.

A licensed Notary and partner with high schools supporting exchange student programs, Elaine is known for fostering genuine connections, uplifting community voices, and opening doors to essential resources with compassion and respect. Her expertise includes outreach, advocacy, cross-cultural communication, and program coordination. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, she is committed to building inclusive, trust-based relationships that ensure every individual feels valued and supported.

JELANI HAYNES

Jelani Haynes is the Community Engagement Senior Manager for Boston Public Schools and a community advocate. Raised in a family that has long stood as pillars in the neighborhoods he now serves, Jelani learned early the importance of showing up, listening, and ensuring community voices are seen and heard. He began volunteering at a young age through local programs that shaped his commitment to uplifting others. Since joining the Community Engagement team in 2018, Jelani has supported families and partners by facilitating meaningful conversations, coordinating districtwide events, and strengthening connections across Boston. His background in audio engineering and deep ties to the arts, faith, and athletic communities help create inclusive, welcoming spaces where BPS families feel valued and supported.

PHUONGDAI NGUYEN

Phuongdai Nguyen is an alumna of Boston Public Schools (BPS) and a proud BPS parent. Phuongdai has over twenty years of experience working with youth and families across schools, community organizations, and the nonprofit sector. In 2011, Phuongdai joined the Boston Public Schools Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education as a Family Resource Specialist. In 2023, Phuongdai transitioned to the Office of Family and Community Advancement (OFCA) as a member of the Community Engagement Team. Phuongdai speaks Vietnamese and enjoys traveling and learning new skills.

ABDI TAHLIL

Abdi is a community-driven leader raised by a community activist who taught him that it truly takes a village to strengthen schools and uplift neighborhoods. Grounded in this belief, he spends weekends alongside community members hosting breakfast gatherings at the local basketball court to build connection and care within the neighborhood. A proud Boston Public Schools alumnus with eight years of service to the district, Abdi has worked across Transportation and the Helpline and collaborated closely with teams including Welcome Services, Special Education, Language Access, the Superintendent’s Office, School Leaders, BPS Mentoring, and the Office of Equity. Now serving as a Community Engagement Manager, Abdi is committed to creating equitable, inclusive spaces where every Boston family feels valued, heard, and supported

STEPHEN MAREA

Stephen is a creative multimedia enthusiast who loves creating videos and engaging audiences through social media and YouTube. An outdoors enthusiast, he enjoys biking and maintaining healthy habits, and is passionate about learning alongside and sharing knowledge with youth. A native Bostonian from New York State, Stephen joined the Community Engagement team in 2023. His creativity, planning, and engagement experience have contributed to the success of community events such as the 2025 Move & Groove and a collaborative mural design and unveiling with students from the Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC). Through his skills in filming, photography, and storytelling, Stephen has helped grow the team’s social media presence and capture the energy of community events.

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