Davis Elementary School
November 2018 Newsletter
From The Principal
Dear Davis Community,
Our school community is an environment that is completely dependent upon the successful interactions and social learning of our students. The overall success of the culture and climate at Davis is largely the result of how we all interact and understand each other. This applies to everyone from the students, faculty, staff, administration, and the parents.
One key aspect of our students continued social and emotional growth is their ability to demonstrate empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Empathy is critical to a successful school environment. Our students face a constant struggle in developing empathy in a largely digital environment. Screen time is often detrimental to the development of empathy.
There are two things I will offer as food for thought. Developing empathy requires face-to-face interactions. Our students need to interact with people throughout the day in this manner. Students need to continually work on recognizing the feelings and emotions of others in order to be successful throughout their daily lives. Students who are able to recognize the feelings of others, are more resilient in their own lives. A digitally focused experience will largely reduce a student's ability to develop empathy.
The second offering is to continually have discussions with your child about kindness. Talk with them about ways they may be kind to others and how they perceive the feelings of others as a result. This will result in students developing more trust and more of a mindset of "we" orientation rather than a "me" orientation.
Thank you for your continued support in all that we do here at Davis!
Andrew J. Doster
Principal
From The Nurse
November 12th - 18, 2018 is the US Antibiotic Awareness Week.
According to the CDC, each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics save lives and when a patient needs them, the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects or antibiotic resistance. However, antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria.
To help prevent antibiotic resistance, remember a few key facts:
Antibiotics do not work on viruses such as colds and flu, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow or green.
When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help, and the side effects could do harm.
Common side effects can include: • Rash • Dizziness • Nausea • Diarrhea • Yeast infections
If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Always finish taking your antibiotic until it is finished, even when you are feeling better. Improving the way healthcare professionals prescribe antibiotics, and the way we take antibiotics, helps keep us healthy now, helps fight antibiotic resistance, and ensures that these life-saving drugs will be available for future generations.
Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about your antibiotics, or if you develop any side effects
How can I stay healthy?
Frequent handwashing
Cover your cough
Stay home when sick
Get recommended vaccines, (Flu shot, for example).
Please keep open communication with your school nurses regarding your child’s health and any changes that may occur during the school year. Our goal is to keep the children healthy, safe and happy at school. For more information about nursing services, please refer to the Davis Elementary website; go under the “Our School” tab; click “Nursing Services.”
You may also contact Mrs. Breiner, RN, Certified School Nurse or Mrs. Beyer, RN, Staff Nurse at (215) 364-5970, Ext. 15025.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
The Counselor's Corner
The school year is off to a great start! Mrs. Ward has been offering GIRLS (Girls in real Life Situations) to girls in 2nd and 3rd grade for the last couple of weeks and will continue into November. FISH Groups(Families in Separate Homes) will be up and running in all grade levels by the week after Thanksgiving. If you feel that your child would benefit from this group, please reach out to your child’s counselor.
Mr.Immerman’s 4th and 5th grade lunch groups have begun. We are addressing different skills in each group including, stress, coping skills, conflict resolution, and Families in Separate Houses (FISH). Mr. Immerman is working with Kindergarten staff to develop small groups over the next few weeks to address some of these same skills.
Fourth and fifth grade students are welcome to join the Community Service Splash Club.
An E-Alert recently went out and a registration form was sent home. The Splash Club will begin on Wednesday, November 7th and will run each Wednesday until May. We will work on school wide projects to promote community service. If you have a fourth and/or fifth grade student who is interested in joining, please contact Mr. Immerman or Dr. Feinman.
Both Mr.Immerman and Mrs. Ward are available for conferences. Please let your child’s teacher know if you would like them to attend.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bob Immerman - Grades 3, 4, 5
(215) 364-5970 x 15031
Christi Ward - Grades K, 1, 2
(215) 364-5970 x15030
The Reading Corner
Building Reading Stamina
Having stamina for something means being able to stick with something for periods of time. This stamina, or endurance, builds strength. Stamina can apply to lots of different areas, such as exercise or painting. It can also apply to reading.
Teachers often think about a student’s reading stamina. Reading stamina is a child’s ability to focus and read independently for long-ish periods of time without being distracted or without distracting others. Reading stamina is something that parents can help students develop. Here’s how:
1. Vary the way the reading is done. Parents can think about this in terms of having their child
“read to himself, read to someone, and listen to reading.” Some combination of the three should make up the reading time, especially for new or struggling readers.
2. Choose “just right” books. If your child is at a stage of being able to read alone, help him
choose books that he is able to read independently. This means he should be able to decode almost every word in the book correctly. In this situation, avoid using books that are too difficult to read alone. If your child will be reading with you, choose books that are lively and engaging.
3. Set reasonable goals. Most toddlers and preschoolers find it difficult to sit for long periods
of time, even with the most engaging book! When starting out, limit book time to just a few minutes and work up from there. For elementary aged readers, consider starting with 10-15 minutes of reading time, and work up from there. Add a few minutes to your reading time every week or so.
4. Celebrate progress. Without getting too caught up on the number of minutes spent reading,
celebrate the time that is spent reading. Share your favorite parts of books read, plan the next visit to the library, and share progress with other family members.
Spending longer periods of time reading means fewer interruptions and more time reading what you love. As your child moves into higher grades, having reading stamina will help your child navigate the longer texts and assignments. Using these tips can help develop more stamina in your reader.
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Parent tips for raising strong readers and writers
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From The Cafeteria
Reminder-Absences
While coming to school each and every day is important, it is equally important to monitor our children’s health. If a child is sick, please keep him/her home. Our teachers will work with students who have fallen ill to make sure they do not fall behind in the classroom.
If your child is absent from school, you will be notified via a voice message that will come to the primary phone number listed in Skyward. In addition, an email will be sent to the first email address listed in Skyward. Please be sure that your phone number and email address is updated in Skyward. If an automated call is made, and you believe it to be in error, please call the main office of the school. Automated calls and emails may still occur even if you’ve contacted the school regarding the absence. Absence notes will still be required. You can send a written note in with your child on the day that he or she returns to school. You can also email the excuse note to DAAttendance@centennialsd.org . This email address is dedicated to receiving these notes. If you have any questions regarding this change, please call the main office at (215) 441-6000 x 15010
Late Arrivals
Davis Dolphins
Each week names are drawn from our Davis Dolphins container as a way to recognize and celebrate our students for demonstrating trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, care, and citizenship. Congratulations to James D, Kenzie M, Layla S, Bryce P, Xavier J, Antony K, Carly D, Pablo L-R, Matthew K, Isabella C, Chase D, Arianna T, Ariel E, Norah W, Maggie M, Owen D, Lillian D, Nazar N, Sammy K, Madison F, Jimmy M, Gianna B, Kelsie G, Christopher J, Brooklyn W, Bailey C, Hudson B, Richie S, Ben V, Noah C, Charlie P, Bella T, Julia Z, Mia R, Brigid J, Jasper S, Ryan C, Saniyah W, Sergi B, Chase P, Keileigh R, Ethan G, Cecile P, Dominic P, Yulia K, Katlyn M, Jacob C, Kevin B. Way to go, boys and girls!
Wednesday Express
Each Wednesday, your child’s teacher will send home the Wednesday Express envelope. Please take a moment to remove, read, review the contents, and return the envelope to school the next day. Your signature on the outside of the envelope lets us know that you received it. We also recommend that everyone continue to check the eFolder on a regular basis.
Teacher's Corner - Mrs. Higgins
Teacher's Corner - Grade 4
Each of the Davis Fourth grade teachers wrote and received five generous grants from PetsintheClassroom.org. We are excited to provide wonderful habitats for animals that enhance our students’ understandings of how environments can impact upon organisms while also teaching students about the care of living creatures.
Teacher's Corner - Mrs. Pearce
Help Davis every time you shop at Amazonsmile or Shoprite Warminster
By selecting Centennial Education Foundation as your charity when shopping at Amazonsmile 0.5% of eligible purchases go to the Centennial Education Foundation. Centennial Education Foundation (CEF) provides enriching educational opportunities, programs, and projects to expand and enhance the basic, well-rounded education offered by the district.
By shopping at ShopRite of Warminster through the Shop From Home Fundraiser. 15% of your bill is donated to the Centennial Education Foundation. CEF donates 20% of our school's proceeds to our Home & School Association.
Birthday Club
Each month Mr. Doster recognizes students who have birthdays during that month by giving them a special pencil and posing for a photo with them. This month November birthdays were recognized.
Calendar
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pcRq2RGq8-VYgvp6KXJZiZZYeeLzcW6NrIOIN472spI/edit?usp=sharing
Davis Elementary School
Website: centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-364-5970