DAVIS HILL COMMUNITY UPDATE
February 24, 2020
Dear Davis Hill Community,
I hope that everyone is enjoying their vacation and had a chance to spend some time with their family and friends over the break. I am looking forward to seeing our DHDragons return to school and hoping for some warmer temperatures and more outdoor recess!
Kindly,
Jay C. Norton, Principal
*Don't forget to read through the entire update... there are always more dates in the Upcoming Events Section. If you have any questions/ concerns- please don't hesitate to contact me/ the office.
PTA Meeting: Thursday, February 27th at 6:30PM
EXPECTATIONS REVIEW
An additional note on social media use:
We are seeing an increase in issues related to texting and social media platforms in our students. Whether it involves texting, gaming parties (xbox/ playstation), instagram, tic tok, etc. I highly recommend that parents talk to their children about what social media platforms they use and monitor texting and messaging conversations routinely.
POST FROM SEPTEMBER REGARDING: EXPECTATIONS:
1. As students- DHDragons are here at school in order to learn and grow. Not only in academics, but as 'people'. How we communicate, how we treat other people and how we demonstrate respect and kindness are critical skills.
2. As the adults (Administration, teachers, paraprofessionals) our job is to ensure that everyone is safe and the environment (our school community) is suitable for learning and growing to take place.
3. It is everyone's job to ensure that Davis Hill is both physically safe and emotionally safe for all community members.
-We talked about physical safety in the following ways:
a. We keep our hands and feet to ourselves
b. We keep our bodies under control
c. We use walking feet
-We talked about emotional safety in the following ways:
a. We use respectful words and actions
b. We strive to be kind and welcoming to others
c. We do not use hurtful language (teasing, telling other kids we won't be their friends if they won't do something, making fun of differences, etc)
d. We treat others the way that we would want to be treated
4. We also discussed the fact that despite our best intentions, there is an understanding that some problems will arise from time to time. Our discussion in this regard focused on the following:
a. If someone is doing/ or saying something that we do not like, or makes us feel uncomfortable, we have permission (responsibility) to say something to them. Tell them to 'Stop'.
Many times as the adults we find that issues between children occur because there is not clear communication about what is, and what isn't, 'Ok' for different people. Ultimately, our students decide for themselves what is and isn't 'Ok' for them. Further, they will benefit as they grow older from becoming their own best advocate. However, there is an understanding that not all students are able to self-advocate independently. Additionally, we realize that sometimes self-advocacy alone will not stop the unwanted behavior. Therefore, students are always advised to seek out a helping/ trusting adult in the building at ANY time if they feel that they need support.
b. It is everyone's responsibility to engage in respectful problem solving strategies. Engaging in name calling, gossip and/ or 'secret talks' with others about what someone else has theoretically done does not help solve a problem. What usually does help is having an adult mediate and talk to all students involved modeling problem solving steps and agreeing to a plan for moving forward.
I just wanted to make you aware of these discussions and that these types of conversations are happening frequently at Davis Hill as our students need our modeling and support. I am hopeful that as the adults, we are always able to keep the importance of our own behavior and actions toward each other in mind. When it comes to how we treat others, our children will always model what we do, not what we tell them to do.
For fifth graders- we also spoke briefly about social media, texting, etc. and the importance of following the same expectations for respect and kindness when using technology.
Regarding social media- I do want to add one note to our adult community members as well. Please be mindful and respectful when using social media. If you have a school based question or concern, our staff would prefer that to be directed to us rather than using social media as an avenue for complaints or rumor. In my opinion, using social media in this way is not what I would consider an effective problem solving strategy that models our expectations for our students.
Social media can be an awesome tool for spreading information, connecting with others and positivity. Unfortunately, it also can be used to undermine others and sow disinformation and ill will. I hope that those in our community make the choice to model respectful online discourse.
Butter Braids
Last year we raised about $3000 for our school. Thank you in advance for your support!!
4TH GRADE PARENTS: Second FALL 2020 ECOLOGY SCHOOL MEETING/ Forms Info
I will be available for a second informational meeting for any parents who missed our first meeting and would like an opportunity to meet.
When: Thursday, March 19 at 5:45
For: Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) of current 4th Grade StudentsWhat: Discuss the Annual Ecology School Trip for Davis Hill 5th Grade Students
Paperwork/ Forms will be sent home on Monday, February 24th with 4th Grade Students.
SPRING 2020 MCAS (Grades 3-5)
It is almost that time of year again.. MCAS! :)
Once again, this year our students will be taking the MCAS on the computer. This is the third year that students will be using computers for the assessment. Our staff has done a wonderful job preparing our students for using the computers in the past and we expect more of the same this year!
For more information on MCAS, please see the link from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Link: DESE Information on Student Testing
GENERAL NOTES ON MCAS ASSESSMENT:
It is understood that standardized testing can create anxiety for some students. The Massachusetts Statewide Parent Information and Resource Center has provided the following list of guidelines for parents to help prepare their child for the testing:
Make sure your child is well rested and eats breakfast.
See that your child arrives to school on time and is relaxed.
Encourage your child to do the best work possible and to have a positive attitude.
Dress comfortably!
Remind your child to read all test taking directions carefully and listen to the teacher’s directions.
Encourage your child to take his/her time and check work for accuracy.
To help reduce anxiety:
Talk about the test in a positive way.
Encourage best efforts rather than perfection.
Encourage your child to focus on his/her strengths, such as good memory.
Assure your child that the test is only one measure of academic performance.
Emphasize that test scores do not determine a person’s worth.
At Davis Hill, our message to students reinforces the following:
-Be confident and ‘relax’! It is an opportunity to ‘Show What You Know!’.
-You are prepared and ready!
-The MCAS does not define who you are as a student and/ or a person.
Our hope is that at the end of the MCAS assessment, Davis Hill students will feel a sense of pride in themselves that they have put forth their best effort and feel proud of themselves for meeting the challenge.
*Please note the following re: MCAS:
Students are not allowed to have electronic devices (cell phones/ SmartWatches) during assessment. If your child owns/ wears a SmartWatch to school, they will have to take it off during the assessment.
If you have any questions/ concerns regarding MCAS, please contact your child’s classroom teacher and/ or administration.
MCAS SCHEDULE CHANGES
Provided our responsibilities in regard to the MCAS assessments, there will be some schedule changes (recess/ lunch and special changes) that will be taking place for some grade levels on the listed assessment days.
Thank you!
Please note... all grades will also be doing a practice/ trial assessment on the computers in the foreseeable future to help get ready for MCAS.
Attention Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) of Students In Walking Lines
Please see below regarding Davis Hill Students who walk with our crossing guards:
1. Please make sure your child is properly dressed for the winter weather. We walk on snowy, often ice covered sidewalks and streets. Coats, boots, gloves and hats are necessary during the winter months in the walk lines.
2. Parents/guardians must be at their designated pick up location for their child at the end of the day. If a parent/guardian is not present at their child's pick up location at the end of the day, their child will be walked back to the school. The only exception to this rule is if a parent sends in a note saying their child may walk home alone, or the note states that their child has permission to go with a neighbor.
3. In order to ensure that safety of all students, it is important that students are following the instructions of the crossing guards at all times.
Student Council- Community Service
Health Office Information- Flu and Lice Information
Here are some key dates and links to keep handy.
2/24: Return From Vacation
2/27: PTA Meeting (6:30/ Conference Room)
3/4: Wachusett Food Pantry Donation Day (Theme: March Madness/ Sports Day)
3/6: School Store
3/8: Spring Forward (Daylight Savings)
3/12: Early Dismissal/ Professional Development Day
3/13: Paint Night (Grades 3-5)
3/16: Spring Book Fair Week
3/19: SIMCO Meeting (4:00PM)
3/24: Mountview Parent Orientation (6:30/ Mountview Cafeteria)
3/25: Girls' Night (6:30PM/ Library)
3/26: Boys' Night (6:30PM/ Library)
4/1: Quarter 3 Closes
4/1: Wachusett Food Pantry Donation Day (Theme: Be Foolish- Dress silly, inside out/ etc)
4/3: School Store Open
4/7: Report Cards Go Live (4:00PM)
4/9: PTA Meeting (6:30PM)
4/13: MCAS Grade 5 ELA
4/14: MCAS Grade 5 ELA
4/15: MCAS Grade 4 ELA
4/16: MCAS Grade 4 ELA
4/20: April Break Begins
4/27: Welcome Back!
4/28: MCAS Grade 3 ELA
4/29: MCAS Grade 3 ELA
5/1: Grade 5 Panorama Picture
5/1: Spring Pictures
Other Dates of Note:
-Monday, May 11th is a NO SCHOOL DAY for students. Full Day Professional Development
-Kindergarten Orientation: May 29th (Time TBA)
-Field Day: June 10 (Rain Date June 11)
-Last Day of School for Kindergarten Students: June 12 (Full Day/ Pending Snow Days)
-Saturday, June 13: Holden PTA Golf Tournament (Stay tuned for more information)
-Last Day of School for Students in Grades 1-5: June 17 (Half-Day/ Pending Snow Days)
*Please make note of all half-days (12:20 dismissal time) for the year in calendar (3/12, 5/22 and the last day of school).
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Davis Hill Elementary School
Email: jay_norton@wrsd.net
Website: http://www.wrsd.net/davishill/
Location: 80 Jamieson Road, Holden, MA 01520, United States
Phone: 508-829-1754
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisHillDragons/
Twitter: @DHPrincipal