Weber County mom promotes inclusion of students with Down syndrome with crazy socks

NORTH OGDEN — Hundreds of pairs of crazy, mismatched socks will color the halls at elementary schools throughout Weber County on Friday as students celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, thanks to a hard-working third-grader and his mother.

Jude Garrett, 9, has attended two different schools outside of his neighborhood boundary school since kindergarten since he is in the severe special education program. The experience of not being at his boundary school and not being in a classroom with his peers has been isolating, Jude's mom, Kim Garrett, said.

"I didn't feel a part of the school. I kind of knew people, but they were acquaintances — not friends, not neighbors. There would be activities or things that I wouldn't hear about until the day of or until it was over," Garrett said. "I didn't know the traditions. … I couldn't ask, 'Hey, do you know about this teacher?' because I don't know anyone that goes to that school."

She has had a goal of moving her son from Orchard Springs Elementary in Pleasant View to his neighborhood school, North Ogden Elementary, since he was in kindergarten, and she has advocated for him relentlessly. This year, though still at Orchard Springs, Jude is fully integrated into a general education class with other third graders, and it has been very successful.

"To see (Jude) with his peers … it's just how it's supposed to be. It's natural," Garrett said, adding that his third-grade teacher has been amazing. "To see Jude with his peers and in a (general education) classroom … I feel so proud. I knew Jude could do it."

Patricia Neilson, Jude's teacher at Orchard Springs Elementary, said this has been her first year having a student with Down syndrome in her class, and it's been a joyful experience. When she and Garrett first spoke about Garrett's goals for Jude, they decided they'd work toward having an inclusive environment where Jude felt supported and valued by his teachers and his peers.

With a large support team that includes a behaviorist, a speech pathologist and others, Neilson has worked to pioneer his success in a full-day integrated classroom.

"We have a really amazing third-grade group," Neilson said. "They're very empathetic; they're very understanding."

Jude struggled, at first, to do things like use a pencil and stand in line with the other kids. But over time, he began imitating his peers' behaviors, and he now sits at his desk for long periods of time and has built his stamina. Neilson said Jude has grown socially, academically and behaviorally.

"Jude brings stuff to the table just like the other kids. They both … learn from each other. It's been really good," Neilson said.

Lane Findlay, public information and safety officer for Weber School District, said when integrating students with special needs into a general student population works, it's a benefit to all students "because you are creating more diversity within that classroom."

"I think any time that you can integrate successfully, it's a win/win for everyone," Findlay said.

For the upcoming school year, Jude will begin fourth grade at his boundary school, where he will attend with his sister and his neighborhood friends. In a phone interview with KSL.com, Jude expressed excitement about being able to play with his neighbor across the street at recess.

For World Down Syndrome Day in 2023 and 2024, Garrett visited Orchard Springs Elementary and talked to the students Jude's age about Down syndrome and let them ask questions. This year, the entire community will be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day because of a big idea she had and the generosity of many in Weber County.

March 21 was chosen for the holiday because of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome, the World Down Syndrome Day website states. Because chromosomes resemble socks, those who wish to raise awareness about Down syndrome wear crazy, colorful, mismatched socks on World Down Syndrome Day.

Initially, Garrett hoped to raise enough money to provide socks to every third grader at two elementary schools for the World Down Syndrome Day presentation this year. But after reaching out to the community on social media, generous donors made it possible for her to purchase 2,200 pairs of socks for about $2,000.

On Friday, every student at four elementary schools in Weber County will have the opportunity to don their crazy socks and promote inclusion because of Jude's mom's advocacy for her son and others in his circumstances.

Along with Garrett, other Weber County moms who have children with Down syndrome, including Kassidy Whetton, Jessi Maw, Jaimee Fonotisatele and Corene Page, have helped with presentations on World Down Syndrome Day at various schools.

"My hope is that through these silly socks, I can show that Down syndrome is not scary; it's not something to be afraid of," Garrett said. "It's something to be celebrated; it's a natural part of the human experience and part of our community."

To help better include those with Down syndrome in our communities, Kim Garrett would encourage people to invite them and their families to activities, even if they aren't sure they'll be interested or can do that particular activity. She said she'd rather feel invited and be the one to decline if it doesn't work out than to find out about something they weren't invited to later on because of an assumption.

"Jude has a lot of extra needs and things that we have to do that fill our time, and it can feel very isolating, and so if the community could help those families not feel as isolated, come up with their own accommodations and say, 'Hey we're doing this activity and we've already thought of a way to include Jude so don't hesitate to come, let him come, we're going to support him.'"

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