March 29 marks the day when friends and families of South View Middle School (SVMS) plunge into freezing water to help fund the Minnesota Special Olympics and the Edina Unified program. Though run by the school and the Assisting Students and Parents In Resources and Engagement (ASPIRE) program, an EIP (Early Intervention Program) initiative, since 2017, the plunge has recently become part of the “cool school” plunge initiative created by SVMS in 2022 to increase fundraising.
The money raised by the Polar Plunge for ASPIRE is split between the Minnesota Special Olympics, a lifelong athletic opportunity for people with disabilities, and the Edina Unified Program, which provides community-based instruction and events for students with and without disabilities. Jennie Schaefer, a special education teacher at SVMS and Unified advisor, partnered with the Special Olympics to organize the Plunge and has since helped the program grow by raising more money and helping more people. “Without our partnership [with the Special Olympics] we wouldn’t be able to do all the [Unified] events that we put on during the school year, which included our red carpet extravaganza, our spring dance, and community-based instruction like going to the grocery store,” Schaefer said.
Madison Akins, a special educator who worked along with Schaefer in the Polar Plunge, has worked towards the Special Olympics causes all her life. Akins is a unified flag football athlete in the Special Olympics along with her dad who coaches, her mom, husband, brother, and toddler. Akins’s brother, Jacob Sawyer has down syndrome and has been in the Special Olympics since he was in high school, and it has been a transformative experience for their family. “Special Olympics is a huge program that really helps students have social opportunities and unified or inclusive activities outside of school,” Akins said.
Through the help of the Edina community and unified staff, the program and outreach of the Special Olympics and Unified opportunities continue to grow. When the “cool school” plunge launched in 2020, $10,000 was raised, in 2021, $27,000, 2022 and 2023 came with over $37,000 raised, and now in 2024, $50,000 has been raised.
“This program is truly my why and my reason. It gives me energy to see my students with disabilities, connecting, and getting together with peers outside of school. It drives me,” Schaefer said.
The Special Olympics is life-changing for so many people, necessitating the need for recognition and the community’s support. “Last year KARE 11 came and plunged with the Unified program and ran a news story. It showcased our program and highlighted how amazing Unified and Special Olympics are,” Schaefer said. Fundraising for the Special Olympics is a growing cause in Edina and Edina High School is just starting to get involved in all of the work that SVMS has done. “I hope we can spread the word that the Polar Plunge helps bring inclusion and social friendship opportunities for our students who have an IEP or students who are in the special education program,” Akins said.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on April 18, 2024
