As we wrap up the month of November, I want to wish our Downey Unified families and the Downey community a very happy holiday season! This weekend is the Downey Chamber’s annual Christmas Parade and I hope that everyone will be able to join in celebrating and honoring our amazing school principals as they proudly lead the parade as this year’s Grand Marshals! The entire Board of Education will also be participating in the parade along with so many of our students and community groups, so I truly hope to see everyone there on Sunday at 1 pm.

Looking back over the past month or so, it has been so nice to see all the various celebrations being held at all of our schools. From CHARACTER COUNTS! Week events, Coffee with the Principal at many of our schools, our annual College Fair, the Stauffer Scholar Award nights and the most recent high school CIF titles and Middle School eSports Championship, it has been a busy few weeks since my last article.

I want to thank Alameda Elementary School’s PTA and Principal Dr. Shimada for having Ms. Swenson and I as their guests for their Scoops with Shimada… a very clever name for Coffee with the Principal. It was such a pleasure to be able to hear the latest happenings at Alameda and speak with the Tiger PTA members. I also want to thank the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation for their annual 529 Scholar awards that are presented to select middle school students each year. These award nights were held in early November and our students received grants that are set to be saved for college. I cannot thank the Foundation enough for their unwavering support of all of our students.

A few other exciting things that occurred more recently was Downey High School taking two CIF Championship titles, as well as this week’s Middle School eSports Championship! Let’s give a big shout to the Viking Water Polo Team and Football Team for winning their respective CIF Southern Section Division IV titles. This is a huge accomplishment and we are so proud of all of our student athletes. I also want to congratulate Stauffer Middle School for being named Downey Unified’s first ever eSports Middle School Rocket League Champions!

We have held esports tournaments at the high school level for over four years, but this was the first time that an esports tournament was held for our middle school students! All four middle schools competed and the top team from each school came together for their final matches this past Tuesday evening. It was an amazing experience to be a part of. Next Wednesday, the top two teams from our high schools compete in the fifth annual eSports High School Championship and I urge everyone to join us at the Downey Civic Theater to watch this exciting event.

As I wrap things up, I want to thank everyone for taking their time each month to read the “Eyes on our Schools” to get a glimpse into what’s happening across Downey Unified. On Dec. 13, I will be transitioning from President back to a member of the Board, so this will be my final article to our amazing community. I want to wish Giovanna (Giggy) Perez-Saab the best of luck as she will be taking the seat as President for the next year.

I also want to welcome our newest member who will be sworn in that same day, Tyrone Conde! We are very excited to have Mr. Conde join our Board and we look forward to the unique perspective he will bring in the coming years.

With our newest member being sworn in, this means that there is a farewell in order… I, along with our Board of Education and our entire Downey Unified family, want to wish Mrs. Martha Sodetani the warmest farewell as she will be retiring from the Board of Education on Dec. 13. Mrs. Sodetani has served on our Board for the last 17 years and she has been a true advocate for our students and parents every step of the way. Her kind heart has guided every decision and vote that she has made over the years, and I can whole heartly say that she will truly be missed.

Please join me in thanking Mrs. Sodetani and, although I know her advocacy will never stop, let’s all wish her the best in retirement!

Sincerely,

Bobbie Samperi

President