Dr. Barker's Weekly Report 8.25.24
8/25/24 - Volume 6, Issue 2
Dr. Barker's Message
Good Evening Everyone!
Tomorrow morning, we officially welcome all of our students back to WEST for the opening of the 2024-25 school year. Classrooms are ready, the building is clean, our new traffic patterns are in place, and we are excited to begin the year with our new Lunch & Learn schedule!
Students - Please check your schedules one last time before heading to WEST in the morning. Counselors have been putting the finishing touches on schedules and we want to ensure that you have the most current version of your schedule when you arrive on campus. When you arrive at school in the morning, double check your Lunch & Learn homeroom location on Schoology, in the Main Lobby, Atrium, or Small Gym Lobby so you know when and where to report after 4th period. We will discuss your Lunch & Learn homerooms more with you at your class meetings in the morning.
Parents - Please take a moment this week to review the new traffic patterns on campus. A separate email was also sent earlier today highlighting these changes. We will have a number of staff in place to help direct traffic on the first few days of school, but the largest change is that all parent drop off will now take place at the front of the building. Please view the New Traffic Pattern for more information.
We are excited for the start of the school year, and we look forward to sharing the newly renovated spaces with all of our students in the morning!
I look forward to seeing everyone for an 8am start tomorrow morning, Monday, August 26th!
Have a great night WEST!
Kurt Barker, Ed.D.
Principal, DHS WEST
“Where Every Student Thrives”
Construction Update:
While much of the construction will be completed by the beginning of the school year, please know that there will still be a number of finishing touches that need to be completed. While the building will have reached the point of substantial completion, and will be safe for full occupancy, we anticipate that at least through the month of September, a select few contractors will be in and out of classrooms during the day and working in the evenings to address punch list items before the district signs for completion. Please expect to see ceiling tiles removed, trim pieces missing, and paint and spackle in various stages of completion. Our teachers are excited to get into their classrooms and some have already begun to unpack. As more areas are turned over to our staff we are working diligently to have them prepared for students when they arrive.
Whippet News
- Picture Day is Tuesday, 8/27/24! Pictures will be taken in the Wagner Gym and students will be called alphabetically by grade. PLEASE pay close attention to the announcements being made throughout the day so you know when to get your picture taken. Orders can be placed at mylifetouch.com by using Picture Day ID: EVT782KKM (case sensitive).
- Attention Class of 2028 or New Students to DASD: We are excited to provide all students with their new Lenovo L13 Yoga laptop. If your child is unable to attend the laptop distribution, they will be able to pick it up from the tech office on the first day of school. The annual technology insurance fee per the 1:1 Technology Initiative has been posted to your Pay Schools Central account. Students will be required to change their password at first login. Passwords will require complexity. When students create their password, it must meet the requirements below. For help with how to create a complex password, please see view this video.
- Minimum of 12 characters
- Include 3 of 4 of the following – lower case letters, upper case letters, numbers, special characters (ex: $ % & #)
- Cannot be similar to your previous passwords
PARKING APPLICATION IS OPEN!!
Please see the parking application and other parking related information. Juniors, please note that you will only be able to park at the DYW lot this year. Please see the parking map for more details on parking for students.
- Attention Class of 2027: It is not too early to start thinking about your Graduation Project. Are you working a sports camp this summer, have you gone back to help with your place of worship, are you volunteering with your local fire company? If you have your idea, please fill out the Graduation Proposal and Mentor form and leave a hard copy in the main office. All details and forms can be found on West’s Website under the activities tab or HERE. Please email Mr. Hassel at bhassel@dasd.org if you have any questions.
- Counselor assignments will not change for the 2024-25 school year. High school counselors can be reached at the following:
- Last names A – Ch: Ms. Farnesi - sfarnesi@dasd.org
- Last names Ci - Fre: Ms. Curran – dcurran@dasd.org
- Last names Fri - Joh: Ms. Stephens - kstephens@dasd.org
- Last names Joi - McG: Mr. Findora - rfindora@dasd.org
- Last names McH - P: Ms. Ernest – eernest@dasd.org
- Last names Q – Sor: Ms. Dawson – cdawson@dasd.org
- Last names Sos – Z: Mr. Borkowski - mborkowski@dasd.org
Student Reminders
- Graduation Project Information for proposals and presentations can be found here. Class of 2025 Proposal are now past due!
- 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)
Class of 2025 Announcements
Seniors: Downingtown WEST - Senior Transcript Request ... In order to have your transcript sent to the college of your choosing, you must complete the Google doc linked above. Transcripts can take up to 10 business days to process. If you have a specific deadline, please make sure your request is entered as early as possible. Any questions or concerns or if you need help with your transcripts, please reach out to your school counselor. Requests will be processed starting on Thursday, September 12th.
Thank you to all the seniors that joined the Counseling Team for our yearly Application Boot Camp. If you were unable to attend and would like to review the information that was presented, it is attached here. Should you have any follow up questions re: your college applications, transcript procedures, and requesting letters of recommendation, please see your school counselor.
Seniors, as you prepare your college applications, don’t forget to take advantage of the Writing Center! Our writing advisors are here to help you in any stage of writing your college essays or answering supplemental questions. We can brainstorm with you, give you feedback, and help you revise your personal statements so that you can put your absolute best foot forward with college admissions officers. The Writing Center will be open beginning Tuesday, September 3. Students can schedule an appointment through the Writing Center Schoology course, email us at dwwritingcenter@dasd.org, use the Pass app, or just drop in to visit us in the Library during Lunch and Learn. We look forward to seeing you!
- Attention Class of 2025: Do you have your Graduation Project hours completed? If so, get a jump start on completing that obligation before the end of the school year. Graduation Project Teams will hear projects during the school year. Please email Mr. Hassel, bhassel@dasd.org, so that he can get you assigned to your Graduation Project Team.
- Attention Class of 2025! Lifetouch will hold the last sitting of Senior Portraits for the Class of 2025 on September 9 through September 12. All sittings will be held in the Auditorium with check-in being held in the Main Lobby at Downingtown West. To schedule your appointment, please visit www.ouryear.com. For more information, please view the attached flyer by Prestige Photography. If you have any problems with your scheduled appointment time, please contact 1-800-OUR-YEAR™ between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm EST Monday through Friday.
Student Council
We are excited and proud to announce our student council officers for the 2024-25 school year!
Co-Presidents: Kaitlyn Dorr & Abigayle Prinder
Vice President: Chloe Friedland
Treasurer: Julia Staffieri
Secretary: Hailey Hartzell
Student Council’s first informational meeting will take place on September 5th after school in the library. Any students interested in joining should plan to attend.
This year’s Homecoming dance will take place at West on Saturday, September 21st at 7pm. More information to come as the date gets closer.
For news and other school updates, follow our Instagram page @dweststudentcouncil.
Parent Reminders
Please view the Opening of School Parent Update sent out August 14th.
-
All DASD families received an email with instructions for how to complete their Student Contact Information Confirmation for the 24/25 school year. The deadline for parents to complete the confirmation is Friday, September 20th.
- Attention Parents: 2024-2025 Device Fees are now posted in PaySchools! Please review & submit your student’s device payment on PaySchools* Central.
- Please review the Traffic Pattern Links: AM & PM Traffic Patterns & new traffic patterns for the 24-25 school year: Parent Drop Off Map. Parent pick up at the end of the school day should be limited until after 3:00 pm when all buses have left the campus.
- Please visit Aramark for available Menus!
Special Announcements
Club Fair - September 10th
What: Club Fair—most clubs will be represented at tables around the Wagner Gym during all periods of the school day. Students have the opportunity to visit the gym with their English classes.
When: Tuesday, 9/10/24 - all periods
Structure: English classes are invited to attend the club fair. Classes should arrive with their teachers and teachers should set a time to bring them back to their classes. Classes are asked to gather first on the bleachers for a brief instruction and are then invited to walk the gym and visit the club booths.
Culture Fest 2024
On Friday, September 27, from 5-8 p.m., DASD and Downingtown Community Education Foundation (DCEF) will host the 3rd Annual DASD Culture Fest at Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center.
The event will feature:
- Food trucks
- 20+ live performances and music
- Games and activities
- Fun for the entire community!
This free event is open to all DASD students (K-12) and their families. Pre-registration is highly encouraged - Register Now! Carpool if you can, and try to get there early. All proceeds from this event benefit the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center Library.
Student Resources
Matthew McFadden
Prevention Specialist
(610) 269-4400, Ext. 11467
Jocelyn White
Prevention Specialist
(610) 269-44000, Ext. 11462
Click the blue button above to learn more about the Prevention Specialists.
If your student needs additional resources following the recent losses in our community, please contact the Counseling Office at 610-269-4400 x 81422.
Whippet Pantry
Upcoming College Visits
COLLEGE VISITS
- College Visits to the Career Center start September 16th! Students must sign up in advance under the College tab in Naviance and have teacher permission to meet the reps.
- Meet the representatives from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the University of Vermont, and the University of Florida at Universities Unite -- a joint presentation to be held at the STEM Academy on Monday, September 9th, at 6:30 p.m. Spaces are limited so see the flyer to sign up!
- The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is hosting a community webinar series called #DethronetheLoan on the second Tuesday of each month, September 10-April 8, at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to maximize your opportunities for financing college, explore internships and career paths and access tools to help you succeed in college and beyond. Sign up using the link above.
Career Center News
Employment / Volunteer / Career Opportunities
- Part-time Job Opportunity! Applecross Country Club needs help for banquet set up/breakdown and available shifts are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Please contact David McCracken if you are interested at 302-540-1876 or email David.mccracken@applecrosscc.com.
- Faraway Farm in Glenmoore needs part-time cashiers (minimum age is 16) and floaters (minimum age is 14) on Thursdays and Fridays, 3:30- 7pm, and some Saturday afternoons. If you are interested, please contact Cara Phalen at 484-798-5452 or email info@farawayfarmcc.com.
- Attention GIRLS! Girls Spark is looking for high school girls to join their Leadership Board to learn more about their mission to empower young women, learn leadership skills,, financial literacy, wellness, teamwork and project management. Teen leaders may earn up to 40 hours for a graduation project! Check out the Leadership Board Application and visit the website for more details: www.girlsspark.com.
- Grad Project Opportunity!! Volunteers are needed for HIGH 5 Soccer -- GEYA Soccer’s outreach program for players with special needs. No experience is necessary--just patience and enthusiasm! The schedule runs on Sundays from 2:45-4 p.m. from September 8-November 3 at Fellowship Field #1 in Chester Springs. Please contact Coach Jenn Wagner at mjsewagner@gmail.com if you are interested.
- Volunteers Needed! The Well Community Center (next to Farmhouse Coffee) is looking for volunteers to act as “Study Buddies” for elementary students on Mondays and Wednesdays (4:15-5:00pm) throughout the school year. Volunteers will work with K-5th graders on their homework and act as mentors. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in teaching to build their resume! To learn more about the commitment, please reach out to Amy Straub-amypstraub1@gmail.com.
- Hill’s Seafood in Exton is hiring! They offer flexible scheduling and $13/hour. See the attached flyer and application. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dan Carlin at danc@hillsqualityseafood.com or Ryan Seaver at ryanseaver@hillsqualityseafood.com.
Summer Overseas Opportunities
Summer Trips
Trips scheduled for summer of 2025:
- Environmental Sciences goes to Costa Rica - April 12 - April 20, 2025 - for more information, please see Mr. Saddler or Ms. DiSantis
- School Trip to Berlin, Munich & Salzburg - June 9-17, 2025 - for more information, please see Mr. Schauer or click on the link above.
Look for more upcoming overseas opportunities for the Summer of 2025 coming soon!
Upcoming Events
Back to School Night
Downingtown West is happy to host parents at our Back to School Night where parents will walk their student's schedule and visit with their teachers.
Thursday, Sep 5, 2024, 06:00 PM
Downingtown West High School, Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA, USA
Calendar Information:
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 26 - First Day of School - New Start time of 8:00 am
August 27 - Student Picture Day
September 2 - School Closed - Labor Day Holiday
September 5 - StuCo Meeting in Library afterschool
September 5 - Back to School Night - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
September 9-12 - Final Senior Portrait sitting by Prestige Portraits starting at 3:00 pm - Auditorium
September 9 - First meeting for Spanish Honor Society - 7:15 am in Room 230
September 10 - Club Fair
September 13 - Freshmen Class Elections
September 19 - Sophomore Ring Night - 6:00 pm
September 20 - Homecoming Football Game
September 21 - Homecoming Dance
September 28 - Cavalcade of Bands
SPECTATOR INFORMATION:
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.
Home Varsity Competitions listed below—For all other competitions, please visit the WEST Athletics webpage.
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. District 1 playoff tickets are $7.00 and are purchased through HomeTown Ticketing (see below for link).
Monday, August 26th
- Girls Tennis Vs. Unionville High School @ 3:30 PM @ Desmond Tennis Courts
Tuesday, August 27th
- Girls Golf Vs. Downingtown East High School @ 3:00 PM @ Downingtown Country Club
- Girls Field Hockey Vs. Council Rock North High School @ 3:45 PM @ Kottmeyer Stadium
Wednesday, August 28th
- Boys Golf vs. Vs. Downingtown East High School @ 3:00 PM @ Downingtown Country Club
- Girls Soccer Vs. Owen J Roberts High School @ 7:00 PM @ DiSerafino Stadium
Thursday, August 29th
- Girls Tennis Vs. North Penn High School @ 3:30 PM @ Desmond Tennis Courts
- Boys Soccer Vs. Central Bucks South High School @ 3:45 PM @ DiSerafino Stadium
- Girls Field Hockey Vs. Garnet Valley High School @ 3:45 PM @ Kottmeyer Stadium
Fundraising Events
- D-West Girls Soccer Fundraiser - Stock's Pound Cakes! Orders are due Wednesday, August 21! Please see and share the attached digital flyer and google order form below with family, friends, and social media. All orders can be placed via this form: Stock's Bakery Order Form - D-West Girls Soccer These cakes are DELICIOUS and sales will benefit our players!
- Spanish Honor Society Fundraiser for Aidan's Heart Foundation at Handel's ice cream in Downingtown, Sept. 18th from 3-9 pm. Must mention you are there for fundraiser and we will receive 20% of sales.
Dowingtown West Home & School Association
The 2024-2025 DWest Home and School Executive Board:
President:
Michele Helveston
Vice President:
Stephanie Steffen
Treasurer:
Komal Ghai
Secretary:
Kathleen Teal
Joint Home & School
Representative:
Maria Dennin
- We are looking forward to another amazing year with parents, teachers and staff! Stop by our table at Back to School Night to find out all the great things we have planned for this year!!
- Home and School is always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in being on the board or even just want to help out, please email westhomeandschool@gmail.com
- Stay in the loop and join the west Facebook page. Downingtown West HSA
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @DWest Post Prom for pictures and updates for the Post Prom Party for the Class of 2025! Contact us at DTownWestPostProm@gmail.com with any questions.
School Profile
Downingtown High School West
The Main Office at West is open during the school year from 7:15 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.
Main Office Phone 610-269-4400
Main Office Fax 610-269-1801
Attendance Fax 215-827-5693
Guidance Fax 610-514-0279
Athletic Fax 610-514-0281