Davis Elementary E-news

Dear Davis Elementary School Students and Families,

What a joy it is to welcome you all back to Davis Elementary! As we prepare to begin another exciting school year, I wanted to reach out and share just how thrilled our entire team is to see you again and meet our new families joining the Davis Dragon community.

Our teachers and staff have been working tirelessly throughout the summer to prepare for your return. We've been busily getting our learning spaces ready for what promises to be a wonderful school year ahead. I'm excited to share some of the exciting updates you'll discover when you arrive:

• Our Learning Resource Center (LRC) has a fresh, updated look that we can't wait for you to see

• We're all back together under one roof – no more mobile classroom!

• The Davis garden is in full bloom and looking absolutely beautiful

• Every classroom is prepared and ready to welcome eager learners

I am especially excited to welcome our newest Davis Dragons to our school family! To all our returning students and families, we've missed you, and to those joining us for the first time, we can't wait to get to know you. I hope this year brings each of you new friendships, exciting discoveries, and meaningful learning experiences.

Please mark your calendars for Backpack Night on Monday, August 11th! Stop by any time between 4:00-6:00 PM to:

• Drop off your school supplies

• Meet your teachers

• Visit with friends and neighbors

• Explore our building and see all the wonderful changes

Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 13th! Please be sure to review the arrival and dismissal procedures posted on our website and attached HERE to ensure a smooth and easy transition for everyone.

Thank you for being part of what makes Davis Elementary such a special place. Here's to a fantastic year filled with growth, learning, and Dragon pride!

Warmly,

Gina Shaw
Principal, Davis Elementary School

• 8:50 a.m. Earliest time for drop off
• 9:05 a.m. Beginning of school day
• 3:25 p.m. End of school day
• On the last Wednesday of each month (except for Dec/May), school will dismiss early at 2:35 pm. (A.M. Kindergarten will dismiss at 11:15 a.m.) Busses will dismiss at that time, and walkers/car riders will need to be picked up at that time.

• Class & Bus assignments are currently available in Home Access Center (HAC)

• To view Bus assignments, click on the Registration tab at the top of the page in HAC. Then scroll down to find the section titled "School Transportation." This will provide information on pickup and drop off times, as well as bus stop location.

• If your child is assigned to a bus, but you have decided not to ride the bus, please inform the school. We will be putting every child on his/her assigned bus at dismissal unless a parent has notified the school that the child is not riding the bus.

Eating healthy is an important part of the school day. Please review these important guidelines together with your child.

1. Snacks - Each child should bring a healthy snack every day that will be eaten with the class at a time set by the teacher. Sending a water bottle is also very handy and avoids needless interruptions going to the drinking fountain. No snacks are available for purchase at school. For healthy snack ideas please click HERE
2. Breakfast - is available through Organic Life Food Service upon arriving at school and will be charged to Pushcoin if the child chooses a breakfast. Please talk with your child if you plan for them to eat breakfast at school. The students will eat as class is starting and do not arrive early for breakfast. Please do not send a breakfast from home for your child to eat at school, only school-purchased breakfast items are allowed. Students are not permitted to bring outside beverages, such as Starbucks, Dunkin, etc into school upon arrival. Those items must be consumed and discarded prior to entering the building. Also, there is no eating allowed on the school busses.
3. Lunch - Students have 20 minutes for lunch; students may choose from 4 main menu items and a variety of fruit & veggie options. Students may also bring their own lunch. The teacher will ask children for their lunch choice at the start of the school day, but parents may review the menu with their child at home. Lunches are charged through PushCoin.
4. No Fast Food Deliveries (DoorDash etc) - We do not accept fast food or delivery services for students at Davis. Please do not drop off or have restaurant food sent to Davis for your child. If you would like to have lunch with your child, you can come to the main office and sign them out during their lunch & recess period. Thank you for your cooperation.
5. $$$ - For lunch/breakfast pricing, application for free/reduced pricing and more, please see the D303Food Services Webpage.

Please review the new smart device procedures that take effect on August 13. Please review the links below for Elementary Procedures and D303 video for more information.

Smart Device Procedures

D303 Advisory Group and Video

Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors in your child's academic success. When students attend school consistently, they benefit from:

• Continuous learning that builds upon previous lessons and concepts

• Classroom discussions and activities that cannot be replicated at home

• Social connections with peers and teachers that support overall development

• Established routines that help create structure and stability

• Opportunities to participate in collaborative projects and group learning

We understand that occasional absences are unavoidable, and we want to work with you to ensure clear communication about your child's attendance.

Attendance Procedures

When Your Child is Going to be Absent

• Please call the school office as early as possible on the day of absence (attendance line is open 24/7)

• If you're unable to speak with someone directly, you may leave a voicemail message stating the reason for your child's absence

• Important: If we don't hear from you, we will contact you to confirm the absence and ensure your child's safety

Reporting Process:

• Provide your child's full name, teacher/grade, and reason for absence (please include major symptoms with illnesses)

• Contact information: School phone number - 331-228-2200

• Office hours: 7:30-4:00

Updated Information About Vacation Days

We want to inform you of an important change to our attendance procedures. The District has recently updated Section 2.20 of the Student Handbook regarding student absences.

New Vacation Policy:

• The pre-arranged absence form and procedure are no longer in use

• Vacations during school days are discouraged and will be considered unexcused absences

• This change aligns with our commitment to maximizing instructional time for all students

We recognize that families sometimes need flexibility for travel or special circumstances. While we strongly encourage scheduling family trips during school breaks and holidays, we understand that this isn't always possible. We ask for your partnership in minimizing absences during the school year whenever feasible.

Working Together

Our goal is to support your child's educational journey while maintaining clear attendance expectations. If you have questions about attendance policies or need to discuss specific circumstances, please don't hesitate to contact the school office. We're here to work with you to ensure your child's success. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.

Click HERE for Davis Google Calendar

August:

11th, Monday - 4-6pm Backpack Dropoff and Meet your Teacher

13th, Wednesday - 1st Day of School!!

19-22, Tues-Fri - iReady Fall Assessments for Grades 1-5

21st, Thursday - PTO Meeting in the LRC at 7:00pm

23rd, Saturday - Urban Air PTO Event (4-8pm)

29th, Friday - No School for Students - Teacher Institute Day

September:

1st, Monday - Labor Day Holiday - No School

18th, Thursday - PTO Meeting in the LRC at 7:00pm

24th, Wed - School Picture Day

24th, Wed - 2:35pm Early Dismissal (11:15 for A.M. Kindergarten)

25th, Thursday - PTO Bingo Night (5:45-7:00)

• On Thursday, August 21st, Davis Elementary will conduct our state-required annual Lockdown Drill with law enforcement personnel present. During this time, students will review and practice the classroom procedures.
• Parents/guardians may opt their child out of physical participation in this drill each year by emailing Gina Shaw and Linda Jezek (gina.shaw@d303.org, linda.jezek@d303.org) at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled date. Students who are opted out will receive an alternative school safety learning experience with a certified staff member.
• The D303 website has helpful information posted for families. Learn more about ALICE safety training HERE.

Attention Future 5th Grade Families! Does your child like to sing? 5th grade choir is open to all D303 5th grade students! Anyone may join; there are no auditions. 5th grade students interested in learning more about vocal technique, unison and part-singing, and team building, all through a rich variety of vocal music repertoire, are encouraged to join choir! 5th grade choir will be held before school on Mondays at 8:00am, and registration will begin in August. Stay tuned!

Dear Music Parents,

Get ready for another exciting year of making beautiful music together! We're thrilled to kick off the 2025-26 school year with your talented young musicians. Here's everything you need to know about our rehearsal schedule:

🎼 During School Lessons

Starting the week of August 25th - Individual and small group lessons will begin during the regular school day. Students will receive their specific lesson times from their music teachers.

🌅 Before School Rehearsals

Starting the week of September 22nd - Morning rehearsals begin! Here's when your musician needs to be ready:

• 5th Grade Choir: Monday Mornings

• Beginner Orchestra: Tuesday mornings

• 4th Grade Orchestra: Wednesday mornings

• 5th Grade Band: Thursday mornings
• 5th Grade Orchestra: Update!! Rehearsals will now be on Friday mornings at Richmond Elementary (Special note: Students will be bused to Davis after rehearsal - no need for parent pickup!)

We can't wait to hear the amazing progress your children will make this year! Music education builds confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Let's make this a year full of musical magic! 🌟

Instrumental Music Teachers,

Ms. Rohrbach, Mrs. Mezera, and Mr. Basich

Band Website for more information - Band Website

Registration Form - Form

Instrument Prices - Quinlan and Fabish Info

Website to rent the instrument - Quinlan Website or call 630-654-4111

The band program pulls students once per week for a 40-minute small group lesson during the school day. These lesson times rotate each week so that the same material isn't missed from the classroom. Band students will also be committing to one morning rehearsal per week before school. These morning rehearsals are a mandatory part of the program, and parents must provide transportation to school on these mornings.

Please let me know if you have any questions! I'm looking forward to a great 5th grade band next year! I truly hope to see ALL 5th grade students give Band a try this year. I know they'll love it. If you have questions about the program, please contact your school's band director: david.basich@d303.org

Dear Parents,

Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, if your child requires medication or any action plans, your child will need new physician orders and action plans for the school year. Ideally have the physician date the forms following the last day of school. Forms can be found under health services on the D303 site or linked directly here:

MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION

ASTHMA

LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES

DIABETES

All forms will need to be completed in full before any medications can be administered.

Kindergarten and 2nd grade students require a dental examination and form completed within 18 months prior to May 15th, 2025. A vision examination and completed State form is also required for incoming kindergarten students as well as a physical examination and a record of all immunizations.

DENTAL FORM

VISION FORM

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

These forms can be submitted to the main office or emailed to the school nurse. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Nurse Peggy and Nurse LeeAnna

peggy.faught@d303.org

phone: 331-228-2204

Email: linda.jezek@d303.org
Website: https://davis.d303.org/
Location: 1125 S 7th St, St. Charles, IL, 60174
Phone: 331-228-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisElementaryD303
Twitter: @StCharlesD303