

DCA Weekly Update
November 22, 2024
Message from the Principal
Greetings DCA Students & Families,
Thank you to all who responded to the PA Climate Survey for the DCA and Home School Buildings. Your input is a valuable resource in helping us to best meet the needs of our school community.
Have you accessed the 1st Marking Period Report Card in Infinite Campus?
- If not, please log into Infinite Campus - Go to the Backpack - Download the Report Card - Acknowledge receipt. This is for DCA Grades K-12.
- 100% of DCA Students will pass ALL of their DCA Classes. Let's continue to work together to support student success.
Conferences are Monday, 11/25 for Grades 7-8 and Tuesday, 11/26 for Grades 7-12.
- Please sign up today if you have not already!
Kudos to the students who have been working hard to actively engage in learning and are thriving. Students who are struggling should contact their teacher(s). We will put together a support plan if needed.
Registration for the 25-26 school year will be in late January. If you wish to take online courses in the 2025-2026 school year, please indicate that during course selection in January. Now is the time to discuss these options.
Hope to see you at conferences next week! Enjoy the weekend ahead.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kecia Nesmith
Principal of the Downingtown Cyber Academy and Supervisor of Teaching & Learning
Week Thirteen begins on November 18 and ends on November 25.
Week Fourteen begins on December 2nd.
DASD Student Engagement Survey - Email sent on 11.18.2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to inform you that our district will be administering a Student Engagement Survey for students in grades 6-12 from December 2nd through December 13th.
The purpose of this survey is to gather important feedback from our students to ensure they feel safe, connected, and engaged within our school community.
The goals of this survey align with our strategic plan and our commitment to fostering an environment where all students feel valued. Specifically, we aim to measure:
- Goal 1: Students Feel Safe, Connected, & Engaged
- 1.1 The % of students who feel safe, connected, and heard
- 1.2 The % of students with regular attendance
- 1.3 The % of students who participate in co-curricular, extracurricular, or community activities
- 1.4 Suspension rate for each demographic group
- Goal 4: Students are Prepared for a Future of Their Choice
- 4.1 The % of students who complete a postsecondary plan aligned to at least one of the four “E’s”: Education, Employment, Enlistment, and Entrepreneurship
- 4.2 The % of students graduating in four years
- 4.3 The % of students demonstrating skills aligned to the DASD Portrait of a Graduate
We encourage all students to participate, as their feedback is crucial in helping us create a supportive and engaging learning environment.
The questions for the survey are available for you to review. If you would like to see them, please contact your school’s principal.
If you would prefer that your child opt out of this survey, please reach out directly to your child’s principal, who will handle your request accordingly.
Thank you for your support as we strive to enhance the educational experience for all our students.
Sincerely,
Robert J. O'Donnell, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Justin Brown
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Calendar Items
Calendar items
- 11/25 - Marking Period 2 - Interim Period
- 11/25 - Two-hour Early Dismissal - Parent/Guardian / Teacher Conferences - Gr. 7-8 (Day)
- 11/26 - No School for Students - Parent/Guardian /Teacher Conferences - Gr.7-12 (Day/Evening)
- 11/27 - No School for Students - Teacher Work Collaboration Day
- 11/28 - No School - Thanksgiving Day
- 11/29 - No School
- 12/2/24 - SAT
12/4/24 - 12/18/24 - Keystone Exams Winter Wave 1 (Contact the home school admin)
12/9/24 -ACT
Cultural Monthly Recognitions
Downingtown Celebrates Indian Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Month Belonging
This November, Downingtown Area School District is proud to celebrate Native American Heritage Month and Indian Heritage Month with a variety of enriching educational opportunities. Organized by parents, guardians, students, and community members, these events will shine a light on the unique histories, traditions, and contributions of both communities.
Through these celebrations, the district reaffirms its dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our schools, creating a more inclusive and culturally aware environment for all.
#ThisIsDEI #InclusionMatters
Event Information
Connect Thru Cancer - 2024 Cammie Hall Sanders Memorial Scholarship
Read about it HERE.
**IMPORTANT DEADLINES**
Application Opens: Fall 2024
Submission Deadline: January 30, 2025
Award Announcement: April 1, 2025
Secondary Schools' Newsletters
All DCA students are considered students in their home buildings even if they are full-time DCA. Please check your child's school below for upcoming events and activities in which they can participate!
Brandywine Virtual Academy Information
Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) Partnership - Grades K-6 ONLY
We are partnering with the Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) within the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to provide instruction and teachers for students in grades K-6 who wish to learn online. Students will follow the school year calendars provided by the BVA.
***Virtual Voyagers Club
Virtual Voyagers hosts monthly events where students converse, connect, collaborate, and create. Virtual event themes include family & community events, special guests, game days, specials activities (art, music, movement), and STEM opportunities. Join us on the second Wednesday each month here: https://cciu.zoom.us/my/virtualvoyagers
Grades K-5
Grade 6
DOWNINGTOWN CYBER ACADEMY
Please visit our DCA website at dc.dasd.org for more information.
Email: cyberacademy@dasd.org
Website: dc.dasd.org
Location: 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-269-8460
Facebook: http://facebook.com/dca
Twitter: @dasd_dca