After-School Music and Sports Classes Drop by 95% Friday 90˚
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Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 Vol. 19 No. 23 PAGING DR. FRISCHER CRIME REPORT PHOTO FEATURE The science behind Burglaries, Travis Scott Game store opens wearing masks car thefts visits Downey in Downey SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 7 After-school music and sports classes drop by 95% Friday 90˚ ■ Enrollment in after- “We were able to pilot this school classes offered by during the summer,” says Saturday Hurtado, “and we received over 86˚ the Downey Foundation for a hundred students and that has Educational peaked last year been consistent now in the fall.” before the pandemic struck. Given that DUSD students are currently receiving all of their Sunday 87˚ school instruction via distance- By Carol Kearns learning, DFEO incorporated Contributor some beneficial design changes into its programs. DOWNEY — The popular Smaller Class Sizes ON THIS DAY after-school music and activity “We were able to cut the SEPTEMBER 10 programs for Downey elementary classes in half so that the quality school students are another of the class remains the same,” 1509: casualty of the coronavirus explains Hurtado, “and all of the pandemic. An estimated 7.2 magnitude earthquake students still have an opportunity in the Sea of Marmara killed thousands Participation in the to ask their questions, talk to the of people in Constantinople, including extracurricular classes, which teacher, as well as each other.” members of the Ottoman dynasty. had grown to over 2,000 Downey sixth-grader Deven students in just three years, Anderson re-enrolled for DFEO’s plummeted this fall to only 115 1776: soccer skills class this school attendees according to Laura During the Revolutionary War, Nathan year, even though it is now on Hurtado, Director of Programs Hale volunteered to spy for the Zoom. Deven says his goal is for the Downey Foundation Continental Army. He was captured by to play soccer for Doty Middle of Educational Opportunities the British and executed. School when DUSD campuses (DFEO). reopen. “We went from 13 elementary 1846: During school hours, Deven schools having possibly four to alternates time spent video- Elias Howe is granted a patent for the five classes each, to one class conferencing with his teacher and sewing machine. [in some subjects] for the entire asynchronous learning activities Virtual music classes are being offered by the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities. district,” Says Hurtado. “So, it’s which he does at his own pace. (Screenshot via YouTube) 1939: been a very significant cut for After school, the DFEO soccer us.” Canada declares war on Germany, program involves more computer Wow, that’s great! Okay, now joining the Allies in World War II. DFEO, known for its small- time, but Deven is physically it’s Mario’s turn. Mario, let’s see group violin and guitar lessons, moving and he can see other you!” 1960: was founded in 2017 by PTA participating students in real Watching her son from inside, At the Summer Olympics in Rome, parent Linda Saldana, current time as well as his coach. Executive Director, as a way to Saldana recounts, “He’s bouncing Abebe Bikila became the first African “I have to give the kids make weekly, affordable music and looking at the computer Olympic gold medalist, winning the credit,” says his mother Paula lessons available to all students— screen. And you know, he’s marathon barefoot. Paz, who works at home while even first-graders. having a good time. He loved it! also keeping an eye on the He was like, ‘I can’t wait for next 1961: “I am passionate about distance-learning regimen of her week!’” music and the arts,” says Fourteen people were killed at the four children. “As adults, we may Italian Grand Prix, including driver Saldana, whose three children Another challenge to not always realize that they’re Wolfgang von Trips, after his Ferrari all play an instrument. “I rebuilding enrollment in the doing as much as we are. They are became airborne and crashed into wanted all children to have this DFEO programs is the limited little people with big emotions.” spectators. opportunity.” connection that the non-profit All DFEO programs are now has with parents because the Parents pay a weekly fee for operating, says Hurtado, with at campuses are temporarily closed 1967: the small group lessons that least one class for each subject. to in-person instruction. include child-size violins. Classes The people of Gibraltar voted to retain Some of the older programs such “We are not able to promote their British citizenship rather than are held at school sites, music as violin and guitar, which are instructors are college students directly on school sites,” says become part of Spain. now entering their fourth year, Hurtado, “so those families who who follow a set curriculum, and have multiple classes. community organizations provide don’t have social media, or are 2002: Fees remain the same, but additional financial support. not on our newsletter, who are Hurtado says, “We still have new families to us or to the school Switzerland, normally a neutral The response from area limited financial aid for those district, no longer sign up.” country, voted to become a full member parents was so positive that the families who want to participate of the United Nations. program expanded to include “We’ve asked the principals and could not afford it for any to send out messages through visual arts and classes for soccer reason.” and basketball skills. their social media or their Notable Birthdays Hurtado says it is not too emails,” says Saldana, “but Colin Firth, the Academy Award- The ninety-five percent drop late for interested families to honestly, parents are really winning actor, turns 60. in student participation this register their students. Additional inundated with information right fall is not surprising given that students who sign up are added to now. Ryan Phillippe, star of the thriller “I Downey Unified School District a wait-list, and new classes will Know What You Did Last Summer,” campuses remain closed for continue to open when a wait-list Additional Closures turns 46. in-person instruction until the reaches a minimum number. In addition to restricting Rapper Big Daddy Kane turns 52. health crisis abates. DFEO’s after-school programs, Doty sixth-grader Deven Anderson and his mother Paula Paz Ballet dancer and author Misty Rather than suspend its Zooming the pandemic also brought Deven participates in the DFEO after-school soccer program to Copeland turns 38. program completely during the Despite widespread business a sudden halt to two other pandemic, DFEO chose to resume closures and people out of work, programs that were both firsts for keep up his skills while DUSD campuses are still closed to in- Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson classes this September in an Hurtado and Saldana attribute Downey students. person learning. (Photo by Carol Kearns) turns 57. online format similar to that of multiple causes to the striking Recognizing the deep interest Hall of Fame basketball player Bob the District’s. drop in attendance, and not all and support among Downey Lanier turns 72. Aided by a grant from LA are related to financial concerns. families for music lessons, DFEO the end of fourth grade so their that she feels DFEO may help in Joe Perry, the guitarist and founding County Department of Arts Many parents have various organized the first ever Downey families could plan; fundraising addressing a serious, unexpected member of Aerosmith, turns 70. and Education, the non- questions about the Zoom format. opportunities and savings consequence of school closures. Youth String Ensemble that met Jose Feliciano, the Puerto Rican profit actually added classes Is it effective? Are the children for additional practice on Monday accounts would be set up for Now that the new school musician known for his Christmas hit designed to meet the needs of spending too much total time on nights at the Warren High School families who might have trouble year has started and distance “Feliz Navidad,” turns 75. families struggling from the the computer already? music room. meeting the cost. learning is systematically circumstances presented by the Saldana reports conversations “Our Monday night strings This school year, 2020-2021, implemented, District personnel pandemic. with parents who tell her classes program had about twenty-five was to be the first year that all are puzzled that eligible families Hurtado describes a fitness are not the same on Zoom; violinists and three cellos,” DUSD fifth-graders would be able are not signing up for the free class created with smaller children miss being with their recounts Saldana. Downey to go, and dates were confirmed and reduced lunch program. If students in mind for parents friends, and some parents musician and composer Lars for this coming January/February. too many families drop out of who “wanted their children to be themselves feel unable to help Clutterham was the conductor But when the pandemic the program, the District is in able to move and exercise while their child. and arranger. The Ensemble first shuttered schools and businesses danger of losing its eligibility for being quarantined and distance Saldana understands performed publicly in December in March, DFEO was not able certain grants from the federal learning at home.” A ukulele their frustration. “I know I’m 2018 at Downey High School. to share with parents the government. This impacts class was also added to the early overwhelmed as a parent of three, “There’s just no way we can description of the science camp, District employees as well as music program. And instead of trying to coordinate their classes meet in person like that right its schedule, and the opportunity students, and could result in Scan this QR code with SAT classes, DFEO offers tutoring and their Zoom meetings, and now,” says Saldana.