Gator Blast Archive January 2023- March 2023

 Calendar:

A look ahead:
Monday, 3/20: ISEC Projects Due
Friday, 3/24: Spring Book Fair Begins and Ident-A-Kid Event
Wednesday, 3/29: Unity Day and 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, 3/30: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, 3/31: 2-Hour Early Dismissal

The News:

Read-A-Thon
Thank you to all of the participants in our Read-A-Thon! 
The DES PTO has earned over $18,000 from our Gator’s love of reading. We are truly grateful for all of your support with this fundraiser. Thank you to Karen Murphy, Julie Weber, and Jillian Rosato for all their hard work putting this fundraiser and activities together.

Congratulations to our Read-A-Thon giveaway winners. They all won some DES Swag and a voucher for the upcoming Spring Book Fair.
-Reid Zingler, 2nd grade
-Camilla Chenault, Kindergarten
-Avery Schuler, 1st Grade
-Harper Jones. Kindergarten
-Emmy Grey, 5th Grade

Our Read-A-Thon Book Drive was a success! DES Families donated 725 books to Tyler Heights Elementary School, and the books were delivered. Thank you to our amazing DES families for your continued generosity.

DES ISEC Needs Volunteers!
The annual DES Innovators of Science & Engineering Challenge features students in grades 3-5. The projects can be submitted digitally, or presentations can be brought to school. Projects are judged by volunteer guest judges. The Science and Engineering fair judging will be held on March 23, and we are looking for 10-15 parent volunteers in person on March 23 from 3-5 pm or virtually for digital projects. You can sign up by clicking here. Please sign up by March 15th. For questions, reach out to Charu Esper at charu2@gmail.com.

Gator Gallop
The Gator Gallop is back! Be sure to mark your calendars for May 13th. There will be a 5k run/walk, a 1-mile run for kids, and a fun run for the littlest ones. The Gator Gallop needs lots of volunteers. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if you’re interested in being on the committee or volunteering on race day! See the attached flyer for more information. 

Book Fair
The DES Spring 2023 Book Fair will be open for sales from Friday, March 24, through Friday, March 31. The Book Fair setup will be on Thursday, March 23, in the afternoon. We are looking for volunteers to help out with the Book Fair. If you would like to volunteer, please click here to sign up. If anyone has folding tables they’d be willing to lend for the duration of the book fair, it would be greatly appreciated. There will also be a DES Family Social on Friday, March 24, from 5-8 pm. We encourage you to attend the Family Social if you are uncomfortable with your child making purchases without your direction.We are Looking for Gators for the DES Talent Show!
We are still looking for additional acts for DES’s annual talent show! This is a fun event for all DES students in all grades! In the past, we’ve had many different types of acts- dance, vocalists, instrumentals, hula hooping, and much more! Be creative, and come show off your favorite hobby or talent! Grab a group of friends and plan a dance, sing a song, or impress us with some other amazing act! Students who wish to participate must submit an online registration form/permission slip by March 27, 2023, which is available by clicking here. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested in volunteering on the Talent Show Committee, please email cathymanofsky@gmail.com.Ident-A-Kid
Ident-A-Kid is coming to DES on Friday, March 24th. If you would like to volunteer to help out with this event, please click here.

March General Membership Meeting Postponed
The PTO had to postpone the March General Membership Meeting until Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 7 pm in the DES library. If you were planning on attending the March meeting, please change the date on your calendar to April 11th.

Staff Spotlight

 Calendar:

This Week:
Thursday, 3/9: “Poolside Reading” Bring in a towel and sunglasses day
Friday, 3/10: Skate Night
A look ahead:
Monday, 3/20: ISEC Projects Due
Tuesday, 3/21: General Membership Meeting at 7 pm
Friday, 3/24: Spring Book Fair Begins
Wednesday, 3/29: Unity Day and 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, 3/30: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, 3/31: 2-Hour Early Dismissal

The News:

Read-A-Thon
Sunday is the final day for the Davidsonville Elementary School PTO Read-a-thon!

Thanks to all of our dedicated Gators and their love of reading that our students have logged over 12,000 minutes of reading, and we have surpassed $20,000 in funds raised (DES PTO gets 80%). It’s not too late to sign up if you haven’t already! We hope everyone will activate your reader’s account today by clicking here and following the simple instructions to get started. See the attached flyer for more information. Contact Karen Murphy kmrmurphy@gmail.com with questions. Read A Thon ActivitiesFeb26

Read-A-Thon Giveaway Winners
If you haven’t signed your gator up for our Read-a-thon giveaways yet, you can do so by clicking here and filling out the form. If you have already filled out a form, you do not need to do so again. We will have two more drawings this week that will be announced on our Facebook page and The Gator Blast.
Congratulations to our winners so far:
-Reid Zingler, 2nd grade
-Camilla Chenault, Kindergarten
-Avery Schuler, 1st grade

DES ISEC
The annual DES Innovators of Science & Engineering Challenge features students in grades 3-5. The projects can be submitted digitally, or presentations can be brought to school. Projects are judged by volunteer guest judges. The Science and Engineering fair judging will be held on March 23, and we are looking for 10-15 parent volunteers in person on March 23 from 3-5 pm or virtually for digital projects. You can sign up by clicking here. Please sign up by March 15th. For questions, reach out to Charu Esper at charu2@gmail.com.

Maryland Special Education Survey
The Maryland Special Education Survey packet was mailed to families on or about February 17, 2023. If this applies to your family, please take the time to fill out the survey, as input is important in meeting the needs of students. The survey will be open until May 19, 2023. See the attached flyer for more information. 37316_MSDE_Flyer_v1

Skate Night
Come and celebrate the end of the Read-A-Thon with us at Skate Zone in Crofton from 5-7 pm on Friday, March 10th. Admission is $5, and skate rentals are $5.

Gator Gallop
The Gator Gallop is back! Be sure to mark your calendars for May 13th. There will be a 5k run/walk, a 1-mile run for kids, and a fun run for the littlest ones. The Gator Gallop needs lots of volunteers. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if you’re interested in being on the committee or volunteering on race day! See the attached flyer for more information. DES GATOR GALLOP 2023

Volunteers Needed!
Martial Arts Program– We’re looking for volunteers to assist with a possible martial arts club! Volunteers must be fingerprinted with AACPS and available from 2:30-3:30 pm on select days after school. No martial arts experience needed! Volunteers would assist with club paperwork and assist as needed with the club flow. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if interested.

Green School Club– We are looking for a few parent volunteers to assist Ms. Collins in restarting our Green School Club Program. Ms. Collins is currently leading the application for DES Green School recertification! We anticipate the remainder of the 22-23 school year that the club will meet once a month starting in March with 3-5th graders. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if you are interested!

Book Fair
The DES Spring 2023 Book Fair will be open for sales from Friday, March 24, through Friday, March 31. The Book Fair setup will be on Thursday, March 23, in the afternoon. We are looking for volunteers to help out with the Book Fair. If you would like to volunteer, please click here to sign up. If anyone has folding tables they’d be willing to lend for the duration of the book fair, it would be greatly appreciated. There will also be a DES Family Social on Friday, March 24, from 5-8 pm. We encourage you to attend the Family Social if you are uncomfortable with your child making purchases without your direction.Calling all Gators for the DES Talent Show!
We are excited to announce that DES’s annual talent show is back again this year! We can’t wait to see our Gators show off their amazing talents! The talent show will be on May 31, 2023. Students who wish to participate must submit an online registration form/permission slip by March 27, 2023, which is available by clicking here. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested in volunteering on the Talent Show Committee, please email cathymanofsky@gmail.com. DES Talent Show Form 2023Staff Spotlight
Melissa Hunt is a fourth-grade teacher, and while she has been teaching for 14 years, this is her first year at Davidsonville Elementary School! She is also one of the three teachers that are helping to coordinate the ISEC (Innovators of Sciencs and Engineering Challenge) this year for our DES students.Melissa is married with two daughters and two German Shepards. She is one of 6 children and also a twin! In the summer, her family likes to vacation at the beach, and they also enjoy seeing live music and dance. Whether it be at work or at home, she believes it is important to squeeze every happy moment out of life that you can.When Melissa was asked why she likes to teach, she said, “I enjoy helping students learn new things. When a student grasps a new concept or reaches a new learning goal, seeing the pride they have for themselves in that moment makes me so happy. I enjoy getting to know my students and making connections with them.”

Thank you, Mrs. Hunt, for being such a great teacher to our students. We hope this is the first of many years to come as a DES educator!

Community:

The SpongeBob Musical!
Southern High School Drama Company is dancing its way into opening night for its spring musical, The SpongeBob Musical! This hilarious and family-friendly musical stars all of your well-loved characters from the hit cartoon series on Nickelodeon! Tickets can be purchased at the door for – $15 for adults 13+, SHS students/staff with ID, and kids 12 and under $10. SPECIAL KIDS DAY -all kids under 12 are $5 per ticket on March 25 at the 2 pm show only. See the attached flyer for more information.

Showtimes are:
Thursday, March 23 at 7 pm
Friday, March 24 at 7 pm
Saturday, March 24, at 2 pm & 7 pm

 Calendar:

This Week:
Monday, 2/27: Read-A-Thon Begins
Tuesday, 2/28: Pajama Day
Thursday, 3/2: 2-Hour Late Arrival (school starts at 10 am), Dress like a Book Character day, and Read Under the Stars Event
Friday, 3/3: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
A look ahead:
Thursday, 3/9: “Poolside Reading” Bring in a towel and sunglasses day
Friday, 3/10: Skate Night and Read-A-Thon ends
Tuesday, 3/21: General Membership Meeting at 7 pm
Friday, 3/24: Spring Book Fair Begins
Wednesday, 3/29: Unity Day and 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, 3/30: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, 3/31: 2-Hour Early Dismissal

The News:

Read-A-Thon
It’s time for the Davidsonville Elementary School PTO Read-a-thon!
Read-a-thon promises to be a fun, exciting journey that starts Monday, February 27, 2023. We will get your children excited about reading.

We know you have limited time, but want the best education for your child. That’s why we hope everyone will activate your reader’s account today by clicking here and following the simple instructions to get started.
See the attached flyers for more information. Contact Karen Murphy kmrmurphy@gmail.com with questions.

Prizes, Prizes, Prizes! To kick off the Read-a-thon that is starting this week, the DES PTO is having a giveaway of some cool DES Swag and vouchers for the upcoming Book Fair. If you would like to enter your DES student, you can do so by clicking here and filling out the form. Winners will be announced on Facebook and in The Gator Blast.

Read Under the Stars
Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 2nd, from 5-7 pm for our Read Under the Stars evening to complement our upcoming Read-A-Thon. Thank you to the volunteers who signed up to help make this a fun event for our DES families. We could use 2-3 extra volunteers. If you are open to lending a hand in case we need it, please email Julie at milljuli@gmail.com or let us know when you arrive at the event. We can’t wait to Read Under the Stars with all of our DES students and families! This is NOT a drop-off event. See the attached flyers for more information. 

Gator Gallop
The Gator Gallop is back! Be sure to mark your calendars for May 13th. There will be a 5k run/walk, a 1-mile run for kids, and a fun run for the littlest ones. The Gator Gallop needs lots of volunteers. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if you’re interested in being on the committee or volunteering on race day! See the attached flyer for more information. 

Photos Needed!
The yearbook committee would love pictures from the class Valentine’s Day Celebrations and the Winter Music Concert. Please send photos to Desgatorsyearbook@gmail.com.

Volunteers Needed!
Martial Arts Program– We’re looking for volunteers to assist with a possible martial arts club! Volunteers must be fingerprinted with AACPS and available from 2:30-3:30 pm on select days after school. No martial arts experience needed! Volunteers would assist with club paperwork and assist as needed with the club flow. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if interested.

Green School Club– We are looking for a few parent volunteers to assist Ms. Collins in restarting our Green School Club Program. Ms. Collins is currently leading the application for DES Green School recertification! We anticipate the remainder of the 22-23 school year that the club will meet once a month starting in March with 3-5th graders. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if you are interested!

Drama Club
The DES Drama Club is perfect for all actors in 4th or 5th grade-no experience required. Each week we will explore new concepts in acting through theatre exercises, games, and creative challenges that teach students the art of performance and self-expression. Students will build self-confidence and interpersonal skills as they learn to express themselves in a variety of ways. Come Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 pm beginning March 2nd. Be prepared to move around and have a lot of fun! REGISTRATION REQUIRED – The cost is $10 per student, and space is limited. Click here to REGISTER by February 27th. See the attached flyer for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial need*  Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.

Calling all Gators for the DES Talent Show!
We are excited to announce that DES’s annual talent show is back again this year! We can’t wait to see our Gators show off their amazing talents! The talent show will be on May 31, 2023. Students who wish to participate must submit an online registration form/permission slip by March 27, 2023, which is available by clicking here. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested in volunteering on the Talent Show Committee, please email cathymanofsky@gmail.com.Volunteer Spotlight
Cathy Manofsky and her husband Matt have three daughters who are all DES alumni- Sophia (8th grade at CMS), Emily (6th grade at CMS), and Grace (6th grade at CMS. Their son, Luke, is in Kindergarten at DES.Cathy is not new to volunteering, as she first started in 2014 when her oldest was a student at DES. Over the years, she has volunteered for many different activities. This year, Cathy is the Chair of the Talent Show, Co-Chair of Teacher Appreciation Week, and helping to organize the Gator Gallop. She also volunteered for the Holiday Shoppe, Teacher Hospitality Committee, and Book Fairs and loves to chaperone school field trips! Outside of DES, Cathy also volunteers at CMS, is the Youth Development Coordinator for DAA soccer, and leads two Girl Scout troops.As a family, the Manofskys like traveling, taking road trips in their camper, hiking, visiting National Parks, attending professional sports games, and taking trips to the beach and lake. Cathy likes reading, baking with her children, spending time with friends and family, and watching her kids in their many sports and activities.When asked why she volunteers, she said, “I want to do my part to help support the teachers and staff in creating amazing educational and extracurricular experiences for our kids.”Community:

Running Shoe Collection
If you haven’t had a chance to get those running shoes donated yet, you still have time. The collection ends on Tuesday, February 28th! See the below letter for more information.

Hello everyone, 

This February, I will be collecting running shoes to donate to Tyler Heights Elementary again. Running is a passion that anyone should be able to enjoy, and my goal is to make running shoes accessible to people who may not be able to afford them. Two years ago, I collected more than 70 pairs of shoes. This time, I hope to collect over 100. If you are interested in contributing new or gently used shoes, please tie together the shoes and put them in a bag that is labeled with the size of the shoes. Shoes can be dropped off at our house, or we can get them from you. [Davidsonville Elementary School will also have a collection box]. Collection ends 2/28/23.

Thanks, Owen Infante

 Calendar:

This Week:
Monday 2/20- Schools Closed
A look ahead:
Monday 2/27- Read-A-Thon begins
Thursday 3/2- 2 Hour Late Arrival (school starts at 10 am) and Read Under the Stars
Friday 3/3- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday 3/10- Skate Night and Read-A-Thon ends
Tuesday 3/21- General Membership Meeting
Friday 3/24- Spring Book Fair Begins

The News:

Read-A-Thon
The DES PTO is hosting a Read-A-Thon fundraiser. It will run from February 27-March 10. Read-A-Thon makes it easy, fun, and rewarding to practice reading at home and at school. Friends and Family support your child’s reading efforts by making a donation to their personal Read-A-Thon page.There will be fun days at school to get your children excited about reading, including a Read Under The Stars event on Thursday evening, March 2nd. See the attached flyers for more information.Keep an eye out for easy registration details and additional information to come in The Gator Blast editions and also in take-home folders from school. Contact Karen Murphy kmrmurphy@gmail.com with questions.Read Under the Stars
Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 2nd, from 5-7 pm for our Read Under the Stars evening to complement our upcoming Read-A-Thon. If you are able to volunteer, please email Julie at milljuli@gmail.com. See the attached flyers for more information.-Bring a sleeping bag and your favorite book(s)
-Read independently or with your friends
-Log your minutes for the Read-A-Thon
-Book exchange-Leave a book and take a book
-Free Kona Ice

In advance of our Read Under the Stars event taking place on Thursday, March 2, from 5-7 pm, please bring new or gently used books to the school. You can place the books in the designated bin by the front office between Tuesday, February 21, and Wednesday, March 1, or bring them to Read Under the Stars, where we will have a book exchange table set up. All remaining books will be donated to Tyler Heights Elementary School in Annapolis

Gator Gallop
The Gator Gallop is back! Be sure to mark your calendars for May 13th. There will be a 5k run/walk, a 1-mile run for kids, and a fun run for the littlest ones. The Gator Gallop needs lots of volunteers. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if you’re interested in being on the committee or volunteering on race day! See the attached flyer for more information. 

Photos Needed!
The yearbook committee would love pictures from the class Valentine’s Day Celebrations and the Winter Music Concert. Please send photos to Desgatorsyearbook@gmail.com.

Final Call 5th Grade Sentiments
The Yearbook Committee is doing one final call for 5th Grade Sentiments. Please take note that sentiments cannot be longer than 15 words. If you are interested, please email the Yearbook Committee at desgatorsyearbook@gmail.com the following:
1. Label the subject line with your child’s First and Last name
2. Baby Picture
3. Sentiment of 15 words or less (please adhere to this as we do not have enough room for more)

Drama Club
The DES Drama Club is perfect for all actors in 4th or 5th grade-no experience required. Each week we will explore new concepts in acting through theatre exercises, games, and creative challenges that teach students the art of performance and self-expression. Students will build self-confidence and interpersonal skills as they learn to express themselves in a variety of ways. Come Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 pm beginning March 2nd. Be prepared to move around and have a lot of fun! REGISTRATION REQUIRED – The cost is $10 per student, and space is limited. Click here to REGISTER by February 24th. See the attached flyer for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial need*  Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.

Calling all Gators for the DES Talent Show!
We are excited to announce that DES’s annual talent show is back again this year! We can’t wait to see our Gators show off their amazing talents! The talent show will be on May 31, 2023. Students who wish to participate must submit an online registration form/permission slip by March 27, 2023, which is available by clicking here. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested in volunteering on the Talent Show Committee, please email cathymanofsky@gmail.com.

Volunteer Spotlight
DES has 26 homeroom classes, which means there are at least 26 room parent volunteers. As a room parent, duties may include communication between teachers, the PTO, and parents of that class, organizing special class gifts, as well as planning class celebrations, like the Valentine’s Day Celebrations each class just had. Stephanie Smith is one of our room parents and has been a room parent for the past 6 years, on occasion pulling double duty as a room parent for more than 1 class.Stephanie has volunteered in several roles at DES, and being a room parent is her favorite.  She feels it allows her to savor the Elementary year moments, and she likes having that relationship with the teachers and being able to take things off their plate when they need it. She also loves to bring in homemade baklava for teacher luncheons when she is able. It is these types of gestures that make her feel as if she is able to give back to the teachers and administrators that take such great care of her kids.Stephanie, a DES alumnus herself, lives in Davidsonville with her husband, JD, and their 3 sons. Alex is in 5th grade, Zach is in 3rd grade, and Luke will attend DES in 2024. As a family, they enjoy weekend trips, game nights, and being in the presence of family and friends. Stephanie enjoys a healthy lifestyle, and you can find her running all around Davidsonville or working out most days and coaching basketball in her free time. Next year, Stephanie plans to Co-Chair the Yearbook Committee.Community:AACoPD Southern District Tours and Toys
Join the Anne Arundel County Southern District Police Department as they present Tours and Toys on Saturday, March 4th, from 4-7 pm. Bring your kids for a tour of the police station, and they can pick out a brand-new toy. See the attached flyer for more information. 

 Calendar:

This Week:
Tuesday 2/14- Class Valentine’s Day Celebrations
A look ahead:
Monday 2/20- Schools Closed
Monday 2/27- Read-A-Thon begins
Thursday 3/2- 2 Hour Late Arrival (school starts at 10 am) and Read Under the Stars
Friday 3/3- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday 3/10- Skate Night and Read-A-Thon ends

The News:

Calling all Gators for the DES Talent Show!
We are excited to announce that DES’s annual talent show is back again this year! We can’t wait to see our Gators show off their amazing talents! The talent show will be on May 31, 2023. Students who wish to participate must submit an online registration form/permission slip by March 27, 2023, which is available by clicking here. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested in volunteering on the Talent Show Committee, please email cathymanofsky@gmail.com.
DES Talent Show Form 2023

Read-A-Thon
The DES PTO is hosting a Read-A-Thon fundraiser. It will run from February 27-March 10. Read-A-Thon makes it easy, fun, and rewarding to practice reading at home and at school. Friends and Family support your child’s reading efforts by making a donation to their personal Read-A-Thon page.There will be fun days at school to get your children excited about reading, including a Read Under The Stars event on Thursday evening, March 2nd. See the attached flyers for more information.Keep an eye out for easy registration details and additional information to come in The Gator Blast editions and also in take-home folders from school. Contact Karen Murphy kmrmurphy@gmail.com with questions.
Read Under the Stars
Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 2nd, from 5-7 pm for our Read Under the Stars evening to complement our upcoming Read-A-Thon. If you are able to volunteer, please email Julie at milljuli@gmail.com. See the attached flyers for more information.-Bring a sleeping bag and your favorite book(s)
-Read independently or with your friends
-Log your minutes for the Read-A-Thon
-Book exchange-Leave a book and take a book
-Free Kona Ice

Lego Club Donations
We are accepting Lego donations for the pilot session of DES Lego Club. Click here to view our wish list if you would like to donate to the club. We accept both new and used legos. If you have any Legos (even random pieces) at home you’re willing to part with, please contact us – AnnMarie Gnall at amsaucier@gmail.com or Kim Neidig at kimberly.neidig@gmail.com to organize pickup.Volunteer Spotlight
As the Author Visits Committee Chair, JoAnn Wellington helps coordinate author visits to speak to and engage with our DES students. JoAnn has been married to her love, Daniel Wellington, for 13 years. They have two children, Josie in 4th grade and Geaton in 2nd grade. JoAnn and Daniel’s blended family also has three older children, making them a beautiful family of 7, of whom five children have attended DES. The family lives on the same street as JoAnn’s mom, sisters and cousins, so the kiddos see their first cousins almost daily!As a family, the Wellingtons like anything adventure related. They love being together, traveling as a family, and watching movies. They spend much of their summer at Dewey Beach and JoAnn and Daniel enjoy watching their kids play soccer and basketball. If you attend Holy Family Catholic Church, you will likely see the family attending mass and other church-related events. JoAnn likes working out, volunteering for various organizations that serve the community, and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to being the Author Visits Chair, JoAnn is currently a lunchroom monitor. She has volunteered at DES in different roles over the years, with picture day and other events. When asked about why she volunteers, JoAnn said she loves being around all the kids, particularly hers, and seeing what is happening in the environment they are usually in without her.

Skate Night
We had so many DES families join us at Skate Night for some family fun. We even had a brave parent who hadn’t put on skates in 20 years! The things we do for our kids! Hope to see you all at the next Skate Night.

 Community:

Running Shoe Collection
Davidsonville Elementary School will have a collection box collecting gently used or new running shoes to aid in Owen Infante’s efforts to bring proper running shoes to those that cannot afford them. Please see Owen’s letter for more information:

Hello everyone, 

This February, I will be collecting running shoes to donate to Tyler Heights Elementary again. Running is a passion that anyone should be able to enjoy, and my goal is to make running shoes accessible to people who may not be able to afford them. Two years ago, I collected more than 70 pairs of shoes. This time, I hope to collect over 100. If you are interested in contributing new or gently used shoes, please tie together the shoes and put them in a bag that is labeled with the size of the shoes. Shoes can be dropped off at our house, or we can get them from you. [Davidsonville Elementary School will also have a collection box]. Collection ends 2/28/23.

Thanks, Owen Infante

AACoPD Southern District Tours and Toys
Join the Anne Arundel County Southern District Police Department as they present Tours and Toys on Saturday, March 4th, from 4-7 pm. Bring your kids for a tour of the police station, and they can pick out a brand-new toy. See the attached flyer for more information.

 

 Calendar:

This Week:
Monday 2/6- Dine for DES at Killarney House
Wednesday 2/8- 2 Hour Early Dismissal and Unity Day
Friday 2/10- Skate Night at Skate Zone
A look ahead:
Tuesday 2/14- Class Valentine’s Day Celebrations
Monday 2/20- Schools Closed
Monday 2/27- Read-A-Thon begins
Thursday 3/2- 2 Hour Late Arrival and Read Under the Stars
Friday 3/3- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday 3/10- Skate Night and Read-A-Thon ends

The News:

Calling all Gators for the DES Talent Show!
We are excited to announce that DES’s annual talent show is back again this year! We can’t wait to see our Gators show off their amazing talents! The talent show will be on May 31, 2023. Students who wish to participate must submit an online registration form/permission slip by March 27, 2023, which is available by clicking here. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested in volunteering on the Talent Show Committee, please email cathymanofsky@gmail.com.

Dine for DES
Take the night off cooking dinner or a lunch break during the day, and head to Killarney House on Monday, February 6th, and earn money for the DES PTO. It’s that easy, you eat, and we make money! Killarney House is located at 584 W Central Ave, Davidsonville. See the attached flyer for more information.

Read Under the Stars
Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 2nd, from 5-7 pm for our Read Under the Stars evening to complement our upcoming Read-A-Thon.-Bring a sleeping bag and your favorite book(s)
-Read independently or with your friends
-Log your minutes for the Read-A-Thon
-Book exchange-Leave a book and take a book
-Free Kona IceSkate Night
Grab your brightest neon outfit and join us at Skate Zone in Crofton on Friday, February 10, from 5-7 pm. Kick off the weekend by skating with friends. Admission is $5, and skate rentals are $5. See the attached flyer for more information. Volunteers Needed
We need a few more volunteers to escort our Kindergarten and 1st-grade students to/from their hearing and screenings on Friday, February 10, during the school day.  Please click here to sign up to volunteer.Volunteer Spotlight
Kim Neidig is the co-chair of the Lego Club, which makes its debut Spring of 2023. Lego Club offers a creative outlet for students, encouraging teamwork with STEAM-centered activities. With a weekly theme, students will work together to create Lego builds inspired by their imaginations.A Philadelphia native, Kim currently lives in Riva with her husband Lane and three children: Jordan (in kindergarten), Evan (age 4), and Alex (age 1). The Neidig boys enjoy playing team sports, spending time with friends and family, and traveling to the Jersey shore in the summer. And, of course, Legos are huge in their house!

Kim is a local pediatrician at Annapolis Pediatrics and finds fulfillment in supporting her patients and their families through the highs and the lows of childhood. She enjoys volunteering in the academic setting and believes that fostering kids’ creativity directly aids in their development. In her free time, she enjoys singing classical music, yoga, and sailing. Kim is looking forward to helping kick off the first Lego Club season at DES!

Community:Running Shoe Collection
Davidsonville Elementary School will have a collection box collecting gently used or new running shoes to aid in Owen Infante’s efforts to bring proper running shoes to those that cannot afford them. Please see Owen’s letter for more information:

Hello everyone, 

This February, I will be collecting running shoes to donate to Tyler Heights Elementary again. Running is a passion that anyone should be able to enjoy, and my goal is to make running shoes accessible to people who may not be able to afford them. Two years ago, I collected more than 70 pairs of shoes. This time, I hope to collect over 100. If you are interested in contributing new or gently used shoes, please tie together the shoes and put them in a bag that is labeled with the size of the shoes. Shoes can be dropped off at our house, or we can get them from you. [Davidsonville Elementary School will also have a collection box]. Collection ends 2/28/23.

Thanks, Owen Infante

Kids Movie Night
Presented by AACoPD, on February 17th from 6:00-8:30 pm, Drop off the kids for a movie night and go! You must reserve a spot in advance. See the attached flyer for more information.

 Calendar:

This Week:
Wednesday 2/1- PBIS Glowstick Party

A look ahead:
Monday 2/6- Dine for DES at Killarney House
Wednesday 2/8- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday 2/10- Skate Night at Skate Zone
Tuesday 2/14- Class Valentine’s Day Celebrations
Monday 2/20- Schools Closed

The News:

Drama Club
We are happy to announce that Mrs. Whitmore, a DES 4th grade teacher, will lead a Drama Club on Thursdays this spring for 4th and 5th graders! We are looking for a few fingerprinted parents to get involved in order for this club to run! The Drama Club will be a casual experience where students can learn various techniques to introduce them to the world of theater. Please email Cathy Rutkowski for more information on how to get involved.

Green School Club
We are looking for a few parent volunteers to assist Ms. Collins in restarting our Green School Club Program. Ms. Collins is currently leading the application for DES Green School recertification! We anticipate the remainder of the 22-23 school year that the club will meet once a month starting in February, with 3rd – 5th graders

Availability for those volunteers interested in attending the monthly meetings would be afternoons from 2:40-3:40 pm, tentatively. Once our Green School Club narrows down projects, alternate dates and times might be needed to supervise yardwork/demonstrations, particularly in the warmer months.

Some areas of interest that might be useful when considering supporting this club may include (but aren’t limited to) repairing benches/podiums, removing fallen trees/pruning encroaching vines in the outdoor classroom area on the other side of the playground, updating all raised garden beds on school grounds with native flora, using rain barrels to distribute water to plants, energy/water usage surveys of classroom areas using kits provided by BGE, noting the pounds of paper collected in recycling bins that month, a survey of native fauna/health of environment captured on the edges of the school grounds, a recycled materials (from cafeteria) sculpture garden to decorate a main hallway, etc.

Please email Cathy Rutkowski if you are interested in volunteering.

Chess Club
We are excited to announce the start of the Fall DES Chess Program! Brought to you by Magnus Chess Academy, this program is for grades K-5 and runs for 12 weeks from February 15-May 17, 2023. Meetings are held after school on Wednesdays from 2:30 pm-3:30 pm and cost $216. You can register by clicking here. See the attached flyer for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available to those with financial need* Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.
Davidsonville Winter 2023
Volunteers Needed
We need a few volunteers to escort our Kindergarten and 1st-grade students to/from their hearing and screenings on Friday, February 10, during the school day. Sign-up slots are in 2-hour and 30-minute increments and run from 8 am- 1 pm. Please click here to sign up to volunteer.Volunteer Spotlight
Robyn Davis is Vice President-Fundraising for the DES PTO. In this role, she is responsible for all fundraising efforts, big and small. This includes Skate Nights, the Book Fair, the Harlem Wizards Basketball Event, Readathon, etc. It’s an important position because DES needs funds for supplies, events, and activities that are not covered by the county. Fundraisers allow the PTO to plan and budget for these needs, which greatly enhances the student experience.

Robyn and her husband Eric have two children; Baylen is 11 years old and in the 5th grade, and Caroline is 10 and in the 4th grade.

When Robyn was asked why she likes to volunteer, she said, “Volunteering started out as a way to make me (a nervous first-time parent of a Kindergartener) feel comfortable with DES. I started just volunteering with a reading program that no longer exists. The more comfortable I became, the more volunteer opportunities I signed up for. I was a room parent for both of my kids for several years and was the Book Fair Chair last year.”

Community:

Kids Movie Night
Presented by AACoPD, on February 17th from 6:00-8:30 pm, Drop off the kids for a movie night and go! You must reserve a spot in advance. See the attached flyer for more information.

 Calendar:

This Week:
Monday 1/23- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Tuesday 1/24- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday 1/25- Schools Closed

A look ahead:
Wednesday 2/1- PBIS Glowstick Party
Monday 2/6- Dine for DES at Killarney House
Wednesday 2/8- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday 2/10- Skate Night at Skate Zone
Tuesday 2/14- Class Valentine’s Day Celebrations
Monday 2/20- Schools Closed

The News:

5th Grade Sentiments
This is the last call to submit your student’s 5th-grade baby pictures and sentiments for the yearbook. If you are interested, please email the Yearbook Committee at desgatorsyearbook@gmail.com the following:
1. Label the subject line with your child’s First and Last name
2. Baby Picture
3. Sentiment of 15 words or less (please adhere to this as we do not have enough room for more)

Chess Club
We are excited to announce the start of the Fall DES Chess Program! Brought to you by Magnus Chess Academy, this program is for grades K-5 and runs for 12 weeks from February 15-May 17, 2023. Meetings are held after school on Wednesdays from 2:30 pm-3:30 pm and cost $216. You can register by clicking here. See the attached flyer for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available to those with financial need* Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.

Yoga Club
Attention 3rd-5th graders! Our Whole Kids Yoga Club is starting soon! Classes will run from January 30th-April 17th on Mondays after school from 2:30-3:30 pm. The cost is $130 for 8 classes. Space is limited, and the last day to register is Monday, January 23, so do not hesitate to sign up. Please see the attached flyer and registration form for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available to those with financial need* Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.

Volunteer Spotlight
Sam Rhinehardt is the PTO Secretary. In this role, she keeps meeting minutes of the Executive Board and General Membership Meetings. She is also responsible for the appreciation efforts of staff, such as Bus Driver Appreciation Day, Custodian Appreciation Day, etc. Sam and her husband, Ron, have two children. Ethan is nine, and Liam is seven. The family enjoys playing soccer and baseball, going to sporting events, having movie nights on the weekends, and riding dirt bikes and go-karts. Sam loves having quiet time to read, complete jigsaw puzzles, and watch tv shows/movies. She also enjoys cooking and baking Brazilian dishes.Sam started volunteering with small jobs that fit her schedule when Ethan started kindergarten. Each year, she took on a little more as help was needed. She thoroughly enjoys interacting with students and their families and has made good friends through volunteering. It makes her feel good to help the school community.

 Community:

Kids Movie Night
Presented by AACoPD, on February 17th from 6:00-8:30 pm, Drop off the kids for a movie night and go! You must reserve a spot in advance. See the attached flyer for more information.

 Calendar:

This Week:
Monday 1/16- Schools Closed
Wednesday 1/18- Winter Strings, Band, and Chorus Concerts
Friday 1/20- Pajama Day at DES and Skate Night at Skate Zone

A look ahead:
Monday 1/23- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Tuesday 1/24- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday 1/25- Schools Closed
Monday 2/6- Dine for DES at Killarney House
Wednesday 2/8- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday 2/10- Skate Night at Skate Zone
Tuesday 2/14- Class Valentine’s Day Celebrations
Monday 2/20- Schools Closed

The News:

Lego Club
The pilot season for DES Lego Club begins in Spring 2023! Due to popular demand, we are opening it up to grades K, 1, 2, and 3! Our mission is to foster creativity and problem-solving skills by encouraging students to build Lego creations inspired by their own imaginations. Under the supervision of parent volunteers, students will work together to build designs that are guided by a monthly theme or challenge.  As the club becomes more established, we hope to conduct friendly competitions when possible. We are also looking for more parent volunteers – even if you can only help occasionally, anything is appreciated!

Student sign-up (spaced limited!): Click here to register your student
Volunteer Sign-up:  Click here to volunteer
Contacts: Kim Neidig: kimberly.neidig@gmail.com , Ann-Marie Gnall: Amsaucier@gmail.com
*A limited number of scholarships are available to those with financial need* Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.
5th Grade Sentiments
It is time to submit 5th-grade baby pictures and sentiments for the yearbook. If you are interested, please email the Yearbook Committee at desgatorsyearbook@gmail.com the following:
1. Label the subject line with your child’s First and Last name
2. Baby Picture
3. Sentiment of 15 words or less (please adhere to this as we do not have enough room for more)

Skate Night
Join us Friday, January 20, from 5-7 pm at Skate Zone in Crofton. Come in your pajamas for a door prize. Entry is $5, and $5 for skate rental. See the attached flyer for more information. DES Winter Music Concert
DES will hold its Winter Music Concert on Wednesday, January 18th, which will feature DES strings, chorus, and band students. Families are invited to attend the entire concert, but if you are only able to attend your student’s performance, you can find the schedule of performances listed below. Visitors are asked to enter through the front doors. Thank you to our amazing music teachers for working so hard to bring us this concert. See the attached flyer for more information.
Music Concert Jan 2023
6:30 pm – Strings with Mrs. Grizzle
7:00 pm – Chorus with Mr. Wright
7:30 pm – Band with Mrs. FidykTeacher’s Elves Needed
New spots have been added to the SignUpGenius to help DES teachers with copying, laminating, and other similar tasks. Times slots are 10:15-11:15 am on most Tuesdays and Thursdays through the remainder of the school year. Click here to sign up to help out.Chess Club
We are excited to announce the start of the Fall DES Chess Program! Brought to you by Magnus Chess Academy, this program is for grades K-5 and runs for 12 weeks from February 15-May 17, 2023. Meetings are held after school on Wednesdays from 2:30 pm-3:30 pm and cost $216. You can register by clicking here. See the attached flyer for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available to those with financial need* Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.
Davidsonville Winter 2023
Yoga Club
Attention 3rd-5th graders! Our Whole Kids Yoga Club is starting soon! Classes will run from January 30th-April 17th on Mondays after school from 2:30-3:30 pm. The cost is $130 for 8 classes. Space is limited, and the last day to register is Monday, January 23, so do not hesitate to sign up. Please see the attached flyer and registration form for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available to those with financial need* Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.
WKY_Form_23 DAVIDSONVILLE JantoApr 2023
Volunteer Spotlight
Laura Call is Vice President-Communications for the PTO. In this role, she is responsible for the creation and weekly distribution of The Gator Blast, the student directory, the organization of the PTO general membership, and oversight of the PTO’s social media and website. Without Laura, there would be no Blast sent out each Sunday, which is the PTO’s primary method of communication with families.Laura and her husband, Joe, have 5 daughters and 2 dogs and look forward to welcoming their first grandchild in March. Their oldest 3 daughters are all out of college, and their 2 youngest daughters are students at DES. Rylee is in 5th grade, and Ellie is in 3rd grade.The family enjoys going to amusement parks, playing games together, going to the beach, and summer cookouts with family and friends. Laura enjoys video games, fantasy football, attending rock concerts, and lounging poolside at home in the summer. Laura has volunteered at DES since Rylee started kindergarten, and when asked why she volunteers, she said, “for the kids…it makes me happy to see them happy.”

 Calendar:

This Week:
Monday 1/9- Listening Tour with Superintendent Mark Bedell at SRHS
Tuesday 1/10- General Membership Meeting 7 pm
Friday 1/13 ISEC plans due
A look ahead:
Monday 1/16- Schools Closed
Wednesday 1/18- Winter Strings, Band, and Chorus Concerts
Friday 1/20- Skate Night
Monday 1/23- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Tuesday 1/24- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday 1/25- Schools Closed

The News:

5th Grade Sentiments
It is time to submit 5th-grade baby pictures and sentiments for the yearbook. If you are interested, please email the Yearbook Committee at desgatorsyearbook@gmail.com the following:
1. Label the subject line with your child’s First and Last name
2. Baby Picture
3. Sentiment of 15 words or less (please adhere to this as we do not have enough room for more)

ISEC Plans Due
If your student is participating in the Innovators of Science & Engineering Challenge (Formerly the Science Fair), they must submit their initial plans by Friday, January 13th, and will need to have approval before the at-home project can begin. The DES challenge will take place in March, and winners will move on to the county challenge in April. This is open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students. Those ready for this opportunity will get the forms needed to sign up.

Skate Night
What’s better than Skate Night? Skate Night in your jammies!!! Join us on Friday, January 20th from 5-7pm for DES Jammie Skate Night! Admission is $5, and Skate rentals are $5. See the attached flyer for more information.

PTO General Membership Meeting
We hope to see everyone on Tuesday, January 10th, from 7-8 pm in the DES Media Center for our first General Membership Meeting of 2023. Come share your ideas and concerns, or listen as we discuss our upcoming plans for the rest of the school year.

Teacher’s Elves Needed
New spots have been added to the SignUpGenius to help DES teachers with copying, laminating, and other similar tasks. Times slots are 10:15-11:15 am on most Tuesdays and Thursdays through the remainder of the school year. Click here to sign up to help out.Chess Club
We are excited to announce the start of the Fall DES Chess Program! Brought to you by Magnus Chess Academy, this program is for grades K-5 and runs for 12 weeks from February 15-May 17, 2023. Meetings are held after school on Wednesdays from 2:30 pm-3:30 pm and cost $216. You can register by clicking here. See the attached flyer for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available to those with financial need* Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.

Listening Tour
Please join Superintendent Dr. Bidell at South River High School on Monday, January 9th, from 6-8 pm. All residents of AACo are welcome and encouraged to share their thoughts on a variety of topics related to the school system. For more information and other dates and locations on the Listening Tour, click here. 

Yoga Club
Attention 3rd-5th graders! Our Whole Kids Yoga Club is starting soon! Classes will run from January 30th-April 17th on Mondays after school from 2:30-3:30 pm. The cost is $130 for 8 classes. Space is limited, so do not hesitate to sign up. Please see the attached flyer and registration form for more information.

*A limited number of scholarships are available to those with financial need* Contact Mrs. Isett in our guidance office at cisett@aacps.org for scholarship information.

Volunteer Spotlight

Jen Hurst is the President of the DES PTO. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the activities of the organization, appointing chairpersons, and serving as the official point of contact. She and her husband Frank have three children, Gabriella is in 4th grade, Andy is in 1st grade, and Chloe will be a Gator next year.  The family enjoys going on adventures, celebrating things big and small, and being with friends. Jen likes to travel, read, attend shows/movies, and go out to eat. She is the owner and operator of Pigtails and Crewcuts, a boutique hair salon for kids in Annapolis.