DaVinci Connection-March 12, 2020
School Links
Important Dates
(subject to change-see online calendar)
3/12 Last Day of Tri 2
3/13-20 No School
3/13 Policy Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm
3/23-30 CEAP Food Drive
3/24 Talent Show Auditions, 3:00-4:30 pm
3/26 PTO Meeting, 6:30 pm
3/28 March Madness, 11:00 am
4/7 3rd Grade Music Concert, 5:30 pm
4/7 4th Grade Music Concert, 6:45 pm
4/9-13 No School
4/9 Parent Teacher Conferences and Spring Pictures
4/30 Talent Show, 6:00 pm
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.
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.
Greetings!
To the left, you will find helpful links to important pages on our website.
NEED TO KNOW
Coronavirus Message from Our Executive Director
Dear DaVinci Academy Staff, Students, and Families:
As the world is experiencing the impact of the rapidly spreading coronavirus respiratory illness known as COVID-19, we wanted to share an update on how DaVinci Academy is responding. This is an evolving situation, and DaVinci Academy is following the advice of the Minnesota Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the Department of Education regarding precautions and response.
We have no plans at this time to close or cancel DaVinci Academy or corresponding extracurricular activities. If this recommendation changes, we will notify you. We are taking precautions to sanitize surfaces, and encourage students and staff members to thoroughly wash hands, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid close contact with people who are sick. We have provided additional access to hand sanitizer at the front of the serving lines for breakfast and lunch, and continue to sanitize surfaces and serving utensils between lunch periods.
If your child is sick, we encourage you to keep them at home. If you are concerned about excessive absences related to illness please reach out to us, our priority is the health and wellness of all students. If you feel your child is sick enough to need to wear a mask to school, then they are probably too ill to be at school and should instead stay home.
If you are traveling over spring break to impacted regions please be sure to take special precautions upon your return as outlined here. Resources to learn more information from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH):
It’s extremely important that we not stigmatize or isolate any populations of students and families as we navigate the impact of COVID-19. COVID-19 is not connected to any race, ethnicity or nationality.
National Public Radio has published a child-friendly comic that answers what experts believe children may want to know about the new coronavirus and COVID-19. You may want to review with your child in an effort to help decrease students’ concerns and worries about the virus.
We will continue to share updates in our bi-weekly newsletter or more frequently as needed.
Sincerely,
Ahava Silkey-Jones
Executive Director, DaVinci Academy of Arts and Science
2020-21 Academic Calendar
The Board of Directors has approved the calendar for next year. Please note the first day of school is August 11, for grades first through eighth, and August 13 for Kindergarten.
Online Payments for School Expenses Now Accessible
Families can now make online payments for lunch accounts AND activity fees (like the DaVinci Den, field trips or extra curriculars) through their parent campus on Infinite Campus. If you have not setup your parent campus account, please contact Brandee Palmer for assistance.
Charges for events like field trips or extra curricular activities will still be assigned to your child’s Infinite Campus account. The new feature will include a button to add those charges to a cart and pay for them online.
Additional reasons why parents need access to their parent campus account:
- Update family information
- Update emergency contacts
- Fee payments
- Food service payments
- Check grades, assignments and missing assignments (this is very important for middle school)
- Apply for Educational Benefits
- View your child’s schedule
NICE TO KNOW
Congratulations to 8th grader Brandt B. who officially qualified for the state National Geographic GeoBee competition. He will be representing DaVinci Academy on March 27, for a chance to make it to the national competition in Washington DC. State champions will receive a medal, $1,000 in cash, and other prizes, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C., to represent their state in the National Championship where they will compete for additional cash, awards, and college scholarships. The second- and third-place State GeoBee winners will receive cash awards of $300 and $100, respectively. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/student-experiences/geobee/
Good Luck Brandt! We are proud of you.
Math Masters Competition
Last week, we sent two teams of sixth graders to Math Masters, and the results were impressive!
2020-21 Show Choir Try-outs
Show Choir is a music ensemble where students sing and dance. Tryouts are an opportunity to showcase their ability with no prior experience required.
Auditions:
*You only need to attend one.
Monday, March 30, from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 2, from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
*Students attending must update their Silent Dismissal setting for the chosen try-out day.
*Students also must prepare for a ride home.
Location:
Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Who Can Audition?
Students entering 6th, 7th or 8th grade in the 2020-21 school year.
For audition material, please go to:
www.tinyurl.com/yx3vpmry
If you have any questions, please contact the director, Mr. Hanson.
Music in our Schools Month
March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. For more information, check out nafme.org/programs/miosm/
To celebrate, DaVinci will be holding various events throughout the next few months to celebrate music in our schools month.
Upcoming Music Events:
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ONGOING
After School Reminder
All extracurricular activities end at 4:30 pm. Only students enrolled for an extracurricular activity can stay after school. Unattended siblings are not permitted to remain at school and wait until 4:30 pm to be picked up. Teachers, coaches and activity teachers are not available to supervise non-participating siblings. Please do not request that they do so. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact the office.
Outside 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
If providing your child with winter gear is a financial burden for your family, please contact the school.
2020 Summer Cooking Camp catalog is now open for early registration. Register before March 14 and save $30/student per camp. It’s the lowest price of the season.
- All camps are Monday–Thursday, from 9:00 am–4:00 pm.
- Students going into 5th grade through 12th grade for the 2020/21 school year may register.
- Early registration ends March 14, cost will increase from $349/wk to $379/wk.
- NEW LOCATION! Village Shops in Circle Pines, 307 Village Parkway, Circles Pines, 55014. (Next to McDonald’s and Ace Hardware on the corner of Lexington & Lake)**Note: Gingerbread House Bootcamp is hosted at the Norway House in Minneapolis, not in Circle Pines.
We will be adding more classes if we are able to hire more staff, but these will be the only full-week camps.
Help Wanted
Employment Opportunities
- Long-Term Substitute-coverage periods:
- April-June
- On-Call Substitute Teacher
Non-Licensed Positions:
- On Call Substitute-Special Education Paraprofessional
- Lunch/Recess Monitor (substitute)
Volunteer Opportunities
Do you know how to install a tile back splash? Would you be willing to volunteer your time to a small project of this kind? Please contact Holly Fischer for details.PTO News
PTO Meeting
The next public meeting is the April 30. Key items for discussion will be:
- Teacher Appreciation week – May 4-8
- Elections – May
- Carnival – June 5
Third Annual March Food Drive
We have once again partnered with CEAP, our local food shelf as a collection site for non-perishable goods to help our community. March is Minnesota Food Share month.
Last year, we were able to collect 454 pounds of food. That’s 378 dinner plates of food! This year, we will be trying to fill 2 pallets and are hoping to reach 750 lbs of food!
Send your non-perishables March 23-30 and help us serve our community!
Top Needed Items:
Flour & Sugar
Oil (vegetable, olive, etc.)
Instant Potatoes
Pasta & Rice
Spaghetti Sauce
Macaroni & Cheese
Dried Beans
Masa
Harina
Powdered Milk
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Cereal
Baby Food & Formula
Canned Meats
Canned Fruits
Canned Vegetables
Canned Meals
