Dear Davis Families,
The last week has been fun filled, with special events in and out of school. Last Friday, we had our first nine-weeks grade level assemblies for all K-5th students and had a great time recognizing Dynamic Dolphins and awarding our first Golden Dolphins of the year. I had a great time and loved seeing so many families enjoying Dolphin BOO! Fest last Friday evening! Huge thanks to the “Boo Crew” team for all your hard work and countless hours spent planning and organizing the event to make it so spectacular. We had a productive day of conferences on Monday to begin the week and look forward to our annual kindergarten butterfly migration this morning as we end the week.
DYNAMIC DOLPHIN & GOLDEN DOLPHIN AWARDS
It’s so important to us that we recognize our students for showing great behavior. Our Dynamic Dolphin and Golden Dolphin recognition programs publicly recognize and celebrate students who show the Davis Way. Davis Way expectations are Respectful Communication, Safe Body, and Responsible Actions. Davis Way character traits are Kindness, Empathy, Responsibility, Curiosity, and Perseverance. Last Friday, we had our first nine-weeks celebration assembly with each grade level, K-5th. These assemblies are especially fun because we get to recognize all of our students who have received Dynamic Dolphin awards during the nine-weeks and announce the Golden Dolphin award recipients for each class.
DYNAMIC DOLPHINS- Dynamic Dolphin awards can happen any time, any day. Teachers and other staff members give students Dynamic Dolphin awards when they notice a student showing the Davis Way by doing something that stands out. This might look like a student working especially hard on class work, showing kindness to a classmate in a difficult situation, or helping others with something without being asked. When a student gets a Dynamic Dolphin award, they get a certificate and come to the office where the principal or assistant principal calls a parent to share the good news and the student chooses a prize- sticker or 30-second dance party (note- Dance party is very popular. These are typically done in the front office and we love it when visitors in the office join in the fun!). The following day, we announce all Dynamic Dolphin recipients on the morning announcements. We recognize all Dynamic Dolphins for the full nine weeks at our grade level assembly.
GOLDEN DOLPHINS- The Golden Dolphin award recognizes one student from each class at the end of each nine weeks. Golden Dolphins are students who show the Davis Way all the time, day in and day out over the whole nine week period. These students also go above and beyond in showing the Davis Way character traits, consistently helping others, showing positivity and encouraging others, working hard in class, and more. Each teacher nominates their Golden Dolphin with very specific reasons why their student has earned this special award. At the grade level assembly, Golden Dolphins are announced, along with the teacher nomination information. Students come on the stage and receive a certificate and a big silent cheer from everyone. Golden Dolphin photos are posted on Class Dojo for all Davis families to see (look for those posts later today). On a designated day after the awards are given, students are treated to a special Golden Dolphin lunch on the stage, where we set up tables with tablecloths, centerpieces, and gold cutlery and students bring their lunch to enjoy.
‘THE TRUTH ABOUT READING’ DOCUMENTARY, OCTOBER 28
Doss Elementary will be hosting a live screening of the documentary “The Truth About Reading” and has invited all vertical team schools to attend. The Truth About Reading is an 80-minute documentary that looks at the illiteracy problem in America, highlighting people who learned to read as adults, and sharing proposed solutions for working towards a future where every child learns to read proficiently. Official Trailer:
When: October 28, 2025 at 5:30 - 7:30pm
Where: Doss Elementary Community Room
Open to all Anderson Vertical Team Educators and Families!
RSVP by Sunday, October 26th using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsqEIIoKdLdaFfq8hh9bmwY1iiEoA…
Upcoming Events
October 20-24
Transportation Employees Appreciation Week
10/23, 9am-2pm: McKinney Roughs Field Trip (5th- Weiler, Tarrant)
10/24, 9am-2pm: McKinney Roughs Field Trip (5th- Goolsbee, Lekven)
10/24, 8:30-9:00am: Butterfly Migration (K)
October 27-31
10/27, 8am-2pm: Keep Austin Beautiful Generation Zero (3rd)
10/29, 5-9pm: Dine with Davis @ TacoDeli
10/30: CIRCLE Assessment (TX-KEA) closes (K)
10/31, 2:30-3:00pm: Fun Fall Assembly
November 3-7
School Psychologist Appreciation Week
11/3, 8am-2pm: Keep Austin Beautiful Generation Zero (3rd)
11/3, 3:30-4:00pm: New Teacher Meeting
11/4: PD Day & Election Day
11/6: Fall Picture Makeup Day
11/7, 9:15am-12:30pm: Play For All Abilities Park Field Trip (ECSE & PK)
Thank you for being a part of Davis!
Jenny Daniels
Principal, Davis Elementary