Elementary School Prepares to Rock Their Socks
Promoting inclusion, encouraging empathy, building friendships, and fostering a positive social environment — all while rocking some fabulous mismatched socks? For students and staff at Argyle West Elementary School, that is how they will celebrate in style this spring.
The Rock Your Socks campaign is kicking off for a second year at Argyle West in preparation for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. Spearheaded at Argyle West by parents Katie and Michael Burwell, Rock Your Socks is a way to grow awareness and support for the Down syndrome community, which they became a part of when their youngest daughter was born with Down syndrome.
“When Tatum was born we received an at-birth diagnosis, and we chose to learn everything we could about Down syndrome,” Katie said. “This is where the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) came into play. They had online groups for parents who had children diagnosed with Down syndrome that could connect and share information, etc. We fundraise for DSDN yearly, and they have partnered with Pals Socks as a way to create awareness but also raise funds.”
The Rock Your Socks campaign promotes awareness, inclusion, and advocacy. Participants are encouraged to wear brightly colored, mismatched socks to show support for people with Down syndrome. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome. People even say the 21st chromosome looks like a pair of socks so the idea for a sock-themed initiative was born.
Intentionally sold as a mismatched set, Pals Socks’ brightly-colored and patterned pairs are meant to symbolize and emphasize the unique and individual nature of all people.They also donate five dollars to DSDN for every pair of socks sold. In fact, Pals has donated over $175,000 to organizations across the country since the program’s launch in 2019.
“So not only are you rocking your socks,” Katie said, “but you are also helping a non-profit organization that is instrumental for parents with children who have Down syndrome!”
Last year’s initiative at Argyle West was limited to son Noah’s third-grade and daughter Maisie’s kindergarten classes, but the Burwells knew that this year had to be bigger.
“We started our Pals socks journey in 2023 where we asked friends and family to purchase and rock their socks,” Katie said. “We then decided to go bigger in 2024 when we got our elementary school involved and even bigger in 2025 to supply each student and teacher with a pair. We are hoping to focus on other elementary schools in our district next year and the following years.”
Not an easy task with 755 pairs of socks needed to cover the feet of everyone at Argyle West.
“We are utilizing social media to reach out to friends and family and our community to donate socks. There is power in sharing, and we wanted to create a movement,” Katie said. “Our friends and family have been sharing our pictures and videos. We believe that when individuals or groups come together to share resources, knowledge, skills, or experiences, they often achieve more than they could on their own!”
As the message spreads, the Burwells keep sharing their story. “Believe it or not, socks get people talking!” Katie said. “The idea is to start a conversation, so when people ask you about your socks, you can tell them, ‘I’m wearing them to raise awareness of Down syndrome’.”
In addition to rocking their socks, students, staff, and families at Argyle West and the community can celebrate World Down Syndrome Day in a number of ways. “First and foremost is the Pals Socks initiative,” Katie said. “We also encourage everyone to wear mismatched or silly socks on March 21 or wear blue and yellow. Those are the colors that represent Down syndrome. The purpose is to get people talking and asking questions.”
Other activities occur around the school day. “The last two years, we have run 3.21 miles in the morning around 5 am — led by FIT4MOM Denton County,” Katie said. “It’s a powerful way to start and set intentions for the day! We will do the same this year as well, and anyone is welcome to join!”
They will also host a spirit night at Chick-Fil-A in Argyle on March 21, and all funds raised will go back to the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. Custom team shirts are also available, with a portion of the sales going back to the fundraising efforts. They’ll also share information about Down syndrome with word searches and color sheets, as well as cookies, balloons, and so much more to
foster awareness.
All 755 pairs of socks needed to outfit Argyle West for Rock Your Socks on March 21 have been donated, but the fundraising and awareness doesn’t stop.
“We ultimately fundraise for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network, so all funds collected go directly to DSDN,” Katie said.
Fundraising enables DSDN to support and connect the thousands of families joining the Down syndrome community each year through their own secure DSDN app at no cost to users; provide opportunities for parents to connect, be inspired, and recharge at our annual Rockin’ Mom™ and Dad™ retreats; talk with medical providers about the diagnosis; foster conversation across the US at national and regional conferences; work with OB/GYN residents and medical providers on how to deliver an unexpected diagnosis and more.
Perhaps next year, the entire Argyle school district will be geared up for Rock Your Socks. “I would LOVE to take this to the entire district,” Katie said. “It is a hefty lift and something I would need a lot of help and support with. We would need corporate sponsors or large giving back initiatives to support such a feat.”
To purchase Pals Socks for Rock Your Socks on March 21, visit: PalsSocks.RallyUp.com/b0ab4b/m/ArgyleWestElementaryWDSD/Member/Details
