Davis Elementary

I am thrilled to welcome you all back for the 2024-2025 school year! Our staff is so excited to have our students back in the building and we can't wait to get this year started.

As you know, Davis Elementary is no longer a primary building - we are now proudly serving students from Kindergarten all the way through 5th grade. It is wonderful to have our intermediate students back on campus and we look forward to supporting their continued growth and learning.

A tremendous amount of hard work has gone into preparing our building for the new year. Our amazing custodial and maintenance staff have been working tirelessly all summer to ensure our classrooms, hallways, and shared spaces are clean, safe, and ready for learning. Our office staff has also been incredibly busy handling registrations, ordering supplies, and getting everything organized for a smooth start.

Our teachers have put in countless hours arranging their classrooms, reviewing curriculum, and planning engaging lessons and activities to welcome their new students. They are truly looking forward to meeting all of our families and partnering with you to help your children thrive.

Thank you to all of our Davis Elementary families for your continued support and involvement. Your partnership is invaluable, and we are so grateful for all that you do to support your children's education. I know this is going to be an amazing year, and I can't wait to see all that our students accomplish.

Here's to a fantastic 2024-2025 school year!

Gina Shaw

Principal

We have new start and end times this year. Please be sure to take note of this.

• 8:50 Earliest time for drop off
• 9:05 Beginning of school day
• 3:25 End of school day
• On the last Wednesday of each month (except for Dec/May), school will dismiss early at 2:35 pm. Busses will dismiss at that time, and walkers/car riders will need to be picked up at that time.

• Class assignments are available in Home Access Center (HAC) beginning August 7th at 8 a.m.
• Bus assignments will also be available Home Access Center (HAC) beginning August 7th at 8 a.m. After logging in, click on the Registration tab at the top of the page. Then scroll down to find the section titled "School Transportation." This will provide information on pickup and drop off times, as well as bus stop location.
• If your child is assigned to a bus, but you have decided not to ride the bus, please inform the school. We will be putting every child on his/her assigned bus at dismissal unless a parent has notified the school that the child is not riding the bus.

We are excited to welcome families and students to Davis on Monday, August 12th from 4:00-6:00. At that time you can come to Davis to visit your child’s classroom, drop off school supplies, and meet your child’s teacher. We will have many staff on hand to help you find the classes and navigate the building. We will also have our PTO available to answer questions and to sign up for opportunities to volunteer.

Thank you to students, staff, and community who have kept the garden thriving this summer! A year ago the entire sign was visible, but the flowers and vegetables have flourished this year!! Be sure to walk behind the mobile when you visit Davis on Monday to see the abundance!

All D303 Elementary Schools have had a Communication Board installed to facilitate interaction with all students. Many children find these boards helpful to grow in their communication skills and we are pleased to have this aid available.

There is a beautiful new area on the grounds of Davis Park, adjacent to Davis School. Please stop by and enjoy the gardens and recreation in John S. Baird Plaza. John S. Baird Plaza was installed this summer in memory of our D303 Facilities Director from 2005-2022. He was not only well-loved and respected, but was also a great example of dedication and had an amazing impact on our district.

Eating healthy is an important part of the school day. Parents should send a healthy snack with their child every day that will be eaten with the class at a time set by the teacher. Sending a water bottle is also very handy and avoids needless interruptions going to the drinking fountain. No snacks are available for purchase at school. For healthy snack ideas please click HERE

Breakfast is available through Organic Life Food Service upon arriving at school and will be charged to pushcoin if the child chooses a breakfast. Please talk with your child if you plan for them to eat breakfast at school. The students will eat as class is starting and do not arrive early for breakfast. Please do not send a breakfast from home for your child to eat at school, only school-purchased breakfasts are allowed. There is no eating allowed on the school busses.

Lunch times are 20 minutes in length and students may choose from 4 menu items or may bring their own lunch. The teacher will ask children for their lunch choice at the start of the school day, but parents may review the menu with their child at home. Lunches are also charged through pushcoin.

For lunch/breakfast pricing, application for free/reduced pricing and more, please see the D303Food Services Webpage.

Students are extended the privilege of possessing phones/smartwatches on school grounds; however, their use is limited to after-school dismissal and non-school days. These devices must be in the off position on school grounds, including bus transportation. We would appreciate you monitoring your child’s cell phone use to ensure they are not using them during school hours. If you would like more information on our student handbook, please click below.

Wednesday, August 7th - Home Access Center Opens

Monday, August 12th - (4:00-6:00) School Supply Drop Off

Wednesday August 14th - First Day of School!

Wednesday, August 28th (2:35) Early Release

Friday, August 30th - No School (Teacher Institute)

Monday, September 2nd - No School (Labor Day)

Wednesday, September 25th - School Picture Day

Wednesday, September 25th (2:35) Early Release

We will be starting orchestra lessons very soon at Davis. To make sure we can adequately prepare before lessons begin, the deadline for signing up for orchestra is Monday 8/19. If your child would like to be in orchestra, sign them up asap!

Here are the basics:

- Students choose to play either the violin, viola, cello or bass

- During the school year, orchestra meets two times a week: one 40 minutes small group lesson during the school day and one 45 minute full group before school rehearsal.

- During the school day lessons will start the week of August 26th. Lesson day will be announced soon.

- Before school rehearsals will be Tuesdays from 8:00-8:50am at Davis. First before school rehearsal will be September 24.

Steps for enrollment:

1. Fill out the online form: New Orchestra Student Enrollment Form 2024-2025

2. Reserve a rental instrument from either Austin's Violin Shop or Quinlan and Fabish. Violin, viola and cello should order a 1/4 size (12" if ordering a viola from Austin's), bass players should order an 1/8 size. When ordering make sure to include the Essential Elements Book 1 and a folding music stand with your order. Have the instrument delivered to Davis- your child will receive their instrument, book and folding music stand during their first orchestra lesson with me!

3. Purchase a 1 inch 3 ring binder, pencil pouch, and 3-4 sharpened pencils. These will be part of the orchestra supplies.

Any questions? Visit our website D303 Elementary Orchestra Website or contact me, Mrs. Mezera (elisabeth.mezera@d303.org)

Looking forward to a great year in orchestra!

We are starting band lessons very soon and we want your child to be part of the D303 Band Family! Not only is band fun, collaborative, and creative but Band is so good for your child's brain development. Check out this 5 minute video on how and why!

For more information check out the D303 Elementary Band website or contact Mr. Basich, 5th grade band director: david.basich@d303.org.

To enroll your child in the band program complete the Band Enrollment Form

Dear Parents,

Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 school year, if your child requires medication or any action plans, your child will need new physician orders and action plans for the school year. Ideally have the physician date the forms following the last day of school. Forms can be found under health services on the D303 site or linked directly here:

MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION

ASTHMA

LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES

DIABETES

All forms will need to be completed in full before any medications can be administered.

Kindergarten and 2nd grade students require a dental examination and form completed within 18 months prior to May 15th, 2025. A vision examination and completed State form is also required for incoming kindergarten students as well as a physical examination and a record of all immunizations.

DENTAL FORM

VISION FORM

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

These forms can be submitted to the main office or emailed to the school nurse. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Davis - Nurse Peggy and Nurse LeeAnna

peggy.faught@d303.org

phone: 331-228-2204

Email: linda.jezek@d303.org
Website: https://davis.d303.org/
Location: 1125 S 7th St, St. Charles, IL, 60174
Phone: 331-228-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisElementaryD303
Twitter: @StCharlesD303