Governor Tim Walz has extended the Minnesota Distance Learning period to the end of the 19-20 school year.

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We will provide updates and resources in an effort to help families reduce the risk in their home and community.  We will be updating this page as necessary to keep families informed about the school’s plan for distance learning.

All in-person spring events at DaVinci Academy have been canceled. Select events have been moved to virtual platforms. Specific details will be shared with the community on how to participate in those events remotely. 

New limited school office hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Ending the Year With Distance Learning

With the Governor’s announcement of extended distance learning through the end of the school year, we wanted to send out a few updates, requests, and thoughts. 

Recognizing that everyone is in a different place with this online learning format and that the Governor has created an opportunity for us to re-think the end of the school year, the Board debated the merits of condensing the rest of the school year and ending the year earlier than previously scheduled.  As DaVinci Academy has always offered more learning time than the minimum recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Education; and, we are not able to run our Intersession week at the end of May, the Board voted to make the following adjustments to the 19-20 school year:

  • Per the Governor’s order May 1 and May 4 will be professional development and planning days for staff. There will be no lessons on these days.  
  • School will be in session May 18-22, which was previously an optional Intersession learning week.  By holding school during this week we will also be able to provide uninterrupted child-care coverage for children of emergency workers. 
  • There will still be no school on Monday, May 25 to observe Memorial Day
  • The last day of school for students will be Friday, May 29. 
  • With these changes, our total student instructional days will be reduced by 6 days from 175 days to 169 days. 
  • June 1-5 will be used for teachers and staff to make plans for the start of the 20-21 school year.

We are still waiting for guidance regarding providing care for emergency workers and meals to our families after May 29. Final verification on the adjusted calendar will come from the Minnesota Department of Education as well as our Authorizer, Friends of Education.  We will update you with finalized information on May 5 along with our updated distance learning plan.

REVISED 19-20 School Calendar with truncated school year

Teachers will be packing up the contents of lockers and desks to be returned to families during the week of May 11.  Families will pull up to the east door and give their names to the staff stationed outside during specific times and items will be brought out to the sidewalk.  Any medication that is being returned will need a parent’s signature.

Wednesday, May 13 & Thursday, May 14, will be days parents can come to the school and pick materials up at the east door based on the first letter of your family’s last name.

Wednesday, May 13 Thursday, May 14
Letters A-C: 12:00-1:00 Letters M-O: 12:00-1:00
Letters D-F: 1:00-2:00 Letters P-R:1:00-2:00
Letters G-I: 2:00-3:00 Letters S-U: 2:00-3:00
Letters J-l: 3:00-4:00 Letters V-Z: 3:00-4:00

*Basketball uniforms and library books that you are finished with can be returned to the school at this time.  Chromebooks will not be due until the end of the school year.

Many families have expressed the desire to show teachers how much their work to engage and educate the students during this unique school year has been appreciated.  So, we would like to extend an invitation to you.  If you have a gift or note that you would like delivered to your teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week next week, staff members will deliver them for you on Friday, May 8.  Please clearly label the item with your teacher’s name, and bring it to the school Monday, May 4- Wednesday, May 6, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  Items can be dropped off at the East door and we will make sure that the teachers receive your gift.

DaVinci Academy Learning Plan March 30-May 4

How will this work?

DaVinci Academy’s Distance Learning Plan

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate our new distance learning plan. Please view the first few weeks as you would the first few weeks of a new school year.  This is a new learning experience for all of us. Teachers will be developing relationships with students in a new way; they’ll be setting classroom expectations; and we’ll all be identifying new ways to work and learn. We are confident that our students and staff will be successful with our distance learning plan.

Here are a few ways parents can help their student(s) be successful:

  •         set routines for your child
  •         create a designated school workspace
  •         monitor your child’s schoolwork
  •         ask your child about the day’s schoolwork

·         communicate regularly with your child’s teacher(s)

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many Minnesota families face difficult times. It may be hard to pay bills and find food to stay healthy. If you or someone you know has been laid off from work or seen work hours cut, help may be available. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help you buy food while budgets are tight.

To help recipients purchase food, SNAP offers monthly benefits loaded on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which works similarly to a debit card. This card can be used to buy groceries at authorized food stores and retailers.

You can fill out an application on-line at ApplyMN.dhs.mn.gov. After applying online, most applicants must complete a phone interview with your county or tribal human service office.

For help applying or additional food resources, contact the Food Helpline at 1-888-711-1151 or visit Hunger Solutions.

Meal Order Form

Our final meal pick up day for the school year will be on Monday, June 1.

In order for us to have an accurate meal count to avoid waste and make sure all families get fed, please fill out the provided form.  Once you have filled out the form, you will be on the list for the remainder of the school year.  To receive the following week’s meals, the form needs to be filled out by Wednesday at 8:00 am.

If you have signed up to receive meals, but no long wish to receive them, please email Cassandra Anderson so we can update our weekly order form.

Procedure for Breakfast/Lunch Pick Up  

DaVinci Grab and Go Meals

Included in the box is a five day breakfast and lunch frozen meal accommodations.  Here’s a sample of the Grab and Go Meals:

  • Froot Loops, graham crackers, applesauce cup & milk
  • Blueberry Muffin, Mozzarella cheese stick & blended fruit juice
  • Cinnamon Toast soft filled bar & diced pears
  • Pancakes & diced Peaches
  • Cinnamon Flakes, maple breakfast square & Pineapple tidbits
  • Mini corn dogs with potato rounds & diced peaches
  • Macaroni & Cheese, broccoli & orange juice
  • Pizza Dippers with marinara dipping sauce, corn & grape juice
  • Breaded Chicken tenders, potato wedges & applesauce cup
  • Spaghetti with meatballs, green beans & pear cup

Grab and Go Meals pickups are available on Mondays 10:00 am-12:30 pm 

So our food orders are accurate, please fill out this form.

 

YMCAs are now a food pick up site as well.  Click this link for more information.  Loaves and Fishes Food Distribution

 

Educational Benefits

If you are experiencing a change in your financial situation or layoff, please complete the online Educational Benefits form found on parent campus in Infinite Campus or download the PDF below and return it to the school. This will help your school receive additional funds it needs to provide emergency services during this time of need. Thank you for your support. If you have questions regarding the form, please contact Food Services at 763-754-6577 ext 1143.

 2019-20 Application for Educational Benefits

Emergency Workers – Access to Child Care

School districts are charged with providing care to students of emergency care workers.  Emergency workers are defined in a variety of ways and include several different types of occupations.  Below is the full list of recommended Emergency workers as defined by the Minnesota Department of Education.  If you fall into one of these categories and are in need of child care, please contact Julie Kresh

 Emergency Care Workers – Full MDE List

Technology Request Form

If you have not previously signed up to receive a Chromebook, and your family is in need of one or if your family is in need of a second Chromebook, please complete the form here.  Once your request has been processed someone from the school office will contact you.  If you have any question, please contact the office at 763-754-6577 or by email school_office@davincicharterschool.org .

Technology Use Notice

These are challenging times. Please know that we don’t yet have answers to every question, and it might take some time to know the full implications of the Governor’s order to close schools now in order to plan for potential long-term closure.

We will continue to consult with and take actions under guidance from state authorities, and we will continue to update you as additional information becomes available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of rapidly changing information.

Thank you! I am sincerely grateful and beyond impressed with the amount of time, energy and effort of the DAVINCI team right now. I recognize our students are sincerely getting much more than most from their school and teachers at this time, and we are really thankful! I have a feeling these kiddos are going to be academically leaps and bounds ahead compared to other schools, and I know it’s because of the hard work of the team there. – Parent, May 2020