DaVinci Connection – January 20, 2023

Hello DaVinci Families,

We are hosting an informational meeting for our current 5th-grade families to learn more about our DaVinci Middle School. Please join us Thursday, January 26, at 6 pm in the Performing Arts Center for a presentation and tour.

It is our mission that DaVinci Academy Middle School be known as an academically excellent school that supports students in all aspects of their lives. Decisions are made with a student-centered mindset through an equity lens. Our students will feel safe, known, stretched, and connected in our school. I encourage you to read more about our middle school vision and distinctives at this site.

Thanks,

Jack Shields

Hello Families!

Our Mental Health Team has a new addition to our team for the spring. Please join us in welcoming Amy Key, a Counselor Intern with Minnesota State Moorhead. 

Amy plans to be at our school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, serving both elementary and middle school. Amy will complete four months of internship requirements and close out her experience the week of Intersession Break (May 8-12). 

Keep reading to learn more about Amy. When you see her, please say hello! 

My name is Amy Key and I am thrilled to be joining DaVinci as the School Counseling Intern! 

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and earned my B.A. in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in sunny southern California. I worked for the Anoka Hennepin school district in Community Education before earning my M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary’s University of MN. 

My experience includes working with children with autism, trauma, fetal alcohol, and behavioral issues, as well as six years as a foster parent. Currently, I am pursuing a graduate certificate in school counseling from MN State Moorhead. In my free time, I love to be with my 5 boys cheering them on at various sports and activities, decorating cakes, and traveling. 

I look forward to working alongside the DaVinci staff and serving the students here!

Thank you,

Amy

As part of our fundraising planning for the 2023-24 school year, we are exploring ideas to bring new fundraising events to our school. One of the ideas our school development committee is considering is a fundraising gala. This event would be an awesome opportunity to build community among parents, engage new and existing corporate partners, and raise funds for our school! (Date Night!!!)

A Fundraising Gala requires a great amount of planning and a rock-star team of individuals with a variety of strengths. Do you have a passion for event planning, and hosting parties? Perhaps organizing teams is your strength. Are you a sales leader? Love great dining? Maybe budgets and accounting are your superpowers!

We are looking for 4-5 volunteer parents to form a Gala Committee which will plan and lead a Fundraising Gala event. This team of parents will work in collaboration with the school development committee.   

Please reach out to Dan Rhinhart if you are interested in volunteering, or have any follow-up questions. drhinhart@davincichartetschool.org, or at 763-754-6577, ext. 1112.

**LATE START MONDAY TRANSPORTATION**

BEGINNING March 20, 2023

For DaVinci to have an accurate count of morning busing needs on late-start Mondays, please let us know if you plan on continuing to use your assigned bus stop. The regular bus routes will pick up students approximately one hour later than normally scheduled. If your students use the busing system, please take a moment to complete the Late Start Transportation Survey by clicking the link below.

Late Start Transportation Survey

To ensure students are in their seats and ready to learn by 8:00 am, we need your cooperation during morning drop-offs. Many times the main entrance drop-off area is wide open and available for parents to drop-off their students. Unfortunately, there are ongoing issues with parents refusing to use the main entrance, which then blocks the rest of the vehicles from doing so. When directed by a staff member, please be considerate of all and pull forward to drop your student off at the main door. From there you can exit onto Bunker Lake Boulevard.

We appreciate your cooperation with keeping the lines moving.

• Team Van Gogh consisting of Alex A., Joshua I., Pal T., Srireena M., and Shiloh B. ended the night with a score of 64 and finished twelfth.
• Team Dynamite consisting of Abigail O., Joey P., Blake F., Khyuchok J., and Henry L., finished in 27th place with a score of 54.
• Team Demolishers consisting of Bryn W., Bethel S., Aashirya N., Lydia R., and Charleigh L., finished with 48 points and thirty-second place.

The students are all growing as players and it has been great to watch their confidence and teamwork grow in each competition.  Our next knowledge bowl meet will take place on February 7 at Northdale Middle School, followed by the State Knowledge Bowl meet at DaVinci on February 11.

Oh the weather outside is frightful. The wind, snow, and cold are not delightful. Please take a moment to help our outside staff stay safe and warm by installing the Silent Dismissal app to your phone. Once you have the app, simply email the office what kind of phone that you have so we can activate the app for FREE.

If you 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

Big fun. New friends.

Best friends are magic. With them by your side, jungle gyms turn into castles, beach towels become superhero capes, and everything feels just a little more possible. Being a Girl Scout opens your world to the forever friends who help you shine your brightest.

Be a Girl Scout. For a limited time, grades K-3 join for free! Use code 477GSWINTER2023.

Offer expires March 31, 2023. Click here for more information.