DaVinci Connection-March 5, 2021
School Links
Important Dates
(subject to change-see online calendar)
3/11 End of Trimester 2
3/12 No School, Teacher Grading Day
3/15-3/19 No School, Spring Break
3/25 Picture Day
3/29 Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
4/1 Spring Conferences, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
4/1-4/6 No School
Attendance Line: 763-252-6130
Parents should call the attendance line at 763-252-6130 before 9:00 a.m. of the day your child will be absent. This phone number is available 24 hours a day to leave a message. Please leave the following information on the recording:
- Date your child will be absent
- First and last name of your child
- Reason for the absence
- Name of the parent/guardian who is calling
If you know your child(ren) will be gone more than three consecutive days, you will need to fill out an extended absence form four to six weeks in advance. Please send the Extended Absence Form to Ms. Moffatt.
Attendance Update
Please review the latest Attendance Update along with the details outlined below for using the attendance line. This update is for both distance and in-person learners.
You may view your child’s attendance record in your Campus Parent account.
Greetings!
To the left, you will find helpful links to important pages on our website.
Dear DaVinci Families:
This week marks the beginning of March, the feeling of spring, and our last “first” day of school for the school year. The building was bubbling with energy and excitement this week as our on-site learners and grades 6-8 came back to campus. As families have now all transitioned to their preferred learning environment for this school year, we have 24% of our students remaining in distance learning and approximately 9% of our staff teaching and supporting students from home. We look forward to the day we can all be together in-person again, but in the meantime continue to be #davincistrong through technology, which has been our greatest gift in navigating this pandemic.
As we near spring break, the start of trimester three, intersession, and then the close of the school year, please continue to make healthy choices so we can finish the school year strong! If you would like to keep an eye on our DaVinci Covid case numbers, you can find updated information on our Covid Resource Page. You can also track our county case rate here.
Have a great spring semester!
My very best to you and yours,
Ahava
Need to Know
Middle School Attendance Update
Middle School families, please review this attendance update as it pertains to attendance for both students attending in-person as well as distance learning students. Contact Mr. Shields with any questions.
Parent Dismissal Re-activated in Silent Dismissal
Parents will again be able to dismiss their children at the end of the day by using the Silent Dismissal app. We temporarily turned off access in an attempt to limit the number of students waiting on the sidewalk at a time. Now that the weather is warming up, students will be able to spread out along the sidewalk and maintain distance from others while waiting for parents to pull up.
If you would like to use the Silent Dismissal app to dismiss your children from your car and have not used the app in the past, here are the instructions for use:
- Download the Silent Dismissal app on your phone.
- Email Holly Fischer at hfischer@davincicharterschool.org with the following information:
- Your phone type (Android or Apple).
- The email address that you used to create your Silent Dismissal account.
- When the app has been activated for your phone you will be able to use it.
**Note: all families should display their family number at all times while in the parking lot. If you need an additional sign please reach out to the office. Hand written numbers need to be exchanged for official signage for security purposes.
Bus Stop Reminder
Please make sure your child is ready to board the bus when the bus pulls up to the stop in the morning. If they are not already in line, but waiting in the car, they should have their backpack on and be ready to jump out of the vehicle so that the bus is not obliged to wait. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
Nice to Know
COVID-19 Testing Resource for Families
MDH announced a recommendation for all school-age youth returning to school, youth sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year. While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing.
For more information, please visit COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families. Getting tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year can help keep schools open and sports operating, and ensure we are limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Lost & Found
Is your child missing mittens, a hat, or other personal items? With warmer weather here, more and more outside gear is being forgotten on the playground. If your child is missing any items, please encourage them to visit our lost and found located just outside the library.
Support Space
National School Social Work Week
Hello DaVinci Community!
Next week, March 7-13, 2021 is National School Social Work Week! Courtney Rowe is our school’s one and only amazing school social worker! Read below for a brief explanation of her role, and why she is so important to our community.
School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. School social workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy.
Check out this PDF to learn more about what school social workers do for our students and school communities. Ms. Rowe is happy to serve DaVinci Academy and support our students and families.
Please reach out if you have questions or concerns. If your family is faced with new or ongoing needs and challenges throughout this time, please let us know by filling out this survey and someone from our team will reach out to further assist your family!
Phoenix Hathaway (K-4 School Counselor) www.calendly.com/mshathaway (763) 200-1338
Melissa Derby (5-8 School Counselor) www.calendly.com/msderby (763) 200-1281
Courtney Rowe (K-8 School Social Worker) www.calendly.com/msrowe (763) 200- 6081
Free Behavior Webinar!
Families, please check out this free webinar if you are concerned about your child’s behavior:
Just Call: What To Do If You’re Worried About Your Child’s Behavior
Monday, March 8 | 12 – 12:30 p.m. CST | Free
It goes without saying that this last year has been very challenging for families. Parents and kids have been called to manage in close quarters and without outlet. And now we face yet another transition as our kids go back into the classroom.
While many are eager to get back to their friends, going back to school will again require parents and kids to adjust. And kids may struggle. In this free webinar, the presenters will:
- identify how to recognize when kids’ behavior is something to worry about;
- discuss where to find resources;
- encourage parents and family members to call, earlier rather than later, for help.
Live Webinar
Unable to join us live? Stay tuned for a recording of the webinar to be posted on the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health website. If you plan to watch the recording, you do not need to register.
Certificates of Attendance
Those who join us live will receive a Certificate of Attendance via email by the week of March 15.
Nutritional Services
Frozen Meal Pick Up
Meal pick up days for the month of March will be on the following days from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the main entrance:
- Monday, March 8
- Monday, March 15
- Monday, March 22
- Monday, March 29
Curbside assistance will depend on staff availability.
Please note: Students participating in in-person learning will no longer have access to the distance learning meal program as they will have access to free breakfast and lunch at school.
If you have children in distance learning and would like to sign up for frozen meals, please contact canderson1@
Looking for a meal site? Use these resources to find an SFSP site near you:
- Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners to your phone or device.
- Call the 2-1-1 Hotline or from cell phones – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440.
- Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Central Time.
- Text “Food” to 877-877. Spanish speakers, text “comida” to 877-877.
2020-2021 P-EBT Facts & Questions
To receive benefits, your child must be enrolled in SNAP, the Minnesota Family Investment Program, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or approved for free or reduced-price school meals through their school. There is no separate P-EBT application process for the school year 2020-2021.
Your family’s eligibility for the 2020-2021 P-EBT program may be different from your eligibility for the 2019-2020 P-EBT program. To ensure your child is considered for benefits covering the full school year:
- Make sure your school has your current address and contact information.
- Apply for free or reduced-price school meals by asking your school for an Application for Educational Benefits if you are not already approved for free or reduced-price meals for the 2020-2021 school year.
When can we expect our P-EBT cards? The first extract from the P-EBT portal will happen on March 1, 2021. Benefits will be calculated for September and October. Families can expect to receive their benefits based on this schedule: • End of March: September and October payment • End of April: November and December payment • End of May: January and February payment • End of June: March and April payment • End of July: May and June (partial) payment.
Will each family receive a separate P-EBT card for each eligible student? Yes. Each student will receive a separate P-EBT card.
Do families that received P-EBT cards for the 2019-20 school year get funds placed on these same cards? No. Everyone is issued a new card. P-EBT cards from last summer are not valid.
Whose name will be on the cards? Students’ names will be on the cards, but the cards may be used by a parent or guardian.
What if students do not receive their card in the mail? How will undeliverable cards be handled? The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will reach out to families of students with undeliverable cards to try and update their mailing address, where possible. DHS will rely on the phone number and email address entered in the P-EBT data portal. In addition, schools may advise families to call the P-EBT Hotline to update their address and request a new card.
How much will I get? Each child in the family will get a unique P-EBT amount. For children who spent the majority of the month in a distance learning model, they will receive $130. For children who spent the majority of the month in a hybrid learning model, they will receive $75. Children who are approved for free and reduced-price school meals before February 28, 2021 will begin to receive benefits in late March. All children will receive benefits retroactive to September on a staggered monthly schedule.
Volunteers Still Needed
Our Search Continues!
We still have an urgent need for a few more volunteers from the parent community. As children are returning to school and more and more families are taking advantage of free school lunches, there is a real need for an emergency back-up team to come in and take over in the event that the lunch team needs to quarantine due to a COVID exposure.
Here is where you can help! If you would be willing to be one of six people to be trained in the next couple of weeks on food service protocols, we would love to hear from you! If we ever needed to call in the emergency team, the hours would be from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. until our lunch staff would be cleared to return to the kitchen.
Please extend this call for volunteers to anyone who you think may be interested in helping us out in food service during this unusual time, and have them contact Cassandra Anderson at canderson1@davincicharterschool.org. Note: this could also be a paid position if someone is looking for a part time job through the rest of the school year. Thank you in advance for your consideration!