Dear parents,
Today is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated annually on the 21st of March and is a global awareness day that has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
The date for WDSD is set on the 21st day of the 3rd month as a representation of the extra copy of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome that people with Down syndrome are born with.
Our school has been enriched by the presence of pupils with Down Syndrome for many years now, and we will celebrate this in a special way this week.
I am sharing the link to the World Down Syndrome Day website for more information:
I would also like to share the Down Syndrome Creed with you- it is a beautiful poem, and a copy of this is on display in the reception of the school.
Down Syndrome Creed
My face may be different
But my feelings the same.
I laugh and I cry
And I take pride in my gains.
I was sent here among you
To teach you to love
As God in heaven
Looks down from above.
To Him I’m no different
His love knows no bounds.
It’s those here among you
In cities and towns That judge me by standards That man has imparted
But this family I’ve chosen
Will help me get started.
For I’m one of the children
So special and few
That came here to learn
The same lessons as you
That love is acceptance
It must come from the heart
We all have the same purpose
Though not the same start.
The Lord gave me life
To live and embrace
And I’ll do as you do
But at my own pace.
By Sharon Sudano
Crazy Sock Day
To mark World Down Syndrome Day, we will be asking pupils to come to school wearing multi-coloured socks this Friday: the louder and brighter the better! This is an initiative of Down Syndrome Ireland, designed to get people talking about Down Syndrome in their community.
