Dear Downey Community,
I always find that once we return from April break the remainder of the school year flies by. There are many exciting events that will take place during the last weeks of school. Below you will find a list of dates and events to pay attention to.
Thank you to the PTO for providing dinner to the staff on the evening of conferences as well as planning Teacher Appreciation Week which begins today. If you have not had a spring conference, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher as soon as possible to secure a date and time to meet.
We are also gearing up for MCAS this month in Grades 3-5. Below you will find the testing schedule. Please be sure that your child has a plan for breakfast on that day, whether it be breakfast at home or in the Downey cafeteria. Testing will begin at 9:15 a.m.; there is no time for a snack before MCAS.
Enjoy the warm spring weather and I look forward to seeing you at the Downey spring events. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Principal Deb Gallagher
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A few updates:
Field Day:
Dear Downey Families,
It is hard to believe that the end of the school year is in sight and that Field Day is right around the corner. Field Day is scheduled for Friday, May 30, with a rain date of June 6. Thank you in advance for volunteering your time to help make this wonderful school community event such a success for our students. Please be mindful that you can only sign up for one slot in either the K-2 or 3-5 sign-up genius. Thank you so much!
Downey P.E. teachers,
Ms. Nute & Ms. Tornatore
Students may wear the following color on Field Day to show their grade-level spirit:
Kindergarten - Purple
Grade 1 - Blue
Grade 2 - Green
Grade 3 - Yellow
Grade 4 - Orange
Grade 5 - Red
Conversations with Caregivers:
Please join us on Tuesday, May 13, for an engaging evening as we celebrate our final WPS
Conversations Event hosted by the School Engagement Committee for the '24-'25 school year. We will view the movie Out of My Mind, (Trailer). Pizza and salad will be available. After the movie, we will engage in a thoughtful discussion on how we can foster a school community where all students —regardless of ability, culture, or background — feel included, valued, and connected.7:30 – 8:30 pm – Caregiver Conversation
Have you already seen the movie? Feel free to join us at 7:30 for the discussion. The event
flyer is linked here.
Downey School Song Contest:
The Student Council is thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for our students — our very own Downey School Song Contest!
This creative contest invites students to put into words what it truly means to be a part of the Downey Community. We’re looking for original lyrics that capture the heart of our school — what it looks like, feels like, and sounds like to be a Downey student. From the joy of learning and the kindness of friends, to the pride we feel walking our hallways, we want to hear how our students experience Downey each and every day.
Students may work on their song lyrics individually or collaborate with friends or siblings—however inspiration strikes! Whether your child loves to write, sing, or simply enjoys being part of something meaningful, this is a chance to share their voice and creativity with our school community.
We will be reviewing submissions and selecting a winning song to be our official school song — one that we can sing with pride for years to come!
The deadline for submission will be May 12. Submissions can be brought in any time before then and put in the submission box, located in the lobby.
Here is a template that may assist your child(ren) in making the lyrics match with the beat of the song. The template includes links to both the song with lyrics and without lyrics, as well as the written lyrics from the song. Below you will find some words/phrases that we brainstormed together at our whole school meeting that may help with what it looks like, feels like, and sounds like to be a Downey student.
Let the creativity flow, and let’s make some musical memories together!
Warmly,
The Student Council Members
Save the Dates:
May 5 - 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Last PTO meeting in the Downey Library
May 7 - Grade 5 STE MCAS
May 8
May 12 -
May 13 - Grade 4 Math MCAS
May 14 - Early Release
May 15 - Grade 3 Math MCAS
May 16 - Grade 3 Math MCAS
May 19 - Grade 5 Math MCAS
May 20
May 21
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3Co Field Trip to Fisher School (a.m. only)
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PTO-sponsored all-school enrichment - “Wongai! Rhythms of West Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean”
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7:00-8:00 p.m. Incoming K Parent Night
May 26 - No School/Memorial Day
May 28 - Early Release
May 30 - Field Day
