August 2024

Dear Davidson Family,

Welcome back to a new school year at Davidson Elementary! This year, our theme is "Davidson: Believe and Achieve," inspired by the heartwarming and insightful lessons from Ted Lasso. Just as Ted encourages his team with optimism, resilience, and a belief in their potential, we too will foster a culture of positivity and achievement. Together, we will embrace 8 Lessons for Educational Leaders, creating an environment where every student and staff member is empowered to believe in themselves and achieve their best. Let’s make this year extraordinary, filled with growth, collaboration, and joy.

Our theme, DAVIDSON: Believe and Achieve, is also the culmination of our Davidson vision, IAP (Integrated Action Plan) goals, AVID Site Team goal, and 8 Lessons for Educational Leaders.

Davidson’s Vision Statement: At Davidson Elementary, families, teachers, staff, and students work together to inspire students to love learning. Davidson celebrates the diversity of its students and works to close the opportunity gap by promoting high expectations, rigorous academics, the arts, self-regulation, and inclusivity, while fostering meaningful relationships in a nurturing environment.

IAP Goals: 1. Continue to cultivate high expectations and rigorous instruction for ALL students, and ultimately increase student learning in ELA and math and 2. Sustain quality implementation of current school-wide initiatives.

AVID Site Team Goals: Students will increase their levels of student agency by developing a sense of self-identity and self-advocacy, demonstrating characteristics of relational capacity, and applying WICOR strategies to deepen understanding of grade-level content.

8 Lessons for Educational Leaders:

1. Know your why.

2. Find potential in everyone.

3. Learn, grow, and win together.

4. Let ideas come from everywhere.

5. Let others know they matter.

6. Be a goldfish.

7. Be you.

8. Believe.

Believe and Achieve is our call to action. We must wholeheartedly believe that our students can reach higher levels of achievement and rise to the challenge of increased rigor. Your dedication and skill as educators are the cornerstone of their success, and it is essential to trust in your own efficacy and the profound difference you make every day. Together, let’s embrace the transformative power of education, knowing that our collective belief in our students, in ourselves, and in the mission of education can truly change lives.

· August 7, Deadline to turn in Summer Reading Logs

· August 5-9, Specials Begin (Life Skills and AVID; Library- Chromebook Checkout Only)

· August 9, Field trip to Brandi Fenton for Summer Reading

· August 12, Preschool Begins

· August 12, MTSS Begins (2:15-3:00 Every Monday on Zoom)

· August 12-16, OMA Specials Begin

· August 13, Fire Drill, 8:00 AM

· August 16, Emergency Sub Plans Due to Stacy

· August 19-September 10, BOY DIBELS WIndow

· August 20, Back-to-School Night

· August 21, Professional Learning Day (No Students)