Dragon Tales
April 11th - April 15th, 2022
Spoiler Alert: Autism Awareness Month, Outdoor School News, Testing, No One Eats Alone, Fundraisers and Volunteer Opportunities...
Hello da Vinci Families!
I hope this message finds you cozy and warm. We had some pretty abnormal weather for April, recently. By the looks of this week's forecast, it might get even more interesting. The weather may be unpredictable and abnormal, but one thing for sure, we are moving toward providing our students with a, "normal" middle school experience at da Vinci. Last week, we had our very first whole school in-person dance/social event! A bit chaotic, but absolutely a great time for our kids. Students danced, engaged in art activities - while some engaged in improv and others, played corn hole outside, but most importantly, they LAUGHED and connected with friends.
A special thank you to Susan Addison and Emily Chenoweth for volunteering at our Spring Fling Dance Party.
Statewide testing begins this week. Please ensure your student gets plenty of sleep, nourishment and is well hydrated. The mentioned are a few universal strategies that will support your student during the testing period. Results from testing are usually shared with families some time in the summer months via snail mail.
Lastly, our da Vinci at Amalfi's event is SOLD out!! However, if you are hoping to attend, but the ticket price was prohibitive, we’ve got 10 tickets available to the community on a first come first serve basis. Please fill out THIS confidential ticket request form (see the PTSA section for information about the event).
Take great care
Principal Davis
Congratulations to our OBOB "Leo Reader" Team!
Volunteers Needed- Monday, 4/11 After School
We are looking for volunteers to help us transport the donations from last month's Canned Food Drive to our chosen food pantry. The drop-off will take place Monday, 4/11 after school. The cans are boxed, bagged, and ready to go in Room 206 (right next to the Main Office) where Ms. Blair will be there to help coordinate getting the boxes to your vehicle. The food pantry we'll be taking the donations to are the Hand Up Project and their "People's Pantry" in North Portland. The address is 4115 N. Mississippi Avenue, Portland, OR 97217. Which is about a 12-minute drive from da Vinci. Thank you for your help and also for all of your support and donations during our Canned Food Drive! It was a big success! Please sign up HERE or call the office if you have any questions.
No One Eats Alone, Friday, 4-15-22
We would love to have some family volunteers to help support the activities and supervision of the extended lunch time. The hour is scheduled from 11:32 to 12:32. For more information and to sign up, use this signup form.
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!
PTSA Corner
PTSA Meeting
The monthly meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday, April 13th at 6 pm. Please join and bring your questions for the group and/or Principal Davis. Join us HERE!
Da Vinci at Amalfi’s - this Saturday, April 16th from noon - 3 pm
Thanks to our community the event is SOLD OUT!
If you would like to attend but the ticket price was prohibitive, we’ve got 10 tickets available to the community on a first come first serve basis. Please fill out THIS confidential ticket request form. By attending this event you are:
Supporting our students and arts programs at da Vinci
Getting out of the house and connecting with other da Vinci families and staff, while enjoying good company, food, and a live band (featuring one of da Vinci's alumni)
Supporting a local Black-owned business that has successfully planted roots in the Alameda District for so many years.
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! There are still a few opportunities still available here. Check them out!
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.
Spring Plant Sale
Thinking about spring flowers, hanging baskets, and herbs? Our annual Spring Plant Sale kicks off this week. We’ll get a link out for purchase within a few days.
Outdoor School
Hello 6th Grade Families!
Information packets were sent home on Thursday. 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
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 in their Math and ELA classes. Science has a different opt-out process, which is listed 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 11th Quarter 4 classes start- students should check StudentVue for schedule
April 13th, PTSA Meeting on Zoom, 6 pm
April 15th, No One Eats Alone, Special Schedule, volunteers welcome
April 16th, da Vinci @ Amalfi's fundraiser
April 26th, Black and Brown Family Night
April 27th, PPS Choir Festival
April 28th, Site Council, 4:00 PM
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 are expecting more kits this week but don't have quite enough to hand out to all students. If you need a kit for this Tuesday, please ask your student to pick one up in the office or email Sheli in the office to deliver one to your student (sbryan@pps.net). 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
STAMP Test Information for DLI Families
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)