Dolphin Splash

Dear Davis Families,

It's so nice to welcome the cooler weather and I hope you all are enjoying it this weekend.

Earlier this week, Superintendent Segura sent out a communication regarding the violence in Israel and Palestine that included resources for teachers and parents when talking to children about these events. I've included a link below in case you missed it. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted and please know we are here to support students and our school community as a whole.

I've included some pictures below of our annual kindergarten butterfly migration and, as always, you'll also see photos of our students who were recognized at assemblies for showing The Davis Way.

The excitement is building for our first ever Dolphin BOO! Fest, bringing the best of DolphinFest and making it even better! Make sure to sign up to volunteer for part of the time to help make it a success. It is going to be such a great time for everyone and I hope to see you all there on Friday evening!

Remember to wear orange for Unity Day this Wednesday to recognize this day supporting our commitment to kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

Thank you for being a part of Davis!

Kind regards,

Jenny Daniels Principal, Davis Elementary

jennifer.daniels@austinisd.org

512-414-2580, ext 55182

• Davis Details: Dolphin BOO! Fest, Kindergarten Butterfly Migration, Human Sexuality & Responsibility (HSR) Lessons Orientation Slides
• Davis Way Awards: K-5th
• From the Handbook: Birthday Celebrations
• AISD News: AISD Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations @ Anderson HS, Little Amal's Journey- Community Events

Dolphin BOO! Fest is less than a week away, and advanced ticket pricing closes this Tuesday, October 17th!

BUY TICKETS NOW! Don’t miss out on 5 bonus tickets by purchasing in advance!

The event will host food trucks, games, raffles and a haunted house! Costumes encouraged! Dolphinfest is open to all in the community – invite your neighbors and family to join!

RAFFLES COMING SOON! We have over a dozen raffles opening next Monday, October 16th. Raffle entries will be accepted ONLINE and onsite at the event. Be sure to check them out!

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP TO VOLUNTEER? We only have 23% of our shifts filled! This event is powered by volunteers, so please sign up today so we can keep all of our booths and experiences as scheduled!

• GRADE-LEVEL BOOTH SIGN-UP - Decorate your grade’s booth or sign up for a shift time.
• GENERAL SIGN-UP - Set-up & teardown, concessions, ticket booth and other needs. Note, with a Friday evening start we will need extra hands for set-up!
• YOUTH SIGN-UP - Know a middle or high schooler looking for volunteer hours? Send them this link!

Questions? EMAIL US.

After learning about the life cycle and migration patterns of monarch butterflies, kindergarten 'butterflies' replicated the butterfly migration to Mexico. Everyone gathered at the end of the journey to celebrate and enjoy some nectar (apple juice)!

For those of you who were not able to attend last week's Principal Coffee, I've included a link below to the slides from the presentation for your information. The lessons will be taught to K-5th students the week of December 11-15. Opt in forms for students to participate in these lessons will be sent out to everyone in late October.

While we highly value the special occasion of every child’s birthday, school based celebrations should be kept to a minimum in order to avoid distraction from learning. Parents may NOT bring food items to share with other students in order to celebrate their child’s birthday; however, special non-food treats (such as pencils, stickers, etc.) may be sent as part of a birthday celebration.

AUSTIN ISD Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations: Let’s work together to create physically and psychologically safe schools. Come talk with district leaders about mental health support, managing critical incidents, Austin ISD’s plan to comply with the new law requiring an armed officer at every campus and more.

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6-7:30 p.m.

• Anderson HS, 8403 Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78759

All events will have small groups facilitated in English and Spanish. Please contact cynthia.dacarett@austinisd.org at least three days in advance to request interpretation into other languages.

LITTLE AMAL'S JOURNEY- COMMUNITY EVENTS: “Little Amal is the 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child at the heart of The Walk. She has become a symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. From the organizers: “Little Amal’s journeys seek to change the narrative surrounding refugees and migrants, towards the contributions and potential they carry within them, including the hope they bring as they build a new life and livelihood, enhancing communities as they do so…. We hope that Amal’s journeys might encourage advocacy and strengthen awareness, empathy and conversation around the global refugee crisis at a time when it is sorely needed, as policy debates rage around immigration.” This fall, Amal is journeying 6,000 miles across the United States in one of the largest free public festivals ever created.” On October 20, Austin arts organizations are offering two free events for the public to walk with Amal. Please share with your school community members who may be interested in participating.

October 20, 2023 After School Events:

• “Get ready, get steady, DANCE!” 5 p.m. at Huston-Tillotson University. Partnership with Interfaith Action of Central Texas, Austin Refugee Roundtable, Huston-Tillotson University, and Ballet Austin. ”Amal has just arrived in Austin and is running late for a dance class. [First,] she needs a quick health check-up with the Interfaith Action of Central Texas. [Then,] she’s ready to join a beautiful welcoming dance with Ballet Austin.”

• ”An Honor of Bravery from Bat City.” 6:30-7:30 p.m. on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol. Partnership with Glass Half Full Theatre, American Artists Project, Cave Lady Studios, and Creative Action. “Amal unwittingly stumbles upon the cloud of bats that live and migrate through Austin’s community. She discovers that even in the dark, you can find your way.” Welcome Amal with a message of hope from local leaders, musicians, and puppets created by artists of all ages. “Make your own Bat Puppet” in English and Spanish available at the link.

Young people and schools can join in with Amal’s ongoing journey through their Education & Activity Pack: Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and more language translations available here; facilitators’ guide also available at the link.

October 16-20

10/17, 9:30am-2:00pm: Bob Bullock Museum Field Trip (4th)

10/17: Dine with Davis @ The Kebab Shop

10/17, 6:30-7:30pm: AISD Mental Health & School Safety Community Conversation @ Anderson HS

10/18: Unity Day- Wear orange for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion!

10/19, 10:00-10:45am: Murchison Middle School Visit (5th), Cafeteria

10/20, 5-8pm: Dolphin BOO Fest

October 23-27

10/23: GT Testing Window Opens (K, 1, 3, 4, 5)

10/23: Generation Zero- Classroom Visits (1st)

10/24: Evacuation Drill (fire, bomb)

10/24, 8am-1pm: McKinney Roughs Field Trip (5th- 2 classes)

10/25, 8am-1pm: McKinney Roughs Field Trip (5th- 2 classes)

10/26: Read for the Record

October 30-November 3

10/30, 8am-3pm: Generation Zero- Classroom Visits (1st)

10/31, 8:30-9:30am: Kindergarten Harvest Festival

10/31, 1:45-2:15pm: Fall Performance (4th) & Monster Mash

10/31, 2:30-3:00pm: Fall Performance (4th) & Monster Mash

11/2, 8-9am: Principal Coffee, Music Rm (107)

11/2, 9:30am-12:00pm: Laguna Gloria Field Trip (3rd- group 1)

11/2, 11:30am-2:00pm: Laguna Gloria Field Trip (3rd- group 2)

11/2, 3:30-4:30pm: CAC Meeting, Library