CENTRAL SHINES
Week of April 6, 2020
A Note from the Principal
Hello Central Families,
I've been thinking a lot about what to say to our Central families this week. I've seen the news, social media posts, press conferences and anecdotal accounts of the pandemic we are facing. Everyone has been impacted in some way or another. We are all living amidst this public health crisis and I know everyone is doing their best to maintain a sense of normal for our children. Thank you for that. As Theodore Roosevelt said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." That is, indeed, all we can hope to do. As we move into distance learning, I am giving you full and enthusiastic permission to do just that. Do what you can and give yourself grace when you or your children just can't. It will be okay. Our teachers are experts at instructing students at their level and will do just that when we get to see them again. In the meantime, do your best and we promise to do ours.
I also want to take a minute to give thanks to all of the teachers at Central and Davison who have been diligently working to transform what school will look like for the remainder of this school year. I ask that you offer patience and grace to your child's teacher during this transition. Our teachers are dealing with the same stresses that you are. They are trying to work, take care of their families and some of them are limited in the resources they have at their fingertips. I can tell you this...they care about your children and about doing the absolute best they can for them.
Next week, we will begin to roll out our distance learning plan. We are doing our best to be mindful of your time, resources and all of the other stresses families are dealing with right now. We understand that distance learning during a unique situation like this looks different than it might during another time. Again, I thank you for your partnership in this. We appreciate you!
I have included a "Family Check-In" below. Feel free to fill it out to let us know how you are doing. It is not required, but a simple way to touch base and let us know if there are additional ways we can help support your family during this time. Together, we are strong!
Stay well,
Mrs. Kuzinski
email: ckuzinski@davisonschools.org
Here are the links to the grade level packets that you are familiar with for this week:
1stgradeweek3.PDF (3.9 MB)
2ndgradeweek3.PDF (5.3 MB)
3rdgradeweek3.PDF (4.4 MB)
4thgradeweek3.PDF (4.3 MB)
ParentResources32720.pdf (110.7 KB)
FamilyResoures.pdf (98.2 KB)
Family Check-In
We recognize that this is a difficult time for many for an assortment of reasons and we care about our students and families. A "Family Check-In" is linked below. Feel free to fill it out to let us know how you are doing. It is not required, but a simple way to touch base and let us know if there are ways we can help support your family.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
CURRENT CHANGES TO MEALS, SCHOOL, RESOURCES: UPDATED 4/3/2020
Dear DCS Families:
In order to further protect our employees and families we are making the following changes to our procedures for the drive-through Food Distribution program.
Beginning, Monday April 6, we will serve meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with the exception of the week of April 6-10. Due to Good Friday, we will serve meals this week ONLY on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students will still receive the same amount of meals as they were getting daily as we will be giving out two days worth of meals on Mondays and Wednesdays and enough meals on Fridays for students to have food that day and on the weekends. Delivery sites and times will remain the same. Meal distribution begins at 12:30 p.m. and goes until 2 p.m. or until meals are gone at Central Elementary, Gates Elementary, Siple Elementary, Hahn Intermediate and Davison High School.
Volunteers will now be placing food in your vehicle trunk or truck bed. This will further reduce contact between individuals. Please be prepared to open your trunk when the volunteer approaches your vehicle.
We want to recognize and thank our Food Services staff for preparing nearly 6,000 meals a week since March 16. Their dedication and hard work does not go unnoticed. In addition, we would like to thank our staff members who have volunteered to hand out the meals. Without any of these dedicated employees, we would not be able to offer this program.
BROWN'S BLOG
Community Resources
DID YOU KNOW.........
There are many great resources for families in the area. This section of Central Shines is dedicated to introducing you to a FREE resource each month.
Assistance for Low Income Michiganders
For information on health assistance, unemployment, food assistance, emergency assistance, housing & homelessness resources, utilities, taxes and consumer protections, click on the link below.https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97193_98753---,00.html
Photo below is a screenshot taken directly from the above, linked website at 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2020. Information changes often, please go directly to the website for the most up-to-date information.
LESSONS FROM THE LITERACY SPECIALIST
Parents often ask how they can help their child figure out unknown words. I’ve included the prompts teachers use to help students solve words. Central students should be very familiar with this. The goal is to eventually have students use these strategies automatically and independently. If your child is stuck on a word while reading, try asking, “What strategy could you try?” If they are unsure, then suggest one for them to try. As always, if you have any questions feel free to email your child’s teacher or me at mbarraco@davisonschools.org.
SPEECH & LANGUAGE NEWS
MUSIC NOTES
Hello again, Central families. Here are some simple ideas for you to incorporate music into your day, if you so choose.
1. SING for your child! Even if you aren't a "great" singer, simply hearing you sing is a valuable experience for your child.
2. PLAY with music! Make up silly songs, sing back and forth with your child. Pat on a table or on pots and pans to the beat, make music with your child while you cook, clean, etc. Make up a song or chant to signal that it's cleanup time, or bedtime, or go outside and play time. Those little chants can become part of a routine to let your child know what's next without you having to "tell" them. They become part of the routine, and this gives them some control over their day.
3. I have included a Music Bingo activity sheet that you can do with your child. You can either do a traditional Bingo format, or you could number the squares and toss dice to see which square is to be done. This can be a fun family activity, and your child can show you how to do the activities that you may not be familiar with. I hope you enjoy it!
I sure miss you all. Stay safe.
Connect with Central Elementary
Email: ckuzinski@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 600 South State Road, Davison, MI, 48423
Phone: 810-591-0818
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisonCardinals/
Twitter: @DavisonSchools