Chirp Sheet
Singing the praises of our DCS students and staff 9-15/23
Purchase a T-shirt and support Neurodiversity at DCS
As plans begin to take shape to celebrate Neurodiversity Week April 14-18, 2025, at DCS, you can help support a very important program that pairs neurodivergent students with peer supports during classes and social experiences.
DCS is hosting a T-shirt fundraiser to raise money to support the District's peer-to-peer (LINKS) programs. Items ordered through the online store will be delivered to schools and sent home with students. Deadline for order is February 16. A variety of T-shirts in various colors and tie-dye are available and can be viewed by clicking on this link:
https://hiltonscreenersinc.com/davison_links/shop/home
While LINKS was intermittently implemented about a decade ago, there has been a solid, consistent program in place for at least eight years.
"The LINKS program is a phenomenal peer-to-peer support program that promotes belonging, independence, and enhanced academic opportunities for students with autism and related disabilities," said Mrs. Amy Chorley, the District's Executive Director. "Neurotypical peers provide support to the neurodivergent students in the classroom, as well as during lunch and recess and other social situations. This helps both sets of students develop critical skills. For neurodivergent students, peer support programs aid in building relationships and social skills. And for neurotypical students, they develop empathy, compassion, kindness, and leadership skills."
Mrs. Nicole Illig, the District's MTSS Behavior Coach, said the LINKS program looks a little different at the K-6th and 7-12th grade levels.
"LINKS is an accredited class at both Davison Middle School and Davison High School," Mrs. Illig explained. "Students interested in becoming LINKS fill out applications and submit them to their counselors. Special education staff collaborate on which students may benefit from being paired with a LINK. From there, the counselors work with the LINKS teams to pair students, based on what we know about them and what works with their schedules."
LINKS programs are also offered at Hahn Intermediate, Siple Elementary and Central Elementary.
"At the elementary level, students volunteer to be LINKS to students in their classrooms, or students in our self-contained classrooms," Mrs. Illig said. "All of our LINKS receive training on how to promote kindness and being a good friend. They also learn about neurodiversity and ways to find and build on shared interests with their peers."
There are more than 200 students (LINKS and peers) participating in programs throughout the district. At the elementary level, students participate in LINKS throughout the entire school year. At the middle school and high school levels, the class is offered as a semester-long elective, but students can take up to four semesters if they choose.
Last school year, Davison's LINKS program caught the attention of the Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) Project. Representatives from the Project visited and videotaped our staff and students engaged in peer to peer program activities in order to use for training purposes. START is a statewide training and development grant awarded to Grand Valley State University by the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education, to provide evidence-based training, coaching support and resources to school-based teams in Michigan that support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). To achieve this purpose, START supports several evidence-based practices and initiatives to improve outcomes for students with ASD in schools, including the establishment of high-quality peer to peer support programs.
Now that's a lot of moving (auto) parts
It's a new semester and that means students in the Automotive Technology I classes have their work cut out for them.
This week, students worked on identifying every component needed for an engine to run. According to Miles Luebke, Auto Technician, this is a challenge the students must master before starting the Engines Unit.
Auto Technology Teacher Andrew Michalik said there are more than 50 students in Auto I, which is a two-hour block and is offered first through fourth hours. Auto Technology II is fifth and sixth hours and includes about 16 students.
Thomson students celebrate birthday of LEGO®
Students in Mrs. Emily Williams' classroom held a LEGO® Celebration this week that combined the recognition of what classmates have learned this school year along with the LEGO® Brick's 66th Birthday.
"We had the opportunity to make a setting with characters and write a sentence to go with it," said Mrs. Williams. "We also read LEGO® books, had LEGO® stations, snack, math, art and learned fun facts about the LEGO® brick."
- Grant Davis (DHS Class of 2023) made the Dean’s List at Michigan State University with a 4.0 grade point average for the Fall 2024 term. Grant is a junior in the Eli Broad Business College. He is studying Marketing.
James Alband (DHS Class of 2017) successfully earned his Journeyman's license in Electrical last August and now works at General Motors in Lake Orion. James and his fiancé, Samantha Odalovich, are planning a May wedding and are in the process of purchasing their first home.
If you have news about an alumni, we would love to share it in a future edition! Send info to medwards@davisonschools.org.
DHS sophomore excels in downhill ski racing
Davison High School sophomore Will Latchana had a great night of ski racing this week, placing second out of more than 100 skiers in the SL race at Mt Brighton! Slalom (SL) is considered one of the most challenging events in skiing. It is a fast single-gate race that involves making quick turns.
Will currently skies on a limited co-op with Okemos High School. Nice work Will!