January 2015
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Family Fun Nights
The Culture of Leadership, an Action Team at Downey focused on improving school environment and parental involvement has been hosting “Family Fun Nights.” These events are held monthly on Thursday nights from 5:00pm - 6:00pm. Each event has a different theme and activity. Take a minute to check out our upcoming Family Fun Nights for the rest of the school year and consider joining us!
February 19th: Black History Month - Reading
March 19th: Dealing with Challenging Behaviors
April 16th: The Game of Life: Banking & Budgeting
May 21st: End of Year Cook Out
This January, Family Fun Night was focused on Healthy Living. Guests included Caren Butera, the District Dental Hygienist, Penn State, The Salvation Army and others. Families were provided with health information ranging from knowing what to look out for on nutrition labels, to the importance staying active and were invited to participate in cooking classes through The Salvation Army.
Tutoring Opportunity!
Downey is looking for individuals interested in working with kindergarten students one on one in the classroom. This volunteer position is flexible with your schedule as long as you can make it during school hours. Instructions will be provided by the teacher on an individual basis based on student needs. For more information, contact Lauren Popeck at lpopeck@hbgsd.us. For more opportunities to get involved, check out our "Get Invovled" page.
MLK Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday established as “a day on, not a day off,” was celebrated and honored at Downey School this January. Numerous teachers, Principal Travis Peck, students and parents served with about fifty Messiah College students. Downy welcomed special guests Gov. -elect Tom Wolf along with the Wolf Organization, Rep. Patty Kim, Senator Rob Teplitz, Harrisburg Mayor, Eric Papenfuse, and President and CEO of UWCR, Tim Fatzinger. Additionally, Messiah College President Kim Phipps and Harrisburg School District superintendent Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney were present at Downey.
Our guests had the opportunity to tour the school with Principal Travis Peck and participated in service projects along with volunteers. Projects included; organizing teaching materials and clothing donations, numerous painting projects and sorting library books.
This year MLK Day marked not only a day of service, but represented how the community has responded to Downey. Messiah students were very positive about their experience, a few showing interest in serving more in the future.
PennLive spoke with a Messiah College student who commented on Wolf’s visit;
“‘It's so great and I hope it brings more opportunities to the school,’ she said. ‘Usually, when people in high places come, that usually means that something good is happening for them. I'm happy for them’” (retrieved from PennLive).
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported Downey. Check out our “Media” page for more news stories about MLK Day at Downey.
Upcoming Events: • Jan. 29 – Messiah Women’s & Men’s Basketball Teams visit Downey • Feb. 19 5pm – 6pm Family Fun Night:Black History • Feb. 27 – Four Diamonds Mini-Thon