Staff at the Roland Green Preschool in Mansfield will wear ‘Rock Your Socks’ t-shirts in the colors blue and yellow to show support and raise awareness for individuals with Down syndrome. From left, Tammy Novick, Brianna Shea, Donna Meehan, Melissa Leonard and Director Krista DeMello. (Photo courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Staff at the Roland Green Preschool in Mansfield will wear ‘Rock Your Socks’ t-shirts in the colors blue and yellow to show support and raise awareness for individuals with Down syndrome. (Photo courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
On March 18, staff and students at Roland Green Preschool in Mansfield will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. Roland Green custodian Gerry Hazeldine created this keepsake for the two preschool students at the school with Down syndrome. He had socks with their names made and framed them alongside the flyer for the WDSD celebration. (Photo courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)
MANSFIELD — Superintendent Teresa Murphy and Preschool Director Krista DeMello are pleased to announce that staff and students of Roland Green Preschool will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day this Thursday.
On Thursday, March 18, both students and staff alike will celebrate by wearing “crazy socks” to signify the uniqueness that each individual possesses and shares. Staff will also wear special “Rock Your Socks” t-shirts in the colors blue and yellow to show support and raise awareness for individuals with Down syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that typically 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. Since the day is on a Sunday this year, Roland Green Preschool will recognize the celebration on March 18.
Roland Green staff have already begun preparations for World Down Syndrome Day by signing up for shirts and creating posters for the event.
“This celebration is an event to not only raise awareness for individuals with Down syndrome, but also to recognize and be proud of our differences,” Director DeMello said. “It serves as a great lesson to our students and also encourages school-wide participation in support of this cause.”
This is the first year the school has taken part in recognizing World Down Syndrome Day. School staff were approached by parents with the idea, and everyone agreed that the celebration would be a great opportunity to help teach staff and students about differences and inclusivity, which are issues the Mansfield Public Schools tries hard to promote.
The Blue Room staff at the school has taken the lead in planning and promoting the event, including teacher Melissa Leonard and assistants Donna Meehan (who made the Rock Your Socks t-shirts) and Laurie Bubencik (who created the flyer to send home to parents).
As part of the celebration, the school will be making a donation to a local play group for children with Down syndrome. They will also support a local business, Collettey’s Cookies, which is owned by an adult who was born with Down syndrome and who runs her own cookie company in the area.
To learn more about the Roland Green Preschool, click here.
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