An estimated 150 San Benito CISD Special Education students participated in the Winter 2013 Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) recently held at the San Benito Veterans Memorial Academy gymnasium.
The program is designed for persons with severe limitations who do not yet possess the developmental skills necessary to participate in official Special Olympics sports. Students from throughout the district, including some that are homebound, participated in this year’s event.
Special Olympics/Adaptive Physical Education Coordinator Rick Tamez explains, “The purpose for MATP is to provide the most challenging and rewarding sport experience appropriate for each individual. It’s exciting for students with disabilities to enjoy the competition as well.”
MATP activities help to develop a young participant’s motor skills through fun-filled tasks such as pushing or kicking a ball, jumping in a colorful ball pit, or stepping across a low bar. Additional MATP recreational activities include the beanbag lift, ball kick, ball lift, and ball push.
Following the Special Olympics motto “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” MATP emphasizes training and participation rather than competition. The program provides the means for students with severe limitations to participate in appropriate recreation activities geared to their ability levels.
“It’s an opportunity to get students with severe and profound disabilities who cannot compete in your traditional Special Olympics setting,” says Adaptive Physical Education Coach Ruben Reza.
“This gives these students a chance to come out and compete and do the Motor Activity Training Program. It’s a great program, and it brings together parents, school administrators and the community to network and see what’s happening with the Special Education Department,” Reza adds.
Committed to the students and their overall development, department administrators and event coordinators take great pride in knowing that the San Benito MATP is often praised as being one of the best events in the state as it continues to grow with each passing year.
“I saw nothing less than a million smiles; you couldn’t help but smile with them. The smiles were contagious,” said Jay Cantu of Clear Channel Media, who served as the master of ceremonies for the event.
“The event was eye-opening as to the amount of support the students receive from not only their parents, but also from the school district. I was proud to be a San Benito alumnus,” added Cantu.
For additional information on the school district’s MATP initiative, contact Tamez at (956) 361-6832.
Approximately 150 San Benito CISD students participated in the Winter 2013 Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program (MATP). Designed to develop young participants’ motor skills, MATP provides fun-filled tasks and recreation activities geared to participants’ ability levels.
