DaVinci Connection - August 26, 2022

We have started this year off strong with a great community built upon a positive culture throughout the building. All staff are trained to use the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Framework. Staff utilize positive language and actions to reinforce expected behaviors throughout the school. Your child may be talking about SPARK tickets at home, or maybe they have received a positive referral, these are all part of PBIS. The Student Success Team (SST) joined the teachers in explaining the expected behaviors in all areas of the building and playground to our students so that our students have a clear understanding of how to show SPARK (Success, Positive Attitude, Responsibility, Kindness) in all areas. Teachers and staff recognize students showing SPARK by handing out those SPARK tickets throughout the day to positively reinforce that behavior.

Our Student Success Team is dedicated to helping each student be a successful part of the community. In addition to the positive support of staff and students, the team works with the social and emotional growth of our students. Our school counselors and school social worker meet with students individually and in groups to help with friendship skills, personal growth, and individual concerns. Our two Deans and our Behavior Specialist work with students to make positive choices that have good outcomes for themselves and the community. Our desire is that all of our students see DaVinci Academy as a safe and welcoming place to learn and grow. We hope your child(ren) find that to be true of DaVinci Academy.

National Suicide Prevention Week

Hey DaVinci Community!

Early September is dedicated to National Suicide Prevention, from September 4-10th, and our goal is to help your family navigate conversations around mental health and suicide.

Pain isn’t always obvious, but most people who think of completing suicide show signs they are considering it. The signs may appear in conversations, their actions, or in social media posts. If you observe one or more of these warning signs, especially if the behavior is new, increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change, step in and speak up. Please talk with your child as well as a mental health professional, and your child’s school counselor or social worker.

Warning Signs:

Expressing a desire to die
- Verbal, written, or drawing
Uncontrolled anger
Reckless behavior
Changes in sleep
Feeling hopeless, desperate, or no sense of purpose
Withdrawal
Sudden changes in mood
Talking about being a burden
Giving away prized possessions

Tips on how to talk with your child:

Be prepared with crisis resources (see list below)
Practice what to say ahead of time if you feel uncomfortable or nervous
Plan to talk when you’re not in a hurry and have plenty of time with your child
Don’t tiptoe around the conversation, ask directly if your child is thinking about suicide
Listen, express concern, and reassure. Validate your child’s feelings; it is common to have these feelings, don’t make them feel bad for having them
Let them know you care, you take it seriously, and are concerned about them
Listen to their reasons for both living and dying, show them you understand they’re considering both options, and emphasize that living is an option for them
Assure them that you are going to get them help, and reach out for help right away
If you feel your child is at risk, ask if they have a plan, and remove or restrict any means in the home (knives, medications, guns, etc.)

Helpful Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.
- Call or Text: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text MN to 741741
County Crisis Response Teams available 24/7:
- Anoka 763-755-3801
- Hennepin 612-348-2233
- Ramsey 651-266-7878

For more information, check out suicideispreventable.org

If you need further support, information or would like to discuss any questions or concerns with us, please feel free to contact us at any time! 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 Mental Health Team

Phoenix Hathaway (K-4 Counselor) www.calendly.com/mshathaway (763) 754-6577 ext. 1203

Courtney Ferderer (K-8 School Social Worker) www.calendly.com/mrsferderer (763) 754-6577 ext. 1217

BoosterThon Fun Run

DaVinci Academy Families!

Just a few days until we kick off for our DaVinci Academy Student Fun Run! You can get a head start by registering your student and donating TODAY to help our school.

Head to MYBOOSTER.COM now to register and give to our fundraiser. Thank you for your support!

❗️ Reminder: there are just a few days left to register your student before 08/30/2022. Any parent/guardian who registers their student early will be entered to win a $100 gift card to either Target or Walmart. The winner will be announced on 08/30/2022.

We are also looking for volunteers (especially during the middle school time slot) to help mark student laps! If you are interested in helping during the event, please use the link below to select a volunteer time slot.

BoosterThon Fun Run Volunteers Needed

(Please note that this event is not the family Color-Run event, as we have done in previous years.)

Every Meal Food Program

We are offering Every Meal bags of food for students this school year. If you’re interested in having your child bring home a FREE bag of non-perishable food every Friday, please complete this form. This service will begin September 23, 2022!

If you have any questions about our Every Meal program or are in need of other supports for your family, please reach out to our School Social Worker, Courtney Ferderer.

DaVinci Academy Essential Need Drive

DaVinci wants to help ALL students thrive!

We are collecting essential need items, such as shampoo, toothpaste, socks, and more.

Click/tap here to learn more!

Community Board Seat

We are seeking a community member to join our school board. Do you know of someone who has a passion for education and would like to benefit the DaVinci Academy community by serving on the school board? Have them reach out to Melanie Persellin, School Board Chair at mpersellin@davincicharterschool.org.

Parent Communications

To ensure you are receiving proper communications. Please log into your parent portal of Infinite Campus to check the boxes you see below. If you need any assistance please contact Pam Carlson

Fall Sports

Volleyball

DaVinci Academy partners with Centennial Community Education to offer recreational volleyball each fall and spring for both boys and girls in grades 4-8. Practices will start the week of September 20. Games are on Monday nights between 6:00 and 8:30 starting on October 10 at Centennial Middle School in Lino Lakes. Practice days and times are determined by the parent/volunteer coach, and they are held in our DaVinci school gym. The first two weeks we practice twice a week, and we move to one practice a week once games begin. Season ends November 7. If you are willing to coach you may indicate that during registration.

Registration deadline is September 1, and you register through Centennial Community Ed by selecting the DaVinci Academy button on this website.

Students in 3rd grade have the opportunity to participate in a volleyball intro skills clinic on Thursdays from 6-8pm through the same Centennial Community Education program. The clinics are held at Blue Heron Elementary and Centennial Middle School September 22-November 17. You can find out more information and register here.

New Covid-19 Hub

A new COVID-19 information hub is now available. The new page link can be found within the “STUDENTS & PARENTS” drop-down menu, located in our primary menu navigation. Please view the image below for reference.

Link to new COVID-19 Hub