Dear Davis Families,

It’s hard to believe it is already November and we have just five more weeks of school left in this semester. I know it has been quite awhile since I’ve communicated campus news here, so I’ve got plenty to share now! One thing I want to highlight first is that we will have a new full time, permanent, Assistant Principal starting at Davis on Monday! I’m so thrilled to be able to share this great news now, and more details will follow soon.

I’ve been so fortunate to be principal at Davis since 2013 (and Davis assistant principal for 6 years before that) and I still have to pinch myself sometimes because it continues to be a dream come true for me to be a part of this amazing school community. For that, I am so thankful. As you can imagine, over all the years I’ve been at Davis, some years have been more challenging than others. I want to share that this school year, up to this point, has been the most challenging I’ve experienced for a variety of reasons.

As you know, we started the year with a few teacher vacancies and both assistant principal (full-time and half-time) vacancies. Those vacancies were not for lack of effort to fill each of the open positions. Over the course of the last few months, and with the help of the AISD leveling process, I’m happy to say that we have been able to fill all teacher vacancies. That has not been the case with the assistant principal vacancies. Since mid-July, we have had a rotation of different substitute APs, who have done a fabulous job providing support to our entire campus in many ways. While they have been extremely helpful, I have still taken on many tasks and campus initiatives that typically are managed by Davis APs to ensure that many of the ‘above and beyond’ things we do at Davis continue seamlessly. In addition to the aforementioned staffing issues, I have also been working very hard and advocating for our campus to be allocated additional staff to support our students who receive special education services. We have an exceptional special education team and just need a few more staff to provide support needed for our students.

An additional challenge this year is that I am required to attend an increased number of AISD meetings off campus- one day/week three out of four weeks each month, with additional partial day meetings off campus or virtual meetings on campus often. The content of the meetings always includes relevant information, along with helpful things to take back to Davis staff and share, such as instructional strategies and curriculum resources. I’m definitely used to being on campus more and being more visible across campus, so this is is something I’m still getting used to.

Through early mornings, late evenings, and weekends, my focus has remained 100% on keeping Davis running smoothly and serving our students. A new teacher at Davis recently introduced me to the phrase "passion tax"—the extra time outside of our regular work hours we willingly invest because we love what we do. That passion for our students, staff, and families is what drives everything I do here every single day.

Although this year has brought plenty of challenges, the positive moments and progress we're making still make it a wonderful school year. Now it’s time to celebrate some of our successes to date this year, which there are plenty!

Overall, our students are more engaged than ever in their learning. I visit classrooms regularly and consistently see students attentive to instruction, actively engaged in whole group, small group, partner, and independent activities and work. I see teachers connecting with their students and challenging them to learn at high levels. I see the Davis Way in action in classrooms and across campus. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen students offering to help other students, complimenting students when they are successful or when they try hard to do something, and more. One of my favorite things is when I get to celebrate our Dynamic Dolphins each afternoon for showing the Davis Way.

Many students have already gone on field trips to enrich their learning. Our fifth grade students recently ventured to McKinney Roughs, where they enjoyed teambuilding activities and physical challenges. Fourth grade students had the opportunity last week to visit the Blanton Museum of Art and the UT campus.

We also have many standout students to celebrate. We recognized our first nine-weeks Golden Dolphins and all of our Dynamic Dolphins at grade level assemblies a couple of weeks ago. This weekend, Ms. Garza, Davis Music Teacher, accompanied seven Davis students to the AISD Performing Arts Center to support them as they participated in the AISD All-City Choir performance!

Looking ahead, we have much to look forward to over the next few weeks. This week, we will celebrate all veterans and welcome veterans from our community for a special Veterans Day assembly and reception. Next week, we’ll kick off our annual International Week with our Family Culture Fair on Monday. We’ll enjoy a school-wide International Sing-a-Long on Wednesday. Then Thursday, our Junior Music Maestro’s will treat everyone to a performance of Imagine a Dragon. The week we return from Thanksgiving break is our annual Book Fair week, which culminates with the much loved Grandparents Luncheon on Friday. That same week is Special Education Staff Appreciation Week, when we will have an opportunity to show appreciation for the hard work of our special education teachers and teaching assistants. That will take us into December, and I’ll be in touch with more updates before then.

Going forward, you can expect to hear from me weekly with campus happenings and important information. As we enter the season of thanks, I want you all to know how thankful I am for all of you and how grateful I am to be a part of the Davis community. I’m looking forward to many more successes and celebrations with the students, staff and families this year.

Thank you for being a part of Davis!

Warmly,
Jenny Daniels
Principal, Davis Elementary


Upcoming Dates to Remember

November 9-13
11/11, 9:00-9:30am: Veteran's Day Assembly
11/11, 9:30-10:00am: Veteran's Day Reception
11/12, 6-7pm: PTA Meeting
11/13: Shelter & Evacuation Drill
11/13: Keep Austin Beautiful Generation Zero (3rd)

November 16-20
International Week
11/16, 8-10am: Family Culture Fair
11/18, 2:15-2:45pm: International Sing-a-Long (school wide assembly)
11/19: 8:30-9:15am: Imagine a Dragon (JMM Musical); 3rd-5th
11/19, 1:45-2:30pm: Imagine a Dragon (JMM Musical); ECSE-2nd

November 23-27
Thanksgiving Break!

November 30-December 4
Book Fair Week
Special Education Staff Appreciation Week
12/2: Book Fair Family Night
12/3, 3:30-4:30pm: CAC Meeting
12/4, 10:40am-12:45pm: Grandparents Luncheon