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
Dear Downey Parents,
After April vacation the classroom teachers, special education teachers, specialists, psychologist, and I will begin the process of class placement for September 2017. During the placement process, it is important for us to consider all relevant information. We review information about each child’s academic, social, and personal characteristics and use that information when making placement decisions. Our primary goal is to assign each child to a classroom in which she or he can develop academically and socially.
Due to the complexity of this process, we will not honor requests for specific classroom teachers for the following reasons:
If you have information about your child’s learning needs that you would like to share, please send your input to me in writing (letter or email) by Friday, May 5, 2017. Although you may have had a discussion with your child’s teacher during the spring conference about class placement, all requests must be sent to me. Parent letters received will be copied and distributed to the placement team members for consideration. Please note that letters and emails are not kept from previous years since children change and grow, and we make decisions based on current information.
If you are the parent of multiples (twins, triplets, etc), you may specify whether you want your children placed in the same class or different classes. Also, please know that if you have more than one child in your family, there is a chance that they will not have the same teachers as their siblings.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the process.
Sincerely,
Debra L. Gallagher
PTO Updates & Information:
Don’t forget about the NEW and Improved 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. Additional details can be found here: Downey Gift Book Program. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please contact Donna Cantarella, Downey Librarian (dcantarella@westwood.k12.ma.us).
