December 13th: Winter Choir Concert 7:00 pm

December 16th : Winter Orchestra Concert 7:00 pm

December 23rd - January 1st: Winter Break

January 15th: Winter Band Concert 7:00 pm

Just as holiday and winter break planning is in full swing, so too is the college admissions process. At a time when family and friends are gathering, emotions can be running high for our college-bound high school students. Seniors are receiving decisions from early admission schools and trying to process this news, which can be cause for celebration, or unfortunately, disappointment. Others are enduring the long wait for decisions in the spring that can feel never-ending.

The collision of family gatherings and the college admission cycle has the potential to create great angst for your high school senior, as they may be trying to distract themselves from the uncertainty surrounding their future. Conversations at get-togethers could involve an overwhelming number of questions about where students have applied, if they have been accepted, what colleges other relatives or friends are going to, and usually others’ opinions of various schools. While well-meaning, these dialogs could create some challenging moments. Before this occurs, here are some tips to share with your senior:

• Don’t be afraid to move the conversation in a direction that’s more comfortable for them.
• Focus on successes in their current classes or interesting topics they’re studying.
• Talk about what they love to do outside of the school day.
• Rather than where they will go, talk about what they are looking forward to in college, such as majors, minors, activities, study abroad opportunities, and internships
• Turn the focus of the conversation to the other person and ask questions about what’s going on with them.
• If necessary, respectfully exit the conversation.

Encourage them to share only as much as they feel comfortable about their college admissions journey, emphasizing that the choice is entirely theirs.

Downingtown High School East Campus will again be offering courses to assist students with preparation for the upcoming Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). College-bound juniors typically take the SAT in the spring of their junior year and may repeat the exam in the fall of their senior year, if necessary.

• Please see the 2024-2025 SAT Prep class letter below for more information.

Exton Senior Living needs part-time help with their dining services! Help with setting tables, folding napkins, filling water glasses, providing and refilling condiments, food prep as needed, serve meals to residents in a courteous and professional manner, and remove dishes from tables to kitchen. They hire at 14, offer a flexible schedule, and pay $13/hour! Contact Marti Drozel at mdrozel@integracare.com or visit https://jobs.integracare.com/positions/

Faraway Farms Country Corner in Glenmoore needs a part-time cashier 1-2 days a week from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and every other Saturday. Must be 16 years + to apply. Please contact Cara at fafcatering@gmail.com if you are interested.

The Greater Philadelphia Youth Conference will be held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Upper Merion Middle School. This is an amazing opportunity for high school students to build their resumes, connect with industry leaders and college mentors in a variety of careers, participate in panel discussions, learn about internships and more! The cost to attend is $10, but the first 100 signups will be sponsored at no charge–use the code FIRST100 in the payment section to claim this offer. Dinner is included. Check out the website for more information and to register: http://gpyc.us/

• This is your opportunity to shape future library programs, explore exciting volunteer roles, and even create new clubs that match your interests. Whether you want to help run fun events or come up with fresh ideas, your input will make a real impact.

• For more info or to get involved, contact Ms. Sam at sheckleroconnor@ccls.org. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a difference and connect with other passionate teens!

• The Teen Advisory Board allows students to gain leadership experience, develop organizational skills, and build connections with peers who share their passions. I believe it would be an excellent fit for many of our students who are eager to contribute and grow. Thank you so much for your time and please let me know if you need any additional information.

The Lockheed Martin Summer Internship application will open November 26th, 2024, and end on January 5, 2025. An information session will be held on Tuesday, December 17th, 5:30 p.m. Once a registration is submitted, their team will follow up prior to the information session with the virtual link to attend.

Students must be 16 at the start of the internship and capable of demonstrating knowledge and passion for a STEM career.

Registration link: https://app.smartsheetgov.com/b/form/a98e8da349df4d98b902cbcfec4e315d

The Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS) is a rigorous, highly selective, summer enrichment opportunity focused on science with instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and more. The application is now open to current JUNIORS, and the deadline to apply is January 31, 2025. The program is free to students, and students live on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University. For more details on the program, visit https://sciences.pa-gov-schools.org/. Application link: https://pgss-applications.pa-gov-schools.org/users/sign_up.

• If you have a certain skill set that may be helpful we would love to have your input and assistance!
• Please sign up if you are interested in helping with future planning of this event!
• Scan the QR code in the flyer or visit this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfggXm_KeC3VOguisrr6Oe2Kq4G4vLX3w0GwAfHK0FSQ-E6hA/viewform?scrlybrkr=673c5e57

• Please visit https://prod.yboc.varsity.com/ to purchase a yearbook.
• Yearbook purchase center Access code: 4846

• 12/14: Wrestling at Pequea Valley Invitational 9:00 AM
• 12/14: Boys Basketball vs. Upper Merion 11:00 AM
• 12/17: Girls Basketball vs. West 5:30 PM
• 12/17: Boys Basketball at West 5:30 PM
• 12/18: Swimming vs. WCE 3:30 PM
• 12/18: Wrestling vs. Upper Perk 6:30 PM
• 12/19: Boys Basketball vs. Henderson 5:30 PM
• 12/19: Girls Basketball at Henderson 5:30 PM
• 12/20: Swimming vs. Great Valley 3:30 PM
• 12/21: Boys Basketball at Upper Perk 11:00 AM
• 12/21: Girls Basketball at CB South 11:00 AM

The Downingtown East Ice Hockey Team would like to invite you to watch their games!

Come out and show your support to our team!

Schedule:

• Friday 12/13: Henderson vs. DE 9:30 PM Ice Line Rink 3
• Friday 12/20: Unionville vs. DE 6:20 PM Ice Line Rink 1
• Friday 1/24: DE vs. WCE 9:45 PM Ice Line Rink 1
• Friday 1/31: DE vs. Avon Grove 6:15 pm Ice Line Rink 1
• Monday 2/3: DE vs. Kennett 8:00 pm Ice Line Rink 1

• East Boys Basketball team gear available for the entire family.
• Shopping window - Sunday 12/1/24 - Sunday 12/15/24 (delivery after the New Year).
• Visit: https://www.promoplace.com/dehsboysbasketball/Apparel.htm to order merchandise. Please share this link with others as a portion of the sale goes to our team.

In Honor of Ella

Time: 10am to 3pm

Where: Downingtown Middle School 115 Rock Raymond Road Downingtown PA 19335

Schedule an appointment by visiting https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time

Ms. Kristina Cole: 9th - 11th Grade Students: A to Col

12th Grade Students: A-Cov; krcole@dasd.org- Ext. 41041

Ms. Stephanie Chupela: 9th - 11th Grade Students: Con- Gan

12th Grade Students: Cox-Gl; schupela@dasd.org- Ext.41040

Ms. Katherine Dill: 9th - 11th Grade Students: Gar- Ke

12th Grade Students: Go- Ke; kdill@dasd.org- Ext. 41042

Ms. Angela Hanna: 9th - 11th Grade Students: Ki- McD

12th Grade Students: Ki- Mar; ahanna@dasd.org- Ext.41043

Mr. Michael Matta: 9th - 11th Grade Students: McE- Ras

12th Grade Students: Mas-Pl; mmatta@dasd.org- Ext. 41045

Ms. Caroline (Gregory) Hallam : 9th - 11th Grade Students: Rat- Sta

12th Grade Students: Po-So; cgregory@dasd.org- Ext. 41046

Mr. William Davis: 9th: 11th Grade Students: Ste- Z

12th Grade Students: Sp-Z; wdavis@dasd.org- Ext. 41044

Beth O’Rourke – borourke@dasd.org – Ext. 11460

Renee Welsh – rwelsh@dasd.org – Ext. 11459

Jennifer Bender – jbender@dasd.org – Ext. 11461

Anthony Nordone – anordone@dasd.org – Ext. 41311

Athletic Director: Corey Sigle – csigle@dasd.org

Associate Athletic Director: Michael Semar- msemar@dasd.org

Assistant Athletic Director: Renee Harty – rharty@dasd.org

Paul E. Hurley III, Principal – phurley@dasd.org

Assistant Principal: Lakesha Costello: 9th grade and 10th grade: A thru Ha – lcostello@dasd.org

Assistant Principal: Eric McComsey: 11th grade and 10th grade: P thru Z – emccomsey@dasd.org

Assistant Principal: (Frances) Jill Whalen: 12th grade and 10th grade: He thru O– fwhalen@dasd.org