Dear da Vinci Families,

I hope the extended weekend allowed your family the opportunity to enjoy the weather and to prepare for a busy week. This week's newsletter is a bit longer; however, we hope you will pay close attention to the instructions to help you navigate Back-to-School Night, as well as how to support your student through MAP testing.

Over the years as a middle school administrator, I have noticed a trend that is well documented and backed by research; executive functioning and time management are hot topics for middle schoolers and their families. As a mother of 4 older children (middle school, high school and beyond), I have experienced the spectrum of executive functioning skills or lack thereof. I found that educating myself on how lagging executive functioning skills can potentially manifest with our teens and learning (or remembering) strategies can be quite helpful. Here is a short executive functioning article that I found - check it out.

With the above being said, we want to wrap around our students and support them by establishing better time management skills. Please remind students to be on time for their classes. Students have 4 minutes of passing time, which is just enough time to make a quick locker stop or use the restroom and transition to their next class. Passing time is not the best time for students to get deep into conversations with their peers. The sound of the second bell means students are late. Students are expected to be in their classrooms by the sound of the second bell. Some students are using the second bell as their signal to finally pivot and get to class and a pattern of tardiness is starting to be established.

Our Student Intervention Team is monitoring student data. If there happens to be a pattern of tardiness, Ms. Wilson and I will be following up with students/families and creating a plan of support to encourage improved attendance.

Back to School Night, in person, this Thursday! Please review this information carefully (spoiler: Back to School Night is for adults, if possible, please leave your student elsewhere)

Look for this invitation coming home this week to help you plan ahead for Back to School Night. Due to space limitations, this event is only for parents and guardians. Thank you for understanding and making arrangements for your students. This is your chance to meet teachers and see the classrooms where your students spend their days. Also, to learn about the curriculum and our da Vinci culture. Please remember Back to School Night is not the time for individual student conversations - conferences are coming up soon!

In order for the event to go smoothly, please know your student's schedule in advance and arrive in time to follow the bell schedule. See below for a few details. Parking in our neighborhood is limited so please carpool if you can, or use alternative modes of transportation.

TAG Information Meeting

Have questions about the Talented and Gifted program? Join us before B2SN from 5:30 to 5:55 in the da Vinci Library.

Parents/Families of color, we would like to encourage you to stop by and join the TAG info meeting, as our students are often underrepresented in the TAG identification process and program.

MAP TESTING WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY

Students will begin MAP testing this week. MAP assessments are district progress monitoring tools; therefore there is no opt-out form (as there is with state-wide testing). Please make sure your student is bringing their Chromebook, charged and ready to go. As much as possible, please encourage students to eat breakfast and arrive on time for school.

BACKPACKS

All students should be using their assigned locker and keeping it locked throughout the day for storing their backpacks and belongings. If students are having issues with their lockers or need a padlock, have them ask for assistance in the front office. Phones need to be powered off during the day and kept locked up in lockers.

We can't wait to see you on Thursday!

Principal Davis

• 9/28 and 9/29- MAP Testing, special schedule days
  
• 9/29- Back to School Night, 6 pm - 8:00 pm (in person at da Vinci), look for info coming home this week (TAG info is from 5:30 - 6:00)
• 9/30- Mid-term progress reports due
  
• 10/6 Site Council 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM (join via this link)
• 10/14- No School, State Educator In-Service Day
  

Latinx We are starting up our Latinx Affinity Group again this year in partnership with Latino Network. We will be getting a new coordinator this year and will meet them hopefully by October 1st, 2022. There will be a back to School Virtual Meeting with Latino Network on October 13th from 6 pm-7 pm. Ms. Wilson, our Assistant Principal will oversee this partnership. If there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to email her at mwilson5@pps.net

Latinx Club- Please sign up on this form if you are interested in joining the Latinx Club:

Latinx Sign Up Link

BSU will occur every 1st and 3rd Friday, from 3:20 pm - 4:00 pm in the cafeteria.

QSA

2022-2023 QSA/SAGA Info:

When: Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month. 3:15 - 4:15

Where: In the cafeteria

Upcoming QSA Event (not school sponsored - but still fun!)

When: September 25, 1:00 pm is match time

Where: Providence Park

How: Here is the link to purchase tickets. If you choose to purchase to donate to a student/family please reach out to me directly (we have to do a stubhub ticket exchange). If you would like to purchase more than 8 tickets please reach out to our thorns contact: Chris Randall crandall@timbers.com

Please note: this is not a sponsored daVinci field trip, we have procured a block of tickets to the Thorns final game for students & families to purchase and root for the Thorns together. daVinci staff are not chaperoning this event - please plan accordingly.

The PTSA is ready for another exciting school year at da Vinci Arts Middle School and we are already working with teachers to see how the PTSA can support them through the funds the school raises. We have some great events already in the planning process that will help achieve our fundraising goal for our teachers, students, and the da Vinci community.

PTSA Events 2022-23

December 3, 2022, da Vinci Art Fair! We are bringing back this exciting community fundraiser at the school so stay tuned for many more details in the week to come!

Dine for da Vinci- Various dates throughout the school year: Dine for da Vinci is an opportunity to take a night off from cooking and a % of sales from a restaurant goes towards our school for that night. Stay tuned for restaurants and dates!

April/May 2023, Spring Plant Sale: Ordering plants made easy! So many floral and garden options to choose from and the PTSA earns a percentage of the profits.

Dine for da Vinci- Various dates throughout the school year. These events offer an opportunity to take a night off from cooking and a % of sales from the restaurant goes towards our school for that night. Stay tuned for restaurants and dates!

Spring Annual Auction! Our annual Auction is a great way to come together as a community and raise funds for the school. Stay tuned for details!

Here are other easy ways to support da Vinci:

Bottle Drop: Did you know you can help raise money for da Vinci by recycling your bottles and cans without any extra cost to you? We’ll be handing out blue bags at Back to School Night so stop by and pick one up. These are also available at the school office so send your student 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. Learn how HERE.

Fred Meyer Community Rewards: If you have a Fred Meyer Rewards Card, 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.

Membership: The PTSA is open for membership and we hope that families consider joining to help strengthen our school and support our children's education. If you are ready to sign up, please click HERE to register!

A few notes on membership

• The S in PTSA stands for students! The da Vinci PTSA encourages students to participate and share their voices on what they would like for their school. Students in the past have discussed the option of after-school dances or help with clubs. We want to hear what our students want, too! Click HERE to register to become a member and while you’re on that page, consider signing up your student so you can work together to help our teachers, students, and our community.

• The PTSA will be exploring sponsors, scholarships, and additional options for memberships in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates.

Look for the PTSA table at Back to School Night this Thursday, September 29th. We will have a list of Events, Membership Forms, and Volunteer Sign up Opportunities. On this night only, the first 25 Memberships that sign up, will receive a da Vinci swag bag so be sure and visit our table and sign up!

Next PTSA Meeting
Our next PTSA meeting is on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 7:00 pm both in person at da Vinci or on Zoom if that is more convenient.

Stay tuned for the PTSA Newsletter hitting email inboxes with additional information in the coming weeks!

Registration info: Parents/guardians can start enrolling their students through OHSU’s NEW Online Portal. If you are unable to enroll for any reason, please call OHSU Support at (503) 418-8500.​

Visit OHSU's K-12 Screening Program website at http://www.ohsu.edu/k12testing, contact the OHSU support team at k12covidtesting@ohsu.edu,​ or call (503) 418-8500 for more information.

TAG Support

NEW! Parent Office Hours with the TAG Department

Ask questions and receive information related to TAG identification, services, processes, etc.

We will meet on Zoom, 6:00-7:00 PM on 9/28/22, 10/26/22, 11/30/22, 1/25/23, 2/22/23, 3/22/23, 4/26/23, and 5/31/23.

Our first meeting will be Wednesday, September 28 6:00-7:00 PM

Zoom link for Parent Office Hours with the TAG Department

We look forward to seeing you!

Empoderando Familias (Empowering Families) is a free event that will focus on information about substance use prevention and education. It will include a unique opportunity for families to receive information about substance use prevention education and resources delivered in Spanish by professionals that understand the connection between, culture, language, and family.

Trogdor

Our school rock band, Trogdor, will be holding auditions on Thursday, October 6th at 3:30 in the music building. We are looking for guitarists, drummers, bass players, singers, keyboard players, or anything else that you can rock out on! This group will perform at the winter concert, we will have auditions again in the spring for the spring concert. Questions? Ask Mr. Gerolami or Mz. Daley.

If your student is in the cast or crew, be sure to reference the Canvas page for schedules and updates.

Attendance Reporting and Tardies

If your student will be absent from school for any reason, please notify sbryan@pps.net with their name and the reason for the absence. You can also call the main office at 503-916-5356 We receive a high volume of calls and email is preferred. If your student arrives after the tardy bell at 8:45 they need to check in at the main office for a tardy slip.

Breakfast times, and Entrance/Exit Routines

Breakfast will now be available from 8:20 to 8:40 in the morning. Students should enter from the SE corner/playground gate through the garden courtyard if they are coming in early for breakfast. After breakfast, students remain in the cafeteria until the first bell.

At 8:38, students can enter through the front doors and proceed to their lockers and class:

• 6th grade enters the building through the east doors, closest to the playground.

• 7th grade enters the building through the center/main doors.

• 8th grade enters through the west doors, closest to the driveway from the parking lot.

After lunch, students return to the building through these same doors.

After school, students should exit through the closest exit to their classroom.

Cell Phone Policy

Phones and all personal electronic devices should be turned OFF and put AWAY during school hours. We do not want to see earbuds or headphones. The school is not responsible for these items if they are lost or stolen. They should be locked up in the locker. Please do not try to text your student during school hours. If you need to reach them or deliver a message, call the main office and we will give them a message or call them to the office to call you.

Doorbell and building access

For security purposes, the building is locked during school hours. If a student arrives outside of normal arrival hours, or you need to visit, the doorbell rings the main office phone line. We can answer on an intercom and release the door. There is a camera so we can see who is at the door. However, if we are on the phone or attending to a student, we may not be able to answer immediately. Please keep trying if we do not answer immediately.

Early Dismissals

If you need to pick up your student early, please let us know in advance and try to plan your pick-up between periods to reduce the disruptions of calling students from class. It can take a while to reach your student in class, and for them to go to their locker. If we are in an assembly, we cannot easily locate them.

Lockers

Students have been assigned a locker and should use it for their personal belongings during the day. We are still working through a few issues so please reach out to sbryan@pps.net if your student is still not able to use their locker. Lockers should be kept secured and students should not share the combinations. The office does maintain a list of combinations. We are not responsible for valuables brought to school. If students bring phones or other electronic devices, they need to be powered off and remain in their lockers for the entire day (including lunch periods).

ParentVue and the Yearly Verification

If you have not yet done so, please complete the YEARLY VERIFICATION process on ParentVue to update your personal information. It is critical that we have current phone numbers, emergency contacts, relevant health information for your student, and your current address. ParentVue is where you see your student's schedules, attendance, and grade reports (once grades are recorded). If you need help accessing your account, please email sbryan@pps.net.

Traffic Pattern Highlights

We strongly encourage you to work with your community and arrange carpools to reduce congestion and help our environment. Additionally, please follow this guide if possible to help with the traffic flow in front of the school:

Everett St. in front of the school is for 6th graders. Travel EAST, from 24th to 28th Ave. Pull to the curb for your student(s) to get out of the car. Carefully enter the line of traffic.

7th graders can be dropped off and picked up from 24th Ave. Please be careful at the intersection of 24th and Everett and yield to pedestrians.

8th graders can be dropped off on Couch (a one-way headed east) and walk through the park beside the Coco-Cola building.

There is also a driveway entering from 24th and Davis that will exit onto Everett for buses and those with special needs. Parking in the neighborhood and behind the school is very limited.

Please be courteous of our neighbors at all times and do not idle as you are parked.