Fridley Middle School (FMS) students and staff braved frigid waters to rally around acceptance and inclusion, as the school hosted its first Special Olympics Minnesota Cool School Mobile Polar Plunge on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. A total of 277 students took the leap into the mobile “plungester” in the school’s front parking lot. In addition to FMS participants, students and staff of Fridley High School’s special education program also had the opportunity to take the plunge.

Through fundraising by students and staff prior to the event, the school raised $5,509 to benefit both FMS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Special Olympics Minnesota. The special event also included a pep fest hosted by Special Olympics Minnesota, which featured a guest speaker, games and prizes.

The unique and fun opportunity was provided to FMS because of its Unified Champion School status. As a Unified Champion School, FMS offers many opportunities to all students that promote social inclusion. This includes unified homerooms, field trips, and leadership summit opportunities for students with disabilities. The school also participates in the annual Speak Kindness and Person First campaigns, which promote acceptance and use of language that is respectful and inclusive.

According to Special Education teacher Chelsea Clark, being a Unified Champion School sends a positive and educational message to students. “Through these intentional approaches, we promote a schoolwide climate of acceptance,” said Clark. “Many students don’t personally know someone with a disability outside of the school setting. Through opportunities and connections, students can gain a better understanding, develop empathy and treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of if a student has a disability or not.”

Since 2018, the FMS Special Education program has brought groups of students to the Polar Plunge located at Lake Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. Jessica Mularie, also a Special Education teacher, said bringing the Polar Plunge to FMS was more feasible for this school year and elevated schoolwide participation in the event.

“We were so blown away with the support, positive energy, and students’ capacity for empathy at the event,” said Mularie. “We are also thankful to our administration for supporting us and always championing inclusion and unified initiatives at our school!”

Fridley Middle School Cool School Mobile Polar Plunge by Fridley Public Schools on on Exposure