Programs & Activities

School Guidance Counselor

Professional school guidance counselors are an integral part of the academic, social-emotional, and college-career development of students.

School Counselors help all students:

• Apply academic achievement strategies
• Manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills

School counselors provide:

• Short-term counseling to students
• Referrals for long-term support
• Collaboration with families/teachers/ administrators/ community for student success
• Advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
• Data analysis to identify student issues, needs, and challenges
• Support as a systems change agent to improve equity and access, achievement, and opportunities for all students

Advocacy Center at Davis

In the Advocacy Center, or as we call it, the “Duck Den,” students get individualized connection from a caring adult and help learning and practicing strategies that can reduce stress, such as breathing, movement and other calming strategies. The Duck Den provides short-term interventions (e.g., 15-30 minutes) on-the-spot when needed to help students feel better and get back on track during the school day and develop pro-social skills that support emotional and behavioral regulation and school success.

The Advocacy Center coach's daily role is to help regulate students’ social and emotional behaviors so they can make it through their day. This includes supporting students who are experiencing anxiety, anger, frustrations, grief and loss. 

The Art Room

The art room at Ivanetta H. Davis ELC is a very happy place for our students. Our art teacher provides students with opportunities to use tools and materials to express their imagination creatively.

Students visit art class two times per week to use materials such as clay, paint, oil pastels and markers. Using the curriculum as a starting point, students have the opportunity to create art that correlates with the studies they are learning about in their classrooms. Literature and math are also incorporated into many art lessons and art is a great place to develop children’s fine motor skills such as using writing tools like crayons, markers, color pencils, and scissors.

Young artists instinctively understand the joy of interacting with color, shape, lines and texture and our students are encouraged to explore their own unique ideas. Imagination is always a big part of the lesson as well for Davis artists, as they are empowered with the words “You’re the artist, so you choose how your art will look!”

Our School Garden is a vibrant outdoor learning space that brings together students, staff, families, and community partners to cultivate both plants and lifelong learning. Through hands-on experiences in gardening, nature exploration, and environmental stewardship, children develop curiosity, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for the world around them. The garden serves as an extension of the classroom, providing opportunities for students to observe insects, discover plant life cycles, explore science concepts, and nurture a love for outdoor adventures. Together, our school community works to create a beautiful and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and connect with nature in meaningful ways.

Community and Partners Helping at Davis

• Pencil Foundation
• New Season Church
• The Links, Incorporated (Nashville, TN Chapter)
• The Family of Mrs. Ivanetta H. Davis

Our Family Resource Center is dedicated to supporting the success and well-being of the whole family. Led by our exceptional Family Involvement Specialist, who serves both Ivanetta H. Davis and Cambridge Early Learning Center, the center offers a variety of resources and opportunities for families to connect, learn, and grow.

Each month, we host engaging family workshops where children and caregivers explore hands-on literacy and math activities, educational games, and strategies to support learning at home. Families also have access to essential resources, including diapers, a clothing exchange, community referrals, and other supports designed to meet the needs of our school community.

Our Family Resource Center is a welcoming space where families are valued partners in their child's education and development.

Students at Ivanetta H. Davis Early Learning Center are excited to participate in weekly African Drumming classes led by Nashville’s legendary African drummer, Baba Musa! Through engaging, hands-on experiences with rhythm and music, children develop creativity, self-expression, listening skills, and confidence. These dynamic classes introduce students to the rich traditions of African culture while fostering an appreciation for diversity and global connections. As students explore the joy of drumming, movement, and rhythm, they develop a lifelong love of music and cultural exploration in a fun, energetic, and memorable way.