Tabor Academy is welcoming children with special needs to an eight-week winter session of the Special Olympics Massachusetts Young Athletes program beginning Jan. 10.

The program at Tabor was born of a partnership between math teacher Tim Cleary and senior Molly Bent.

Clearly joined the Tabor faculty this school year, and previously worked with the Special Olympics at Suffield Academy in Connecticut.

“I was lucky enough to work with a passionate group of students at my last school as we brought Special Olympics programming to campus in a meaningful way,” Cleary said. “When we made the decision to bring our family up to Marion and Tabor Academy, I knew this was work I wanted to continue.”

He approached Bent, who was eager to start a program at Tabor. Bent and her family were already active in the Special Olympics. Her sister, Sarah, has Downs Syndrome and has participated in Special Olympics events. Their mother is also an advocate for the organization.

The focus for the Young Athletes program at Tabor is to bring developmentally appropriate active play to families in the South Coast region at no cost to them. Activities help with mental and physical growth through games and programs designed to develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination for children ages two to seven.

More than 120 Tabor students are expected to volunteer with the program.

“I think the Tabor community will bring a lot of enthusiasm when helping out with the Young Athletes,” said Bent. “And I also think they will really enjoy the opportunity to work with these kids. It's almost impossible to leave something like this without a smile on your face.”

The sessions run Sundays from Jan. 10 to March 6 (there is no session Feb. 7 and a modified session Feb. 14), from 2 to 3 p.m.

To register, contact Tim Cleary at tcleary@taboracademy.org.

Download the registration form here.