Uniquely Davis Newsletter

Davis School District was proud to celebrate American Founders Month in September. Our schools found many ways to celebrate the month such as honoring military families during football games, holding assemblies to pay tribute to 9/11 heroes, spending time learning and understanding the U.S. Constitution, and so many more amazing ideas.

These activities helped students to learn about and celebrate the rich culture of the United States, our Founding Fathers and the Constitution.

Three teachers shared their love of history by spending the month of September helping their students learn about the Founding Fathers and the importance of the United States Constitution.

“I really feel like it is an important part of our curriculum,” Syracuse High School Social Studies Teacher Shawn Ferriola said.

In Utah, the month of September was designated as Constitution Month, and district teachers are thrilled to have such a strong emphasis on the constitution for their students.

Here are many of the other ways that our schools celebrated American Founders Month:

Elementary

· Constitution-themed bulletin boards

· 9/11 recognition presentations and memory-sharing

· American founders and constitution centered morning announcements

· Messages sent home in newsletters

· Discussions around American founders and constitution during the daily pledge of allegiance recitations

· Information sent home to families (10-facts about the constitution, websites, constitution-themed games)

· Veterans invited to speak to students about the symbolism of the flag, how it relates to US history, and decorum and respect for the flag

· Constitution-themed art projects

· Engaging students with disabilities in giving presentations about American founders to peers in their grade-level classes

· Reading activities about the constitution, amendments, and American founders

· Participation in the constitution reading offered by the Why I Love America foundation

· Direct instruction during social studies time on the constitution.

· Library book readings about the flag, constitution, and US history

· After-school program involving first responders and active/retired military personnel

· Student memorization of preamble to the constitution

· Constitution themed escape room activity

· Class-wide readings of the constitution

· Research, writing, and presentation project about the constitution

· Use of American founders month resources/activities provided by the National Archives

· Walking trip to city Freedom Lights exhibit

· Use of adopted text resources story about the constitution

· Students practice signing their name in cursive as the founders did on the founding documents

Secondary

· Student writing activity centered on one of the rights guaranteed by the constitution and its amendments

· Guest speakers sharing principles of government structures and how they compare to structures around the world

· Virtual tour of Philadelphia’s Historic District

· Virtual tour of the online exhibit “The Constitutional Convention”

· Arrangement of pacing in US History courses to provide constitution instruction in lessons during September

· Meet the Candidate Night hosted by the social studies students

· Purposeful connections during social studies lessons linking historical events and the rights guaranteed by the constitution and its amendments

· Class field trips to 9/11 memorial display at the fairgrounds

· Civics classes reading of primary source founding documents

· Special recognition for military personnel at Friday night football game

· Listening to songs about America during lunch

· Schoolwide signature contest during lunch

· School-created video presentation on the importance of the constitution

· In-class discussions on the governments of the world and how they were influenced by the American founders and constitution

· Purposeful curriculum-embedded focus on constitution, the constitutional convention, other founding documents during civics and other social studies lessons

· Speech contests, and student memorization of preamble to the constitution

· Focus on Utah Education Network’s student resources during student advisory time

· Student reading from the founding documents during advisory time

· Invitation to classes to participate in the livestream reading of the constitution

Six months of feedback solicitation, parent surveys, open houses and careful review of existing school boundaries and future growth in Davis County will soon culminate in recommendations for boundary changes and the closure of Fremont Elementary.

This effort was conducted in anticipation of a new elementary school and a new junior high in West Point, slated to open in Fall 2024 and 2025, respectively. The district conducted a comprehensive boundary study, considering factors such as building capacities, neighborhood growth and feeder patterns across 16 elementary and junior high schools.

To gauge parent priorities in the affected communities, the boundary study work group sent an electronic survey to all families with children attending the 16 identified schools. Using that data, along with municipal development plans and growth projections, the committee drafted an initial boundary map to present to parents at community council meetings and an open house. Then, the boundary maps were further refined based on feedback received both in person and via email throughout the boundary study process.

The next phase involves a public hearing where individuals can voice their opinions to the Board of Education during an open meeting. The hearing will take place at Syracuse High School (located at 665 S 2000 W, Syracuse) on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.

Following the public hearing, the boundary work group will present its final recommendations to the school board at the Nov. 7 board meeting for a first reading. The board will make its decision on the second and final reading during the Dec. 5 board meeting.

To view the proposed boundaries, please visit https://www.davis.k12.ut.us/district/boundary-study. You can provide feedback on the proposed boundaries by emailing boundarystudy@dsdmail.net.

A youth mental health screening for preschool-to-sixth-grade aged youth will be held in person at Davis Behavioral Health on November 2. This is a time for parents and youth to check in with a mental health professional for free. The screening will address social and emotional needs, anxiety, depression, trauma, and/or safety concerns. Registration is online at https://www.dbhutah.org/screening/.

The Davis School District Quality Staffing Department hosted student teachers at a special celebration just for them. This event is held twice a year to support these brand-new educators as they complete their student teaching portion of their degrees.

"The Student Teaching Celebration is an opportunity to thank our student teachers for their work with our students," said Secondary Mentoring Coordinator Jenette Jenkins, "We also share some timely advice as they anticipate the next steps towards their own classrooms."

During the 2.5 hour event, student teachers had opportunities to hear from superintendency, participate in support breakout sessions and enjoy a delicious breakfast from Kneaders Bakery.

Greetings, Davis parents! We want to spotlight some incredible events that the Davis Education Foundation hosted this summer, and it's all thanks to your support.

At the Fore Kids Golf Tournament, the summer sun and immaculate greens at the Eaglewood Golf Course provided the perfect setting. This tournament was more than just a game of golf; it was a strategic investment towards a brighter education future for our children.

In the Young Powersports ‘Power Up’ Event, an exceptional display of generosity was seen when Young Powersports presented us with a significant gift of $20,000. Their support in 'Powering Up' our activities has made a world of difference.

During the Young Kia ‘Stuff the Bus’ Event, we moved even closer to our goal of providing every student with the resources they need to succeed. The bus filled to the brim with essential school supplies was truly a sight to behold!

On the Day of Service, we were touched by the overwhelming generosity as groups and families donated supplies, hygiene products, and meal kits to our warehouse. It was a day centered around sharing, caring, and strengthening the foundation of our educational community.

Your unyielding support and enthusiasm have acted as the driving forces behind the Davis Education Foundation's mission. We want to take a moment to personally appreciate each one of you for your generous contributions and continuous involvement in our events. Your kindness is shaping a brighter future for every child within the Davis School District.

We are thrilled to share a video of wonderful memories from our recent events with you. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, plays a significant role in enhancing our students' educational journey. From all of us at the Davis Education Foundation, we thank you for helping us shape the future of education!

Farmington High School @farmingtonphoenix has officially made the Phoenix Way the new word on the street - quite literally.

This past summer the student government petitioned the Farmington City Council to change the name of 650 West to Phoenix Way. They presented to the council on Sept. 5 for a vote and once approved, they officially announced the change to the student body during their Homecoming Assembly.

Congrats to Farmington High Student Government for leaving your legacy forever on the streets of Farmington City.

Students at Syracuse High School had the opportunity to learn at their Senior Auto III Clinic. This annual clinic provides real-life exposure to several different aspects of the automotive industry.

The students rotated between five stations to learn everything from changing a tire on a motorbike to how to perform a paintless dent removal.

Principal Jed Johansen even got in on the fun trying to lift the cab on a Skid Steer. The clinics were offered by Young Automotive Group.

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, Paul Salvaire, the Deputy Consul General of France in San Francisco, visited a French Bridge class at Bountiful High School.

Districtwide, the Bridge language courses have thrived and world leaders are impressed with the advanced language programs.

North Layton Junior High hosted a 9/11 Remembrance Assembly to recognize the lives that were lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and honor the heroes who saved others on that day.

"What I want you guys to remember, more than anything, is that when tragedy hits our country, we come together."

In the bustling halls of West Clinton Elementary School @westclintonel where the shuffling feet of children and the anticipation of the day fills the air, there exists a very special assembly and celebration every year on Patriots Day. This day has become a tradition for West Clinton and the students are eager each year to honor those that serve as well as remember those that lost their lives.

One parent, Stephanie Nelson, has planned and prepared the Patriots Day assembly for the past nine years and wouldn’t change it for the world. She started the tradition when she was the PTA president and has continued planning and preparing the assembly ever since.

“The students look forward to this assembly every year,” said Nelson. “In fact, my son is in seventh grade, and he wishes he could have been here again this year for this day.”

This year’s assembly included a presentation of the flag by local Veterans, the West Clinton Clipper Choir sang The Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America, a special salute to the Armed Forces and a keynote presentation made by Maria Johnson from The Major Brent Taylor Foundation 9/11 Project.

The field at Ellison Park Elementary was lined with American flags for the school's annual Patriot Day Honor Walk.

Students wore red, white and blue to show support for those who serve, protect, heal and help the community. While walking a lap around the field, students were encouraged to think about the sacrifices made for their safety and freedom.

Community and family members who currently serve or have served in the military or as police officers, firefighters, EMTs and medics were also invited to attend.

Congratulations to Ed Schirner from Davis High School for being named the Utah CTE teacher of the month for September 2023. This recognition is from the Utah Career and Technical Education department with the state of Utah State Board of Education.

"Mr. Schirner is a natural teacher," said Davis High School Principal Lori Hawthorne, "He doesn't take tools out of a student's hand to do it for them. He works alongside them and guides them through the necessary steps to complete the task."

Kay's Creek Elementary teachers are proud to receive the Microsoft Showcase School status for the fifth year in a row.

The teachers at Kay's Creek Elementary work hard each year to renew their showcase status and have been able to maintain this distinction for five years running.

Kay's Creek has 25 teachers that have earned the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert designation, one of the highest accolades from the Microsoft Educator program.

With the start of the school year behind us, I am pleased to share a message at the heart of our educational mission: "Learning First." Our district has always strived to create an inclusive environment where every student, educator, and staff member feels a sense of belonging, and this year is no exception.

Belonging is the cornerstone of a thriving educational community. It's about more than just being present; it's about feeling valued, heard, and accepted for who you are. As Desmond Tutu wisely said, "My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together." Together, we can foster a nurturing, diverse, and supportive community where every individual thrives.

Maya Angelou's words resonate strongly with our mission: "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their color." Our district recognizes the strength that diversity brings to our schools, and we are committed to celebrating our differences and using them as opportunities for growth and understanding.

We also understand that creating a sense of belonging requires active effort. In the words of Angela Davis, "I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept." We pledge to actively address disparities, biases, and barriers hindering our schools' belonging. Through education, dialogue, and collaboration, we will work to create an equitable and inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Our district's success in this endeavor relies on the commitment of every member of our community—students, parents, educators, and staff. Together, we can build a nurturing and empowering school environment where every individual feels that they belong, that they matter, and that their dreams are within reach.

As we embark on this journey of fostering belonging in our schools, let us remember the words of Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students and our community.

Thank you for your dedication to the Davis School District, and here's to a year filled with belonging, growth, and success.