Dragon Tales
April 18th - April 22nd, 2022
Spoiler Alert: Day of Silence, Phone policy reminder, Fundraisers and Volunteer Opportunities, Testing continues ...
Hello da Vinci Families!
I hope your day is going well.
Over the weekend, our da Vinci community hosted a fundraiser at Amalfi's. While I was unable to make it, due to being sick, my team kept me updated and it sounds like it was a blast and success. We appreciate those of you who were able to come out, support and fellowship with other. For those of us who weren't able to make it, no worries, there will be other opportunities for us to get together.
DAY OF SILENCE
At the end of the week, our students will engage in, The Day of Silence. The purpose of The Day of Silence is to shed light on issues that often cause LGBTQ+ people in schools to often be silenced and erased. Day of Silence is a reclamation of that forced silence and erasure. This time LGBTQ+ students and educators are choosing to be silent on their own accord and demonstrate the impact on the entire school community when LGBTQ+ people are silenced and erased.
TESTING AND REMINDERS
Our students are still testing, so please try to have them at school on time and ready to go.
In addition to testing, our front office received too many cellphones that had been confiscated last week. It is important to have conversations with your student about the phone policy. Phones must be out of sight and not in use throughout the entire school day. This policy is active during passing periods and lunch/recess. After students' 3rd time having their phone taken, administration will be calling families to set up an appointment to pick up their child's phone.
Thank you for your support with helping students follow our school wide expectations.
I hope this week brings you joy!
Principal Davis
Thank You, Supporters!
PTSA President Elena with Chenoa and David
The Tent Scene and Band
Alumni Tage with proud teachers, Mr. Gershuny and Mr. Gerolami
PTSA Corner
The Spring Plant Sale is ON!
We’ve got plants for your garden, porch, and patio. Whether you are planting in the ground or a pot on your stoop we’ve got something for you! Orders happening now through noon on April 25th. Shop HERE to support da Vinci.
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.
Da Vinci Auction
Bidding begins on May 20th but the online auction website is up and running now!
View the catalog here (new items are added daily).
We are still accepting donation items from individuals and businesses. If you or someone you know has an item, service, gift card, etc to donate it can now be completed directly through the website here.
PTSA Seeking 2022 - 2023 Board Members
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.
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.
Yearbook Photos Wanted
We are looking for extra photos for the yearbook and need your help! If you have any photos of our students from concerts, plays, field trips, spirit week, etc. we would love to have them! All photos can be emailed directly to our yearbook teacher at mstaurseth@pps.net by April 15th.
Thanks so much for your help!
Volunteers @ School- Updated Signup
Thanks to Leslie Arndt and Jennifer Shuping for hauling big loads of canned goods to our chosen food pantry. We still need folks for a couple more trips. Items need to be delivered on a Monday or Tuesday afternoon. Please sign up HERE or call the office if you have any questions.
For our rescheduled No One Eats Alone event on 4-26, we could use some adult support. Please sign up if you can help out. See details on the signup.
Outdoor School
Hello 6th Grade Families!
Information packets were sent home last week. Please get the medical and permission forms filled out and returned as soon as possible. The official ODS dates are May 2 & 3 - it is a day trip only, so no overnight this year.
Please remember that there is a parent Q&A with our site-specific leader - Flea:
Monday, April 18, 2022
5-6 pm
https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/89251969344
This is a link to the parent-specific ODS information page.
As we are gearing up for this trip, please start taking a look at items your child might need for the trip. We will be sending home a "gear guide", and we wanted to highlight a few things. The weather is unpredictable in the PNW in May, and students will be outside for the bulk of the days regardless of the weather.
- Shoes - if your child is particular about getting their shoes muddy, please help them identify a pair that they are willing to get a bit messy.
- Coats - rain jackets are key for ODS - they can keep you dry and block the wind.
- Hat & gloves - again may not be needed but can be essential if it gets super wet
If you need help with any of these items please reach out to Ms. Shannon and we will help you find the gear you need.
State-wide Testing
Students who are not testing will silently read during that class time. They are not allowed to use their computer if they are not testing.
Testing information is on the PPS website.
Please note: Students are required to put cell phones in their backpacks or turn them into their teacher (if the teacher requires students to do so). We expect all students to adhere to these expectations, as having a cell phone out during the testing time, will cause the entire class' tests to be eliminated.
Calendar Highlights
April 26th, No One Eats Alone, Special Schedule, volunteers welcome
April 26th, Black and Brown Family Night
April 27th, PPS Choir Festival
April 28th, Site Council, 4:00 PM (join via this link)
May 2-6, Teacher Appreciation Week
May 2 and 3, Outdoor School Day Trips for 6th Graders
May 19 and 20, Spring Dance Concert
May 20, Online bidding for PTSA Auction opens
May 30, Memorial Day Holiday
June 7th, 8th Grade Field Trip @ Oaks Park
June 9th, 8th Grade Promotion, 6:00 at Grant HS
June 8th, Portland Jr. Rose Festival Parade, Band students
June 10, Last Day of School
Calling Writers for Dragon's Fire Literary Magazine
The Dragon’s Fire Literary Review is seeking submissions for our Spring 2022 issue!
We’re looking for poetry, fiction, nonfiction, comics, and everything in between --and outside the lines. You may submit up to five of your best pieces.
Work will be chosen based on creativity, coherence, and writing conventions.
To submit your work, use this Google Form.
Submissions must be your own original work, include your name and a title, and should be well-edited. The deadline is April 29.
If you have questions, email Ms. Conner: emconner@pps.net.
Attendance Reporting Reminder
COVID-19 OHSU Screening Continues
We will be sending home kits on Monday. Let Sheli in the office know if you do not need them at this time. 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
Fentanyl & Teen Substance Use Awareness Night: Multnomah County, the Big Village Coalition and Portland Public Schools are partnering to host this virtual event on Tuesday April 19th from 7:00-8:30pm. Click here to register.
Child Vaccine Catch-Up Clinic: McDaniel HS, April 13 (English) (Spanish) (Chinese) (Vietnamese) (Russian) (Somali) (other dates & times listed here)
Verselandia! (April 28, 2022 Flier)
Cognizant 360 Arts Summer Camp
OSU STEM Academy AWSEM Club Spring Dates (English) (Spanish)
Multnomah Youth Commission accepting applications (flier) (FAQ)
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