DaVinci Connection – June 15, 2023

Dear DaVinci Families,

As we wrap up the 22-23 school year, I wanted to update you on a decision made at the board level at the May meeting. The school board reviewed the results of the survey that was done with DaVinci teachers and staff who have been participating in the pilot of the Monday late-start schedule this third trimester. 84% of the staff reported a significant increase in the ability to meet with various team members to plan for learning needs, differentiation, and data analysis in order to inform instruction. 88.8% of teachers and staff believe that students have benefited academically from the increased time afforded teachers for meetings and preparations for the week. 

Because the late start schedule has met the intended goals of increasing time for these important collaboration meetings, the school board has approved moving forward with the late start schedule for the 2023-24 school year as was indicated in the previously posted academic calendar. We are grateful to all the families who found a way to make this change work. We will continue to offer sunrise care to families who need that support next year, but please note there will no longer be an early bus route. 

We appreciate your continued flexibility and partnership as we formally transition into the Monday late-start schedule for the 23-24 school year.

Sincerely,

Holly Fischer

Thank you to the DaVinci Academy Alum Class of 2023 High School Graduates who participated in our annual graduation walk. Best wishes for your next adventure!

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

All families who wish to use the bus for the 23-24 school year are required to complete the bus registration form by the deadline of June 30. During the month of July, Kottkes Transportation works with Cassandra Anderson on designing the bus routes based on the number of students interested in using each proposed bus stop; so, it is critically important that we have an accurate count of students prior to that process. Routes and bus stop information will be made available to parents by July 31 and will be emailed to all families using busing.

2023-24 Busing Registration Form

Families who miss the deadline to complete the Bus Registration Form will be charged a $25.00 late fee per student. Please attend to this matter as soon as possible if you would like to use busing.

Trimester 3 report cards for all students in grades K-8 will be available online in Parent Portal starting June 23. Report cards will not be mailed home.

To access your student’s report card(s), parents will need to log in to Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you do not have a parent login for Parent Portal or need your password reset, please contact the front office.

While report cards won’t be available until June 23, now would be a good time to log in and make sure you are able to access Parent Portal. Once they are posted, report cards will be found by clicking Menu, then selecting Documents.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Hello DaVinci Community!

Summer break is officially here! We care about your family and want to pass along resources to help your student(s) be active, learn, and have lots of fun this summer. 

Activities for home, or with family:

• Check out this list of 100 Fun Summer Ideas for kids and families. See how many you can cross off before the weather turns cooler. 
• Summer is the perfect time to get out and ride your bike! Biking is a great way to stay active and have fun (for all ages!). Check out Bikes 4 Kids if needing support in obtaining a bike for your child this summer.  
• Check out these Printable coloring pages to keep kids occupied on rainy days
• Gardening can encourage kids to eat healthier, provides exercise, boosts confidence, teaches science, and relieves stress and anxiety. 
  • Read stories like We Are the Gardeners or Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt for inspiration!
  • Cook or snack on food from the garden!
  • Garden Critters Sensory Bin
• Make a difference! Volunteer as a family, or individually, to boost feel-good hormones and help others in need. It’s been a tough year for so many, and volunteering can benefit everyone involved!
  • Anoka County Volunteer Opportunities
  • Volunteer Match

In Your Community:

• Check out Family Fun Twin Cities for nearby events geared toward the whole family.
• Take a hike! Check out Park Finder to discover new trails in your area, or enjoy familiar ones. All Trails is also a great resource (and smartphone app!) for nearby trails.  
• Visit the movies! Many local cinemas offer discounted rates on matinee showings, Tuesdays, or early Saturdays. (Also a great way to stay cool when it gets hot out!)
• Take a peek at your community center’s event page, for fun happening in your neighborhood!
• Blaine Parks and Recreation
• Coon Rapids Parks and Recreation
• Music in the Park! Lots of local cities host free concerts throughout the summer.
• History-Connects offers free access for children and $4 for adults to see anything that is associated with the Minnesota Historical Society including the Mill City Museum, Minnesota History Center, Historic Fort Snelling, and 23 other locations.
• Summer Concert Series | Coon Rapids, MN – Official Website Thursday nights June 1- Aug 3, 7 pm @ Coon Rapids Dam

Looking for summer camp ideas?

• 2023 Summer Camp Guide
• YMCA Camps
• Inclusive Recreation, Adaptive Sports & Summer Camps with PACER Center
• Bridge the Gap Summer Camps for K-12 students with Autism Spectrum Disorder & Individual Learning Needs
• Children’s Theatre ACT Pass offers an 80% discount on all classes and camps.

Reading Opportunities

• Check out the Anoka County Library Calendar for up-to-date information on in-person and virtual events happening throughout the summer.
  • Join the “Summer Adventure” Program! It encourages kids to read and helps them retain skills throughout the summer. 
• Check out Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading Program to see how your student can earn a free book this summer!

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

• Access the MN Dept of Education Resource for low-cost or free nutritious food options. 
• Use these resources to find an SFSP site near you:
  • Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners to your phone or device.
  • Call the 211 Hotline. From a cell phone – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440.
  • Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Central Time.
  • Text “Food” to 877-877. Spanish speakers, text “comida” to 877-877.

Mental Health Support

• 24/7 Mental Health Helpline
  • Anoka County: 763-755-3801
  • Ramsey County: 651-266-7878
  • Hennepin County: 612-348-2233
• Crisis Text Line: Text MN to 741741
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 988

DaVinci Academy Mental Health Team

Phoenix Hathaway, K-4 School Counselor, phathaway@davincicharterschool.org 

Diana Muske, 5-8 School Counselor, Dmuske@davincicharterschool.org 

Dom Jefferson, K-8 School Social Worker, djefferson@davincicharterschool.org 

Our fundraising efforts this year were a great success. Through the generous support of our families and corporate partnership, we raised nearly $75,000! 

A portion of funds raised this year have been used to make several improvements to our school, including: 

• Playground swings
• 9-square in the air
• Performing Arts Center audio upgrades
• Cafeteria audio improvements

Additional portions of these funds are being allocated for:

• Building safety & security enhancements
• Middle School environmental learning field trips 

As a reminder, DaVinci’s total fundraising goal for the 22/23 school year was $200,000. Why $200,000? As part of the school’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, the board of directors has set forth several School Development goals, including achieving net annual donations (all programs) equal to or exceeding 2% of the school’s revenues. $75,000 during this school represents an increase of more than 200% from last year and is a great step towards an annual goal of $200,000.

More information regarding DaVinci fundraising, as well as our planned activities for the 2023-24 school year will be included in back-to-school packets.

THANK YOU DaVinci families for your continued support!

Below are a few of the highlights from the PTO efforts this school year:

• $325.79 All school picture frame
• $800 Folders for open house
• $248.32 Teacher meals for conferences 
• $124.45 Hot chocolate for middle school (winners of Toys for Tots competition)
• $427.36 Bins for nurses office for uniforms
• $245.71 Supplies for History Day projects
• $38.52 Bus driver appreciation gifts 
• $296.00 Puzzles for puzzle night 
• $2020 Donation to the library from Read-a-Thon fundraiser
• $910 Assistance for the music department for Valleyfair trip
• $399.78 Rug for art room 
• $142.96 Teacher appreciation breakfast
• $1956.47 End of year celebration 
• $3,039.53 Tools for the facility coordinator

Emergency PTO meeting

The PTO had a public meeting in May for elections. No parents were in attendance at the May meeting, so a new board could not be elected. After almost 6 years of volunteering, with regret, the current board members have decided to resign, effective 6/30/23. An emergency PTO meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 6/20 at 4:30 pm with the hopes of electing new board members. If new members are not elected during this meeting, the current board will vote to dissolve the PTO.

If you want to nominate yourself or a fellow DaVinci parent, please complete this PTO Board Nomination form.

To be eligible, the nominee must have a student attending DaVinci Academy for the school year of the term they are nominated for. Board members serve a 2-year term unless they are finishing out the term of a resigned board member. In that case, the term will end when the resigned board member’s term is set to end.

Voting will take place at the public meeting on Tuesday, June 20, and any present eligible PTO members can cast a vote in person during that meeting.

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.

We are hiring for the following positions: 

• Instructional Coach
• English Language Instructor – ELL
• Elementary Teacher (Fifth Grade)
• Middle School ELA Teacher (6th Grade)
• School Psychologist
• Special Education Coordinator
• SPED Finance – Administrative Assistant; MARSS Coordinator
• Special Education Teacher – (EBD, ASD, or SLD)
• Special Education Paraprofessional
• Middle School Choir Teacher
• Kindergarten Teacher

To learn more about our current openings and to apply, please visit our employment portal.

DaVinci Academy summer office hours are:

• Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

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.