South Davis Shines

Hello South Davis Families.

Today is the Annual School Vote and Board Member Election. The event takes place in the Gym at Orchard Park High School, using the Freeman Road entrance. Please come out and make your voice heard as we prepare for next school year and beyond.

This week and next, we will be administering the Spring 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 June.

As a reminder, 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.

The weather for our Bike and Walk to School event tomorrow looks OK. The temperature will be comfortable, and hopefully the possible sprinkles are finished by 8:30. If the conditions warrant, we will postpone the ride; we'll communicate with everyone by 8:00 Wednesday morning if there are any changes. Get hard. I've also shared this video with students, so feel free to review it with your family. It reviews the expectations for the day.

https://www.loom.com/share/fee08e76e1f04b018ef197abd6119bbe

Finally, as we look ahead to Memorial Day next Monday, I encourage you and your family to participate in Orchard Park's Memorial Day commemoration, organized by the Orchard Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6247 and Orchard Park American Legion Post 567. The parade runs from the Orchard Park Library down South Buffalo Street to the Four Corners, and then West on West Quaker Street (20A) to the Orchard Park Veterans Park.

While the parade is always a good time, the ceremony at the Veterans Park is what Memorial Day is all about. From a few patriotic songs, to the recitation of the Gettysburg Address, to laying of flowers on the memorial, it is a moving and worthwhile experience. This year's guest speaker is Lt. Col. (retired) Colby Krug. I look forward to seeing you there.

Have a great week!

Mr. Dolce

#WeAreSouthDavis

This Month

May 18-26 - Universal Screening

Wednesday, May 20 - 🚴 Bike to School; DARE Graduation; Panera PTO Fundraiser

Thursday, May 21 - PTO Meeting, 6:30 P.M.

Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day - No School

Friday, May 29 - Field Day

Wednesday, June 3 - Senior Walk; 5th Grade Walk to the Middle School

Monday, June 8 - New Family Information Night (formerly Kindergarten Orientation), 6-7:00 P.M.

June 10-11 - Author Visit with Troy Cummings

Friday, June 12 - Art Show and Ice Cream Social

Monday, June 15 - 5th Grade Moving Up Celebration, 1:00 P.M. (details to come)

Tuesday, June 16 - Kindergarten Celebration, 12:30 P.M. (details to come)

Wednesday, June 17 - Incoming Kindergarten Screening, invitations coming soon

Friday, June 19 - Juneteenth - No School

Tuesday, June 23 - Last Student Day, dismissal at 11:30

Thursday, May 28 - 5th Grade - Buffalo Bisons; PK - Kelkenburg Farm

Friday, June 5 - 3rd Grade - Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve

Wednesday, June 10 - 1st Grade - Hidden Valley Farms

If your child's grade is not listed here, they have already completed a field trip and/or enrichment experience

As your child's first teacher, you know your son or daughter best. If you would like to tell us about your child’s learning style, strengths, challenges, or any other information that may help us create an optimal learning environment for the upcoming school year, we welcome your input. What characteristics, traits, or attributes are beneficial to your child?

If you are interested, you can use this form to give us your insights about your child, to help us place him or her in the best environment possible, to reach his or her full potential. It is completely optional, and is available until June 3.

If you are walking to or from South Davis in the afternoon, do not walk though the Middle School parking lot from 2:15-2:45. That is the busiest and most dangerous time. Use Thorn Avenue or West Quaker (20A) St.

Also, with construction happening at the Middle School, many of the parking spaces facing the fields are no longer available. Please note this when planning to come to end-of-year activities. Thorn Avenue and Green Lake may better options.

Our final Lockdown Drill of the year will be later this week. You can refer to the attached FAQ for a reminder about the process. Please reassure your children that they are safe during these drills, and let us know if you have specific concerns.

We also have 2 more Evacuation (Fire) Drills to complete this year. Advance notice will be provided as per District policy.

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.
• If you are providing your tag #, then your child is a "pick-up" and you should stay in your vehicle at the curb.

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

OPSEPTSA NEXT MEETING:

Wednesday, May 20

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 meeting this year will be:

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

We’re excited to share a new short video to help you introduce and promote the Family & Community Day of the 2026 Hope and Healing Conference of Western New York with the individuals and families you serve. Watch and share the video here: https://youtu.be/vbR85-EnGyM.

Family & Community Day, Camp Hope: Where Stories Grow, will take place on Saturday June 6, at SUNY Fredonia’s Williams Center. This FREE event is designed for families, caregivers, youth, and community members and offers connection, resources, and practical tools related to mental health, substance use prevention, recovery, and overall wellness. We encourage you to share this video directly with clients, families, and your networks to help increase awareness and participation.

To make it easy to attend, registration for the Free Family Access Pass includes questions about transportation needs and dietary considerations to support accessibility for all participants. We also have Community Day posters available with a QR code for simple registration. If you would like posters for your office or program space, please get in touch with Prevention Works at 716-664-3608.

We are gearing up for our annual Spring Clean Out!

As this is a district-wide initiative, we encourage everyone to participate in the effort. Donations can be dropped off at any time at the Powers Road location in the bin located behind Busy Bee Hall, where the clothing closet is housed.

This month's newsletter from Buffalo Toronto Public Media is full of great resources for parents, caregivers, educators, children, and learners of all ages.

Highlights this month:

• The American Revolution
• Helping Kids Manage Emotions
• Celebrating AANHPI Month
• Creativity and Curiosity