 The D-Link
An E-Newsletter for the DASD Community
May 25, 2012- Vol 4, Issue 18 |
This issue of the D-Link is brought to you by .........
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| Superintendent's Update | |
Greetings:
The School Board met with McKissick Associates last evening to kick off the process for preparing new school attendance boundaries. A goal of the redistricting process is to create new feeder patterns that will establish a direct, un-splintered flow of students from elementary to the new 6th grade center to the middle scjpp;s and finally to our two comprehensive high schools. This redistricting process will provide us with an opportunity to ensure that all students academically benefit from a more equitable distribution of available educational resources.
The School Board has tasked McKissick Associates with several key issues that must be explored and discussed during the redistricting process. These include a look at all neighborhoods, student population trends, special student needs, transportation, SES, ethnicity, and current school enrollment numbers. The next step in the process will occur over the summer and will include the gathering of all pertinent information. The consultant will use this information to analyze population growth and forecast long range school enrollment plans. This option generation phase of McKissisk's work will occur during the fall and early winter of the 2012-13 school year. Community meetings will be held along the way and if you follow our Web site under Board initiatives, you will be able to follow and participate in the process of altering attendance boundaries as per the Board's wishes.
As we transition to a more efficient and educationally valuable end result, I will use this column to keep you informed along each step in the process. The Board's focus in approving a new redistricting plan is put the district in the best position to provide a quality education to all of our students, regardless of where they live and go to school.
Dr. Larry Mussoline
Superintendent |
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Memorial Day Ceremony |
On May 23, 2102 the Lionville Middle School community welcomed veterans from the Downingtown area to a solemn ceremony honoring our nation's war heroes. Music, speeches and the laying of a wreath in honor of those who did not return from serving overseas were all part of the program.
Veteran Thomas Ames (above) from the VFW Post 845 in Downingtown was the guest speaker. He urged students to remember the original purpose of Memorial Day. "While many consider this weekend to be a time to open pools or go to the shore", he said, "it is important for all of you to remember that we are honoring our nation's deceased soldiers on this day. They died to ensure your freedoms, and one of those is to get an education."
Students in the choir and band performed two songs. Principal Jon Ross thanked the students for their attention and solemnity during the ceremony. |
| Cougar Corps Company donates $3000 to Chester County Food Backpack Program | |
 | | Members of the Cougar Corps Board of Directors pose with Dr. Larry Mussoline, Principal Paul Hurley and Karen Tate of the Exton Chamber |
Cougar Corps, a business run by DHS East's Entrepenurial Class, held their annual wrap-up celebration on May 23, 2012. The student-run business raised over $3,000 that was donated to the Chester County Food Backpack Program. The donation will be used to fill 200 backpacks with enough food and supplies for to last a family for one month.
Teacher Peggy Alvarez introduced representatives from several area companies that assisted Cougar Corp with their year long business venture. Franklin Mint Credit Union loaned the group $1,000 to get the business off the ground. The group used the money to purchase lanyards and bracelets that were sold online and to students. Franklin Mint Credit Union has been involved in this "Get Real" project for the last three years. "Get Real" is one part of a joint partnership between the district and the Exton Chamber of Commerce. Karen Tate, chair of the Exton Chamber of Commerce, was present at the celebration and applauded the group on their success. She commended student Christian Santini for being the group's top salesperson. Mrs. Alvarez also introduced students CEO Zachary Vitale and CFO Jack Willenbrock who thanked the 29 student members of Cougar Corps for their efforts this year.
Jim Kane, a representative from SCORE, thanked all involved. One year ago he helped the group create their business plan. The students wrote a mission plan that included a statement to help children. SCORE is an organization that provides expert consultant to student business groups.
Other DHS East departments were involved in the project. Student Tyree Townsend, a student in Ms. Terri Lee Cook's art class, designed the Cougar Corp logo. |
| National Junior Honor Society at LMS |
Lionville Middle School inducted Downingtown Area School District's first group of middle school students into the National Junior Honor Society on Thursday, May 17th. A total of 92 students from 7th and 8th grade were inducted.
The evening ceremony began with music provided by student violinists Noriyukia and Yoshitaka Shinagawa. Student inductees marched in to "Trumpet, Tune, and Air" followed by opening comments by Mr. Ross, building principal and Mr. Wiedlich, chapter advisor. Student speakers led the induction ceremony by providing insight into the traditional torch lighting ceremony. Student speakers were Brian Swinehart, Tara Collier, Dylan McEvoy, Olivia Orris, Tom Cestare, Annabelle Williams, and Anna Kramer. The torches signify the pillars of the National Junior Honor Society; Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Citizenship.
Our guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Sandy Griffin. She was introduced by Ryan Francella.
New inductees were presented with medallions and membership cards as they were called to the stage for recognition. Students were called for recognition by our NJHS Committee Members; Mr. Matt Dziunycz, Mr. Steve Frederick, Ms. Sue McGrath, Mrs. Maribeth Kelly, and Mrs. Sally Boughman. Closing remarks were given by Mr. Dziunycz, and student then marched out the famous song, "The March of 1941."
LMS students that were inducted are proud to be part of Downingtown Area School District's and Lionville Middle School's Inaugural NJHS group of inductees. |
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Congratulations! |
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Kudos to our STAFF and STUDENTS and ALUMNI! |
Two former DEHS State Swimming champions qualify for U.S. Olympic Swim Trials this June
Samantha Palser, a 2008 graduate and Danielle Siverling, a 2011 graduate of Downingtown East, who were both gold medal swimming champions at Pennsylvania States, qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials this June in Omaha, Nebraska. Samantha, a four year varsity swimmer at Penn State, attended Big Ten Championships for four years earning two gold medals, two silver medals, various top 24 places and Big Ten First Team honors as well as participating in Division I NCAA's for the past two years earning 5 All American Awards.
Danielle Siverling, a 2011 Downingtown East graduate, was a 2 time state gold medalist and state record holder at the Pennsylvania State Championships. She has just completed her freshman year as a varsity swimmer for the University of North Carolina. During this year, she was named to the All-ACC First team and the All-ACC Academic team. She earned one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal at this year's ACC Championships. She also competed at the NCAA Championship meet, earning All-America honors.
Danielle has qualified for 3 events at Olympic Trials, the 100 Freestyle, the 200 Freestyle, and the 400 Freestyle.
DHS West Grad Honored
Laura Foti, a graduate of DHS West, was one of 18 young women present at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City receiving a scholarship recognizing her potential in the field of communications at the prestigious Matrix Awards luncheon on April 23. 22-year-old Laura Foti was recognized for her work in the field of public relations and journalism by being honored with a McGraw-Hill Companies Scholarship award. |
| Other News | |
The Future Whippet Football Camp
The Future Whippet Football Camp is a non-contact, instructional camp for all school age boys grades one through nine. The camp begins Monday June 18 and runs through Thursday June 21. Instruction is provided by the West football staff and current and former players. The fee is $135.oo for the four day camp. Registration forms are available online at: www.dwhsfootball.com. Please contact Coach Milano with any questions: mmilano@dasd.org.
Congratulations to the Downingtown Girls Varsity Ice Hockey!
This past summer, with fewer Girls Varsity ice hockey players available than usual, the merger of teams from Downingtown West HS and Downingtown East HS evolved into reality. When the fall season started in September, five players from DWHS - Emmy Bebee, Nina Cairns, Liz D'Ginto, Guilia DiSanto and Sierra Farkas - were welcomed and joined forces with nine players from DEHS - Lindsay Baretta, Amy DeForrest, Morgan Elliot, Alexis Fullman, Kathy Gagnon, Ainslie Rhoads, Katie Steuve, Miranda Steuve and Emily Tinguely. The combined Downingtown East Cougars became one of the premier teams in the Inter-County Scholastic Hockey League, ending regular season play at 13-3 and earning the 3rd seed in the playoffs. They whipped 6th seed Bishop Shanahan HS 7-0 in Round 1, and then highlighted their season by edging 2nd seed Unionville HS 3-2 in a thrilling Round 2 contest. That earned them a shot at Haverford HS in the ICSHL Championship game - they lost and finished their remarkable season at 15-4. It had been a sweet and memorable ride for the one-time archrivals, who became friends and teammates converging on a common purpose and exceeding all expectations in the process!
Calling all interested 7th-11th grade girls to come out and play the exciting sport of ice hockey for the 2012-13 season; no previous experience required. Prospective players should contact either the Downingtown West Hockey Club at www.eteamz.com/dwhc or the Downingtown East Ice Hockey Club at http://deicehockey.org/
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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. |
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