 The D-Link
An E-Newsletter for the DASD Community
October 26, 2012- Vol 5, Issue 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Superintendent's Update | |
The district has been receiving frequent weather briefings from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Mount Holly, NJ. Hurricane Sandy is inching up the coast. Depending on how the storm travels, our area could see heavy rains and high winds early next week. Power outages and flooding may occur.
While I have every hope that Hurricane Sandy will not cause our area undue problems, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone about our inclement weather policy. Our goal is to keep our schools open and operating throughout the school year. That said, should we need to postpone or cancel a school day to ensure the safety of our staff and students, please make a note that make up days will be completed in the following order.
First day missed - make up day - January 18, 2013
Second day missed - make up day - February 15, 2013
Future days missed - days will be added to end of year calendar beginning on June 10, 2013.
Any delay or closing of schools will be posted on our website as soon as a decision has been reached. You will also receive a phone message from me in the event of any change to our school schedule. Our local TV and radio stations will be notified of any changes as well. The timing of these messages depends on the arrival of the storm. If we know early enough, the message could arrive on your phones well before 6:00 AM. If for any reason you would like to be removed from this phone list, please don't hesitate to contact our Director of Public Information Pat McGlone by email at pmcglone@dasd.org or by phone at 610- 269-8460 extension 6113.
As Hurricane Sandy approaches, the National Weather Service Forecast Office advises families to take the following precautions:
- Engage in preparedness activities. Review your Family Emergency Plan and update as needed.
- For those in areas prone to flooding, be prepared to evacuate if local officials instruct you to do so.
- Be prepared for potential long-term power outages.
- Leaves! There a lot of leaves on the ground. Leaves are excellent material to clog/block storm drains, worsening local/neighborhood flooding. Get leaves and any other obstructing materials away from storm drains before this storm arrives.
Let's hope this storm takes a turn right and heads out to sea. In the meantime, you can catch the latest news and information about the storm at Philadelphia Weather.
Dr. Larry Mussoline,
Superintendent
|
|
|
|
| Common Core State Standards Dr. Linda MacNeal | What are educational standards?
Educational standards help teachers ensure that their students have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. Standars provide clear goals for student learning.
Why do we need educational standards?
We need standards to ensure that all students, no matter where they live, are prepared for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. Common standards will help ensure that students are receiving a high quality education consistently, from school to school and state to state. Common standards will provide a greater opportunity to share experiences and best practices within and across states. Standards do not tell teachers how to teach, but they do help teachers figure out the knowledge and skills their students should have so that teachers can build the best lessons and environments for their classrooms. Standards also help students and parents by setting clear and realistic goals for success. Standards are a first step - a key building block - in providing our young people with a high-quality education. Of course, standards are not the only thing needed for our children's success, but they provide an accessible roadmap for our teachers, parents, and students.
What is the Common Core State Standards Initiative?
The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort to establish a shared set of clear educational standards for English language arts and mathematics that states can voluntarily adopt. The standards have been informed by the best available evidence and the highest state standards across the country and globe and were designed by a diverse group of teachers, experts, parents, and school administrators. They reflect both our aspirations for our children and the realities of the classroom. These standards are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to go to college or enter the workforce and that parents, teachers, and students have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. The standards are benchmarked to international standards to guarantee that our students are competitive in the emerging global marketplace. For more information on the Common Core State Standards, go to www.corestandards.org Pennsylvania adopted the Common Core State Standards in July 2010. States who agreed to adopt the CCCSS in their entirety were permitted to add up to 15% of additional state-specific standards. States also were permitted to format the standards in an organizational structure that are best suited to their needs. Pennsylvania chose this route. To view the draft PA Common Core Standards go to http://www.pdesas.org/Standard/CommonCore Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll The 2012 annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward Public Schools contains positive findings for the Common Core. According to the report, most Americans believe the Common Core will allow U.S. schools to compete globally, and three out of four Americans believe the standards will provide more consistency in the quality of education between school districts and states.
National Parent Teacher Association
The PTA's Parents' Guide to Student Success (in English and Spanish) was developed in response to the Common Core State Standards. The Guide includes key items that children should be learning and activities thatparents can do at home to to support their child's learning. Click here to view this information.
|
|
Fruits and Vegetables Earn Prime Spot in Cafeterias |
 | | EW Principal Nick Argonish and Food Service Director Angela Cummings highlight the new Vegetable and Fruit section in the East Ward Cafeteria. |
There is a new food section in school cafeterias across the Downingtown Area School District courtesy of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Mid-way into the food line that has historically featured such staples as chicken nuggets, pizza and cheese burgers, students will find bags of carrots, celery sticks, apples and oranges.
The availability of these fruits and vegetables, as well as the addition of more whole grains and lower sodium foods, is part of the new dietary specifications set by the United States Department of Health. The new regulations set specific, age appropriate calorie limits in grades K-12.
The Downingtown Area School District participates in the National School Lunch Program. The program provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to more than 31 million children each school day. Districts, such as DASD, that elect to participate in the program receive cash subsidies and USDA foods from the US Department of Agriculture. In return, districts must serve lunches that meet Federal requirements. The new school lunch requirements, requiring the addition of a fresh fruit/vegetable section in each school, went into effect at the beginning of the 2012 -2013 school year.
Any child in a district school may purchase a meal through the National School Lunch Program. Children from families with incomes over 185 percent of poverty pay the full price, though their meals are still subsidized to some extent. The Downingtown Area School District sets prices for full-price (paid) meals, (elementary is $2.25, $2.50 for middle/high school) but must operate their meal services as non-profit programs. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents. (For the period July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013, 130 percent of the poverty level is $29,965 for a family of four; 185 percent is $42,643.) Click here for more information about free or low cost meal eligibility.
The first national school lunch program was created in 1946. Since that time more than 224 billion lunches have been served. |
|
Congratulations! |
Both LMS and DMS Cross Country teams competed in the middle school Cross Country Chesmont Championships. Out of the 11 team field, the DASD middle schools took the top two spots in both the boys and girls races. Both the DMS boys and girls teams took home the team titles, and both the LMS boys and girls finished runner-up.
This picture shows the sportsmanship and team spirit of not only the two DASD middle cross country programs, but of both schools as a whole.
The Downingtown East girl's Cross County team of Katelyn Callaghan, Kate Koser, Amy Mohler, Anja Weiler, Amanda Koser, Jessica Squeri and Andrea Squeri won the 2012 Chesmont National Title at Unionville on Friday. They were undefeated in dual meet competion and the team has a 23 and 1 record over the past four seasons and are 45 and 1 over the last 6 seasons.
DWHS Senior Arielle Lentz attended a 9-Day program in Washington DC sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. The leadership development conference provided scholars the opportunity to interact with the three branches of government and news media. Arielle participated in leadership skill-building activities and simulations including a Model Congress taking a bill through all phases of mock legislation.
Angela Silhan, a junior at WEST has a print on display at Penn State Great Valley's campus.
Angela was a winners in the IMPRINT contest sponsored by the Wharten Esherick Museum in Malvern. Penn State Great Valley will be exhibiting the work until December 31, 2012.
 Congrats to the Blue and Gold Band on their big win in the annual New Holand parade.
Last issue we congratulated the DHS West students who march in the band. This week we salute the DHS East musicians. All together, these musicians and directors have made our Blue and Gold band one of the best in the nation!
 | | Great Game last Friday night! Congrats to DHS East on their victory. Both teams were terrific and played an exciting game of football in front of the 7,000 plus fans. |
|
| Elementary Updates | |
Beaver Creek
Students enjoyed a Skateboard Science assembly program sponsored by our PTO. The presenters demonstrated how science is involved in our everyday activities, even something as simple as skateboarding. They then went on to breakdown the different aspects of science related to skateboarding such as balance, center of gravity and so on. The one presenter then demonstrated a variety of tricks to show how science affected these tricks. Click here for more Beaver Creek news.
 Bradford Heights
The first graders from Mrs. Rooney's class and the fourth graders from Mrs. Graham's class worked together on Friday afternoon to build habitats for the woodland animals. The first graders and the fourth graders were very excited about the project. By using the materials in nature to create habitats, the students in the end were able to help Mrs. Graham cut down the garden for winter.
Click here for more news from Bradford Heights.
Brandywine Wallace
"Wow!" was the overwhelming response from students and staff. Thanks to our Home & School, BW recently enjoyed a visit this week from The Rain Forest. Teaming with our colleagues at BH, each school had a daytime assembly and then BW hosted the evening event for families. The standing room only crowd enjoyed the rainforest animals and the conservation message. Students were delighted to see a variety of animals including birds, snakes, monkeys, an anteater, and an alligator. Students had the opportunity to have photos taken with a snake and to purchase souvenirs.
East Ward
Fifth grade classrooms have teamed up with first grade classrooms to be school buddies. They meet periodically to support the first graders with technology needs, holiday projects, letter correspondence and building positive relationships and confidence. Both grades look forward to meeting up and having a buddy in the school!
Lionville Elementary
 Kris Mills, Kindergarten teacher, organized the LE Barnes & Noble Night for Lionville families. Local guest author Eli Kowalski signed books, the Band played and the Chorus sang to entertain the hundreds of attendees. In attendance were Lionville staff members, parents and students. Barnes and Noble presents a percentage of all sales to the school. Click here for more news about Lionville Elementary School.
Pickering Valley
We are gearing up for our Fall Spectacular on Friday night, October 26th. To accommodate the size of our Pickering Valley community, we host a double decker evening. There is an early session (5:30 - 7:00 pm) and a late session (7:45 - 9:15 pm). Kindergarteners through 2nd grade students and their parents party in the cafeteria and 3rd through 5th grade students and their parents party in the gym. This is always a fantastic evening filled with fun, music and prizes!! Click here for more news of the week from Pickering Valley.
Shamona Creek
The fifth grade students from Shamona Creek enjoyed a great day at Longwood Gardens. The day was spent exploring both renewable and non-renewable resources, experimenting with solar energy, and learning about sustainable practices being used throughout Longwood's property. We left with a plan of action on how to become a better global citizen. It was a great day! Click here for more news from Shamona Creek.
Uwchlan Hills
 The nine school board directors represent the 8 municipalities that make up the Downingtown Area School District. To learn more about the schools that are located outside their hometowns, the directors have "adopted" a school that is located in another part of the district. Uwchlan Hills rolled out the red carpet for Director Barbara Hurt-Simmons with this bulletin board outside the main office. Mrs. Hurt-Simmons represents West Pikeland and part of Upper Uwchlan.
West Bradford
 K9 visit. On Tuesday, Officer McKinney along with Afra and Jessie (drug dogs) and Officer Heisler with Sabre (bomb dog) visited with our WB third graders for an "on the edge of the seat" presentation! Officers McKinney and Heisler work with the Chester County K-9 unit and have graciously volunteered their time (over the years) to educate the third grade students at West Bradford about their career, their K-9 partners, and the services their unit provides. This assembly is tied to the Harcourt stories Officer Buckle and Gloria (fiction), and Rosie: The Visiting Dog Story (nonfiction). Amazingly, the students have an opportunity through the use of this assembly to make connections between the world and books they read. Click here for more West Bradford news.
|
|
Middle School Updates |
Lionville Middle School
 The 6th grade Titan Team, decked out in their Titan Team t-shirts, held the second annual PRIME time kickoff Monday, October 22 nd. The entire team met in the library where they did a variety of activities. Mr. Phillips, our academic advisor, took some time to explain the district expectations and goals of PSSA tests and Study Island to our students. Mrs. Ernest, our guidance counselor, introduced Naviance to the students. Team teachers, comprised of Jenn Catrambone, David Robinson, Pete Susi, Kim Pierce, Kate Yanchek and Gina Frunzi, then worked with students on how to track their progress and goal set. Students used lap top computers to identify their Math and Reading Benchmark #1 and documented their individual scores. Students then used Naviance to write individual goals for the next marking period. Click here for more LMS news. |
| High School Updates |
DHS West
This pretzel is too pretty to eat. Mrs. Tunnell's class has culinary skills and school spirit! The proud bakers are Colin McNabb, Justin Obendorfer, Matt Logan and Thomas Wilson.
The year's first play produced by Stage West can be seen on Thursday, November 1st and Friday, November 2nd at 7:00 pm in the West auditorium. The play, called "I Remember Mama," follows the life of a Norwegian-American family as their oldest daughter, Katrin,
grows up. Tickets will be available at the door for $5.00. Click here for more DHS West news.
STEM Academy
Almost 250 LMS 8th grade students gathered in the cafetorium to participate in the essay writing portion of the STEM Academy Application. Students seeking admission to the district's magnet high school must complete a multi-prong application. DMS applicants numbered in the hundreds as well. Interested students from private, parochial and charter schools will gather to write their essays this weekend. |
| Sponsors Sought |
If you are interested in being a D-Link sponsor, please contact Pat McGlone at pmcglone@dasd.org or call 610-269-8460, ext. 6113. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
