Tuesday was World Down Syndrome Day and the Newburgh Enlarged City School District recognized it with a theme of “With Us, Not For Us.”
The District asked the school community to celebrate the day by wearing mismatched socks. March 21st was chosen for World Syndrome Day because people with Down Syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome.
Valoree Lisi, graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and member of our Food Services team, is advocating for district wide participation. Valoree has been a member of the Food Services team at Meadow Hill School for the last six years and prides herself on serving students breakfast everyday, on a mission to make sure that no students go hungry.
In 2015, Valoree traveled to Albany in advocacy of March 21st being recognized as World Down Syndrome Down in New York State.
At Temple Hill School, fourth grade teacher Eden Weaver and her class hosted special guests for World Down Syndrome Day. The first special visitor was Weaver’s 14 month old daughter, Avi Jane Weaver, who was accompanied by her grandmother and great grandmother. Avi was born with Down Syndrome on January 1, 2022.
Weaver admits that before Avi’s birth, she did not know much about people with Down Syndrome. She encouraged her students to learn about people’s differences to help facilitate acceptance and inclusivity. Avi had all of the students gushing over her personality.
