DaVinci Connection-September 9, 2019

DaVinci Connection

School Links

Volunteer Information

Anti-Bullying Policy

Important Dates

(subject to change-see online calendar)

9/14 Annual Color Run, 10:00 am

9/16-17 6th Grade ELC Trip

9/17-20 7th & 8th Grade ELC Trips

9/17 PTO Meeting, 6:30 pm

9/18 Finance Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm

9/20 Picture Day-Uniforms must be worn

9/20 2/3 Basketball Registration Closes

9/23 Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

9/27 4th Grade Field Trip

9/30 No School, Teacher Workshop

10/14 Parent-Teacher Conferences,

10/15 Parent-Teacher Conferences,

10/14-10/18 No School

10/25 Make Up Picture Day

10/25 PTO Family Movie Night, 6:00 pm

11/21 Retake Picture Day

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.

NEED TO KNOW

Uniform Policy Reminder

As the school year has started we wanted to take time to ask that each family review the school uniform policy to make sure you are in compliance. Lately, we’ve noticed students coming to school wearing items that do not comply, for example these polo jumpers are NOT included in the uniform policy, therefore, we would appreciate you reviewing the guidelines which can be found at http://davincicharterschool.org/wp-content/uploads/delightful-downloads/2017/07/504-Uniform_Policy-ver-07-2017-2.pdf

Collectible Cards & Toys – Keep Them at Home

We would like to remind parents that collectible cards and toys such as Pokemon cards and Beyblades are not allowed at school. We have had too many issues with these items not only causing a distraction, but creating misunderstandings about trading and whose card belongs to whom. They are not allowed at lunch, recess, after school activities, or the DaVinci Den so please ensure that your child is not bringing these items to school. If you have any questions please contact Jack Shields.

Tardiness

After 8:00 a.m., parents must sign students in at the office before students are allowed to go to class. Tardiness is disruptive to the educational process and is inconsiderate to both teachers and other students; therefore, it is imperative that students are punctual. Please make sure that your child(ren) arrive into their classroom on time.

Students are expected to attend school for the entire school day, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Students arriving late, leaving for any part of the day, or leaving before 3:00 p.m. need to report to the school office and must have a parent/guardian sign them in or out.

A student is tardy if he/she is not in their classroom by 8:00 a.m. Three or more “tardies” in any calendar month will result in a conference with an administrator.

Friendly Reminder About After School Time

Only students who are signed up for an after school activity should stay at school following dismissal. If a sibling is not in an activity, please let them know they should be dismissed as usual. If you have any questions, please contact the main office.

Lost and Found

This year the lost and found will be donated at the end of each month instead of the end of each trimester. The lost and found is now located on the second floor in the atrium. Remember to label your child’s belongings and remind them to check the lost and found when they’re missing any items. Parents are welcome to search through the lost and found.

First Author Visit of the Year

DaVinci Academy has been lucky to work with two independent bookstores that help bring authors into our school. This has been offered to us at no cost and we are thrilled to announce that DaVinci Academy is once again hosting authors.

Our first visiting author, Sean Connolly, is bringing science to life while promoting his newest book, The Book of Terrifyingly Awesome Technology. All fifth graders will join Mr. Connolly in the third floor science lab for his presentations on September 25. Red Balloon Bookstore in St. Paul has books available for pre-order that Mr. Connolly will personally inscribe and sign for students.

DaVinci Academy supports these amazing author visits by the purchase of books.

Sean Connolly book order form

Mr. Shields’ Corner

Character Education at DaVinci Academy

Character education is one of the four pillars of our school, and we believe intentionally teaching character qualities is a valuable exercise. Each month we will have a character trait we focus on as a school. This month our focus is on “Growth Mindset”. Carol Dweck defines it this way, “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work–brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” We believe we must help our students boost their confidence as a first step in developing a growth mindset. As they develop a growth mindset they will invest more in their learning because they believe they can succeed as well as see the importance of investing in their own success. Developing a growth mindset is a valuable character trait that will help our students grow into valuable members of our world.

If you are interested in learning more about growth mindset, here is an excellent Ted Talk by Carol Dweck you may find helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X0mgOOSpLU This webpage has a plethora of resources for parents and teachers to use to help understand what growth mindset is and what it isn’t as well as video examples of teaching growth mindset to children. https://selfsufficientkids.com/growth-mindset-children-resources/

Student Ethnicity and Race Reporting

In an effort to assist schools in providing targeted programs and services to help all students succeed, districts are required by law to request more detailed student ancestry or ethnic origin information beyond what has been collected under federal law previously. Because of recent changes to Minnesota state law, Minnesota dis-aggregates each category of race or ethnicity into detailed groups to further represent our student populations. Students who identify with the following groups will be required to choose further sub groups under those designations:

• Hispanic/Latino
• American Indian or Alaskan Native
• Asian
• Black or African American

To complete this requirement families will need to access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, click MORE in the left column, then click DEMOGRAPHICS. This will give you the screen to UPDATE your data.

This information needs to be reported to the State of Minnesota this fall, so it is important that all families who have a child who falls into one of these categories complete this update. Contact the office is you have trouble accessing your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Thank you.

Parent Volunteers Still Needed for The Color Splash This Saturday

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054ea9a828a3f49-3rdannual

One of the tasks is blowing up balloons for the balloon arches. We would need you to come in to school any day next week and (if possible) stay following the race to help take down the arches as well. If you sign up for this task, Megan Steinbruckner will contact you with more information.

We could also use help setting up the day of the race, taking down after the race, and help with crossing guard duties.

Thank you all for making this event possible!

Help Wanted

Now Hiring Lunch/Recess Monitors – Do You Know Anyone Interested in this Opportunity?

We are still looking for people who like to play! Come join our lunch/recess team and get to know our kids. This is an important part of our day, and we need to make sure we have enough people keeping our kids safe and active from 10:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. If you think you might be interested in helping out every day-or even just once in a while as a substitute, please contact Jack Shields and/or apply on our website.

Curriculum and Book Donation Drop Off

We are looking for someone with a larger vehicle willing to take a load of curriculum and books to St. Paul. There is a charitable foundation that accepts these donations and sends them to needy school children in Africa; but, we need to get the items delivered to the warehouse. Please contact Kathy Falkowski if you are available to help with this. Thank you.

NICE TO KNOW

Guest Choreographer

Some DaVinci Academy students participated in a dance workshop this week with a guest choreographer from Chicago, Michael Jones.

Please note: Basketball try-outs for Monday, September 16, have been cancelled.

Picture Days

This year the picture day schedule is as follows:

Picture Day: Friday, September 20 (K-6)
Make-Up Picture Day: Friday, October 25 (7th & 8th Grade + Missing Students)
Retake Picture Day: Thursday, November 21 (All)

Uniforms must be worn for fall pictures.

Picture Day Flyer

We will not be offering non-uniform photos during the school day this year as we have in the past. Valuable educational time was spent moving all students through the photographer’s line and the benefit to the school was limited. However, non-uniform photos through LifeTouch will be offered to families on the Spring Conference Day scheduled on April 9. If you would like to take advantage of that opportunity, you can bring your child to the school that day for pictures.

Want to know how our Food Service Program works?

Go to our website, you will find two links under the Quick Links on the right side of the homepage. There is a lot of beneficial information on the food service page.

Meal prices have not increased from last year. See the Food Service web-page for details.

Special dietary meals and vegetarian meal orders need to be placed two weeks in advance. Send the request to foodservice@davincicharterschool.org to be added to the vegetarian order email. Special dietary meals and vegetarian meals are the only meals that need to be ordered in advance.

For families who would like to apply for Educational Benefits, the form is now available online through Infinite Campus. Log in to your Parent Portal > More (bottom of the menu on the left side) > Meal Benefits. Families will need to complete an application for each school year as applications do not carry over from year to year.

If school lunch expenses are a financial burden for your family, please consider applying for the benefits as they help to provide nutritious meals for the students and the school receives additional funding based on how many families take advantage of the assistance. For more information contact Cassandra Anderson.

ONGOING

Attendance Line: 763-252-6130

Parents should call the attendance line at 763-252-6130 before 9:00 a.m. of the day a student will be absent. This phone number is available 24 hours a day to leave a message. Please leave the following information on the recording:

The date your student will be absent
The first and last name of your student
The reason for the absence
The name of the parent/guardian who is calling

If you know your child(ren) will be gone more than 3 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.

Magnets are Back!

If you would like a magnet with the school schedule for this year, please stop by the office. The magnet includes days off and a reminder about school contact information for the office and attendance line.

Media Release-Opt Out Option

We no longer require families to do the Back to School Registration each year. However, if you do NOT give your permission for your child’s image to be used in the different media, both internally and externally, you will need to complete the Media Release form to opt out. This includes, but is not limited to, articles and photographs in a school newsletter, video of a student program shown in school or published to families via an online program, a news story by local media, or something on our web site. Click here for the Media Release Form.