Danvers Community Set To Rally Around Unified Basketball Debut

DANVERS, MA — The Danvers High School student, staff and athletic community is planning to rally around the school's first Unified basketball team's game against Lynnfield.

Superintendent Dan Bauer said that all fall athletic teams not in action will curtail practice schedules for the afternoon so they can attend the game against Lynnfield. The marching band will also be there.

"We are really looking for a way to bring the narrative that we are a welcoming, unified community for all students," Bauer said. "And really to show that all students are important in our building, and for special education parents to see how we embrace the special abilities that children possess. And certainly to know that there is a place for our students in our community and showcase that partnership."

Bauer said the administration is grateful to the Danvers Special Education Parent Advisory Council for its role in helping develop the Unified program.

Members of the community are invited to attend the event, where T-shirts will be sold commemorating the event.

Unified games pair students with special needs and the greater student body for a contest that highlights competition, teamwork and a sense of support for all students.

"Unified games are a moving experience that impacts an entire school community as well as students, athletes and staff," Danvers High Principal Alan Strauss said. "We want the community to discover what we experience in our building every day, and we want to send a message to all parents that at Danvers High School, we are going to take care of each child with care and joy."

The game is set for Tuesday at the Danvers High School field house at 4 p.m. All members of the community are invited to attend.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)