Downey School Core Values
Welcome to the Downey Elementary School! Our school is an inclusive K-5 building that provides an excellent education to all students. At Downey School we believe that learning is a partnership between the child, parent/guardian, and Downey School professionals. As a staff, we believe that open and honest communication with parents/guardians is important, and we value the input from parents/guardians. To ensure that Downey School is a safe environment for all students and staff to take academic/professional risks, we live by the 6 Downey School Core Values:
Courage, Pride, Excellence, Respect, Responsibility, Inclusion
November 2, 2018
Dear Downey Community,
October was a busy month at Downey! I hope you have had a chance to check out the Downey Twitter page for weekly updates about what students are working on at school. The build out of Phase I of the outdoor learning space was a huge success, despite the rainy, cold weather. The annual Halloween Party sponsored by the PTO was a lot of fun, and the Haunted House created by the 5th grade students was so scary! This was the 10th Downey Haunted House I experienced, and I think this was my favorite one! Many thanks to the PTO and all the parent volunteers who make Downey School a welcoming community and a special place to work.
Now that November is here, this too will be a very busy month. However, we can all look forward to the Thanksgiving holiday break that is just a couple of weeks away. Please read below for information about upcoming school events.
November 1-9-Wellesley Dental Group Candy Drive. All candy will be donated to the U.S. Troops. All donations can be dropped off at the main office.
November 5-9-Downey School Food Drive. Food will be donated to the Westwood Food Shelter. All food donations can be dropped off in the boxes in the front lobby.
November 6
Voting Day in the gym. Please enter/exit through the gym doors. The Downey PTO will be selling baked goods!
8:00 p.m. PTO meeting in the cafe for all to join.
November 7
Picture retake day-Please inform Mrs. Carde in the main office if your child will be having their photo retaken. Also, please return your original photos to the main office.
11:50 a.m. Early Release
1:00 p.m. Afternoon parent/teacher conferences will take place.
November 9-9:00 a.m. Math League Parent Coaching Meeting in the cafe.
November 12-Veterans Day. No School
November 14-Early Release.
Evening parent/teacher conferences will take place.
November 21-Early Release-Happy Thanksgiving!
12:00 p.m.
November 22-26 Thanksgiving Break
Recess Reminder…...as the cold weather approaches, please know that we make every effort to send students outside at arrival time and during recess. Please send your child to school with appropriate clothing for the weather. The only time we keep students inside is when it is raining or the temperature is below 20 degrees. As we all know, the students would rather be outdoors during arrival time and recess!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Deb Gallagher
PTO Updates & Information: November 2018
Please click here for minutes from the September 11, 2018 PTO Meeting
Please click here for minutes from the October 2, 2018 PTO meeting
Pre-Holiday Shopping Social
Thursday, November 15th
7-10PM
If you like to plan ahead, then this event is for you! Start your holiday shopping while enjoying snacks and cocktails with friends from the Downey Community. Vendors include: Cabi Clothing, Pampered Chef, Pure Haven, Touchstone Crystal and more. Vendor presentations will begin at 7:30pm.
Location:
McGowan Home
20 Currier Farm Road
Raffle tickets will be sold as you enter. Cash, check or PayPal will be accepted at the door the night of the event. $15 for one entry, $25 for 2 or $30 for 5. Please RSVP directly to Tammy McGowan at tamaraimcgowan@yahoo.com.
Scholastic Book Fair
Monday, Dec. 3rd-Thursday Dec. 6th
The Scholastic Book Fair will be taking place in the Downey gym from Monday, December 3rd -Thursday, December 6th.
Class visits will take place on Monday, December 3rd and Tuesday December 4th. The fair will also be open during the Holiday Shopping night on December 6th so stop by to fulfill your child's wishlist of books or go on-line!
You will receive more detailed information on what date/time each class will be visiting the book fair as it gets closer.
Please consider volunteering. Contact Maureen Sullivan at maureenasullivan16@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer or with any questions.
Holiday Shopping Fair
Thursday, December 6th
5:30-7PM
On Thursday, December 6th anytime between 5:30-7PM all Downey students are invited to come to the Downey school to purchase gifts for their family and friends. Please have your child fill out a shopping list and bring it with them to shop. There will be shopping helpers for all children.
The Scholastic Book Fair will also be open in the Downey gym during the Holiday Fair.
Please note this is NOT a drop off event. Parents are asked to stay in the lobby so children can shop on their own.
Shop with Amazon Smile this season
As you complete your holiday shopping this year, please consider using our Amazon Smile link to make your purchases. The Amazon Smile Foundation will contribute 0.5% of eligible purchases back to the Downey School. It's an easy way to support our school and our students!
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in becoming involved with the PTO or helping out at events, please contact us at downey.pto@westwood.k12.ma.us. There are many opportunities to join a PTO committee and/or volunteer at one of the PTO events to ensure a successful event. Some of the upcoming Fall events that are in need of volunteers include:
- Holiday Shopping Night
- Scholastic Book Fair (coming in December)
- Downey Gala
We welcome all volunteers.
PTO Dues and Downey Directory
There's still time to do your part and pay your dues! Please help us support our children's education. Checks for $45 made payable to the "Downey PTO" can be sent to school in your child's backpack, or paid online through our PayPal link. All families that pay dues will receive the 2018-2019 Downey Directory.
Save the Date: Second Annual Downey Gala
Saturday, March 23rd, 2019
Downey will host its 3rd Annual Gala on Saturday, March 23rd. The Downey Gala is our largest fundraiser, bringing funds to our school that support additional programs and needs for our children. This year, the Downey PTO purchased high-end playground equipment that will be installed this year. Also, due to the generosity of our Downey families, teachers and staff, the Outdoor Classroom project is in progress.
More information to come! Early sponsorship is available now. Contact Co-Chairs Anne McMurray: annemariemcmurray@gmail.com or Nayla Daly: nayladaly@gmail.com. The Gala Committee is seeking silent auction items including vacation experiences, unique dining experiences, sports memorabilia, etc. Thanks in advance for your support!
Downey Gift Book Program
The Gift Book Program continues and is an exciting way for your child to make a contribution to the school library! For all purchases made through this link, your child's name will be placed on a label on the inside cover of the book and they will be the first to read the book; all before the book is placed on the shelf in the Downey School library to then be shared by all students. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please contact Donna Cantarella, Downey Librarian (dcantarella@westwood.k12.ma.us).
Box Tops for Education
As you're shopping for school lunches and snacks, please don't forget to send in the Box Tops for Education to Downey. There will be boxes in each classroom for students to drop off the box tops, and another in the main office. Make sure to label bags/envelopes with your child's grade level. Names and teachers are not necessary. Happy Clipping!
Congratulations to 5th Grade for winning the first box tops competition of the school year. Stay tuned for additional information coming soon on our next contest!
