April 13, 2018
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 2018. 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:
*Your child’s current teacher has a year’s worth of information and insight to contribute during placement meetings.
*Classroom composition is an important factor in the placement process and it is carefully considered when placing students.
*The goal of student placement is to maximize student learning. Therefore, it is very important that well-balanced classes are created.
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, April 27, 2018. 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 older siblings.
Thank you for your input. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the process.
Sincerely,
Debra L. Gallagher
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!
