The Davis Download
Friday, April 9, 2021
Principal's Post
Dear Davis Ducks,
I’m optimistic and excited about our students’ return for full-day instruction on April 21. I’m also extremely proud of our team. Teachers and support staff have been hard at work preparing for a smooth, safe, and positive transition for our students. Thank YOU for making, yet again, another change to your schedules for transportation and childcare. I believe all of it will be worth it to have our students on campus the entire day.
A great deal of support and guidance are being provided for all of our students. Students will walk through a “practice recess” with their teachers on April 19 to experience our new playground zones and expectations. I will lead virtual assemblies with all students on April 19 and 20 to provide consistent messaging for lunch and recess. Videos, slides, and pictures have all captured our clear expectations and will be used in a positive and supportive way.
There are many details involved in this next transition. I’ve done my best to capture them within this issue of The Davis Download in an easy-to-read list. Please read, watch the videos, and reread to ensure your family is prepared. If you have questions, you are invited to join me during two Q&A sessions that I am hosting. The purpose of the Q&A Zooms is to answer any questions about our Level 1 Plans. I will not address specific needs or questions about your child. I will not lead a presentation. It is simply to provide additional support for any of our families who might still have questions after reading through the information. You are invited to join me at the following dates and times:
Q&A Zooms with Mrs. Flores focusing on Level 1 Plans
Monday, April 19 from 8:30-9:00 a.m. Zoom ID: 993 4906 5001 PW: ducks1
Tuesday, April 20 from 12:30-1:00 p.m. Zoom ID: 972 3177 1407 PW: ducks1
I am full of #davisduckspride as the leader of this community because of the resilience demonstrated by our students, staff, and family members. Thank you for your continued support and teamwork.
Have a fun, safe, and healthy spring break!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Flores,
Principal
Level 1 Full Day Instructional Program Update
Your partnership is critical to a successful transition for your child. Here are some things you can do to help.
Talk with your child about how they are feeling. Recognize and validate their feelings. Review the safety procedures and ensure them that the Davis staff is available to support.
Speak positively about the transition to full day.
Adjust bedtimes, especially for children in the PM cohort.
Reinforce the safety guidelines including mask wearing, social distancing (superhero arms/airplane wings), and hand washing.
Continue to reference the Student Symptom Decision Tree when your child is ill.
Please do the following every day:
Pack at least one extra mask.
Pack a water bottle.
Pack a beach towel for lunch picnicking and outdoor learning opportunities.
Every student will have access to a free Grab-N-Go Lunch that they may eat that same day. Grab-N-Go breakfasts will be available at the end of the day at dismissal for the next day.
If your child is eating lunch from home, have it packed and ready that morning. No visitors (including parents) on campus.
Throughout our planning three components have been at the forefront:
Support students’ social-emotional well being.
Be responsive to students’ academic needs.
Adhere to CDC and CDPH guidelines.
Social-Emotional Learning has always been our top priority, but even more so this past year. Throughout this transition our focus has been to:
Develop clear behavior expectations supported with many positive reinforcements.
Build our scholarly stamina.
Create our classroom communities.
Our full-day instruction will allow us to respond to students’ academic needs differently compared to our hybrid instructional model. Some highlights include:
Continue with targeted ELA and Math instruction while adding in more science, social science, and enrichment activities.
Provide opportunities for small group instruction.
Transition at-home learning activities back to the school day.
Lead Science, Music, and PE classes in-person.
Provide small group intervention support in-person.
Conduct SAI, Speech, and other IEP services in-person.
During all of this we are adhering to the CDC and CDPH Guidelines. Safety protocols and mitigating measures are still in place including:
Active screening for staff.
Passive screening for students.
Masks will be worn at all times, unless eating or drinking.
Daily disinfecting.
Maximize social distancing to the greatest extent possible, but no less than 3 feet.
Contact trace in the event of a positive case.
There have been a few updates to our current guidelines:
Classroom furniture has been arranged to maximize social distancing to the greatest extent possible, but no less than 3 feet.
Schedules and procedures are designed to maintain stable groups. A stable group is defined as a grade level. Every effort will be made to keep students within their grade level stable group during recess, lunch, and small group instruction. Special Education services might combine students across grade levels, based on IEP goals and needs.
If individual materials are not available, students may share as long as they wash/sanitize their hands before and after use.
The Cohort A/B schedule continues on April 19 and April 20.
Beginning April 21, our bell schedule for grades K-6 will be:
8:00 to 8:15 a.m. Arrival
3:00 p.m. Dismissal (M, T, TH, F)
1:20 p.m. Dismissal (Wednesday)
Recess Schedule:
10:00 to 10:20 a.m.: Kindergarten
10:20 to 10:40 a.m.: Grades 1-3
10:40 to 11:00 a.m.: Grades 4-6
Lunch Schedule:
M, T, TH, F
12:05 to 12:45 p.m.: Kindergarten
11:50 to 12:30 p.m.: Grades 1 and 2
12:20 to 1:00 p.m.: Grades 3 and 4
12:50 to 1:30 p.m.: Grades 5 and 6
Wednesday
11:50 to 12:30 p.m.: Kindergarten
11:35 to 12:15 p.m.: Grades 1 and 2
12:05 to 12:45 p.m.: Grades 3 and 4
12:35 to 1:15 p.m.: Grades 5 and 6
Masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizer/washing will continue to be required at all times, except when students are eating and drinking.
Arrival procedures will remain the same.
Gate assignments are the same.
- GATE 1: Last names beginning with A-L
- GATE 2: Last names beginning with M-Z
- GATE 3: Kinders, Kinder Siblings, any walkers/bikers
All parents/guardians will remain in their cars. Including Kindergarten.
Students may exit their cars at 8:00 a.m.
All students will walk to their classrooms and should be at their desks by 8:15 a.m.
Classrooms have been arranged with multiple protective measures for students and staff.
Students are seated with 6 feet distancing when possible, but no less than 3 feet.
Specialist Classes: Science, Music, P.E. - We are SO excited for NO more Zoom Specialists classes!!!
Students will receive instruction within the specialist’s classroom/outdoor space.
Students will be separated from one another with 6 feet distancing when possible, but no less than 3 feet from person to person.
Cleaning will be conducted in between classes.
Recess - We are incredibly grateful for our large campus property.
The fields, playground, and blacktop spaces have been divided into three zones: Integrity, Leadership, and Responsibility.
Grade levels will be assigned a zone each week. Suggested activities and appropriate equipment will be provided for each zone for students to participate in a safe, socially distanced manner.
Supervision for each zone will be provided to support and reinforce recess expectations.
A video with students demonstrating our new recess procedures is available here.
Lunch
Kindergarteners will eat and play within their gated playground space.
Grades 1-6 lunch schedules have been modified so that we have three lunch periods (grades 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6).
Only 3 students will sit at one table at a time.
Students will be 6 feet apart from another at the same table and from table to table.
Only two grade levels will be eating at a time.
Students will eat at the tables and we will also have “picnickers” spread around the planters, steps, and sidewalk stage outside the MPR.
Students with extreme food allergies will have a designated picnic area to eat with fellow peers to ensure their safety.
A video with students demonstrating our new lunch procedures is available here.
Dismissal
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday dismissal is 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday’s dismissal is 1:20 p.m.
Gate assignments remain the same.
- GATE 1: Last names beginning with A-L
- GATE 2: Last names beginning with M-Z
- GATE 3: Kinders, Kinder Siblings, any walkers/bikers
All parents (Kindergarten included) remain within their cars.
Student names should be displayed in windshields.
Staff will use bullhorns to call students to their cars, similar to previous years, but with social distancing.
Be patient. Pay attention. Follow parking lot and traffic laws.
A video with students demonstrating our dismissal procedures is available here.
Thank you for your continued support and trust.
Arrival and Dismissal Gate Assignments
Recess Zone Assignments: Integrity, Leadership, Responsibility
Davis Ducks are KIND Ducks!
We had a very successful and fun Kindness Week! Since our schedule was changed to remote learning on Friday, April 9, Kindness Week will officially wrap up on Friday, April 23. “Be Groovy, Be Kind” will be our theme on the 23rd with everyone encouraged to wear tie-dye. Students will also participate in a fun and inspirational virtual Kindness Assembly with a special guest speaker.
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of meeting with our PAL student leaders, teacher mentors, and leaders from Inside the Outdoors to reveal how much money we will donate to their wonderful organization.
Drum roll please……. Congratulations, Davis Ducks, you raised a record amount through kindness grams with a grand total of $2,464!!! Amazing job!!! There were tears of joy during our meeting and heartfelt gratitude for the efforts of students, staff, and families. Thank you for supporting an amazing organization and spreading kindness through our community.
PAL Meeting with Inside the Outdoors
Congratulations! Lunch Bunch Award Winners!
Please join us in congratulating the following students in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade who were selected by their teachers as the recipients for the Trimester 2 Lunch Bunch Award. Every teacher had the difficult task to select two students who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating our Five Core Values, along with integrity, responsibility, and leadership. Students attended a special Zoom Lunch, received a Lunch Bunch Certificate, along with a gift certificate to Miguel’s Jr. Congratulations to all "Lunch Bunch" Award winners! We are proud of you!
Upcoming NMUSD Summer Sessions
Information was sent out last week about the upcoming NMUSD Summer Sessions. More information on how to apply or register for each program will be available in coming weeks. Information will be posted on the NMUSD Summer Programs page.
Additionally, the Special Education department offers an Extended School Year Program for qualified students For more information please visit the NMUSD Special Education page.
Parent Organizations' Updates
We are grateful for the strong, positive support from our parent community. If you are not already involved, I encourage you to find a way that meets your availability to connect with one, or all, of our parent organizations. Thank you SO much to the parent leaders who are already involved and contributing to our community.
Foundation:
- We have two great Foundation sponsored events coming up with our 1st ever Davis Golf Day and our online virtual auction. I hope you will get involved and show your support for our school. I encourage you to visit their website to learn how you can make a difference and get involved. Thank you for your continued support of our school.
PTA
- Spirit Wear Pop-Up Shop! Mark your calendars for Saturday 17th - 10am-Noon. Come get your spirit wear before the kids go back full-time! We will be selling Davis kids and adult shirts, kids long-sleeve shirts, water bottles and more! Cash, Check and Credit Cards accepted. Meet us in the Davis old Kinderloop (Gate 2) off Arlington next to the main gate, look for the Davis EZ-Ups!
- Our PTA is an amazing partner in supporting our students and staff. They typically do a lot for our school and it's a great way to stay connected. If you haven’t already, join the PTA here!
School Site Council:
- We met as a committee on March 30 to review our school's Comprehensive School Safety Plan. Our next meeting is May 11. Thank you to our parents and staff for serving on this important committee.
English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC)
- ELAC is an opportunity for parents of our English Language Learners to collaborate, advise, and learn about topics pertaining uniquely to the needs of parents of English Learners.
Stay Connected
Catch a glimpse of what's going on around campus by staying connected.
Follow us on social media:
Rainy Day Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Our procedures are slightly modified for our Kindergarten and Preschool students at GATE 3.
Your patience, cooperation, and preparation are all greatly appreciated to ensure we maintain our safe and efficient procedures.
IF it is raining during our arrival and dismissal, the following procedures will be implemented:
ALL procedures will remain the same for GATES 1 and 2.
GATE 3 will be unlocked and open during assigned arrival and dismissal times.
Kinder Parents/Guardians will walk their children directly to/from the Kindergarten gate. Parents/Guardians will NOT be allowed in the classrooms.
Preschool Parents/Guardians will walk their children directly to/from the preschool classroom doors. Parents/Guardians will NOT be allowed in the classrooms.
Masks are REQUIRED for anyone on our campus.
Social Distancing is REQUIRED.
Siblings will meet Kinder siblings and parents on the Kinder ramp.
Students walking or riding their bikes from Gate 3 will still be allowed to enter/exit on their own.
Preschool bus riders will continue to be escorted to and from the bus by classroom staff.
If a student is late to arrive or late to be picked up, please plan on using GATE 1.
We believe this is the safest and most efficient way to get our students to and from their classrooms when it is raining. We appreciate your help and cooperation with these procedures.
Please contact your child’s teacher or the front office with any questions.
Parent and Family Resources
This month’s #BuildingResilience Social-Emotional Learning focus is Building Community, that highlights different ways to stay connected during these unique times. An additional section of the website is dedicated to Social-Emotional Resources that are organized by topic and range from Anxiety and Stress Management to Conflict Resolution to Social Skills and much more. Another available resource is the NMUSD SAIL (Social-Emotional Assistance, Intervention, and Learning) Newsletter.
COVID Family Resources
Recently I have received some questions from parents about how to talk to their children about COVID. It can be challenging navigating those conversations, no matter the child's age. I'm including a few resources that were provided by NMUSD Behavior Specialist, Amy Becker, to help guide those conversations.
Communicating with your Child about Coronavirus
Sesame Street - Caring for Each Other
Care Solace Mental Health Services
NMUSD has partnered with Care Solace to support our community's mental health. NMUSD students, staff members, and their families can use Care Solace to quickly find verified mental health, behavioral health, and substance use treatment options matched to their needs regardless of circumstances or insurance coverage.
Care Solace's team is available 24/7 and can support you in any language. Information is attached or you may visit https://caresolace.com/site/nmusd/ for more details.
Student Achievement Partners is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving student achievement. As mentioned on their website, “Our central priority is to significantly impact literacy and mathematics outcomes for K-12 students nationally, with a particular focus on accelerating academic progress for students who face barriers of racism or poverty. We serve as an advisor to educators around the nation as they align content and instruction to academic standards in literacy and mathematics.” Student Achievement Partners collaborated with Seek Common Ground to create grade level specific Family Guides. The purpose of the Family Guides is to help families prioritize their student’s learning with various activities and resources. The guides are currently available in both English and Spanish for grades K-5, with 6th grade coming soon. This is a wonderful resource to reference as a follow-up for our first trimester report cards.
Health and Safety Reminders
Your communication, questions, and erring on the side of caution, when in doubt have helped all of us. We have to remain vigilant and collaborative in our efforts. Please continue to reference the symptom decision tree if there are any questions about your child’s health or that of a family member. If there are any concerns about a possible exposure or you are awaiting COVID test results, please keep your child home and give us a call to walk through the process. We understand there is a lot of information and the process can be overwhelming. The health office and I are here to help answer questions. Give us a call or email Nurse Scott at ascott@nmusd.us or myself (cflores@nmusd.us) with questions or concerns.
Thank you for your help in consistently reviewing these procedures and expectations with your children. We are continuing to review as a staff, and with our students. Your support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
Cloth masks are required to be worn by all children and adults while on campus. The mask should hook around the ears and must cover the nose and mouth.
Proper hygiene consists of washing our hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is available and utilized across our campus.
Practice social distancing in the hallways, classrooms, and bathrooms.
Stay home when feeling sick or displaying symptoms. Please continue to reference the Student Symptom Decision Tree.
Communicate with our health office with any questions or concerns. Nurse Audrey Scott may be reached at ascott@nmusd.us and our Health Assistant may be contacted at gcastillo@nmusd.us. Feel free to call our front office at 714-424-7930, in which they may transfer you to our health office. Don’t forget to call our attendance line at 714-424-4762 if your child is absent for any reason.
All details may be found on our website.
In addition to health and safety procedures, please remember the importance of parking lot safety procedures. Our new procedures have been running smoothly, while keeping everyone safe and distant. Please help us maintain our safe and efficient procedures by doing the following:
Hands-free phone use only.
Pay attention.
Move forward.
Adults are to stay in their car.
Drive slowly.
Be patient.
Our school operations have been smooth, successful, and safe. We appreciate your cooperation so that we can continue to operate in this same manner.
NMUSD COVID-19 Dashboard Information
Information will continued to be shared about the NMUSD COVID-19 Dashboard. The Dashboard lists all the school sites in NMUSD and shows the total school population (students + staff and teachers). In addition, it includes the number of COVID-19 positive cases identified in the past 14 days, as well as the percentage of the school population that the positive cases represent. The Dashboard is updated daily.
In the event of a positive case in our school, as appropriate and under the direction of the OCHCA, the school nurse, myself, or District staff will notify any staff or students who are considered to be a close contact (less than 6 feet apart for more than 15 minutes) with a COVID-19 positive person.
Each case is unique and in some cases, while uncommon, notification to low risk contacts MAY be necessary, based on the direction from the OCHCA. If you do not receive notification regarding a COVID-19 case, we do not believe your child has been exposed. Due to privacy laws, we cannot provide names or any other information about the people who test positive or those who have been in close contact. Please see page 18-21 of the NMUSD School Reopening Plan for additional information.
I am including the information shared during last week's issue of the Davis Download as a reminder of our procedures.
- If there is a positive case with a Davis student or staff member, will we be notified? If the case involves your student, you will be notified. Our protocol does not include notifying the entire school community.
- How do you decide who to notify and when to do it? We work with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). When we receive notification of a positive result, we immediately provide OCHCA detailed information about the case. After we provide OCHCA with information, their experts determine who, if anyone, is considered to have been in close contact with the individual with the positive result. Anyone in close contact is considered high risk. Anyone not in close contact is considered low risk. The information an individual receives may be dependent on their risk level (high or low). Their experts provide us with letters, detailing the risk and next steps needed, to send to affected families and/or staff members.
- What determines close contact? Per the CDC, close contact is 15 or more minutes spent closer than 6' from the individual with a positive test result.
- If my student has been in close contact with a person who has tested positive OR I believe my student may have COVID-19, what is the protocol? Parents/Guardians need to immediately contact our School Nurse, Audrey Scott (ascott@nmusd.us) or me (cflores@nmusd.us). The student will need to stay home. I will notify the appropriate departments and agencies to determine next steps. Nurse Scott will connect with the family and be the main point of contact. Nurse Scott will also monitor the student until the student is able to return to school. ALL student information in this process is kept confidential.
Our ventilation systems, Plexiglas barriers, site cleaning procedures, and current practices around distancing, hand washing, and face coverings are all designed to create the safest learning environment possible. We are extremely grateful for our parent community who keep students home if they have a hint of possible COVID symptoms and who communicate if there's a potential for COVID in the home. Our teachers and staff members support our efforts by engaging in daily passive and active screenings and stay home if there’s any trace of a symptom that might be COVID-related. We are making this work because we are working together.
As we move through the next few months of colder weather, let’s continue to look out for one another by remaining both vigilant and communicative. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Davis Magnet School
Email: cflores@nmusd.us
Website: https://davismagnet.nmusd.us/
Location: 1050 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Phone: 714-424-7930
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisMagnetSchoolDucks/
Twitter: @DavisMagnet