March Madness is a new tradition at Monroeville's Sunrise School

When Sunrise School in Monroeville returned to the classroom after the covid pandemic, middle school support teacher Erica Pavlovic wanted to bring some joy and fun back into the Allegheny Intermediate Unit building.

Pavlovic created a March Madness event for students to celebrate the annual NCAA college basketball tournament.

“Restrictions were challenging, and didn’t allow the classrooms to interact. As a newer teacher to the building, I didn’t have much of a chance to meet other staff or get to know other students,” said Pavlovic, who also is a student activities committee co-chair. “I decided I wanted to try and implement a way that our school could do something ‘normal’ while still respecting covid protocols.”

With the assistance of fellow teachers, the initial event was able to be held within safety guidelines. Erica said she received a lot positive feedback from her coworkers.

“I decided to repeat the tradition the following year,” said Pavlovic, who has been with Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 for 11 years. This is her fourth year at Sunrise.

Sunrise School serves special needs students ages 5 to 22. Sunrise partners with up to 25 local school districts to provide educational and vocational services, life skills and assistance with transitioning into adulthood. Sunrise works with the community to provide job experience, as well as additional educational opportunities.

March 20 marked Sunrise’s third March Madness event, which included a day of basketball games, an art project, sports movie, basketball-themed academic lessons and snacks.

“The goal is for the kids to focus on team building, good sportsmanship, social skills and have fun,” Pavlovic said.

The day was open to all classes. It is each teacher’s discretion if they want their class to participate or watch and cheer on the other classrooms.

“I want it to be something the teachers chose, if it’s appropriate for their kids or not,” Pavlovic said.

There was also an adapted game for those with mobility limitations, which allowed the students to participate in a competitive game without the fast pace of a typical basketball game.

“All students deserve to enjoy the benefits that sports provide, including good sportsmanship, teamwork and being active,” said Principal David Campos. “They look forward to these events, and the fun and excitement that they bring.”

This year, the Point Park Pioneers women’s basketball team played against the school’s Sunrise Eagles.

“Getting the opportunity to have a college basketball team come to our school is such a special experience for our kids. I am so happy to get to do that for them,” Pavlovic said.

“We are always very excited for this event and are extremely grateful that the Point Park Pioneers were able to be a part of it,” Campos said..

The Sunrise Eagles play against their sister schools — Pathfinder and Mon Valley — throughout basketball season, and take turns playing at all three schools. The Eagles’ game against the Pioneers was their last home game of the season.

Sunrise School is located at 550 Aura Drive. For more information on the school, visit www.aiu3.net/sunrise.