In an age when 74.7% of Chester County high school students admit to trying alcohol (PA Youth Survey data) it is important to present programs such as NOPE to students at a young age.   Chelsea Price noted that 45% of those who begin drinking before the age of 14 become dependent on alcohol.  If students wait until 21 to drink, that figure drops by half.   She explained that a child's brain is not fully developed until the age of 24 so it is important that parents do whatever it takes to keep alcohol away from their children.   She urged parents to lock up their alcohol and to throw away unused prescription drugs. 

In 2013, 20 young people living in Chester County died from mixing drugs with alcohol.  They joined brothers Jesse and Dustin Leonard of Fort Worth Texas who died of an overdose three weeks apart and a 22 year old Phoenixville girl whose parents found her dead in her bedroom.  

"Don't be mislead when your child says they only tried it once", said Ms. Price.  "If you suspect that your child may be using alcohol or drugs, be a strong parent and seek professional help, such as counseling, a support group or a treatment program. 

More information can be found on the NOPE Talk Force website. 

http://www.nopetaskforce.org

DASD Staff gathered on the Day of Service to sew Quilts of Valor to be presented to service members and veterans whose lives have been touched by war. In attendance are (Left to right) Vicki Covey (LE, Retired); Florence Erickson (DE, Retired;) Alicia Liermann, State Coordinator for QOV (CO); Sarah Evans (DW); Donna Kneisly (DW); Lisa Nugent (DW); Kathy Nester (DW, Retired); Elaine Greaney (DW); not pictured: Karen Mellinger (LMS).

On January 20, 2015, ten fourth and fifth graders participated in the East Ward Geography Bee.   Pictured from left to right are the fifth grade participants:  Ian Corbett, Adithi Gollakota, Jake Ulmer, Esha Singh, and Caiden Leen.  Caiden Leen placed third while Esha Singh was crowned the East Ward Geography Bee Champion.  Esha will take the state qualification test on January 30^th.  If she places in the top 100 she will move on to the State Competition.  East ward is so proud of all the participants' accomplishments. 

Downingtown Middle School

DMS students are hard at work these final days of rehearsals.  The school's talented students will be performing Oliver on February 6, 7 and 8.   For tickets and more information, click here.   

LMS

Students in Ms. Edwards Automation and Robotics class learn how important is it to give detailed instructions when building models and when working in groups. Students are currently working on writing directions for a LEGO model they designed using descriptive words. For the second part of this activity the students will then give verbal directions, and talk about how written directions and verbal different are good in different situations.

The Counseling department and TCHS will be presenting information for students interested in the Allied Health or Teacher Academy programs for next year on Friday, January 23rd.  Representatives from the Teacher Academy program will be here 2nd period and Allied Health representatives will be here 3rd period.  Both will be held in the auditorium.