The Flores Flyer
August 19, 2020 Volume 3, Issue 1
Communication, Connections, and Consistency
Dear Davis Ducks,
I want to first thank you for your trust, grace, and patience as we have been busily preparing for this unprecedented school year. We have faced obstacles, but we have overcome and we are READY and EXCITED to welcome our families!
As a parent, I understand the concerns and questions you may have for the year ahead. I can confidently tell you that we are going to work through them together. I have never been more proud or grateful to be a Davis Duck. The effort, attention to detail, and commitment demonstrated by the Davis teachers and staff are second to none. There might be some bumps along the road, but our people will not let you down.
All of us are facing new challenges. To assist our families we are focusing on three big ideas:
1. Communication
2. Connections
3. Consistency
Based on lessons learned, we feel these three big ideas will help all of our students and families succeed no matter if we are in Distance Learning or In-Person.
Thank you, again, for your trust, grace, and patience. Now, let's get ready for a great year ahead.
Go Ducks!
Mrs. Flores
Principal
#BuildingResilience
#davisduckspride
Back-To-School Bag Distribution Plan
Although we aren’t physically on campus, we still want to make sure our students are equipped with as much as possible to support their continued learning. Therefore, we have put together special Back to School bags for every K-6 student. All preschool families will receive separate communication outlining details for a different day.
Our top priority remains to be the health and safety of all parties involved. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and we thank you for following the procedures outlined below.
**PLEASE READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY**
What: Distribution of Back to School Bags for all K-6 students.
Where: Davis Magnet School MPR
When: Thursday, August 20, 2020
In order to provide a safe environment with appropriate social distancing for our large school community, please do your very best to arrive during the assigned time that corresponds with your child’s last name.
Child’s Last Name Beginning with….
A-G 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
H-M 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
N-R 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.
S-Z 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
We recognize that there might be scheduling conflicts. As a result, one make-up day is scheduled for Friday, August 21 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the MPR. The same procedures will be applied, but to anybody who was unable to attend on Thursday.
Who: Parents/Guardians of all Davis K-6th grade students. All ‘Davis Cloud Campus’ families are included within this distribution. If you enrolled in the Cloud Campus, please plan on following these same procedures.
Directions:
Wear a mask beginning as you exit your car. All NMUSD campuses require staff, visitors, and students (3rd grade and above) to wear a mask. If you forget your mask, a mask will be provided for you.
Follow social distancing protocols by lining up six feet apart at the check-in table located in front of our school.
After checking in, please follow the signs directing you to one of the four MPR doors labeled by grade level.
Give your child’s last name and grade level to the Davis staff member.
A Davis Staff Member will retrieve your child’s bag of items from a table and deliver the bag to you at the door.
Chromebooks:
Chromebooks will be in the MPR and available with the bags for our incoming Kindergarten students and 5th Graders. ALL 5th Graders must bring their old chromebook and charger to receive their new chromebook. Every year all 5th graders in NMUSD receive new chromebooks. This will be their device until 9th grade, in which they will receive a new chromebook.
All chromebooks, textbooks, and workbooks are scanned into our system. Your child and family will be responsible for all items and the condition in which they return to school. All students are expected to bring their books, textbooks, and chromebooks to campus when we transition to Level 2 and instruction resumes on-site.
Yearbooks:
If you ordered a 2019-20 yearbook and did not have the opportunity to pick it up in July, please stop by the PTA table to get your child’s 2019-20 yearbook.
PTA/Foundation
Davis PTA and Foundation Board Members will be present and welcoming families from an appropriate social distance. Davis Magnet School spirit wear will be available for purchase. No orders will be placed.
Your cooperation, patience, and attention to our procedures are greatly appreciated as we designed this plan to keep everyone safe and healthy.
If you cannot make it and want another Davis family to pick up your child’s belongings, please email Mary Gray (mgray@nmusd.us) to inform her of the family’s name. The email communication will serve as the “permission granted.”
Please contact our front office with any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you ‘from 6 feet away’ and for the opportunity to welcome you back to school.
The First Day of School - August 24
We recognize the importance of a "Meet and Greet" opportunity prior to the first day of school. As a result, all teachers have recorded videos welcoming their students and introducing themselves. The teachers can't wait to meet you!
During our Distribution Plan, all parents/guardians will receive a letter. The letter will include:
Teacher Name
A link to watch an introductory video from your assigned teacher on FlipGrid.
Your class Zoom login information for August 24 at 8:15 a.m.
Additionally, some suggestions are included below to help you succeed and feel confident on August 24.
Charge your chromebook on August 23.
Organize your learning space with your books and supplies so that you are comfortable and focused on learning.
Consider using some kind of timer to assist with break time during the school day. The timer can easily help students (and parents) keep track of time so that students are on time for their Zoom classes.
Go to bed early on August 23.
On August 24, wake up with a great attitude, eat breakfast, get dressed and be ready to learn and meet new friends by 8:15 a.m.
Smile, take a deep breath, and get ready for a great year!
The first day of school begins on Zoom at 8:15 on August 24 for all students. Every class will begin each day with a prerecorded flag deck video and a class morning meeting.
The First Week of School
From August 24 to August 28, classes will begin each day at 8:15 and instruction will end at 11:45 for lunch. Teachers may schedule "Office Hours" as needed to offer support and answer questions. More information will be provided by each teacher.
This modified schedule will allow students to ease into the year before we begin our more robust distance learning program. This gives students the opportunity to digest all of the information, tools, and procedures. It also provides time for teachers to participate in additional professional development training and collaboration time in the afternoons.
Our full schedule and core instruction will begin Week 2.
Distance Learning Schedules
Important Factors Regarding Schedules:
- All classes begin at 8:15 a.m. with a morning meeting.
- Attendance will be taken during Morning Meeting and Core Instruction Blocks.
- Core Instruction will be taught in two blocks focusing on English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.
- Teachers have flexibility within those Core Blocks to schedule LIVE Synchronous and/or Asynchronous (Independent) Instruction. Decisions will be age appropriate and based on the needs of the class, as determined by the teacher's professional judgement.
- Teachers will establish a schedule for the Small Group Zoom sessions.
- Teachers will also communicate expectations for the Independent Work Time.
- The Class Community Support will vary depending on grade level and teacher. This is a wonderful opportunity for continuous community support and connection all the way through the day.
- The schedule was designed to help ease the transition when we return to campus.
There might be some bumps along the way as we all work through our Distance Learning Schedules. We understand and we are committed to practicing grace, patience, and flexibility as we all work through it together. We're counting on our families to do the same.
Distance Learning Schedule for Grades 1-6
Distance Learning Schedule for Kindergarten
2020 California PBIS Community Cares Award Recipient
Davis Magnet School was recently recognized for its outstanding contribution of support and care during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and resulting disruptions to school. Through that recognition, we received the California PBIS Community Cares Award. We are honored and will continue to provide outstanding care and support for our students, even from a distance, in academics and wellness. This year's theme will focus on #BuildingResilience in our students, and adults, and we look forward to traveling on this educational journey alongside you.
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