The weather was perfect on Thursday morning, May 23, setting the stage for the annual Special Olympics School Day Games event at Somerville’s Trum Field.

The festivities were hosted by the Somerville Public Schools’ Special Education Department and the Health and Physical Education Department. Opening ceremonies included a Somerville Police motorcycle escort, and a bagpipe accompaniment to students, educators, and volunteers parading behind banners decorated by each school in the district.

Superintendent Mary Skipper kicked off this year’s Games, with master of ceremonies Bill MacDonald and Supervisor of Health and Physical Education Sheila Freitas-Haley also offering words of encouragement before the sporting events began.

Students rotated through eight stations such as scooter and running relay races, batting tees, and an obstacle course. The stations were staffed by student volunteers from the Winter Hill Best Buddies program and the Somerville High School CTE Health Careers program.

Just before noon, at the closing ceremony, the student volunteers handed out medals to the day’s participants, bring another fun and inspiring Special Olympics event to a close.

— Somerville Public Schools