World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on 21 March each year.
This year, we will use the Lots of Socks theme created by Down
Syndrome International and celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

 On this day, we ask that your child wear lots of socks along with their school uniform.

They can be worn in their hair, on their hands, or as a belt. The socks can be bright, colourful or mismatched; the choice is endless!

During the day, we will be discussing what makes us all unique as well as Down
syndrome. We will talk about inclusion and how we can all help each other to
feel included. 

Please find below a brief definition of Down syndrome as a reference, should
you want to discuss the day with your child.

Down syndrome is a genetic condition – it is not an illness or disease. It occurs
because of an extra chromosome. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells.
There are 23 pairs of chromosomes, or 46 chromosomes, in every cell. Down
syndrome is caused by the occurrence of an extra chromosome, chromosome 21.
(Down syndrome is also known as trisomy 21.) People with Down syndrome then
have 47 chromosomes in their cells instead of 46. This results in a range of physical
characteristics, health and development indications and some level of intellectual
disability. Down syndrome is usually recognisable at birth and confirmed by a
blood test. It was named after Dr John Langdon Down who first described it.
Although we know how Down syndrome happens, we do not yet know why it
happens. Down syndrome occurs at conception, across all ethnic and social groups
and to parents of all ages. It is nobody’s fault, there is no cure and it does not go
away. People with Down syndrome may find doing some activities more challenging
but, just like everyone else, people with Down syndrome will continue to learn, and
are good at some things and not others.
We look forward to celebrating World Down Syndrome Day together.