Dragon Tales
January 24th- 28th
Spoiler Alert: Dance Recital, Covid Update, PTSA Corner, Candy Donations...
Happy Day da Vinci Families,
Wow! What a fun way to end our week at da Vinci! Our dancers had their first in-person recital - it has been about 2 years since being on stage in person! It was amazing. Our dancers' energy filled the stage and auditorium, as they danced the night away. In this short bit of time, I saw our dancers' confidence and skills grow quite a bit, as they hit the stage and took it over. The video will be posted once it is edited and ready to go. But I have included a few photos as a sneak peak, below this message. Many thanks to our Dance Instructors, Sara Martins and Jeff George for making our night magical. We also couldn't have pulled off such a night without our teacher volunteers, parent volunteers and costume designer - many, many, many, thanks to them!
As we enter our last week of January - I feel like the year is literally flying by! Ending January means a few things: end of the first semester, entering Black History Month (more on this later) and forecasting season. It is also a great time to reset and reestablish routines (or continue with the routines that are working out). Please remember there will be no school on January 31, as it is a no student, Teacher Climate Planning Day.
Moreover, I would like to share a few changes to covid protocols. Please read below:
COVID Stuff
As a leader, I try to make sure I communicate as much as possible, especially at a time like this. I want to make sure my families are not left in the dark. Thus, I would like to take a moment to address a few covid specific items:
Covid Notification Letters
PPS has made the decision to pause Covid Community Notification Letters. This means when we have a positive case, I will no longer be notify the broader community - just those directly impacted.
Contract Tracing
We will still expect students and those who enter our building to follow all standing covid protocols. However, contact tracing will be present but it looks different. For the most part, administrators have been provided the directive to contact trace during the following times:
- Special Education / Contained Classrooms
- Indoor Athletics
- Band / Choir
- Preschool / Head Start
Temporary Distance Learning (TDL)
I have received many questions about TDL and the future of da Vinci. While I can't see in the future, I can tell that our district uses a metrics to determine the need for TDL on a school by school basis. At the moment, da Vinci does not meet criteria, thus, we will remain in person until further notice. Please know the decision to transition to TDL is not a building leader decision. There is an advisory type committee/system in place to support building leaders if/when they need to transition to TDL.
Take great care,
Principal Davis
Calendar Highlights
Black and Brown Virtual Family Night- January 25th 6p-7p
January 28th, End of the Quarter/Semester 1
January 29th, Teacher Planning Day - no student day
January 31st, no school for students, Teacher PD and planning
February 1st, Quarter 3 begins
February 16th, Exclusion Day for those missing required immunizations
da Vinci Dance Recital
PTSA Corner
There is no shortage of needs or ideas in support of da Vinci’s continued excellence but it will take this community to bring them to life. I urge you to take a look at the numerous volunteer and engagement opportunities listed on the volunteer/community sign up list. Thank you!
Current Needs
Dine For da Vinci
Fun for the Arts - Dance a thon!
Auction Planning and Procurement
Teacher/Staff Appreciation
Passive Fundraising through Fred Meyer Community Rewards
If you have a Fred Meyer Rewards Card, you may link it to da Vinci PTSA and help raise funds for our school at no additional cost to you. In addition to still keeping your personal Fred Meyer Rewards, Fred Meyer will also donate to the charity of your choice. Learn how HERE.
BottleDrop
Did you know you can help raise money for da Vinci by recycling your bottles and cans without any extra cost to you? Learn how HERE. If you are in need of a blue bag, send your student to the office to pick one up!
Shop on Amazon & Support da Vinci Arts Middle School with Amazon Smile
Every time you purchase something off Amazon using the “smile” page, da Vinci Arts Middle School PTSA gets a 0.5% contribution, at no additional cost to you. Please take a few minutes to sign up using the instructions below and be a proud supporter of the da Vinci Arts Middle School PTSA today. Learn how HERE.
Updates
Out Sick? What's the protocol.
Students are encouraged to first look at Canvas to know what is happening in class. If they are feeling well enough to do school work, they are encouraged to do what they can from home and submit assignments online when possible. They can communicate directly with teachers via Canvas.
If your student is out sick (or for any reason) please notify the office by email to the attendance secretary, sbryan@pps.net, or the main office line, 503-916-5356.
Safe Oregon
SafeOregon is a program created for Oregon students, parents, school staff, community members and law enforcement officers to report and respond to student safety threats. Please see this brochure for information about how to share information.
Covid Testing at School
The OHSU screening program is available for weekly testing for asymptomatic students. Samples are collected each Tuesday morning. If your student has tested positive in the last 90 days, they should not be participating in this screening. If you do not need more kits or you have any questions, please let Sheli Bryan in the office know. To opt-in, we need the OHSU form and the general consent form with the third box on the back page checked. The consent form with the other boxes checked is for on-site testing for students who become ill at school or are exposed while at school as part of the test-to-stay program.
Sample collection instructions
Spring Drama Casting and Rehearsals
Candy Donation
Attendance Reminder
Family Resources
Oregon State University STEM Academy AWSEM Club (includes Spanish flyer)
Portland Parks & Recreation Winter Break Camps
From Nurse Cam about Immunizations
The immunization exclusion date this school year is February 16th, 2022. You should have gotten a letter notifying you if your student's immunization status is not complete. If your Student's immunization status is not up to date by February 16th, 2022, your child will be excluded from school.
The Multnomah County Health Department is holding immunization clinics on Wednesdays and Saturdays. See the fliers for more information.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email.
Thank you!
-Nurse Cam
971-801-4415 (text friendly)