March 21 was World Down Syndrome Day – and at George M. Davis Elementary School, that was an important opportunity to teach a lesson about inclusion. To inspire discussion, second-grade teacher Milagro Galland shared a quote from author Verna Myers – “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance” – on the whiteboard with students. She asked the class what they thought the quote meant and Superintendent Jonathan Raymond, visiting the school and Principal Anthony Bambrola, offered his thoughts and additional words about acceptance and respecting others.
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated globally on March 21 because there are three copies of the 21st chromosome in people with Down syndrome. The goal of the observance is to raise awareness and acceptance of our friends with Down syndrome.