South Davis Shines

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Hello South Davis Families.

I hope this edition of South Davis Shines provides you with valuable information about upcoming events and activities, as well as giving you and your children some ideas about how to connect with what's happening here at school.

This month we are Exercising Resilience as part of our development of strong character traits. Resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity, stress, trauma, or significant challenges, rather than being overwhelmed by them. This involves mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility to recover and even grow stronger.

Consider having a conversation as a family about what that really means, and then invite each person to share how they can practice resilience, or an maybe give an example of time when they didn't give up, kept on trying, and accomplished a goal or task.

Here's a link to a list of picture books about Resilience, and here is a simple video explaining resilience.

Have a great week!

#WeAreSouthDavis

Today - Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 at OPMS

Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School

January 20-February 13 - The Great Kindness Challenge

January 20-30 - Universal Screening, K-5

January 23-30 - The Great Kindness Challenge Spirit Week 👇

January 27 - Save the Date! Screening of Finding Nemo at the Aurora Theater and Chipotle Fundraiser 👇

Universal Screening

As part of our District's everyday instructional practices, we conduct Universal Screening assessments. These assessments allow students to demonstrate their skills as readers and mathematicians. We use this literacy and math information to add the picture we have of each student. This allows teachers to design whole group, small group, or individual interventions to address the strengths or weaknesses of their students. It also gives our Academic Intervention team information for targeted support, in addition to what happens in the classroom.

Next week, we will be administering the Winter Universal Screening in grades K-5. This typically takes 1-2 class periods over the course of the screening window. Grade-level teams will then discuss the results and develop instructional plans at meetings later this month and in February.

The Great Kindness Challenge

Coming up later this month is the The Great Kindness Challenge. The Great Kindness Challenge is described as “a global initiative that encourages students, families, and educators to perform acts of kindness to promote respect, unity, and compassion.” At Orchard Park, this message aligns closely with our shared commitment to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for all students.

By participating, our schools are intentionally focusing on the power of everyday kindness. Small actions like including others, offering help, using positive words, and showing empathy can have a big impact on how students feel at school and how they treat one another. These experiences help strengthen relationships, build social emotional skills, and reinforce the values we want our students to carry beyond the classroom.

This year, the Challenge is January 20–February 13, with a district-wide spirit week from January 23–30. Our spirit week is a fun and visible way to bring this purpose to life. Each day serves as a reminder that kindness is something we practice, not just something we talk about.

Attached are some ideas you can consider at home. Together, we look forward to spreading as much kindness as we can throughout our school community and beyond.

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Great Kindness Challenge - Family Activities.pdf

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Finding Nemo Movie Night

The South Davis PTO presents Finding Nemo at the movies. We want to celebrate our fellow students and their hard work so we have contacted our friends at the Aurora Theater in East Aurora, NY. Due to limited seating, we need families to sign up on Sign Up Genius to guarantee their seats.

Doors open at 6 p.m., movie starts at 6:30 p.m. No outdoor food allowed in the theater.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4EAEA92DA1FF2-61309130-finding

Whether it's dinner before or after the movie, the South Davis musical invites you to visit the East Aurora Chipotle restaurant, and help support our show. Use the promo code EXZ89AG at checkout online or in the app, and a portion of the night's sales will benefit our production. Thanks!

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South-Davis-Chipotle-Online-Fundraiser-Instructions.pdf

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Parent Information Series

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.

One of the resources is the Parent Information Series. Next month, the topic is Discussing Nutrition with Students and Student Athletes, which will take place on Tuesday, February 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Orchard Park Middle School Auditorium.

This presentation will be a valuable resource for all adults who work closely with student athletes. Students are also encouraged to attend.

Community Education - Spanish For The Elementary Years

Dear Parents:

Registration is OPEN for the Spanish For The Elementary Years class offered through Orchard Park Community Education for students in grades K-5! Classes are held in our school at dismissal. The unique six-week curriculum features Spanish foundation vocabulary introduced through games, singing and hands-on activities! Returning and new students are welcome to join the Club. New vocabulary and material are introduced in each 6-week session. The program rotates through a 5-year cycle of lesson plans. Registration deadline is Friday, January 23rd. There are only a limited number of spots available in the class. Register on-line under our school at www.TheEnrichmentCompany.com.

Click here for a short informational video about the class - https://youtu.be/eFUWq5xdzbg.

Thank you! We look forward to continuing to work with you and your children!

Lisa Almeter

The Enrichment Company

Safety Reminders

It's very important for everyone's safety - students, parents, and staff - that parents adhere to these procedures at arrival and dismissal.

Stay in your vehicle (except Pre-K parents). We can assist when necessary.
Stay on sidewalks; do not walk in the Front/Bus Loop and do not approach buses
Use the crosswalk to cross South Davis Street, even if you are parked by the dentist or the wood shop
Follow the pick-up procedure - drive into the parking lot, around the back of the lot, and back onto the street. Do not jump the line.
Students should only exit and enter vehicles on the passenger side.
Students should only be dropped off on the street - do not let your child get out of the car in the parking lot. It is a major safety issue, and it disrupts the rest of the process.