It’s September and schools are running full speed ahead into the new year. We’ve appointed some new principals since school was let out back in May. They’ve all worked so hard during the Summer to keep the momentum moving forward and hit the ground running when school started in August. I, along with my fellow Board members, want to congratulate Dianna Verduzco (Carpenter Elementary and the Global Language Academies of Downey), Sylvia Ramirez (Gauldin Elementary), Dr. Xochitl Ortiz (Columbus High School), Dr. Anthony Zegarra (Griffiths Middle School), Dr. Connie Quintero (Sussman Middle School) and Dr. Cari White (Warren High School).

In August, we celebrated both the opening of the Administration building at Mary R. Stauffer Middle School and Dr. Stauffer’s 102nd birthday. It was a great event coordinated by Principal Darryl Browning and Vice-Principal Erin Hanohano-Lira with much love and support by the staff. Let me tell you, any day Dr. Stauffer can visit her school and be among the students is a great day for her. Actually, she’s happy to be around students at any of our schools, it really puts a spring in her step and a smile on her face. The following day after the celebration at Stauffer Middle School, the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation gave back to the community in honor of the founder with a free day of admittance to the Columbia Memorial Space Center (CMSC). Dr. Stauffer was at the Space Center in the morning to meet and greet anyone who attended. Did you know that Dr. Stauffer was on the CMSC board for several years and personally funded the rescue of the capsule that you see in front of the Center? She has done so much for the schools and the City of Downey.

Also in August, I was able to provide support at an elementary school during the first week of school to help with our newest TK and K students. It was so much fun helping them get acquainted with eating in a cafeteria for the first time and carrying their trays through the lunch line. This is such a special experience for me and I, thankfully, get asked back every year so I think I’m helping too. The little ones get so excited about choosing what they want to eat and with being new to the cafeteria. I want to thank all of our Food and Nutrition Services staff for taking care of our students with a healthy breakfast and lunch, all while welcoming each student with smile every day. Many of our staff know the names of our students and even their brothers or sisters that attend the same school. In Downey Unified, we look at ourselves as one big family, so do our Food and Nutrition Services staff, our students that come through the cafeteria each day are like their family and they look out for each other.

Speaking of family, Doty Middle School will be renaming their teacher lounge after a long time “family” member Sarah Jamison. She passed away earlier this year in July after 30 years of supporting the students of Downey Unified.

As many of you know, three of our middle schools are currently in full construction mode. This is all due to the generosity of our community for passing Bond Measure O in 2014. Believe it or not, Stauffer Middle School will be completely done next year, but if you’ve driven by lately you’ll see the progress and it truly looks beautiful. I was able to stop by Sussman Middle School right before the start of the school year and was able to see some of the rooms that have fresh paint, new flooring and updated technology. This campus is also coming along beautifully.

Our schools have all been busy hosting their Back to School Nights. I was able to attend Williams and Unsworth elementary schools’ Back to School Nights and see all the great teachers and programs. These two schools are an example of really great neighborhood schools tucked inside the community and we really appreciate the way our families in those areas watch out for them. By the way, Rose Zeisel from Unsworth is one of 16 teachers being recognized across Los Angeles County as an Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the LA County Office of Education. I also was able to attend Warren and Downey high schools’ Back to School Nights. Both high schools have some great plays coming up this year. Downey, under the guidance of Chris Nelson, will be performing “Beauty and the Beast” in January and “The Crucible” in April. Warren, under the guidance of Kyle Deichman, will be performing “Barefoot in the Park”, “A Christmas Carol”, and “Footloose, The Musical” which will include students from Mr. Petersen’s choir classes. I can’t wait to see them along with the plays at our middle schools. I’ve probably said this before, but dinner and a play at any of these schools is a great date night for anyone or just a night out with friends. I invite you to come see our incredibly talented students in action. I guarantee that you will not only learn about our performing art programs, but that you will be entertained and blown away by the quality of these performances.

As I wrap things up, I want to ask if everyone has heard about the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities (DFEO). If you haven’t, this is a great organization that has been working in partnership with the school district for the last three years. Its mission is to support Downey Unified’sstudents with opportunities in Arts Education, College Prep, and Health and Fitness. They have athletic programs such as basketball and soccer and they also provide access to lessons in violin, guitar and drums. If those don’t strike a smile on your child’s face, how about a dance program or even a fifth-grade science camp? These are all programs that currently supports nearly 1,500 of our students. Please go to dfeo.org and take a look at all the foundation has to offer and contact them about getting your child enrolled in these various programs. If you want to visit them, the foundation now has a new office right outside the school district’s main building on Brookshire Ave.

If you have a chance this year to go to a Coffee/Chat with the Principal event at your local elementary school, I suggest that you attend. The principals and staff work really hard to put together a presentation that provides families with a good overview of the latest happenings at the school as well as provide an opportunity for families to ask questions. I’ve been able to attend one so far this year and I really like hearing what’s on the minds of our families. I want to thank all the parents that are able toattend these events.

Once again, as you can tell I just can’t stop talking about all that goes on within Downey Unified. I hope you have enjoyed these articles. We have several upcoming events in the next few weeks like our State of the School on October 4th and the Downey/Warren football game on November 1st, so if you see me at any events, please say “hi” and let me know what sections were of interest to you.

Nancy A. Swenson
President, Downey Unified Board of Education

Eye on the Schools: School is back in session