The Flores Flyer
May 5, 2022 Volume 5, Issue 9
Principal's Post
Dear Davis Ducks,
On behalf of the teachers and staff, thank you so much for your incredible generosity this week during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. Your thoughtfulness and support have provided our staff with great JOY. Thank you to the PTA for organizing the daily events and to all the families for the flowers, cards, supplies, gifts, lunches, and treats. We are fortunate for you. Thank you!
On Wednesday, May 4th, I had the pleasure of attending a celebration dinner honoring teachers across Newport-Mesa Unified School District. The Teacher of the Year for each school site was recognized, along with awarding thousands of dollars in grants. Davis Magnet School historically has a strong representation at this annual event and this year was no exception. Twelve Davis teachers received grants, the highest number at any school site. Congratulations to the following grant recipients:
- Kelli Adams
- Summer Conway
- Shiloh Robinson
- Sarah Limongelli
- Robyn Reese
- Julpha Dormitorio
- Rose Steiner
- Mindy Lemoine
- Cynthia Almedia
- Lori’ Shepler - recipient of two grants!
- Doreen Ross
- Angela Ivey
Thank you, grant recipients, for the time you spent writing the grants to enrich and support the education of our students.
Additionally, it was a well-deserved recognition of 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Danahy, the 2022 Davis Magnet School Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Danahy is a talented and dedicated teacher who goes above and beyond to support her students academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Her creativity, passion, and love for educating the whole child is seen in and out of the classroom. Mrs. Danahy’s dedication extends beyond her classroom, as she also serves in roles supporting the growth of all Davis Ducks. Her involvement in our PBIS team and as a PAL Advisor have made a long lasting positive impact across our community. We are incredibly grateful for Mrs. Danahy’s dedication, hard work, and service to ensuring all students thrive. When you see Mrs. Danahy, please join us in expressing gratitude and joy for Mrs. Danahy as she gives us enormous #davisduckspride!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Flores,
Principal
#davisduckspride
#ShareJoy
Congratulations Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Danahy!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health refers to our emotional and social well-being. It impacts how we think, feel, and behave. Mental health plays a role in connecting with others, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of our daily lives. The past two years have escalated the need for mental health support as anxiety, depression, and stress have intensified for people of all ages. At Davis Magnet School, we have spent significant time focusing on mental health and wellness through professional development for staff, educational opportunities for parents, along with providing resources and support for students and adults.
We are grateful for the mental health resources available in our district. My hope is that the many resources listed below provide support and education for our families. Please reach out to our team if there are questions, concerns, or if we can provide assistance for your child(ren) or family as we are firm believers that mental health matters.
Click on picture to access the NMUSD Monthly Mental Health & Wellness Digest
State Testing Schedule
The annual state testing has resumed across the State of California which means that all elementary students in grades 3-6 will take the California Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Test. This is an opportunity for students across the state of California to demonstrate what they have learned. While we want our students to take this assessment seriously, we also work very hard to keep it in perspective with our students by not adding any extra stress, anxiety or pressure.
My message to students, staff, and families remain the same on state testing days as they do on any other day. Follow our Core Value of Do your very best and you will do great. Do your very best on the state test, or any test, means that students take their time, read carefully, check their work, and show off what they know by explaining their thinking. I am SO proud of our students for their character and the hard work they demonstrate daily.
Parents or visitors are NOT allowed within the 3rd-6th grade classrooms from 8:15 to 10:40 a.m. during testing sessions. Additionally, our campus will be silent during these testing windows. Any parents volunteering on campus to support K-2 classrooms please be mindful of our testing schedule and classroom test sessions. There will be zero interruptions to the classroom environments during the testing periods. Any messages will be delivered at a later time.
The 2022 SBAC Testing Schedule is listed below. It is critical that students are at school and on time during these testing windows. Make-up tests make it more challenging on the student.
May 10-12: Grades 3-6 ELA
May 17-19: Grades 3-6 Math
May 24-25: Grade 5 Science
Students will be using their district-issued chromebook to complete the tests each day. Students will answer multiple choice questions, along with constructive response questions in both English Language Arts and Math. It is important that every student charges their chromebook the night before. Additionally, every student will need headphones or earbuds to complete the tests. If your child does not have their own, please contact your child’s teacher immediately and we will provide headphones.
Below are suggestions for parents to best support their children's efforts:
The night before:
- Charge chromebook
- Get a good night’s sleep by going to bed at a reasonable hour.
- Resolve immediate arguments before going to bed.
- Keep your routine as normal as possible.
- Mention the test to show you’re interested, but don’t dwell on it.
- Plan ahead to avoid conflicts on the morning of the test.
The morning of the test:
- Pack chromebook in backpack.
- Get up early to avoid rushing. Students need to be on time as testing starts first thing in the morning.
- Students should eat a healthy breakfast.
- Wear comfortable clothes that do not cause distractions.
- Be positive about the test. Acknowledge that tests can be hard. Explain that doing your best is what counts. The important thing is to make your child comfortable and confident about the test
After the test:
- Talk to your child about his or her feelings about the test.
- Acknowledge the effort a long test requires.
- Discuss what was easy and what was hard; discuss what your child learned from the test.
- Explain that performance on a test is not a condition for you to love your child.
- Tell your child, “I love you and I’m proud of you.”
- While these are recommendations for testing days, the hope is that these practices are occurring every day, not just testing days.
If you have any questions about state testing, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or myself. Thank you for your continued support in your child’s education and I am confident that our students will perform well.
A Roaring Good Time!
Thank you to the many families across our community who have donated auction items or created class baskets. We are grateful for your time and support.
None of this would be possible if it weren't for the dedicated parents who have volunteered countless hours and energy to organize this large event in an effort to support our school. I am grateful for our board that includes the following Davis parents:
Alex Tiquia
Andy Pang
Becca Freeland
Taylor Uffleman
Eyvette Hibbard
Bryan Chin
Babette Campbell
Rianne Beck
Kristen Harris
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for your passion and dedication to Davis Magnet School.
Good news! The silent auction is open to bidding! Check out the many amazing items and if nothing catches your eye, I hope you will consider donating.
The Silent Auction will close at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. Even if you can't attend, you may still bid and/or donate to make a difference at our school.
Upcoming Events
It is hard to believe that we only have five weeks remaining in this school year. Thank you for your continued support and involvement. We have many upcoming events to celebrate the amazing people that make our community special, as well as, provide opportunities for students to thrive.
Open House is June 1
The In'N'Out truck is returning for our annual event! Presale ticket information will be shared soon, but we hope to see you and your family the evening of Wednesday, June 1.
Band and Choir will perform between 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. and the Kindergarten through 6th grade classrooms will be open from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Preschool classrooms will be open earlier in the afternoon/evening.
We are thrilled to welcome back our families to our campus and into the classrooms for this celebratory event.
Friday Flag Deck Schedule - Please join us Friday morning at 8:15 to celebrate and honor the many amazing people within our community.
May 6 - Teacher of the Year and Teacher Grant Recipient Recognition
May 13 - SPED Staff Recognition - All SPED staff who support PreK-6th Grade students
May 20 - May Shout Out Awards
May 27 - Mahalo Mary - Hawaiian Shirt/Theme
June 3 - June Shout Awards and End-of-the Year Awards
June 10 - 6th Grade Human Tunnel
In an effort to provide opportunities for all of our students to sing and share what they have learned in music class, we have planned additional morning flag deck events on the following dates. The Flag Deck events will consist of daily birthdays, brief announcements, Pledge of Allegiance, and concluding with the assigned grade level singing 2-3 songs on the blacktop at Flag Deck. Parents and family members are welcomed to join and are asked to follow the same procedures during our Friday Flag Deck events.
Additional Flag Deck Events on the Blacktop:
Thursday, May 26 – Band and Choir perform
Tuesday, May 31 – Grades K & 1 Sing
Wednesday, June 1 – Grades 2 & 3 Sing
Thursday, June 2 – Grades 4 & 5 Sing
6th Grade will sing during their promotion on Friday, June 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Mahalo Mary
Our dedicated Office Assistant will be retiring after twenty years in Newport-Mesa Unified School District. We understand that Mary has had a positive impact on many students, staff, and families over the years, so we have created a variety of opportunities to express gratitude and JOY for her service. Please feel free to participate in as many or as few of these events as you wish as we say, “Mahalo Mary!”
New Parent Orientation Meeting
Four years ago I began hosting a “New Parent Orientation” Meeting welcoming our newest families to our school. During the meeting I share information about our school including philosophy, daily logistics, suggestions to prepare for the school year, along with answering any questions new parents might have before their child begins school at Davis. I have missed the opportunity to host this meeting in our MPR the past two years and am looking forward to bringing it back on Thursday, May 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in our MPR. Thank you, in advance, to my newest Davis Ducks for joining me to learn all about this wonderful community you are about to join. For more information or if you have questions, please contact our front office at 714-424-7930.
Celebration of Life
Davis community members are invited to join fellow Davis family, the Lockes, to celebrate the life of Kieran Patrick Locke on Sunday, June 5. Details are included on the picture shown below. Children are welcome (and encouraged) to attend. Please RSVP via email to: Dustinmalek@yahoo.com.
You are welcome to our Friday Flag Deck Events!
Our first community flag deck in almost two years was a huge success on February 4! Thank you to everyone who attended and for your cooperation.
For those of you who have attended flag deck in previous years, you will notice some similarities and some differences. Our students, from PreK to 6th grades, are prepared and have done an amazing job at demonstrating independence as Davis scholars. We ask that you help to continue to reinforce that independence by allowing them to keep their morning routine each Friday by allowing our students to walk to their classrooms on their own, and you, as our Very Important Parents (VIPs), enjoy your new Friday morning procedures socializing with fellow Davis VIPs.
Beginning Friday, February 4th, parents and family members are welcome to attend our morning flag deck by following these procedures.
7:50 a.m.: Students eating breakfast on campus enter Gate 1 and follow their typical procedures.
8:00 to 8:15 a.m.: Students enter Gates 1, 2, and 3 and will walk to their classrooms on their own. Students follow their typical morning procedures, which includes students in Kindergarten and Ms. Diaz’s room lining up in their normal lines.
Parents and family members may park in our front parking lot, TeWinkle Park baseball/softball parking lots, or in the Presidio neighborhood. NO blacktop parking will be available at this time.
Beginning at 8:00 a.m. parents may enter at Gate 3 or the YMCA gate at our front lot and walk to the VIP section of the black top.
Parents and family members will participate from the VIP section, while students will remain in their class lines on the black top.
At the conclusion of flag deck, students will return to their classrooms with their teachers and parents will exit at Gate 3 and the YMCA gate.
This is an outdoor event, so masks are optional for all attendees.
The map shown below outlines the location of each grade level. This way parents have an idea of where their child(ren) will be sitting, but also to give you an opportunity to connect with other parents in that grade level. We look forward to seeing you each Friday!
Focus of the Month: Science, Music, and PE
Science Update
May is a great time for students in the Science Lab and is filled with fun engineering activities for students to engage in. From launching balloon rockets in Kindergarten to engineering Solar Ovens in 6th Grade! Students will be focusing on the Engineering and Design Process where they will be working in cooperative groups to ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve their designs.
Music Update
K/1 – The Kinder and first grade classes have been working on their patriotic songs of the month, steady beat practice, various unpitched percussion instruments (Rhythm Sticks, Egg Shakers, Djembe’s, Wood Blocks), and getting ready for a special flag deck performance at the end of May.
2/3 – The 2nd and third grade classes have been working on their patriotic songs of the month, rhythm practice, various unpitched and pitched percussion instruments (Boom Whackers, Rainbow Glockenspiels), , and also getting ready for their special flag deck performance at the end of May.
4/5 – the fourth and fifth grade students have been working on their patriotic songs of the month, rhythm exercises to build music reading literacy, various unpitched/pitched percussion instruments, Ukulele, and getting ready to sing together at a special flag deck at the beginning of June.
6 – Sixth grade students have been working on their patriotic songs of the month, advanced rhythm exercises to build music reading literacy, various unpitched/pitched percussion instruments, Ukulele, and getting ready to sing together at their promotion ceremony on June 10th.
Choir – The Choir performed beautifully at the Costa Mesa Zone Concert on April 27th. They will be performing at Open House and at a Special Flag Deck at the end of May
Band – The Band performed at the Costa Mesa Zone Concert in March. They are currently getting ready for Open House, Flag Deck, and the Balboa Island Parade! Volunteers and Band Families, please mark your calendar for June 5th!
P.E. Update
In PE, students are closing out the year of various activities with several weeks of Baseball. Nothing says ‘Hello, spring and summer’ like baseball games. We have some great light bats and foam balls that really fly. We are working on batting, catching and pitching in small groups and then some game play will follow.
Congratulations to our April Shout Out Award Winners!
Resources for Families Regarding Recent Events
Resources from OCDE:
Talking to Children about War (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
How to talk to children about war (CHOC)
Resources from SDCOoE:
For All Ages
- Helping Your Students Cope With a Violent World: Edutopia article features strategies for helping children make sense with historical perspective, feel empowered, and inspire them to feel hopeful.
- How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War: Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help you talk to kids of different ages about the toughest topics.
- Talking to Your Kids About War: VeryWell Family explores ways families can speak with young people about war, including tips on sharing information and restricting media coverage.
For Elementary/Middle School Students
- Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children: This article from the American Psychological Association can help adults guide their young children beyond fear and to resilience.
- Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children: The American Psychological Association breaks out tips and strategies for parents and teachers of middle school-aged children.
For Military Families
The San Diego County Office of Education creates and curates resources to support military families and students and schools that serve military children.
Davis Band and Choir
You all give us great #davisduckspride!
Parent Organizations Update
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.
PTA:
Our PTA brings us SO much JOY in everything that they do to support our students, teachers, and community.
- Amazon! Amazon will let you choose a charity group to support –select “Davis PTA”. Then shop like normal! Amazon will donate a % back to Davis on any items purchased through ‘Amazon Smile’ that are marked ‘eligible for donation’. Easy way to help support Davis while online shopping with Amazon! Know of an avid Amazon shopper? Let them know too, every penny raised supports Davis Magnet School.
- Ralph’s: Register your Ralphs Reward Card # at Ralphs.com, under ‘Community Rewards’ and then select Davis PTA as your charity! Then grocery shop and ‘swipe your rewards card/enter your phone number for rewards’ like normal! You will still earn personal rewards from Ralphs, plus Davis will earn 1% back on all purchases!
Foundation:
The Davis Magnet School Education Foundation provides important financial support for our students and staff. We have lofty goals for the 2021-22 school year. If you are in a position to contribute to their efforts, please visit their website to learn how you can make a difference or donate through the QR code found on this flyer.
School Site Council:
We have a wonderful group of parents, teachers, and staff who serve on our School Site Council. We recently had our first meeting that included a long list of updates on how we are supporting our students. I appreciate our SSC members' time and ongoing support. I look forward to collaborating with them this year.
English Language Advisory Council (ELAC)
Our ELAC meets throughout the year to discuss supports and resources for our English Language Learners. Meeting dates for the year are scheduled for:
November 10,
January 13
March 8
May 25
Meetings will be 8:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Daily Flag Deck Videos are available here.
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