DaVinci Connection-November 6, 2020
School Links
Important Dates
(subject to change-see online calendar)
11/11 School Development Meeting, 3:30 pm
11/11 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30
11/19 Last Day of Tri 1
11/20-11/30 No School
11/30 Board Meeting
12/2 Picture Retake Day + Distance Students
12/9 School Development Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm
12/9 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30 pm
12/14 Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
12/21-1/1 No School-Winter Break
1/5 School Resumes
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 Community:
We hope this newsletter finds you and your family healthy! We are just two weeks away from the end of our first trimester. This has been a first trimester we will all remember, there have been moments that have brought so much joy and extremely challenging moments. As we continue to navigate this school year, we appreciate your partnership and support.
We announced yesterday that the number of COVID cases in our community and county have continued to rise dramatically in the last few weeks. We have already transitioned our students in grades 6-8 to distance learning and plan to transition our students in grades K-5 to distance learning after the November break based on the trajectory of the data. To learn more about this decision click here.
We continue to work to keep spirits high as our teachers and staff are spending these last few weeks in person with students to build support plans and ensure students have the tools they need to continue to be engaged when distance learning begins. We have seen so much creativity and care from families and staff to engage students in these new learning formats.
Most importantly we want to see our families and staff stay healthy. We are here to support you during this time, and ask that you don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support. More information will be shared in the coming week regarding food service, support for internet access, and improved schedules for distance learning trimester 2 as we input your feedback and staff feedback on lessons learned from trimester 1.
We will be sending another parent survey next week for you to more formally share how we can best set your child up for success with our return to distance learning. Following receipt of your feedback, we’ll host a family Q and A to answer any additional questions.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to share questions, shoutouts for great moments happening in your child’s classroom, ideas, or concerns.
My Best,
Need to Know
Free and Reduced Program
We have seen a major decrease in families applying for free or reduced meals due to the USDA free meal program for the 20-21 school year.
Students in households that meet the free or reduced-price meal income guidelines will generate compensatory revenue for our school. Schools must use this compensatory revenue to meet the needs of students who are behind their peers, such as remedial instruction, instructional materials including digital learning and technology, bilingual programs and additional teachers and teacher aides.
The household must complete and return the 2020-21 Application for Educational Benefits form, or complete the online form in Infinite Campus no later than December 15, so the school can calculate eligibility and report to MDE. This will not impact your students’ eligibility to receive free meals during the 2020-21 school year.
The school will only receive these compensatory funds if families qualify under the free and reduced price meal income guidelines; but, we encourage families to apply if you believe your income falls close to the maximum allowable income.
If you have any questions about this program, please reach out to Cassandra Anderson, canderson1@davincicharterschool.org.
After School Activities
We have decided not to offer after-school activities for the 2nd trimester (uncertainty regarding COVID cases, holiday season, inconsistent student activity attendance). We will make a decision whether or not to offer trimester 3 activities in early February.
DVA SEAC 
If you are a parent of child that receives Special Education services, consider attending our DaVinci Academy Special Education Advisory Council on Tuesday, November 10, from 5:00-6:00 pm, virtually. Please contact Kari Peterson, Special Education Director, at kmpeterson@davincicharterschool.org, if you are interested or would like more information.
COVID-19-Community Testing
The following dates were announced in a press release today marking the 8th week of a statewide COVID-19 testing push:
- 11/7 Maplewood
- 11/8, 11/9, and 11/10: Burnsville
- 11/8, 11/9, and 11/10: Stillwater
- 11/9 and 11/10: Morris, MN
- 11/9 and 11/10: 0watonna, MN
- Testing is free, you do not need insurance or identification
- You can get tested even if you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19.
- To avoid long lines, people are encouraged to pre-register for a time slot, using the registration link listed for each location.
FUNDRAISERS
Heggies Pizza Fundraiser
Smile.Amazon.Com – Easy Fundraiser for the School!
If you place your Amazon orders through Smile.Amazon.Com and note DaVinci Academy as your charity, we will receive donations from Amazon with every eligible purchase made. Setting this up is as easy as 1,2,3:
- Visit smile.amazon.com. (Bookmark the site for easier access in the future.)
- Log in with your existing account. (You can create an account if you don’t have one.)
- Search for “Davinci Academy of Arts and Science” and select it as your charity.
Nice to Know
Clorox Wipes Needed
If you would consider donating a package or 2 of Clorox wipes (or any brand of disinfecting wipes) to the classroom it would be much appreciated. Although we have sufficient cleaning products to address COVID related germs, wipes are the most convenient for quick spills and they can be difficult to procure in bulk. Thank you in advance for keeping your eyes open for the school while you shop.
Support Space 
Hey DaVinci Community!
With winter fast approaching, and spending more time indoors, it’s important to find joy with our family when at home. There are lots of benefits to quality time with your loved ones: increased feelings of connection and support, children feel safe and secure, and increased communication to work as a team and resolve conflict. Finding joy may look different for each family, but here are some ideas you may enjoy:
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Joy Jar: Throughout the week, have everyone jot down highlights and things that have brought them joy on small pieces of paper to put in the joy jar. At the end of the week, read aloud as a family.
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Evening Check In: Before bed, check in with your children and ask them to share a funny moment from the day or something that made them smile today. Make sure to share your funny moment too!
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Dance Party: Play some favorite music from your childhood and invite your whole family to dance with you. You can allow your children to DJ and share their favorite dance moves with you as well. If dancing isn’t your thing, make it a music lounge night and just share your favorite music with one another.
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Weekend Activity: Have everyone write down an activity that they would love to do with the family on a slip of paper. Put those into a hat or bowl (you may want to approve your children’s choices first) and have someone close their eyes and draw an activity. That’s your family activity for the day!
There are many other ways to find joy as a family and as individuals. What you focus on grows, so in difficult times, we need to focus on the positives whenever we can. Keep watering the moments of joy in your home and watch them grow!
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/mshathaway (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
Media Opt Out
HELP WANTED
Did You Know That DaVinci Academy is on Facebook and Instagram?
Check us out!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/davincicharterschool
Instagram: www.instagram.com/davincicharterschool
Starting the week of October 19, we will be sharing fun happenings at DaVinci Academy through both Facebook and Instagram. Please note that these platforms will not replace Bloomz or email for communicating important information from the school or your child’s teachers.
Why Social Media?
What do I need to do?
Any questions about social media can be directed to socialmedia@davincicharterschool.org.