The D-Link
An E-Newsletter for the DASD Community Setpember 6, 2013 - Vol 5, Issue1 |
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Superintendent's Update |
While our students and teachers took a short break from their work together over the summer, our administrative team and support staff were busy getting our buildings and grounds ready for the first day of school on August 26th. I'm happy to report that all that planning and preparation enabled us to have a smooth start to the new school year. Our schools looked great, our classrooms were spotless, we're blessed with beautiful grounds around our schools, and our students and teachers returned with energy and enthusiasm for another year of learning.
Since I last wrote to you in this column, we have added another 137 students to our roster, making DASD once again the largest school district in Chester County and the ninth largest in the Commonwealth. Interesting to note that we have grown 318 students over the past 16 months. Fortunately, our school boards, both present and past, have enabled us to provide the necessary space and staffing to accommodate our eight growing municipalities. As the good news about our successful schools spread and the economy improves, we anticipate that we will grow some more. We will continue to monitor this growth carefully with redistricting occurring in all elementary school next year.
Lionville Middle School continues to grow with 1613 students but to Principal Ross and his staff this is business as usual. However the number of students in that building will be reduced next year with the opening of the 6th grade center in Uwchlan Township. We anticipate Lionville Middle School's student population to be closer to 1100 at the start of the 2014 school year.
Our newest school, the 16th in the district, is on target for a 2014 opening. 6th Grade Center Principal Tom Mulvey has been working all summer on curriculum and staffing needs and is eagerly anticipating his school's opening day.
Things don't start slowly around here. In fact we go from zero to 100 MPH over night. Our classrooms are filled with the sounds of learning, our athletic teams are already competing, our musicians are performing, new artwork is hanging on the walls and our teachers have been meeting to share new and exciting initiatives. We're back in business, and I for one, couldn't be happier.
Dr. Lawrence Mussoline
Superintendent |
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Sixth Grade Center Update |
The Sixth Grade Center represents an ideal opportunity to bring all of the students of the Downingtown Area School District together for one year. The building is taking shape as is the planning for what will be taking place inside. Principal Tom Mulvey sent a survey out to parents of the first sixth grade center class and will be using the results to plan four night discussion meetings for parents and students.
Over eighty parents have volunteered to participate with more than thirty teachers and ten students on committees that will help design the programs and practices of the new 6th Grade Center. Committees will meet three times during the school year, and conclude with a Sixth Grade Center Program Presentation in mid-May. Committees have been formed to focus on the following six areas:
- Creating a Welcoming Environment
- The 21st Century Classroom
- Social Development
- Experiential Learning
- Signature/Interdisciplinary Programs
- Student Activities
A survey (similar to the one sent to parents this summer) is now available for our fifth grade students to take. It can be found on their elementary school's and the 6GC's website. Besides requesting their opinion on various educational topics, students will be asked to submit suggestions for school colors and a mascot. Voting will take place in late September. We are also seeking interested student volunteers for the Programs and Practices committees. Please see the 6GC website for more information.
Most of the 6GC staff participated in an Outdoor Education staff development training at the Paradise Farms Center in August. We are investigating an Outdoor Education overnight program as part of the 6GC experience.
Six new course proposals were presented to the Board Curriculum Committee this past week. Voting for approval will take place at next week's regular meeting. The courses are:
- 6th Grade Wellness (H/PE)
- Integrated Digital Technology
- Introduction to French
- Introduction to German
- Introduction to Spanish
- Investigations in Engineering
Staff development is being planned on implementing interdisciplinary Project Based Learning for all sixth grade students. Projects will be technology based and require students to communicate, collaborate and create in a "hands-on" learning environment. A modified "block" period schedule will provide longer planned periods of instruction to facilitate deeper learning. |
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School Board News |
Each month the DASD School Board is proud to recognize students and teachers who have achieved success in the arts, education, sports or other extracurricular areas. Below are the recipients of this month's recognition.
Christine Meyer Authors a Latin Thesaurus
Christine Meyer, Latin teacher at Downingtown West, published a Latin thesaurus. At the summer 2013 American Classical League Convention in Memphis, Chris presented a session on how to teach Latin using synonyms. All copies of her book sold out at the convention! A book review posted on the Internet gives the following description of this original publication, "Latin Synonyms for Language Lovers is an invaluable resource for those wanting to encourage students to engage with Latin as a living language by speaking, listening and composing in Latin. Containing listings of synonyms grouped by English definitions and parts of speech (verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions), each entry offers multiple Latin vocabulary options with their own specific definitions to allow students to select the best word and to differentiate between similar words." Needless to say, we are very proud of Chris' accomplishment.
Beth Buglio Earns $1000 Impact Award
The DASD World Language Department announces that Beth Buglio, Japanese teacher, has received an Impact Award in the amount of $1000 from Penn State's Center for Global Studies. Mrs. Buglio's project "Voices from Fukushima" was awarded the grant. "Voices from Fukushima" is a unit plan that includes a compilation of primary source Japanese video with English subtitles. It can be used for the study of the ecological, public health, economic, social and political impact of the nuclear plant meltdown following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. The unit plan and supporting material will be published on the Center for Global Studies 'web page as a resource for teachers.
The Impact Award will be used to purchase materials to enrich the language learning in DEHS and DWHS Japanese classes. We will be purchasing authentic Japanese storytelling pictures called "Kamishibai," illustrated story books on the students' varied reading levels, and "Magic Cloth" for practicing Japanese calligraphy by painting with water, not ink." Congratulations!
Cristin Young Named Master of Mathematics
The Awards Committee of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) voted to award the Master of Mathematics Award to Cristin Young of East Ward Elementary School . She has exhibited a contagious enthusiasm for math and put in place many programs to help her students succeed in their learning.
Recognition by the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association, represented by Colleen Csenteri, Youth Market Director, will present the District with a plaque for the 'Gold Fit Friendly Worksite' designation earned earlier this year. In addition, the American Heart Association is recognizing Downingtown Area School District as a top school district in the state
of Pennsylvania for Jump Rope for Heart!
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My name is Emilie Gazzerro and I am a senior at DHS West. I will be doing an internship with the District's Communications Department, and today is my first day! August 26th was a sunny and exciting first day as students commenced the 2013-2014 school year. At West, freshman and seniors alike met Mr. Barker, smiling and eager on his first day as Head Principal. In addition to this change in leadership from Mr. Mulvey to Mr. Barker, this upcoming year will hold several more changes.
Downingtown will see several transitions this year from the elementary schools through the high schools. In June, the very first graduating class from STEM will receive their diplomas. Just a few months after that, the brand new 6th Grade Center will open next to Shamona Creek Elementary School. In addition to these anticipated changes, new teachers brighten the classrooms. While these transitions greatly improve the experience at Downingtown, returning to the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) concept, friendly faces of fellow peers, and the promise of learning every day fill the classrooms and hallways with joy. Visiting favorite teachers after a fun summer reminds students of the exuberant feeling of growing as a student and person. While the changes bring new colors to the walls of Downingtown schools, the constants excite us for another undoubtedly great school year to come.
Other than our teachers and classes, the beginning of sports and clubs sparked lively conversation. The marching band, already perfectly in step, looks forward to performing at an Eagles game. The cheerleaders chanting in unison anticipate their competitions and the Friday Night Lights along with the football players. Also, the soccer, field hockey, tennis, cross country, tennis, and golf teams are dedicated to practicing to defeat their best competitors. Equally as important, the Student Council begins to plan a Great Gatsby homecoming for West, and the various other clubs have happily initiated their meetings and plans. With several changes and several constants, the 2013-2014 holds limitless possibility for us Downingtown students. |
| Congratulations! | |
ACT - (American College Testing) was founded in 1959 by two University of Iowa education professors who wanted to create a new college entrance examination that would test broad competencies. They hoped to encourage students, both to acquire knowledge and to learn how to use it in productive ways. In 2009, ACT celebrated fifty years of service to the education world, with more than 1.5 million high school graduates taking the ACT college admissions and placement exam.
Last year, 244 DHS students took the ACT test, an increase of 70 students since 2009. Below is a graph showing how DASD testing scores have increased since 2009. The results show the average district score placed in the top 25% of all students taking the test, with many more scoring higher.
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| What's Happening in the Schools? | |
Debbie Miles, one of our recently retired DMS teachers, was interviewed on MSNBC during the Martin Luther King celebration in Washington. Click here for the interview.
The School Board has approved Dr. Jenny LeSage as an Elementary Supervisor of Special Education. Dr. LeSage will be responsible for activities in BC, BW, PV, SM and WB.
The DHS West High School Band will be performing at the September 15, 2013 Philadelphia Eagles game.
Lionville Elementary School has a new principal. Shelda Perry began her education career as an elementary teacher. She most recently an Assistant principal in Garnet Valley School District. Click here for her bio.
LMS Teacher Eric Snook was recently honored by State Senator Andrew Dinniman for saving the life of a child this summer. Eric helped a seven year old who was having trouble in a swimming pool.
Vince Belnome is a staff member in the district's Facilities Department. Vince's son is the second best hitter in the International League who sports a .334 average and was a starter in the Triple -A All Star Game that was held in August. He plays second base for the Durham Bulls.
The Downingtown Community Education Foundation will be offering three after-school programs to students in grades 3 - 5 beginning in February. More information will be available shortly. |
| Principal Updates | |
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creekers enjoyed participating in our combined Open House/Back-to-School
Nights a few days prior to our school year starting. Families had an opportunity to visit classrooms, and meet teachers. Parents learned about our new Math in Focus series, procedures and expectations for the year, while students participated in a "Sweet Night of Nature" in grade level break-out groups. First graders will be cleaning up our vegetable garden beds from our summer crops and
planting some fall crops. Food continues to be harvested and donated to the Lord's Pantry in Downingtown. Parent volunteers did a great job assisting us over the summer months.
Brandywine Wallace We have had another busy week at BW! We completed Study Island benchmarking to inform our instruction and intervention. During the inservice day, teachers explored the Danielson Framework, scored Study Island tests, and continued to use data to guide specific and individualized instruction. On Wednesday, our third graders were treated to a demonstration of stringed instruments with Mrs. Baer which created lots of excitement. Students are looking forward to learning how to play new instruments. Also on Wednesday, we remembered Aidan Silva with a school-wide Phillies Day. Fourth graders (Aidan's classmates) wrote cards to the Silva Family.
East Ward
Pieces of the Puzzle Assembly
Students of East Ward gathered in the LGI on the first day of school for an assembly to celebrate the start of the school year! At this assembly Ms. Alfieri and Mr. Argonish talked with students about how each of us are like a piece to a puzzle. We need everyone to make our school complete! Students departed to homerooms and began working on their puzzle piece. Each student wrote their name and a unique quality they contribute to our school. All 25 homeroom puzzles were completed and will be made into 1 large puzzle that represents our school. East Ward received 3 new iPad and laptop carts this year! The laptop carts have been deployed to grades 3, 4, and 5. The iPads will be deployed to primary grades. There will be at least 6 iPads in each primary classroom. These iPads will be used to support literacy and math skills.
DHS West
Downingtown West Senior, Mary Kate Foley, will be performing at Walnut Street Theatre this September as part of Seussical Jr. This Fantastical, magical, hour-long musical extravaganza will be performed LIVE at Walnut Street Theatre, September 21 and 28, 2013. Homecoming weekend is coming! The Parade will be Thursday, October 3rd. The parade will begin at Beaver Creek and proceed down Pennsylvania Avenue to Manor Ave. and finish at West. Stage West Drama Club will be holding auditions for its fall production, Stage Door, on Tuesday, September 6th. A comedic drama about aspiring actresses in 1940s, the play boasts over 30 roles! Production dates are November 8 & 9th. Back to School Night will be September 9th beginning at 6:30 pm for Freshmen parents and at 7:00 pm for parents of upperclassmen. Parents will follow an 'A' day schedule andhave the opportunity to meet with their students' teachers. We encourage all parents to attend.
STEM
The Downingtown STEM Academy yearbook editors (Arianna Khalil, Maham Qurashi,
Eleanor Gordan, and Sindhu Parupalli) won an Excellence in Theme Development Award this summer at the Herff Jones Gettysburg Experience Yearbook camp this summer. Alongside the experts and advisors from Herff Jones and other students from around New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. These students spent many, many hours working together to develop the theme, "Inside the Big Picture" for the 2013/2014 yearbook. Some highlights from their theme idea include looking at the little things that happen at STEM that make it unique, such as highlighting specific student achievements. This is a huge accomplishment for our second year staff.
The Seniors at The STEM Academy are completing the last step of their STEM Practicum requirement---presenting their Career Exploration Portfolio. This portfolio is an opportunity for the student to compile their entire experience into an electronic or paper document which chronicles their experience, highlights the organization where they shadowed and provides a personal reflection on how this experience aided in their career decision process. The goal of this portfolio is not just as an addition to a college transcript but provides additional experience to share during a college admissions interview and added to the student's resume for future internships. |
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