January 2016
Physician General Visits Downey
As we begin to enter the height of cold and flu season, Downey welcomed a special visitor who showed the young students the importance of developing healthy habits.
Dr. Rachel Levine, Physician General of Pennsylvania visited Downey students and helped to lead activities that helped kids learn how to effectively prevent the spread of germs and avoid getting sick.
The visit started by Dr. Levine reading a story to two kindergarten classes about how kids can stay healthy. After the story, it was time for the kids to practice proper handwashing techniques. After students in both classes had the opportunity to wash their hands, staff members from the Physician General’s office took out a handheld black light to show the kids the difference between what was on their hands before and then after washing their hands. The kids expressed their fascination after seeing the before and after of the hands.
Dr. Levine then led a news conference helping to inform the community about the importance of getting a seasonal flu shot to help prevent the spread of the flu. The event helped to spread awareness about a flu shot clinic hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health at Downey and the start of the “Stopping the Flu Starts with You” awareness campaign.
Thank you, Dr. Levine and your staff for helping to show Downey students the importance of staying healthy!
Downey Holiday Show
The holiday season often means the start or the renewal of traditions among families, friends, and colleagues. December featured one of most memorable traditions among the Downey community as it was time for the annual Holiday Musical Concert!
Students from Kindergarten through 4th grade took turns singing traditional holiday favorites and newer songs. Students even dressed for their songs including a crowd favorite, “Mele Kalikimaka” – The Hawaiian themed Christmas song. Students spent weeks preparing and practicing for the performance and their hard work showed!
Students and families were then treated to a surprise performance by two teachers, Mr. Lippy and Ms. Luciani, who sung a duet of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” to the delight of the audience members. Over 300 family members were in attendance to show their support to the students and many left with a variety of raffle prizes including new backpacks and Hershey Bears hockey tickets.
The holiday concert served as a wonderful moment for the Downey and Together for Tomorrow community to come together and celebrate the progress we have made and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Clink the link below for a brief video from the performance!
https://goo.gl/Eg670h
Food Drive!
Over the past few months, the faculty, staff, and students of Downey organized a food collection drive in partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. When all the food was collected, the Downey community brought together 177 pounds of food!
Thank you to everyone who assisted and helped to organize a tremendous food drive effort. All of the food collected will help support the Food Bank’s mission of fighting hunger, improving lives and strengthening communities.
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank serves more than 60,000 people every week and this collection will help to make a difference in fighting hunger in our community.
This effort reminds us of the incredible impact we can make when we join together!
Action Teams Update
Although Downey’s faculty, staff, and community partners were busy throughout December preparing for the end of the year and the holiday season, Downey’s Action Teams were able to meet and continue making progress.
All faculty and staff at Downey had the opportunity to complete a survey assessing the current strengths and developmental opportunities that would help strengthen the Action Team structure. The survey revealed some important considerations and insight about the current status of the Action Teams. The results have provided important guidance about future structural changes that will help to sustain the work of Together for Tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who shared their visions as we move forward during the second half of the school year.
In addition, Downey’s after school community partners came together in December. Participants including representatives from United Way of the Capital Region, Boys and Girls Club, Harrisburg Symphony, Salvation Army, and Messiah College shared details of the programs that each organization sponsors and how they can use principles of Collective Impact to join together to improve their programs by sharing common agenda, common measures, mutually reinforcing activities, and communications. Thank you to our dedicated partners for all you do to help Downey’s students!
Season’s Greetings!
During the winter holiday season, we wish to express our gratitude and appreciation for everyone who has served to advance the goals of Together for Tomorrow. We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Upcoming Events
January 19—MLK Day of Service
February 19—Leadership Day
February 26—Leader in Me Lighthouse Review
Do You Want to Learn More?
“Like” our Facebook page for constant updates and pictures!
www.facebook.com/tft.downey.messiah
School District website
http://www.hbgsd.k12.pa.us
Agape Center at Messiah College website
http://www.messiah.edu/info/21015/agap%C3%A9_center
We are always open and listening to suggestions for new ways to connect you with information.
Any questions, comments, or suggestions please contact: Andy Dessel, Together for Tomorrow Coordinator at: tftcoord@messiah.edu