 The D-Link
An E-Newsletter for the DASD Community
January 6, 2012- Vol 4, Issue 10 |
This space is reserved for our business supporters.
Call 610-269-8460, ext. 6113 for more information |
|
|
|
|
|
| A Message from Superintendent Mussoline | |
I want to take this opportunity to thank nine of the district's hardest working volunteers. Jane Bertone, Carl Croft, Colleen Cranney, Jackie Fenn, Barbara Hurt-Simmons, Jaime Mehler, Thomas Ost-Prisco, Suzanne Simonelli and Bob Yorczyk are the nine members of the DASD School Board. This group meets weekly to establish a vision for our educational program, write goals to achieve that vision, ensure schools are safe and secure and advocate continuous improvement in student learning.
As citizen leaders, these individual board members face complex and demanding challenges, yet few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of their responsibilities. Their job entails an endless string of meetings, appearances at school functions, and countless nights and weekends pouring over reports, agendas, proposals and other information they receive each week.
Time spent in board meetings represents just a fraction of the hours school board members spend being involved in their districts. They keep abreast of the latest trends in educational leadership by attending and working hard at training sessions and conferences. Those who are committee chairs meet with administrative liaisons before each month's committee meeting to discuss and review agenda items. In addition to their one regular monthly meeting, our members attend policy, curriculum, finance, facility, governance, student life and personnel meetings. Whether crafting policies, hiring administrators, listening to staff and student concerns or recognizing outstanding programs, our board members work hard in this voluntary, unpaid position.
Our school board members wear many hats in the outside world. However, they don a collective hat when they get down to the business of leading this district. Though individually they may have differing perspectives on certain issues, their role as a board is to consistently strive toward a common goal of helping our students achieve.
In acknowledgement of this dedicated service, January is designated School Director Recognition Month. This is a time for us to show our appreciation to the nine men and women who provide grassroots governance of our public schools. In making complex and sometimes difficult decisions these nine members are contributing to the successful achievement of our public school students.
Thank you for your dedication and leadership. I look forward to working with you in 2012.
Dr. Lawrence Mussoline
Superintendent |
|
|
|
| STEM Academy Named An International Baccalaureate World School | |
 | | Board President Jackie Fenn, Superintendent Lawrence Mussoline, Headmaster George Fiore and IB Coordinator Cynthia Ajemian reveal the IB World School designation on the STEM Academy sign. |
The International Baccalaureate Organization has named the Downingtown STEM Academy an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The STEM Academy is the first IB World School in Chester County and will be the first high school in the nation to offer an IB program with STEM pathways.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a global model for schools that aim to engage students in a rigorous academic program with an emphasis on 21st Century learning: crtical thinking skills and communication skills. The IB Diploma Programme challenges students to make the connections between academic subjects and everyday life. The IB requires students to demonstrate knowledge through a variety of assessments that rely less on standard tests and more on interactive projects and extended writings. .
"Those of us who live and work within the Downingtown Area School District should be very excited that our students now have the opportunity to attend an IB World School," said Superintendent Lawrence Mussoline "This exciting accomplishment acknowledges our district's efforts to help students develop the intellectual, social and problem solving skills that will be necessary to live and work in a globalized world."
The District and Academy began the research and authorization process in 2009. As part of the process, STEM Academy staff visited other IB schools, attended IB staff development training programs and helped develop a curriculum that meets the international standards set by the IB Programme. In November, IB officials visited the school for a final evaluation of the school's readiness to implement the program; the staff learned of the authorization decision in December, making the Academy the largest all IB Diploma Programme school in North America.
"I'm so proud of our staff and can't stress enough the role they played in receiving this acceptance," said STEM Academy Headmaster George Fiore. "Our teachers, along with our IB Coordinator, Cynthia Ajemian, worked tirelessly over the past two years and were instrumental in both the creation of this exciting new school and acquiring IB approvals. Their efforts since our opening have been positively impacting the students on a daily basis."
|
|
Secretary of Education to Visit | |
Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis will visit the district's new high school, the Downingtown STEM Academy, on January 11, 2012. Secretary Tomalis will tour the school and observe several classrooms in session. Chester County State Senator Andy Dinniman is coordinating the tour. Commissioners Terrance Farrell and Ryan Costello will be among the many participants joining the Secretary on his visit.
"We are honored to have Secretary Tomalis join us on January 11th," said Superintendent Lawrence Mussoline. "One of the main goals of this district is to graduate students who are going to be extraordinarily well prepared to be successful in a diverse global economy. We want Secretary Tomalis to walk away from this visit primed to improve the commonwealth's support for innovative educational programs and STEM education in our public schools."
The Secretary's visit calls attention to the district's continuing effort to develop high quality, innovative educational programs and, in partnership with the Downingtown Community Education Foundation, to seek out alternative funding resources to improve the education of all DASD students. During the Secretary's visit, Verizon Government Relations & External Affairs Director Todd Darlington will present STEM Academy Principal George Fiore with a $24,300 grant to improve technology-based approaches to literacy and education. This amount, combined with monetary and in-kind donations totaling more than $200,000, pushes the total amount of private funding granted to the school to more than $230,000.
Also, the Secretary will see a Chester County Academic Competition between Downingtown West High School, Avon Grove, and the Downingtown STEM Academy.
"This visit is an amazing opportunity to share how an innovative approach to learning, infused with appropriate and relevant technology, is positively impacting student enthusiasm as well as student achievement", said STEM Academy Headmaster George Fiore. "My teachers and I are looking forward to sharing the many successes embedded in this new educational concept with the educational leader in Pennsylvania." The check presentation ceremony will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the auditorium of the Downingtown STEM Academy.
|
| Holiday Happenings |
 | | Up a tree for a good cause! |
A contest was held at DHS West to help a family in need. Staff and students voted with donations for the administrator they would like to have sit in a tree before the winter break. As you can see from the photo - it was their principal, Tom Mulvey. The school raised a $1,300 for the family.
 | | "Ugly" Sweater Day for Charity |
Each Friday, the staff at SC is given the opportunity to wear jeans in exchange for a donation. Sizeable amounts have been given to a variety of local charities and families in need. Just before the holiday, we had a jean and ugly sweater day.
 | | World Language Club at LE |
The World Language Club at Lionville Elementary School was launched on January 5th. With approximately 50 DEHS world language student mentors, nearly 70 Kindergartners, first graders and second graders worked in small groups to learn their names, where the language is spoken and greetings. This meeting was the first of 10, running January through March. Another session will begin in March and run through May for third, fourth and fifth graders. The high school students came well prepared to teach the children their first lessons. The HS students volunteered to teach French, German, Japanese and Spanish. The LE advisors for the club are Ms. Keri Shaw (Kindergarten) and Mrs. Gale Soneson (Librarian).
|
| Downingtown Community Education Foundation News | |
Business Leaders Luncheon - DATE CHANGED!
How can a local business or corporation help grow their business, watch their property values go up and make sure that a well trained workforce is being prepared for them? By getting involved with their local public schools, of course! On February 23, 2012 the Downingtown Community Education Foundation will be hosting a luncheon for local business leaders who are interested in becomming a part of the Downingtown Area School District push toward "greatness". The event begins at 11:30 and will be held in the Central Administration Office Building at 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown.
The Business Leader luncheon will feature a welcome by Superintendent Larry Mussoline, a video highlighting the businesses already involved with our schools and an enlightening session about the EITC (Education Innovation Tax Credit) from tax expert Helen Semus of Edward Jones. The event is free to all interested Downingtown Area School District business leaders. A light luncheon will be served. There are a variety of ways for businesses to partner with the Foundation's mission to inspire and support our 11,800 students. Take this first step ....and join us on February 23, 2012.
Foundation UPDATE
The Foundation Board of Directors approved a $100.70 grant to DHSW/DMS for a Scrabble Challenge project proposed by teachers Kathryn Campbell, Megan Dunn and Susan Yeager. The Board also approved $457.70 for a Lionville Middle School ebook project entitled "Using EBooks to Achieve Excellence" submitted by Dianne Umstead, Kate Mais and Lauri Seybert.
The Foundation has raised over $200,000 from a variety of private family donations, foundations, local corporations and grant funders. Donations received in December and January included a $250.00 donation from General Electric, a $1000 donation from the Cranney family (with matching donation from employer), a $500 donation from Richard Fazio and a $250 donation from Libin Wang and Lisa Shi with a match from Mr. Wang's employer. The Foundation has also received several EITC donations this year, including a $10,000 donation from DNB First, a $3,000 donation from Fulton Bank, and $1500 from Bryn Mawr Trust.
In addition to direct donations, the Foundation also holds events and fundraisers. All tickets to the Jersey Boy musical were sold resulting in an extra $190 that will be used to fund classroom project grants. Tickets to the Phillies game sold well before the holidays. The Foundation has thus far earned $600 from this fund-raiser. ( Tickets are still available to this April 13, 2012 evening game against the Mets, click here to order your tickets). Lastly, the sale of holiday cards designed by our student artists brought in $915 for our enrichment programs in our art department. |
| School News | |
Brandywine Wallace
Before we left for vacation in December, we enjoyed the 31st annual Third Grade Winter Program. The entire third grade recited poetry, sang songs, and played stringed instruments in a very entertaining program that has become a highly anticipated BW tradition. Thanks to Mrs. Barker, Miss Laudenslager, Miss Yunginger, Mrs. Baer, and Mrs. Heavens for their work in preparing the third graders for their wonderful performance.
Another BW tradition is the Holiday Sing-along which also took place last month. Thanks to Mrs. Baer and Mrs. Heavens for leading the school community in song and getting everyone into the holiday spirit. In addition, as part of their community outreach, the second grade classes created gingerbread houses that were donated to senior citizens.
This week, all students participated in Olweus bullying lessons which will continue weekly. Teachers are also preparing for mid-year assessments and using that data to further target interventions and enrichment.
Lionville Elementary
How is LE using the extended day funding?
One of the ways we are using this funding is to offer a World Language Club. This club will build students' awareness of sounds, enrich their knowledge of geography, provide understanding of other cultures and increase their spoken fluency and articulation. Research indicates that learning a second language improves facility in the native language.
An additional activity offered under Extended Day is the Science Fair.
Lionville Elementary science fair and robotics exhibition will be held on Friday, February 10th. It will be a "Family Fun Night" filled with exhibits, demonstrations, and science fun starting at 5:00 pm. Don't miss the SkyLab planetarium show that will be presented inside the star lab on the stage side of the gym. Shows run approximately thirty minutes, 5:00 - 8:00 pm. More details will be sent home with the students. Mark your calendars now!
WELLNESS
LE is well into meeting our wellness goals and objectives.
The goal is, by June 2012, 75% of parents/students will return the monthly wellness newsletter quizzes, which educate families on mental, social, emotional and physical health.
Objective #1 - Using the following schedule, a variety of wellness messages will be provided to LE students on a daily basis while viewing the morning announcements on LBS Live.
- Moving Monday - students "warm up" for the week by doing movements to music
- Team Work Tuesday - How to work with others strategies are shared
- Wellness Wednesday - Healthy living tips are shared
- Thinking Thursday - Riddles and test taking strategies are shared
- Food Tip Friday - Healthy food tips are provided
Objective #2 - Parents and students receive wellness messages via the PRIDE Monthly Newsletter. A quiz will be available for students to complete each month and the classrooms with the highest return will receive a wellness reward.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
At the January faculty meeting, teachers explored the PVAAS public site. They learned about the types of reports that are available to the public. Two specific reports were reviewed and discussed: scatterplot and growth measures over grades. In addition, teachers learned what PVAAS is, the difference between achievement and progress reports, and what the state views as benefits to PVAAS data. The sate's "PA Value-Added Assessment System Guide to PVAAS Public Reporting" was used as a basis for this professional development.
Shamona Creek
Math Kudos...Two of our students have been identified as being in the top 10 of the top 100 students using VMath Live. Mrs. Blair and Mrs. Tomlinson's classes are in the top 50 schools participating in the USA!
Josie is coming back! After a long road to recovery from her heart transplant, our little second grader is ready to return to school.
AIMSweb progress monitoring...students in grades two and three have been receiving targeted reading instruction for 30 minutes a day. The on-going assessments are showing great gains in oral reading fluency scores. We are anxious to see the results of the mid-year universal screening for all grade levels in the next few weeks.
Springton Manor
Uwchlan Hills
Everyone is thrilled to be back at to school after a relaxing winter break. This week at UH we dove right into our grade level meetings reassessing our students' strengths and weaknesses. With a host of data sources grade levels are reorganizing our intervention groups. On Thursday, January 5th, Uwchlan Hills took 10 educators to Trestle place to learn more about the important topics of progress monitoring and implementing specific strategies for all of our students.
We finished Last month with an outstanding showing at our Scholastic Book Fair. Sponsored by our HSA, parents enjoyed a wonderful evening of shopping right before the holidays. Books make the best gifts! Also in December, UH held a recycling assembly which starred a small robot made entirely of recycled materials. The students learned
The highlight of December was, in my opinion, the outstanding music concerts put on by our music department. Uwchlan Hills' students shined in all three areas of the concert including chorus, strings, and band. Everyone left the concert with the holiday feeling bursting inside of them.
As 2012 begins, we are filled with the hope and anticipation of another tremendously successful year. We are looking forward to many family activities sponsored by our HSA, a strong push towards our state assessments (PSSAs), and building on our mission of supporting every child through their school career.
DHS East
Drexel High School Photography Contest:
Andrew Hoffman, a senior at DE submitted three photos to the Drexel High School Photography Contest. One of hisphotos has been selected for an exhibition at Drexel from February 4th through March 2nd. Over 1850 photos were submitted from all over the country and only 140 photos have been selected for exhibit. On January 15th, Andrew will find out whether he has won or placed in the contest. In addition, he has been invited to a reception on February 4th to honor his work.
Freshman in Action
The Freshmen Class Council has been very busy lately, from arranging a candle sale, donating supplies to the Main Line Rescue and most recently, organizing a candy cane sale. They recognize the need to not only create revenue for the Council, but to dedicate their time to serving our community as well.
Their first endeavor was the Main Line Animal Rescue which survives solely on private donations. Over the course of three weeks, they collected many items including dog and cat foot, treats, water bowls, leashes, and collars. All of these donations went straight to the Main Line Animal Rescue in Chester Springs, and are helping to continue its mission to save abused and unwanted animals throughout the Delaware Valley.
The Class of 2015 is well on their way to learning the benefits of donating their time for the good of others and also to raising money for their class. The proceeds will travel with them and will be used in the upcoming years to fund their junior and senior proms among many other high school events.
The efforts of this legislative group of the freshmen class will be year-long, so make sure to keep an eye out for them in the future!
Minority Student Achievement Consortium:
On December 1st, nineteen students plus four staff members from Downingtown East and West High Schools went to the Delaware Valley Student Achievement Consortium held on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. This was the second year that both schools had an opportunity to participate with students from neighboring districts and states.
At this consortium these students went to various workshops and learned many valuable lessons about working up to your potential and gaining worthwhile skills that may afford you present and future success. With the challenges that confront the African American community like higher rates of unemployment, fewer opportunities to attend higher education are logically the end result. At these workshops students learn that no one person should be able to take their voice away.
Former Professional athlete, Ron Johnson, defenseman, for the Philadelphia Eagles, offered a workshop entitled 'Still I Rise", the name given to his community based training center for all kids and adults seeking to overcome the pitfalls of life.
The students also learned what to wear and what not to wear to an interview in an effort to get the jobs they wanted as they pursued their career goals. Mainly, the students learned that there is a time and a place for just about everything; a time to speak slang and a time to talk normally.
The students and staff also listened to many speakers talk about the hardships that they have had to overcome; how they pursued their dream to attend college and to work hard toward those goals in spite of the handicaps.
Winter Concert:
On Friday, December 16th the Choir Department hosted its annual Winter Concert. All the curricular and extracurricular choirs performed for a packed auditorium. Students of all grades were involved in the choirs and many choir alumni arrived to sing along with the current members.
Winter Dubfest:
On Saturday, December 17th, about three hundred students attended the Winter Dubfest, a dance featuring electronic and techno music. The dance was organized by the senior class council and the technology department. Many students appreciated the unique style of the dance because of its distinctiveness from other school dances. The dance even featured a digital light show with fog machines designed by the technology department.
STEM Academy
STEM Mascot
The STEM Academy has selected a mascot! After several rounds of debate between the Phoenix, Wolves, and Owls the students chose the Wolves. Now the students are creating drawings and promotional materials for our new mascot. The STEM Academy Wolves can now join the Whippets and Cougars!
2012-2013 Acceptance, Wait List, and Interviews
Letters of acceptance and wait list were sent to students today that applied to the Academy. We have accepted 230 students for our incoming 9th grade class. Several students are being interviewed over the next two weeks. We are very excited to welcome our new students to the Academy. Since students can decline enrollment, this process can take several months as it did last year. When we have 230 students that accept enrollment we will close the acceptance process. There will be an Informational Meeting on Tuesday, January 31 at 6pm for all accepted students in the Academy Auditorium.
Student Council
The first STEM Holiday Food Drive raised over 2,000 non-perishable items that were donated to the Lord's Pantry in Downingtown. Our students did an excellent job in providing to those in need over the holiday season.
We hosted the STEM Wolves Dodgeball Tournament. With both faculty and students participating, the Dodgeball Tournament took place on December 21. There were over 120 students that participated!
On January 21, we will be hosting our first semi-formal dance. Tickets go on sale next week.
|
| DASD Diversity Committee | |
Greetings!
The purpose of the Downingtown Area School District Diversity Committee is to promote the district's efforts to foster multicultural knowledge and to increase attitudinal acceptance ofothers' individual uniqueness. The committee believes that respecting differences in ethnicity, cultural background, physical or intellectual ability, religion, gender, or sexuality are necessary for all members of the school community.
In this issue of the D-Link we would like to share with you this quote from Yolanda King.
"What we need to do is learn to respect and embrace our differences until our differences don't make aa difference in how we are treated."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
