Parent Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children - PTOEC

Questions? Email us! [email protected] The first Special Olympics games were held at Soldier field in Chicago in 1968. Current PTOEC membership is also required.

Illinois Special Olympics team-Region J

Our mission...to provide sport, recreation, and social opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout the metro-east. Special Olympics Athletics

Facts for New Athletes: Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training & athletic competition for individuals with a cognitive impairment. Since that time, Spe

cial Olympics chapters have been established in all 50 states & approximately 150 countries. For almost 40 years PTOEC has been a proud participant in Illinois Special Olympics. From the first Track & Field competition, to the present offering of twelve different sports, PTOEC continues to serve over 100 athletes in the Belleville area. For more information or if you are interested in joining, please contact Tara or Robert Edwards, SOAD - [email protected]

What sports are offered? We currently offer...

Basketball
Bocce
Bowling
Flag Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Soccer
Snowshoeing
Softball
Swimming
Track and Field
Volleyball

What is required before participating? A current annual physical is required to participate in Special Olympics (see Forms folder). Once completed by a doctor and guardian, contact a SOAD to turn in. What does it cost? There is no charge for an individual to participate in Special Olympics however PTOEC does require a $40 annual membership fee to cover training facilities, uniforms, transportation, insurance, and meals when traveling to competitions. Who can participate? To be eligible for Special Olympics, a person must be at least 8 years old to begin participating and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delays that require or have required specially designed instruction. Are the athletes chaperoned? Parental & family support of all athletic activities is encouraged. The usual chaperon to athlete ratio is 1:4, however special exceptions may be made for wheelchair athletes, or others requiring 1:1 supervision. Athletes are never left unsupervised. Are there arrangements for transportation? Parents or other family members are responsible for getting the athlete to practices & to local or area competitions. Van transportation from a designated pickup point is provided for athletes for any activity that require an overnight stay. Where are practices held? Practice sessions for all sports are held in various locations around the Belleville area. Are uniforms required? PTOEC provides uniforms for all team sports. Athletes are also provided with a PTOEC t-shirt to be worn for all sporting events when uniforms are not required.

06/17/2026

We are excited to announce that Flag Football will be starting soon. Please see flyer for all the information.

Photos from Parent Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children - PTOEC's post

06/16/2026

WOW what an amazing weekend at Special Olympics Summer Games. We are so proud of all our athletes and the grace they showed on the field, the court and the pool. You never cease to amaze us by working hard and specifically the sportsmanship you show. Here are a few pics from the weekend. If you have any others please put them in the comments.

06/11/2026

We are excited to announce that Bocce Ball will be starting. Please see flyer for all information.

06/08/2026

Guess what Wilson?

Volleyball practice is only one month away!!

Practice will begin on July 8 and runs through October 14th from 6-7:30pm at the Belleville Parks & Rec Arena (the old Lindenwood College Campus gym).

Can’t wait to see you all there!!

06/07/2026

PTOEC sorry for the late notice, but we wanted to get this out to everyone. Let's see how many we can get out to support the amazing officers that support PTOEC and all the athletes of Illinois. Kelly will be there starting in Belleville, she will be on the parking lot of the Salvation and will head to as many as we can get to. Please consider joining her to show your support for them!!!

🔥🏃 LET THE EXCITEMENT BEGIN! 🏃‍♀️🔥

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is on its way and making is journey through communities across Illinois as we count down to Summer Games!! Join us in cheering on the dedicated Law Enforcement Officers, athletes and supporters who carry the Flame of Hope through our towns staring on Monday!

Be sure to watch for the torch and cheer them on as it passes through your community. Every step taken helps shine a light on the abilities and achievements of Special Olympics athletes

Good luck to all the runners, officers and volunteers participating in this years Torch Run. We can't wait to see everyone at Summer Games 😎🎖

05/15/2026

❤️

TOMORROW! 🚔🌟

is finally here! Join us and Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics tomorrow, Friday, May 15 from 5:00 AM to noon at Dunkin'n’ as we stand tall for Special Olympics Illinois. It’ll be the ultimate pick-me-up! 🧡 Can’t wait to see you there!

Locations: coponarooftop Make a donation: https://bit.ly/4vNJwho