Good Evening Everyone.

I want to begin this evening by congratulating our Stage WEST cast and crew on a wonderful performance of "Our Town". The students opened their performance to a record crowd on Friday night and carried their energy and enthusiasm throughout their performance on Saturday. Congratulations and Well Done!! Thank you especially to Mr. Osborne and Ms. Ker for the countless hours they invested in getting our students prepared for the show!

This week our counseling team will begin the process of meeting with each one of our students individually to ensure that they have accurately recorded their course selections for next year. A tremendous amount of effort goes into building the master schedule for each school year and we want to make sure we have the correct information before we begin. Thank you to our counselors for working with our students to get this information correct!

This week marks the end of the regular season for our winter sports teams. Congratulations to all of our teams and we wish them well as they head into playoffs!

Have a great week WEST!

Kurt Barker, Ed.D

Principal, DHS WEST

“Where Every Student Thrives”

• On Saturday, January 27th, the TSA (Technology Student Association) competed in their Regional Competition and did AMAZING!!! Out of the 15 students that participated, 10 qualified for the state competition on April 17-21 2024. Additionally, West's TSA had 1 fourth place win, 3 fifth-place wins, and two eight-place winnings out of a thousand students that attended the conference. Well done, West!

• New Grad Project Opportunity: Whippet Studios, our broadcast studio at West, is opening up 3 options for completing your Grad Project with the studio. Take a look and reach out to LMaalouf@dasd.org if you are interested in being considered.
  
• Parent Brag Sheet – Part of the college and career process for the counselor involves writing letters of recommendation. If you would like to share information re: your student that you feel is important to include in their letter of recommendation, please complete our Parent Brag Sheet.
  
• ACT/SAT Test Registration – Downingtown WEST is a host location for the both the ACT and SAT. ACT testing will be offered in February and April. SAT Testing will be offered in March and May. June testing is not offered at WEST for either exam. For more information on registration, click the links: ACT & SAT. If your student has an IEP or 504 contract and they receive testing accommodations via their plan, please know that the testing organizations (ACT and CollegeBoard) do not grant the accommodations automatically. If you would like your student to receive their IEP or 504 contract accommodations, the school must apply for those accommodations no less than 7 weeks in advance of your test date. As we approach testing season, please be mindful and make application as early as possible. The first step in requesting accommodations from the testing organizations is completion of the parent permission form – CollegeBoard Testing (SAT, AP, PSAT) and ACT Testing. Completed forms can be returned directly to the counseling office or emailed to mborkowski@dasd.org.
• This year, the Region 6 Band Festival will be held at Downingtown West High School. The best instrumental students from District 11 and 12 earn a seat in region band after auditioning in Districts. Students will be practicing in the West auditorium on Thursday and Friday all day and into the evening on February 22 and 23rd. The concert is Saturday morning at 11 AM.
• The Downingtown Area School District Honors Band, grades 5 -12, will also be at Downingtown West this year. The Honors Band features select members from each grade performing in a concert on the evening of February 27 at 7 PM. This will highlight, the elementary band, the honors middle school band, and the symphonic band of the Downingtown West High School.

• Congratulations to Lily Lane-Aharonian (Soprano I) and Anthony Foley (Bass I) for their acceptance into the Regional Choir! *Anthony placed 1st and Lily placed 4th.

Are you looking for leadership opportunities? Be a founding member of West's Peer Mentorship Team! We are looking for 90 students to become a peer mentor for next year's incoming freshmen class. This is a year-long commitment with once to twice a month, during school obligations. Applications are due by March 8. Join the Schoology Course to apply and for more information or see Mrs. Nass or Miss Williams (the Spanish teacher!) .

• Parking permit sales are closed due to lot capacity. For information about student parking, please visit our website. Only seniors with parking permits should be parked on campus. Juniors and students without permits must park at the DYW facility. Security is now ticketing!
• Graduation Project Information for proposals and presentations can be found here. Class of 2025 Proposal are now past due!
• 2024 Yearbooks are now on sale. Reserve your copy using this link or go to www.yearbookordercenter.com, enter 13471 as the School Order Number. We look forward to shipping them home at the end of May.
• Music Parents Association: Interested in what is going on in the Music world check out our Music Parents Association page - Downingtown High School Music Parents Association (dhsmpa.org)
• Whippet Studios: Subscribe to video alerts: Linktr.ee/WhippetStudios Announcements will be broadcasted through Youtube at 7:42 AM daily. Please follow @WhippetStudios on Instagram for original content & announcements.
• LOOKING FOR HOMEWORK HELP? Come to Homework Club every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm . No need to sign-up, just stop in!
• Science - Tuesday - Room 176
• Math - Thursday- Room 239
• English and All Other Subjects -
• Tuesday/Thursday - Room 161
• DID YOU KNOW that there is a Writing Center in the library? Writing advisors are there every day to help you with ANY writing assignment for ANY class!

Attention Class of 2024: Cap and gown orders must be placed now to avoid late fees! Please follow these instructions:

1. Go to www.highschool.herffjones.com to place order
2. Type in DOWNINGTOWN HS WEST in the box at the top of the page to find your school
3. Click SHOP GRAD PRODUCTS, scroll to the bottom of the page
4. Click CAP & GOWN GRAD PACKS and the cap and gown packages will appear

The Post Prom Committee is pleased to provide the opportunity to purchase a personalized 2024 Graduation Sign to commemorate your senior’s graduation. Signs are 24” x 48” dual-colored, vinyl ground stake signs. Cost is $45 each. ALL ORDERS DUE BY MARCH 20. Signs will be available for pick-up in mid-May. Order Form: http://tinyurl.com/2024GraduationSignForm

SENIORS - The Writing Center is a wonderful resource for perfecting those college application essays. Whether you need an assist getting started, want feedback on a draft, or you're polishing up supplemental essay responses, our writing advisors will help you put your best foot forward! Email us at dwwritingcenter@dasd.org, or feel free to drop by and see us in the library (next to Mrs. Nass' office) and we'll get you set up with an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome!

• If your Graduation Project is completed and you need to present it, please contact Mr. Hassel at bhassel@dasd.org to schedule. If you have not started your graduation project and need assistance with an idea, please see your guidance counselor or Mr. Falconio.

Co-Presidents: Altean Alan and Paige Haltom

Vice President: Hanya Simon

Treasurer: Omar Helali

Secretary: Abigayle Prinder

• For news and other school updates, follow our Instagram page @dweststudentcouncil.
  

• Please review the Traffic Pattern Links: AM & PM Traffic Patterns & new traffic patterns during construction: Parent Pick Up and Drop Off Map Rock Raymond Drop off will still be available during construction.
• Please visit Aramark for available Menus!
• Attention Parents: 2023-2024 Device Fees are now due! Please review & submit your student’s device payment on PaySchools* Central.

Cornelius Minor, a distinguished Brooklyn-based educator is set to lead a transformative training session for the Downingtown Area School District (DASD) Cultural Equity Taskforce. The training, scheduled for February 26th at 3:45 pm, will take place on the Zoom platform and is open to teachers, staff, and community members. This event is offered free of charge, aligning with Minor's commitment to advancing equitable literacy reform.

Date: February 26th

Time: 3:45 pm

Location: Zoom Platform

Registration: Click Here

Downingtown Area School District is thrilled to announce that Philadelphia Eagles' defensive end, Brandon Graham, will be visiting Downingtown Highschool East on March 4, 6-8 pm, for a special program titled "The Importance of Community." The event is organized by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, showcasing Graham's insights on fostering unity, looking out for one another, and sharing lessons learned during his time with the Eagles, including his experience as part of a Super Bowl-winning team.

To register: Click Here

First, thank you to each and every one of you for your dedication to creating a positive and supportive environment for our students.

I wanted to inform everyone that are transitioning from the Day Without Hate initiative to Downingtown Unity Day. Our fantastic Downingtown West Teachers have worked hard to help us transition from the annual Day Without Hate to create DASD Unity Day. The collaboration and enthusiasm that has gone into making this a district-wide effort has allowed us to establish a unique and impactful initiative that reflects our values and commitment to creating a harmonious school community.

Downingtown Unity Day is scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2023, the Friday before Spring Break. On this day, we aim to unite our diverse community under the shared values of unity, respect, inclusion, kindness, and empathy. It's an opportunity for all of us to come together as one, celebrating the strength that comes from embracing our differences.

To create a visual identity for this special day, our Graphic Arts students are working to design a unique Unity Day logo for the school. This logo will symbolize the spirit of togetherness and inclusivity that we hope to foster within our district.

In the spirit of fostering a positive atmosphere, we encourage all teachers, staff, and students to wear blue and gold on Unity Day. This collective effort will serve as a powerful visual representation of our unity and shared values. We will be collecting photos from each school on this day.

To make Downingtown Unity Day a memorable experience for our students, we are excited to announce that each school will receive a package (see below) of suggested activities, team-builders, and other fun day events to aid and assist in our day of unity. These resources are designed to enhance the overall experience and promote engagement and camaraderie among students and staff alike. Some of the proposed activities for Unity Day include between-class challenges, music between classes, and creatively decorated hallways.

• Elementary Recommendations

• Middle and High School Recommendations

We believe that incorporating these elements will not only make Unity Day enjoyable but also reinforce the importance of unity, respect, and inclusion in our school community.

As we move forward with these exciting plans, I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and dedication to our students. Together, we can make Downingtown Unity Day a powerful and lasting tradition that promotes a culture of understanding, kindness, and acceptance within our district.

Thank you for your commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Justin Brown, M.A.

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

If your student needs additional resources following the recent losses in our community, please contact the Counseling Office at 610-269-4400 x 81422.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a FREE aptitude/interest test that will be given at Downingtown West High School on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 7:30-10:30 a.m., and is open to ALL 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students.

The ASVAB is administered by representatives from the military, and is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. Historically known as the “Military Test”, only a fraction of students taking the ASVAB have immediate intentions of joining the military. It provides valuable assistance to students in choosing career fields that suit them. Test results will be shared with the students approximately 2-3 weeks after the exam, and a PA Guard Representative will interpret the results during a lunch period or study hall. Students will receive an access code to explore over 400 occupations and learn how their skills relate to the occupations that interest them.

To reserve a seat for the test, click the ASVAB Permission Form. Click below for more information on the ASVAB or contact Mrs. Wick at cwick@dasd.org with any questions.

JUNIORS and SENIORS…the Air National Guard will be hosting a CAREER Fair on April 11, 2024, from 9 a.m. till Noon, at Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham, PA. Many careers will be displayed including Cyber Operations, Aerospace Medicine, HVAC, Engineering & Construction, Military Intelligence, Medical and Dental, and more! RSVP by March 15, 2024, to 111.ATKW.RRS.RECRUITING.RETEN.SUPT@US.AF.MIL.

• Graduation Opportunity! Downingtown West Ice Hockey Club is looking for someone to create our program for their yearly banquet. All of the information will be provided to you to create the program. Please contact Tara Adams at tadams@emjcg.com if you can assist!
  

• The Teen Volunteer Program at Longwood Gardens is now taking applications for summer! Explore careers in horticulture and journey behind the scenes at Longwood Gardens while connecting with others in an enriching environment. The Longwood Teen Volunteer Program provides high school students grades 9-12 with an opportunity to become part of the Longwood Team. Teens will work alongside our expert horticulture staff throughout the Gardens to gain hands-on horticulture experience and develop leadership skills. The application is due February 28, 2024!

• World Travel will launch their next World Travel Academy on March 25, 2024, and offers a fabulous opportunity for students who are interested in learning about careers in the travel industry. The first phase of the program is self-paced with a suggested 10 hours of devotion to the material. Student progress is monitored by offering weekly virtual office hours, access to the learning instructor via email and live and recorded evening team meetings. Students that successfully complete the Academy will be ready to begin on the job training starting June 17 with a chance to earn back the cost of the Academy. Check out the link for more information and register by February 16th! https://www.worldtravelinc.com/world-travel-academy-is-back-1?hs_preview=esoEwdro-151978428279

• Grad Project Opportunity! The Teen Talk Line of Chester County offers peer support to teens, and they are currently looking for new volunteers. For more information visit: https://www.accessservices.org/services/peer-support-and-teen-talk-line/ or reach out to teentalkline@accessservice.org with any questions.

• Summer Internship Opportunity in Neuroscience! The CHOP Neurology High School Scholars Program will be held July 8-August 9, 2024, and allows students to work with a neurologist/neuroscientist and shadow physicians in clinic with a $1000 stipend! The application opens February 2, 2024, and the deadline is March 1, 2024. Students must be at least 16 to apply and commit to an orientation on July 5 if chosen to participate. For more information on the application process, please visit: www.chop.edu/pages/neurology-high-school-scholars-program

• Girls Spark will host a virtual workshop on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, at 7 p.m. on healthy relationships with guest speaker Sam Robins, Outreach Coordinator with the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County. Check out more about the Girls Spark program at https://girlsspark.org/.

• Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW) is now accepting applications for current sophomore and juniors for this summer! The low cost of this week is due to corporate sponsors, and PFEW offers great career exploration, a chance to build self-esteem and confidence, gain exposure to college life, and develop critical thinking skills, communication and teamwork skills! For more information visit: https://www.pfew.org/uploads/resources/705912_2024-pfew-student-informational-flyer.pdf

• Indian Springs Summer Camp is hiring for camp counselors, junior counselors, and lifeguards for their day camp that runs June 24-August 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – no weekends or nights. Visit www.indianspringdaycamp.com for more information, and contact Lori Plans at lplans@dasd.org if you are interested in applying! Current seniors may apply for lead counselors.

• SENIORS….If you enjoy working outdoors, and are undecided about your future after graduation, consider a career as an arborist! Shreiner Tree Care offers on the job training, great mentoring, benefits, and guidance in learning skills to become a professional arborist. Earn while you learn! For more information see the attached flyers and/or contact Ashley Faust at Ashley@shreinertreecare.com.

College admission representatives have started their visits! The complete schedule of college visits is posted on Naviance under the College tab. Juniors and Seniors are invited to meet the representatives by signing up on Naviance and requesting teacher permission to participate. These representatives typically visit once each fall, and are very helpful with the admissions process! Schedules can change so visit Naviance for the most up to date visits!

None scheduled at this time. Check back for possible spring visits! 🌼

To download a copy of the West Calendar (including letter days) to your device, click here: https://www.dasd.org/news-events/district-calendar

Next, click on “Subscribe to Calendar(s) tab for subscription options for your specific calendar application.

• February 5th – 16th - Counselors meet with each student individually to review course selections

• February 10 - ACT Testing

• February 12 - H&S Post Prom Committee Meeting - 7pm in Library

• February 15 - March 15 - NHS New Member Campaign

• February 16 - TCHS Closed

• February 19 - DASD Schools Closed

• February 24 - Winter Ball

• February 28 - Senior Assembly during School

• March 2 - Designer Bag Bingo - Home and School

• March 22 - Unity Day

• April 23 - Weather Emergency Make up Day #1

Please see the link below for important information regrading all home DASD high school athletic events.

DASD Athletics: Spectator Information

All Downingtown High School students who attend home football games will be subject to our passive Breathalyzer as they enter the football stadium.

Students, parents, and community members are reminded that ALL district property and school events are drug, alcohol, and tobacco free. ALL sporting events after 5:00 pm are subject to an entrance fee of $5.00 for students/adults thru Ticket Spicket.

• Girls Basketball vs. Downingtown East HS @ 6:45 pm - Wagner Gym

• Wrestling vs. West Chester Henderson HS @ 6:15 pm - Wagner Gym

Friday, February 9th

• Boys Varsity Ice Hockey vs. Conestoga @ 9:30 pm - Ice Line, Rink 3
  

Jan 17 2024

The Downingtown West Girls and Boys Basketball teams conducted their annual collaboration with the West Black Student Union (BSU) to host a special MLK Day Basketball Clinic on Monday, January 15th, 2024. The event aimed to provide an enriching experience for elementary and middle school children in the Downingtown Area while also fostering a spirit of community service.

The clinic was a day filled with basketball drills, games, and engaging activities organized by the West BSU. Children had the opportunity to enhance their basketball skills, participate in friendly competitions, and enjoy various interactive sessions led by the BSU members.

In the spirit of giving back, the clinic encouraged all participants to bring a nonperishable food item. These donations were collected and delivered to local food banks, reinforcing the community-centric ethos of the event.

Annie Williams, Learning Support Teacher at Downingtown High School West, expressed her excitement, stating, "This MLK Day Basketball Clinic is more than just a sporting event; it's a testament to the power of community and collaboration. By bringing together our basketball teams and the West BSU, we aim to create a memorable experience for the kids while also making a positive impact on our community."

In addition to the basketball activities, participants were advised to bring their basketball, a water bottle, and a small snack for the day's events. All attendees completed a registration form prior to January 15th, which also served as the registration for the event.

Justin Brown, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, shared his thoughts on the initiative, stating, "The MLK Day Basketball Clinic exemplifies the principles of unity, service, and inclusivity. By engaging our youth in sports and community service on this significant day, we are sowing the seeds for a more connected and compassionate community."

The Downingtown West Basketball teams and the West BSU invited families and community members to join them for a day of fun, learning, and giving back.

To learn more about DASD’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, please visitwww.dasd.org/diversity.

Downingtown West baseball is selling Wawa shorti coupons! Each coupon is $6 and is good for one Wawa shorti, valid at any location, with no expiration. If you’re interested, please complete the attached form! Thank you for your support! Click here for ordering: DWEST Wawa Shorti Card Sale

President:

Michele Helveston

Vice President:

Stephanie Steffen

Treasurer:

Michelle Nielsen

Secretary:

Kathleen Teal

Joint Home & School

Representative:

Maria Dennin

CHECK OUT THE WEST HOME & SCHOOL SUMMER SWAG ONLINE STORE THREE ITEMS AVAILABLE: COOLER CHAIR, TOWEL, GARDEN FLAG....CLICK THE LINK OR SCAN OR SCAN THE QR CODE

DWEST HOME & SCHOOL SUMMER SWAG ONLINE STORE

• DESIGNER BAG BINGO: SATURDAY, MARCH 2. Tickets are available for purchase! This event sells out each year so don’t delay!!! http://tinyurl.com/2024BagBingo
  
• Revolution Prep offers virtual practice SAT and ACT tests. If interested in signing your student up click on this link. www.revolutionprep.com/partners/12056.
• Stay in the loop and join the west Facebook page. Downingtown West HSA
• Questions?? E-mail: westhomeandschool@gmail.com
• The Road to Graduation is almost here!! Please consider helping out with this year’s Post Prom Party celebrating the Class of 2024. We are still looking for assistance in several of our committees. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 12th at 7 pm in the library. Parents of ALL grade levels are welcomed and encouraged. We want to see this tradition continue for all graduating classes of Downingtown West. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Downingtown West Post Prom/DWest Post Prom. Please contact us at DTownWestPostProm@gmail.com with any questions.

The Main Office at West is open during the school year from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday.

DHS West offers a diverse program of study. Our students are involved in academics at all levels. Academic, AP, Honors, Basic, Business Education, Industrial Arts Technology and Vocational-Technical courses are offered throughout our program.

School Profile from 2023-2024

Main Office Fax 610-269-1801
Attendance Fax 215-827-5693
Guidance Fax 610-514-0279
Athletic Fax 610-514-0281