DaVinci Connection-April 12, 2019
School Links
Important Dates
(subject to change – see online calendar)
4/15 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30 p.m.
4/16 3rd Grade Music Concert, 5:30 p.m.
4/16 4th Grade Music/5th grade Choir Concert, 6:45 p.m.
4/18 Parent Teacher Conferences
4/18 New Family Orientation, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
4/18, 22 No School
4/19 Intersession Registration Closes
4/29 Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Food Service Program
Current Lunch prices – including milk
Hot, Alt. or Emergency Lunch:
- Full Pay = $3.50;
- Free/Reduced = $0.00
Vegetarian Lunch:
- Full-pay = $4.50;
- Reduced-price = $0.00;
- Free = $0.00
A La Carte Items -charged to ALL students:
- Milk-only = $0.50;
- Emergency meals = $3.50
- Extra Entree (Grade 6-8 only) = $1.50
Current Breakfast Price:
- Full-pay = $1.75
- Kindergarten = $0.00
- Reduced-price = $0.00
- Free = $0.00
Go here to apply for free or reduced-price meals or to find out more about the food service program.
Greetings!
To the left, you will find helpful links to important pages on our website (School Links).
NEED TO KNOW
Golf Tournament Registration is Now Open – Don’t Miss Out on Early Bird Discounts!
Office Volunteer Pool 
Become part of an exclusive, much adored group of individuals!
Do you want to volunteer at school but are unsure where to start? Are you available during the school day for a few hours a week, a month, or more? Join the DaVinci Office Volunteer Pool! The Office Volunteer Pool is a group of individuals who come in on a pre-arranged schedule to work on various, wide-ranging projects. We are hoping to have three volunteers scheduled each week for at least two to three hours a week. Projects may include copying, laminating, organizing or any other project with which our staff and teachers need assistance. This is a great way to become involved and help our school community, get in some volunteer hours or simply spy on your child! Ok, no spying allowed but our staff really would be ecstatic to have your assistance.
If you are interested in being part of the Office Volunteer Pool, please contact Kathy Falkowski (kfalkowski@davincicharterschool.org) with your availability so she can put you on the calendar. You can indicate your availability as specific days and times (i.e. 3/7 from 9-11, 3/16 from 2-4, etc.) or as a rotating schedule (i.e. the first Wednesday of every month from 12-4, every other Thursday from 9-12).
Check out the volunteer opportunities webpage at http://davincicharterschool.org/volunteer for more information on volunteering at DaVinci Academy or contact Kathy Falkowski, Volunteer Coordinator, directly at Kfalkowski@davincicharterschool.org. She will be happy to help you get started.
Mr. Shield’s Corner
Humility in the Age of Self-Promotion
This month our character trait focus is humility. We define humility as developing a realistic self-esteem, thinking neither too highly nor too lowly of yourself. I like to describe humility as thinking of and doing things for the greater good rather than focus on personal gain. Unfortunately, our culture has pushed this trait away as reality television, Instagram influencers and viral Youtube videos have made millionaires out of people focused upon themselves. Our school vision statement says we will work toward our students becoming lifelong learners with a sense of responsibility to society. As we partner together as home and school in this endeavor, it is my hope we can model humility as a cherished trait for responsible citizens.
Intersession Registration is Closing Soon!
Registration deadline is Friday, April 19. There are 12 awesome classes being offered for our very last Intersession week May 20-23. If you would like your child to participate in classes this week please go to https://davincicharterschool.org/intersession-signup-spring-2019/ and sign up. Classes will need a minimum number of students to run and some of them have a maximum number of students who can be enrolled. So, sign up as soon as possible to secure your child’s place in a class.
Middle Schoolers, would you like to leave your mark on the school? Then join the Stained Glass Mosaic and Mural class. Students in this class will be painting a mural in the atrium.
Here is the full listing of classes being offered this year.
YMCA Camp Grades 3-5 $175.00
Junior Scientists Grades K-2, $100.00
Bugz! Mini Musical, Grades K-3, $100.00
Imagination, Grades K-2, $100.00
Exploration Unplugged, Grades K-2, $100.00
Farm Life and Planting, Grades K-1, $100.00
Wellness Camp, Grades 1-3, $100.00
Ambitious Artists, Grades 3-5, $125.00
Minnesota Wildlife, Grades 3-5, $100.00
Nature Camp, Grades 4-6, $100.00
History and Film, Grades 5-8, $100.00
Stained Glass Mosaic + Mural, Grades 6-8, $125.00
AND, Mr. Slechta will be here to offer gym class every day!
Remember, students who choose not to participate in this week of classes will have that week off school.
Parent Teacher Conferences 4/18
Spring conferences are be scheduled for Thursday, April 18, from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Teachers will contact families they are interested in meeting with and those conferences will get first priority. Parent requests for conferences may be made as well. Look for scheduling information in an upcoming teacher communication
MCA Testing
MCA testing began this week and the 2nd graders did their part to support the testers by making posters of encouragement. Here are a few tips to help your student(s) be prepared for testing:
- Make sure your child gets an ample, normal amount of sleep the night before the test.
- Mark testing days on your calendar to help remind you and your child when the testing will take place and plan your preparations.
- Children should eat a nutritious and filling breakfast. Avoid high sugar cereals which can make the student hyper and/or unfocused.
Transportation Feedback Requested 
If you have taken advantage of the busing system this year please take some time to share feedback on what your experience has been with our new bus stops.
Parent Survey – Transportation 2019
Middle School Immunization 
Reminder for families with students entering 7th grade students are required to have Tdap and the Meningococcal vaccine prior to school starting in August or file conscientious objection paperwork with the school nurse. The back of the immunization form from the MN Department of Health can be filled out in cases of objection and must be notarized. Please reach out to the school nurse, if you have any questions.
ISO Piano
Our upright piano has outlived its usefulness with us, and we are seeking a replacement. If you know someone who is looking for a place to donate a piano, please have them contact Ben Hanson. Ideally, we’d like an upright that has a shorter upper panel, so that teachers can see their class as they are playing.
NICE TO KNOW
Feed the Teachers
Spring Conferences are fast approaching (April 18) and as a thank you for all the teachers hard work, the PTO is organizing lunch for them. Please take a moment to sign up to help us provide the various foods for a yummy taco bar!
New Risers
Thank you:
- Debra Lach
- Holly Fischer
- Chad Holm
- School Development Committee: Mark Guy, Crystal Higgins, Melanie Persellin, Katie Borg, Megan Steinbruckner
- Friends of Education
Make sure to check them out in action at our Spring performances!
Yearbook Order Form
Order forms were sent home this week. Please return order forms to the front office. Order forms are due Friday, April 26.
March Madness
The 9th Annual March Madness was a blast once again! There were plenty of dribbles, shots, and smiles as the 4 hour HOOP-la wound up the 2019 Dynamite basketball season. The players were balling all day and the sounds of laughter and blaring horns filled the gym! It was another great year for the Dynamite!
The place blew up when the DaVinci Dance Team made their annual appearance at March Madness. We are surprised the gym still has a roof! Dancers used some famous dance moves, rocked to familiar music, and showed off their hard work. They loved the cheering coming from families, fellow students, and amazing basketball players.
Thank you to all of our volunteer coaches!!
CEAP Food Drive Results
Thank you for your generous donations for the 2nd annual food drive. This year, we raised 454 pounds of food. That’s 378 dinner plates of food!
ONGOING
Outdoor Attire 
- 60 degrees or higher-short/long sleeve shirts
- 46 to 59 degrees-light jacket/hooded sweatshirts
- 45 degrees or lower-winter coat, hats and gloves
- Snow pants and boots required when there is snow
Please label everything your child wears to school – see info about Applied Labels.
Lunch Account Balances
Want to stay up to date on what your child is purchasing in the cafeteria? Log onto SchoolPaymentPortal.com to create an account. There you can view all transactions and add money into your child’s lunch account. Please check your child’s account weekly to ensure your child has a positive balance. If you have any questions, please contact Cassandra Anderson.
DVA Spirit Wear-Available Now
