Hello Narwhal families,

I hope that everyone is having a great weekend! It was so great to meet our students over this past week, and I can already tell that we have a special group of Narwhals to work with this year! Thank you all for your time, support and patience as we began this school year. I know that it is difficult for our students and families to pivot from the summer schedule back into school, but I am so proud of all of the hard work, positivity and enthusiasm on full display at Marsh Creek this week. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child's life, and I hope that you get to enjoy the long weekend.

Have a wonderful day,

Matt

Monday - 9/2

• NO SCHOOL - OFFICES CLOSED - LABOR DAY

Tuesday - 9/3

• 6-Star Fundraiser Assembly

Wednesday - 9/4

• Marsh Creek Safety and Security Drills

Important Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday September 10th - Picture Day
• Wednesday September 11th - POD Pride Kickoff Assembly
• Friday September 27th - Culture Fest 2024 - 5:00 - 8:00 pm

On Friday, September 27th, from 5:00-8:00 pm, DASD and the Downingtown Community Education Foundation (DCEF) will host the 3rd Annual Culture Fest at the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center.

This 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 - Please register using the link below. We suggest carpooling if you can, and feel free to bring a lawn chair to make your evening more comfortable. All proceeds from this event benefit the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center Library. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/culture-fest-2024-tickets-916114973547

There is nothing that we prioritize more than the safety of our students and staff, so to that end, we will be conducting safety drills each month this school year. During the month of September, we will be conducting three different safety drills. These would include a Severe Weather Drill, a Fire Drill, and a Security Drill, so that our students are familiar with our procedures here at Marsh Creek. Our first drills of the school year will be conducted on September 4th, and we want to thank all of our students and staff members in advance for their time and support as we complete these drills.

For those parents that drive their student to Marsh Creek this school year, please see the map below for directions on our traffic pattern. This will ensure the safety of our students each day, and increase the efficiency of our arrival and departure procedures. Please make sure that students are dropped off, and exit the vehicle along the curb to ensure that we are keeping everyone safe. Thank you for your support!

Our Annual Fundraiser is about to begin next week! This event is an incredible opportunity for us to come together as a community and support Marsh Creek and our students. The funds raised go directly towards enhancing our students' time here at Marsh Creek, including extracurricular activities, technology, improving school facilities and so much more.

Your participation is key to making this fundraiser a success! Stay tuned for more details on the fundraiser next week and how you can support us and help us reach our goal! Thank you in advance for your time and support!

Greetings from the Marsh Creek Counseling Department! We will use this area to keep you in the loop with updates from our department as well as helpful resources throughout the year. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We are here to help!

Please encourage your child to check out the Marsh Creek Counseling Department Schoology course. It’s filled with lots of great resources including stress management strategies, study skills, directions for how to check your grades and more!

We have enjoyed coming into your children's' health classes this week to introduce ourselves and to give an overview of all the supports available to them! One resource we discussed was Caf Connections which we encourage students to use at any point in the school year!

Please encourage your child to reach out if they need anything. Looking forward to a great year!

In September and October, each interdisciplinary team will be traveling to Paradise Farm Camp, a local educational facility. Students, teachers and administrators will participate in hands-on, outdoor, learning and team building experiences. The program is designed to facilitate team-building, resiliency and environmental awareness. Getting to know one another as a team and in small groups by working through different team challenges improves the all too important skills of cooperation, communication, and trust. Guardians will receive information from your child’s team in the upcoming weeks

DASD ELD Department is hosting a Multilingual Technology Assistance Event

This event is for families needing assistance signing up for DASD online programs or applications like Infinite Campus Parent Portal, Pay Schools Central, PA School Meals, and Pick Up Patrol. PLEASE BRING YOUR PHONE, any forms or paperwork you need assistance with, and be prepared to access your email account.

Interpreters are available upon request.

Interested students and families can pick up a form from Taylor Hiller's classroom - A310 (near the elevator) on the third floor.

SOS (Signs of Suicide)

For the sixth straight year, DASD school staff are working to teach sixth grade students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS (Signs of Suicide). The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. It is delivered during a single lesson in Health class taking place over the coming weeks.

SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.

Through the program, students learn:

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help

• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend

• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend

• who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a response slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will present to assist any student asking to talk.

We encourage you to visit http://www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.

**Please note, if your child is in need of immediate assistance, please contact:

• Valley Creek Crisis Center: 610-280-3270 (24 hours, 7 days/week)

• Chester County Warm Line: 1-866-846-2722 (M-F 2:00 - 8:00 pm, Sat & Sun 12:00-6:00 pm)

The most frequent damage to a Chromebook is a cracked screen. Follow these tips to avoid damage.

• Always carry a Chromebook closed. Never hold a Chromebook by its screen and always use two hands to carry the device.
• If carrying the device from classroom to classroom, hold the Chromebook close to your chest much like a hug.
• Be sure to set a Chromebook on a flat surface during use and avoid slanted, uneven surfaces which could lead to the device sliding off and dropping to the floor.

For more tips about protecting your device, and information related to getting a protective case for your device, click the following link to our technology page. Thank you for your assistance!

https://www.dasd.org/departments/technology/11-technology-initiative/chromebook-care

Below is a link to the Activities page on our Marsh Creek website, which has been updated with all information that students and parents will need to engage in our extracurricular programs. It contains information related to the options available this year, as well as information related to Activity Fees, and the Activity Shuttle Bus. Students can work with our teachers to pick up information and to express interest in the activities offered this year. Intramurals will begin during the month of September for our students. Stay tuned for more updates in the weeks to come!

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. At DASD, we recognize and celebrate this month to highlight the diverse backgrounds and achievements of our Hispanic students, staff, and families. By acknowledging the impact of Hispanic heritage, we foster an inclusive environment that values diversity and empowers all voices within our district.

Downingtown Area School District Celebrates Latino/a/x and Hispanic Heritage Month with Special Guest Actress Maria Canals-Barrera on Sept 26th at 6pm via Zoom. DASD will host acclaimed actress Maria Canals-Barrera, known for her iconic roles in Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "Camp Rock," for an engaging discussion on the significance of Latino/a/x and Hispanic Heritage Month and how her cultural background has shaped her successful career.

Register Today: Click Here To Register

• Mark Your Calendars! On Friday, September 13th, join us at 7:00 PM at Kottmeyer Stadium for an inspiring evening at the "Spread the Word to End the Word" football game! The Downingtown High School East chapter of Best Buddies International, with support from the Eagles Autism Foundation, is excited to host the school's 12th annual "Spread the Word" campaign

• Let’s come together to make a positive impact!

• Ticket Sales: Tickets will be available for online purchase starting about a week before the event at https://my.hometownticketing.com/agency/4d6a63f7-86d4-433b-b016-f0a4c6f4096

First Meeting is on September 2024, at 3:45 pm

The purpose of the DASD Cultural Equity Task Force (CETF) is to ensure equity for students, staff and families by eliminating bias and inequities in our classrooms and in our schools. The CETF supports enacting policies, procedures and practices that are both culturally responsive and culturally sustaining. Join our team by contacting JBrown@dasd.org.