Davis Parent Newsletter
September 23, 2024
A Message from Ms. Cruz
Welcome to Week 9! As we approach Fall Break, just a reminder that starting Tuesday, we will be on a Minimum Day schedule for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please check the bell schedules at the bottom of the newsletter for dismissal times. This is also Spirit Week and we hope our Tigers will show up with their Davis spirit!
In light of recent social media threats, we want to inform you that we have two drills planned for this week. These drills are crucial for skill-building and help educate our students on emergency procedures. All drills are pre-scheduled, and teachers are informed in advance to ensure a smooth process.
Drill Schedule:
- Monday: Fire drill (students will evacuate classrooms)
- Thursday: Lockdown drill (students will remain in classrooms)
If your student comes home and shares that there was a lockdown drill, here are some suggestions to help facilitate a discussion, based on guidance from the Cleveland Clinic:
- Listen Actively: Encourage your student to express their thoughts and feelings about the drill. Listen without interrupting, validating their feelings.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: Prompt discussion with questions like, “What did you think about the drill?” or “How did it make you feel?” This helps them articulate their experiences.
- Provide Reassurance: Remind your student that drills are a normal part of school safety. Emphasize that they are designed to keep everyone safe.
- Discuss Safety Procedures: Go over what they learned during the drill. Understanding the procedures can help reduce anxiety.
- Normalize Their Feelings: It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions. Let them know that others may feel the same way and that it’s normal to have questions.
- Encourage Expression: Suggest creative outlets for their feelings, such as drawing or writing, if they seem particularly anxious.
- Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated about school safety measures. This can help you address any concerns your student may have.
- Follow Up: Check in with your student in the days following the drill to see if they have any lingering questions or feelings.
Creating an open and supportive environment can help your student process their experiences and feel more secure. Thank you for your understanding and support as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.
Our Tiger Tenets :
BE SAFE.
BE RESPECTFUL.
BE RESPONSIBLE.
Upcoming Events
Fire Dril
Monday, Sep 23, 2024, 08:15 AM
Parent-Teacher Conferences/Minimum Days 9/24-9/27
TK and Kinder are dismissed at 11:35 am. Primary grades are dismissed at 12:06 pm. Intermediate grades are dismissed at 12:15 pm.
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2024, 12:00 PM
Lockdown Drill
Thursday, Sep 26, 2024, 08:15 AM
Jump Into English
Jump Into English is again being offered at Davis. This free program is a great opportunity for our to develop their English language skills through interactive and engaging lessons. Scan the QR code in the flyer below for more information.
Fall Break Learning Opportunities
Register Today for a Free STEM Conference (Grade 6)!
Click on the link below for the STEM Conference flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1igxEEyZ4GZwRh6GmobRGG3uryPi4WWUz/view?usp=sharing
Expanded Learning Opportunity (TK - 6)
Click on the link below for the English flyer:
Fall 2024 - Intersession Flyer
Click on the link below for the Spanish flyer:
September is Suicide Awareness Month
September is #SuicidePreventionMonth. Help us support suicide prevention by learning the warning signs and risk factors for suicide. If you, or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Additional resources can be found on our website.
bit.ly/LodiUSDMentalHealthResources
Click on the link below for the suicide warning signs for adults (English):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wHq6hdQHBBvTArfUZpELI_p1BvmuesIY/view?usp=sharing
Click on the link below for the suicide warning signs for youth (English):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TlwFFWkKb234evBJJf904Mry6X4nhWJv/view?usp=sharing
Septiembre es el #MesdelaPrevencióndelSuicidio. Ayúdenos a apoyar la prevención del suicidio conociendo las señales de advertencia y los factores de riesgo del suicidio. Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita ayuda, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 988 o chatee con 988lifeline.org. Puede encontrar recursos adicionales en nuestro sitio: bit.ly/LodiUSDMentalHealthResources
Click on the link below for the suicide warning signs for adults (Spanish):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QSsvDGwHzEA9gF28E5Mzu8Wq9XKuLv3N/view?usp=sharing
Click on the link below for the suicide warning signs for youth (Spanish):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14wpbB7EdSuERqFP76_bcQXPKevO0ruYw/view?usp=sharing
Student Smartphone Use During the School Day
Many school districts have implemented or are on their way to implementing policies that address smartphone use by students during the school day and the governor has voiced his support on a number of occasions. We believe it is important to gather input from students, staff and our families as we develop our policy.
To access the ThoughtExchange and provide your input, click here:
Volunteering
Adults interested in volunteering in their student's classroom or chaperoning a field trip will need to complete the Volunteer Request Form and be fingerprinted. Please connect with your student's teacher to determine volunteer opportunities. We are currently seeking volunteers to support in supervision of students during lunch between 10:30 am - 1:00 pm. If you are available, please contact the office or scan the QR code.
Online Data Confirmation
We are excited to announce that this year, families will be able to verify their child's elementary school teacher and secondary school class schedule through our online data confirmation process. Starting on July 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM, parents who have completed the online data confirmation will be able to access this information. We encourage all parents to complete the online data confirmation process by following the instructions in the flyer below.
You can now go online to fill out your Data Confirmation! Click here or on the flyer below to get started.
Morning Dropoff
Please remember that the front gate does not open until 7:40 am as there is no supervision for students prior to this time. It is important that students come to school dressed appropriately, including wearing school-appropriate shoes. If your student comes to school in Crocs or sandals, they will be asked to sit out PE and may not go in the barkbox or onto the fields during recess due to safety concerns.
Students who wish to eat breakfast in the cafeteria should arrive no later than 7:45 am. For students arriving by bus, please proceed immediately to the cafeteria. The cafeteria will be cleared out 15 minutes after the latest bus arrives to ensure that students do not miss instructional time.
Lunch Options For The Week
Picking Students Up
Please remember that if your student has not yet been dismissed and you are in the loading zone, staff will be asking you to park or loop around to allow other parents to load their students who are waiting. We also ask that you model safe behaviors and use the crosswalk. Our Tigers know this is a Tiger Tenet and a way to be safe!
We thank you for your patience and for working with our staff to ensure dismissal occurs smoothly.
Have You Reported Your Students' Absence?
If your student will be out, be sure to call the office at 209-953-8301 to report your their absence. Students who have a medical or dental appointment will need to bring a note from their doctor upon their return.
Additionally, it is important your student arrives on time, ready to learn. School starts at 8:00 am and students are expected to be in their classes at this time.
Celebrating your Child's Birthday
Birthday treats must be store-bought. Please arrange with your student's teacher 1 or 2 days in advance of the birthday to have enough for the entire class. Treats will be distributed at recess, lunch, or dismissal depending upon class schedule and are limited to snacks. Please do not send sodas, pizzas, or similar items as they will not be delivered to your student's class.
Additionally, Davis Elementary does not accept deliveries of balloons, flowers, etc. for students. These deliveries are an interruption to our classes and learning environment. Please arrange to have deliveries made at home.