World Down Syndrome Day was celebrated throughout the entire West Hartford Public Schools district on March 21.

World Down Syndrome Day in West Hartford. March 21, 2018. Photo courtesy of Brooke Daly

Submitted by Brooke Daly

On Wednesday March 21, all West Hartford public schools participated in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day. This includes all the elementary schools, middle and high Schools.

We celebrate World Down Syndrome Day to promote awareness and inclusion for people with Down syndrome within our community.

Four years ago, resident Brooke Daly brought the idea of celebrating World Down Syndrome Day to West Hartford and started with two schools, Duffy and Whiting Lane elementary schools. The schools had a “Rock Your Socks” event where students were encouraged to wear bright or mismatched socks.

The date for World Down Syndrome Day, being the 21st day of the third month, was selected to signify the triplication of the 21st chromosome which leads to Down syndrome.

Many of the schools assigned this task to their student councils and they did a great job of getting everyone involved! Many of the schools not only wore their socks but also did a great job decorating with bulletin boards and doing art projects with socks. They also put up poster boards about Down syndrome and shared facts about Down syndrome in their morning announcements.

Many of the libraries put out books about Down syndrome and many teachers read books to their classes or showed them educational videos.

Duffy and Whiting lane students created their own Down syndrome awareness videos to help educate others. Also the school district sold Down syndrome bracelets at various schools as a fundraiser and will be donating the proceeds to the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut (DSACT).

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World Down Syndrome Day in West Hartford. March 21, 2018. Photo courtesy of Brooke Daly

World Down Syndrome Day in West Hartford. March 21, 2018. Photo courtesy of Brooke Daly

World Down Syndrome Day in West Hartford. March 21, 2018. Photo courtesy of Brooke Daly