Dragon Tales
December 18, 2021
Spoiler Alert: Happy Winter Break (our next letter will come with the new year)!!
Happy Winter Break, da Vinci Families,
It has been such a pleasure serving our community in 2021. I am looking forward to all the things 2022 brings da Vinci.
As a tradition, I often reflect on all that I am grateful for at the end of the year. I do this to acknowledge and express gratitude for my past. As well as set my intentions for the upcoming year and to ensure that I am walking with purpose and intentionality.
It has been truly wonderful being in person with our students and staff -- and there have been many moving parts, big emotions and very valid fears about being in person again. However, we are doing it and things are continuing to fall in place.
Last Thursday, we had our first in person performance since the pandemic...and when I tell you it felt so good being together - it felt like home. It was a reminder of just how resilient, gifted and truly amazing our students are. Masks were on, but I could feel the smiles and warmth from the evening. Talk about a community pulling together and showing up for our kids - this is the da Vinci way. We weren't able to have a "packed house" due to COVID - 19 restrictions, but our families showed up strong for our students. Staff and family volunteers paused whatever they could have had going on for the evening and supported our kids. The energy was indescribable.
I would like to sincerely thank you all for getting your children to school each day and trusting us to take good care of them during this very long pandemic.
See you in 2022!
Principal Davis
PS-
The concert had limited capacity and only open to two people in our performers' families; however, we will have the link posted as soon it is ready. We will be sure to share the link with you so that you can check out our musicians! Stay tuned in...
Concert Photos
West African Drumming was on point!
Backstage Fun with our Choir
Trogdor in the building!
Winter Music Concert Thursday, 12-16-21, 7 PM
End of Year Direct Appeal for the da Vinci Foundation
As the end of 2021 approaches and the next year's forecasting and staffing season approaches, we are once again asking for your financial support if you are able. Our da Vinci Foundation is a local school foundation managed under the umbrella of the Fund for PPS. Donations made to benefit da Vinci have been used for years to enhance our Arts programming and supplement the allotment for FTE provided by the district. It might mean the addition of a few sections so we can offer new electives or prevent cuts of beloved programs. Gifts of any amount are appreciated and do make a difference! You can sign up for monthly giving or make a one-time donation HERE. Be sure to designate da Vinci Arts Middle School as the recipient in the "purpose" drop-down. Thank you so much!
Calendar Highlights
November 29- December 22, Enrollment and Transfer Lottery Window for middle and high school next year. Note that the deadline has been extended to December 22nd to allow more time for families to learn more about schools before making decisions.
December 20 - 31, Winter Break, school resumes January 3rd
January 11th, 6p-7p, Black and Brown Virtual Family Night
January 21, Dance Showcase, 7 pm, limited admission
Middle and High School Transfer Cycle Open Now
For our 8th-grade students, this is the time to explore high school choice options and make a decision if you are in a dual-choice boundary area. Benson, Jefferson, and MLC have lottery spots open through the application process.
Be sure to check out the information on the da Vinci Counseling website and the PPS High School Information page.
Counselor Corner
Hello, da Vinci 8th Grade Families! We have some updates for you:
For those in a Dual-Assignment area, the deadline for submitting your decision has been pushed back to December 22nd.
Once you have decided which school your student will attend, please click this link and click on "Apply Now." Make sure you have updated the year to 2022-2023 in the top right corner, and then make your selection.
Alternatively, if you received a mailing with a QR code, follow the instructions you received in the mail to make your selection.
Upcoming events:
Roosevelt High School rescheduled their Information Night for December 15th at 6pm. Links are not yet posted.
Grant High School has in-person tours on December 14. 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Contact Grant HS for a reservation: 503-916-5160. No Walk-ins.
For any additional information about high school, please check the PPS 8th grade transition website as well as our counseling website's 8th-grade transition page.
Thank you! Ms. Shannon & Counselor Heather
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)
PTSA Corner
Join the PTSA Today
Thank you to all those who have joined the PTSA, we are now at 62 members and more than halfway to our goal of becoming 100 members strong. Click HERE to join.
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.
PTSA Meeting, January 12
The PTSA will resume monthly meetings on the second Wednesday on January 12th at 6 pm on Zoom.
Membership
Thank you to all those who have joined the PTSA, we are now at 61 members and more than halfway to our goal of becoming 100 members strong. Click HERE to join.
Follow the PPS COVID-19 dashboard HERE for real-time data.