Next week is our annual spirit week. We also combine it with our Respect Week that recognizes people with different abilities. Each day is associated with a different color. Your Wildcat can dress for the days mentioned below or for the actual spirit week.
Monday, March 18:
Today we are wearing white for Vision Impairment and Blindness Awareness Day- Did you know that across the world, 285 million people are visually impaired and 39 million of those people are legally blind? In the United States, over 1 million adults over the age of 40 are currently blind and 2.4 million are visually impaired. Vision problems affect 1 in 5 children aged 3-5 years old and 1 in 4 children ages 6-17. Up to 80% of blindness in adults is preventable or treatable.
Tuesday, March 19:
Today we are wearing green for Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Day- Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, usually results from a very hard blow or jolt to the head or body. As a result of a TBI, children may experience changes in the health, thinking, and behavior. This can affect learning, self-regulation, and social participation. An estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with a disability related to a traumatic brain injury.
Wednesday, March 20:
Today we are wearing blue or orange for Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness, or SPD. People with sensory processing disorder struggle with detecting, interpreting, and generating adaptive responses to sensory input. People who have SPD can also struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Physical and Occupatonal Therpay can help children learn strategies to help them process sensory input. While we all have unique sensory preferences and tendencies, they are only considered SPD if it impacts daily life or school in a negative way.
Thursday, April 21:
Today we are wearing purple for Rett Syndrome Awareness. Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder which occurs almost exclusively in girls and leads to impairments. Rett syndrome is caused by mutations on the X chromosome on a gene called MECP2. People with Rett syndrome show a loss of spoken language and motor skills, as well as behavioral and neurological problems.
Friday, April 22:
If you are wearing yellow today, it's for Spina Bifida Awareness. Spina Bifida is a condition affecting the spine and is usually apparent at birth. Neural tube defects, including spina bifida, are usually diagnosed before birth, through lab or imaging tests such as ultrasounds. When someone has spina bifida, the neural tube does not fully develop, and the fetal spinal column does not completely close. This can cause issues with walking, mobility, and even digestion.
