The Flores Flyer
September 7, 2018 Volume 1, Issue 1
Welcome back Davis Ducks! I hope you all had a wonderful summer and I'm happy to see everyone back on campus! While Davis Magnet School was closed this summer for HVAC installation, my family was busy traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.
I have several new "projects" this school year, one of which includes this monthly newsletter. Please be on the lookout for The Flores Flyer every 1st Friday of each school month. This is one new tool that I will use to communicate and support our amazing families and community. Each month you will have the opportunity to read brief articles and tidbits covering a variety of topics concerning our school and raising healthy and happy kids.
Your feedback is always important to me. Please tell me what you think and how I can help you and your family. If there are topics you think would be helpful to you and other families, please let me know and I will do my best to provide information to you.
We are a team and I appreciate your collaboration as we work together to help our children grow up to be successful, happy, healthy, and contributing citizens. I hope you are ready and excited for the school year. This one is going to be the #bestyearyet!
Go Ducks!
Mrs. Flores,
Davis Magnet School Principal
Fun at the Fair!
1st Day of School for the Flores Family!
Boating on Flathead Lake, MT
The Power of Yet - Developing our Growth Mindset
This month’s focus is “Building Positive Relationships”
We will be talking all month long with your kiddos about ways they can build positive relationships with everyone in their lives, including, parents, teachers, siblings, coaches, teammates, etc. Research shows that positive relationships are good for our minds and our bodies.
Here are some actions that build a stronger relationship with your child:
Read together
Listen to them
Hug them
Have family traditions
Share a meal together
Play together
Here are some relationship building phrases you can use at home:
“Tell me how you’re feeling.”
“I want to understand how you’re feeling.”
“I love you, even when you feel angry.”
“It’s ok to feel mad.”
“Can I give you a hug?”
“Let’s take a deep breath together.”
“How can I help?”
“Can we start over?”
“I’m sorry for…”
“Next time I’ll…”
Spotlight on Mr. Nguyen, Davis Magnet School's New Science Teacher
How long have you been a science teacher and where did you teach before coming to Davis Magnet School?
I have been a science teacher for 2 years — this year will be my 3rd! Before moving to Davis, I was the science specialist at Newport Coast Elementary for Kindergarten through 6th Grade, and Sonora for 5th and 6th Grade.
What is your favorite topic to teach in science?
I have so many favorite topics from biology to chemistry, but if I had to choose I would say my favorite is teaching 6th Grade about the Human Body Systems. I have always loved anatomy growing up, and the brain is by far my favorite organ.
What do you like to do outside of school?
Outside of school, I am a huge family person. I come from a very large family — I have over 50 cousins! My weekends are often spent hanging out with my extended family by going to the movie theatres, singing karaoke, and playing board games.
What makes you the most excited to be a Davis Duck?
I am most excited to meet the students at Davis. Over the past two years, I was fortunate to get to know over 700 students and I am excited to meet another brand new school of students! I have also had a chance to meet the wonderful staff at Davis and am looking forward to working with them in the future.
Anything else you want to share with the Davis Magnet School community?
Just for some insight into my education: I double majored in Biology and Psychology at UCI, with a minor in Education. During my undergrad time at UCI, I met Ms. Keller through the CalTeach program where I truly fell in love with teaching Science to students. When I graduated, I continued studying at UCI to obtain my Teaching Credential and Master’s in Teaching. During my program, I was fortunate enough to be a student teacher for Mrs. Ramos (4th Grade) and learned all the tips and tricks to become the teacher I am today. I am very excited to start a new chapter in my life and am glad I am fortunate enough to a part of the Davis community.
Sincerely,
Kenny Nguyen
Science Specialist
Davis Magnet School
Nutrition Nuggets - "Beginning Again" By Pam Williams, NMUSD Nutritionist
The new school year reminds us that this is another time for beginnings. Students begin in a new grade, they start with new teachers and some of us give students another beginning at a new school. With so many beginnings around us, why not begin this school year with a commitment to maintain healthy lifestyles?
This year, we will highlight ideas to help get the whole family eating healthy. Why is this important? Healthy minds and bodies are important to help support learning. Healthy families become the place to support healthy students. And healthy families mean a healthy community now and in the years to come.
Why not start by first examining lifestyles and identifying areas to change? Here are a few questions to get started. Do family members eat a healthy breakfast or… eat breakfast at all? When was the last time family members tried a new fruit or vegetable? What about family members brainstorming on ways to eat healthy but not spend too much money? And don’t forget physical activity. Are members burning calories throughout the day?
These are just some of the areas we will examine in the coming months and offer ideas and resources to help families get started on a healthy journey. In the long run, families will benefit from good health and our students will love the support we give to help them learn.
Parenting Tip: Managing Social Media, Video Games, and Screen Time
Anxiety, depression, and obesity are the leading health concerns in adolescents today. A major contributing factor is the powerful increase of social media, video games, and screen time allowed for our children.
Knowing what and how to manage each of these can feel overwhelming for parents and like a lost battle. One of my favorite resources for both parents and educators is Common Sense Media. Common Sense is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. I strongly encourage you to frequently visit and spend time reading through the many resources provided on their website. My “go-to’s” as a parent are the ‘Parent Concerns’ tab and the ‘Family Guides.’ This valuable and informative resource even allows you to customize the site to match your child(ren)’s age(s). Establishing boundaries and positive digital citizenship habits are critical in helping your child as they grow up in this digital age. If you have any questions or want to brainstorm solutions for your child, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Davis Magnet School
Instagram @davis_magnet_school
Facebook @facebook.com/DavisMagnetSchoolDucks
Twitter @DavisMagnet
Email: cflores@nmusd.us
Website: http://davismagnet.nmusd.us/
Location: 1050 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Phone: (714)424-7930
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisMagnetSchoolDucks/
Twitter: @DavisMagnet
Back to School Night
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Diaz Pre-K parent meeting in room 29.
5:00 to 5:30 p.m.: Band/Choir parent meeting with Mr. S in MPR.
5:30 to 6:00 p.m.: All parent meeting with Mrs. Flores in MPR.
6:05 to 6:50 p.m.: Classroom Session #1
6:55 to 7:40 p.m.: Classroom Session #2
**All Thursday communication folders will come home with parents at Back to School Night.**