By Matt Fisher
The Calhoun High School Connections group — an organization committed to inclusivity — won the Team Up 4 Community 2024 Holiday Heroes Challenge, Bellmore-Merrick Central School District officials announced at the Feb. 5 Board of Education meeting.
With support from the Calhoun community, the team amassed more than 1,500 votes in the challenge, surpassing the second-place team by more than 500 ballots.
The Connections group received a $3,000 grant from the Westhampton Beach-based Team Up 4 Community, whose mission is to “encourage athletes and all individuals to take decisive action to create positive and lasting change in their local and global communities.”
“The students and teachers are most grateful for the opportunity to highlight and promote the importance of inclusion,” Calhoun High School said in a statement read by Edward Corona, a Central District trustee. “Calhoun is a unique and special place that provides amazing opportunities to all learners. It’s so incredible to see how much we can all grow from embracing our differences and working together, no matter what type of learner or athlete we are.”
In addition to the recognition, Calhoun recently demonstrated its commitment to inclusion through a faculty-versus-Challenger basketball game. Board officials visited the event, and Michael Harrington, the Bellmore-Merrick district superintendent, described its culture as “second to none.”
The Bellmore-Merrick Central District started the Challenger basketball league for special-education students in 2008. The league has since expanded to other sports, including bowling, soccer and golf.
“You have a packed sideline with more basketball players than we’ve ever had before,” Harrington said. “Our teacher aides and our teachers are rooting [the Challenger team] on. They’re playing against a whole faculty team. The Calhoun cheerleading team entertained us throughout the game and at halftime. They were awesome, and the entire bleachers were filled with the entire Calhoun faculty and staff.”
“It was the most heartening experience,” he continued. “And that’s why [the Calhoun Connections group] won this award. And that’s why they fit perfectly into this year’s theme of community, connection, creation and care.”
“It was the most heartening experience. And that’s why [the Calhoun Connections group] won this award. And that’s why they fit perfectly into this year’s theme of community, connection, creation and care.”
Michael Harrington, Bellmore-Merrick Superintendent
Calhoun students also recognized the Connection organization’s impact. “Since September, this club has brought students together through fun games each week, special memories and lots of smiles,” said Samantha Chaiken, Calhoun’s student Board of Education representative. “This award showcases the incredible impact these students have on our community and reminds us of what makes Bellmore-Merrick so special.”
Chaiken also highlighted the school’s special education programs. “The PREP and COORE programs we have in our district are truly one of a kind,” she said. “The love and care that goes into these students’ education is something each and every one of us should recognize, and I’m so appreciative of all the opportunities it’s given to me and hundreds of students throughout the years.”
Calhoun High School’s PREP for Life and COORE programs were designed for its special-needs students. The initiatives prepare learners for adult life through classes in job and independent recreational skills such as retail work and bill analysis.
Erick Arilin, Calhoun’s director of special education and pupil personnel services, said in a Patch article in September 2020: “Through work with parents, students, teachers and community organizations, we have identified areas that are essential for our students to become successful adults.”
Kennedy High School senior Zara Selvin also was recognized by board members for being selected to sing with the All-Eastern Treble Choir.
