South Davis Shines

Hello South Davis Families.

Thank you for helping us get off to a good start this year, especially for your cooperation during the Relocation Drill and Early Dismissal on Thursday. We were able to practice an important safety element, giving everyone the confidence needed to respond to challenging situations. Please note that in the event of a real, all students would be sent home on buses. Make sure you have a plan for unexpected circumstances. We'll practice something similar next Friday when we all students across the District (and Erie County) are dismissed 15 minutes early. We will also conduct additional evacuation drills over the course of the next 7 days.

I have previously mentioned that the beginning of the year brings delays with the dismissal process, especially with for students taking buses. We send buses on their way as soon as they are loaded, and they get to us as soon as they complete taking Middle School students home. While dismissal officially starts around 3:20, some buses may not arrive to South Davis until 3:40. Also, drivers are taking attendance, which adds some extra time to loading, especially when there are daily changes to which bus students ride. As soon as the drivers learn all of their students, we can expect faster departures and earlier arrival times at home. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

There are lots of good updates and reminders in this week's SHINEs newsletter. To ensure the same level of communication, all newsletters will be shared via Posts and Alerts through Parent Square. Be sure to download the app; it is your best way to stay up-to-date about everything happening at South Davis and in the District community.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Homecoming Parade and Carnival on Saturday. Unfortunately, due to lack of sales, the Chicken BBQ will not be taking place.

Have a great week! Go Quakers!

Mr. Dolce

#WeAreSouthDavis

Week of 9/21 - Homecoming Spirit Days - See Below

Saturday - 9/26 - Homecoming Parade and Festival - See Below

Monday - 9/28 - First Day of Instrumental Lessons

Friday - 10/2 - 15 Minutes Early Dismissal Drill

Monday - 10/5 - Picture Day - See Below/Flyers have been sent home

Wednesday - 10/7 - Bike and Walk to School Day

Hello South Davis Families.

The Theme is 🌴 TROPICAL 🥭 and we would love to welcome anyone who wants to help and be part of the parade.

Float Building and Completion is scheduled for:

Date: Friday September 25, 2026

Time: 4pm-7pm

Location: 35 Wallace Drive Orchard Park

Homecoming Parade:

Date: Saturday September 26, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM–11:00 AM (Please gather in the Middle School Front Bus Loop between 9:30 AM–9:45 AM)

Parade Route: Middle School to High School Baker Road Lot

*If you wish to throw candy or non-food items please plan to bring some.

Dress in your tropical attire and come have FUN with us! Any questions please reach out! 716-587-2050.

#WeAreSouthDavis

• Homecoming Float Signup - Please see attached flyer

As part of our District's everyday instructional practices, teachers gather information about each student's progress on the grade-level standards and skills. This occurs via informal checks for understanding like observations or tickets out the door. It happens when students turn in a final written piece or take a math or science quiz.

Three times per year, we conduct Universal Screenings to collect literacy and math information to add to 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.

We just concluded the fall administration in grades K-5. Grade-level teams are now discussing the results to develop instructional plans. The mid-year screening window will be in January or February and end-of-year screening takes place in May.

Look for a letter soon from the District explaining how results from universal screening and NYS 3-5 Assessments will be made available to parents.

The latest update from our amazing Occupational and Physical Therapy team. Topics include:

• Handwriting & classroom strategies

• Visual perception

• Positioning & movement

• Self-care & independence

• Fun activities and games

Intramurals (for 4th grade and up) are now categorized as extra-class athletic activities. This classification requires intramural programs to follow health, safety, and medical oversight requirements similar to those used for secondary interscholastic athletics.

Attached is a letter from the District explaining what this means; most importantly, all students must have:

• A current New York State physical examination form on file, valid within the past 12
• An up-to-date health history and emergency contact information.
• Any required medical authorizations or health plans on file, such as asthma action plans or EpiPen authorizations. a current physical on file in order to participate.

A reminder about the District's policy regarding student personal electronic devices, and our focus on being present and engaged at school.

Attached is the Fall Parent Enrichment Program flyer for elementary parents from the Orchard Park Family Solutions Center.

This is another great resource from Erie Path - https://eriepath.erie.gov/home