DCEF Summer Newsletter VIP Edition

This spring, DCEF brought together community partners, district leaders, educators, supporters, and friends for The Power of Connection—an evening centered on the people, programs, and partnerships helping create meaningful opportunities for DASD students.

Guests explored interactive program stations, connected with the educators and staff who bring DCEF-supported programs to life, and heard directly about the experiences making an impact on students across the district. We’re especially grateful to the teachers and staff who joined us to share their work and help guests see the people, care, and creativity behind these programs.

The evening also featured a standout performance from the Downingtown High School West Rock Band, supported through a DCEF’s Grant. Their performance was an incredible reminder of what can happen when students are given the resources and opportunities to explore their talents, take creative risks, and share what they’ve built with a community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported the event, and continues to be part of DCEF’s growing network of partners. We’re excited to keep building on that momentum in the year ahead.

330 incoming Kindergarteners participated in DCEF's Kindergarten JumpStart Program giving them time to meet teachers and classmates and building confidence for the transition ahead.

A special thank you to CCRES for supporting Kindergarten JumpStart through a generous grant and helping create a welcoming start for our youngest learners.

This summer, 150 students climbed aboard DCEFs Mobile Innovation Lab for engaging reading activities, special guest visits, and a free book to take home after each session.

We’re especially grateful to Eileen Kroboth, DASD Reading Specialist, who generously volunteers her time to lead the program and helps keep students on track in literacy. A special thank you also goes to Krapf Busfor providing the bus driver.

Contact JFenn@dcedf.org to sponsor books for next year.

This summer, 560 campers spent six weeks exploring new interests, building skills, making friends, and learning alongside outstanding DASD teachers and staff at DCEF Camp.

DCEF also supported two additional summer programs designed to help students feel connected and ready for what comes next. BRIDGE welcomed 100 participants, providing targeted academic and community support, while Camp Narwhal served 123 rising sixth graders at the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center, helping students build confidence and familiarity as they prepared for the transition to middle school.

Across all three programs, hundreds of DASD students had opportunities to learn, connect, and grow throughout the summer.

On Thursday, November 5, DCEF will bring the community together at Downingtown High School West for Beyond the Game, featuring former Philadelphia Eagles players Seth Joyner, Brent Celek, and Todd Herremans. The evening will include an exclusive VIP Meet & Greet, a General Admission Q&A with all three players, food, a new Kid Zone, and The Concourse—a community marketplace where local businesses and organizations can connect directly with guests throughout the event.

Beyond the Game is also an opportunity for DCEF partners and supporters to help make the evening—and the work it supports—possible. Sponsorship opportunities are now available, offering businesses and community partners meaningful ways to support DASD students while gaining visibility at one of DCEF’s signature events of the year. Individual tickets and additional event details will be announced soon, but sponsors can get involved now.

Save the date: November 5. Tickets coming soon.

DCEF’s annual Golf Outing returns on Tuesday, May 25, 2027, at Applecross Country Club. Each year, the outing brings together corporate partners, community supporters, and friends of DCEF for a day on the course in support of opportunities for DASD students.

Team registration and sponsorship opportunities will open in the months ahead, so start thinking about your foursome and mark your calendar now. Whether you join us on the course, support the event as a sponsor, or bring colleagues together for a day of connection and friendly competition, we hope you’ll be part of it.

More details and registration information are coming soon.

This spring, Downingtown West students Shravan Raja and Olivia Starnes, with support from staff advisors Mrs. Weaver and Ms. Kada, helped turn positive behavior into something worth celebrating.

With support from a DCEF Student Empowerment Grant, West’s PBIS student team—the DAWG Pack—hosted a year-end social for students who had earned and submitted DAWG Tags throughout the school year. Nearly 400 studentsstopped by during Lunch and Learn to enjoy water ice, soft pretzels, yard games, and live music from West’s Rock Club (another DCEF grant recipient this year!).

The celebration was more than a fun afternoon. It recognized students for the everyday choices that help create a welcoming, respectful, and connected school community—and gave students themselves an active role in shaping that culture.

“By celebrating positive behaviors out in the open, we are changing the energy in our hallways and inspiring students to lift each other up every single day.”

A big DCEF shoutout to Shravan, Olivia, Mrs. Weaver, Ms. Kada, and the entire DAWG Pack for helping build a stronger school community at West.

Our Mission: The Downingtown Community Education Foundation (DCEF) will inspire our youth to learn, grow and thrive and engage teachers, parents and community to enrich students’ learning experiences.

Founded in 2008, DCEF partners with DASD teachers, parents, businesses, and community members to support learning in the classroom and beyond. Together, we help every child learn, grow, and thrive — because a strong school system builds a strong, vibrant community.