AASD
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – High school students with disabilities in the Appleton Area School District (AASD) will have the opportunity to participate in varsity athletics beginning this fall.
AASD has joined the Fox Valley Association Adapted Sports League, which provides a safe and competitive environment for students to showcase their athletic talents in soccer, indoor floor hockey, and indoor wiffleball. It also aims to help athletes develop leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, and character-building skills.
The Adapted Sports League facilitates competitions among participating schools in the area. Students involved in all three sports will have the chance to earn a varsity letter.
“We have been researching and planning a league like this for several years but were never able to get all of the pieces to fall into place,” Stacy Wickershiem, AASD program lead for physical therapy/special phy ed, said in a news release.
“Oshkosh West and Oshkosh North have been running a very successful program for two years and they reached out last fall to encourage other districts to start up teams. With their guidance and the support of the AASD administration, we were finally able to finalize the plans to make this program a reality,” Wickershiem added.
Amy Steiner, Executive Director of Special Education, praised AASD’s joining of the Adapted Sports League as a “continued step with inclusive programming for our students with disabilities.”
“We have a great opportunity to offer students, who otherwise would not be able to participate in school athletics, a chance to engage in competitive sports and form new friendships with those active in the league,” Steiner said. “The benefits of the Adapted Sports League far extend improvement in athletic skills; providing life-long lessons for all students involved.”
Students and families can contact Stacy Wichshiem at wickershiemsta@aasd.k12.wi.us with any questions. AASD students are encouraged to sign up for the Adapted Sports League now.
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