DaVinci Connection

March 21, 2025

📅 Author Events

Grades 3-6: April 1

Author Soman Chainani will visit DaVinci Academy on April 1st!

New York Times bestselling author Soman Chainani will visit DaVinci on April 1 to discuss his new graphic novel!

All students can order signed copies of his books from Red Balloon. To do so, simply click on the image of the book(s) below and fill out one form for each book ordered.

Please order books by March 24. The books will be delivered to the school on the day of the visit.

About the author: Soman Chainani's six novels in the School for Good and Evil series each debuted on the New York Times bestseller list. The series has sold over 4.5 million copies, has been translated into 33 languages, and has been adapted into a film by Netflix that debuted at #1 in over 80 countries. His collection of retold fairy tales, Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales, was also an instant New York Times bestseller and is in development to be a television series from Sony 3000.

Soman graduated from Harvard University and received his MFA in film from Columbia University. Every year, he visits schools around the world to speak to children and share his secret: that reading is the path to a better life.

Grades 7 & 8: April 8

Huda Fahmy at DaVinci Academy! We’re excited to welcome Huda Fahmy to DaVinci Academy on April 8! Seventh and eighth graders will get the chance to hear from this acclaimed author and illustrator as she shares insights into her creative process and the stories behind her engaging graphic novels.

Author visits at DaVinci Academy are free for students, but they are made possible through book sales. We encourage families to support these events by purchasing a signed copy of Huda’s books through Red Balloon Bookshop. Orders are due by March 31, and books will be delivered to the school on the day of the visit. Simply click on the book images in the order form and submit one form per book.

Huda Fahmy is a National Book Award finalist known for her humorous and heartfelt graphic novels, including Huda F Cares?. A former English teacher, she now writes about her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in America.

Thank you for supporting author visits at DaVinci—your book purchases help keep these inspiring events happening for our students!

🍚 Feed My Starving Children Event

Join Us for the 2nd Annual Student Council Community Event!

The Student Council is excited to host its 2nd Annual community event at Feed My Starving Children on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:00–6:30 PM. We invite you to join us—bring your friends and family—to help pack meals for those in need and make a meaningful impact together as part of our wonderful DaVinci Academy community!

Sign up here: FMSC Sign-Up

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mandy Paumen, Summer Olson, or Cassy Anderson.

We hope to see you there!

Register Today!

⌛ Mental Health Minute

March 21st marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is a day established by the United Nations in 1966 to remind us of the importance of challenging racism and promoting equality.

As parents of school-age children, you play an important role in fostering an environment where all students feel valued and respected.

Here are some simple ways to actively support anti-racism at home and within our school community:

Encourage Open Conversations: Create a space where your child feels comfortable discussing racial issues, sharing their thoughts, and asking questions. Promote empathy and understanding.
Highlight Diverse Voices: Expose your child to a variety of perspectives and stories, helping them appreciate the richness of different cultures and histories.
Model Respectful Behavior: Set an example by showing kindness, fairness, and respect in all interactions, and address any biases or unfair treatment they may encounter.
Empower Your Child to Act: Encourage your child to get involved in activities that promote equality, whether through school clubs, classroom discussions, or community efforts.
Reflect on Our Own Practices: Regularly assess how we can ensure that our actions and words are inclusive, helping all students feel seen and respected.

Together, we can create a future where racial discrimination is a thing of the past, and every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Thank you for your commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

📰 PTO News

🌳 Gerten's Plant Sale

Don’t miss out! The last day to order your flowers or plants from Gerten’s Spring Plant fundraiser is

March 31. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a jump on your garden while supporting DaVinci

Academy. 30% of plant sales and 15% of gift card sales go directly to the PTO.

Order online now using Store ID: 968 Order Online Now! Orders will be ready for pick up on May 5 at DaVinci... just in time for Mother’s Day!

Order Here - Store Code: 968

🪩 Middle School Party!

We are turning back time with our Middle School “Blast from the Past” Party! All Middle School

students are invited to attend on Friday, April 4 from 6:30-8:30 pm at DaVinci. At this decade’s party,

we have lots of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s fun planned, including a DJ in the gym, games, henna, concessions, and more! Students are encouraged to dress to their favorite decade.

If your Middle School student would like to participate, students must be signed up and pay the $5 admission fee using Infinite Campus through the “School Store,” under the “Middle School Party.” The deadline to sign up on Infinite Campus and return the Code of Conduct is March 28. The Code of Conduct can be found and printed when you sign up in Infinite Campus. This needs to be reviewed with your student(s), signed and returned to Ms. Paumen in room 325. Students will not be able to attend without a signed code of conduct. (If the $5 admission fee is a hardship to your family, please reach out to pto@davincicharterschool.org.)

We are also in need of parents and families to assist with setting up, chaperoning, and cleaning up for the Middle School Party. If you are interested, please sign up online using the following SignUpGenius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054DABAD2FA0F94-49117086-middle

pdf

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Blast from the Past Code of Conduct (2).pdf

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🛼 Skate Night!

Get ready for an evening of fun on wheels! DaVinci Academy has reserved the second Tuesday of each month for our Cheap Skate Community Night, and we’d love for you to join us. Mark your calendars for:

🛼 Tuesday, April 8
🛼 Tuesday, May 13
🛼 Tuesday, June 10
📍 5:00–7:30 PM

All DaVinci families are welcome to come out, skate, and enjoy time together! Best of all, 100% of online ticket proceeds go directly to the PTO, supporting our school community.

🎟 Admission: $7.75 (skate rental available for an additional fee)

🔗 Get your tickets here

Skate Night Tickets

📡 Other PTO News

The PTO Executive Board is seeking candidates for the Vice President and Treasurer positions!

Please visit http://tinyurl.com/DVAPTOcandidate to nominate yourself or another person (with

their permission). Please review the PTO bylaw sections noted on the form for more

information about voting, PTO elections, and role responsibilities.

The next public PTO meeting is Monday, March 24 at 4:30 pm in Ms. Severson’s room (#304).

Hope to see you there!

🎲 Board Game Night

Join Us for Family Night In: Board Game Edition on April 10!

The Equity Committee is excited to invite all DaVinci Academy families to our upcoming Family Night In: Board Game Edition on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This event is a wonderful opportunity to gather as a community, enjoy a night of games, and strengthen connections with fellow families.

To make this event accessible to all, we are seeking donations for concessions so that attendees can enjoy snacks and refreshments without any cost. Our goal is to provide each guest with one slice of pizza, one cookie, one drink, and one bag of chips. If your family can contribute, we would greatly appreciate your support! Please visit our Sign-Up Genius link to see how you can help make this event a success.

Mark your calendars for an evening filled with laughter, friendly competition, and community spirit. We can’t wait to see you there!

For questions or more information, please contact: Sara Sweeney & Hannah Bierbrauer Equity Committee, DaVinci Academy

🏌🏻 Spring Golf Scramble

Save the Date!!!

Mark your calendars for a fun day on the course at DaVinci Academy’s Spring Golf Scramble! Gather your team and join us for a great day of golf - all to support our awesome school. Everyone is welcome regardless of golf ability.

📅 Friday, May 16, 2025
⛳ Refuge Golf Course
🏌️ Noon Start

REGISTRATION DETAILS COMING SOON!