South Davis Shines

Hello South Davis Families.

The start a new month is a good time to reflect on the growth and progress we've made up to this point, individually as well as collectively. Last week grade level teams and other teachers met to review the latest Universal Screening results, to celebrate the growth that individual students made in literacy or math skills, and to identify students who may need additional support. We also celebrated the overall progress the school is making towards proficiency in math and literacy benchmarks. For example, in grades 2-5, most students - 71% - improved in their oral reading fluency from the fall to winter, and 70% showed growth in their basic math skills, too!

Based on individual results, beginning on Wednesday, some students will be receiving targeted, small group support in reading and/or math, while some students who were already working with our AIS team will be exited from these sessions. Letters will be coming home this week to follow up to the teacher communication if this impacts your child.

In case you missed it, the District recently shared the February Orchard Park CSD Board Meeting Report, which summarizes the February 10 Board Meeting. These reports are a great way to stay current on what's happening in the District if you aren't able to attend the meetings in person.

Have a great week!

Mr. Dolce

#WeAreSouthDavis

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

On the mornings of March 2-9, members of the South Davis Community Engagement and Wellness Committee will lead safety and community-building conversations with each of the 6 buses. These 10-15 minute presentations will take place before students get off the bus, and will be focused on the SHINE expectations for school buses:

Stay Seated

Have Manners

Inside Voices

Neatness Counts

Everybody Helps

More information will be shared with students prior to these meetings.

Together, we will SHINE!

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.

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