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Originally delivered on 1/25/2026 1:00 pm

SUBJECT: The Gator Blast: January 25, 2026

The Gator Blast

January 25, 2026

Brought to you by the Davidsonville Elementary School (DES) Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

The DES PTO Gator Blast
Information From Your PTO
Gator-Sized Love for Our Faculty & Staff!

Gator-sized love for our faculty & staff! 

This Valentine’s season, the PTO is showing extra appreciation to the incredible people who make Davidsonville Elementary such a special place.

Want to help? We welcome donations of food or drinks.

Even sweeter—send a few kind words or notes of appreciation via EMAIL by Wednesday, February 11th.  We will compile all of the messages for delivery on Valentine's Day. Your messages will truly make their day extra sweet!

Let’s spread the love, Gator family!

PTO General Membership Meeting

Join us for our PTO General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, February 3, at 7 p.m.
All families are welcome — come hear quick updates, learn about volunteer opportunities, and bring your questions and ideas. We’d love your voice at the table!

Harvest for the Hungry totals are in!

A huge thank you to our Davidsonville families for your generosity during October’s Harvest for the Hungry drive! 💛

We just received the school totals, and thanks to our amazing students and families, Davidsonville placed 9th in Combined Food + Fund Donations and 7th in Food Donations. 👏🥫

Your kindness makes a real difference for neighbors in need—thank you for showing what our community is all about! 🐊💚

Fundraising
Win a Tour of M&T Bank Stadium

For $20 per ticket, enter for a chance to enjoy a behind-the-scenes M&T Bank Stadium Tour for up to 25 guests — perfect for fans of all ages. 

To pack on the excitement, January 30 will be a school-wide purple Friday! Wear your purple and buy your tickets by February 1 at midnight for your chance to win!

Feb. 5 Skate Night
Next Skate Night: February 5

Join us on Thursday, Febuary 5 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for our third skate night! Admission is $5 per person (non-skaters included) and $5 for each skate rental. Wear pink for a prize at the door! 

Get your tickets here. They can be purchased up to 24 hours in advance or you can pay at the door. Can't wait to see you there!

Events
RSVP for International Night

We can't wait to welcome you to DES International Night on Friday, February 27! Travel the world together and explore cultures that our DES families are connected to, watch engaging performances, and treat yourself to international cuisine at the MMpanadas and Koco Korean food trucks.

Let’s make this a joyful night of discovery and connection — we can’t wait to explore the world together! RSVP for this free event here.

2026 DES International Night
2026 Talent Show
Talent Show Auditions

Calling all talented DES stars! This year's talent show will be on Wednesday, March 11 at South River High School. 

If you would like to participate, all you need to do is try out! Tryouts will be held on February 18 and 19 from 2:30-5 p.m. in the DES cafeteria. Sign up for your time slot here

We are looking for 2 volunteers for each tryout day. Your help is greatly appreciated! Sign up to volunteer here!

Each participant will also be required to have a completed permission slip on file.

Click on the flyer for complete information. Email Nicole Szabo with any questions.

Clubs
Martial Arts
Martial Arts Club

The DES Martial Arts Club is back for a new session starting Feb. 4! 

Open to all grades, students will learn the basics of self-defense through TaeKwonDo,Jiu-Jitsu, and Bullyproof. At the end of the 5-week session, students will be invited to the ECMA studio for a white belt and pizza party. 

Register here to join us this session.

Chess Club

Silver Knights Chess Academy will return for a new 2026 Chess Club at DES! Click on the flyer to learn more

If you are a parent who has completed a fingerprint-supported background check through AACPS (or is willing to!) and is able to volunteer weekly at the club, your child can receive a free registration. This opportunity is available for up to two parent volunteers. 

Reach out to Brooke for more information. Register here!

Winter 2026 Chess
Spanish Club
Spanish Club

Do you have a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader interested in learning a second language with friends? 

Join us for the Spring Spanish Club at DES!  Meetings will be held after school from 2:30-3:30 pm on Wednesdays beginning February 18, 2026 and running through April 29, 2026 

Space is limited, so sign up todayClick on the flyer for more information. 

Lego Club

Lego Club is back by popular demand! There will be one session for kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders and a separate session for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. 

If you want a chance for your child to join the club, check out the flyer for more information and select the appropriate link below to enter the lottery: 

Kindergarten - 2nd grade 

3rd grade - 5th grade   

Lego Club K-2
Lego Club 3-5
Volunteering
International Night Volunteers

We need your help to make International Night a success! Check out the volunteer opportunities and sign up today. Reach out to Alison Moser with any questions.

In Case You Missed It
Information about Potential Virtual Instruction

Mrs. Harris sent out an email on Thursday, January 22, about the preparations and procedures in case instruction needs to be converted to virtual this week due to the predicted weather. In case you missed it, please see the helpful documents below.

Virtual Learning Overview for Parents

DES Logging into AACPS Connect

AACPS has also created a webpage with helpful information for families. You can access it at www.aacps.org/stayconnected.

A reminder: the best way to stay up to date on delays and closures is through the AACPS app. Anyone can subscribe to AACPS' mobile app and receive notifications about schedule changes. You can download the Anne Arundel County Public Schools app in the App Store or Google Play.

From the Community
DAA Lacrosse

Calling all girls ages K-5th! DAA girls lacrosse registration is open through February 17, and we'd love to see you out on the lacrosse field this spring!  Early bird pricing expires tomorrow, January 26!

  • Pee Wee (3rd/4th), Middie (5th/6th) and Juniors (7th/8th) will start the middle of March with games likely starting the last weekend of March.

    • Cost: $170 early bird, $180 regular

  • Sticklettes (K-2nd) will start the first week of April with games starting the middle of April.

    • Cost: $150 early bird, $160 regular

  • If you plan to coach, please reach out to us at girlslax@daagators.org ahead of time to receive a discount code before registering.

DAA Soccer
DAA Youth Development Soccer

Friday night soccer is back! Youth Development Soccer is only held on Friday nights in the Spring, which allows families to try something new without the multi-day commitment, as well as the flexibility to double sport. Join your entire community at DAA on Friday nights, everyone will be there! 

  • Registration is open now!This is the last week to save $25 on early bird registration which ends January 31st.
  • Season starts tentatively on April 10, and runs for 8 weeks.
  • U4 and U5 will play Friday 5:15-6:15 p.m. (30m practice followed by a game).
  • U6 and U7 will play Friday 6:15-7:30 p.m. (30m practice followed by a game).
  • If you plan to coach, please reach out to youthdevelopment@daagators.org ahead of time to receive a discount code before registering.  Find a friend, coach together and be part of the team. Bonus - you get a team shirt!
Looking Ahead
Monday, January 26
2:30p Yoga Club
Monday, February 2
2:30p Yoga Club
Tuesday, February 3
7:00p PTO General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, February 4
2:30p Martial Arts Club
Thursday, February 5
2:30p Chess Club
4:30p Skate Night
Monday, February 9
2:30p Yoga Club
Tuesday, February 10
DES 2-hour early dismissal
Unity Day
Wednesday, February 11
2:30p Martial Arts Club
Thursday, February 12
2:30p Chess Club
Friday, February 13
Valentine's Day class parties
Monday, February 16
Presidents Day - No school
Wednesday, February 18
2:30p Talent Show Auditions
2:30p Martial Arts Club
2:30p Spanish Club
Thursday, February 19
Dining Out for DES @ The Green Turtle
2:30p Chess Club
2:30p Talent Show Auditions
Monday, February 23
2:30p Yoga Club
PTO Executive Board 2025-2026

President: Amy Forney
VP Communications:
Samantha Rhinehardt & Nicole Desrochers
VP Volunteer Coordinator: Brooke Zingler
VP Fundraising: Alison Moser
Secretary: Brenna Raines
Treasurer: Jill Rosato
Assistant Treasurer: 
Mary Boese

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