Sunday, July 28, 2013

2013 Soccer practice

Dear Athletes, Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers:

On behalf of the entire volunteer coaching staff which includes Maggie Trayah, Giles Willey, Lori Uerz and Thomas Moore, let me welcome you to the Chittenden Delegation’s 2013 Soccer Program.

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We are happy to announce that this year’s program officially begins on Tuesday, September 3rd at 6:00 pm at our practice field located at Camp Johnson in Colchester; within sight-line of the main gate. A special thank you to Lt. Col. Lloyd Goodrow (retired) for, again, securing this wonderful field for our use; which will be cut and marked in time for our first practice.

Also, a very special thank you to Vermont Systems for their ongoing support.


Practices will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 – 7:30 pm right up to the Special Olympics Vermont Statewide Tournament at Norwich University on Saturday, October 26th.

You can expect that our coaches will be working with each athlete to have fun, to teach the game, to build a sense of teamwork and most importantly promote good sportsmanship in practice and in competition.

You can expect that our coaches will treat all athletes, parents, guardians, and caregivers with respect and ask you to provide that same level of respect to our coaches and to other athletes.

We ask you to comply with the Special Olympics of Vermont’s Spectator Guidelines which is attached. In addition, we ask you to review with your athlete the Special Olympics of Vermont Athlete Code of Conduct form then sign and return it to me as soon as possible.

Like last year, we will be organizing athletes into three groups to maximize their skill development while maintaining our focus on safety for all athletes.

As coaches, we have an expectation that athletes will arrive on time for practice and will be are picked up on time at the conclusion of practice --- as our volunteer coaches have commitments as well. We  will also make an extra effort to end practice on time.

As coaches, we have an expectation that each athlete will arrive wearing a team purple practice t-shirt, black shorts, soccer cleats, shin guards, with a water bottle, and a soccer ball --- ready to play.

Per the requirements of Special Olympics Vermont, please understand the need we have for up-to-date medical forms and information on each athlete. Please submit any and all required form as quickly as possible.

If you have an issue of concern, please call me at 802.899.5506 so we can resolve it as soon as possible.

Dedicated to keeping it fun, safe, and respectful,

Head Coach Bob Uerz

PS.
With regard to inclement weather, please go to the Chittenden Delegation website/blog located at http://sovchittenden.blogspot.com to learn if practice is canceled. Once practice has been canceled for the day, it will not be changed even if the weather improves later in the day!

PPS.
In order to keep expenses down, we will again be car pooling to the Statewide Tournament at Norwich University. So please consider helping us in this regard, if possible.

2013 Individual Bowling practice schedule - update!

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMugChittenden's individual bowling practice will be on Wednesday evenings at Champlain Lanes, 2630 Shelburne Road, Shelburne beginning in August, then switch to Sunday mornings in September:

6:00 PM Wednesday's: 8/14/13, 8/21/13 and 8/28/13
Switching to:
10:00 AM Sunday's: 9/1/13 - through 9/29/13  9/8/13 through 10/6/13
We will not practice on Labor Day weekend, Septemeber 1st.  We understand some may be away and will have to make up practice.  
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The bowling tournament will be held on Sunday, October 6th 13th at our home turf of Champlain Lanes!

Pre-register please!
Please contact Karen or Dave Bogdan by phone (865-3840) or email (dbogdan@ieee.org) to sign up. We plan on having lane assignments for the first practice.  August is a busy month for many of us with camps and vacation so please contact Karen or Dave if you want to bowl but have conflicts in August.  We will work something out.  Our competition registration is due September 13 so we need at least 5 weeks of practice by then for averages!

Coaches:
Karen and Dave Bogdan - 865-3840
Karen Cutler
Gary DeCarolis
Stephanie Hardesty

2014 National Games - Team Vermont!

Announcing the 2014 National Games – Team Vermont…

Congratulations to the following SOVT Athletes and Partners who will represent Vermont at the 2014 National Games in Princeton, NJ!

Aquatics
Kate Bove, Chittenden
Christopher Mitchell, Rutland
Susannah Venbjerg, Chittenden
Lelia Volmer, Central Vermont

Athletics
Hannah Ames, Chittenden
Harrison Boutcher, Chittenden
David Garvey, Castleton
Madeline Honigman, Chittenden
Mary Kidder, Lamoille
Corey Macdonald-Powden, bellcate
Aaron Thresher, Caledonia

Bocce
John (Matt) Harvey and Curtis Powers, Caledonia
Anna Davis and Kayla Richard, Spaulding High School
Shane Morris and Joel Marshall, U-32 Middle/High School

Bowling
Tricia Blanchard, Jeanette Mangieri, Donna Montag and Shawn Owen, Rutland
Cindy Williamson and Elizabeth Williamson, Upper Valley

Basketball – BFA St Albans Unified Team
Patrick Burke-Willett
Samuel Costes                 
Jessica Hilt                          
Dylan Johnson                  
Machaela Maille              
Eric Mercy                          
Marina Perron                  
Vincent Pigeon                
Issac Ryea                          
Bonnie Young   

Coaches will be selected by September 4.  If you are interested in coaching, please contact me for an application.  Applications are due by August 15.  If you have questions about Team Vermont or the selection process please let me know.

Thanks,
Michelle Gate
Director of Programs
Special Olympics Vermont

Monday, June 17, 2013

Think College Vermont

Think College Vermont is currently accepting applications for the fall semester.
Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI is a small, innovative, inclusive, academic, social, and vocational program for students with intellectual disabilities seeking a college experience. Participants earn a 12-credit Certificate of Professional Studies for non-matriculated students designed to include:
Academic Enrichment: Enroll in UVM classes with peer mentor support
Socialization: Meet new people and participate in social & recreational activities
Independent Living & Self-Advocacy Skills: Improve daily living skills & increase independence and confidence
Work Experience & Career Skills: Explore careers, develop employability skills, & establish a career path
For more information contact Kiersten Hallquist at 656-1126 and check out the website at Think College @ UVM.
Please feel free to pass this message along to anyone who may be interested.

Thanks,
Michelle Gates
Special Olympics Vermont

Saturday, May 25, 2013

2013 Summer Games events

The 2013 Special Olympics Vermont Summer Games will be held Friday June 7th through Sunday June 9th at the University of Vermont.  Below is the schedule.  More details may be found in the 2013 Summer Games Handbook found here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxSy5xg4DLg2eUVnUXlXdDVDU2c/edit?usp=sharing

NEW! Special Olympics Vermont has published a 2013 Summer Games Family Handbook found here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxSy5xg4DLg2NnF3WndVdXdxLTQ/edit?usp=sharing

I have added the divisioning reports here: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxSy5xg4DLg2aXNJWVlaMy1JM0U&usp=sharing You may see what times each athlete and teams compete.  Athletes, parents and caregivers, please remember that schedules for large events such as this are often in flux so please plan on staying at the games until your last event for the day is finished.

For those staying overnight at the dorms, please remember that you need to bring bed linen for a twin bed, bath towels, toiletry and clothes.

Smokers, please note the new Special Olympis smoking policy in the above Handbook.


2013 SUMMER GAMES SCHEDULE
Friday, June 7
4:00 – 6:00pm Delegation Check-In;

Wing Davis Wilks main desk

Please send only ONE representative to check in your delegation and

to pick-up all keys and credentials


5:00 – 6:30pm Friday Night Dinner – Harris Millis Commons
6:30 – 6:45pm Line-up for the Parade of Athletes – on path between Virtue Field and the Track


6:45 – 7:00pm Parade of Athletes
7:00 – 8:00pm Opening Ceremonies –Track
08:30 PM Coaches Meeting – Tent directly behind bleachers
Saturday, June 8
7:00 – 8:00am Breakfast – Harris Millis Commons
08:15 AM Umpires & Softball Volunteers Meeting – Williston Rec Fields
08:30 AM Softball Coaches Meeting – Williston Rec Fields
08:30 AM Bocce Volunteers Meeting – Field 5 (next to Virtue Field)
08:50 AM Track Volunteers Meeting – Outdoor Track
09:00 AM Coaches Meetings at each respective venue:

Athletics – Track

Aquatics – Pool

Bocce – Field 5 (next to Virtue Field)
9:00 – 3:00pm Healthy Athletes
10:00 – 3:00pm Olympic Town
9:00 – 4:00pm Merchandise in Merchandise Tent
9:00 – 4:00pm Competition
5:30 – 6:45p Dinner - Indoor Tennis Courts
7:00 – 9:00p Victory Dance "You Are the Stars" - Patrick Gymnasium
Sunday, June 9
7:00 – 8:00am Breakfast – Harris Millis Commons
7:30 – 8:30am UVM Housing Check-Out – Wing Davis Wilks main desk
8:45 – 9:00am Coaches meetings at each venue:

Athletics – Track

Aquatics – Pool

Bocce – Field 5 (next to Virtue field)
9:00am – 2:00pm Merchandise Sales
8:45 – 1:00pm Competition

Friday, May 10, 2013

Softball practice indoors at The Williston Edge Saturday, 05/11/2013

We will have indoor softball practice at The Edge, 115 Wellness Dr, Williston, VT 05495 on Saturday May 11th from 10:00 - 11:30.  Please dress appropriately.  

2013 Mother's Day Flower Sale pick up schedule



Just a reminder, the flower orders have arrived.
Please plan on picking up your orders:


Friday evening, May 10th from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, May 11th from 9:30 am - 2:30 PM

Karen and Dave Bogdan's Home
(802) 865-3840