Join Our List |  | | | Interested in Becoming a Coach? | | Interested in becoming a coach? Attend our General Information Session! WHEN: January 28, 2010 6:30 - 7:30pm WHERE: Special Olympics NYC Region 211 East 43rd St., Suite 802 New York, NY 10017 (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues) RSVP to Tom Peyton at tpeyton@nyso.org or (212) 661-3963 x 218 Thanks! | | | Complimentary Disney on Ice Tickets Available Special Notice: In addition to the $5 discount being offered for upcoming Friday performances in the NYC Metro Area, Disney on Ice has generously made 40 free tickets available to our athletes and coaches to this Friday's (January 9, 2010) performance at Nassau Coliseum. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and will need to be picked up in the New York City office of Special Olympics New York. If you are interested in receiving tickets, please call Jamie DePasquale at (212) 661- 5217 ext. 217 or email her at jdepasquale@nyso.org. Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic & the Athletes of Special Olympics New York Disney on Ice is supporting Special Olympics New York by making discount tickets ($5 off) available for its Friday performances in the New York City area January 8, 2010 at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, NY January 15, 2010 at The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ January 22, 2010 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ Plus, a portion of proceeds for this performance will be donated to Special Olympics New York and New Jersey. Please click here to order tickets and be sure to use the word SPECIAL in the special offers box Join the celebration as 65 of Disney's unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! You'll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney Princesses. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you'll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! In addition, athletes from Special Olympics New York will have the opportunity to skate with the Disney On Ice professionals at an exhibition at Bryant Park on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 12:30pm. | Polar Plunge | | We're Freezin' for a Reason at Special Olympics New York! We're kicking off our first ever Queens Polar Plunge and we want you to be there! Please join us at the Cross Island YMCA (23810 Hillside Ave Jamaica, Queens) on Wednesday, January 20th at 6pm for our Polar Plunge Kickoff. Please RSVP to Elizabeth at 212-661-5217 ext 214. Feel free to check our website! www.polarplunge.kintera.org/queens or see below for more details. | Polar Plunge | | What is a Polar Plunge? A Polar Plunge is a chance to be one of the thousands of brave souls with warm hearts across the state who will plunge into winter waters to show their support and raise money for the Special Olympics. Come join us for this fun and zany event! If you don't want to take the plunge yourself, come out and cheer on those who are taking a chilly dip! Saturday, February 27, 2010 Rockaway, Queens http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=326212 CONTACT: Elizabeth Forest Associate Director of Development (212) 661-5217 ext. 14 eforest@nyso.org www.specialolympicsny.org  | Coach Training | | A note to all new coaches who attended trainings: your paperwork has been submitted to Special Olympics New York Headquarters to be processed. You should expect to receive a letter saying your application has been approved within the next 30 days and we will contact you to set you up with a training club to start your practicum. In the mean time, please visit www.specialolympics.org/protectivebehaviors to take the mandatory online quiz. Questions? Please contact Tom Peyton at tpeyton@nyso.org or (212) 661-3963. Thanks! | Introducing the SONY Fan Club! | | The Special Olympics New York FAN CLUB is all about celebrating and supporting the Special Olympics mission with family and friends! Special Olympics New York is celebrating its 40th year of competition. The FAN CLUB is a perfect opportunity to start celebrating this milestone anniversary. Celebrate the First 40 Years to Ensure the Next 40. Our vision is a world where every person, regardless of their ability or disability, is accepted, welcomed and valued - where each individual can contribute to the strength and goodness of his or her family, community, and country. If you are a fan of sports that create unity, athletes who inspire, and connections that foster acceptance, then you are already a fan of Special Olympics. So make it official! Gather your family & friends and join the Special Olympics New York FAN CLUB. Together we'll recruit even more FANS, raise awareness and funds for our athletes. BE A FAN OF RESPECT, ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION. >> JOIN FAN CLUB NOW << | Criteria for Advancement | | Criteria for Advancement The Criteria for Advancement in accordance with SO General Rules (and Regional Policy) are as follows: * Travel Ability - can both athletes and coaches alike tolerate and benefit from the experience * Demand Survey - training club interest and availability If the number of eligible athletes exceeds the quota, we must then implement a systematic criteria for advancement: "Advancement begins with the distribution of a quota for a limited number of allocations to each accredited program. The program is then charged with the responsibility to select athletes in accordance with formalized Criteria for Advancement as defined by the Special Olympics General Rules, Article 7, section 7.08(e) and the Sports Rules Article 1, Section (k). To be considered eligible, athletes must have participated at the previous level of competition prior to advancing to the next higher level." (for example, a local bowling tournament) "Priority is given to all first place finishers from all divisions of the specific sport/event in consideration.We are required to do the same with second, then third place finishers and so on until we have filled our allocation." Please be encouraged to read and learn more about Special Olympics. Additional educational material and the General Rules can be found at: www.specialolympics.org | Medical and Consent Policy Overview | | Eligible individuals register for Special Olympics training by completing the Medical Release and Consent form. Forms are available from the Regional Office. A valid form must be completed in full. The athlete's full name, not a nickname, must be identified. Always be sure to list the Primary Training Club and Agency. Medical forms are valid for up to three (3) years. Training Club Head Coaches must review, update, and maintain the Medical and Consent records. A copy must be sent to the Regional Office and a copy must be maintained by the Training Club Head Coach. Medical and Consent forms must travel with the athletes to alltrainings and competitions. Athletes without Medical and Consent forms will not be permitted to train or compete. | Future Dates for State Games | | Summer 2010 TBD Summer 2011 TBD Fall Games 2010 Oct 1-3 Seneca Falls Winter Games 2010 Feb 5-6 Syracuse Winter Games 2011 TBD | REMINDERS | | Training Rosters Needed! COACHES: Please submit your completed winter rosters to Colleen Everett at ceverett@nyso.org or fax to our office (212) 661-4658. Any training club that plans on training or competing in the upcoming season must have a form on file. Contact Colleen with any questions. Thanks! | Upcoming Events in the NYC Region | | January 16, 2010 Peter Aquilone Memorial Floor Hockey Tournament, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Manhattan The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center will host the 5th Annual Special Olympics New York City Regional Peter Aquilone Memorial Floor Hockey Tournament on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 10:00am. Over 350 athletes will compete from New York City, Long Island, and Hudson Valley. Joining them will be more than 75 coaches and 200 volunteers. Volunteering and sponsorship opportunities exist. February 5-6, 2010 New York State Winter Games, Syracuse, NY February 27, 2009 Polar Plunge, Queens Immerse yourself in the cold waters to show your support for NYC Special Olympics athletes. Opportunity for sponsorships and employee team building through fundraising team efforts. April 11, 2010 NYC Regional Basketball Tournament, New York University This is a full day of Olympic-style basketball competition at New York University. The tournament is run completely by a student committee at NYU. Athletes from the five boroughs compete. Opportunity for volunteering and sponsorships exist. | | | |