The First Ever Raiders Rally!

  • Posted May 30, 2025

On Thursday, May 29th, the Utica City School District's Special Education Department proudly hosted the inaugural Raiders Rally: a district-wide celebration of student ability, inclusion, and Raider pride at the JFK athletic fields. Despite the drizzle, the day was bursting with joy, energy, and unwavering Raider spirit!

The Rally brought together over 550 students and staff during two vibrant sessions filled with interactive sensory stations, physical activities, games, music, and spirited fun. It was a powerful celebration of student strengths - especially those in special education - and a beautiful reminder of the importance of unity, pride, and belonging.

This unforgettable day was all about highlighting our students’ unique abilities and providing a space where every child was celebrated. Special education teachers, related service providers and support staff were actively involved in both sessions of the event, ensuring that each student had the support they needed to participate fully and safely.

Thank you to the Raiders Rally Volunteer Committee, who spent months planning, organizing, and bringing this event to life. Your kindness, flexibility, teamwork, and commitment made all the difference. The impact you made will be felt long after the last station was packed up, and you deserve every bit of celebration!

We are also deeply grateful to our incredible community sponsors who showed up with cheers, smiles, and goodies that made the day even sweeter! From popsicles and snacks to yogurt, gold medals, t-shirts, and more - you made our students feel like stars.

Special thanks to:

Albany Elementary School, PTO at Albany Elementary, Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN) Chobani, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, DJ Big Chris, First Source Federal Credit Union Adirondack Bank Weight Watchers of Oneida County, Oneida County Sheriff's Office Ancora, New York State Troopers, The Tent Gallery, East Utica Optimist Club, Lorraine Curtis, SNUG, UCSD Best Buddies Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, PJ Green Inc Save of the Day Foundation Tri-Valley Distribution, the Utica Teachers Association, and the Utica Administrators Association, The Utica CSD Special Education Administration, The Retired Utica Teachers Association, City of Utica, NY Police Department Utica Fire Department Utica Pioneers Football, Utica Children's Museum.

These pictures are just a small glimpse of the pure joy that filled the JFK fields yesterday. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

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