Spring Scramble Golf Event
It’s time to start thinking about our annual golf event. We are excited to have a great event with as many members of the DaVinci community in attendance as possible.
We want to highlight the opportunity for families to sponsor a teacher so they are also able to play in the event. This is another great way for our community to recognize teachers and show our appreciation for all the hard work they do! If you are interested in sponsoring a teacher, please reach out to Dan Rhinhart at drhinhart@davincicharterschool.org.
This annual event is a great day of good golf, bad golf, lots of laughs, and community building. Whether you’re a golfer or not, come join the fun! Please note that this is an 18+ event.
Saturday, June 8, at Majestic Oaks Golf Course
Includes: 18-hole round of golf, golf cart, dinner, raffle prizes, and awards.
- Team Registration (4 Players) – $400
- Team Registration (3 Players) – $300
- Team Registration (2 Players) – $200
- Individual Registration – $100
- Dinner Only – $50
Majestic Oaks Golf Club
701 Bunker Lake Blvd NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304 Get directions
- 11:00 a.m. Registration
- 12:30 p.m. Tee Off
- 5:00 p.m. Social Hour
- 5:30 p.m. Dinner
- Prize Raffle & Awards
Interested in a Business Sponsorship?
Do you own a business or work for a company that would be interested in helping to sponsor this event? Click here to learn more about our sponsorship packages.
We hope to see you there!
Intersession Break
Friendly reminder that there is NO SCHOOL May 13-17.
DaVinci Student Newspaper
DaVinci Academy has a new student newspaper! The DVA Times is an online newspaper run by an after-school class, led by Mr. Retterath. Through this class, students get to dive into the world of writing and editing in both print and digital formats. Additionally, students get this opportunity to explore storytelling, photography, and more.
Anoka High School STEAM Expo
Anoka High School would like to invite you to our annual STEAM Expo (at Anoka High School) next Thursday, May 16th!
Please join us in enjoying and celebrating the hard work, creativity, and enthusiasm that over 200 of our students will be bringing to you, in the form of food, interactive displays, performances, and workshops!
This event is a fantastic blend of students showcasing their work, student-led activities for all ages to participate in, and a main show where a handful of selected students will take the stage to share their passions, failures, and breakthroughs, in a TedTalk-style performance.
Doors open at 6pm for our community to participate in activities, interact with students and their exhibits, and taste-test culinary creations. Our main stage event will begin at 7:30pmand run until 8:30pm.
Volunteer Spotlight
Meet our Next Featured Volunteer: Brittani Qassem!
Why did you decide to start volunteering at DaVinci?:
When my son started Kindergarten, I was excited to participate and be involved in the transition from home to school. I am a big believer that the attitude from home in regards to school and education is one of the major factors in a child’s overall attitude and success in education. We are our kids’ first teachers and I wanted to be able to continue to be part of that process. With some of my older children, I had the luxury of working in their school and being their preschool teacher. I love the fact that DaVinci encourages and invites parents to attend lunch as well as volunteer. So even if you have a hard time dedicating yourself to a specific time or task there is still the option to drop in for lunch with your kids. I also enjoy working with different children, not just my own. I love seeing our DaVinci students succeed or work hard towards a goal. I am always impressed with how much they learn and how innovative they are!
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at DaVinci?:
What I enjoy most about volunteering at DaVinci is that there is always someone there to give extra guidance and answer questions. I know that we are there to provide an environment where all our students can feel safe and cared for. No matter which task I come to assist with, I do my best to smile and greet everyone I interact with. It is important to be present and make ourselves accessible. Sometimes when we see someone different from ourselves making an effort or being kind, it can change the perception that we have of them or a particular group of people. It is important to recognize everyone while at the same time being respectful of boundaries and others’ privacy as well.
What is your favorite volunteer activity?:
So far, my favorite activity has been prayer group supervision. It is refreshing to see students taking the lead, organizing, and learning to be confident in presenting and sharing their beliefs. It takes inner strength and devotion to take time from their recess to stop and thoughtfully reflect upon themselves, their character, and their duty towards the community as a whole. The students are still practicing timeliness and organizing quietly and efficiently, but as with all kids, it’s a work in progress.
I also loved participating in the second-grade Reading Theatre. It was a beautiful process to see from prep to finish. I was in awe of the final product. The students memorized all their lines for the skit that was later presented to their parents. I wanted to hug and congratulate one of the students who particularly worked hard, but boundaries and it might be weird if I did that in front of his parents who don’t know me…
I look forward to the Middle School Glow Party and the Year-End-Carnival. I feel so blessed to have gotten to be part of the DaVinci Community this year and I hope that it continues to grow and flourish.
Thank you Brittani for all that you contribute to the DaVinci community!
P.S.
We need volunteers for a few different events around the building. Please click here for a current list of volunteer opportunities, and to sign up to help out! Thank you!
Membean – Word Meme Contest Winner
Daphne R., an 8th-grade student, shines as a finalist in the National Membean Word Meme Contest!
In Mrs. Severson’s 8th grade ELA class, students embark on a creative journey aimed at mastering a unique objective: crafting meaningful dialogue and captions to encapsulate the essence of a single image.
After meticulous deliberation, Mrs. Severson handpicks the cream of the crop, selecting top memes to represent the class in national competitions. And the results are in: On Monday, April 22, Daphne received exhilarating news—she emerged victorious, clinching a $200 gift card as her well-deserved prize. Notably, this isn’t the first time our students have shone in this prestigious competition; last year, we celebrated another student’s achievement as a finalist.
Congratulations, Daphne!
Mental Health Awareness Month
Hello DaVinci Community!
We’re excited to celebrate Mental Health Month, to build awareness of this important topic. When we take care of our mental health, we can be successful in many other areas of life, too.
What is mental health?
Mental health is a “person’s condition regarding their psychological and emotional well-being” (Oxford Dictionary). Basically, how we think, feel, and take care of our mental wellness with different tools, strategies, and support, so we can feel our best. Our mental health is interconnected with other parts of our health and well-being. When we take care of our minds, other parts of our body and overall life are improved, as well.
What about Children’s Mental Health?
An estimated 13-20 percent of children in the U.S. (about 1 out of 5) experience a mental health disorder in a given year (CDC). Children’s mental health affects children of all ages, genders, races, cultures, and across all regions of our country. According to the CDC, mental health disorders are chronic health conditions that may span a lifetime. However, with early diagnosis and treatment, children may experience improved relationships with others at home and school, with reduced challenges.
What are some ways we take care of our mental health?
- Get regular exercise
- Eat healthy meals, and stay hydrated
- Make restful sleep a priority
- Try a relaxing activity
- Set goals and priorities
- Practice gratitude
- Focus on positivity
- Stay connected
Ideas to help support your child’s mental health:
- Help kids build strong caring relationships
- It’s important for children to have strong relationships with family and friends. One way to promote caring relationships is by showing kindness. Check out this resource to make kindness fun!
- Help kids develop self-esteem so they feel good about themselves
- Show them love and acceptance. Praise their efforts and success.
- Listen and respect their feelings
- Remind them it’s OK to have uncomfortable emotions; encourage them to talk with you or someone else they feel safe with- your child’s counselor or social worker is here to listen!
- Create a safe and positive atmosphere at home
- You can be a role model by taking care of your own mental health and making healthy habits part of the family routine. Be aware of media use and discussing serious family issues around your children.
- Help kids solve problems in difficult situations
- We can help kids develop problem solving skills by supporting them through the process of learning how to relax when they’re upset, and talking through solutions with them, without taking over or doing the problem-solving for them.
When do I need to seek professional help?
If you or your child is experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted two weeks or longer, talk to your doctor or general practitioner. Symptoms to look out for include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Appetite changes resulting in unwanted weight changes
- Struggling to get out of bed in the morning due to mood
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
- Inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities
What can I do in a mental health emergency?
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, there are helplines available:
- Anoka County Crisis Response- 763-755-3801
- Hennepin County- 612-348-233
- Crisis Text Line- Text MN to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention hotline- 988
To learn more about mental health resources in Minnesota, click here.
Sincerely,
DaVinci Academy Mental Health Team
- Phoenix Hathaway, K-4 School Counselor, phathaway@davincicharterschool.org
- Diana Muske, 5-8 School Counselor, dmuske@davincichrterschool.org
- Dom Jefferson, K-8 School Social Worker, djefferson@davincicharterschool.org
Upcoming Author Visit
We are thrilled to announce that renowned author Liz Lee Heinecke will be visiting our school on May 30 for a special event during Science Week at DaVinci Academy! Liz is a talented writer known for her engaging books on science and experiments for young readers. Her captivating storytelling and enthusiasm for science make her books a favorite among students and educators alike.
During her visit, Liz will be sharing her experiences as an author and scientist, discussing her books, and answering questions from our students. This is an excellent opportunity for our children to meet a real author and be inspired to explore the world of science and creativity!
In collaboration with Red Balloon Bookstore, Liz Lee Heinecke’s books will be available for purchase before the event using this link https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/liz-heinecke-visit-davinci-academy We encourage parents and students to take advantage of this chance to get autographed copies of her books.
Here are some of Liz’s popular books that will be available:
- New! Super Fun Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids $15.00
- She Can STEM: 50 Trailblazing Women in Science $20.00
- The Kitchen Pantry Scientist Chemistry for Kids $20.00
- STEAM Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Hands-On Projects $24.00
- The Kitchen Pantry Scientist Physics for Kids $20.00
- The Kitchen Pantry Scientist Biology for Kids $20.00
- The Kitchen Pantry Scientist Ecology for Kids $20.00
May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month
Dear Families:
We are writing to let you know that May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. This is a time to raise awareness about speech and language disorders, which are among the most common disabilities that school-aged children experience. This is also a time to help all students, no matter how they communicate, to feel included in their school community.
More than 1 million children nationwide receive treatment services for speech and language disorders each year through the school system. Left unaddressed, speech and language disorders can affect a child’s academic and social success. Speech-language pathologists in schools work with children who have difficulties in the following areas:
- Speech sounds—A child may substitute one sound for another, leave sounds out, add sounds, or change a sound. It may be hard for others to understand them.
- Spoken and written language—A student may have trouble understanding what others are communicating to them and may have problems explaining what they are thinking or feeling. They may also have difficulty with reading and writing.
- Stuttering (fluency)—A child may get stuck on certain sounds or words. They also may have tension or negative feelings about talking. This tension can get in the way of how they talk to others.
- Cognition—A child may have problems with long- or short-term memory, attention, problem solving, or organization.
- Social communication—A student may have difficulty understanding how others feel or following the rules of conversation, such as knowing how to take turns.
- Voice—A child may lose their voice frequently or use a hoarse or breathy voice. They may also speak with strain or effort.
- Augmentative and alternative communication—A child may need to find other ways to communicate besides talking, such as using a picture board or a speech-generating device.
- Feeding and swallowing—Problems with feeding and swallowing can make it hard for a student to participate in the school day. Speech-language pathologists help students eat and drink safely during the school day so that they have the energy to learn.
Whether or not your child has a speech, language, and/or swallowing disorder, it’s important for everyone to reflect on how we can be respectful and supportive to those who do. Encourage your child to give people time to get their message out, to focus on what a person is saying rather than how they’re saying it, and to never bully someone for how they communicate.
We wish you all success as we approach the end of the school year!
- Kristine Dose MA, CCC-SLP
- Kristine Vogtlin MS, CCC-SLP
The DaVinci Character Trait for May is COURAGE
What is the definition of courage?
- Courage means to be ready and willing to face challenging situations that may involve danger or pain .
- A close synonym is bravery. Showing courage is often thought of as facing such situations without fear, but it also involves facing them despite fear.
Why is this an important character trait?
- Being courageous means that even when a situation is dangerous or scary—when it makes your heart start beating very fast—you’re still willing to face it.
- But courage doesn’t always involve facing danger. Something as simple as telling the truth when it will result in uncomfortable consequences can be courageous.
- Courage in real life is typically used positively. It’s associated with heroic people and actions—like firefighters running into burning buildings to save people—but it can be used in many different situations.
How can we practice courage in real life?
- Model what courage looks like! Try a new activity, or stick with an activity even though it is challenging.
- Be truthful, and praise others when they tell the truth, too.
- Notice and identify characters in books, tv, or real life, who are showing courage.
- You can ask, “what did they do that was courageous?,” or, “how can they show courage in this story / situation?”
Video Game Music Camp
This summer you can take part in a video game music makers camp at Bach to Rock Coon Rapids! Check out the flyer below and click here to register. DaVinci Academy families will receive an exclusive discount… inquire when you register!
PTO News
We’re almost to the end of the school year, and what a successful year it has been for the PTO! Tonight, PTO hosted the “GLOW” party for Middle School students, right here at DaVinci. We had a great turnout, and a fun night for both students and staff!
Next up is the big End of Year Carnival on Friday, June 7th! Stay tuned for more details, and also for a volunteer signup sheet. We will need a lot of volunteers to run stations, and to make this event a success!
DaVinci Dinner Nights out are done for the school year! Thank you for getting out in the community and for supporting these monthly events that we’ve held throughout the year. Every little bit helps to support our program, which in turn helps support our staff and teachers! THANK YOU!
DaVinci Alumni Graduation Walk
With great pleasure and excitement, we extend our heartfelt invitation to the Annual Graduation Walk for all high school seniors who have been honored to attend DaVinci Academy of Arts and Science.
- Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
- Time: 9:30 arrival, walk will begin at 9:45
- Location: DaVinci Academy
This event serves as a cherished tradition where we come together as a community to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our graduating seniors. Seniors, we invite you to walk proudly down the halls one last time, surrounded by our DaVinci Academy community! Let this symbolic journey be a testament to your growth, accomplishments, and the mark you’ve left on our school community.
Parking Lot Etiquette
Here is a friendly reminder about some of the parking lot rules during drop off.
- When entering the lot, there are 2 lanes you can use to enter.
- You can use the East door to drop students off or the front door when there is space (please mind the stop/go sign).
- When using the East door, pull all the way to the end of the sidewalk and move forward as far as you can – even when it is snowing or raining.
- Students should NOT get out of their vehicle in the actual parking lot – only at the sidewalk or front door.
- Drivers need to stay in their car. If you need to get out of your car to help your student out of the car, please park and have your student use the crosswalk.
- Please be mindful of the crossing guard and the students crossing.
- Only TURN RIGHT when leaving the parking lot.
Please also note, the Bunker Lake Blvd. entrance is closed to incoming traffic on Mondays 8:30-9:00 am, and Tuesday-Friday 7:30-8:00. Parents may exit onto Bunker Lake Blvd. after dropping off at the main entrance.
Thanks for your cooperation.
