DaVinci Connection-August 14, 2020

Save Receipts for School Supplies!

Minnesota Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for parents who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students, the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible.

Most Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Parents under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for parents who don’t owe any taxes. Visit the Minnesota Revenue website for details.

20-21 Bus Routes

Thank you to the families who responded to the back to school survey and indicated that they would be using the school buses this year.  Kottke’s is looking at combining routes when possible.   These changes could potentially decrease the cost to the school, and decreases the number of bus drivers needed during a time when drivers are in short supply.  As soon as those routes are finalized we will share them with families.

If you are unsure about whether you indicated busing for your child or not, you can check that information in your parent portal.  Please reach out to Holly Fischer ASAP if you see an error in your bus stop request.

Please use the interactive map in Silent Dismissal to help you choose a bus stop.

COVID-19-Community Testing

The Minnesota Department of Health works in partnership with communities to provide safe and free on-site COVID-19 testing in areas with outbreaks, increasing cases, or other barriers to access existing test sites.

Visit COVID-19 Community Testing to sign up for an appointment or learn more.

Donations

If you work for a company that is willing to direct donations on your behalf, please consider DaVinci Academy as a recipient.  We are very grateful for your contributions.  https://davincicharterschool.org/our-school/donate/

Infinite Campus-Is Your Address Current?

Please make sure your information in Infinite Campus is up to date.  Please also consider adding your child’s cell phone number to your account as this is helpful for the school in a myriad of ways.

Can’t remember your username or password? Click the links on the screen or call the office at 763-754-6577.

Here is a How To Video that can help you navigate Infinite Campus.

**Note: The changes need to be approved by admin before you will see them in your Portal.

Optional Chromebook Protection Plan

Did you indicate on the technology form you are interested in the Chromebook Protection Plan? If yes, please read and take the steps below to activate the plan.

The participation cost for those enrolling in the Chromebook Protection Plan is $35 per Chromebook. There is a family maximum cap based on the enrollment of two students for families with multiple students. When you purchase the plan for two of your students, all your students will be covered.

The Plan becomes active when you choose to purchase it from the School Store from your Infinite Campus parent portal. It will be available for purchase through August 27^th. The program will be free for those families that qualify for free and reduced lunch prices, however, you still need to “purchase” the plan from the school store and your fee will automatically be adjusted to 0.00 in your cart.

The Chromebook Protection Plan provides coverage for non-warranty repair, accidental damage (drops/spills), cracked screens, power surges, theft (with filed police report), vandalism by others, fire, flood, and other natural disasters. The $35 fee payment is non-refundable. This annual coverage begins upon receipt of the payment and ends at the conclusion of the regular school year. The plan does not cover lost Chromebooks, intentional damage or stolen, lost or damaged charging cords.

Chromebook Protection Plan Repair/Replacement Fee Deductible Schedule:

• 1^{s t} damage /repair claim: $0.00
• 2^nd damage/repair claim: $150.00
• Additional damage/repair claims: full cost of Chromebook or replacement cord up to $300.00. All claims must be reported to the DaVinci Academy school office.

School Supplies

A number of generous families have donated school supplies for DaVinci families in need.  Some items include crayons, markers, glue sticks, scissors, and folders.

Please reach out to the office if you would benefit from that gift.

Notes from Nurse Julie

The state of Minnesota requires children enrolled in school to be immunized against certain diseases depending on age OR to provide documentation of conscientious objection or medical exemption.  Here are the requirements:

Age 5-11 years (Entering grades K-6):

DTaP/DT:  5 doses

Polio (IPV/OPV):  4 doses

Hep B:  3 doses

MMR:  2 doses

Varicella (Chicken Pox):  2 doses

Age 12+ (Entering 7^th and 8^th grade):

All of the above vaccinations

Tdap

Meningococcal

Immunization/Exemption forms can be found on the school website under the health forms tab in the Students & Parents section.  Please make sure your student is current on immunizations and that the updated immunization record or exemption form is given to the school so that enrollment status is not affected.  If you have any questions, you may contact Nurse Julie at the school.

Thank you for your cooperation!!

Resources For Distance Learning

For Parents:

10 Tips to Prepare Your Kids and Your Home For Distance Learning

For Students:

Support Space

Hey DaVinci Academy Community!

Welcome back to a new school year!! As we start the year out in distance learning, we want to help your family get started on the right foot.

Here are some healthy habits to kick off the new year:

• Start the day off with a nutritious breakfast

• Establish a healthy sleep routine

• Set up a designated learning space

• Schedule in movement + brain breaks throughout the day

• Create a schedule for your child’s afternoon work time

• Use your child’s planner or another way to stay organized and on task

• Help your child stay connected socially with their peers

• Remember to have fun!

If you want more support around setting up healthy habits and routines, feel free to connect with a member of our mental health team.

Phoenix Hathaway (K-4 School Counselor) www.calendly.com/phathaway (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

Click on image to enlarge.

Food Service Program 

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

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.  Applications do not carry over from year to year.

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.

Essential Workers Child Care

We are looking for people to join the team who will be working with our day care kids.  If you are interested in learning more about the position you can reach out to Julie Kresh.