Dragon Tales
March 21 - 25, 2022
Spring Break Edition: SEL Tuesdays, Dine out event March 23rd, Site Coucil, Women's History Month ...
Dear da Vinci Families,
We hope you all have a safe, fun, and restorative Spring Break week! Stay safe and enjoy. This is a short letter but we want to keep you informed of some things coming up.
SEL Tuesdays
Over the last bit of time, we have noticed that our students have a need for more explicit social emotional learning (SEL); thus, when we come back from Spring Break, every Tuesday, we will be on a special SEL schedule. During this time, students will engage in SEL topics such as: anti-bullying, social media/digital citizenship, anti-racism/equity, mindfulness and strategies to support anxious feelings and more.
Site Council
What is Site Council?
Background and Membership
The da Vinci Site Council was established pursuant to the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century for the purpose of helping improve student achievement. In compliance with the Act, Site Council membership is made up of at least one administrator or designee, a classified staff representative, elected faculty representatives, elected parent representatives, and at da Vinci, student representatives as well.
Responsibilities of the Site Council include conducting monthly meetings in order to:
- Focus on improving student achievement.
- Contribute to the school improvement plan.
- Foster family engagement and school-home communications
- Explore improvements to the school’s instructional program.
- Support the professional growth of the school’s staff.
Site Council will be scheduled on the last Thursday of each month. Please join us on March 31, 2022, at 4:00 PM via this link. During this meeting, we will take time to establish our norms, format, and team.
Don't forget to check out the PTSA Corner (there are several events coming up). PTSA is selling tickets for a dinner event at Amalfi's. This is a great way to connect with other da Vinci families, support our school and arts programs. I would like to challenge us to making this a sold out event!
Da Vinci at Amalfi’s
Ticket selling is LIVE for da Vinci @ Amalfi’s! Join the da Vinci community on April 16th from noon - 3 pm for live music and food. This will be a fun outdoor fundraiser with live music from Grateful Dead cover band Big Foot Country, featuring da Vinci alumni Tage Gavin (class of 2018). We have 61 tickets left to sell!
Have a lovely Spring Break!
Principal Davis
Women's History Month Poster- Call for Artists!
It's Women's History Month! To celebrate the amazing women in our history and in our lives we're asking students to create posters in their honor! Students have all spring break to create the work. Posters are due Tuesday after break and can be turned in to the office. Finalists will have their work displayed in the art gallery and an opportunity to enjoy a pizza lunch with Ms. Davis and other finalists. We will have 3 student finalists.
Calendar Highlights
March 23rd, Dine for da Vinci at Ankeny Tap and Table
March 21-25, Spring Break!
March 31st, Site Council (every last Thursday)
April 7th, Last day of Quarter 3
April 8th, No school for students, teacher grading/planning day
April 8 and 9, All-City Honor Band, invitation
April 16th, da Vinci @ Amalfi's fundraiser
April 26th, Black and Brown Family Night
April 27th, PPS Choir Festival
May 2-6, Teacher Appreciation Week
May 2 and 3, Outdoor School Day Trips for 6th Graders (revised dates)
May 19 and 20, Spring Dance Concert
May 30, Memorial Day Holiday
June 9th, 8th Grade Promotion, 6:00 at Grant HS (new date and location)
June 8th, Portland Jr. Rose Festival Parade, Band students
June 10, Last Day of School
PTSA Corner
A big thank you to those who attended and engaged in the PTSA meeting last Wednesday. Evenings can be a challenge for families, but I encourage you to join if your schedule allows; listen in while driving to or from work, make dinner, etc. It’s a great time to hear from and speak directly to Principal Davis, learn of upcoming events and opportunities to engage with our community.
There are two great ways to build community and support da Vinci in the weeks to come.
Dine for da Vinci
On March 23rd Ankeny Tap and Table will be donating 10% of their total profits to da Vinci.
Take out or eat in from 4 pm - 8 pm and support a local restaurant and our school!
Da Vinci at Amalfi’s
Ticket selling is LIVE for da Vinci @ Amalfi’s! Join the da Vinci community on April 16th from noon - 3 pm for live music and food. This will be a fun outdoor fundraiser with live music from Grateful Dead cover band Big Foot Country, featuring da Vinci alumni Tage Gavin (class of 2018). We have 61 tickets left to sell!
Da Vinci Auction
The PTSA is planning for an online auction and we need your help!
Do you or someone you know own a service based business, retail store or restaurant in town that would be willing to donate a gift card or package to support da Vinci Arts Middle School? Or how about a vacation home or cabin in Oregon or elsewhere that you or a friend would be willing to donate as an auction item?
Please email davinciptsa@gmail.com with donations or leads. Volunteers are still needed to make this event a success. Interested in volunteering to reach out to local businesses and secure donations? Sign up HERE.
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
May 2 - 6
We are cooking up a week filled with gratitude for our teachers and staff and we need your support! You can sign up HERE and see the needs below.
Please let us know if you would be interested in sponsoring a lunch, are able to provide food items (can’t be homemade, unfortunately), or know of a local business that would be willing to give us a discount to purchase food for the staff.
Please let us know if you would be interested in donating flowers or small plants or know of a local business that would be willing to give us a discount to purchase flowers or plants.
Sponsor the Coffee and Pastry Day
Please let us know if you would be interested in donating coffee or pastries or if you know of a local business that would be willing to give us a discount to purchase coffee and pastries.
Create a Raffle Basket for Teachers
Please sign up to create a gift basket, filled with anything of your choice for a staff member. We will be holding raffles all week for teachers. Any basket big or small is appreciated. Themed baskets are always a lot of fun.
Outdoor School
Coming up - 6th Grade Outdoor School- new dates, May 2 and 3!
In May our 6th-grade students will be attending 2 days of onsite outdoor school. We are still working on the details and will provide more information the week of April 4.
Parent Q&A Sessions (from our site director)
*Please note that information could change between what you are told on March 14 and what is finalized by April 18, our suggestion is to wait until the April 18 meeting to attend so you have finalized plans from da Vinci first.
Monday, March 14, 2022
4:30-5:30 pm
https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/89801566670
Monday, April 18, 2022
5-6 pm
https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/89251969344
Ms. Stevens will be sending a more detailed email to you the week of April 4 with our specific da Vinci schedule.
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.