South Davis Shines

Click to learn about how we are maximizing the potential of all students.

Hello South Davis Families.

While a snow day is often something for children to look forward to, I understand the burden it can place on parents who need to make arrangements for child care or transportation. I also know that the change in routine can have a negative impact on children and adults, alike. I hope the unexpected extra time away from school wasn't too inconvenient for your family. We're glad to have your children back with us today.

While I shared the information about Resilience last week, given the events of the weekend, this reminder may be useful for many in our community.

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

January 20-February 13 - The Great Kindness Challenge

January 20-30 - Universal Screening, K-5

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

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

Tuesday, February 3 - Parent Information Series: Discussing Nutrition with Students and Student Athletes 👇

Wednesday, February 4 - General ticket sales for Finding Nemo Kids tickets will begin @ 8:00 a.m. More details to follow

Friday, February 6 - PJs for Punt 👇

Universal Screening

As a reminder, we will be administering the Winter Universal Screening in grades K-5 starting today, through next Friday. 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.

pdf

insert_drive_file

Great Kindness Challenge - Family Activities.pdf

Download

1.3 MB

Finding Nemo Movie Night

The South Davis PTO presents Finding Nemo Kids 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. 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

Also, we will also be raffling off FRONT ROW tickets for our production of Finding Nemo Kids at the Aurora Theater! The winners of the front row seats will be notified at the end of the movie.

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!

pdf

insert_drive_file

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

Download

438.0 KB

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.

pdf

insert_drive_file

2026 PJs for PUNT Flyer.pdf

Download

709.3 KB

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.

pdf

insert_drive_file

South Davis Parent Pick Up Map.pdf

Download

221.6 KB

Winter Weather Safety

With the forecast for the next week or so, it is a good idea to talk with your children about cold weather safety. Extra care is needed especially in younger children to be sure that frostbite does not occur.

Make sure all children including teenagers have appropriate outerwear every day. Warm jackets, hats, scarves, boots, and an extra pair of gloves in their pockets will protect them during extremely cold temperatures.
Develop an emergency plan and review it with your children in case you are not home either before or after school. If a bus is delayed, they need to know where, when, and how to get help. Tell your child that if you are not home while they are waiting outside for the bus, how long they may wait outside, where to go in the event the bus is delayed, and what the dangers and risks of extreme weather are.
Advise your child to ask for help if they have:

Wet clothing boots or gloves, snow or ice next to bare skin which cannot be removed.
Pain or numbness or burning anywhere on their skin (especially hands, feet, ears, or nose).

Teach your child:

When to ask for help.
Where to find safe shelter in an emergency.
Who the designated adult is to go to in your neighborhood if the bus does not show.
How to protect themselves with proper winter clothing.

When the wind chill is below 20 degrees, we will consider suspending outdoor activities, consistent with guidance from the New York State Center for School Health.