March 30, 2025
Dear Davis Families,
I hope you all are enjoying the holiday weekend. As we begin the last nine weeks of school, we enter a very busy time of year. We’ve got everything from STAAR testing to field trips to musical performances, all in addition to the regular daily activities within classrooms and across our school.
MONDAY HOLIDAY- EID-AL-FITR, CESAR CHAVEZ/DOLORES HUERTA DAY
Reminder that students will not attend classes on Monday, 3/31, for the observance of Eid-al-Fitr and Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day.
EID AL-FITR: Eid al-Fitr is a three day holiday that ends the Islamic month of Ramadan and is one of Islam’s two major religious holidays. Eid al-Fitr means "Festival of breaking fast." Families who observe Eid al-Fitr will celebrate with family and food after the end of a long fast, engaging in prayer and other traditions.
CESAR CHAVEZ/DOLORES HUERTA DAY: In 2014 President Obama announced March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. Although this day is not a formal federal holiday, many cities across the nation treat it as such. In 2019, Fort Worth ISD became the first district in Texas to honor Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta with a school holiday. Austin ISD similarly followed suit, providing students with opportunities to engage in learning and a day of action.
STAAR TESTING- PREPARING FOR SUCCESS
STAAR testing for students in grades 3rd-5th is just around the corner. All STAAR testing dates are listed in the Upcoming Events section below. Teachers are in the process of reviewing reading/language arts and math content with students and preparing them for success on these state assessments. If you have a student who will be taking the STAAR tests, please help prepare them by letting them know that these tests are opportunities for them to show what they know and it is important for them to take them seriously and do their best when taking them. Also reinforce that teachers have been teaching them what they need to know for success on the tests and students should feel confident in their abilities.
In preparation for testing days, please make sure students get a good night’s sleep the night before testing and eat a good breakfast on testing days. We also ask that you do not schedule appointments for students on testing days so their testing session is not interrupted.
Having said all of this, it’s important to note that the STAAR test is just one test and that students have had and will continue to have many successes outside of this one test. We don’t want any child to feel anxious or nervous about testing and will continue to support students in building their confidence and providing support for them if they express these feelings.
SOCCER FIELD MARKING & STRIPING- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our next step in creating a high quality soccer field for our students to use during recess is to mark the field and complete the striping. We have all equipment and resources necessary to take this step, and now we need volunteers to help make it happen! Please email me (jennifer.daniels@austinisd.org) if you are interested in helping with this project. Timing for the project is flexible. I’ll follow up with all volunteers at the end of this week to schedule a day/time.
MURCHISON MS MATFEST
Murchison Middle School is excited to invite Anderson vertical team campuses and families to MatFest 2025! This MMS carnival festival is the perfect way to kick off the next-to-last month of school! It is right around the corner, on April 4th, from 5:30-8:00. Visit the MatFest site for more information: https://murchisonmatadors.square.site/matfest
AISD TOOLS FOR SUCCESS APRIL SESSIONS
The April Virtual Tools for Success Sessions will cover topics including the Austin ISD Human Sexuality and Responsibility curriculum, CPS 101 Reporting, and a Fun Literacy Resource session. All workshops are in English and Spanish. For other languages, attendees may request interpretation via the Zoom registration, with 72-hour notice. See the flyer for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GAX-yZl034BmuHb_FDQJvjEL7zz-FKLA/view?usp=sharing
AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH
April is International and National Autism Acceptance Month. Autism refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and communication. In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, families, community members, and staff are invited to attend a three-part, virtual learning series focused on Autism hosted by VELA (https://www.velafamilies.org/). More details may be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KoALyqwOeb8R0cgEJNVWo9JhS_FW_9pO/view?usp=sharing
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 31-April 4
3/31: Student/Staff Holiday:Eid al-Fitr & César Chávez/Dolores Huerta Day
3/31, 4-10pm: Dine with Davis @ Grimaldis
4/3, 8-10am: PK Early Learning Day- PK Enrollment, Tour, Photo Booth
4/3, 9:30am-1:30pm: Austin Nature & Science Center Field Trip (2nd)
4/5: Math Pentathlon Division II Tournament (2nd & 3rd Grade)-Delco Center
April 7-11
Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
School Librarian Appreciation Week
4/9: STAAR Reading/Language Arts (4th)
4/10: STAAR Reading/Language Arts (3rd, 5th)
4/10, 9:30am-12:00pm: CBI Field Trip (Life Skills)
4/10, 3:30-4:30pm: CAC Meeting
4/10, 6:00-6:45pm: Davis Virtuoso’s Performance- Bremen Town Musicians
4/11, 9:15am-12:30pm: Thinkery Field Trip (PK)
April 14-18
4/14: Number Sense Screener Opens (K, 1st, 2nd)
4/14: Safety Drill- Evacuation
4/15: STAAR RLA Makeup Testing (3rd-5th)
4/17: STAAR Science (5th)
4/18: Student Holiday, Staff Development Day
April 21-25
4/22, 10am-12pm: Kindergarten Signing Day
4/22: STAAR Science Makeup Testing (5th)
4/23: STAAR Math (4th)
4/24: STAAR Math (3rd, 5th)
4/25, 9am-1pm: Austin Nature & Science Center Field Trip (K)
4/25: STAAR Math Makeup Testing (3rd-5th)
Thank you for being a part of Davis!
Jenny Daniels
Principal, Davis Elementary
GRATITUDE NOTES TO DAVIS TEACHERS & STAFF
AISD RAVE RECOGNITION
https://www.austinisd.org/hc/aisd-employee-experience/rave