PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hello everyone, I hope you have all been enjoying the nice weather before it gets too hot. The kids can look forward to Water Day in May thanks in part to your support through the fundraisers, Family, Food, and Fun Night, and the Feed the Dolphins coin drive. Thank you, and please know that your children will appreciate it when they are splashing in the water during a school day.
During the General PTA meeting before Open House, you elected the Executive PTA Board for the 2008-2009 school-year. Those officers are: President – Natalie Hill, 1st VP – Kristy Wendt, 2nd VP – Victoria Jackson, Treasurer – Kimberly Askew, Secretary – Coleen Reicherts, and Council Delegates – Amy Hall and Ken Starzer. Congratulations to next year’s officers. If you would like to be part of the PTA Board as a committee member or chairperson, please watch your Thursday folders for information on positions from our volunteer coordinator. We rely on the experience of prior members, but need new faces and ideas too! If you want to help but not necessarily be a board member, please remember that cafeteria volunteers are needed, as well as library helpers, field trip chaperones, and other helpers. That’s where I’ll be next year – helping where needed.
Our next General PTA meeting will be on April 22nd, where the PTA Life Membership award will be handed out and the 2nd Grade will perform. I hope to see everyone there, and thanks again for your support this year.

~Amber Counts

Feed the Dolphins Coin Drive:

What a difference spare change can make! We want to thank everyone who donated spare change in the office or on Open House night to our coin drive. A couple of people even put $20 in their grade’s tub! Here are the results:
K - $10.32
1 - $22.61
2 - $60.40 (1st place)
3 - $9.92
4 - $30.84
5 - $43.76
total: $177.85
Congratulations to 2nd grade, and it should be said that they won because of more coins. Both 2nd and 5th grade had $20 donated. Every grade is really a winner, because this money will help pay for Water Day. Based on letters the PTA received from children last year, this is the favorite event of the year for many kids.
The 2nd Grade will receive their prizes during the first or second week in April. They will each get a homework pass and a treat. Thanks again to everyone who made this coin drive a success!

~Amber Counts & Joann Thomas

KINDERGARTEN NEWS

Thank you so much for coming to our annual Open House in March. It was great meeting you and talking to you. We were happy to see how proud our students were of their school and their work.
April will be an exciting month for us as we get to go on a field trip. On April 29, we will visit the Dallas World Aquarium. We hope to see the penguins, sharks, and the jellyfish. We can’t wait to learn about the community helpers in social studies this month. Also, we will begin the Time Unit in math.
We are only 9 weeks away from the end of the school year. Can you believe it? We have made great progress in writing, reading, math, and social studies. WOW! We are almost in the first grade.
Thank you for all your help and support!
The Kindergarten Team

FIRST GRADE NEWS

First grade is soooo busy! We are learning about some of our US National Symbols and what they mean to us. We are going to begin our study of landforms, the continents and oceans. Do you know all of the continents and oceans of the earth? In the month of April, we will be planting seeds and finding out what happens as seeds sprout and begin to grow! Each living thing needs certain things to grow up strong and healthy and we will learn all about it. Soon you will be able to get help planting your garden from the first grade horticulturalists.
In math, we are learning all about measurement. We are measuring length with non standard units of measure and we will measure weight and learn all about capacity. We love being mathematicians!
Our animal reports are teaching us all about the different kinds of animals we will see at the Dallas Zoo. We are learning about nonfiction conventions as write our reports. We are learning how to do research from books and computer sites. Did you know first graders could do so many interesting things?
We need parent chaperones for our Dallas Zoo field trip at the end of May. Please make sure you have filled out a volunteer background check and let your child's teacher know you would like to help out!
The first grade team

SECOND GRADE NEWS

All of the students and teachers in second grade want to thank our parents for coming to Open House to see what we have been doing. We had so many parents and friends come by our rooms and we were proud to show off our hard work.
Our “rodeo” outside to celebrate Texas Public Schools week was awesome. We pitched horseshoes, tossed bandanas, raced on stick horses, competed in a three-legged race, and even did the Cotton Eye Joe.
After our spring break and much needed rest, our benchmark reading and math test preparations will be keeping us busy this month. Our math benchmark will be the first week in April and the reading and writing will come the third week of the month.
In science our focus is on life cycles of insects. We will be observing mealworms and wax worms and later we will be putting together a butterfly habitat. It is so much fun to watch our insects grow and change. Our culminating activity will be the creating of insect models to display around the school. Who knew bugs could be so much fun? Speaking of bugs, the second grade will be performing the musical “Bugz” on April 22nd for the PTA program. On that same day, we will be going on a field trip to the outdoor learning center to see more of the plant and insect life up close and personal. As always, second grade is learning and having fun while doing it.

THIRD GRADE NEWS

Wow, the year is going by so fast. We are working so hard in all subjects and learning lots of new topics. We are so proud of our 3rd graders and the overall results of the Reading TAKS test. Now we are focused on the Math TAKS test on April 29th.
This month in writing we are going to be focusing on how to write a letter with the correct form and poetry. Your child will be writing pen pals from across the country using awesome handwriting, excellent sentence structure and wonderful punctuation. For poetry we will be focusing on certain types of poems like haiku, narrative poems, concrete poems, and limericks. They will be not only learning about why the poem is that specific type but they will also be constructing some of their own poems.
For science we are going to be talking about force, motion and simple machines. We will be observing a lot of things in the classroom, school and outside to get a better understanding of what simple machines are and what forces we use everyday. Simple machines are used in our everyday life so ask your kids what they learned in science today!

FOURTH GRADE NEWS

We are continuing all our hard work in fourth grade! Our math and reading TAKS tests are coming up at the end of the month. Math TAKS is April 29th and Reading TAKS is April 30th. We will be hard at work reviewing everything we've learned this year in both those subjects. In writing, we are having fun writing different kinds of poetry including
haiku, cinquians, and acrostics. In social studies, we are studying about colonies in Texas and the Texas Revolution. In science we are learning about animal adaptations and traits. Be ready to hear about dissecting owl pellets!
Susan Brantley
4th Grade

FIFTH GRADE NEWS
Dear Parents,
By the time you read this newsletter, you will know that 5th grade has truly been working hard this year. And with the assistance of family, past teachers, and the students own motivation and hard work, our scores for the first round of reading TAKS are above 90 percent!!!! Please brag on your child and show them how proud you are of them. (We will
have another go around for those who need a 2nd time on TAKS April 30th.)
The Math TAKS was on April 8th, and we are planning on having the same outcome!!!!
Go Davis Dolphins!!!
Thanks for all your support!
The 5th grade team

NURSE NEWS
Mobile Dentist Day at Davis!
The Mobile Dentist program will be at Davis to bring its preventive dental care services to our school on May 16th. We know how important good oral health is to your children’s general health.
“We know that tooth decay is the most common chronic and infectious disease among children,” explained Margo Woll, D.D.S. and Marcy Borofsky, D.D.S., co-directors of the Mobile Dentists Programs. “We also know poor oral health causes other problems in children, such as diminished growth in toddlers, poor nutrition due to difficulty eating and an increase in bacteria in the blood and respiratory systems.”
The Mobile Dentists team will set up a mini-dental office in our building and can provide dental examinations, cleanings, fluoride treatments, x-rays and sealants (if necessary) for children who return completed forms. An adult representative from Davis Elementary will be present in the room at all times.
Mobile Dentists Programs can provide these services to families who need financial assistance and it has subsidized fees for those who choose to pay for the preventive care. They can also work with your dental insurance. No child is turned away from the Mobile Dentists Program because of financial need.
Mobile Dentists Programs will complete dental exams and paperwork required by state mandated programs, where required.
Signing up your children to see the Mobile Dentists Program is an easy and convenient way to get necessary preventive dental care. If you want your child to see the dentist on “Shine Your Smile Day,” just fill out the permission slip and return it to your school. The permission forms will come home in your child’s Thursday folder the first week in April.
You can learn more about Mobile Dentists Programs by going to its website at www.mobiledentists.com.
Please turn all completed forms into the clinic by April 18th.
Thank you,
Debra Wise RN
Davis Nurse

LIBRARY NEWS

I want to say a big THANK YOU to all Davis Dolphins who supported our
Spring Book Fair. You are awesome! These volunteers made it possible:
Mrs. Barrow, Mrs. Greenawalt, Mrs. Pirano, Mrs. Ralph, Mrs. Askew, Mrs.
Wendt, Mrs. Hall, Abby Tilton, Nick Meyer, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Mr.
Martin and Mrs. Smith. Without them, a book fair would not be possible.
Thank you!
April is National Poetry Month so hope you have a poem to share on
morning announcements starting April 1st! We will have our annual book
trade in May. Your 6 Flags ticket will be in your last report card in June.
Remember to return your library books on time and in good shape! Read!
Read! Read!
Mrs. Martin

MUSIC NEWS

Spring is here and music is in the air! Our Kinder and 1st graders are learning to play the xylophones and metallophones. They are having so much fun. Our 2nd graders are working hard on their musical ‘Bugz’. We will perform for the school on April 21st and at the PTA meeting on April 22nd. We hope you will come and support them. They are doing an awesome job. In third grade we are learning about musical forms and learning to perform and sing in canon. Our 4th and 5th graders are working hard on Recorder Karate. They are busy practicing to earn their “belts” to show off their skills.

ART NEWS

There are some exciting things happening in art in the upcoming months! Fifth grade just finished a project about one-point perspective, and will soon start making papier machie masks. Fourth grade learned about the art of Romare Bearden and finished a mixed media project using watercolor and collage that was inspired by music. They will experiment with sculpture next to learn the difference between additive and subtractive sculpture. Make sure you stop by and check out third grade’s papier machie action figures, they are on display in the main hallway and look awesome! Third grade’s next project will involve mixing colors to make an unusual color wheel. Second grade recently learned about symmetry and practiced it by making masks as well. They’ll be exploring Australian art next. First grade just made texture books by cutting and pasting examples from magazines. First grade’s next two major projects will be zoo t-shirts and Van Gogh sunflowers – keep an eye out for a notice about the t-shirts in upcoming Thursday Folders! Kindergarten now knows how to make secondary colors after our blotter bug project. Kindergarten will continue to try new and exciting media to develop those fine motor and critical thinking skills.

REFLECTIONS

HELLO DAVIS DOLPHINS!
Here are the results of this
year Reflections awards ceremony.

Intermediate Literature
1st place Inaara Muhammed
2nd place Kiefer Gorena
3rd place Shayaah Khimani

Primary Literature
1st place TraVian Arnold
2nd place Jarien Arnold

Intermediate Visual Arts
1st place Isra Merchant
2nd place Teresa Nguyen
3rd place Alicia Cowan

Primary Visual Arts
1st place TraVian Arnold
2nd place Abigail Anderson
3rd place Ann Jitch

Primary Photography
1st place Jarien Arnold
2nd Authur Sanchez

CONGRATULATIONS! To all of the winners and students
who showed their creativity by entering this year’s reflections contest. Next years' theme will be
"WOW". Start thinking about what "WOW" means to you. Get a early jump on next year entries. And lets show that we can have even more entries than this year. Strive to enter
more than once and even in different categories. Good Luck Dolphins.
Joann Thomas
Reflections Chairperson

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

It important to give your kids healthy snacks for their lunches and at home after school as well. A variety of fruits and vegetables are important and vital for overall growth and development. If the only choices around the house is junk food, then their really isn't a healthy choice to be made; but if there are bananas, apples, grapes, carrots, celery, oranges etc. available, then there are some great healthy choices. Parents also need to model good healthy choices for their
kids. Sit down with your kids and enjoy a healthy snack with them.
When they see you trying various fruits and vegetables, they will be
more likely to try them and like them as well. Another study recently suggested that kids who eat fruits and vegetables do better in school as well. They are better able to focus and concentrate on their studies. So fruits and vegetables not only help you physically but mentally as well. Could you pass the fruits and vegetables please?
Coach Sullivan

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

We would like to thank everyone who participated in our special Box Tops contest at Family Fun night. Congratulations to the winners of the drawing: Peyton Slayer, Nathan Aguilera, Travis Colapret, Ian Counts, Chase Allen, Anika, Tysha Barrows, Malaki Askew, and Inaara Mohammad. We hope you enjoy the Box Tops prizes. Continue to clip and bring in your Box Tops. The current contest will continue until May 9th.
Thank you,
Shelly and Sharron
Box Tops Davis PTA

Parent Education Seminars

Unhappy Teenagers…a way for parents and teachers to reach them---------------April 10, 2008
This class will explore Dr. William Glasser’s book on this title. Through this author’s compassionate and sensitive manner he emphasizes the pain and turmoil of teens and their families—and presents an effective path for change. Don’t miss this!
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder in the 21st Century-----------April 17, & 24, 2008
This is a condition which affects nearly 5 million kids in the US today…ADD/ADHD. Join us for two sessions as we discuss what it is like to parent a child that has been diagnosed with ADD. Don’t miss this!
Mom, I’m Bored----May 1, 2008
Join us as Gretchen Biery, parent and educator; give us many ideas on ways we can keep our children busy during the summer months. Gretchen has researched this subject and you will be amazed at the many ideas she has come up with for parents, as we get ready for those long hot summer days.
Communication with Your Teenager -----
-May 8, 2008

DO YOU SPEAK…
Vietnamese Korean
Telugu Bosnian???
Parents:
CFBISD is in need of interpreters for the above languages for parent contact, testing, etc. Well-paid occasional work. Will adjust to your schedule.
Call Georgina Tezer at 972-968-6513 or e-mail at tezerg@cfbisd.edu for more information
 

GIFTED AND TALENTED

Mark your calendar for these dates…
Friday, April 11, 2008---Conversations with Jim Delisle---TBA
Saturday, April 12, 2008---C-FB AGT/C-FB ISD AAS Spring Symposium---Theme title TBD
Keynote speaker: Jim Delisle noted educator, author on parenting and educating gifted children.
“Parenting Gifted Kids: Tips for Raising Happy and Successful Children”
Parents of gifted children and teens have many questions about how best to meet their intellectual and emotional needs. Parents of gifted kids need to know what giftedness is (and what it isn’t). They want to know how to set expectations that are balanced and attainable. They want to know how to help their children find true friends who share similar interests and abilities. Dr. Delisle addresses these and other issues that “come with the territory” of raising gifted children. His book will be available for purchase.
 

FAMILY FOOD AND FUN NIGHT

Thanks again to our sponsors
for the 1st annual Davis Family Food and Fun Night.
Additional sponsors include:
Dr. Jon Pruett @ Trinity Dermatology
Star Car Wash
Nico's Cocina
Sparkle Pools
Interskate
The Little Gym
Young Chefs Academy
Spring Creek BBQ
Lara Iezzi Avon
Lara Iezzi Tupperware
Knowledge Points
Tony's Wine Warehouse
American Indoor Sports
Dr. Pepper Stars Center
Kim Askew Mary Kay
Sonic drive-in
Sidekicks Karate

Developing Healthy Habits as a Family

By Sally Schoessler

As families, our lives tend to reflect what we value the most. Our values shape our everyday lives and what we choose to do with our time. We must make sure that the things we value are evidenced in what we are doing for and with our children. We need to look at how we spend our time and consider whether a few changes might make a big difference for our children.
Children should be taught the components of a healthy lifestyle, and the best place for them to learn healthy habits is at home. The family is the strongest presence in the life of a child, and the patterns and habits that a child practices on a regular basis become the foundation for the adult that he or she will "grow into." The lessons learned can be reinforced at school but will have greater strength when practiced daily at home. America's children need to be encouraged to adopt more active lifestyles. Families can promote being active through family activities, as well as participation in sports. Along with physical activity, there are other important health-related priorities to instill in your child-and to reflect in your own life!

Consider making the following actions part of your healthy lifestyle:
• The first and most important thing you can do is cut back TV, computer, and video game time. Limiting the amount of time a child spends in a sedentary activity provides more time for physical activity.

• Take a family walk or bike ride in the evening-it's good for everyone! You can set a destination of a local playground or follow a specific route. Point out landmarks and use the time to interact with your children. If you have a dog, he'll enjoy being included, too!

• There are family memberships at gyms and children's sports leagues, but there are also a myriad of ideas for physical activity that are low-cost or free. Play kickball in your yard, kick a soccer ball, in-line skate, or practice your golf swing. Take the time to engage in play with your children. It will be healthy for all of you, both physically and emotionally.

• Encourage your child to wear the appropriate protective equipment for the activity he or she is engaged in. Wearing a bike helmet should be a habit at all ages for each and every bicycle ride. Children who in-line skate or skateboard should wear a helmet, as well as elbow and knee pads.

• Make homework a priority. Talk to your child's teacher to be sure that your child is keeping up with classroom work. Provide a consistent, quiet time, away from background noise, to encourage quality work. Children need to learn that work has value and that when they are in school, they have to do their work. Help children find satisfaction in a job well done and they will translate that value to their adult lives.

• Plan a balanced, healthy dinner to eat together as a family at a scheduled time. Provide your children with fruits and vegetables, avoiding fast food and heavily fried foods. Talk to your children about what they are learning about nutrition in school, and reinforce those lessons at home. Involve children in the preparation of meals; it builds responsibility and provides a time for warmth and communication.

• Have your child see your family's health-care provider regularly to make sure he or she is growing well, is fully immunized, and that any chronic or acute health issues are being treated. Parents should develop a partnership with their children's school nurses to provide for continuity in care between home and school. Your child's school nurse is a valuable resource for wellness issues,

as well as for care for illnesses and injuries.

• Work with your child to help him or her maintain an appropriate weight for his or her height. Keeping your child's weight within normal limits can help maximize your child's lifelong health

and prevent weight-related health problems.

• Make sure you and your children get enough sleep. With our busy lifestyles and high-energy days, this can be a real issue for families. Choose a reasonable bedtime that allows for nine to 12 hours of sleep each night for a school-age child. (Teenagers may need even more sleep than a young child!) Establish a regular bedtime routine that promotes relaxation and relief from the stress of the day. Start getting your children ready for bed before you want them to go to sleep. If they bathe in the evening, start with a relaxing bath. After they are in their pajamas, consider reading to them or with them for pleasure (another great habit to establish as a family). Make bedtime a warm and pleasant time-and take the time to really listen to your child, as many of his or her concerns from the day will be shared when he or she is tucked into bed. A lullaby or quiet music can promote a smooth transition from a busy day to a peaceful night of sleep.
Changing our routines and habits is not an easy thing to do. When trying to bring about a lifestyle change, choose one or two new habits at a time to build into your daily routine. Keep the new habit in place for several weeks to make it part of your lifestyle before adding another change. It may help to sit down as a family and map out what changes you would like to make.

Prioritize them, and add one or two new things every month until your family meets its goals.

Our health is the cornerstone of our existence. Children who are healthy learn better, have more positive interactions, and experience greater chance for success in life. As parents, it is our job to provide our children with the basic knowledge and practices they need for the rest of their lives. When we as parents model a healthy lifestyle, the chances of our children adopting those values are greatly increased.

Sally Schoessler, RN, SNT, MSEd, is a school nurse teacher in the Rush-Henrietta (NY) Central School District. She has served on the boards of directors of the National Association of School Nurses and the New York State Association of School Nurses. She is a contributing author to The School Nurse's Source Book of Individualized Healthcare Plans, Volume 2, published by Sunrise River Press.

Taken from PTA Our Children Magazine