September 22, 2024
Dear Davis Families,
In addition to all of the great teaching and learning that will take place at Davis this week, we also get to show our appreciation for our Teaching Assistants! This includes 12 special education TAs, 2 PE TAs, and 2 PK TAs. They do so much to support our students and our campus as a whole and we look forward to showing them some extra love this week.
GRADE LEVEL ASSEMBLIES & GOLDEN DOLPHINS: Last week, we held our first grade level assemblies of the year. We met with Kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd grade students for a mindful moment, celebration of students who have received Dynamic Dolphin awards from their teachers, reminder of school wide behavior expectations, and introduction of the Golden Dolphin award. The Golden Dolphin award is given once per quarter to one student in each class who exemplifies the Davis Way on a daily basis. These students are nominated by their classroom teacher, then recognized and celebrated at the grade level assembly. I’ll post photos on Dojo of our Golden Dolphin award winners with more info soon. This week, we look forward to hosting grade level assemblies with 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade students.
DRILLS THIS WEEK- SHELTER (HAZMAT) & EVACUATION: As part of our safety protocols, we practice different drills monthly with all students. This week, we will practice our shelter (hazmat) and evacuation drills. The shelter drill is initiated by a school wide announcement, while the fire alarm signals the evacuation drill.
OCTOBER 3 STUDENT HOLIDAY & STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY: While students will have a holiday on Thursday, October 3, all staff will engage in professional learning on that day. The primary focus of the day will be Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), which is a framework designed to provide targeted interventions and support for students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs through multiple tiers of increasingly intensive assistance. The training will include information on specific resources and strategies that will be used to support our students.
OCTOBER 4 STUDENT HOLIDAY: Reminder that students will not attend classes on Friday, October 4, 2024, for the observance of Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year. The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is blowing the shofar (ram’s horn) on both mornings of the holiday. This normally takes place in the synagogue as part of the day’s services. Families enjoy traditional food such as round challah bread, apples dipped in honey, and other foods that symbolize hopes for a sweet year. It is also customary to light candles, attend synagogue, and have meals with family and friends.
DANCE ACROSS AUSTIN DAY OF DANCE: All are invited to Dance Across Austin’s Day of Dance, sponsored by Austin ISD Fine Arts, the Creative Learning Initiative, and MINDPOP!
When: Saturday Oct. 5, 9am-6pm
Where: Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Austin, TX 78723
What: Day of Dance will catalyze and connect diverse communities, generations, styles, and cultures through our shared language of movement! This is a free, all-day event with numerous performances (from Austin ISD students and teachers and area community artists), dance classes and workshops, professional photographers for dancers, a dance party, and more. Students, educators, district administrators, families, and community members of all ages and abilities are welcome! Visit https://www.mindpop.org/dance-across-austin for more information and to sign up for this event.
Upcoming Events
9/23-9/27: Teaching Assistant Appreciation Week
9/25, 11am-10pm: Dine with Davis @ Taco Flats
9/26, 6:30-7:30pm: WatchDOGS Kickoff Meeting, Pour House on Jollyville
9/28, 8-11am: The Meadow Cleanup Day
9/30-10/4: Custodian & Groundskeeping Appreciation Week!
9/30: TX-KEA Assessment Window Opens (K)
10/1, 5-7pm: Mom's Night Out @ Kendra Scott
10/2: Yearbook Artwork Entries Due
10/3: Student Holiday, Staff PD Day
10/4: Student & Staff Holiday, Rosh Hashanah
Thank you for being a part of Davis!
Jenny Daniels
Principal, Davis Elementary