Good Morning Everyone!

We are in the home stretch as we prepare for the opening of the 2024-25 school year. Teachers report tomorrow and students arrive next week on Monday August 26th for the first day of school. The contractors continue to make progress, completing new sections each day, and our custodial team has been working around the clock to prepare each section of the building for students and staff - Thank you!

Students - Schedules become available in Infinite Campus today and we encourage all incoming freshmen, as well as any new students, to take advantage of the self guided tour opportunities on Thursday and Friday this week. Students are encouraged to walk their schedules, find their classrooms, and acclimate themselves to the building.

Parents - Please take a moment this week to review the new traffic patterns on campus. A separate email was sent last week 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.

While we are excited for the start of the school year, we know that we will have a number of challenges to overcome as we finish construction and begin using our new spaces. We ask for your patience as we finish this process and we look forward to welcoming all of our students back for a wonderful school year!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and I look forward to seeing everyone back to school on Monday, August 26th!

Have a great day WEST!

Kurt Barker, Ed.D.

Principal, DHS WEST

“Where Every Student Thrives”

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.

• 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:

1. Last names A – Ch: Ms. Farnesi - sfarnesi@dasd.org
2. Last names Ci - Fre: Ms. Curran – dcurran@dasd.org
3. Last names Fri - Joh: Ms. Stephens - kstephens@dasd.org
4. Last names Joi - McG: Mr. Findora - rfindora@dasd.org
5. Last names McH - P: Ms. Ernest – eernest@dasd.org
6. Last names Q – Sor: Ms. Dawson – cdawson@dasd.org
7. Last names Sos – Z: Mr. Borkowski - mborkowski@dasd.org

• If you have schedule questions, please contact your assigned counselor via email. If you have a pressing issue and do not receive a response, please contact Ms. Carrie McBride, counseling department administrative assistant. She can be reached at 610-269-4400 extension 42030 or by email at cmcbride@dasd.org.

• 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)

• In an effort to support our Class of 2025 students as they begin the college application process, we will be running an Application Boot Camp on Monday, August 19th – the week before school starts. To attend, please register here – Application Boot Camp 2024.
• Two sessions will be held that day. Session #1 will run from 9 AM - 11 AM. Session #2 will run from 1 PM - 3 PM. Each session will be divided into two(2) one-hour parts. Part I focuses on application account creation, navigating Naviance, connecting Naviance to applications, and information on the various application portals that colleges use.
• Part II provides time for 1 v. 1 work with a school counselor on actual applications. Students do not have to stay for Part II.
There is no cost for the boot camp and it will be held in the Downingtown WEST Library. * Please note that we plan to hold the boot camp in person. A copy of the presentation will be made available to all students after it is run on August 22nd.*

• 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.

• 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.

Co-Presidents: Kaitlyn Dorr & Abigayle Prinder

Vice President: Chloe Friedland

Treasurer: Julia Staffieri

Secretary: Hailey Hartzell

• 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.

• 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!

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.

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.

Matthew McFadden

Prevention Specialist

mmcfadden@dasd.org

Jocelyn White

jwhite@dasd.org

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.

• 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.

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!

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.

• August 22/23 - Self Guides Tours for Freshmen/New Students - 8am - 3pm
  

• 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 - 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 10 - Club Fair

• September 13 - Freshmen Class Elections

• September 19 - Sophomore Ring Night - TBD

• September 20 - Homecoming Football Game

• September 21 - Homecoming Dance

• September 28 - Cavalcade of Bands

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. District 1 playoff tickets are $7.00 and are purchased through HomeTown Ticketing (see below for link).

Tuesday, August 20th

• Girls Soccer Vs. Garnet Valley High School (Scrimmage) @ 3:45 PM @ DiSerafino Stadium

Wednesday, August 21st

• Girls Tennis Vs. Great Valley High School @ 3:30 PM @ Desmond Tennis Courts
• Boys Soccer Vs. Exeter Twp High School (Scrimmage) @ 3:45 PM @ DiSerafino Stadium

Thursday, August 22nd

• Boys Golf vs. Vs. Avon Grove High School @ 3:00 PM @ Downingtown Country Club
• Girls Golf Vs. Oxford Area High School @ 3:00 PM @ Downingtown Country Club
• Girls Tennis Vs. Owen J Roberts High School @ 3:30 PM @ Desmond Tennis Courts

Friday, August 23rd

• Football Vs. Lincoln High School @ 7:00 PM @ Kottmeyer Stadium (Turf)
  

• 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!

President:

Michele Helveston

Vice President:

Stephanie Steffen

Treasurer:

Komal Ghai

Secretary:

Kathleen Teal

Joint Home & School

Representative:

Maria Dennin

• 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

The Main Office at West is open during the school year from 7:15 am to 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday.

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