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
May 12, 2018
Dear Downey Community,
This has been a special week at Downey School for the staff. The PTO Hospitality Committee has spoiled the staff all week long with fresh flowers, breakfast, lunch, student thank you cards, and gift cards in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week! It is a pleasure to teach all of your children and an honor to be part of such an amazing community. Thank you to the many parents who helped to make this a special week for the Downey Staff!
Yesterday afternoon, as part of the Same and Different, Like Me curriculum, students in grade 1 met with Mrs. Hiller who has a physical disability. Mrs. Hiller showed the students how she is able to access the passenger side of her vehicle from her motorized wheelchair. Students also got to walk up the ramp to her vehicle and see the inside the van. Thank you Mrs. Hiller for visiting Downey!
Students in grade 3 have also had a busy week. On Thursday, a guest from Historic New England came to talk to students about Colonial Trade. Thank you to the PTO for funding this program, the students truly enjoyed it! On Friday morning, the students saw a performance by WHS students about Body Safety. This is a program that is co sponsored by WHS and Westwood Youth and Family Services. Although this is a very sensitive topic, it is an important conversation to have with children to give them the tools to protect themselves.
Lastly, please make sure to attend Town Meeting on May 30th. There are 3 important articles at Town Meeting that directly impact families with students in the Westwood Public Schools. While Town Meeting might not be the most exciting way to spend an evening, it is extremely important that parents attend this year’s Town Meeting. Every vote counts! Decisions are made by the people who show up, so please show up!
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School Building Project Feasibility Study - As you may know, the district has the potential to receive significant funding from the state for an elementary school building project. In December, we received the good news from The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) that we had been “invited in” to the MSBA’s “eligibility period.” In order to keep moving forward with the process, we will need a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting on May 30th to approve funding for a Feasibility Study. If the town does not pass the article to fund the Feasibility Study, we will be leaving potentially $20-30 million in state money on the table -- and still be faced with the question of how to address the needs of our aging buildings. If the Feasibility study is not approved, we will no longer be eligible for MSBA reimbursement. We will be left with all the same issues and no hope for state reimbursement. No long-term plan means expensive short-term fixes. Decisions are made by the people who show up. So please show up.
2. Comprehensive Study of Municipal and School Building Safety - This warrant article will fund a comprehensive safety study of all school and town buildings.
3. School Budget - We are very lucky in Westwood to have a town that supports our school budget. Each year the Administrative Team works collaboratively with the School Committee to put together a thoughtful budget that support the academic, social, and emotional needs of all of our students. The school budget is voted on at Town Meeting.
The spring is a busy time of year for everyone, but there is still plenty of work to be done in the classrooms. Please do your best to keep you children on a schedule as much as possible. When students arrive to school well rested, they are available for learning.
Thank you for your continued support, and Happy Mother’s Day!
Sincerely,
Deb
Please click here for the Downey PTO 2017-2018 Calendar
Please click here to see the different Committees PTO has. If you are interested in joining a committee, please email downeypto@gmail.com
Please click here for minutes from the October 10, 2017 PTO meeting.
Please click here for minutes from the September 12, 2017 PTO meeting.
Please click here for minutes from the December 5, 2017 PTO meeting.
Please click here for minutes from January 2018 PTO meeting.
Please click here for minutes from February 2018 PTO meeting
PTO Updates & Information: February/March 2018
Save the Date: Second Annual Downey Gala
Saturday, March 10th, 2018
7-11PM
Downey's largest fundraiser, The Downey Gala, is returning after a successful first year. This year's gala, "It's A Small World," will take place on Saturday, March 10th, 2018 from 7-11PM at the Blue Hill Country Club in Canton. Tickets are now on sale at www.paypal.me/DowneyPTO. Tickets are $75 each. Invitations will delivered to homes shortly. We welcome any donations for the silent auction or for sponsorships. If you would like to be involved, please contact Nayla Daly at nayladaly@gmail.com or Anne McMurray at annemariemcmurray@gmail.com.
Ladies & Their Knights Bowling Event
Saturday, March 24th, 2018
5-7PM
Ladies and their Knights in shining armor will enjoy a special date "knight" of bowling and pizza at Norwood Bowling with your Downey boys. Event details are as follows:
*Saturday March 24, 2018 from 5-7 pm. Come bowl, eat pizza and enjoy a wonderful evening with your knight.
*$20 for lady & knight and $10 each additional boy. You can pay now online with PayPal or send in cash or check to Bowling Knight!
https://goo.gl/forms/DGRIFbfrti8Ap2kl2
*RSVP in advance and reserve your spot. No payments at the door.
*A special night just for you and him!
*All boys who attend must attend the Downey School
"Let me Love you a little more before you 're not so little anymore."
King & Princess Dance
Saturday, April 28th
Dads, Uncles, Grandfather's-get your dancing shoes ready and enjoy an evening with your girl(s)! Music, dancing, refreshments and a photo booth will make the night complete.
Entry is $10/family at the door. Please contact Annemarie McMurray with any questions.
Kids Rule the School
Wednesday, May 23rd
Would your student like to be Principal Gallagher, Mrs. Carde, or one of their teachers for a half-day Wednesday?! Kids Rule the School is back by popular demand and this year's participants will be chosen by raffle. Tickets ($1/ticket) will be sold at the Downey Play; ticket sheets will also be sent home for purchase during April and May. Stay tuned to see who will be in charge! Please contact Todd Nicholson (tdarby23@gmail.com) with any questions.
Additional Events Coming Soon
Stay tuned for more information coming soon about the following events:
Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7th-May 11th
Downey Art Night
Wednesday, May 23rd
5:30PM
Downey Variety Show
June 2018
Date TBD
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 grocery shopping and packing 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 double check the expiration dates. Please label bags/envelopes with your child's grade level. Names and teachers are not necessary. Watch for more details coming soon on our next competition. Happy Clipping!
