Lower Elementary B

Lower Elementary

Mechina - 2nd Grade

The Davis Academy focuses on nurturing the development of the whole child.

The thoughtful selection of age-appropriate, challenging curricula and creative classroom design, allow each student to develop the core fundamentals, while maintaining an emphasis on the social and emotional development of every student.

Students learn skills and build confidence in reading, writing, and math while being inspired to explore and discover in social studies and science. While the foundation of our Menschlichkeit Values is deliberately laid in the Jewish Studies classroom, they are noticeably embedded in every part of the Lower Elementary experience. Small group differentiation, innovative technologies and unique teaching methods ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve to the best of their ability, discover and grow individual talents, and build strong relationships with friends and teachers in a safe and comfortable environment.

Empowered by Academic Excellence

LANGUAGE ARTS

MATH

SOCIAL STUDIES

SCIENCE

Hebrew and Jewish Studies Lower Elementary

HEBREW & JEWISH STUDIES

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ART

MUSIC

MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY

Embraced by Jewish Values

**COMMUNITY**

*Kehillah* means community.

A *kehillah* is a group of people who share similar values, hopes, and beliefs. To be part of a *kehillah* means being willing to put others first, to celebrate our unique qualities, and to always think about the whole.

**RESPECT**

*Kavod* means respect.

**Judaism teaches that all of creation should be treated with *respect*. It also teaches that a person is deserving of *kavod* if they show *kavod* through their words and deeds.**

**SPIRIT**

*Ruach* means spirit.

*Ruach* means spirit in terms of energy, passion, and drive. It also means spirit in terms of the intangible part of who we are. The *ruach* within each of us is what drives us to do what we do and be who we are.

WISDOM

*Chochmah* means wisdom.

Jewish tradition views *chochmah* as something richer than knowledge. *Chochmah* is about making wise choices, about seeking wise counsel, and about arriving at a place beyond knowledge—a place of true insight, appreciation, and understanding.

**RIGHTEOUSNESS**

*Tzedek* means righteousness.

**To be a *tzadik* means to be a righteous person, someone who always acts with integrity and honor (mensch). It is through *tzedek,* generosity and kindness that we make the world a better place.**

We are guided by the values of community, respect, spirt, wisdom, and righteousness. These five core values are intertwined in everything we do, they define who we are and who we aspire to be.

Engaged with the world around us and within us.

Innovator's Mindset
In a rapidly changing world, The Davis Academy is committed to preparing students for the future by helping them develop an innovator’s mindset.
Students are taught a design-build process that supports solution-oriented learning goals, encourages them to develop innovations through collaboration and teamwork, and exposes them to an array of cutting-edge technologies. From ideation to creation, the process helps them build reasoning, empathy and creativity skills as well as enabling them to take pride in their work and the potential impact their creations can have.

Learn More

Global Learning
The Davis Academy has created a series of pathways to ensure students develop greater awareness and understanding of the world around them.
Throughout the year, students make meaningful global connections with the use of technology, go on field trips to museums and cultural events, and participate in interfaith programming and partnerships. With each of these interactive experiences students understand the value of finding common goals and values with others around the world, while developing empathy and a true sense of wonder.

Learn More

Tzedek (Righteousness) — Making an Impact
A Davis Academy education stresses the importance of living our *menschlichkeit* values. For that reason, what some schools call “community service,” we call it *tzedek* (righteousness).
The difference being that *tzedek* is one of the pillars of our school community rather than a collection of projects. When asked, “What does it mean to be a Reform Jewish Day School,” *tzedek* is an important part of the answer. One of the hallmarks of Reform Judaism is its commitment to carrying on, with tremendous passion and optimism, the work of making the world a better and more just place.

Learn More

Leadership Development — Leadership Opportunities
Leadership opportunities exist throughout every grade at The Davis Academy.
As young as Mechina and Kindergarten, students are given “classroom roles” such as greeter, line leader and teacher helper, which introduce them to the concept of individual and communal leadership. Students are continuously challenged to solve problems creatively, work in teams, and work collaboratively with others. Students find their own voice, they learn to ask great questions, and understand that mistakes are part of the learning process.

Learn More

Social Emotional Learning
Social and emotional well-being is an integral part of every classroom setting.
In collaboration and partnership with classroom teachers, School Counselors provide multi-faceted support and guidance. Our counselors facilitate regular guidance lessons, address individual student needs, and work alongside parents and teachers to support each student to reach his or her fullest potential, academically, socially and emotionally.

Learn More

Jewish Life
Because “being Jewish” means different things to different people, The Davis Academy welcomes and encourages all points of view and identities.
The Davis Academy guides children’s exploration so that they make their own meaningful connections between their ancestors’ history and what’s relevant to them today in their own lives. Here, students sing new melodies to ancient prayers and approach Judaism with a spirit of curiosity, excitement and creativity. The everyday experience imparts strong values to teach our students how to live a life of Menschlichkeit (goodness and virtue)and have the ability to make wise, and educated choices.

Learn More

Caring Community
When you choose The Davis Academy, you instantly become a part of a diverse and caring community.
Not only are the students learning side-by-side in the classroom, through unique project-based programming and on field trips, but parents and grandparents are also experiencing the magic of The Davis Academy through celebrations, workshops, seminars and other interactive and collaborative programs. The school truly becomes a center of life for our families with activities, learning, and milestone events that allow them to build memories and traditions to carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Learn More

One Individualized Learning Experience

At The Davis Academy, teaching comes in many forms and every child is holistically and warmly supported by a diverse and integrated team of caring professionals – The Dream Team. Students are championed by their teachers, teaching assistants, learning specialists, counselors, psychologists, coaches, the Rabbi, a school nurse, alumni mentors, visiting artists and administrators.

Faculty

Student Services

Davis Learning Center

Life in Lower Elementary

Learning Spaces

In addition to growing a culture of learning, sharing and innovating, we have evolved our working spaces to accommodate non-traditional learning opportunities for our students. Specifically, our Lower and Middle School media centers were designed to create flexible learning spaces that allow for moveable furniture, large screen projection, and more connectivity options, all while supporting a blended learning environment.

The classroom is just one of our students many destinations throughout the school day. Idea labs, mediascape rooms, digital studios, outdoor classrooms, computer labs, maker spaces, and field trips enable endless hands-on, interactive, and engaging educational opportunities for our students.

Sample Schedule

School Hours
8:00 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.

Schedule of a Student in Kindergarten

7:30-8:00 am Arrive at school

8:00 am Class Meeting
8:26 am PE
9:18 am Math
10:10 am Language Arts
11:02 am Lunch and Recess
11:54 am Language Arts
12:46 am Art
1:38 pm Hebrew and Jewish Studies
2:30 pm Thematic Studies/Home Room

3:20-4:00 pm Dismissal

After School Program

Extended Day Program (EDP)

An Extended Day Program (EDP) is offered by contract as a convenience for parents whose work schedule extends beyond school hours. The program offers morning care and afternoon care with outdoor play and activities, and a period for homework. Morning care is offered at both the Lower School and the Middle School campus from 7:00 am – 7:30 am. This program is only be offered if a sufficient number of students enroll. Afternoon EDP, which is located at the Lower School campus only, closes at 6:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m. each Friday.

After School Program (ASP)

The Davis Academy offers after school programs at school comprised of intellectual, artistic, and athletic activities for Lower School students. Talented instructors from the community offer a diverse selection of courses. The program is offered during Fall and Spring semesters, with each course meeting once a week from 3:20 – 4:30 p.m. Please see the Fall 2021 After School Program brochure as a sample of the activities that are offered this Fall.

Lunch

The Davis Academy provides a full-service, all-inclusive dining program for lower and middle school students that features fresh, nutritious, well-balanced meal options made from scratch and cooked on-site in a fully equipped, state-of-the-art kitchen. The program is provided by SAGE Dining Services, Inc., a leading provider of dining services in the education industry. The company is well known for successfully servicing both private schools and colleges across the country including many of the top independent schools in the Atlanta area. Daily menus include at least two hot entrees, including a vegetarian option, vegetables, fruit, a salad station and homemade soups. The cost of the service is incorporated into annual tuition so that all students enjoy the daily lunch program.

Click Here to see a sample of daily, weekly and monthly lunch menus for The Davis Academy.

Dress Code

Uniforms contribute to the spirit of Kehilla (“community”) at school and also help students show Kavod (“respect”). The Davis Academy encourages a lifestyle emphasizing ethical values, self- discipline, and continued individual growth from within. In support of this, a uniform policy is in place at The Davis Academy. The uniform rules reduce competition between students based on the style and expense of their clothes. The uniform also encourages individual expression based on character, personality, and special talents, rather than on the basis of clothing. On designated Spirit Days, students are invited to come to school dressed in their favorite Davis Academy spirit wear shirt with their navy uniform bottoms or jeans.

Jewish Life

Reform Judaism is committed to the value of hochma (wisdom). Therefore it places great value on making informed choices. With regard to religious practices, The Davis Academy fosters an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel free to make their own choices, based on knowledge, while respecting the choices of others. Because we are a kehilla (community) there will be times when the individual child’s practice may vary with communal norms. We celebrate this diversity and we make every effort to honor the norms of our school kehilla as well as the needs and preferences of each family.

Tefillah & Kabbalat Shabbat
Prayer - Tefillah - at The Davis Academy is an integral part of our school kehilla (community). In the Lower School children participate in Tefillah on Mondays and Thursdays. On Friday mornings, we welcome Shabbat with Kabbalat Shabbat services. In the spirit of kehilla we invite parents, grandparents, and special friends to attend Kabbalat Shabbat whenever they wish. We also welcome younger siblings who bring great ruach to our Kabbalat Shabbat celebrations. In the Middle School, Tefillah is held on Monday and Thursday with Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday.

Kippot
In keeping with Reform Judaism, where choices are based on knowledge, we will teach and have our students experience the wearing of kippot (traditional Jewish head coverings) as a way to connect with God. Consequently, students are expected to wear kippot during Tefillah.

Tzedakah
The mitzvah of tzedakah (charity or charitable acts) is one of the basic principles of Judaism. We believe it is our obligation to strive to make the world a better place for all. Each grade has a tzedakah theme and/or target population that is tied to curriculum. Our projects are primarily action-oriented, so that our students understand the value of giving with their hands and hearts as opposed to just giving money. Each year our tzedakah collection makes a true impact on the world around us, and our students feel wonderful as a result.

In This Section

Popular Searches

Apply to Davis Academy