South Davis Shines

Hello South Davis Families.

Highlights this issue include updates from our amazing team of Occupational and Physical Therapists. The strategies they share are applicable at home as well as at school, and can be another resource for you.

Speaking of resources available to South Davis and Orchard Park families, the Family Solutions Center is offering a number of informative and engaging workshops for parents, covering a range of topics. Whether you have a Pre-K student or a teenager (or both), you can find some helpful ideas and an opportunity to connect with similarly-situated grownups.

Also you'll see the Orchard Park Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association has shared their upcoming meetings and a guest speaker event. Take a look and get involved.

While there are learning opportunities for parents, staff are busy learning together, too. On the half day last month, at staff meetings, and at regular grade level and team meetings, we are strengthening our understanding of research-based instructional strategies, becoming more fluent with the new resources for literacy teaching, and collaborating about how best to support all students, in whatever way they need. We'll be continuing this effort on Monday; with students home, all staff will be participating in a variety of targeted professional learning activities, with a focus on making your child's experience at school even more enriching.

We're all in this together! Have a great week!

Mr. Dolce

#WeAreSouthDavis

October 14-24 - Universal Screening

Friday, October 17 - PTO Trunk or Treat

Monday, October 20 - No School - Superintendent's Conference Day

October 23-31 - Red Ribbon Week

The OT & PT newsletter for October is ready! Click the image to open the newsletter, then click on the pictures of the resources you are interested in. We hope you find this month's resources helpful!

1. Chrome Music Lab (*perfect for indoor recess, on the smart board/iPad, etc.*)
2. Shoulder Stability and Postural Control
3. Sensory Breaks in the Classroom
4. Roll A Silly Sentence (Halloween-themed)
5. Halloween Decoration Scavenger Hunt
6. Left vs. Right-Handed Scissors

This month we are we are exploring the concept of Gratitude. As a family, discuss the importance of taking time to express how thankful we are for all that we have. At times it feels like grass is greener on the other side of the fence; however when we stop to think about the good things we have, despite whatever obstacles or challenges we still face, the change in perspective can help us manage any day, and can help us feel more appreciative and content with how things are. That sense of stability can go a long way in starting each day with a smile.

A simple way to support the PTO and the entire South Davis program 👇

This month in honor of Dyslexia Awareness we will have Stacey Pellicano as special guest speaker, who will host a workshop on dyslexia along with a short dyslexia simulation. The flyers are attached to this email.

OPSEPTSA NEXT MEETING:

Wed. Oct. 22/2025

6:30-7:30pm

OPCSD District Offices

2240 Southwestern Blvd, West Seneca

SPECIAL GUEST

Stacey Pellicano, MS Ed, SBL-Owner/CEO at Dyslexia Services of WNY, NYSED Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Task Force - https://dyslexiaserviceswny.com/

Universal screening is happening in the district Oct. 14-24. Parents can request the results from the schools. There is a new phonics screener in use for students that fall below benchmark and for k-1.

Join or Renew you OPSEPTSA Membership today!!

https://orchardpark.givebacks.com/shop

#specialeducation #advocate #IEP #DyslexiaAwareness #opseptsa

Our remaining meetings this year will be:

10/22/2025

11/19/2025

12/17/2025

1/21/2026

2/25/2026

3/18/2026

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

Here are some resources from Erie 1 BOCES for parents, to help support your child's mental health and to nurture a positive family experience.

Supporting your child's mental health at home

A printable version is attached.

The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center (SMHRTCenter) is a project funded by the NY State Education Department and supported by the Office of Mental Health.

Family Education Webinar (10/15/2025 @ 7:00pm)

A Gut Feeling: Investigating Nutrition and Mental Health

Dr. Theresa DeLorenzo

Join Dr. Theresa DeLorenzo, RD for a timely webinar on the link between nutrition and mental health. This presentation will go over how gut health impacts our mental health. We will delve into lifestyle and dietary strategies that can be employed to improve the gut brain connection and mental health. We will also discuss body image and its connection with gut health and mental health and how to navigate triggers and have productive conversations. Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance.

Parent Enrichment Series for K-5

Discuss and navigate the successes and challenges of parenting your elementary-aged child.

• Fall Dates: Note the changes - Thursdays - Oct. 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, and 20
• 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Family Solution Center; on-site childcare available

Other groups/topics at the Family Solution Center:

• Parent Enrichment Series for Universal Pre-K
• Parent Enrichment Series for pre-teens and teenagers
• Parent Partnership - Co-parenting support
• Parent Information Series topics - gambling, body image, vaping

See the attached flyer for all of the details.

Reading Rainbow is back!

Reading Rainbow is being relaunched as a short form series. This is a pilot series with four episodes. It will be very similar to the classic series where there is a book that is read by a celebrity, an activity, a field trip, and book reviews. It will be hosted by real life librarian, Mychal Threets. It will be released on YouTube on Sony’s Kidzuko Channel starting October 4 at 10 am, and one episode will be released every week at 10am until the end of October. Watch the TRAILER.

See the attached for information about the contest, sponsored the General Federation of Women's Clubs. It is open to all students in grades K-12.