On Tuesday, March 21, Memorial Middle School students and staff participated in the ‘Rock Your Socks’ event. (Photo Courtesy Hull Public Schools) Lillian M. Jacobs Elementary School students and teacher Kelsey Quinn stand together in their creative socks to show their support for World Down Syndrome Day. (Photo Courtesy Hull Public Schools) Hull Public School staff members show off their socks in support of World Down Syndrome Day. (Photo Courtesy Hull Public Schools)
HULL — Superintendent Judith Kuehn, Director of Student Services Kristen Ryan and the Hull Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) are pleased to announce that the Hull Public Schools community recently celebrated World Down Syndrome Day.
“I would like to thank our Special Education Parent Advisory Council for making these events possible,” said Superintendent Kuehn. “We look forward to participating in these events each year and continue working to ensure that everyone in the Hull Public Schools community feels welcomed and valued.”
World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that takes place on March 21 (the 21st day of the third month) to signify the cause of Down syndrome: the trisomy of the 21st chromosome. World Down Syndrome Day raises public awareness, promotes inclusivity, encourages advocacy, and supports the well-being of those living with Down Syndrome worldwide.
The theme of this year’s World Down Syndrome Day was “With Us Not For Us.” According to Down Syndrome International, “With Us Not For Us” is a human rights-based approach that views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working with others to improve their lives. Events for this year’s World Down Syndrome Day were sponsored by SEPAC.
On Tuesday, March 21, Lillian M. Jacobs Elementary School and Memorial Middle School students and staff participated in the “Rock Your Socks” event. During World Down Syndrome Day, people show their support by wearing colorful and mismatched socks to represent and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals.
“We would love to thank the Hull Public Schools for their support the past two years with launching rock your socks day, as it has been amazing to see so many people celebrating World Down Syndrome Day,” said SEPAC members Maggie and Eoin Kelly. “We have lived in Hull all our lives and are so proud to be from a town that is always there to show love and support and step up when people ask. We have been blessed with our daughter Adelaide and truly feel our lives have been changed for the better once meeting her. She is a continuous source of happiness and energy. Her love for life is so motivating. Adelaide can certainly brighten anybody’s day.”
In addition to “Rock Your Socks,” Hull High School students participated in inclusion-based presentations throughout the school day. Presentations were led by students and staff members and presented during the advisory block.
“It’s so wonderful to see the school community coming together to celebrate the girls and to bring awareness about Down syndrome,” said SEPAC member Katelyn Chase.
About Hull SEPAC
The Hull Public Schools SEPAC is a group of parents and educators who work together on behalf of children in Hull with special education needs and provide support for their families. Anyone interested in learning more can follow the group on Facebook, or email HULL_SEPAC@town.hull.ma.us.
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