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Chirp Sheet
Singing the praises of our DCS students and staff 9-15/23
![Chirp Sheet Singing the praises of our DCS students and staff 9-15/23](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/6d5b/thumb-5fb6becdf668c2d493b65b7c6f3a2781.jpeg)
November 17, 2023
Davison Elementary, Middle schools added to list of "Best Schools" in state by USA News World and Report
USA News World and Report published its 2024 Best Elementary Schools and Best Middle Schools rankings, and the news is good for Davison Community Schools. Four of our buildings - Hill, Gates, Siple and Central Elementary buildings - earned a Best Elementary Schools badge and two - Davison Middle School and Hahn Intermediate - earned a Best Middle Schools badge. Each school earned the distinction for placing among the top 40% in the state.
This news comes on the heels of the announcement earlier this fall that Davison High School was named among one of the Best High Schools in the state as well. (Note: US News and World Report does not rank kindergarten and alternative education programs so Thomson Elementary and Davison Alternative Education school buildings do not get ranked.)
Hill Elementary and Gates Elementary were the top two ranked elementary schools in Genesee County, coming in at 143 and 150, respectively. Siple Elementary was ranked 177th in the state while Central was ranked 206th. Only two other elementary schools in Genesee County were named within the top 250 schools in the state.
Davison Middle School was ranked 120th and Hahn Intermediate 148th in the state. Only one other Genesee County middle school was ranked within the top 150.
For each state, schools were assessed on their shares of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. In other words, the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students.
Here’s a look at what was published about our district, including new rankings:
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/michigan/district-101642
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/middle-schools/michigan/district-101642
Cool to Care Campaign Begins
For more than two decades, our students, staff and families have participated in the "Cool to Care" campaign to benefit Outreach East, a local non-denominational agency that provides assistance to families in the area with food, housing, utilities, clothing and gifts during the holidays. This year's campaign begins this week and each school building in the district will be participating by raising money through activities such as special days where students can pay $1 to wear a hat, PJs, dress like a candy cane, etc.
At Davison High School, students will bring in their donations to their first hour classes. Students in the top two collecting classes will receive breakfast.
At Davison Alternative Education, students will participate in a "race to fill the can," in advisory classes. Each class will be given a tin can to fill with change. The advisory class that fills the highest number of cans by December 13 will win a pancake breakfast from Principal TJ Fischhaber, who also plans to match the students' donation up to $300.
At Davison Middle School, students will have a variety of choices in how they choose to donate. Leadership students will be selling “Grateful Grams” (a message from a friend, along with a Blowpop) for $1 during lunches through Wednesday, November 22. Students can also donate money in their homeroom class or earn Cardinals Care Tickets that could be used toward their Homeroom’s total. Students can also pay $1 on Friday, November 17, to wear either PJ/Comfy clothes and slippers or a hat. The winning homeroom will be announced during a Pep Assembly on November 22, the same day students can pay $3 to have their devices (phones/tablets) for a designated time during the day.
The district will also accept donations through Wednesday, December 13. All money collected will go directly to Outreach East.
Please refer to the flyer below for the list of special days planned for grades K-6.
Siple Elementary teacher nominated for Golden Apple Award
Siple Elementary Teacher Alexandra Schaibly has been nominated for the Mid-Michigan NOW Golden Apple Award. You can vote for Ms. Schaibly, who teaches kindergarten through second graders in the Cognitively Impaired classroom by visiting this link:
You can vote each day! Voting will continue through the rest of November with the winning teacher announced in the beginning of December.
Swiftie Scarecrow Wins inaugural scarecrow competition
DAE AltPACas attend Leadership Conference
Eight students from the Davison Alternative Education Principal's Advisory Committee (more fondly known as the AltPACas) recently took part in the MAEO STARS Kickoff and Leadership Conference at the Bridge High School in Brighton.
MAEO is the Michigan Alternative Education Organization and its mission is to be dedicated to providing both alternative educators and students enrichment and networking opportunities. The MAEO STARS program is a great way to get the students involved in the greater "Alt Ed" community!
STARS stands for the leadership qualities- success, teamwork, achievement, recognition, and self-esteem. The Michigan Alternative Education Organization’s youth association, otherwise known as MAEO STARS, is the student branch of MAEO. The purpose of MAEO STARS is to help students:
Develop employment, academic and social skills.
Build a cooperative and competitive spirit through individual and team activities and competition.
To meet with, network with, have fun with, and ultimately develop an appreciation for students and staff from other alternative programs.
MAEO STARS Kickoff and Leadership Conference (Fall)
Legislative Day (Winter)
Career and College Competition (Spring)
At this STARS Kickoff, students participated in teambuilding and leadership activities. One DAE student, Brianna Denholt also chose to run for the state advisory board. This advisory board is tasked with assisting the MAEO Board STARS Chairs with planning Legislative Day and Spring Competition activities as well as helping with communication to groups around the state. Positions on the MAEO STARS State Advisory Board are a great addition to a student’s resume and/or their portfolio.
Students were accompanied by Mrs. Shawn Lewis, teacher at DAE and MAEO Board Member, as well as Mrs. Jennifer Gekeler, Student Academic Advisor & Family Liaison.
Students attending included: Rylee Fuller, Charity Millay, Saffron Brotzke, Michael Julian, Brianna DeHondt, Isaac Potts, Ava McAboy, Adriana LaLonde.
Last chance to donate to our Toy Drive is this Saturday
The Transportation Department will wrap up its “Pile the Aisle” toy drive this Saturday, November 18. Look for the Traveling Library bus to be parked at VG’s Food Center from 9 a.m. to noon. All toys collected will go to Outreach East to give to our students in need.
Varsity football team gets good luck sign from Lil Cards
Above and below, students from the Cardinal's Nest made a Good luck sign for the Varsity Football team, which is headed for the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Semi-Finals on Saturday. The Cardinals take on Belleville at 1 p.m. at Novi High School.
If you are heading to the game, please note the following:
Admission/Gates
Open @ 12:00 PM- Spectators will not be allowed into the stadium before that time Admission- $10.00 GoFan/Cashless entry, only infants carried by adults do not have to purchase a ticket No cash or passes accepted. Tickets may be purchased online via the Novi GoFan Webpage (includes phone compatibility)- click here or copy and paste the following link into your web browser, https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10044. Credit card payments are accepted onsite at the ticket booth. Photos or screenshots of tickets will not be accepted. There is a no refund policy.
Lots open at 11:00am. There will be a charge of $5 per vehicle (cash only) for parking.
DCS Students do their part on World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is observed internationally on November 13. Students and staff at Davison Community Schools celebrated the day in several different ways including:
- Davison Middle School students discussed "What does an act of kindness look like to you?" during Community Circles in Homeroom.
- Mrs. Katie Nowakowski's first graders made friendship bracelets over the weekend and passed them out for National Kindness Day to friends and teachers at Gates Elementary.
- Room 3 at Hill Elementary celebrated World Kindness Day by reading "A Little Spot of Kindness." Students in Mrs. Jennifer Galbraith's classroom then shared different ways they could show kindness at home and at school.
- Students in Mrs. Rachel McKinnon's classroom at Thomson Elementary came up with a list of ideas on how they can show kindness to others.
- Students throughout the District took time to write notes to family members, friends and staff members to let them know why they appreciate them.
Hill Elementary students honored at Table of Honor
Congratulations to the following Hill Elementary students who earned Table of Honor for the month of October: John Francis, Chloe Whitman, Deacon Arthur, Mckenzie Arnheiter, Chris Renfro, William DuPrey, Jameson Dresbach, Porter Schaepkens, Alli Pattee, and Ellie Baumgart! These students have shown leadership in Cardinal Code and we are so proud of them. They sat at a special table for lunch and I had the privilege of eating lunch with them. Way to go!
Annual "Turkey Slop" served up at schools this week
Students and staff throughout the District had the opportunity to get a taste of the traditional "turkey slop" lunch served annually prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Students enjoyed turkey and gravy over mashed potatoes, stuffing, roll and a vegetable. On Thursday, Siple Elementary students shared the special holiday meal with guests from the Cardinal Center administrative offices. A great job to our Food Services staff throughout the District who took the extra time to prepare these meals for all to enjoy.
Positivity Project
More time to reflect on character strength of Gratitude
Due to the shortened school week for the Thanksgiving holiday, there are no Positivity Project lessons scheduled for next week. Students can continue to focus on last week's character strength of Gratitude.
The Writing on the Wall
I'm NOT a Turkey! I am a ...
Seen in the hallway at Central Elementary, Cole wrote: I am NOT a turkey, I am a bodybuilder because I work out.