Davis Junior High School

Davis Parents and Students,

We are looking forward to welcoming back students on Tuesday, January 19^th! We are excited to see our students in person again and are committed to providing a safe and active learning environment. 

All junior high school students who are currently enrolled in the remote/in-person option are scheduled to return to classrooms the week of Tuesday, January 19th. Students of families who chose the UCS virtual academy will continue their on-line instruction for the remainder of the school year.

As we prepare for this transition, below are answers to some questions that you may have regarding this return for students.

Schedule

Students enrolled in the remote/in-person learning model will use the cohort schedule that was shared with you earlier this school year. This schedule reduces the interaction of students and I have included the schedule at the bottom of this e-mail.

Safety Protocols

As a school and district, the health and safety of our students and staff remains the top priority.  We need to work together to make sure that we can meet our goal of a return on January 19th and continue moving forward with increased face-to-face learning. Parents need to follow the COVID Self Screening form (print a copy to review) and, if your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, please keep them at home.   Also go to the UCS COVID-19 Dashboard for the most current information.
In the event that someone who attends our school is diagnosed with COVID-19 and attended class, we are required to quarantine those students and teacher in their classrooms into a remote setting.  Working together, we can keep our students in the classroom and avoid any interruptions.

We will also continue using the protocols that are important to keeping everyone safe, including encouraging frequent hand washing and use of sanitizer, reducing close interactions and wearing of face coverings. These protocols are all detailed in the updated parent handbook that is now on the district website.

Health Plans and Immunizations

Health Plans need to be updated every year - all forms are on the UCS website and can be accessed at this link.  If your child has a health plan that needs to be updated, please contact Mrs. Gipson at Davis.  Students should also have an updated transportation form with a health plan as well.  In addition, all immunizations should be up to date per the Macomb County Health Department.   

 Transportation

For families that are eligible for transportation services, times and routes are available at this link.  We also encourage you to review this video with your children.  It details the important safety procedures that students must follow in riding the bus.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Presently our extra-curricular activities remain paused.  As these activities become available for student participation, the staff club sponsors, and athletic coaches will communicate to the student body when information meetings will be scheduled.

Food Service

Breakfast and lunch are available for our students during their in-person learning sessions.  For days they are at home for remote learning, meals are available at the remote pickup locations during the designated times.  More information on remote locations is available at this link.

Jr. High School Schedule Cohort 1 --Students with last names Abbo to Kennedy

Jr. High School Schedule Cohort 2  -Students with last names Keqaj to Zora

 Bell Schedule for Students for In-Person Instruction Day 

Bell Schedule for All Classes Remote Learning Day

Students will carry all of their belongings with them throughout the day as lockers will not be used during this time. 

Student MUST bring their laptops.  They should also have a printed copy of their schedule so as not to stop and check their devices in the halls.

 We will work with teachers to ensure that the first days for students provides an opportunity for them to locate their classes, navigate the building and provide them with the support for a successful transition.     

 If you have any questions, please call our office at 586-797-2700.

Brian Shepard,
Principal

NWEA – 7th and 8^th grade Students Only

Similar to this past fall, our students will be participating in MAP^® Growth™ Reading and Math assessments from NWEA as part of the state benchmark requirements over the next few weeks.  The MAP Growth tests are unique because they adapt to your child’s responses.  Teachers will be sharing testing dates, times, and testing procedures with students. 

If testing is done remotely, please do not help your child as some of the questions given will be beyond their ability and the results will measure their specific skill level.  As your child answers questions correctly, the questions become more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the questions become easier.  These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.

Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, teachers can identify students with comparable scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics.  After reviewing this data, they can then plan instruction accordingly.  MAP Growth results are used to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.  These scores help teachers check and measure student performance by achievement and growth.

MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject and have the same starting performance level.  Following each testing period, you will receive a Family Report showing a summary of how your child is performing academically.  Students will take the tests in Fall, Winter, and Spring.

We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit.


UCS Specialty Programs

Click here to find information regarding the Specialty Programs that UCS offers: UAIS (IB), MST, CSI, and the MADE program. Specific Informational Nights are available to those interested.  Students are only permitted to apply for no more that twp programs. Applications for the programs will be available beginning February 4th and open to apply until February 12th, 2021.   

General Recruitment/Bus Driver Hiring Campaign

Now Hiring Bus Drivers - Earn up to $20.50 per hour - Call 586-797-7113

Recruiting for Critical Shortage Positions

In anticipation of the need for certain positions upon a return to in-person instruction, Utica Community Schools Human Resources Department continues to actively recruit for the following personnel:

• Bus Drivers
• Paraprofessionals
• Skilled Trades
• Substitute Teachers (*EDUStaff)
• Temporary School Support (*EDUStaff)
• Custodial and Related Services (*ABM Services)

*Personnel employed through third party provider.

Additional information can be found by visiting employment opportunities at UCS Employment or by calling the Human Resources Department at 586-797-1130.

(If you are NOT receiving the letter/information above via email, please contact the Davis main office at 586-797-2700).    

Any additional updates will be communicated to your through School Messenger and will contain the subject line, “Parent Information”. 

As a Reminder...

Students should NOT be using their school issued laptop for personal use.  The TEAMS chat and calls features are to reach out to teachers and staff and to be only utilized during class meetings.  Student can set up homework groups but it must be school related.