Davis Elementary School
January 2020 Newsletter
From The Principal
Dear Davis Elementary Community,
I hope you are able to take some time over the long winter break to unwind, relax, and spend quality time with family and friends. This is the perfect time of year to reflect on how much your family has grown over the year and make goals for next year. In our busy schedules, it is nice to take time to figure out ways to spend more quality time and continue to learn together with loved ones.
There are plenty of ideas to enjoy time while keeping those social, emotional, and academic skills working during times away from school. Taking a trip to a library to read or listen to a book together is always rewarding; it allows the opportunity to discuss literature in a relaxed way. Find a title that is for enjoyment. Simple questions like the ones below are valuable to have reflective discussions and gather what your child took away from the reading.
What is your favorite character? Why?
Which sentence was the most important on that page? Why?
What do you think will happen next? (even after the book is complete)
Other ways to keep the brain working over the break is play games together whether it is card games or board games. Students learn a lot from taking turns, losing/winning, communication, and logic. As you are traveling, playing games like “I spy” or telling stories is a nice way of building listening and focusing skills.
No matter what you do, please take some time to enjoy the company of each other. I look forward to seeing everyone back healthy and ready to work hard in 2020 to grow skills.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Doster, Principal
From The Nurse
Prepare for cold, winter recess
Recess is important, even during the cold winter months. The fresh air provides increased oxygen to the lungs, improving physical and mental health. In addition, it adds a break in the day for young children to “recharge” and have a “brain break.” However, it is important that your child comes prepared for recess, so they are comfortable, allowing them to enjoy their time outside.
Please help your child to remember to:
Wear a warm coat to school
Bring gloves or mittens, a scarf and a hat. The playground is often windy.
Wear proper footwear for the cold and for playing outside.
Keep chapstick in your backpack to help prevent dry, chapped lips.
Keep a small tube of hand lotion in your backpack for dry, chapped hands.
Please feel free to contact the Nursing office for any questions or concerns regarding your child’s health.
Thank you and have a safe and happy Winter!
Valerie Breiner, RN, BSN, M.Ed.
Certified School Nurse
Sharon Beyer, RN, Staff Nurse
215-364-5970 ext. 15025
The Reading Corner
Importance of Reading at Home
Reading at Home Builds Closeness
Reading at home with your child is important in helping your child develop the skills necessary to become a successful reader, and it can also build relationships at the same time. Sitting close together and snuggling over a good book sends the message to your child that he or she is important to you and that you value time together. Sharing ideas about the story shows that you value your child’s ideas and feelings. By making reading time special, you increase the chances your child will see reading as an experience he or she doesn’t want to miss.
Give the Gift of Time
When kids are reading, we often jump in to make corrections very quickly. Try just waiting to see if they correct themselves. You will be surprised at the number of times that they make changes without your help, and it will give them more confidence in their ability as a reader. When reading together, it is fun to discuss the story and ask questions about your child’s response to the book. Remember to give kids plenty of time to respond to questions. As adults, we process questions more quickly than children do. You will discover that the answers you get will be worth the wait.
Be a Good Reading Role Model
The most effective way children learn is by watching parents and adults in their lives. Modeling the behavior that you want teaches manners and respect, but it can also teach reading and writing. Children need to see you reading for a number of purposes: enjoyment, recipes, directions, and to answer questions. The same is true for writing. Be sure to talk about what you are doing; Say “Let’s read the directions to figure out how this works.” “I think that I will write this down, so that I don’t forget how to do it.” Seeing adults who are important to them read and write speaks much louder than words that reading is valued.
Who Should Read - Parents or Kids?
The answer to that question is both! When children learn to read by themselves it is easy to drop the read aloud habit. The reality is that until at least middle school, reading aloud is important. That’s when their reading level begins to match vocabulary - but too many families have stopped reading aloud by this time. When you read aloud you can read books at a child’s listening level which is higher than their reading level. You model what good reading sounds like and expand a child’s vocabulary. It gives you a chance to talk about more complicated stories and ideas. You can read about things that your child may not choose to read on his or her own. When reading aloud together, you also give your child the attention from you that is so important.
© 2009 The Children’s Reading Foundation
The Counselor's Corner
Happy New Year! It is going to be a great year at Davis! Because there are so many after school opportunities coming up in the new year for our fourth and fifth grade students, we have decided to change the Splash Club meetings to the morning. This will ensure that our students won’t have a conflict. Starting on January 8th, we will begin meeting on Wednesday mornings at 8 AM.
Kindergarten guidance lessons will begin later this winter. The specific dates will be sent out to our kindergarten families. Our first grade students will have their final two guidance lessons in January. These lessons focus on building our conflict resolution skills. Guidance lessons are beginning in the second grade and will be held for a half hour a week during the second trimester. During this time, the children will complete activities to build their self esteem and practice their communication and conflict resolution skills. Guidance lessons are coming to an end in third grade, however, Mrs. Ward will be joining classes during the Splash Goes To School presentations to provide some extension activities to promote career awareness. The school district has recently purchased a computerized program called Smart Futures. This tool will be used to help the children understand the importance of good work habits, help them connect their abilities and interests to the different career domains and provide the opportunity to explore various careers that match their interests. This program will be introduced in third grade and the students will continue to use this tool through the end of middle school. Fifth grade guidance lessons will also be coming to an end in January. The final two lessons will focus on career related topics. Mr. Immerman will partner with Mrs. Shepper during the library special later this year to continue focusing on career surveys for students.
As always, we are available to help you with questions regarding your child's transition to the next school year so please feel free to reach out.
Bob Immerman Grades K, 1, & 5
(215) 364-5970 x15031
Christi Ward Grades 2, 3, & 4
(215) 364-5970 x15030
Digital Literacy
Please read and subscribe to the new Digital Literacy Newsletter:
Music
Congratulations to the Davis fourth and fifth grade students for a beautiful concert performance on December 17th! The boys and girls did a wonderful job, and audience members enjoyed the musical presentation. We are grateful to you, the parents, for your support and the encouragement you give to the children.
A special announcement to all of our fourth and fifth grade instrumental students from Mrs. McCaffrey: Band and orchestra will begin in January! A flyer with more information will be coming home soon. The band and orchestra rehearsals will happen one day a week for 45 minutes during the school day. Fifth grade band will be every Tuesday and Orchestra will be every Wednesday. Fourth grade band will be on your lesson day. These rehearsals will begin the week of January 13th. These large group performances are an important part of the instrumental learning experience and I cannot wait to start working on our special concert music together!
From The Cafeteria
The Food Service Department and Cafeteria welcome all to join us for breakfast and lunch daily. If your child has any specific needs or allergies, please make sure you contact Mrs. Nancy McElroy, Cafeteria Manager either at 215-441-6000 ext. 15045 or by email mcelna@centennialsd.org and she will be glad to work with you one on one. Negative balance notifications will go out 3 times per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can also check your child’s account through the parent portal of Skyward. Online payments through Skyward are made through PayK12. The cafeteria also accepts cash or checks on site. If you would like to apply for free or reduced-price meals, please visit the CSD home page under the Nutritional Services Department link and go to “Free and Reduced Cost Meals” to apply at www.schoolcafe.com. If you need assistance with placing money on your child’s account or applying for free/reduced programs, please contact the Food Service Office at 215-441-6000 ext. 11023. Thank you for your cooperation.
Reminder - Absences
While coming to school each and every day is important, it is equally important to monitor our children’s health. If a child is sick, please keep him/her home. Our teachers will work with students who have fallen ill to make sure they do not fall behind in the classroom.
If your child is absent from school, you will be notified via a voice message that will come to the primary phone number listed in Skyward. In addition, an email will be sent to the first email address listed in Skyward. Please be sure that your phone number and email address is updated in Skyward. If an automated call is made, and you believe it to be in error, please call the main office of the school. Automated calls and emails may still occur even if you’ve contacted the school regarding the absence. Absence notes will still be required. You can send a written note in with your child on the day that he or she returns to school. You can also email the excuse note to DAAttendance@centennialsd.org . This email address is dedicated to receiving these notes. If you have any questions regarding this change, please call the main office at (215) 441-6000 x 15010
Late Arrivals/Early Dismissals
If your child will be leaving early, please send a note to his teacher the day of the early dismissal.
Davis Dolphins
Each week names are drawn from our Davis Dolphins container as a way to recognize and celebrate our students for demonstrating trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Congratulations to Julie W, Ezekiel B, Rogan P, Giuliana N, Norah W, Joey R, Gianluca A, Ayary P-A, Youssef L, Ava L, John C, Hope M, Fabrizio V, Olivia L, Zakhary P, Johnny H, Ashley S, Abby S, Tisa G, Christian K, Jocelyn K, Lucy K, Parry N, Lia J, Kayanna B, Kendall K-T, Michael P, Rick F, Eloise K-R, Azim D, Brandon C, Breck F, Mallory G, Richie S, Kevin C, Ethan G, Jayla O, TJ Z, Tisa G, Jerome J, Ashley S, Ivana E, Declan F, Charlie M, Liam E, Jocelyn K Harvey S, Kayanna B, Sonya M, Roman J, George C, Thomas B, Lina N, Caitlin W, Ahmed A, Victoria D, Jacob F, Jimmy B, Ethan G, Danielle N, Raman H, Nydia J, Carley D, Aiden G, Katlyn M, Caiden G, Ben T, Amelia M. Great job boys and girls!
Wednesday Express
Each Wednesday, your child’s teacher will send home the Wednesday Express envelope. Please take a moment to remove, read, review the contents, and return the envelope to school the next day. Your signature on the outside of the envelope lets us know that you received it. We also recommend that everyone continue to check the eFolder on a regular basis.
Help Davis Every Time You Shop At Amazonsmile.
By selecting Centennial Education Foundation as your charity when shopping at Amazonsmile 0.5% of eligible purchases go to the Centennial Education Foundation. Centennial Education Foundation (CEF) provides enriching educational opportunities, programs, and projects to expand and enhance the basic, well-rounded education offered by the district.
Teacher's Corner - Grade 1
Teacher's Corner - Ms. O'Connell's Class
Birthdays
Calendar
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SvGYYJNTyYtB_V_HrM4OMzHlCRLNfSFbBo_V3ADxRHE/edit?usp=sharing
Davis Elementary School
Website: centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-364-5970