Downingtown Area School District

The D-Link
News from the Downingtown Area School District 

March 18, 2011 - Vol 2, Issue 8
In This Issue
Snow Make-Up Reminder
What's Happening?
Parent Information
School board News
School Updates
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From the Superintendent

Superintendent

Greetings!

  

Last Friday, I sent the following message out to all our staff members.   I am going to repeat that message here for our D-Link readers.   

 

The Downingtown Area School District has been providing a high quality education to the students of this district since our first schools opened in late 19th Century.   As with most Pennsylvania school districts, our district's survival depends on local and state revenues.   Last week, Governor Thomas Corbett announced his budget for 2011.  If the Governor's budget is approved, the Downingtown Area School District will receive $3,600,000 less in state aid than we did last year.   This loss, coupled with the $4,600,000 deficit we were already facing due to the poor economy these past few years, is a severe blow to our district. 

 

Needless to say, these are difficult times in public education.  Last year we eliminated administrative, support, and teaching positions due to attrition, raised our activity fees, scaled back on programs,  delayed the purchase of classroom materials, used some of our reserved savings, and implemented a district-wide energy savings plan to keep our district operating as it has in the past.  For the past seven months, our administrative team has been working to cut spending much further and develop alternative sources of revenue to meet what we all knew would be a deficit of at least $4,600,000.  The real problem is that we are now faced with an additional $3,600,000 in lost state revenue.  This is a devastating blow, a loss of $8.2 million that cannot be made up by delaying text book purchases or doubling up on a bus run.   We must now, unfortunately, look at cutting programs and reducing staff throughout the district if we are to present a balanced budget to our board and our taxpayers in June. 

 

Downingtown's per pupil expenditure is among the lowest in Chester County, and yet our graduation rates and student test scores are among the best in the County and state.   This is due in large part to our exceptional teaching staff and our hard working administrators and support staff.   When I first came to Downingtown two years ago, I waspleasantly surprised at the intense pride and appreciation the residents of this community have for our school district.   Although our residents have been exceptionally supportive of our schools, the Act 1 legislation limits the amount of tax increases a School Board can approve to a prescribed index.  This year's index was 1.4% and next year's is expected to be even less.   This is a dire forecast for school districts across the state.   

 

 In the weeks and months ahead, it is imperative that we work together to insure that today's DASD students receive as fine an education as did their brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents before them.  Our district's motto is "A Tradition of Excellence" and working together, we can continue to accomplish that goal.   

 

I will be working with Superintendents from across  the Commonwealth to petition the Governor to reconsider his educational budget.  I hope that you will contact your state legislators and remind them that a strong educational system is the number one contributor to a productive and vital community.  Our state's first priority must always be our children.   

 

I will continue to use the website and the D-Link to update you to where we stand with the 2011-2012 budget. We will all need to work together in setting our course for the 2011-12 budget plan. As our state leaders shift their priorities away from public education in an attempt to shock the system into drastic cutbacks, we must answer the call to insure that we maintain a top notch educational program for our Downingtown Area students.

 

Dr. Larry Mussoline,
Superintendent

 
Partnering with our Schools
community FirstP. J. Fitzpatrick, Inc. was instrumental in helping DHS East acquire their new school signs.  Additional donations from the Home and School Association, an anonymous donor and the Alshefski Family, provided the funding to complete the first phase of the campaign, the school's main entrance. 


P. J. Fitzpatrick, Inc has offered to make a monetary donation to DHS East for all business generating from a visit to their website. Click on the photo to visit their website.    
  
For more information on how your business can partner with our 15 schools, please click here. 
What's Happening in the District?

Education Foundation News

The Downingtown Community Education Foundation is hosting a Duck Race on the Brandywine on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 4:00 - 6:30 in Kerr Park Downingtown.  Funds raised will go to be used for DASD programs, students and classroom grants.   The Dog House, Downingtown will be offering hot dogs, hamburgers and other goodies for sale. DHS musicians will be performing on the Gazebo stage.   Prizes for the fastest ducks across the finish line are:  1st Place - $500 (donated by the Lionville Community YMCA), 2nd prize - $250 (donated by DNB First), Third Place - $150 (Clompus, Reto and Halsheid Vision Associates) 4th Place - $100 Applebee's Gift Card, Fifth Place - $50 Dog House Gift Card.  We also thank an anonymous donor for helping us to purchase the ducks!  To adopt a duck ($5.00 each) or a "quack pack" (5 ducks for $20) click here.   There will be a limited amount of ducks available for adoption.

 

Congratulations!

 Tel Hai Art Show Winners from DHS East!
DE Art1

  Art student Beverly Huang won 1st place, and Sara Klementovic (2nd place), and Sara Gustafson (honorable mention), swept 3 of the 6 spots in the 15th annual High School Art Show.sponsored by the Tel Hai Retirement community in Honey Brook.

 

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Six area high schools participated in the show. Over 200 people viewed and voted during the 2 ½ days of the Art Exhibit.

 

 

 

 


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Look for their pictures and artwork to be printed in the Daily Local, sometime soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liana Samartino, an 11th Grade Photo II student in Mr. John Scheuer's class added some color to the new administration building.  Lisa gave Mr. Rob Reed, Director of K-12 Education, some wonderful photographs that she took of the area to decorate his office.  Lisa posed with her photo of the log cabin alongside her father and Mr. Reed for the photo below  

 

Photos: Downingtown Log Cabin, Yellow Springs Inn, a farm in Springton Manor, US flag at Yellow Springs.

 

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Information For Parents

On April 6, 2011 at 7:15 p.m., DHS East's Guidance Office will be hosting nationally recognized expert and best selling author Lynn O'Shaughnessy.  Ms. O'Shaughnessy will present "The College Solution" and help to demystify the college application and acceptance process.   For more information, click here.

 

Internships and Work Experience

Current Juniors who are interested in participating in the PRO Work Experience Program or an Internship for the 2011-2012 school year should sign up in the Guidance Office.  For more information please contact Ms. Gehman at VGehman@dasd.org.

 

Dual Enrollment

Downingtown Area School District will be offering the following Dual Enrollment courses for Juniors and Seniors through Widener University this Fall: Chinese I, Italian I, Criminal Justice, Cultural Anthropology, Mass Media & Society and Introduction to Logic.  All courses take place at Widener University's Exton Campus from 6 PM - 9 PM one night a week.  Students are responsible for tuition ($525 per course), fees ($25 registration fee) course materials and transportation.  Upon successful completion of a course, students will receive 1 DHS elective credit and 3 Widener credits.   Students who are interested in taking a Dual Enrollment course should sign up in the Guidance Office.  For more information please contact Ms. Gehman at VGehman@dasd.org.

 

 

School Board News

Upcoming Meetings  

 

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 in the DHS West Library
 

6:00 p.m. - Governance
7:00 p.m. Finance Committee

 

Please note that the Facilities Committee Meeting previously scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on March 23, 2011 has been cancelled. 

 

School Updates

Brandywine Wallace - Mrs. Leib 

BW students are working hard on PSSA Math and Reading tests this week. Thanks to our staff and students for their flexibility with schedules. It certainly takes a building-wide effort to successfully complete these assessments.

BW students who participated in the BW Science Fair and then advanced to the Chester County Research Competition were:

Keegan Borig: (4th) Face Memory
Seri Fernandez: (5th) Who Made Me? (Genetics)
Drew Spanfellner: (5th) Are Salt Levels in the Oceans Changing?
Alex Kinkelaar: (5th) Psychology and Money-How People Make Decisions
Spencer Kinkelaar (5th) How Does Wind and Barometric Pressure Affect Precipitation in Glenmoore, PA?
Zachary Kinkelaar (5th) What Common Household Materials Make the Best Electrolyte for a Battery?

Megan Lundmark and Abigail Cooper: Team (5th) Organic vs. Non-Organic Plant Food

 

At the Chester County Research Competition, Zachary Kinkelaar received Top Honor in the Chemistry Category. Megan Lundmark and Abigail Cooper received Honors in the Team Category. Congratulations to our BW Scientists!

 

East Ward - Mr. Argonish

Third Grade to Franklin Institute

On March 3, our third graders traveled to the Franklin Institute. They visited the

planetarium and many astronomy exhibits. The trip served to give students experiences in astronomy before their upcoming science unit on space.

 

Third Grade FOSS Kits 

Miss McEntee and Mrs. Turkelsons third grade science classes have been studying water using the Foss Science Kit. The students were given the task of designing and constructing simple waterwheels, using given supplies. Using water to power their waterwheels, they efficiently lifted objects. They refined their designs with each trialand determined how many syringes of water it takes to lift an object a specified distance. 

 

Buckets Blakes and the CHEER program at East Ward
Harlem Globetrotter, Buckets Blakes, visited East Ward on Monday, March 7 for a schoolwide C.H.E.E.R. assembly. The Globetrotters designed the program with assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. While there are several different character traits emphasized by various programs across the country, the Globetrotters' program focuses on Cooperation, Healthy mind & body, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Responsibility, using the acronym "C.H.E.E.R."™ Our students thoroughly enjoyed Buckets's presentation and ball handling skills. 

 

East Ward Chorus sings National Anthem at Harlem Globetrotters game
On Sunday, March 13, our own chorus, led by Mrs. Cullen, performed the National
Anthem at the Wells Fargo Center to start the 1PM Harlem Globetrotters Game. They sang beautifully in front of several thousand fans. What a great way to honor our Country and school! 

 

International Night
Please join the fun at East Ward, on March 25 from 6-8:30 PM for our Second Annual International Night! What you can expect to find at International Night:
Learn fascinating facts about more than 40 countries. Sample delicious foods from around the world. Marvel at the talents of our students in an incredible multi-cultural show. Get a real Indian henna tattoo. Mingle, chat, laugh with friends, neighbors, and members of our school community.


Chester County Science Fair
On March 4, Mrs. Dawson took the top 5 winners from our EW Science Fair to CAT
Pickering for the Chester County Science Research Competition. We'd like to
congratulate all five for their achievements:
Maria Meyer - second honors (red ribbon)
Nathaniel Healy - second honors (red ribbon)
Alex Goss - first honors (blue ribbon)
Sharika Advani - High honors (blue ribbon and a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card)
Michael Campbell - High honors (blue ribbon and a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card) 

 

Only 13 students, county-wide, received high honors so we are extremely proud of all five winners.

 

Pickering Valley - Mr. Fernandes

Pickering Valley students and staff decided to kickoff each morning before the PSSAs with some flare. Many students have joined together to create fun and exciting songs, raps, and poems to give our 3rd-5th grade students inspiration for the tests. A quartet of young ladies from Mr. Blow's 4th grade class started off the week with a beautiful song to encourage the students to rock the test. Mrs. DiMartini's 2nd grade class wrote a song titled, Let's Go Take a Test. Put to the tune of Let's Go Fly a Kite, this song encouraged the students to do their best on the test. A 3rd grade student used the power of rhythm and rhyme by creating a cool, fun rap to energize the school. Pickering Valley looks forward to the rest of the creative songs, raps, poems, and jingles to further inspire the students for the duration of the testing period.

 

Shamona Creek - Mrs. Welsh

Congratulations to all of the 5th grade participants in the Math Bee. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to review vocabulary prior to taking the PSSAs.

Max Segarnick, John Carron, Christina Bober, Nate Mucha, Sam Dinerman, Tyler Wilson, Corey Hernandez, Winner - Christian Connolly.

 

Grade 3: Miss Czap's class is listening to a podcast of Fantastic Mr. Fox. Students

downloaded the podcast made by their teacher and brought it into class to enjoy a new twist on a read aloud.

 

Students are working hard to show their knowledge on the PSSAs this week. We will complete reading and math assessments on Tuesday. Writing and Science will soon follow.

 

Kudos to Clayton Gons who raised $825 for the American Heart Association in honor of Josie Basta.  

 

West Bradford - Mr. Clegg 

Chester County Science Fair

We are very proud of the team of students representing West Bradford at the Chester County Science Fair. To compete at the county level means that our students were compared to their peers from schools throughout the county. Of the ten students representing West Bradford, four received special recognition for their projects and presentations. Congratulation to

 

Distinguished Honors:

Jack Hurley - The Effect of Fertilizer on Grass

Samantha Yaros - Which Vegetable Will Produce the Darkest Dye?

 

High Honors:

Ruben Matell - Yeast Activity with Different Liquids

 

Honors:

Faith Joseph - Which Bulb Type Will be the Highest, Brightest to Watt Ratio?

 

Grade 3 Music:

Our 3rd grade students have composed pieces for recorder and we have made recordings of them using the free program "Audacity". We were able to export them as Mp3's and email them to parents. The responses from parents have been as wonderful as the music of the students!

 

Lionville Middle School - Mr. Ross 

More than 40 parents and students from Lionville Middle School's Team 8D gathered at 7 pm in the building's library to discuss Mildred D. Taylor's Newbery Award winning novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Students ran the small groups of 6-8 to talk about issues such as the importance of friendship, family loyalty, prejudice, and community values with their parents and other adults. The evening gave parents and students a time to reflect on timeless themes Taylor weaves through her work and their impact on their own lives. Principal Jon Ross, guidance counselor Sue McGrath, librarian Larry Jaffe and teachers Sallie Seidel and Deborah Kearney facilitated the evening.

 

LMS students performed the musical Bye Bye Birdie this past weekend. Their long hours of preparation definitely paid off as there were several shows which sold out! These kids did a wonderful job!

 

String students from LMS and DMS will be participating in the District 12 7th & 8th grade String Fest on Friday March 25th.

 

On February 23rd, LMS welcomed Marion Blumenthal Lazan to give a sixty minute presentation to the entire student body on her experiences during WWII and the Holocaust. Mrs. Lazan told of her experiences growing up while in deportation and various camps throughout Europe during the 1940s. Although she was interned in the German concentration camp of Bergen-Belson, the same camp in which Anne Frank died, Mrs. Lazan's harrowing story was not one of despair. She illustrated to our students the power of determination, perseverance, faith, and hope. She impressed upon the students that their generation will be the last to hear firsthand accounts from survivors of this period of history and asked them to help keep her memory alive by passing on her story to others.

 

United Nations REACH activity at LMS.

LMS students created a flag representing their family heritage during a United Nation's REACH activity. These flags may be seen lining the hallways at LMS. Display cases and hallways reflect authentic momentos from the countries of the languages we teach.  

 

World language students participated in a poster contest centered on the theme "Languages Make the World Go Round." Poster winners include Amanda Aucker, German student and Alice Zheng, Spanish student. During the week of March 18-25 the morning announcements will be presented in two languages. Monday will be German and English; Tuesday will be French and English, Wednesday will be Spanish and English, Thursday will be Italian and English and Friday will be a surprise presentation by our ESL students.

 

Public Service Announcement Contest: Students participated in a contest to create public service announcements and winners will be broadcast throughout the week. March 24th a world language spelling bee will be held after school. Language students participate in the challenge to spell words in the language they are learning.


DHSE - Mr. Hurley

Library News:

East, in a joint venture with LMS, is working to help purchase Nooks and access to some e -books for our library. A link to more information and a voucher resource appears on the DEHS homepage. You or any of your friends or relatives anywhere in the country can make online purchases with Barnes and Noble on April 7, 8, 9 or 10; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the DE/LMS libraries. Another option is the online site is BN.COM/bookfairs; our ID# is 10425593. Purchases at the Barnes and Noble Store in Exton must be made with a voucher being presented at the time of purchase. Your support is very much appreciated.

 

PSSA Prep:

Preparations are underway for PSSA testing set to begin on Tuesday, March 22 through Thursday, March 24. Juniors will take the assessments while students in grades 9, 10 and 12 will have a regular school day with a modified schedule. We appreciate everyone's support and cooperation as we begin these important assessments.

 

Girls Basketball:

Congratulations to Coach Schnure and the Lady Cougars basketball team on their very successful season. Having made it into the state quarterfinals was a tremendous accomplishment and we are proud of their continuing the winning tradition at East.

 

Academic Team:

East Academic Competition team qualified for the final round of competition in the CCIU 27th annual Academic Competition. Eighteen schools participated in the rounds of competition during the school year and we are delighted East made it to the final round. Congratulations to Coach Bob Pierce and the team in this accomplishment.

   

Robotics Team:

On Saturday, March 19, twenty-eight Vex Robotics Teams will meet in competition at Downingtown Middle School for the Eastern Pennsylvania Regional VEX World Qualifier. Winners and award-winners will qualify to attend the 2011 VEX World Championships at Disney world, Florida. Among the contenders will be 15 Teams (representing over 80 students) from Downingtown Area Robotics: the feared VEX-MEN. The first match starts at 9:15 AM. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available and all proceeds benefit Downingtown Area Robotics. Please come out and help cheer on our Downingtown VEX Teams!

 

DHS West - Mr. Mulvey

On March 17 Generation 4 Change hosted Power Up Gambia, a non-profit organization that provides solar power to medical facilities in the tiny poverty stricken country of Gambia in West Africa. Power Up Gambia was founded by a Delaware Valley woman and Downingtown grad Ali Chandler is working with them.

 

The class of 2012 will be holding their Junior Prom, "Viva Las Vegas" on Saturday, May 14 from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. Tickets will go on sale on Monday through Friday, April 25-29 at all lunches and before & after school. The cost is $35 per person.

 

Downingtown West Math Club met on Monday, March 14, 2011 - Pi Day! The group celebrated by drawing perfect circles, looking at derivations for pi, and a recitation of the digits of pi. Ashley An won with over 30 digits memorized in a minute and a half! The group also got to eat pie. Math and pie-can you think of a better combination?

 

As always the Downingtown West chapter of NHS is continuing its busy schedule.

Daffodil Day is This Friday, March 18th. NHS will be selling Daffodils for The American Cancer Society. The Adopt-A-Highway program will take place in April, and NHS will be providing the ushers for the Phantom of the Opera.

 

Mr. Trombetta's Contemporary Issues students participated in a public service

 announcement project with an educational organization called World of 7 Billion. Its aim is to make people aware of the challenges that the planet will face when our population hits 7 billion. They wrote, acted, filmed, edited, and scored 30 second PSA's to illustrate the problems that we could face. They did an outstanding job and we are waiting to hear if we are going to be the recipients of the 1st, 2nd, or honorable mention prize.  

 

Several West students have received awards from the Philadelphia Classical Society. They will be honored at a luncheon in April at which time they will be notified of the level of their awards. The honorees are listed below:

Academic winners:

 

Latin I level:

Amy D'Agostino

Kaitlyn Maglietto

Asa Bull

Christian Abbonizio

Mariam Mikhail

 

Latin II level:

Ken Richardson 

Jenny Busch

Nicole Trepanowski

Mitch Hall

Kat Banaszynksi

Dan Dougherty

 

 

 

Advanced (Latin Prose and Poetry)

James Damiano

Josiah Bull

Artistic Projects/Literary

Ashley Kahn

Mike Scullin

Mitch Hall

Katelyn Roberts

Eric Ryan

Emily Ofensend

Joe Quill

Kaitlyn Maglietto

 

 

 

On March 2, Downingtown West Honors Algebra 2 classes participated in the "World Maths Day Challenge". The World Maths Day challenge involves students from all over the world, aged 4 to 18, playing against each other in real-time battles of mental arithmetic using the Live Mathletics game engine. Students were automatically matched against other students of a similar age and ability, i.e. stronger students play only against other stronger students. The students enjoyed the fierce math challenge with students from all corners of the globe!