Principal’s Weekly Update

October 15th & 16th: Seniors- Cap and gown measuring and ordering during lunch & learn. Please bring a check made out to Herff Jones in the amount of $20.55. Additional information below.

October 17th: 10th and 11th Grade PSAT testing

October 25th:- Downingtown East vs. West Football Game 7 pm Kottmeyer Stadium

October 24th: Lifetouch picture re-takes

November 1st: School Closed for Diwali

• The diploma is a legal document; therefore, we are requesting your legal name.
• If you have not done so already. Please fill out the google form no later than October 11th.
• If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. Cuesta; ccuesta@dasd.org

Next Thursday, October 17th, is PSAT day for all 10th and 11th grade students. The PSAT is a practice version of the SAT and can serve as one of the predictors used to evaluate college readiness. While the test is being given that morning, the 9th and 12th graders will also have valuable opportunities.

Parents of freshman and seniors:

9th graders will begin their day by meeting with Director Justin Brown and participating in activities related to Bystander Training, which will expose them to different approaches when handling problematic situations and help them to more positively impact all involved. After this session, they will be bused to the Brandywine campus of the Technical College High School (TCHS) to tour the facility and learn about the exciting opportunities available in a technical school setting.

12th grade students will have the opportunity to stop into the cafeteria and get help with the college admissions process. Counselors will be available to help with the Common App, Naviance, and the SRAR. Additionally, there will be English teachers available to read over college essays, as well as a Graduation Project Committee member who can listen to graduation project presentations.

Parents of sophomores and juniors: Taking the PSAT is an important milestone in your student’s post-high school journey. The highest performing juniors may be eligible to earn scholarships or become a Commended Scholar, a valuable addition to any college application. Sophomores are encouraged to take the PSAT for testing experience, as strong scores can help show college readiness, and taking the PSAT is the best first-step in preparing for the formal college placement test.

Before the Test Day:

Last year, College Board made major changes to the PSAT, the biggest being that the test is now only offered online. Because of this, prior to the test day, all testers will need to complete the "Digital Readiness Check" in their History class. Their teacher will guide them through this process during an upcoming class period. Students who do not have an in-person, scheduled History class received a communication from Dr. Whalen this week instructing them to attend a session next Monday, 10/14, in room 221 during the first Lunch and Learn session to help complete this task. Please email fwhalen@dasd.org with any further questions or concerns.

After the Test Day:

When the PSAT scores are ready, students will get an email with instructions on creating/signing into their College Board account, going to their online score report, and using their access code to view their scores. Students will then be able to take advantage of free, personalized practice recommendations through the Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy , as College Board has given the Khan Academy exclusive access to your student’s scores in order to build a personalized practice program for student to take advantage of SAT prep at no cost.

Since the PSAT is only practice for the SAT, students should not overly stress about preparation, but they can read about the test and try practice questions by going to: What's on the PSAT?

Opportunity to work the polls for the November election. Students must be at least 17. Students are REQUIRED to attend training on Monday, October 28th at 5pm at the Government Service Center Building in West Chester for additional hours credit or $50 on paycheck.

Eligibility Requirements:
· Must be at least age 17 or older on Election Day - November 5th, 2024
· Be a United States citizen AND a resident of Chester County
· Be enrolled in a secondary educational institution with exemplary academic record as determined by the educational institution
· Be approved by the Principal or Director of the secondary educational institution (***The form also shows Guidance Counselor in the School Consent Form)
· Have obtained the consent of their parent or guardian

The SIGNED and COMPLETED student interest permission form MUST be received by Chester County Voter Services no later than Tuesday, October 15th.

***Complete details and the Interest Permission form can be found at this link: https://pa-chestercounty2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/34817/Student-Poll-Workers?bidId=

Local author of children's books needs computer help approximately four hours/week and will pay $20/hour. Please contact Johanna Smith if you are interested at maytell12@gmail.com.

Kumon Math and Reading Center in Downingtown is hiring all grade levels for various positions! If you are strong in math and reading skills, and time management, visit the website for more details www.kumon.com/downingtown.

Dog Lovers! To Love A Canine, the rescue that brings puppies into school, is looking for volunteers to help with their annual 5K, Miles for Mutts, on October 20th from 7am-12pm. This is one of their largest fundraisers to benefit their rescue dogs and many volunteers are needed. If you are interested, please contact Marie Coladonato marie@tlcrescuepa.com by October 14th!

• Wednesday, October 30th, at the Desmond Hotel. The money raised via this event is vital in preventing women and children in Chester County from experiencing the trauma of homelessness.
• Two shifts are available – 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers will be assigned a single role such as selling raffle tickets.
• If interested, please email Geisa Corbitt at gcorbitt@homeofthesparrow.org for details and to sign up.

Volunteers are needed for Valotta Studios Fall Recital weekends!! Students will learn what it takes to host a performance, assist in taking performer attendance, take photos during each recital, as well as help with coordination of students & assist the head teacher. Interested students should reach out to Jen Smollinger at jen.valottastudios@gmail.com.

Youth Sports--Basketball & Soccer Coaches and Assistant Coaches, Scorekeepers, Referee, Snack bar Helpers

Early Childhood Development--Afternoon and Weekend Child watch/Babysitting, Birthday Parties, Community & Family Events

Wellness – Attendants, Strength & Cardio Equipment Upkeep, Member Onboarding, Community Pantry

Contact: Laura Mackiewicz – lmackiewicz@ymcagbw.org

October 14th 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM United Sports Center

*A special one-hour pre-event program designed for learners with disabilities and their families. Get answers about post-high school options and meet representatives from local colleges and trade schools offering specialized programs and support from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm. For more information please visit www.cciu.org/college-fair

• University of Tennessee
• Lynn University
• Lebanon Valley College
• Elizabethtown College
• Wilkes University
• Michigan State
• University of Rochester
• Embry Riddle University
• University of Mary Washington

To sign up for a college visit...

1. Ask teacher permission to miss class

2. Sign up on Naviance to register for the visit

3. Create and E-Pass to the Career Center, Seniors who are in blended learning do not need an E-Pass.

*The weekly visits will also be posted in the College and Career Center Schoology Course.

PaySchools Central will open Sunday, October 6 and will close Sunday, October 27 for AP Exam payments. Your child’s account will show an AP Exam fee for each AP course they are taking.

You should pay for the exam(s) that your child wants to take in the spring.

Any exams ordered AFTER College Board’s deadline OR exams that are CANCELED/UNUSED will incur a $40 penalty by College Board.

2024-25 AP exam fees:

Late order fee

Canceled/Unused Exam fee

**Students are required to take the AP exam to earn AP weighted grading of 1.0 credits. Students enrolled in AP classes, but NOT taking the exam, will earn Honors weighted grading of .5 credits.**

Exam Registration:

AP students must register themselves through their College Board accounts for the online AP Classroom associated with each of their AP classes. Teachers have given students a unique “join code” for each class to do that. AP Classroom is an online platform by College Board that offers many resources to support students in exam preparation. This is also how students register for their exams.

If students do not join their online AP Classroom, an exam cannot be ordered for them.

Students can go to myap.collegeboard.org to join their online AP Classroom. If students are having an issue with their College Board account, they must contact College Board: 888-225-5427.

Note: All AP Exams are DIGITAL this year.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to the AP Coordinator, Ms. Hanna at ahanna@dasd.org.

Welcome to senior year! Though it may seem like graduation is a long way away, preparation for the big day starts now. As your school’s official graduation provider, we want to make sure that every senior can celebrate their achievements in their own special way. The graduation process starts with these three easy steps!

1.Provide your contact and sizing information by clicking visiting https://scholastic.m.herffjones.com/dcc-form. This information will ensure your gown fits appropriately, and that we can contact you and your family about any critical graduation information throughout the year. Please note providing this information does NOT constitute as placing an order. See below steps for more info on ordering!

2. Check out our digital catalog by visiting https://www.herffjones.com/catalogs/graduationcatalog/. Herff Jones provides a variety of products that are guaranteed to meet your needs for the celebration. (Please note, all Senior clothing in catalog is not available in all areas. Classic T-Shirt and Class Hoodie are available and pictured above).

3. Your school’s official announcements and cap and gown packages can only be purchased by visiting https://highschool.herffjones.com/secom/school/PA/Downingtown%20High%20School%20East/37000580000/4279/buildpackage/1or over the phone (215-942-6807).

4. We will be in school on TUESDAY OCTOBER 15th & WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16TH DURING LUNCH AND LEARN. You can place your order with cash or checks at this time. Checks need to be made out to Herff Jones in the amount of $20.55. Physical Order Forms are available inside the main office. You can also skip the line and order online!

****Order by November 1st to avoid late fees!**

5. It’s not too late to order your OFFICAL CLASS RING! Click here to see our online ring catalog

www.herffjones.com/catalogs/hs-ringcatalog/

Below are the Cap and Gown Packages

BASIC PACKAGE (B): $20.55 (includes sales tax)

Includes Cap, Gown, Tassel

SPECIAL SENIOR PACKAGE (I): $52.00

Includes items in Basic Package plus:

• 2025 Graduation T-Shirt (Class of 2025 design) Value $21.95
• Memory Tassel- School colors with gold 2025 signet Value $9.95

Includes items in Basic Package plus:

• Class of 2025 Hoodie (Black with “Class of 2025 design) Value $31.95
• Mini Tassel Keychain- School colors with gold 2025 signet Value $9.95

**For ordering assistance, please contact us! Email: Sbgerhart@herffjones.com or via phone 215-942-6807**

Yearbook and Senior Ad purchase center Access code: 4846

Please visit https://prod.yboc.varsity.com/ to place your order

Ad prices: full page $240, half $130, 1/4 $85, 1/8 $60 or when 30 ad pages are full. Having trouble ordering? Call HJ's customer service at 866-287-3096

Yearbook Pose Selection Deadline: 10/18/24 (this date will appear on senior proofs)

• If anyone missed all the appointment dates and used the Lifetouch studio for a portrait, the deadline to submit the portrait to Mr. Scheuer is 10/18. Email the file to jscheuer@dasd.org
• Call Lifetouch’s customer service at 1-800-736-4775 or prestigelwarea@lifetouch.com if you have questions.

Yearbook Pose requirements: Tux (w/red boutonniere) / Drape. No Hats.

• Picture retakes will be on Thursday, October 24th
• If you would like to order picture retakes please visit www.mylifetouch.com and use the Picture Day ID: EVTQ3M6K9 or scan the QR code on the picture retake flyer.

Studies have shown that taking a practice test is the best way for students to preview what’s ahead and to help inform their decisions about submitting a test score in their college application.

Our friends at Revolution Prep are offering the following practice exams, with all proceeds benefitting the Downingtown East HS Home and School Association:

ACT Practice Exam: Saturday, October 26, 2024 | Noon - 4:00 PM ET* | Live Online | $10

ACT Practice Exam: Sunday, October 27, 2024 | Noon - 4:00 PM ET* | Live Online | $10

SAT Practice Exam: Saturday, November 16, 2024 | 9:00 AM - Noon ET* | Live Online | $10

SAT Practice Exam: Sunday, November 17, 2024 | Noon - 3:00 PM ET* | Live Online | $10

*Please note that these live exams are proctored in standard time only. If you have been approved for an extended time accommodation, go ahead and register for the exam, then use this ACT self-proctoring manual or this SAT suite self-proctoring guide to walk you through the process of using our on-demand video proctor with extended time.

Step 1: Register here at www.revolutionprep.com/partners/84654​

Step 2: Schedule a free 30-minute score report review with a Revolution Prep testing expert to help you interpret the results and develop a customized plan to prepare. Please schedule this appointment for the few days after the exam. You can pre-schedule this Score Report Review here at https://www.revolutionprep.com/diane-fein ​

Step 3: Attend the mock exam and get your results immediately with Revolution Prep’s mobile scoring app!

Questions? If you have questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to Diane Fein at (484) 845-5556 or by email at diane.fein@revolutionprep.com.

• Head to Eagleview Town center on October 22nd and visit Twin Valley Coffee.
• Any drink, coffee beans, and merchandise purchased they will donate 25% back to the Varsity Swim and Dive team!
• Address: 569 Wellington Square, Exton PA 19341

What: Bingo at Marchwood Tavern

When: Tuesday October 22nd and 29th

Time: 7-9 pm

Address: 3 Marchwood Road Exton Pa 19341

If you would like to reserve a table ahead of time please call 610-363-7300

Don't forget to mention that you are there to support the team!

Come dine in support of the Downingtown East Marching band show the flyer to your waiter or waitress and 10% of your food purchase will be donated back to the band!

Where: Texas Road House 1205 E. Lancaster Ave Downingtown PA, 19335

Through the month of October, the cheerleaders are Going Pink for a Cure and will be raising money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. For each donation we will add a pink ribbon to our “Rope For Hope” that will be displayed at all home football games this month! Donations can be made via the following link: http://www.info-komen.org/goto/DEAST_CHEER24 or by scanning the QR code on the flyer.

Thank you for helping us reach our goal!

• Thursday, October 17th 7:00-8:30pm at DHS East
• Open to students at LMS, DHS East, and STEM in Grades 8-12
• Meet in the DHS East Band Room (enter at the DEHS Main Entrance, follow signs)
• Come learn about performance techniques used in the marching arts activities INCLUDING Battery Percussion (Snare Drum, Quad Drums, Bass Drum, Cymbals), Mallet Percussion (Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone), Color Guard (Flags, Dance, and other auxiliary equipment).
• To participate –complete the interest form by Wednesday Oct 16- scan the QR code on the flyer or visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsWpcIHtZnIDFLFOHOw6HKJU9WYEUibecnf8ekhyLPFocW-A/viewform?scrlybrkr=673c5e57
  

When: December 6th 7:00 pm

Where: Downingtown East Boyer Gym

Admission: Students are free with a canned good donation and adult tickets will be sold online.

*For more information please contact Coach Domsohn- ddomsohn@dasd.org

What: 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk

When: October 20th 8 am to 12pm

Where: Wilson Farm Park Wayne, PA

• There will be adoptable dogs and puppies
• All proceeds benefit TLC Rescue
• Prizes, Swag, Fun and More!

To register please visit: https://www.tlcrescuepa.com/milesformutts or scan the QR code on the flyer

Join the Downingtown community Thanksgiving morning for the Chester County Turkey Trot!

• When: November 28th
• Where: Downingtown West High School
• Bring the whole family!
• 5k Gold and Blue races, 2k Walk, and a kids fun run!
• Register online at https://runsignup.com/ccturkeytrot or by scanning the QR code in the Turkey Trot flyer.

is hosting their last picnic on Saturday, October 13th, 2024, for anyone interested in radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and drones from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 375 Doe Run Road in Coatesville. For more information please visit: www.chestercountyrc.com or scan the QR code on the flyer.

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