Davis Elementary School
January 2018 Newsletter
From the Principal
Greetings Davis Families,
Welcome Back and Happy 2018! I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday break, and you had an opportunity to create long-lasting memories with your family and friends.
Davis students and staff celebrated the end of the first four months of school and the eagerly anticipated winter break with a school-wide sing-along. Students from kindergarten to grade 5 participated in our sing-along, with a special musical performance by Mr. Varlaro and Mrs. Gilbert. It was a terrific way for us to bid farewell to 2017 and welcome in 2018.
A quick recap of 2017 provides us with precious memories, such as school days filled with learning and enthusiasm and evenings filled with special activities. Along with reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art, music, physical education, library, health, guidance, and digital literacy, we have enjoyed Trunk or Treat, Fall Festival, Family Bingo, Book Fair, Khan Academy Recognition Ceremony, Minute to Win It, Holiday Shop, and the Winter Concert, our first Davis-Klinger event at Barnes and Noble, Decembeard and many more activities! We also welcomed our first full day kindergarten class, and a few new teachers. Whew! This has been a busy few months of school!
We also extend a hearty “Thank you” to our Home and School Association for their continuous support of the Davis students, families, and staff. We appreciate your willingness to help out whether it is a school event, a Home and School activity, or bringing delicious treats to the faculty. We value all you have done for us and look forward to our continuing partnership.
In addition to sending your students to school ready to learn, please help your child to remember their winter clothing each day. Outdoor recess provides daily physical activity that supports academic learning and physical well-being. Our goal is to have outdoor recess daily and cold weather clothing is vital. This includes: winter coat, hat, gloves/mittens, and boots if applicable.
We wish each of you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018!
Mrs. Coles & Dr. Devitt
From The Nurse
In the Nurse’s Office, we continue to perform our yearly student hearing, vision, height and weight screenings. If your child has difficulty with their vision or hearing testing, you will receive a letter indicating the need for further follow-up with a doctor. Also, each child’s results for vision, hearing, height and weight are documented in Skyward under the “Health Info” Tab.
You can view your child’s screening for each year and track their growth and Body Mass Index (BMI). A healthy BMI percentile for children is 5% to 85%. A BMI percentile of 85% to 95% is considered overweight and at risk for obesity. A BMI percentile of 95% or greater is considered obesity.
The following health information regarding obesity in children was retrieved from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html
Consequences of Obesity
Health Risks Now:
Obesity during childhood can have a harmful effect on the body in a variety of ways. Children who are obese have a greater risk of –
High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In one study, 70% of obese children had at least one CVD risk factor, and 39% had two or more.
Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea, and asthma.
Joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort.
Fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn).
Psychological stress such as depression, behavioral problems, and issues in school.
Low self-esteem and low self-reported quality of life.
Impaired social, physical, and emotional functioning.
Health risks later:
Children who are obese are more likely to become obese adults. Adult obesity is associated with a number of serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer.
If children are obese, obesity and disease risk factors in adulthood are likely to be more severe
Head Lice
Also, a gentle reminder regarding head lice. This situation affects schools around the country every year. According to the National Association of School Nurses, head lice infestations predominantly affect the age group of 3-11 years (Frankoswski & Bocchini, 2010), with an estimated 6 million to 12 million cases annually.
Education plays a significant role in the prevention and treatment of head lice. Please use the Centennial School District website as a reference. http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/6581 This link may answer many questions or concerns that you might have. As the school nurse, I strive to work together with you, as the parents, for the well-being and education of your children. Please continue to set aside time to perform weekly head checks on your child to assist in the detection of head lice. Also, please do not hesitate to call the nurse’s office for questions or concerns regarding this issue.
Easy Ways to Prevent Illness
To help prevent the spread of germs at school and at home, please remind your children to cough and sneeze into their elbow and to wash their hands with warm soap and water before eating or touching their face and mouth (scrubbing for at least 20 seconds). Singing the Happy Birthday Song while they wash their hands helps the little ones to scrub long enough!
Thank you for your help at home in promoting health and wellness for your children; therefore maintaining the link between home and school!
Valerie Breiner RN, BSN, M.Ed., Certified School Nurse
The Counselor's Corner
Happy New Year! There are a lot of new things starting at Davis this year! Fourth and fifth grade students should be on the look out for a permission slip for our Community Service Group. We will meet at 8am on Wednesday mornings. This group will collect food for local food pantries, and toiletries for the children that live in Christ’s Home as well as performing other community service projects.
Madison Adoption Services has offered to provide group therapy services for children who are in foster care/kinship care or have been adopted. The group will meet for an hour every other week. There will be an option for the group therapy to be provided either during the school day or after school. If you would like your child to participate or, if you would like more information, please reach out to your counselor.
The counselors will be starting another parenting class at the end of January. It will be held on Thursday mornings at 9 am. Look for further details in upcoming E-Alerts!
In Guidance the children will be learning the following:
Kindergarten students will be learning how to cope with anger.
First grade students will be learning the difference between tattling vs. telling.
Second grade students will be assessing their own strengths and areas for growth.
The students in third grade will continue to work on their teamwork project.
The students in fourth grade are continuing to work on their conflict resolution skills.
Fifth grade students will be working on strategies for dealing with cliques and other social conflicts that occur.
As always, we can help you with questions about the transition to the next school year for any grade level, so please feel free to reach out.
Bob Immerman - Grades 3, 4, 5
(215) 364-5970 x 15031
Christi Ward - Grades K, 1, 2
(215) 364-5970 x15030
The Reading Corner
Conversation Starters When Reading
Children love to talk about stories that are read to them.
Talking not only allows the children to share their thoughts on the story, it gives them opportunities to use newly learned words from the story.
Here are some suggestions for conversation starters after
reading a book with your child:
My favorite character was ____ because ____. Who was
your favorite character? Why?
Why do you think ____happened? I thought it happened
because ____.
Lets create a new ending to the story…how about if ____ happened instead? How would that change the ending?
I loved the word ____ because it helped me to picture what was going to happen next in the story. What was one of your favorite words?
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
Outstanding Cafeteria Balances
The Food Service Department has a procedure that states that students owing more than an established obligation ($6.00) will be offered an alternate meal of one (1) cheese sandwich or one (1) ham and cheese sandwich or one (1) ham sandwich, one (1) fruit or vegetable and the student’s choice of one (1) milk. The student’s account will be charged one dollar and 50 cents ($1.50) Food allergies will be considered. Negative or low balance letters are sent home in the Wednesday Express. We request that you provide payments in a timely manner. Please contact the school Principal, Ms. Coles, or Cafeteria Manager, Mrs. McElroy if you have any questions concerning this procedure.
If you are eligible, free or reduced price lunches are available by filling an application through the Food Service Office of the Centennial School District. You can also pre-pay for lunch through the “E-Fund” system and credit can be immediately applied to the account. If you need assistance with placing money on your child’s account or applying for free/reduced lunch programs, please contact the Food Service Office at 215-441-6000 ext. 11013. Thank you for your cooperation
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, caring, and citizenship. Congratulations to Ethan S, Aidan Z, Jimmy B, Brian F, Abby S, Sydney S, Madden F, Claire B, Joleigh M, Madison D, Connor M, Marisa T, Eleanore K, Madison S, Cameryn L, John H, Sofia K, Jack B, Yulia K, Joseph G, Hayley D, Sabrina S, Joseph H, Weronika C, Gwyneth S, Lauren W, Billy S, Aidan S, Katlyn E, Robert T, Patrick F, Anabelle K, Gavin A, Riley K, Katelyn B, Mark M. 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.
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.
Teacher's Corner - Grade 2 - Mrs. Haufler and Mrs. Beecher
Students in Ms. Haufler and Mrs. Beecher's classes attended The Little Star That Could program at William Tennent High School. The presenter, Mr. Ted Williams, taught second graders about their galaxy, the Milky Way. He shared how stars are born in a nebula; explained the circumpolar constellations which include Big and Little Bear, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Draco along with how to locate each; and concluded with a discussion about the 8 planets and how they orbit the sun. The students were fascinated by the presentation and the planetarium itself. What a fantastic trip!
Teacher's Corner - Mrs. Wagner's Class
Winter Concert
Congratulations to the Davis fourth and fifth grade students for a beautiful concert performance on December 11th! The boys and girls did a wonderful job, and audience members enjoyed the musical presentation. We are grateful to you, the parents, for your support and the encouragement you give to the children.
A special announcement to all of our fourth and fifth grade instrumental students from Mrs. McCaffrey: Band and orchestra will begin in January! A flyer with more information will be coming home soon. The band and orchestra rehearsals will occur one day a week for 45 minutes during the school day. Orchestra will be on Wednesdays, fifth grade band will be on Tuesdays, and fourth grade band will be on Thursdays. These rehearsals will begin the week of January 8th . These large group performances are an important part of the instrumental learning experience and I cannot wait to start working on our special concert music together!
Congratulations!
After all student and staff votes were tallied, the winning drink that will be added to the menu at the Willow Grove Barnes and Noble Starbucks is the Centennial Allstar. The ingredients are Hot Chocolate, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. Congratulations to Julia S and to all of our contest participants.
Birthday Club
Each month Mrs. Coles recognizes students who have birthdays that month by giving them a special pencil and posing for a photo with them. This month January birthdays were recognized.
Calendar
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vkt6lPpqQCNGovX44IM7OLyfpzsxRH5Byu2XIfJnF-k/edit?usp=sharing
Davis Elementary School
Website: centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-364-5970