ROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM
THE MUHL MUSTANG'S - FEBRUARY 2016 NEWSLETTER
I hope everyone is having a good start to 2016. I am thrilled to be back coaching after a year off. Thanks to Tom DeRidder for holding the team together in my absence. Welcome to new team members TayCrayton (RESA), Jabri Robinson (FMS), Tyler Ruiz(EHS), and Debra Smith (LMS). We wish all the best to Chase Williams who graduated and is moving into the adult world.
The Mustangs had a busy and successful winter. Nathan Schwartz qualified for the State Bowling Tournament where he finished 3rd. Two athletes participated in basketball skills with Debra Smith qualifying for the State Basketball Tournament in March. In January and February 6 snowshoe athletes braved the cold. Carrie Albrecht, Stella Campos, Mason Ferrero, Ethan Holeman, Austin Odum, and Mario Sallisparticipate in the State Winter Games, bringing back 4 gold medals. Our basketball team had 15 participants. The developmental squad played 3 games. The high school team did so well that they moved up 2 divisions and still finished with a record of 5-3. Thanks to all the parents and friends who helped coach and chaperone these activities.
SPRING SPORTS: TRACK and BOCCEwill be starting in March. The bocce competition will be Saturday, April 23, 2016 in LaSalle-Peru. The track meet will be Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Harlem HS. First place winners will advance to the State Summer Games in Bloomington June 10 - 12, 2016.
TRACK PRACTICES:This year we will be having practices at 5 different sites. Participants are expected to attend one practice per week at the location of their choice. Practices will be held at:
Rolling Green - Tuesdays 3:45 - 4:45pm starting March 8th (designed for elementary students/beginners)
RESA - Wednesdays 3:45 - 4:45pm starting March 16th
Jefferson HS - Wednesdays 3:45 - 4:45pm starting March 9th
East HS - Thursdays 3:45 - 4:45pm starting March 10th
Auburn HS track - Sundays 2:00 - 3:00pm starting March 13th(weather permitting)
Contact Mrs. Kimel to let her know which practice you will be attending and find out where to meet.
Athletes ages 6-7yr old will be allowed to participate in track. If you know of young athletes who might be interested in this, let Mrs. Kimel know.
BOCCE PRACTICES:Bocce practices will beSundays 1:30 – 2:30pm at the Auburn HS track starting March 13th (weather permitting). Athletes may participate in both bocce and track this year if they wish to do so.
SPRING FUNDRAISER: CULVERS SCOOPIE DAY - fundraiser for the Mustangs: Sunday, April 17, 2016 12:00noon - 3:00pm at Culver's on Harrison. Our team will get 10% of all sales during this time. We will need everyone to help advertise the event - please tell your friends, teachers, neighbors. We will need athletes to help with this event by working 1 hour shifts. We also need donations of items for the silent auction during the Scoopie Day. We get 100% of the money from the silent auction. Let Mrs. Kimel know if your child can help and/or if you have items to donate to the auction. (Thanks to Sandy Schwartz for setting this up.)
ATHLETES NEEDING UPDATED MEDICAL PARTICIPATION FORMS: Those people needing updated medical applications will have the needed form included in this mailing. Remember: The medical information MUST BE ON THIS FORM. No other physical forms are acceptable. The ORIGINAL FORM must be turnedMarch 23, 2016to participate in spring sports.(copies and faxes are not allowed)
CONTACT INFORMATION: If your phone number, address, or e-mail change, please let Mrs. Kimel know. We would hate for you to miss out on information about team activities because we can't get in touch with you. If you have e-mail, it is helpful for us to know it. We periodically get special offers for free tickets and other events on short notice.
UNIFORMS: Several people still have uniforms from winter sports that have not been returned. We loan shorts, jackets, and warm-up pants to team members to keep costs down. Please return these to Mrs. Kimel so they will be available to use for spring sports. If you need to purchase a new team shirt this spring, let Mrs. Kimel know what size you need so she can get the shirts ordered. New Shirts are $12. ($6 with a trade-in of your old shirt)
Happy February through May birthdays to team members: Stella Campos, Tyler Connors, TayCrayton, Josh Eccles, Rogelio Esquivias, Ethan Holeman, Marissa Huf, Silas Johnson, Nathaniel Mulroney, Debra Smith, Mark Smith, and Justin Wright.
You might hear about the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program. This is a separate developmental program run by Special Olympics Illinois for 4-5year olds. Preschool students in the Rockford Public Schools are participating in this program. It has nothing to do with our team
We always welcome new people to the team. If you have friends who would enjoy being part of the team, have them contact Mrs. Kimel for information.
Coach Linda Kimel can be reached at: cell: 815-988-7078 work: 815-229-2881 e-mail: