Davis Elementary School
April 2018 Newsletter
From The Principal
Dear Families,
Happy Spring! I cannot believe we welcomed Spring with a Nor’easter! Despite the unpredictable weather, it has been a very busy month at Davis! To recap, we kicked off the month with our annual Read Across America tribute to Dr. Seuss. The students enjoyed the mystery readers, the opportunity to visit and read with buddy classes and our school-wide favorite, “pajama day.”
Our Annual Science Fair was held on March 16th and it was a huge success. We thank our budding scientists and Davis families for their support. The experiments were well thought out and each scientist did a great job of explaining each step and the outcomes. They used results to make predictions about what may happen and they were able to answer questions in a methodical manner. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event successful. In addition, we held our March Madness basketball tourney on March 24rd and as always it was a lot of fun. The boys and girls enjoy the opportunity to compete against classmates and our sister schools. March Madness is definitely a community favorite!
As a reminder, students in Grades 3, 4 and 5 will again have the opportunity to “show what they know” on the upcoming PSSA’s. The testing window is as follows ELA (April 11th-April 13th), Mathematics (April 17th-April 18th), and Grade 4 Science (April 24th - April 25th). As discussed previously, the PSSA is but one academic performance measure among many assessments that happen at Davis. The faculty and staff prepare our students for all meaningful academic measures from September through June by relying on our high-quality curriculum while using superior instructional practices. During this testing window, please be sure to support your students by having them arrive to school on time each morning, having had a good, nutritious breakfast, and well-rested from the night before. We thank you in advance for your continued support as our students excel during our PSSA testing!
This year has been, and continues to be successful due to the collective effort of everyone. We wish each of you a warm Spring filled with family and fun!
Mrs. Coles & Dr. Devitt
From The Nurse
The Power of Laughter
Happy April Fool’s Day! A good sense of humor can't cure all ailments, but data is mounting about the positive things laughter can do. Here are some ways laughter keeps you healthy:
- Laughter relaxes the body. It can relieve physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
- Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
- Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
- Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems
All students in Grade 3 should have an updated report of a Dental Health Exam on file. All Kindergarten and New Students to Davis school should have a Physical and Dental form also on file in the nurse office. Notices will be going out again to students who are in need of Physical and Dental forms.
REMEMBER: It is very important that we have current phone numbers for all our students in case of an emergency. Please call the school if you have recently changed your home, work, or cell phone number so we can add that information to your child's emergency card.
Please call or email us with any concerns regarding your child during the school day.
Valerie Breiner, Certified School Nurse.
Sharon Beyer, School Nurse
215-364-5970 ext. 15025.
The Counselor's Corner
April is a busy month for our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students! Hopefully your child is excited about the thought of no homework and chewing gum as they take their PSSA test! However, we know that some children do experience some anxiety. Listed below are a few suggestions if this is the way that your child feels:
● Make sure that your child is eating a healthy diet. Too much sugar or caffeine could increase their anxiety.
● After school encourage them to exercise. If the weather is nice some time outside to run around, ride their bike or play with friends will help them work out their extra energy.
● Make sure your child gets at least 8 hours of sleep. Being overly tired will cause your child to feel worse.
● Teach your child positive self-talk such as “I can do this” or “As long as I do my best, it is OK if I make a mistake”. Your child can come up with something that feels comforting to them.
● Practice with your child some stress relief activities such as taking long, slow deep breathes or squeezing and relaxing their hands.
● Remind your child not to compare themselves to others. There are several different forms of the test. Children are going to be finishing at different times and that is to be expected.
● Also, let your child know they can take as much time as they need. There is no time limit!
● Finally, remind your child to look over the test before they hand it in to make sure that they have answered all questions. This will help them to feel more confident in their work.
Also this month NOVA, will be coming to Davis to do presentations in Grades K-5. Kindergarten, first and second grade will have a demonstration on personal safety. They will learn how to identify unsafe situations, be assertive and find help. Third grade’s presentation is called “This is a Bully Free Classroom”. It is designed to promote team building and empathy in the classroom in order to strengthen the community. The students will also practice ways to be an “upstander” so that they will feel confident if they are ever put in a position where they see a friend is being bullied. Fourth grade will participate in a program called "I Smart", which teaches them how to use the internet safely. In fifth grade the students will participate in a demonstration about gender bullying. An atmosphere of respect is promoted through a discussion of the difference between joking and gender bullying.
In Guidance this month:
Kindergarten will practice using listening skills.
First grade will practice personal space.
Second grade will practice strategies to handle peer pressure.
Third grade has completed team work activities and will be reading a book about accepting others.
Fourth grade is watching a video about handling conflicts that occur in friendships.
Fifth grade will learn about internet safety and social media, the importance of keeping their personal information off-line and only connecting to those people that they truly know and trust.
As always if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to either of our counselors.
Bob Immerman - Grades 3, 4, 5
(215) 364-5970 x 15031
Christi Ward - Grades K, 1, 2
(215) 364-5970 x15030
The Reading Corner
10 Things Parents Can Say To Struggling Readers
When we truly love something, it becomes a visceral experience: we laugh and smile, we feel energetic, optimistic, and time seems to go by quickly. More often than not, we are also compelled to return to the source, hoping to repeat these feelings again. One way to help our kids experience this is by creating what Esmé Raji Codell—author of How to Get Your Child to Love Reading—calls positive and collaborative reading experiences.
Below you’ll find 10 reading prompts for parents: Try using these to initiate conversations and share your own enthusiasm for books.
• “You can stay up as late as you want tonight, as long as you are reading.”
• “I remember you telling me that you read ____________ at school, so I rented the movie. I thought it would be fun to see how the movie and book were different from one another.”
• “Here’s a flashlight and some snacks. I’ve set up a reading fort for you in the closet so you’ll have a private spot to read.”
• “I’ve been saving this present for a rainy day. Here’s a new book; it was my favorite when I was your age.”
• “I know waiting in the doctor’s office is boring. I brought this for you; it’ll make the time fly by.”
• “I get bored when I’m folding laundry. Would you keep me company by reading me something interesting?”
• “Tell me about that book I saw you reading. The cover looked interesting.”
• “This is an interesting book cover. Why do you think that the illustrator chose these colors? Would you have illustrated the main character differently? Can you think of another scene that would have made a great book cover? What made you choose that scene?”
• “I’m really glad you’re reading Big Frank’s Fire Truck. I noticed that the firefighters at the station down the street wash their truck every Thursday morning. Would you be interested in walking there sometime so that we could meet them?
• “I saw you reading Meet George Washington last night. Did you know that one of his wife’s favorite desserts was Shrewsbury cake? I found a recipe in a book at the library and thought we could make it tonight after dinner.”
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
Late Arrivals
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 Alex B, Fabrizio V, Ella R, Madison F, Dalen I, Ryan L, Ryan B, Jasper S, Jacob K, Bridgette C, Luca S, Richard S, Brooke T, Daniel B, Jacob F, Kaitlyn D, Mario F, Brandon L, Arthur G, Bryce G, Danica G, Halie S, Ben W, Megan R, Ashley J, Stephen C, Xavier K, Kloey S, Jerome J, Jay J, Mark Z, Karmella S, Colin L, Ruth N, Gianella V, Tony P,Emma P, Heath M, Petrick P, Max P, Emily V, Emily S, Jocelyn K, Rylee G, Jack L, Elisa G, Margaux K, Jake H. 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.
Inclement Weather
PSSA Testing
English Language Arts PSSA Testing Window
Grades 3, 4, 5
April 11-13
Math PSSA Testing Window
Grades 3, 4, 5
April 17-18
PSSA Science Testing Window
Grade 4
April 24-25
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.
Kindergarten Registration
We encourage you to register your child as soon as possible so you can receive important information about orientation and upcoming events.
Call today to schedule an apointment at 215-441-6000, Ext. 11046.
Visit our website for more details at http://www.centennialsd.org
or email Carolyn Cabello at cabeca@centennialsd.org for more information.
Teacher's Corner - Kindergarten
Teacher's Corner - Ms. Mahan
We had a wonderful time at the challenge. The students did an amazing job and they made Davis proud! They worked so hard and really impressed the judges with their creations, team building and presentations.
To give you some background about the competition, there is a first round of judging and then the judges converge to discuss the results. The judges then come back for a second look at the teams that received perfect or near perfect scores. Both our teams got a second look and were in the running for an award. Unfortunately, other teams won (the children were quite disappointed), but we talked about how proud they should be that they received a second look and got to represent our school.
Thank you for your support at school and at home! Way to go Davis!!
Teacher's Corner - Mr. Neft - Digital Literacy
There has been much excitement in C-27 recently. The 3-D printer has been humming most everyday. For awhile it was just printing the Dolphin keychains for the school store to sell (limited edition orange to be available soon), but now the 5th graders have been using Tinkercad to create their own designs that are being put on showcase outside the first floor wing. Not surprisingly, the eagles have been a popular theme.
Additionally, we have a new arrival in Digital Literacy with much thanks to our tremendous Home and School. We now have Ozobot Evo Robots! These little machines allow the students to take their coding knowledge gathered from the Hour of Code and now apply it to a physical lesson as they try to earn their Ozobot drivers license by safely programming their Evo through a series of race tracks using Blockly code.
Second grade has been learning about the magic of collaboration of Google Slides, First grade is learning keyboard skills including shift vs. caps lock (and why caps lock is bad). Kindergarten is working on learning letter recognition and key placement.
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 April birthdays were recognized.
Calendar
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dj5TGReV0Oq93OGRSa_McR07F0S-rA9sO5yzIPvNN94/edit?usp=sharing
Davis Elementary School
Website: centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-364-5970