South Davis Shines

Hello South Davis Families.

As we get ready to start another school year tomorrow, I want to remind everyone -

To maximize the potential of all students, we are committed to a vision of:

• Promoting equity and inclusion;
• Recognizing and embrace diversity;
• Identifying and removing barriers to ensure access and opportunities

Learning is the key, and it comes about when skilled and passionate people dedicate themselves to that endeavor, with intention and purpose. At South Davis, we are blessed with the kind of people who can facilitate the learning and growth our students deserve.

We can't wait to continue this journey with you and your children!

See you soon.

Mr. Dolce

#WeAreSouthDavis

Building off of the District's Strategic Plan, South Davis is working on putting our Collective Commitments into practice each and every day. As a school, that means that that we are asking these questions and intentionally ensuring these conditions exist:

• All means all
• Everybody is responsible for all
• Where are we (students) now?
• Where do we want to go?
• How are we going to know if we have made it?

These Collective Commitments also has us asking - and acting on - the following questions:

• What do we expect students to learn?
• How will we know when they have learned it?
• How will we respond when they don’t learn?
• How will we respond when they already know it?

Our key area of focus is on literacy; in particular to have more students reading on grade level by the end of this year. We look forward to continuing our partnership with all families to ensure that we achieve this goal.

Please see the map for a slight revision to the plan for dropping off and picking up students.

The turnaround area is at the back of the parking lot: please follow any directions for making the the 180 degree turn to form the queue in the morning and the afternoon.

As you are aware, construction is part of the welcome back this year. For those who may not be aware, South Davis, along with all of the elementary schools in the District, is getting a six-classroom addition. We will also be getting an enlarged parking lot with access from Thorn Avenue, as well as other internal improvements. While the work continues throughout the year, it will not interfere with our school day.

More information and a more comprehensive update will be coming in the weeks ahead.

Please submit notes regarding dismissal for your child. If they will be participating in an after school club, going to the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, or the Rec. Department, or being picked up, notes can be added now to the Parent Portal. Notes do not carry over year to year, so get a head start now.

As you may know, our school learns about how we can be a kind and thoughtful person each and every day. It is part of our efforts to create a space where all students can shine, living out our District's commitment to good character and reaching one's full potential:

S - Show Citizenship

H - Have Gratitude

I - Instill Kindness

N - Nurture Mindfulness

E - Exercise Resilience

This month we'll be learning and practicing how to Show Citizenship. We'll share ideas for you to do at home in the coming weeks.

As shared previously, starting in September, a new New York State law prohibits students from using personal internet-enabled devices (phones, smartwatches, etc.) during the school day anywhere on school grounds, with limited exceptions for medical and IEP or 504 accommodations. This applies to all instructional and non-instructional periods, including homeroom, lunch, recess, passing time and all other activities during the school day.

Please see the attached letter for more details. The District's policy is also attached.

A simple way to support the PTO and the entire South Davis program 👇

Another organization that connects families with the school is the Orchard Park Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association, or OPSETSA. Their meetings take place the following dates:

9/17/2025

10/22/2025

11/19/2025

12/17/2025

1/21/2026

2/25/2026

3/18/2026

4/22/2026

5/20/2026

6/17/2026

More information can be found at http://opseptsa.org/

Fliers will be coming, but just letting everyone know about some learning and networking opportunities for parents this year.

Active Parenting Classes for K-5:

• Fall Dates: Thursdays - Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Winter/Spring Dates: Thursdays - Feb 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26
• Both sessions classes will run 5:30-7:00

Other groups/topics at the Family Solution Center:

• Plans to run parenting groups for 0-4/pre-k and teens (as offered last year)
• Co-parent group will run 1x/month
• Topic specific/1 x --TBD
• Parent Information Series topics- gambling, body image, vaping