DaVinci Connection-October 9, 2020
School Links
Important Dates
(subject to change-see online calendar)
10/12-10/16 No School
10/12 Parent Teacher Conferences, 12:00 pm-8:00 pm
10/13 Parent Teacher Conferences, 12:00 pm-8:00 pm
10/15 Office Closed
10/16 Office Closed
10/26 Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
11/3 Picture Day, Cohort A
11/5 Picture Day, Cohort B
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.
Dear DaVinci Families:
I hope you have a great fall break!
Please click here to ready an update we shared via Bloomz this week. Click here to watch a video version of this update.
My best,
Ahava Silkey-Jones
Executive Director
Tech Tips
Technology glitches are a frequent occurrence in a time when we are all relying on the internet for learning. Here are some tips and things to try 
that may help you if you are struggling with Google Meet.
Language Survey
In Minnesota, students who are multilingual may qualify for a Multilingual Seal upon further assessment. Additionally, the information you provide will determine if your student should take an English proficiency test. Based upon the results of the test, your student may be entitled to English language development instruction. Access to instruction is required by federal and state law.
As a parent or guardian, you have the right to decline English Learner instruction at any time. Every enrolling student must be provided with the Minnesota Language Survey during enrollment. Information requested on this form is important to us to be able to serve your student. Your assistance in completing the Minnesota Language Survey is greatly appreciated.
20-21 Free Meal Program Overview
When your student is onsite for their Hybrid learning days, they can eat school meals for free until 12/31 OR until USDA funding is exhausted. Breakfast is offered as they are entering the building. During morning attendance teachers ask students for their lunch choices.
For full distance learners a 5 day frozen meal pack is available after you complete this Form. Hybrid learners are able to purchase a 3 day frozen meal pack after completing this Form.
Our Monday/Tuesday students will receive their meal pack at the end of the day on Tuesday to take home. Our Thursday/Friday students will receive their meal packs at the end of the day on Friday to take home. Please note: Our distance learners meal pick up day is on Mondays, 10:30 am-12:30 pm. (When there is no school on Monday’s meal pick up moves to Tuesday 10:30 am-1230 pm)
Per USDA meals are only provided on instructional school days. The week of 10/12-10/16 there will be NO meals services provided. We will resume meals on Monday, October 19, 2020.
Transportation
Drop and Go Reminder
For those of you who have been dropping off your children this year – hasn’t the parking lot been quiet? Yes, morning drop off is considerably changed with the elimination of more than half of the families waiting in line. However, it is still important for your child to be ready to hop out of the car when you get to the curb. Parents, please help by:
- making sure your child’s mask is secured before you get to the drop off zone
- saying your good byes quickly, and
- remaining in your vehicle in order to keep cars moving.
If you must get out of your car to help your child for any reason, please use one of the parking spot indicated in pink on the diagram to reduce stops along the curb.
This will help to ensure that all children are on time for school and that our parking lot is safe. Don’t forget that school starts at 8:00 am, which means that students are in their seats ready to learn by 8:00 am, not screaming in the door at 7:59:30 am. Thank you.
Silent Dismissal – Are Your Settings Accurate?
Please check your Silent Dismissal settings. Here is a how to video for changing settings in Silent Dismissal. Remember these settings will need to be accurate in order for dismissal to run smoothly and safely. **NOTE If your child is a Monday Tuesday student please only assign them for the bus on Monday and Tuesday. If you check the other days, they will continue to show up on the check lists for the bus each day and staff have to search for students who aren’t here. Thank you.
PARENTS WITH THE APP: At the end of the day, you will not be able to dismiss your child from the app. This is so we may carefully control the flow of students on the sidewalk. However, you may change your child’s settings in the app. Please note, in order for the app to work, you need to inform the school of your interest in using the app and the type of phone that you have (Apple or Android) so that we can enable the app for you.
Need to Know
Hoodies Are Not Part of the Uniform
We are seeing an increased number of hoodie sweatshirts being worn during the school day. Please reference the uniform policy for appropriate long sleeved options for your child.
School Photos
Mark your calendars for school photos. Please remember that students must be in their uniform.
Group A Students : Tuesday, November 3
Group B Students: Thursday, November 5
Retakes and Distance Learning Students Who Are Interested: Wednesday, December 2
How to Use Infinite Campus Tools
There is a lot of great information that you can get from logging in to your Parent Portal. Here is a comprehensive cheat sheet for your reference.
Anoka County Library Resources For Students
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.
Nice to Know
Recess Attire
It is that time of the year where temperatures outside can really fluctuate. Please see the list below for clothing recommendations. There will be outdoor recess on all weather permitted days. We will have indoor recess on days when it’s raining or below zero degrees.
- 60 degrees or higher- short/long sleeve shirts
- 45-60 degrees- light jacked/hooded sweatshirts
- 44 degrees or lower-winter coat, hats, and gloves
- Snow pants and boots are required when there is snow
Kicking off Farm to School Month
Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed October as Minnesota Farm to School Month. During the month, Minnesotans are encouraged to celebrate connections between students and local food, share our state’s farm to school stories and express gratitude for school nutrition professionals and farmers providing essential services to feed our kids during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As students across the state participate in a variety of in-person, distance learning and hybrid school settings, school nutrition professionals continue to provide students with fresh, nutritious food while supporting Minnesota farmers, which lifts the local economy. Read the full press release and learn more about Farm to School Month.
Support Space 
Hey DaVinci Community!
This week is “Mental Illness Awareness Week”! Although there are MANY different mental illnesses, some of the most common disorders at school are related to depression and anxiety.
Please check out these kid-friendly info sheets about anxiety and depression. If you notice signs of these disorders or have other concerns about your child’s mental health, make sure you discuss promptly with your child’s pediatrician. Our team serves as a resource to help you navigate the mental health systems and support your child. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
To learn more about other Mental Illnesses, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/
Please reach out if you have questions or concerns. You can also set up a meeting with any member of our team for further resources and support!
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
ONGOING
Internet Essentials Program 
Do you need assistance with affordable internet service? Comcast has a program for low-income families. Click here for more information.
Please send a reusable bottle, labelled with your child’s name, to school so that they can have easy access to water during the day. We are going through cups like crazy, so please make sure your child had a water bottle that they can refill through the day.
HELP WANTED
