DaVinci Connection-March 25, 2022
School Links
Important Dates
Subject to change-see online calendar
April 14, Conferences
April 14-19, No School
April 19, Staff Workshop Day
May 9-12, Spring Intersession
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 warmer, but please remember to send your children with their winter attire. Snow bibs are needed when there is snow on the ground and boots are needed for the mud. Please send your student with appropriate (clearly labeled) attire including hats and mittens. Students go outside daily unless either the real temperature or the wind chill temperature is below 0 degrees.
GREETINGS!
To the left and right, you will find helpful links to important pages on our website.
Notes from Nurse Julie
Student Illnesses:
We are thankful to see a decline in COVID cases, but we are unfortunately seeing an increase in colds, stomach flu, and other illnesses. Please continue to assess your child each day for symptoms and if they are feeling well enough to make it through the school day. In addition, if your child has a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, they will need to be free of these symptoms for at least 24 hours without the use of medications before returning to school.
Borrowed Clothing:
If your student has borrowed clothing from the nurse’s office, please wash what was borrowed and return so they are available for future use to other students in need.
Boys Pants Needed:
If you have gently used boy’s uniform pants in sizes 8, 10, or 12, please consider donating them to the nurse’s office.
Support Space
Hello DaVinci Families!
March 18th, 2022 is highlighted as “sleep awareness day.” There are many benefits of getting a good night of rest for both you and your children. World Sleep Day organization notes, “sleep is a foundational pillar of health, and the quality of your sleep can impact not just your physical energy, but your mental and emotional health, too.”
Check out the chart below for recommended hours of sleep needed each day for kids at each developmental level.
Having good sleep habits, or “sleep hygiene”, can help you get a restful night’s sleep. Here are some habits that can improve yours (and your child’s) sleep health:
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Be consistent. Try to go to bed around the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends.
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Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature.
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Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smartphones, from the bedroom
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Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
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Get some exercise! Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.
We hope this information and quick tips helps your family on a path to great rest!
Please reach out if you have questions or concerns. If your family is faced with new or ongoing needs and challenges of any kind, 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
Brittany Finley (5-8 School Counselor) www.calendly.com/bfinley-4 (763)-754-6577 ext.1310
Courtney Rowe (K-8 School Social Worker) www.calendly.com/msrowe (763)-754-6577 ext. 1215
Helping Children Cope With Terrorism: Tips for Parents & Educators
Intentional acts of violence that hurt innocent people are frightening and upsetting. Children and youth will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Families and school personnel can help children cope first and foremost by establishing a sense of safety and security. As information becomes available, adults can continue to help children work through their emotions and, perhaps, even use the process as a learning experience. Here are some tips for how to help children feel safe and secure in the face of fears surrounding current events.
Every Meal
We are excited to share that we have partnered with Every Meal (formerly Sheridan Project) to provide meals for families in need at DaVinci. This program is free for all families at DaVinci in grades K-8, there is no income qualification, and there is no private information collected.
Families who sign up will receive a 3-5 pound bag of food each week for each school age child they sign up. Families will need to complete a separate form for each child they are enrolling. There are 5 different types of meal bags available for families to choose from which can be viewed here. Families can sign all of their children up for the same type of bag or they can sign up for different bags, depending on preference. Meal bags will be placed in your student’s backpack on the last day of each week. Families can sign up or cancel at any time as their needs change.
Use the link here to sign up: https://bit.ly/
Please direct questions to ahalverson@
CEAP Food Drive
In the month of March Minnesota FoodShare provides a proportional match for every pound of food donated to CEAP – this year is extra special because it’s the 50th Anniversary of Meals on Wheels. The CEAP barrels are located in the atrium and will be there through Monday April 4th – let’s fill those barrels!!
What we need: CEAP is in need of everyday non-perishable food and household items. Think of your favorite meal ingredients, the spices you cook with all the time, and the things you need to keep your home clean and comfortable. Most needed items include: peanut butter, jelly, cereal, canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned meals, flour, sugar, oil, instant potatoes, pasta, rice, spaghetti sauce, macaroni & cheese, dried beans, baby food, baby formula, and pancake mix.
Things CEAP cannot use: CEAP cannot accept frozen or refrigerated foods due to food safety concerns. We cannot accept expired (past their sell-by or best-by date) or opened food items. As of 08/2020, we cannot accept clothing, bedding or household items as our Thrift Store is closed.
Girls Basketball
Congratulations to our girls in-house basketball league who took 3rd place! Way to go team!
ZooMS Winners
Tegan R., Kaila K., and Will G. won the Conservation Award for their ZooMS project!
The group of Mia Y., Zani T. and Lanie T. won the Zookeeper award for their impressive design application and consideration of the Zookeepers needs.
The group of Sophia M., Alex E., Gracia F., Anushkaa S. got 2nd place overall!
History Day
Congrats to all History Day students on their hard work and epic projects! The Regional Competition results are in and we have 12 projects from DaVinci advancing to the State Competition in May.
ADVANCING TO STATE:
Individual Exhibit
Sophia M. – Isabella Stewart Gardner Heist
Valerie P. – Seneca Falls Convention
Group Exhibit
Anas A., Barack Y., Bona Y. – Muhammad Ali and the Vietnam War
Ryan B., Ephrem S. – Ping Pong Diplomacy
Athena N., Zomkyi J. – The 19th Amendment
Mandie K., Gracia F. – Radium Girls
Esther J., Amelia K., Shiloh B. – Walt Disney Animator Strike of 1941
Kelsey P., Peyton M., McKenna G. – Flappers
Individual Website
Nahum Y. – The 1925 Geneva Protocol
Group Website
Ayden G., Dylan K. – Jackie Robinson: Swinging at Barriers
Izze W., Soraya H. – The Freedom Riders
Noah T., Ragaa K., Tony W. – Vietnam War Protests
Honorable Mentions at Regionals:
Individual Website
Kyla L. – NAACP
Spring Fundraiser
Thank you to all of the families who supported our school by ordering Butter Braids. Your orders will be available for pickup on Tuesday, April 5 from 3:30-6:00PM.
DaVinci Academy Golf Tournament
Please join us for our 10th Annual DaVinci Golf Tournament on Friday, June 10, 2022. More information to come.
We are in need of silent auction donations for our golf day! You can promote your company to hundreds of families in the area while helping our school by donating items to be given out to our attendees in the form of auction items, raffle prizes & swag bag goodies for golf participants!
Examples of items that could be donated: gift cards, products, services, merchandise, event tickets, etc.
Please send all inquiries to school_development@davincicharterschool.org
Front Door Drop Off
Would you like to use the bus lane drop off in the morning but have a child who is reluctant to do so because they don’t know where that door goes? Please assure them that there are staff members at the door who can help them get to their classroom. But, once they see that they are entering the school by the door to the Nurse’s office and lunch room, they should be able to find their way.
Getting more families to exit the parking lot on Bunker Lake Boulevard helps to ease congestion on Jefferson, so that is why we encourage you to try it.
Arts Corner
For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. 
For more information, check out National Association for Music Education
Daily Prompts – MIOSM Daily Prompts
Is This Your Shoe?
It fell out of a car at pickup this afternoon. Ms. Payne feels a little like Prince Charming looking for Cinderella. Call the office to claim it.
STEM Builders
Summer camp: June 15- August 29. Options for grades K-8. Click here: Summer Camp Information
Lee Carlson Center
Lee Carlson is excited to offer weekly virtual parenting groups at no charge to anyone who is interested! Each week we’ll explore a new topic around parenting and you’ll learn new skills that you can apply right away to make things a little less chaotic at home. Each Thursday, we will offer three different sessions and everyone is welcome — you don’t need to have attended a previous session to join us.
No need to sign up, just click the link and join in: https://leecarlsoncenter.org/virtual-parenting-groups/
COVID-19 Updates
Any Minnesota parent or guardian whose 5- to 11-year-olds have ever received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine by April 11 can enter to win one of five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarships.
On April 15, the State of Minnesota will hold a drawing for five $100,000 scholarships valid at any public or private non-profit higher educational institution in Minnesota.
Minnesotans can learn more about the Kids Deserve a Shot program, register for the scholarship drawing, and view official rules at Kids Deserve a Shot.
For updated vaccination stats for students and staff at DaVinci Academy click HERE
‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ Vaccine Incentive Program for Minnesotans 5-11 Years Old
Vaccines are the strongest tool we have to prevent serious disease and death from COVID-19. Vaccines are now available for Minnesotans ages 5 and older at no cost. On January 11, Governor Tim Walz announced the launch of the next phase of the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ vaccine incentive program to encourage Minnesota families to get their kids 5- to 11-years-old fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
$100,000 Minnesota College Scholarship Drawings
Later this spring, there will be drawings for five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings for all Minnesotans 5-11 years old who are fully vaccinated. All Minnesotans 5-11 years old who completed their first and second doses at any point up to the registration deadline will be eligible to be entered for a chance to win a $100,000 college scholarship. Details on the drawings will be announced in the coming months.
How families can find a shot for their child:
- Visit gov/vaxforkids to find clinic locations near you.
- Check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or local pharmacy about appointments.
- Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.
Boosters Recommended for People Aged 12 and Older
As a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced now recommend booster shots for those aged 12 and older five months after the completion of the primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, for some immunocompromised children aged 5-11 years old, CDC also recommends an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to complete the primary series – a total of three doses.
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
- Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s free community testing sites across Minnesota: COVID-19 Community Testing Sites.
- Order a test through the state’s free at-home COVID-19 testing program: COVID-19 Test at Home.
- Find a testing option near you through the state’s Find Testing Locations map: Find Testing Locations.
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:
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
Find out more about vaccine availability in Anoka County by visiting the county website: https://www.anokacounty.us/4047/COVID-19-Vaccination
Minnesotans with questions about the COVID vaccine can 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
All Minnesotans age 12 -17 are recommended to get a booster shot at least 5 months after their primary series of vaccine. To find where to get your booster shot, refer to Find Vaccine Locations.
Minnesotans looking to start the vaccination series 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
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.
Employment
Licensed positions for 2022-2023 School Year
Special Education Director
Kindergarten Teacher
First Grade Teacher
Third Grade Teacher
Fifth Grade Teacher
ELL Teacher
K-5 STEM Teacher
Health Education Teacher – Middle School (.4 FTE)
DaVinci Den Assistant
Speech Language Pathologist (.7-1.0 FTE)
Special Education Teacher (ABS, ASD, SLD)
Special Education Teacher (DCD and/or ASD)
Licensed positions for 2021-2022 School Year
Vocal Music Teacher – Middle School
Food Service Assistant
Speech Language Pathologist (.7-1.0 FTE)
Special Education Teacher (ABS, ASD, SLD)
Special Education Teacher (DCD and/or ASD)
Long Term Substitute – Middle School Counselor
On Call Substitute Teacher
Non-Licensed Positions for the 2021-2022 School Year
Development & Communications Coordinator
Parent Engagement Coordinator & Administrative Assistant (Part time, year round)
On Call Substitute Special Education Paraprofessional
Visit DaVinci Academy’s Employment Portal to learn more about open positions and apply online.
Parent Engagement Coordinator & Administrative Assistant – New Position
Did you know that when DaVinci opened its doors for the first school year in 2008 parents were required to volunteer 40 hours a year? We quickly realized that there was no way to find 40 hours of volunteer opportunities for every family, but there are many ways to serve the school regardless. With the easing of COVID restrictions there is an increased need to get families back involved in the school in a meaningful way. To help us find the volunteers we need, and create the opportunities for engagement, we have posted a part time, year round position. Are you the person for this job? The hours are 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM with flexible working hours through the summer. We would love to get someone in place this spring, so apply if you are interested.
Visit DaVinci Academy’s Employment Portal to learn more about open positions and apply online.
