Dragon Tales
May 16th - May 20th
Spoiler Alert: Dance Concert- Ticket links and volunteer site! Updated masking recommendations, AAPI Heritage Month ...
Dear da Vinci Families,
I hope the weekend has been good to you. My heart is heavy with the mass shooting that occurred this past weekend in Buffalo, NY. In trying to process the horrific murder of innocent human beings, I have decided to take today to recharge, connect with my family and allow myself to process. I think sometimes we get stuck in the hustle and bustle and our daily rhythm, that we forget to give permission to ourselves to slow down and experience whatever it is that is happening in the current moment. Just pause.
I hope you do something that makes your heart smile today.
Best,
Principal Davis
P.S.
Please read on further through this newsletter. A few important things:
1) We are pivoting back to recommendation of mask wearing while indoors, come Monday.
2) If you are still trying to figure out Sunday dinner, stop by Pambiche, enjoy yummy Cuban Cuisine, while supporting a local (da Vinci) family owned business AND 15% of the proceeds goes directly to da Vinci!
3) Lastly, our Dance Showcase is this week!!
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
Sono Osato was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to a Japanese father and an Irish–French Canadian mother, Osato joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at the age of 14 as the youngest dancer in the company, the first American, and the first dancer of Japanese descent. Though encouraged to change her name to sound more “Russian,” Osato refused. In the early 1940s, she joined what is now known as American Ballet Theatre. A year later, her father was interned as an enemy alien and her brother was enlisted in the All-Japanese Regimental Combat Team. Osato began performing under her mother’s maiden name, Fitzpatrick, and was barred from tours due to racism. Even so, during the war, Osato starred on Broadway as a principal dancer in One Touch of Venus, a role for which she won a Donaldson Award, and as the original Ivy Smith in On the Town in 1944, a production noted for its groundbreaking racial diversity.
Learn more: Autobiography: Sono Osato, Distant Dances
Photo from the New York Public Library, digital collection, 1942.
Updated Masking Recommendations
As shared by PPS Communications this week: On Wednesday, May 11, Multnomah County health officials updated COVID-19 guidance given the current surge in cases. The Multnomah County Health Department now recommends that masks be worn indoors until coronavirus case counts and hospitalizations fall. The current increase in COVID-19 cases is expected to peak in mid-June near the end of the PPS’s school year.
In alignment with public health guidance, Portland Public Schools strongly recommends that all staff and all students wear masks at schools, in-district office buildings, and at other indoor events beginning Monday, May 16th. This recommendation includes masking at important end-of-year events such as proms, school performances, assemblies, and indoor graduation events.
Dance Concert Tickets Available Now- Advance Purchase on School Pay Recommended
Friday, May 20, 7 pm show: https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Spring-Dance-Concert-May-20-2022-700PM/SdgZuvo
Saturday, May 21, 2 pm show: https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Spring-Dance-Concert-Matinee-521200pm/SPZjgC
Volunteers Needed for the Spring Dance Concert, May 20 and 21
PTSA Corner
TONIGHT is Dine for Da Vinci at Pambiche
From 4 pm - 10 pm Pambiche will be donating 15% of all sales to da Vinci so pop over for some take-out or in-restaurant dining.
Da Vinci Auction Open This Week
Bidding begins on May 20th but the online auction website is up and running now!
View the catalog here (new items are added daily).
June Ice Cream Social
The PTSA is seeking volunteers to plan and execute an Ice Cream Social and Field Day for our students. The date is TBD but there is plenty of planning and work to do. Let’s send our kids off to summer with a community-building event to remember. Sign up HERE
PTSA 2022 - 2023 Board Members NEEDED
Do you have experience on a PTSA board or seeking more consistent involvement in da Vinci Arts Middle School? The board is currently seeking a President or Co-President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer! HERE is where you can understand more about the open roles and HERE is where you can sign up to speak with a current board member to have your questions answered.
PTSA General Meeting
This Wednesday, May 18th at 6 pm. Please join and bring your questions for the group and/or Principal Davis. Join us HERE!
Cell Phone and Personal Electronics Policy
If phones are out when they are not supposed to be, teachers or other staff members will ask for the phone to be kept in the office until the end of the day. After three occasions, we will be contacting parents/guardians.
Earbuds and headphones generally should not be brought to school unless a student has a Special Education plan for their use.
Calendar Highlights
May 15th, 4 - 10 PM, Dine for da Vinci at Pambiche
May 17th, Norse Day Parade, Band students marching
May 18th, PTSA Meeting, 6 pm
May 20 and 21, Spring Dance Concert
May 20, Online bidding for PTSA Auction opens
May 25th, New Family Connection & Social, 5-6 pm
May 26th, Spring Music Concert, 7 pm
May 30, Memorial Day Holiday
June 7th, 8th Grade Field Trip @ Oaks Park
June 8th, Portland Jr. Rose Festival Parade, Band students
June 9th, 8th Grade Promotion, 6:00 at Grant HS
June 10, Last Day of School
Attendance Reporting Reminder
COVID-19 OHSU Screening Continues
If your student needs a kit for this coming week, have them stop in the office or let Sheli in the office know to deliver one to them. Remember to label the bag and the sample. Each week we have at least one sample that is unlabeled!
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.
PPS Sponsored Family Resources
Share with Families:
Summer Acceleration Academy webpage
PIL Math Trajectory Summer Program (McDaniel)
PIL Math Trajectory Summer Program (Roosevelt)
Benson Tech Youth United Multi-Sport Summer Camp
Adapted PE Field Day (K-8 flier) (9-12 flier)
Cognizart 360 Arts Summer Camp
OSU STEM Academy AWSEM Club Spring Dates (English) (Spanish)
VIBE of Portland Art Camps, Classes, No-School Workshops
VIBE of Portland East Winds Summer Camp
Multnomah Early Childhood Program (English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese)
Portland Parks & Recreation Preschool 2022-2023 Registration