South Davis Shines

Hello South Davis Families.

I say this every year, but the time changes each fall and spring create a bit of chaos for me. Springing ahead this weekend has had a lasting impact. Bedtime routines are out of sync, and sleep is not back on track, yet. It's hard to learn and be a good friend when we aren't rested and at our best. Hopefully by the end of the week we'll all be back to normal.

In this edition of South Davis SHINEs, there are a few "second helpings" as well as new information about upcoming events for our community.

Thank you to all of the children and families who are collecting their spare change to help the PTO provide a book to all students here as part of the author visit this Spring. Each day the "monsters" are getting more full!

Have a great week!

Mr. Dolce

#WeAreSouthDavis

Holi is a Hindu festival celebrating the start of spring, which is the season of hope and new beginnings. Often referred to as the “Festival of Colors,” Holi is celebrated around the world and is recognized as a national holiday in some countries with significant Hindu populations. It has religious and cultural meaning, much like Christmas or Easter, but can also be celebrated secularly, much like Christmas or Easter. Celebrations began last Wednesday, March 4.

Two books that may be used to teach about Holi are pictured here, and the two links offer more information about Holi.

https://www.hinduamerican.org/holi https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/pages/article/holi

The latest resources and ideas from the OT & PT teachers are available now! Click the image to open the newsletter, then click on the pictures of the resources you are interested in.

1. Rough & Tumble Play Ideas

2. Fine Motor & Letter Practice

3. Gross Motor Activity Ideas Using Paper

4. 10 Days to Conquer the Monkey Bars

5. Heavy Work Ideas for School

6. Building Core Strength

Monday, March 16 - Project Know - 5th Grade Boys, 7:00 in MS Aud

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 15-15 - Grades 3-5 NYS ELA Assessments

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)

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.

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!

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

The Second Ramadan Youth Art Contest 2026, organized in conjunction with the Eid Festival hosted by APAPA Buffalo-Niagara at the Buffalo History Museum on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 PM.

This year’s theme is: “Ramadan in our Buffalo–Niagara community: How do you experience Ramadan with your community?”

All participants will receive certificates, and selected artwork will be exhibited at the Eid Festival. The submission deadline is Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Please find details for the contest in the attached flyer and Contest Guidelines link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BdTXVvLXNnm3nHkkQCfu6Tji74sbHG_o/view?usp=drive_link