DAPHNE, Ala. — Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Faron Hollinger and United States Sports Academy President and CEO Thomas P. Rosandich have signed a protocol to jointly develop international-relations and cultural-exchange programs in the schools.

With Baldwin County Public Schools set to deliver the International Baccalaureate Program beginning in August, the school system is also pursuing other world-class opportunities that cultivate an interest in all countries, cultures and customs.

The academy and Baldwin schools will immediately begin work on a program to teach an Olympic values program, the universal values championed by the Olympic Movement, in local schools. Olympic values are designed to promote cultural exchange and understanding among nations participating in Olympic sports. An online course on Olympic values has been designed by the academy, in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee, and will be piloted by Baldwin Schools at no cost.

The course is a resource guide for teachers, equipping them with information needed to create lesson plans covering the Olympic values. Course materials introduce teachers and students to the Olympic values of respect for self and others, fair play, excellence, and joy in effort, as well as balance of body, mind and will.

The new protocol will also see the school system and the academy developing cultural exchange programs surrounding the arts. The American Sport Art Museum and Archives, located on the campus of the United States Sports Academy, is dedicated to preserving sports history, art and literature.

Over the past 35 years, the academy has delivered its education programs in more than 60 countries to more than a quarter million people. It is through this international experience that the academy and BCPS have agreed to share resources.

For more information about the United States Sports Academy, call 626-3303 or visit www.ussa.edu.