The Baldwin-Whitehall School District is committed to making learning in all its forms open to all students. One of the key avenues the District uses to do so is the Partners model, which pairs individuals with and without special needs to work together. This collaborative approach has been used in settings as diverse as Physical Education and entrepreneurial endeavors, such as the on-campus coffee shop Baldwin Bean.

On November 14th, the Partners model returns to football with the second-annual Unified Flag Football Day. This event is double the size of last year’s inaugural event. Seven schools will participate in the supportive competition, which will take place at the AHN Montour Junction Complex, the practice home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Baldwin High School teacher Tim Laughlin engineered ways to adapt wheelchairs for flag football. Partners act as coaches, coordinating practices and developing playbooks. “This event showcases the power of acceptance and positive engagement. We are grateful for the strides Eric Jankoski and our Special Education team have made to expand opportunities for all our students,” shared Dr. Randal Lutz, Superintendent of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District.