The D-Link
An E-Newsletter for the DASD Community October 25, 2013 - Vol 5, Issue 5 |
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Superintendent's Update |
Greetings!
Tonight is the annual DHS East vs. DHS West football game and I must admit that I love a good football game and the Battle of the Brandywine is a great evening of excitement for the DASD community. Although it looks like it will be a little cold this evening from what we're used to, yet I'm sure it will be a perfect fall football night, with a packed stadium, with very excited students, parents, staff and alumni.
This is a grand night for our school district. The East/West game is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come out and celebrate all that is good in our district. We have tremendous athletes in our team players and cheerleaders. We'll hear two great bands playing in the stands. There will be parent volunteers manning the snack bars and concession booths and the stadium will be awash in blue and gold shirts, jackets, signs and banners. It is a DASD cultural complex that inherently brings all of our families together for some good fun.
I do my best to get to many of our East/West athletic events, be it soccer, lacrosse, baseball, volleyball, tennis....etc. What I enjoy the most is the camaraderie that exists between our high school players, our teachers, and our parents at all East v West games. The rivalry is fun and exciting no matter the sport. Many of our student athletes have played together in community groups or attended elementary school together. There may be a rivalry, and they all want to walk away with the victory, but you can see a genuine feeling of fun and good will between players and fans throughout the game.
So button your overcoat and wear your best blue and gold colors. Be sure to cheer each point that is earned by every team and enjoy this particularly great part of being a member of the Downingtown Area School District!
Dr. Larry Mussoline
Superintendent
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Pennsylvania Area Youth Survey to be Discussed | |
The Downingtown Area Communities that Care (CTC), in collaboration with Communities in Schools of PA (CISPA), invite the community to attend one of three Town Hall Meetings. CTC will highlight the results of the 2011 Pennsylvania Area Youth Survey (PAYS).
Since 1989, the Commonwealth of PA has conducted a survey of school students in the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades to learn about their behavior, attitudes and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and violence. The Pennsylvania Youth Survey or PAYS, is sponsored and conducted every two years by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. This data provides school administrators and others with critical information concerning the changes in patterns of the use and abuse of these harmful substances and behaviors. The survey also assesses risk factors that are related to these behaviors and the protective factors that help guard against them. This information allows community leaders to direct prevention resources to areas where they are likely to have the greatest impact.
For your convenience, there will be three town hall meetings.
1) November 13, 2013 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton, PA. Special guest will be Kathi Cozzone, Chester County Commissioner.
2) November 17, 2013 from 3 - 5 p.m. at Ashbridge Manor, 971 East Lancaster Ave. Downingtown, PA. With special guests State Representative Becky Corbin and Lex Remillard LCSW, MSW.
3) November 20, 2013 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Hopewell United Methodist Church, 852 Hopewell Road, Downingtown, PA. With special guest Judge William Mahon, Chester County.
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| High School Faculty Enjoy a Game of Football | |
 On Wednesday October 23, 2013 the DHS East and DHS WEst faculty played in their first ever game of flag football. The schools' teams were made up of principals, guidance counselors, teachers, custodians and support staff. Everyone enjoyed a spirited, intense evening.
With students, families and friends cheering and supporting from the stands, the faculty received a taste of what it feels like to compete in front of a big crowd. The score was close for most of the game, with West leading 24-12 at the half.
While it appeared as though West would achieve victory, East fought back, gradually cathcing up to West. With a tied score of 32-32, the two rivals met to discuss overtime. West received the ball first and scored a touchdown to give them a lead of 38-32; however, they did not successfully score the two point conversion. East then had their final opportunity. After a pass into the end zone, the West defense could not contain the East offense and they scored the two point conversion to end the game.
Congratulations to both East and West faculty for putting on an exciting game, and to East for their 40-38 overtime victory!
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| Health and Wellness Update, by Director of Human Resources Sharon Standish |
Members of the School Health Councils held their first meeting this month to discuss the School Health Index information, a how-to guide on how to lead their school health and wellness programs this year. Each school council hopes to address individual building needs this year. School councils will use the guide to create their school's health and wellness goals for this year. Each building will have two goals-one that is focused on health and nutrition, the second focused on safe and supportive schools. A guest speaker from the district's new Health Advocate Service was also present and spent time discussing the wellness components that are available through their service for staff wellness support.
A subcommittee of our wellness group will be reviewing the district's current wellness policy, #246, and the supporting administrative guidelines. The group will be making recommendations for a policy update at a later time.
Superintendent Lawrence Mussoline, Board member Jackie Fenn, Principal Dawn Lawless, Health and Wellness Consultant Bethann Cinelli and I recently attended the American School Health Association (ASHA) conference in Myrtle Beach to present a program entitled, "Blueprint for Aligning Health and Academic Success: Policy, Data and Strategic Plans."
The School Health Councils are off to a good start and look forward to having another successful year of health and wellness in all 15 schools! |
A Student's View by Emilie Gazzarro, senior, DHS West | |
 This Friday, October 25th, Kottmeyer Stadium will host the most anticipated game of the year- the East West football game. Players, students, teachers, alumni and countless families will attend the rivalry game between the two Downingtown high school teams.
All week, both East and West participated in a Spirit Week involving different themes such as pajama day, USA day, WESTern day, and superhero day. Having students from every grade dress alike brings everyone together and spreads school spirit. Our Student Council has been selling blue and gold bandanas, beads, and face paint for students to wear and support our team. East will wear black t-shirts for their tradition of a "black out" at the game, meanwhile West will sport gold.
Although to me it is a mystery as to how these two campuses with the same colors became such heated rivals, I do know how much fun this game is for everyone each year. Best of luck to both teams this Friday night, but don't forget East- This Is Our House!
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| What's Happening in the District? | |
 Parent/Child Preschool Group
The first session of the new Parent-Child preschool group was held on Monday. Parents enjoyed a session about school safety with Director of Facilites Jim Lill and Downingtown Police Chief Jim McGowan while their children enjoyed fall fun and games with Downingtown Borough Librarian Karen Miller. The next preschool session will be on health and nutrician. To register for the November event, click here.
 LMS XC Success
The Lionville Middle School boys and girls cross country teams both won the County/Chesmont Cross Country Championships held on the campus of Unionville High School on Thursday, October 24.
Individual medal winners from the girls team were Elizabeth Alexander, Shannon Cody, and Julia Tapper. They finished 5th, 6th, and 10th.
Individual medal winners from the boys team were Luke Scheuermann and Cole Kacmar. They finished 6th and 10th. Congratulations to both teams!
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Principal Updates
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On Wednesday October 23rd, teachers from Downingtown High School East (DHSE) and West (DHSW) campuses came together to raise money for a special cause. With the help of DHSE Student Council, High School Administration, and staff from both buildings, the teachers in the inaugural East-West Faculty Football Game raised a total of $381 for the Brendan Bovard Brain Tumor Research Fund at CHOP. Culminating with a riveting finale, DHSE was able to squeak by with an overtime win, 40-38.
DHS West
In anticipation of the East/West football game on October 25th, it is Spirit Week. Each day had a theme starting with Blackout Day on Monday, Superhero Day on Tuesday, USA day on Wednesday, WESTern day on Thursday and Gold Day on Friday. The week will culminate with a pep rally on Friday afternoon leading into what we hope will be a West victory.
STEM Academy
A Time Management Seminar was presented by STEM Partner MEA (The Mid-Atlantic Employer's Association) to the entire Freshman Class. Teachers participated in preparing, presenting and practicing techniques in the classroom. The teachers were very instrumental in the modeling the skills that were taught. The students and teachers alike were very engaged in the program. Team leaders Kaylia Austin and Sarah Gantert demonstrated the skills during the assembly through interactive role play along with ten STEM Students.
Downingtown Middle School
Downingtown Middle School's "Inspiration from the Lancer Nation"
Happy Friday to all of our Downingtown friends! Please click the link directly below to hear this week's podcast of the "Weekly Update!"
http://inspirationfromthelancernation.libsyn.com/rss
You can also check out our Podcast's Website and listen from there:
http://inspirationfromthelancernation.libsyn.com/webpage
Visit us on Twitter and Facebook at:
Twitter: @DASD_DMS
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/dasddms
Lionville Middle School
Sixth Grade Center
A Programs and Practices Meeting at STEM was hosted a few weeks ago - over 100 parents, teachers and kids participated in six subcommittees determining what they did and did not want in those areas. There were very impressive ideas and thoughts shared.
The Technology department explored Microsoft devices with Mr. Mulvey last week. We have just completed our application to be a MS Innovative School. Mr. Kase is contacting vendors to establish a vendor fair sometime soon. Mr. Mulvey has been exploring other district's one to one policies and roll-outs.
We are working on the initial stages of a grant proposal for an outdoor environmental education classroom with Joe Fraim and Pat McGlone. Senator Dinniman's office has been contacted and an they are pledging support.
Bradford Heights
Bradford Heights has had a very busy week. Last Friday was the first day of the fall book fair. The students were very excited to be able to come after school to purchase books with their families. That evening was also the Fall Festival. During the festival, there was face painting, book purchasing, raffles, and to end the evening was a movie. A good time was had by everyone. We would like to thank Dianna Valvardi and her H&S team for all of the time and effort they put into this event. We appreciate all that you did.
Springton Manor
The Springton Manor Home and School Association is once again sponsoring a Fall Book Fair for Springton Manor Families. Our Book Fair will open on Friday, October 25, 2013 in conjunction with our Fall Festival Celebration and will run through Friday, November 1, 2013. The students will visit the Book Fair during their Library period throughout the week and parents and families will also have an opportunity to purchase books. Remember, books make great Holiday presents!
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