World Down Syndrome Day 2023

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD.) “It is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. Down Syndrome International (DSI) encourages friends all over the world to raise awareness of what Down Syndrome is, what it means to have Down Syndrome, and how people with Down Syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.” Watch this link –   WE ARE MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT

Now we would like you to meet a few special people related to our Cottage Lane family.

Meet Zoe!

Zoe is Mrs. Neheli  Urena’s daughter.  Zoe is six years old and loves her family.  She likes to sing “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.  How about showing Zoe some love by sending her a clip of your class singing and dancing to her favorite song?

Meet Lily!

Quinn Rann, a third grader at CLE, has a little sister named Lily who also rocks the extra chromosome! Lily is in Kindergarten at WOS and loves going to school every day.  She likes to play with her friends, hug her teachers, make art and play on the monkey bars! Lily loves to do gymnastics, dance, and eat yummy food.  She’s quick to take care of sick sibling or a sad friend. Her favorite activity at home is to call her all of her extended family members and see how their day is going.  It’s hard not to smile when Lily is around!

Meet John!

John is Mrs. Traynor’s nephew. John is 15 years old and attends McDowell Intermediate High School.  He plays baseball and won a bronze medal for bowling in the Special Olympics.  John loves Vibe Dance Competitions, brought Mrs. Pennsylvania to a Night to Shine, and spending time with his best girl, Sophia.

Meet Michael!

Michael is Mrs. McBride’s nephew.  Michael is 18 years old. He is a senior at Nanuet High School and works at The Nanuet Restaurant. Michael loves spending time with his cousins and enjoys bowling, floor hockey and basketball.

So… Are we more alike or different?

Check out all these wonderful resources from Mrs. Traynor to learn more about World Down Syndrome Day.

What can you do?

1. Please sign the pledge (as a class or with your parents) to End The R-word here.  This video explains why you should stop and encourage others to do the same –  END THE R-Word.
2. To help spread awareness wear#LotsOfSocks! But not just any socks…wear official #LotsOfSocks socks, other brightly colored socks, long socks, printed socks, 1 sock… even 3 socks for 3 chromosomes.
3. Walk with the SOCSD Community on Tuesday, March 21st from 4:30-5:15 at the TZHS track.
4. Wear something people will ask you about so that you can tell them all about WDSD and not to use the R word.

We would like to highlight this video because it just warms our heart!