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

Principal's Message

Newsletter

May 5, 2025

 

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.
5:30 – 7:30 pm – Movie Screening & Pizza/Salad Dinner (Please register here for dinner)
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.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Student Council teachers, Matt Tirrell (mtirrell@westwood.k12.ma.us), Meredith Lavelle (mlavelle@westwood.k12.ma.us)  and Sarah Cronin (scronin@westwood.k12.ma.us ) with any questions. 
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
  • Grade 5 STE MCAS
  • 6:30-8:30 p.m. School Committee Meeting at WHS in the little theater.
 
May 12 -
  • Grade 4 Math MCAS
  • Grade 2 Field Trip to Ward’s Berry Farm
 
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
  • Grade 5 Math MCAS
  • 3B and 3Cr Field Trip to the Fisher School
 
May 21
  • 3Co Field Trip to Fisher School (a.m. only)
  • PTO-sponsored all-school enrichment - “Wongai! Rhythms of West Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean”
  • 7:00-8:00 p.m. Incoming K Parent Night
 
May 26 - No School/Memorial Day
 
May 28 - Early Release
  • 5:00  - 6:30 p.m. Arts Night
 
May 30 - Field Day

Lunch Ordering

PreK - 5 Lunch Menu

Pay online at myschoolbucks.com

Lunch is free for the 2024 - 2025 School Year.

Information to Apply for Free & Reduced Meals (or other fee reduction opportunities) for the 2024 - 2025 School Year:

 

Forms & Documents

PTO Updates & Information:

 

The Downey PTO is a non-profit organization that supports our teachers and students. We organize exciting community events, provide essential resources that enhance the educational experience of every student and provide funding for enrichment programs for all students.  

 

PTO Membership and Directory

 

Returning Families: To ensure we have the most up-to-date information for your family, please click on the link below to log in and verify your data in Membership Toolkit. 
 

New Families: Click on the link below to register under "New User" and follow the prompts. Your account will take up to 48 hours to be approved and activated. 

LOG IN / REGISTER

 
Downey PTO Facebook Page 
Did you know Downey PTO has its own Facebook group page?

Join the Facebook group to get the latest PTO news and updates delivered right

to your news feed! Click here.

 

 

PTO CONTACTS:
Please direct all PTO inquiries to downeypto@westwood.k12.ma.us.
 
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