Pittsburgh Cool Schools

February 27, 2026

Acrisure Stadium

100 Art Rooney Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

You can participate in the Polar Plunge season by taking the traditional Polar Plunge, hosting a Rain Rally or doing the Polar Pop. Cool Schools Polar Plunges feature teams of K-12 students who plunge and raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Registering as a Cool Schools team is a great team-building experience and an awesome way to support Special Olympics athletes within your school community!

Can’t make the in-person plunge?

Don’t worry your school can still be freezin’ for a reason and bring a plunge experience right to your school with our Rain Rally or Polar Pop.

The Cool Schools Rain Rally is hosted by a school or university where a local fire department provides a rainbow shower of water through which students, teachers, and administrators go through with spirit! While using fire engines is the most popular, you can be creative in how you conduct your own event.

Commit to “Freezin’ for a Reason”: Students come to a parking lot or large grass area and run, walk or dance through a rainbow water shower
Enhance the atmosphere: Play music and incorporate other elements to add to the spirit and enthusiasm of the event
Fundraise: Funds raised will support Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Unified Champion Schools program
Incentivize it! Participants who raise a minimum of $35 receive a Rain Rally shirt
Inspire a Competition: Like other viral fundraising challenges, students can challenge students from rival schools, as well as others throughout the state

We encourage schools and colleges to select their own schedule and design a “Cool Schools Rain Rally Event” in their vision.

The Cool Schools Polar Pop is hosted by a school or university and allows everyone to participate in our plunge season and support Special Olympics by popping a cold water balloon over their head (or someone else’s head!)

Choose a Team Captain: A teacher, coach, advisor or other faculty member
Gather Your Team: Your in-school team can include classmates, teachers, friends, or family members
Pick a day and assemble your team at-school or on-campus (have a photographer ready!)
Then… 1-2-3 POP cold water balloons over your heads to show how you’re #FreezinForAReason for Special Olympics

Have more questions? Email Courtney at clist@specialolympicspa.org

Donate Now

Fox Chapel Unified

$16,885 raised (35%) • 91 members

Mt. Lebanon High School

$7,802 raised (78%) • 42 members

Butler Senior High School

$6,900 raised (460%) • 31 members

Shenango Area School District

$6,889 raised (106%) • 47 members

Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12

$5,730 raised (115%) • 96 members

Mason Crisci

$2,665 raised (2665%)

Evan Donaldson

$1,600 raised (107%)

Jim Sikora

$1,205 raised (121%)

April English

$1,250 raised (1250%)

Laina Brennan

$1,250 raised (1250%)

Don’t see your name or team? Click here to check your rank and access your page to jumpstart your fundraising!

More Information

Plunge Schedule

9 am – 11:00 am: Schools arrive to Acrisure Stadium on a rolling basis
Enjoy music, games and fun in Plunge Town

9:30 am: Plunge begins
Plunge schedule is fluid based on schools’ arrival

12:00 pm: Plunge Ends

Who you’re supporting

“I love Special Olympics. I have met so many people over the years that are still my friends. It’s great to inspire and cheer each other on. Special Olympics has helped me to be more confident. I used to be very nervous speaking in public, but now I’m not afraid of the spotlight.”

Nicholas Dorion
Flag Football, Northampton

“I’m proud of the fact that I have managed to do more than people told my mom I would ever be able to do. Getting into college was probably my proudest accomplishment and Special Olympics has helped me build my confidence and learn new sports. My mom raised me to be strong and independent and that is why I have been able to do what I do.”

Dominic Johnson
Volleyball, Franklin

“Special Olympics is my life. I moved from an extremely anxious, insecure individual to a young woman who found a ‘home’ with Special Olympics. Growing up, I was excluded and was unable to understand even basic things about how the world works. I attended a number of different schools and was extremely awkward physically until I found that, with coaching from Special Olympics, I could succeed. My medals are precious.”

Celine Heffron-Pero
Athletics, Montgomery

“I had a very difficult time learning the skills of golf. With help from my coaches, I was able to learn the skills and I received a gold medal at State Games which gave me the opportunity to be picked for USA Games. I have made many new friends and play five different sports, including powerlifting and basketball.”

Reshema Sedziak
Golf, Erie