DaVinci Connection – June 2, 2023

Dear DaVinci Community,

Our students participated in an exciting Art and Science week, including presentations from the Bakken Museum and the Raptor Center and a DaVinci parent who taught the students about his job as a pilot. The middle school students showed excellent leadership skills by teaching the younger students some of the art techniques they had been learning, and it was so fun to watch that collaboration and joy in working together. The week culminated with a much-anticipated egg drop from the school rooftop in which science students designed their own egg-saving contraptions and then tested them out. Kudos to the art and science committee of teachers and staff who plan this week’s fun events!

It is with great excitement that we share with you all the culmination of a year’s worth of learning and growth. We look forward to upcoming end-of-year celebrations which include inviting the 2023 graduating high school class of former DaVinci students back to school on Monday, June 12 for an alumni graduate walk in their caps and gowns. The last weeks of school also include a choir concert, the Student Council sponsored Eighth Grade Send-Off, Kindergarten Graduation, K-5 Field Day, Third Grade Small Business Day, and the Eighth Grade Graduation banquet. You can find all of these events on the school calendar for your reference, and we are looking forward to seeing the families in the building to celebrate an amazing school year with us. Hope to see you soon!

 Holly

It is that time of year when we ask families to complete our bus registration form. All families, new and returning, including those who used the DaVinci Academy buses in the 22-23 school year must complete a 2023-24 Busing Registration Form to guarantee transportation for the first day of school. We have a very quick turnaround time to work with Kottkes’ on routes, so please be sure to complete the form no later than June 30.

2023-2024 Student Busing Registration

Annually,  DaVinci Academy asks parents/legal guardians to complete an end of the year survey. Your participation in the survey is very important. We use it to assess your perception of the job we are doing, what is working well, and what warrants our attention. Responses are anonymous and held in confidence.

The survey consists of both multiple-choice questions and opportunities to add thoughts and suggestions within each section. The survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete and will close on July 7, 2023.

2022-23 Family Survey

Thank you in advance for sharing your feedback on the 22-23 school year

Our swing set and nine-square community builds were a huge success. Not only did we have many amazing DaVinci families dedicate their time, but we also had 10 exceptional volunteers from Infinite Campus who took the day to help. THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the day so successful.

We still need some volunteers to fill in the rest of the mulch to be able to use the four other swings. If you are interested in helping, please email Cassandra Anderson at canderson1@davincicharterschool.org

Check out this cool time-lapse video of our swing set build!

Our Spring Scramble is next Friday and we are working hard on building our silent auction and raffle bundles. Families have generously donated new items to help us create these baskets. Below is a list of basket/bundle ideas for each grade level. If you would like to help support this event by donating any items for your student(s) grade bundle, please send items to school with your student(s), or drop off donations at the main office. Please drop off any donation items to the school by Tuesday, June 6.

Thank you in advance for your gracious support!

Please join us Monday, June 5 from 3:30-5:30 in the Performance Arts Center (PAC)  for a screening of the movie Forget Me Not and a Q & A with the movie’s award-winning director, Oliver Bernier. Forget Me Not reveals a path to a more inclusive society that starts with welcoming diversity in the classroom. You can check out the trailer here.

Please reach out if you have any questions. I look forward to learning with you. 

John Fry, Special Education Director.

As the school year comes to a close, please note that student medications can not be kept in the Health Office over the summer, and arrangements need to be made to safely return these medications home.

If you have medications kept at school throughout the school year, a permission slip was emailed to you regarding your choice of how medications will return home. Parents have the option to pick up medications from the health office, or you may choose to have the medication sent home with your student. Please return this form to the Health Office, digitally or via hard copy, no later than Friday, June 8, 2023. If forms are not received by the date listed, it is presumed that you will pick up your student’s medication(s) from the office on Thursday, June 15, 2023. If medication(s) are not picked up by Thursday, June 15, 2023 by 3:30 pm, they will be disposed of.

2023-2024 Health Office Supplies

We are looking to replenish some supplies in the nurse’s office for next school year. Below are the items that are most commonly used throughout the school year and we would greatly appreciate any donations parents are willing to provide. 

Personal Care Items

• Hair ties/binders
• Hair brushes/combs
• Travel-sized deodorant (we could use a lot of these)
• Toothbrushes and oral hygiene supplies
• Lip balm, and lotion (especially during the winter months!)

Clothing Items

• Underwear!  Boys and Girls – Sizes 5 and/or 6 are most needed
• Socks-various sizes
• Gently used uniforms (Pants/shorts. Red and/or blue polo shirts) We go through A LOT of small/medium sizes for the younger grades, but could also use a good supply of Middle School polos and pants as well (especially sizes 12-14).

Please email Lindsey Gable with any questions: lgable@davincicharterschool.org.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Why did you decide to start volunteering at DaVinci?

I was looking for a way to give back to my community and work with a school that would embrace the idea of using a therapy dog. 

What do you enjoy most about volunteering at DaVinci?

I think the most rewarding part of volunteering at DaVinci is seeing all the joy Zara’s visits bring students and staff. Hearing “ZARA!” echoing in the hallway and seeing a sea of smiles really makes my day.

What is your favorite volunteer activity?

We participate in so many different ways, so it’s hard to pick just one thing we enjoy the most. I know I enjoy hearing students reading to Zara because I love books, and I know Zara loves the cuddles and pets that come with each pause to turn the next page. 

Zara is accredited as a Therapy Dog with the National Organization; Love on a Leash (LOAL). She has been awarded the distinguished Advanced Therapy Degree from LOAL for over 100 school visits.

Looking for activities to keep busy this summer? Explore the amazing variety of Minnesota STEM learning and organizations, including museums, nature centers, zoos, aquariums, wildlife centers, non-profits, university laboratories, government programs, and research resources.

Summer STEM Events & Activities

This summer, the Free Meals for Kids mobile app will help families and kids find free meals at schools and other sites across Minnesota. Only a click away! 

How it works:

1. Download the Free Meals for Kids app to your cell phone.
2. Use the app to find the nearest site providing meals by GPS.
3. Click on the nearby site and use the Site Updates tab for more details.
4. Share the app with friends, neighbors, and on social media. 

Free Meals for Kids can be downloaded at Apple or Google Play stores. 

There are free meal sites across the state at schools and community locations. The app provides location, directions to the site, and hours and days of operation. More sites are added daily. For more information, visit www.hungerimpactpartners.org.

Take me out to the ball game! Charter School Day at the St. Paul Saints will be Sunday, June 11. This is the second year for Charter School Day @ a Saints game. Tickets for the June 11 St. Paul Saints vs. Iowa Cubs game are only $18 each, which includes a St. Paul Saints Baseball Cap.

All charter school staff and families are invited to participate in this fun event.

To purchase tickets, go to: saintsgroups.com and use the password: charter2023  

If your family plans to move on from DaVinci at the end of this school year, please contact enrollment@davincicharterschool.org to let us know. We understand that life happens, and moves are sometimes unpredictable. We appreciate you sharing any enrollment change details as soon as possible. Filling vacancies is easier if we are aware of these before the summer. Thank you.