South Davis Shines

Hello South Davis Families.

I know that many families are already looking to sign up for summer camps and programs. Because of the construction happening across the district this summer, there is limited classroom space for our typical summer learning opportunities. As a result, the district will not offer Quaker Camp during this year, as it has in recent years. Extended school year (ESY) services will continue to be offered for eligible students through the Office of Special Education. The ESY program will be hosted at Orchard Park High School. If your child has an IEP, his or her teacher will be contacting you if ESY is appropriate.

Speaking of construction, here are a few pictures of the addition as it is coming together.

Finally, I'd like to remind parents and guardians that one simple way you can reinforce the literacy work happening at school is to encourage and model reading at home. From sharing nursery rhymes to partner reading to setting aside some time for everyone to read, creating an environment that values reading and other literacy activities can help with confidence, skills, and appreciation.

Have a great week!

Mr. Dolce

#WeAreSouthDavis

Wednesday, March 18 - Project Know - 5th Grade Girls, 7:00 in MS Aud

Thursday, March 19 - PTO Meeting, 6:30

Friday, March 20 - No School - Superintendent's Conference Day; PTO Family Fun Night (details below)

April 3-12 - No School - Spring Break

April 15-16 - Grades 3-5 NYS ELA Assessments

Friday, April 24 - Chuck e Cheese PTO Fundraiser

April 29-30 - Grades 3-5 NYS Math Assessments

Tuesday, May 12 - Grade 5 NYS Science Assessment

Wednesday, May 20 - Bike to School (note date change); Panera PTO Fundraiser

Tuesday, June 23 - Anticipated Last Student Day

Orchard Park Recreation Department is hosting a free family event on Saturday, March 21, from 10 AM to Noon at the Orchard Park Community Activity Center.

The Orchard Park Family Solutions Center, located at 75 Bank St., supports district and community families with school-age children by providing direct counseling services to families, hosting parenting classes, and providing resources. The mental health professionals at the Family Solution Center will work with families to promote problem-solving strategies to develop healthy relationships using solution-focused communication.

Check out the latest offerings.

Students will be learning about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) during their upcoming Health & Wellness classes. This lesson is part of a new required awareness initiative and includes a short video for students to watch. There are separate videos for grades K–4 and grade 5. Mrs. Rupp will be showing these videos during Health & Wellness class.

Related to New York State's emphasis on Sudden Cardiac Arrest, staff will be conducting a new Safety Drill later this month. The Cardiac Emergency Response Drill is part of Project Adam and will lead to a Heart Safety Designation for the South Davis and eventually the District.

During the drill, we will make a announcement for the Medical Response Team to report to the scene. Dr. Paul Pietrantone, our Director of Student Service, and Kelsey Habermehl, the District's Medical Director, will be assisting. An ambulance and first responders will also practice their response.

As a reminder, we have two more Lockdown Drills to complete this year. One will take place later this month, and the last one is scheduled for May.

I'm attaching our Frequently Asked Question document about Lockdown Drills for your reference.

There still seems to be confusion as to the process for students not taking the school bus at the end of the day. Please read this carefully.

• Pre-K parents walk their children to and from the school. As a result, they need to park on South Davis Street. At the end of the day, if they are also picking up an older child, they may have to wait a bit longer.
• If you are meeting your child on the sidewalk in front of the school, please mark your child a walker in the Parent Portal.
• If you walked or biked to the building, that's great!
• If you drove - and you are not a Pre-K parent - please be sure to park on the west side of South Davis Street (opposite side from the school), and use the crosswalk to and from the pick up area.
• The curbside pick-up area should not be used for walkers. If you are getting out of your vehicle and you are not a Pre-K parent, please park on the other side of the street, or pull past the middle driveway to keep the pick-up zone clear.

As always, these are in place for the safety of all involved, and to ensure an efficient drop-off and dismissal process.

In case you missed it, here's the March Orchard Park CSD Board Meeting Report. Most importantly it contains the recommended 2026-27 School Budget, which when approved by the Board of Education next month, will be presented to the community for approval in May. Also, the Board adopted the 2026-27 School Calendar.

At the musical performances last month, the South Davis school community raised money for two good causes. Bidding on artwork in the form of the various Finding Nemo characters allowed us to "purchase" a plaque at the Aquarium of Niagara. (If you are going to the Aquarium over break, or anytime, snap a picture in front of it!) The remaining funds was donated to the Music Boosters to help with the South Davis musical next year.

Thanks to Mrs. DeSantis for donating all of the Finding Nemo character string art, and thanks to everyone who supported the effort!

Check it out 👇

Every other year, the Orchard Park CSD (with help from the PTO) provides an amazing experience by inviting a guest author to visit our schools and teach our children about the books they create. This year we are pleased to have Troy Cummings as our guest author this June. He has written over 20 different children's books including the series Notebook of Doom.

This year, PTO wants to help provide a lasting memory for the students of South Davis.

Introducing, Spare Change for Stories. In this optional campaign, from March 2 - April 2, students can bring in spare change that they find and feed a monster of their choice. Monster buckets will be found in the lobby of the school. If we reach our goal of $1,400, every child at South Davis will receive a book by the author that will include a signature!

Pass along the information and ask your kiddos what monster they will feed!

Participation is optional.

OPSEPTSA NEXT MEETING:

Wednesday, March 18

6:30-7:30pm

OPCSD District Offices

2240 Southwestern Blvd, West Seneca

Join or Renew you OPSEPTSA Membership today!!

https://orchardpark.givebacks.com/shop

#specialeducation #advocate #IEP #DyslexiaAwareness #opseptsa

Our remaining meetings this year will be:

4/22/2026

5/20/2026

6/17/2026

Website - https://www.opseptsa.org/

Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/share/16L1zq8TB8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/opseptsa?igsh=dHBhajY5OHpvejJm

Check out this opportunity from STAPCOM to support the Post Prom activities.

Reserve yours by March 31.

Looking for a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate spring in Orchard Park? Join the Orchard Park Recreation & OP Police D.A.R.E. program for their Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Fling at the Community Activity Center!

Proceeds benefit the Orchard Park Police Department D.A.R.E. program.
Spots will fill quickly — register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visit oprec.org.
A great way to celebrate spring while supporting an important community program! 🌸

For the latest updates and great resources from BTPM's Learning and Engagement Team, click here.

Highlights include:

• 15 Children's Books to Celebrate Women's History Month from PBS KIDS for Parents
  This article from PBS KIDS for Parents highlights a curated list of 15 inspiring children’s books that celebrate Women’s History Month by introducing young readers to the impactful stories of historic and modern-day women who’ve shaped the world.
  
  

• St. Patrick’s Day Books from PBS KIDS for Parents

  Let your little leprechauns flip through these green reads while you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
  
  

• Eating Well

• Weather Hunters

• Building a Reader

Also the BTPM PBS KIDS Writers Contest is almost over

The BTPM PBS KIDS Writers Contest fosters children’s creativity by encouraging participants in grades K-3 to write and illustrate stories. This Contest is open to children who reside in all the Western New York counties in our viewing area (Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Allegany, Wyoming Genesee, Orleans), as well as Southern Ontario.

Deadline is March 31.

Click here for more information