DaVinci Connection-February 5, 2021
School Links
Important Dates
(subject to change-see online calendar)
2/8 Back to in-person learning date for grades 3-5
2/8 Virtual Enrollment Lottery, 5:00 p.m.
2/10 School Development Committee Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
2/10 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30 p.m.
2/12-2/15 No School, Office closed
2/16 No School, Staff Workshop
2/22 DaVinci Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
2/23 PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
2/24-2/26 No School for Middle School (K-5 learning days as scheduled)
3/1 Back to in-person learning date for Middle School
Attendance Line: 763-252-6130
Parents should call the attendance line at 763-252-6130 before 9:00 am 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.
Attendance Update
Please review the latest Attendance Update along with the details outlined below for using the attendance line. This update is for both distance and in-person learners.
You may view your child’s attendance record in your Campus Parent account.
Greetings!
To the left, you will find helpful links to important pages on our website.
Dear DaVinci Families:
I hope this message finds you well! We have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming our K-2 students back on-site, and look forward to seeing our students in grades 3-5 on Monday. We shared a communication yesterday regarding our Middle School return to in-person learning. We look forward to welcoming students in grades 6-8 back to campus on March 1. All families have the option to stay in distance learning for the remainder of the school year if they prefer.
As we approach our first polar vortex this year, it’s a good reminder to keep your eye out on the weather for students returning to in-person school. We won’t call a snow or cold day unless we absolutely have to, but as is the nature of MN weather, it’s always a possibility. If inclement weather requires us to close for more than one day in a row, we will transition to distance learning until we are able to return to in-person learning.
As more and more students return on-site, please remind students the importance of wearing their masks appropriately to help prevent the spread of Covid. For families planning to travel over the upcoming breaks, we do not have a required quarantine period, but do encourage families to watch for symptoms if traveling.
Thank you as always for your support. You are each such an important part of our community.
My best,
Ahava
Reminders for In-person Learning
Preparing for In-person Learning
We’re excited to welcome back our next group of in-person learners next week! On Monday, all in-person learners in K-5 will be joining us on-site.
Our first days with K-2 on-site have gone quite well! It has been wonderful to see their happy faces and feel their excitement as they come through the doors in the morning. There are a few things we’ve learned from this first group that we’d like to share with you before 3-5 returns next Monday.
- Make sure your child tries on their uniform before next week. We’ve been amazed by how many students have grown in the past few months and many have outgrown the uniforms they wore in the fall.
- If you drop your child off in the morning, please remember to stay in the car. With K-5 back on-site, we’ll have even more cars dropping off student and it’s even more important to keep things moving. If your child needs help or extra time to get out of your vehicle, you’re encouraged to park in any of the visitor parking spots to give them that extra support. Students should also exit the car on the passenger side near the sidewalk, as there are often cars passing on the other side.
- Make sure your child knows how they will be getting home from school each day. If you haven’t checked your plans in Silent Dismissal, please do so.
- Your child’s teacher will let you know if they should bring their assigned Chromebook back to school on the first day of in-person learning. They will also let you know if there are other materials you should return to school.
- In-person students will only participate in distance learning if they are quarantined because of COVID. Students who are absent for other reasons (other illnesses, vacation, funerals, appointments, etc.) will not participate in distance learning if they are absent.
I’m looking forward to seeing so many of you during in-person learning! Have a great weekend!
Ms. Halverson
K-5 Director
Silent Dismissal—Are your settings accurate?
All families returning to in-person learning should log in to their Silent Dismissal accounts to verify that their busing and transportation needs are correct. Families that signed up to use DaVinci busing should have received an email with information regarding their child’s bus stop times and assigned seats; however, it is still each family’s responsibility to select which days of the week busing is needed for each of their children. Remember, these settings need to be accurate in order for dismissal to run smoothly and safely. Click here to log in to your Silent Dismissal account.
If you do not have a Silent Dismissal account, here is a how to video that will help you set up an account and show you how to make changes in Silent Dismissal.
If you will be picking up your child(ren) from school, please be sure you have your Silent Dismissal number displayed in your vehicle. Please stop by the office if you have misplaced your Silent Dismissal number.
PARENTS WITH THE APP: At the end of the day, you will not be able to dismiss your child(ren) from their classroom using the app. This is so we may carefully control the flow of students on the sidewalk. However, if needed, 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.
Recess Attire
Students will participate in recess every day. Please see the list below for clothing recommendations for outdoor recess. There will be outdoor recess on all weather permitted days. We’ll have indoor recess on days when it’s raining or below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
- 60°F or higher—short/long sleeve shirts
- 45-60°F—light jacket/hooded sweatshirts
- 44°F or lower—winter coat, hats, and gloves
- Snow pants and boots are required when there is snow
Notes from Nurse Julie
With the return to in-person learning, here are some helpful reminders:
Daily Pre-screening:
Please pre-screen your children before they come to school each day. If they have one of the more common COVID symptoms (fever greater than 100.4°f, new onset of cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell) or a combination of two of the less common symptoms (sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, new onset of severe headache, congestion, runny nose) they will need to stay home, and siblings must also remain at home until a negative COVID test or alternate diagnosis is obtained from a health care provider. Thank you for helping keep our school open and safe!
Masks:
Please make sure your child has several masks to use during the school day, as they tend to get soiled quickly. Cloth masks should be washed each day and paper masks should be disposed of after use. Students unable to wear a mask can have their health care provider fill out a Medical Verification for Exemption form. Please reach out to Nurse Julie if you are in need of a mask exemption form for your student’s health care provider to complete.
Medications:
If your child will need to take any medications while at school, please fill out the appropriate forms for the medications required. Health forms can be found on the DaVinci website or you can access them here. Medications must be brought to school by a parent and delivered to the nurse unless other arrangements are made.
*Over-the-counter medication forms need only a parent/guardian signature and date.
*Prescription medication forms must have BOTH a doctor’s signature and date and a parent/guardian signature and date.
*For any child with asthma or anaphylaxis. Action plan forms can be used in lieu of the prescription medication forms if all the necessary medications can be listed on the plans.
Please Note: Medication can only be accepted if it is accompanied with the correct forms, it is in its original packaging with a prescription label attached, and it is not expired.
If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Julie:
jswanson@davincicharterschool.
763-754-6577, ext. 1110
Uniform Pants Needed!
If you have any clean, gently used uniform pants that your child is no longer using, we currently need the following sizes:
- Boys sizes 5-10
- Girls sizes 4-6 & 10-12
You or your student can drop them off at the front office.
Thank you!
Support Space
“All in for All Students”
Hello DaVinci Community!
February 1-5, 2021 is NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR WEEK (NSCW)! This year’s theme for NSCW is “All in for All Students,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). We want to let you know, in more detail, how we are “all in” for DaVinci Academy! Phoenix Hathaway is our school counselor for Kindergarten through fourth grade, and Melissa Derby is our school counselor for fifth through eighth grade.
Many people think we operate as traditional mental health therapists, who meet clients weekly for in-depth processing. However, this is untrue. A school counselor does meet with many people, but for a shorter amount of time (usually 20-30 minutes per session, for one to four sessions). We support student development in three domains: academic success, career readiness, and social-emotional learning. We provide solution-focused, brief counseling, where we process emotions, and learn skills to help us manage. In addition, we teach character trait counseling lessons, facilitate small groups, provide behavior and crisis response, and collaborate with others to cultivate a caring and respectful community.
ASCA executive director, Jill Cook, writes, “school counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning, by addressing students’ academic concerns, postsecondary options and social/emotional skills. School counseling programs help increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.”
Below is a link to an infographic about the valuable services school counselors provide:
We are happy to serve DaVinci Academy, and support our students and families. Stay tuned for more information about school social workers in March!
Please reach out if you have questions or concerns. If your family is faced with new or ongoing needs and challenges throughout this time, please let us know by filling out this survey and someone from our team will reach out to further assist your family!
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
TONIGHT! Parent Education Night: Anxiety in Children
Class Description: In celebration of Children’s Mental Health Week, join NAMI Minnesota for an hour long presentation on the topic of childhood anxiety. We will discuss how anxiety can look in children and explore tools, strategies, and resources that can help parents and caregivers support their children to manage anxiety and other big feelings.
This presentation will be most appropriate for parents and caregivers of young children, ages 3-10. A recording will be available. Live attendees will be entered to win a giveaway of an item discussed during the presentation! Registration is not required.
Spanish and Somali interpreters will be available. Please contact kbartlein@namimn.org if you need support.
A special thanks to the Dakota County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative for helping make this class possible.
- Date and Time: Friday, February 5, 7:00-8:00 PM
- Join by Web Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82554644572
- Join by phone: +1 312 626 6799
- Meeting ID: 825 5464 4572
Look What’s Happening at School!
On February 17, our school is hosting The NED Show, a live streaming K-6 event. K-5 in-person students will have the assembly streamed in their classrooms, and distance learning plus 6th grade students will get information from their homeroom/cohort teachers on how to view the assembly.
In this show, a world-class performer takes our students on an interactive educational journey filled with storytelling, illusions, yo-yo tricks, and humor. NED’s message inspires students, promotes academic achievement, and supports our school goals.
- Never give up
- Encourage others
- Do your best®
Our school received this program at no-cost because another school community has paid-it-forward to us. Now it’s our turn—you can help by purchasing a NED-messaged yo-yo and accessories. A yo-yo is both a mindset tool and tangible reminder of NED’s message. While learning to yo, children will make mistakes, try again, and improve. Read more at bit.ly.why-yos. You can also find resources on their site to help you reinforce this message at home.
More details will come via Bloomz the week of the NED Show about our socially-distant yo-yo pay-it-forward sale.
Feel free to direct any questions to Melissa Derby, 5-8 school counselor (mderby@davincicharterschool.
Nutritional Services
Frozen Meal Pick Up
Our next meal pick up day will be Monday, February 8, 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. at the main entrance. Curbside assistance will depend on staff availability.
Please note: Students participating in in-person learning will no longer have access to the distance learning meal program as they will have access to free breakfast and lunch at school.
If you have children in distance learning and would like to sign up for frozen meals, please contact canderson1@
Looking for a meal site? Use these resources to find an SFSP site near you:
- Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners to your phone or device.
- Call the 2-1-1 Hotline or from cell phones – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440.
- Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Central Time.
- Text “Food” to 877-877. Spanish speakers, text “comida” to 877-877.
Student Eligibility for P-EBT
Students who attend eligible schools and qualify for free or reduced-price (FRP) meals (e.g., children who are directly certified, certified by application or enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision school) will receive P-EBT benefits based on a calculation that includes the number of distance learning and hybrid days each month. This calculation will be shared once it is approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
IMPORTANT: Households that qualify for FRP meals but have not yet submitted an Application for Educational Benefits for the 2020-21 school year should do so immediately to qualify for the most benefits. In addition, households must have a current mailing address on file with the school in order to receive the P-EBT card in the mail.
The months in which a student is eligible for P-EBT benefits depends on when the Application for Educational Benefits was submitted to the school. Applications received by February 28, 2021 will be eligible for retroactive benefits to September 2020. The table below shows the months eligible for P-EBT benefits based on the submission date of the Application for Educational Benefits.
| Submission Date of Application for Educational Benefits | Months eligible for P-EBT benefits* |
| By February 28, 2021 | September 2020 through June 2021 |
| March 1 – June 11, 2021 | March 2021 through June 2021 |
*Eligibility dates subject to change pending USDA approval
Nice to Know
Blaine Soccer Club—Registration deadline February 8
Winter Rec Indoor Session 3: Ages 2-12
- February 20– April 10 (No event on March 13 or March 20.)
- Program occurs every Saturday morning at the National Sports Center- Sports Hall, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. (Specific times for teams are determined after registration deadline.)
- Players participate in a 15 minute practice followed by a 40 minute game
- $135 (Includes BSC team t-shirt.)
- 6 week session
- Parents can place “DavinciAcademy” in the buddy request section so students can be on the same team together.
- Registration deadline February 8
Registration Link: Winter Rec Indoor Session 3
BSC Winter Development Academy Session 3: Ages 6-7
- Feb 22– April 12 (No event on March 15 or March 22.)
- Program occurs every Monday evening, 6-7 p.m. at the National Sports Center- Dome
- This program is for players who want more advanced training and are coached by a BSC professional staff coach.
- $150 (Includes BSC team t-shirt.)
- 6 week session
- Registration deadline February 8
Registration Link: Winter Development Academy Session 3
Jam Hops’ Camptastic Non-School Day Program
Camptastic is a day camp for children to attend when school is not in session. Their trained staff spends the day with children doing a variety of fun activities.
Please visit their website for more information or to register.
Ongoing
Morning Drop Off Procedures
Welcome back grades 3-5! Here are a few important reminders about the start of the school day that all families dropping off students need to know.
- Make sure your child is ready to hop out of the car when you get to the sidewalk in the morning so that the flow of traffic keeps moving efficiently.
- Parents will still not be allowed to walk children into the school.
- 7:30 a.m.—doors open to students. Please do not drop off your child at school before that time unless they are meeting with a teacher for a special purpose.
- 8:00 a.m.— School starts; children are in their seats and ready to learn. Pulling into the parking lot at 7:58 a.m. will not allow your child enough time to get to his/her class by 8:00 a.m., so please plan accordingly.
- Left turns out of the parking lot are dangerous and should be avoided.
Here is an instructional video that outlines how our morning drop off procedure works. Please view it to refresh your memory.
COVID-19-Community Testing
- Sign up for an appointment: COVID-19 Community Testing Sites. Those who are unable to sign up online or need interpretation can call 1-855-612-0677 for assistance.
- More about nasal swab and saliva tests: Types of COVID-19 Tests
- 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.
All Minnesotans are now able to order an at-home saliva test at no cost. For more information, visit COVID-19 Test at Home.
Help Wanted
Nice to Know
4th Annual DaVinci Academy Read-a-thon
This year, we are excited to announce that we will hold our 4th annual Read-a-thon fundraiser for grades Kindergarten through fifth. This is our primary fundraiser for the PTO and allows us to keep supporting our students and staff.
*25% of this year’s proceeds will be used to fund wish list items for the library! The remaining funds will be used to continue to support our students and staff as well as plan for fun events like movie nights and carnivals once we can safely gather together again!
Read-a-thons are a great way to get your reader excited about reading and give friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more. Our Read-a-thon is a program that brings students together with family and friends to encourage reading and to build literacy skills.
The main focus of the Read-a-thon is for everyone to know we are committed to improving reading skills. To that end, the Read-a-thon promises to be a fun, exciting journey for all participants as they begin a personal Reading Adventure that challenges each reader to complete at least 10 reading sessions over our 2-week event. Our Read-a-thon will start February 22, 2021.
Your teachers will send home paperwork this weekend (or in Monday’s packet pick up for our distance learning classes) with your reader explaining how you will activate their personal Read-a-thon page. We understand that, as parents, you have high expectations for the quality of your child’s education but also have limited time. That’s why we chose to hold a Read-a-thon. You will find this to be the easiest fundraiser possible. By simply activating your reader’s personal page and using the promotional tools found there, friends and family anywhere in the world can show their support for your reader by making a donation to our Read-a-thon. The reader page is also where you will be able to view and record their progress.
Your involvement in the Read-a-thon will help your child develop a lasting love of
reading. We hope each one of you will activate your child’s personal page the day your child
brings home their paperwork.
We hope EVERYONE participates.
DaVinci Academy PTO
DaVinci Connection-March 5, 2021
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy Important Dates (subject to change-see online calendar) 3/11 End of Trimester 2 3/12 No School, Teacher Grading Day 3/15-3/19 No School, Spring Break 3/25 Picture Day 3/29 Board Meeting, 6 p.m. 4/1 Spring Conferences, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 4/1-4/6 No [...]
DaVinci Connection-February 19, 2021
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy Important Dates (subject to change-see online calendar) 2/22 Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m. 2/23 PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m. 2/24-2/26 No school for Middle School (K-5 learning days as scheduled) 3/1 Back to in-person learning date for Middle School 3/4 Registration [...]
DaVinci Connection-January 22, 2021
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy Important Dates (subject to change-see online calendar) 1/25 Back to in-person learning date for grades K-2 1/25 DaVinci Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m. 1/26 PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m. 2/8 Tentative back to in-person learning date for grades 3-5 2/8 Virtual [...]
DaVinci Connection-January 8, 2021
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy Important Dates (subject to change-see online calendar) 1/11 Annual DaVinci Board Retreat, 4:00 p.m. 1/13 School Development Committee Meeting, 3:30 p.m. 1/13 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30 p.m. 1/18-1/19 No School, K-8 1/20-1/22 No School, K-5 1/25 Tentative back to [...]
DaVinci Connection-December 18, 2020
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy Important Dates (subject to change-see online calendar) 12/21-1/1 No School-Winter Break 1/4 School Resumes 1/11 DaVinci Board Retreat, 4:00 p.m. 1/13 School Development Committee Meeting, 3:30 p.m. 1/13 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30 p.m. 1/18-1/22 No School 1/25 Tentative back [...]
DaVinci Connection-December 4, 2020
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy Important Dates (subject to change-see online calendar) 12/7 Material Pick Up Day 12/9 School Development Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm 12/9 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30 pm 12/14 Board Meeting, 6:00 pm 12/15 Heggies Pizza Pick Up 3:30-6:00 12/16 Student Care [...]
DaVinci Connection-November 19, 2020
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy Important Dates (subject to change-see online calendar) 11/16-11/30 Heggies Pizza Fundraiser 11/19 Last Day of Tri 1 11/20-11/30 No School 11/30 Board Meeting 12/9 School Development Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm 12/9 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30 pm 12/14 Board Meeting, [...]
DaVinci Connection-November 6, 2020
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy 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 [...]
DaVinci Connection-October 23, 2020
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy Important Dates (subject to change-see online calendar) 10/26 Board Meeting, 6:00 pm 10/27 Picture Day, Cohort A *NOTE NEW DAY 10/29 Picture Day, Cohort B *NOTE NEW DAY 11/11 School Development Meeting, 3:30 pm 11/11 Finance Committee Meeting, 4:30 [...]
DaVinci Connection-October 9, 2020
School Links DaVinci Academy Staff Directory Food Service School Calendar School Supplies Volunteer Information Anti-Bullying Policy 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 [...]
