Mark Your Calendar:

PTA Meeting: Tue 2/2
Spirit Month: Team Colors Day: Fri 2/5
Parent Conferences (no school): Thu 2/11
Inservice Day (no school): Fri 2/12
Presidents Day (no school): Mon 2/15
Spirit Month: Mismatch Day: Fri 2/19
Chinese New Year Parade: Fri 2/19
Moms' Breakfast: Wed 2/24
Used Book Collection Begins: Thur 2/25
Spirit Month: Crazy Hair/Hat Day: Fri 2/26
PTA Meeting: Tue 3/2
Spirit Month: School Colors Day: Fri 3/5
DSTP Testing: 3/10–19
Kids Raffle: 3/22–25
Evening Fun Fair: Fri 3/26*
Used Book Fair: Thur 4/1

*change of date

Welcome Aboard!

Sen. Carper visited the school on Tuesday, January 12, to share his excitement for the PEP grant that Delaware has received from the U.S. Department of Education, which involves increasing physical activity in the schools. At Downes, students receive a 30-minute recess every day (weather permitting) and a 45-minute physical education period per week (some classes have two classes per week!). What we’re trying to promote is making good choices about eating and exercising. We all know they go hand in hand and I’m sure by now you’ve read all of the statistics why we need to promote more physical activity and put healthy food in our bodies. We want the best for our children, academically, socially, and emotionally, and for them to be in great physical condition. So, how do we do this? We’re working together with Nemours to be a part of the solution to this question. What we do here, every day, is raise the awareness for our students so that they can make better choices for a long and healthy life.

As part of this plan, we’re partnering with the Nemours Foundation and Newark Parks and Recreation to begin a spring after-school program called Catch Kids Shark Club. We hope to have about 50 of our children registered for this six-week program by the end of February. We are targeting students who are struggling academically and also those who need a boost of physical activity. Unfortunately we can’t offer this program to all of our students so we’re asking teachers to recommend the children grades 1 through 5 who fit the criteria.

I’m serving on the Christina Plan for Excellence in strengthening community partnerships and wanted you to be aware of the special meeting that is being planned for Tuesday, February 23, at Keene Elementary School, at 7 pm. This presentation will examine what the district is currently doing and what direction we’re moving toward in building partnerships for our students and families. I hope you’ll consider joining me at this meeting. You will be surprised at what Christina School District has to offer you and your family!

You are encouraged to take the Parent Online Climate Survey as soon as possible. The survey is available at www.christina.k12.de.us under Latest News column on the lower left side. This survey is very important to us as it helps us to see how we’re doing here at Downes and in the Christina School District. I hope that all of our families who have access to the internet will visit this site and participate. If you have more than one student in CSD, you only need to take the survey, either paper or online, one time. Many of our children have taken this in school and now we’d like to invite our families to do the same.

Task Force Examines Discipline Policies

The School Discipline Task Force, created by the Delaware legislature, was formed to examine how House Bill 85, passed in 1993, and other legislative initiatives have affected the school learning climate, education of students, school codes of conduct and disciplinary procedures. The objective was to create a safe and positive school environment through House Bill 85, which mandated reporting of all in-school incidents and set uniform punishments for infractions.

After years of putting the legislation into practice, the negative impacts on the educational system became apparent. Students have been expelled from school and criminally charged for infractions that upon closer review did not merit such punishments. However, the law provided no ability for administrators or justice officials to address these situations on an individual basis. The task force was charged with reviewing the existing legislation and resulting codes of conduct and identifying ways to create a disciplinary system that fairly dispenses justice without negatively impacting the school environment. Read the rest of the task force's report here.

Mentors Needed

The DSTP tests are right around the corner, and there is a great need for mentors, especially in kindergarten and 5th grade. MAPS data also shows that 4th grade also has a need in math and reading. However, we will accept any help we can get in all the grades! Mentors must have a background check. This is done through Creative Mentoring. They can be reached at 302-656-2122, or through www.creativementoring.org. The process for getting a background check is easy and working with the children is easier. This is really important because so many kids need some extra one-on-one help to do better in school. The children want the help and are so glad to get 1-on-1 attention. Please contact Mrs. Salacki if you are contacting Creative Mentoring so she can begin scheduling you with the kids.

PBS Needs Your Help

Have you heard about the Downes P.B.S. (Positive Behavior Support) program? When our kids are “caught” doing something positive that demonstrate H.R.R. by a staff member they are rewarded with coupons that can be redeemed at our P.B.S. store. As a core program of our school this program helps to reinforce the positive behaviors the school strives to instill in our children. The volunteer parents that operate the store say that our students seem to enjoy earning and buying items at the store on Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch time.

We are writing to you at this time to request your ongoing help. Please remember this program as you clean out closets and discover gently used items that you no longer need. At this time of year, there are many clearance sales-we can use those inexpensive items as well. P.B.S. sells many different types of goods–gifts for adults, siblings, as well as items for their own use and enjoyment, such as school supplies (pencils, pens, erasers, notebook paper, folders, and books), puzzles, toys, stuffed animals, jewelry, etc.

We greatly appreciate all those who have responded to this need by bringing in items that we can make available for our young patrons to purchase. Donations can be delivered to the school.

Stay and Play at McVey for Pre School Children

The Stay and Play is every Monday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:00 at McVey Elementary School and is for children ages 3–5. This is a free activity sponsored by the Christina School District. If you are interested in joining this group, please call the McVey office at 454-2145 and ask for the pre-school room to register for this program.

Principal Denise Schwartz welcomes you to John R. Downes Elementary School

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