DaVinci Connection-December 17, 2021
Bed
School Links
Important Dates
Subject to change-see online calendar
December 20-January 2, No School
January 17, No School (Staff Workshop Day)
January 18, No School
Attendance
If your student will be late or absent please call the attendance line 763-252-6130 before 9:00 a.m. Please include:
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
An Extended Absence Form is needed for more than five consecutive absences and is due four to six weeks in advance of the absence.
Recess Attire
Temperatures are getting lower and lower. Please send your student with appropriate (clearly labeled) attire including hats and mittens. Students go outside daily and must wear a coat in lower temperatures.
GREETINGS!
To the left and right, you will find helpful links to important pages on our website.
Dear DaVinci Academy Families:
On behalf of the entire DaVinci Academy community, I want to wish you a wonderful winter break and a very happy new year!
We have had an exciting week at DaVinci the last two weeks including:
- Penguin Party for Kindergarten
- Pajama Day
- Band and Choir Concerts
- Dance Residency with Mr. Jones and launching of the DaVinci Academy Kids Performance Group
- Impressive Basketball Showing! (6th grade boys won their tournament last weekend and all of our girls teams are finishing up their seasons with year end tournaments this weekend)!
- Knowledge Bowl had its first Knowledge Bowl competition yesterday and placed second overall! Congratulations to Ms. Severson and the Knowledge Bowl team!
- And much much more!
Covid-19 Updates
As we enter the break we want to encourage you to continue to be diligent in observing COVID-19 mitigation strategies as we continue to see an increase in spread in the community and are closely watching as details emerge regarding the new omicron variant. A few important items to note:
- A reminder that there is no school on Monday, January 3, 2022. We invite you to come to the school on Monday, January 3rd between 9am-2pm to pick up a rapid COVID-19 test. Regular testing for COVID-19 is one of several mitigation strategies being used by DaVinci.
- As we move into a new year, we invite you to share feedback and ideas for the DaVinci COVID-19 Task Force by filling out this short survey over the break. We also invite you to consider joining the Task Force in the new year.
- Based on updated guidance from MDH, PCR tests are no longer required to be eligible for the 7-day early return from quarantine or Test and Stay. Testing is still required, however, families may submit the results of an antigen test instead.
- If you haven’t already please consider sharing your vaccination or antibody status with DaVinci Vaccination and antibody reporting form
- Newly released FAQ by the DaVinci Task Force
A huge thank you to our DaVinci Task Force, composed of parents, staff, and board members, who have dedicated endless hours to helping advise the school administration and the board as we navigate the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. I am eternally grateful for their generosity, positivity, and insight.
Wishing you a very happy new year!
My best,
Ahava Silkey-Jones
DaVinci Academy extends a tremendous thank you to the GatherWell team for an extraordinarily generous donation of air filtration systems for all of our DaVinci classrooms. GatherWell is a locally owned company that offers same day laboratory services with results available in minutes. These will help us ensure optimal air quality as our students return from the winter break. Please join me in extending gratitude on behalf of our school. GatherWell has also provided a 25% off discount code to all DaVinci families who test at GatherWell. When scheduling an appointment enter “Sparky” where is says Redeem Coupon to receive this discount.
Silent Dismissal Directions
A big thanks to those of you who have downloaded the Silent Dismissal app! It is very helpful to our staff working outside at the end of the day. We got a taste this week of the cold weather that is to come and we sure appreciated the times that we could put our hands away because parents were using the app to dismiss their own child.
For those of you who still need to download the Silent Dismissal app below are directions to get you started. Please remember: the Silent Dismissal app will not work until you email or call the school and provide your phone information.
SD Settings and App Instructions
On a related note, we would happily accept donations of hand warmers for our outside staff. Thank you!
Pay Through the Parent Portal
We have created a handy guide to making payments on the Parent Portal. Click Payments Through Parent Portal for detailed instructions.
We hope you enjoy winter break and make the most of your time, either staying inside or getting outdoors. Check out some resources below to help you feel comfortable and safe, as we reflect on the joys and challenges of 2021 and head into a brand new year: 2022!
Food/Shelter/Financial Resources
EveryMeal Winter Food Program
Cash, SNAP & Emergency Programs – Anoka County
United Way – 211
Winter Clothing
Community Activities
16 things to do over winter break
Winter Warm-Up at US Bank Stadium
Winter Break Camp: Wild Winter Survival
Winter Adventure at Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield 12/29, 1-4 pm
Carter Music Winter Recital 12/18, 3 pm
Creekview Winter Solstice Event 12/18, 4-7 pm
If you need further support, information or would like to discuss any questions or concerns with us, please contact us! If your family is faced with new or ongoing needs and challenges, please let us know by filling out this survey and someone from our team will reach out to further assist your family!
Mindfully Yours,
DaVinci Academy Mental Health Team
Phoenix Hathaway (K-4 Counselor) www.calendly.com/mshathaway (763)-754-6577 ext. 1204
Courtney Rowe (K-8 School Social Worker) www.calendly.com/msrowe (763)-754-6577 ext. 1215
Brittany Finley (5-8 School Counselor) www.calendly.com/bfinley-4 (763)-754-6577 ext.1310
Food Service
Are you receiving emails saying your student’s food service account is negative?
Payments Using Infinite Campus Online Service
Parents and guardians of DaVinci Academy students can now access even more information online about their student’s child nutrition account. To manage your account, Food Service My Cart Infinite Campus Instructions
- View meal account balances.
- Sign up for automatic recurring payments.
- Receive email notifications of low balances.
- Make payments with a credit, debit card or direct bank account withdrawal.
- View a student’s purchase history for the preceding 90 days.
Families that need help with their username and/or password can contact our Infinite Campus Coordinator Pam Carlson, pcarlson@
Lost & Found
Are your students missing a single glove, a winter jacket, a hat, or maybe all of the above? Come check our growing collection of lost and found items before winter break. Don’t forget to label your student’s belongings so they are easier to locate.
Volunteer Opportunity
Are you just itching to find a creative outlet? We’ve got some bulletin boards that could use sprucing up before the kids return from break. Please contact Holly Fischer if your DIY cravings need a fix. We can provide you with the materials, and the ideas if you need some inspiration. Thank you in advance.
Athletics
We do not have our own wrestling team at DaVinci, however, we’d like to share two options for families of students that may be interested. The Andover Huskies Youth Wrestling Program is registering students grades prek-age 14. The Blaine Wrestling Takedown Club is also currently accepting registrations. Although we are not affiliated with either program, we do have students that wrestle for those clubs and have many positive things to say. Each of those websites has contact information for you to reach out to ask any questions you may have, and registration ends soon.
Additional Community Events
Minnesota Historical Society
Sixth graders can go to any MNHS location for FREE! It’s a great way for children to explore history during non-school hours.
Any child who is in 6th grade during the 2021-2022 school year is eligible for this pass. The pass provides free admittance for the 6th grader (not parents or siblings) to Minnesota Historical Society sites and museums through August 31, 2022. Not valid for field trips, paid programs or specially priced exhibits.
COVID-19 Updates
Families must fill out this form regardless of their or their students’ vaccination status if one of more of the following is true:
1. Student or household member has tested positive for COVID-19
2. Student or household member has symptoms related to COVID-19
3. Student or household member has had close contact with someone who has tested positive for or has symptoms relating to COVID-19
Anoka County Public Health voluntary vaccination clinic for children ages 5-11 set for Dec. 4
With regulatory approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11, Anoka County Public Health is coordinating a vaccination clinic for children on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Anoka Technical College (1355 West Highway 10, Anoka).
Advance registration is required at this link: https://acappt.co.anoka.
The vaccination clinic is a voluntary, no-cost option for students and is offered in addition to other options. The second dose clinic is set for Jan. 8, 2022 at Anoka Technical College. Although recipients of the Pfizer vaccine can get the second dose as early as three weeks after the first dose, a five-week delay is acceptable.
All youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and masks are required on site. If you need assistance, please call 763-324-4250. Find other options through a vaccine locator service offered by the State of Minnesota.
Coordinating distribution for at-home, private COVID-19 testing and promoting voluntary COVID-19 clinics for students are supportive of the district’s goal to maintain in-person school, five days per week.
Connect with ahschools.us/covid-19 for additional information or direct questions to health@ahschools.us.
Following an extensive clinical trial and final recommendations from CDC for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year-olds, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota will begin vaccination children this week. To aid families, the state has launched a new webpage (mn.gov/vaxforkids) to help parents and guardians find 5-11 year-old children a vaccine and answer questions they may have about the vaccine.
The state has mobilized a diverse network of providers around the state – hospitals, clinics, local public health, Tribal health agencies, pharmacies, school located clinics and state-run community clinics – to administer vaccines to our children as quickly as possible.
Minnesota providers have ordered as many doses as possible from the federal government. Doses will arrive in waves this week, with most providers receiving their vaccines by this weekend. The state’s main goal is to ensure that the vaccine is widely, equitably and efficiently available to all Minnesotans age 5-11.
How Minnesotans ages 5 and older can get their free shot:
Minnesotans looking to vaccinate their child can:
- Visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find clinic locations near you.
- Check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic or pharmacy about appointments.
- Go to a community vaccination clinic at Mall of America. For more details and to register click here: Mall of America Community Vaccination
Before you go, make sure the vaccine location provides the Pfizer vaccine to 5-11-year-olds. Not all Pfizer vaccine providers will have the vials specifically packaged for 5-11 year old doses in their supply.
Minnesotans with questions about the vaccine can also call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053. The hotline is available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For unique ways of talking to your kids visit The ABC’s of the Covid-19 Vaccine hosted by Sesame Street
Kids Deserve a Shot!
Minnesotans 12-17 years old who start and complete their two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series between October 18 and November 30 are eligible to receive a $200 Visa gift card through the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ vaccine incentives program.
In order to be eligible, Minnesotans 12-17 must receive their first dose between October 18 and November 9 and receive their second dose by November 30.
Minnesotans must be
- at least 12 years old at the time of one or both shots
- and 17 or younger at the time of their first shot.
The reward registration form will open at 8:00 a.m. on November 9, 2021. The registration form will stop accepting requests for $200 Visa gift cards at 11:59 p.m. on November 30. Gift card requests will be fulfilled beginning on November 30, 2021 and throughout the month of December 2021. Please allow up to six weeks after November 30, 2021 to receive your Visa card in the mail.
For more information click here: Kids Deserve a Shot
Local COVID Testing: There are many COVID-19 testing options available to Minnesotans. Please visit COVID-19 Testing – Minnesota Dept. of Health (state.mn.us) for more information on Minnesota’s free community testing sites, no-cost COVID-19 test at home , or locations at a local pharmacy, clinic or hospital. Local options include https://gslabstesting.
Find a COVID Vaccine: The COVID-19 vaccine is widely available. There are many options for places to get a vaccine. Here are some different
ways to find a COVID-19 vaccine:
For more on the COVID Vaccine click here:
Employment
Unlicensed Positions for the 2021-22 School Year
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Lunch / Recess Monitor (Part Time)
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Special Education Paraprofessional
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Special Education Paraprofessional, Substitute
- Administrative Assistant & Health Clerk (Part Time)
Licensed Positions for the 2021-22 School Year
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Physical Education Teacher (Middle School)
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Elementary Teacher – Kindergarten
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Speech and Language Pathologist (FTE .7 – 1.0)
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On-Call Substitute Teacher
Visit DaVinci Academy’s Employment Portal to learn more about open positions and apply online.