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MARCH 17, 2021
Lamont Elementary Students Spread Community Kindness with Card-Writing Initiative
Grade 1 students at Lamont Elementary display the cards they created for seniors in the community. (Elk Island Public Schools/Submitted Photo)
Elk Island Public Schools Submitted Long-term care residents of the Lamont Health Care Centre received an unexpected influx of cards and artwork this week, sent from Grade 1 students at Lamont Elementary. These messages of kindness were sent with the simple intention of bringing a bit of cheer to residents and to
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show that even while maintaining physical distance, community connections are still possible—and important. Kindness and community spirit are emphasized throughout the year at Lamont Elementary, with students taking part in various initiatives to spread cheer throughout the area. In past years, this has included trips to places such as the Lamont
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Health Care Centre and local seniors’ residence, where students visit with residents, sing for them and add some light to their lives. The usual trips during Halloween and Christmas had to be cancelled this year because of the pandemic, but the school’s Grade 1 teachers, Sarah Janssen and Leah Galloway, didn’t give up on the idea of spreading a bit of joy. “These visits from students have become a treasured experience for many residents,” says Janssen. “We didn’t want to lose the connection we’ve been able to make, so we started looking for other ways to stay in touch.” Inspired by the school’s Pink Shirt Day activities and the day’s mission to spread kindness, the Grade 1 classes began to write friendly cards and create artwork and decorations to send to Lamont Health Care Centre residents. Students thought up friendly messages and happy thoughts to pass along to residents, and following the directive of Pink Shirt Day, emphasized the importance of showing kindness to everyone—both
4 ways to support people with Down syndrome
In Canada, an estimated one in 781 babies is born with Down syndrome, making it the most common chromosomal condition. In honour of World Down Syndrome Day, which is observed every year on March 21, here are four ways you can support people with this genetic condition. 1. Show off your socks Participate in the Lots of Socks campaign to raise awareness about Down syndrome by wearing psychedelic mismatched socks on March 21. You can also buy a colourful pair from Down Syndrome International, which unveils new designs every year.
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within the school and throughout the wider community. The residents were delighted to receive the cards and art and have displayed them on walls and in windows for all to see. “I felt really good spreading kindness with our cards,” says Eleanor, a Grade 1 student at Lamont Elementary. “It makes other people feel happy, and it makes me feel happy too.” The Grade 1 classes plan to continue their physically distant connections with the Lamont Health Care Centre and plan to send a second round of cards and artwork when students return from spring break. Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,000 students in 43 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties and the western portion of the County of Minburn.
2. Advocate for inclusion Buy from local businesses that employ people with Down syndrome. You can also write to your government representatives to demand legislation that gives people with special needs the resources and self-determination they deserve.
3. Reflect on your words A person’s worth shouldn’t be measured by their intelligence, so pay attention to how the expressions you use might make someone with an intellectual disability feel. Avoid describing people, ideas and things as moronic, idiotic and stupid. 4. Share their stories People with Down syndrome are breaking down barriers in sports, entertainment, fashion and in communities across the country. To help amplify the voices of self-advocates, share their stories on social media. To learn more about Down syndrome and how you can advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with this condition, visit worlddownsyndromeday.org.
