March 2015
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Downey has something big to celebrate - Parent-Teacher Conferences! Last Spring there was a 78% turnout at conferences, a significant increase from the previous year of 33%. Downey’s goal for this year was to increase turnout and aim for 80%. Instead, we are excited to announce that there was a 95% parent turnout! This is a significant increase and accomplishment! Way to go Downey staff, and parents!
Ongoing Partnership with Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra has been partnering with Downey's after school Explore program. As a part of this partnership, Downey students have been working with Mr. Mark Hunsberger on learning music. In May, students will have an opportunity to perform during the Young Person’s Concert series at the Harrisburg Forum. Alice Anne Schwab, Director of Education at The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, provides some information about the after school program and upcoming performance in May.
“Link Up is a program of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute. The Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra, with members of the Harrisburg Symphony (professional) orchestra will perform Link Up: The Orchestra Sings on May 15, 2015 at the Forum in Harrisburg as the Young Person's Concert series of the Harrisburg Symphony's Education Department. Students who have participated in Downey School's afterschool "Explore" program since September 2014 have received music training, using primarily their own voices to learn melodies and song lyrics that will be a part of the Link Up performance. Those student musicians will serve as leaders for the audience on the May 15 YPC programs. The student musicians have been preparing for Link Up with Downey's music teacher, Mr. Michael Kohler and teaching musician, Mr. Mark Hunsberger, who comes to Downey through a partnership of the Harrisburg Symphony and State Street Academy of Music.”
500 Men Read
On Tuesday, March 3rd, the Harrisburg School District participated in the 500 Men Read. Among Downey’s guest readers, Ron Caliborne from ABC News, and Eddie Martin, Special Assistant for the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education participated in the event. You can read more about this event by clicking here, or by reading a recent blog post on the website of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education by clicking here.
Downey Mini - Thon
This past March, Downey held the its first ever Mini-THON. During the last week in February, a representative from the Four Diamonds Fund visited Downey for a school assembly and introduced students to the purpose and mission of Mini-THON. Students spent the next couple of weeks learning about pediatric cancer, hearing stories of children who are dealing with it, and raising awareness through fundraising for the Four Diamonds Fund.
Students were challenged with a goal of raising $1,000 to donate toward the fight against cancer. Grades were in competition against one another to raise the most money in their grade levels. Students also participated in boys versus girls penny wars and special dress down days in order to raise money.
This experience created interest and awareness among students to serve their peers. They also put their leadership skills to practice by taking on job positions that required them to collect money from classrooms, count money totals, create fundraising trackers and work collectively with other student leaders.
Within the first four days of fundraising, Downey students impressed staff by raising over half of their fundraising goal! On the last day of their fundraising journey, students participated in a two hour Mini-THON dance. A member of the local community, Greg Kimmel, volunteered his time to set up sound equipment and serve as a DJ for this event. After two hours of dancing and participating in activities, the fundraising total was announced. Downey exceeded their goal of raising $1,000 and instead, raised over $1,200. Thank you to students, parents, staff and volunteers for not only meeting fundraising goals, but exceeding them. Not only did this event raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund, it also taught students how they can act as leaders through serving other children and being a positive influence in their lives.
Service Day: April 16th
Each Spring Messiah College cancels classes for a day for students and faculty to dedicate a day to service. About 50 volunteers from Messiah College will be serving at Downey for the day working on indoor and outdoor projects. If you are a Messiah College student or faculty member who would like to sign up for this event, please visit the “get involved” page for directions.
The Block Party: April 25th
On Saturday, April 25th, Downey will be holding the 3rd Annual Together for Tomorrow Block Party from 11:00am - 3:00pm. This event celebrates the Together for Tomorrow initiative and the partnership between Messiah College and Downey School.
A variety of local business and organizations will be joining us in this event in celebration of their partnerships with Downey. Students, families and the community are invited to participate in games, enjoy food together, take a swing at the dunk tank, and new this year; participate in a scavenger hunt. In order to make this event a success we are looking to the community to join us. Specifically, we are in need of volunteers to participate by helping with games, food, assisting students in a scavenger hunt, welcoming visitors etc. For those who will be volunteering, we ask that you attend an orientation meeting beginning at 10:00am at Downey before the event begins at 11:00am. Exact location and details will be sent out closer to April 25th. To sign up to volunteer, visit the “get involved” page and click the link to register.