Thank you for supporting the TLC 5K
Eye on our Schools
I want to start by thanking everyone who came out a few weeks ago to support the TLC Family Resource Center! It was incredible to see the community come together for this annual 5K, especially since it was such a crisp morning.
I want to give special thanks to the sponsors and all our students and staff who ran/walked that morning. Seeing everyone there supporting TLC wearing either their 5K t-shirt or their school gear warmed my heart (which says a lot if you were there that morning) and made me truly proud to be a part of the Board of Education!
Now moving on to some updates! Don’t forget that our Intra-District Open Enrollment began on February 19 and closes on March 19.
Formerly called School of Choice, this permit window is for students who live within Downey Unified’s boundaries but would prefer to attend a school other than their “home” school. More information and applications can be found on the district’s website – www.dusd.net.
March 2 marked National Read Across America Day and many elementary schools across Downey Unified spent the first two weeks of the month celebrating literacy and Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The entire district got involved in these events, inviting special guests to read in classrooms, wearing different attire in honor of Dr. Seuss’ various books and even having the legendary green eggs and ham served to our students by our Food Services Department!
This past Saturday, March 9, marked the first “Downey Unified Tech Fest” where elementary teachers came together to learn better ways to engage and educate the next generation of students. The Tech Fest lasted from 8 am to noon and 23 Downey Unified teachers presented, over 120 teachers were in attendance and the internationally renowned Holly Clark was the keynote speaker.
Holly Clark is a middle school teacher and used to spend her summers in Downey visiting her grandparents. She is the author of the book, “The Google Infused Classroom,” which focuses on building both the culture and strategy to support and inspire innovative teaching.
Our teachers are educating the next generation of computer engineers, astronauts, software developers, physicians, lawyers, etc., and in some cases, jobs that don’t yet exist. I just wanted to point out again that these teachers volunteered their time and came in on a Saturday to further educate themselves to better serve our students. This is just another example of what makes me so proud to be a part of this district! Next time you’re at school, please thank your student’s teachers for all the work they do to prepare your child for his/her future.
As I said in my first article, I am going to close every month by inviting the community to an event being held within the district, so everyone can see first-hand how amazing our students and schools are! This month, I am proudly inviting everyone to attend the Dale Lostetter Carnival of Champions at Warren High School on Saturday, March 30, from 8 am to noon. This elementary track and field event is in its 55th year and was renamed last year in honor of longtime Downey Unified administrator and Carnival of Champions advocate, Dale Lostetter.
Fourth and fifth-grade students from nine of our elementary schools will compete in the following seven track and field events: baskets in one minute, softball throw for distance, standing long jump, 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, four-member team 400-meter relay and mixed-coed relay.
Many parents and teachers remember competing in this event themselves (my family are among those that remember this event), so come out and support our students and make this a day that they will remember for the rest of their lives!
Lastly, I hope that you were able to get out to some of the Open House events at your local school. If you haven’t been able to visit one, don’t worry, there are still a few left this month.