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Wampus School Fifth Grade Hosts Annual Special Olympics

ARMONK, N.Y. – Fifth graders at the Wampus Elementary School in Armonk held their annual Special Olympics last Thursday.

Wampus fifth-grader Ana Vataj plays hula hoops with 10-year-old Matthew Hawley, a Southern Westchester BOCES student, at the annual “Special Olympics” run by Wampus Elementary School in Byram Hills.

Wampus fifth-grader Ana Vataj plays hula hoops with 10-year-old Matthew Hawley, a Southern Westchester BOCES student, at the annual “Special Olympics” run by Wampus Elementary School in Byram Hills.

Photo Credit: Marie Cortissoz, Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES

Students brought indoor basketball nets, floor hockey equipment and hula hoops so that the 20 special needs children from Southern Westchester BOCES could enjoy the day as the rain pounded outside. Teachers and students decided to cancel the outdoor events, such as water balloon toss and soccer, and instead led indoor activities.

“I felt good about running a booth because we were all having so much fun,” said Wampus fifth-grader Will Mykytiuk, who helped students with their basketball shots and led indoor golf sessions.

Mykytiuk’s classmate Bryan Roden said he played with a BOCES student who would soon celebrate his birthday.

“He told us that he was having so much fun that he wanted to come back tomorrow for his birthday,” Roden said. “He said Byram Hills is the best place ever. That made me feel great.”

The Kensico School in the Valhalla School District hosts the special needs students’ classes. Janet Thompson, the fifth grade teacher and organizer of the event, said the students and visiting children anticipate the event each year.

“It's important for our students to be with children who have different abilities and skills than themselves and for them to recognize that these children want to be as happy, loved and successful as they are,” Thompson said.

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