DaVinci Connection

Greetings, DaVinci families!

We have successfully completed our first week of school, and I am thrilled to say everything went extremely well. For a school of our size, we saw minimal breakdowns in our operations and systems. A big shout-out to the DaVinci leadership team for ensuring a smooth start to our first week back. If you experienced any hiccups, we sincerely apologize and will do our best to ensure everything is addressed and ready for the remainder of the year.

I also want to acknowledge our teaching and support staff, who created warm and welcoming spaces for our students. From General Education to Special Education, and including our Food Service, Operations, and Maintenance departments—everyone worked tirelessly to create strong connections and safe, comfortable learning spaces throughout our building. As we continue forward this year, communication will be my top priority. If you ever need to chat or connect, please do not hesitate to reach out.

I am already seeing the bright future we have at DaVinci Academy, and I am excited to refocus on getting back to the academic excellence we experienced not so long ago. Thank you for trusting us with your children each day. We do not take this trust lightly.

With my gratitude,

Antonio Kuklok

Executive Director

DaVinci Academy's Fall Musical: Frankie Builds Androids! 🎭

Our Middle School students auditioned for Frankie Builds Androids today, and now it's time for Grades 4-5 to show their talent! Auditions for Grades 4-5 will be held in the PAC on Monday, August 19, from 3:30-5:00 PM. Interested students must attend this audition date. Callbacks will take place on Tuesday, August 20, from 3:30-5:00 PM in the Performing Arts Center, if needed.

Roles will be offered on Wednesday, August 21, with the cast list posted on Thursday, August 22. Families of students who receive a role should log in to their Infinite Campus Parent Portal account to pay the associated fee through the Infinite Campus School Store. Fees must be paid in full by September 20.

Don’t miss this chance to shine on stage!

Registration for most Fall after-school activities will be open August 20-30. Review activity options on our school website here. Register for activities offered by DaVinci Academy faculty and staff using the School Store in Infinite Campus. Activities offered by community partners will need to be registered for and paid for through them. (Taekwondo is an OFF-SITE activity.) Questions about after-school activities should be directed to Ms. Kresh.

Welcome back returning families and a big warm welcome to our new Davinci families. Going back to school is an exciting time of year, but it can also bring up a variety of feelings for students and parents. The Mental Health Team is here to help provide support. Please call or email one of the contacts below if you believe your student would benefit from additional support for a successful start to the school year.

Check out this article from Child Mind Institute to help the transition back to school.

DaVinci Academy Mental Health Team,

Phoenix Hathaway

K-4 School Counselor

(763) 754-6577 ext. 1203

phathaway@davincicharterschool.org

Diana Muske

5-8 School Counselor

(763) 754-6577 ext. 1310

dmuske@davincicharterschool.org

We're excited to introduce you to "The Options Room" for the 2024 -2025 school year. The Options Room serves as a pivotal and collaborative space within our school, offering students a nurturing environment to take ownership of their actions and engage in reflection, reset, and constructive problem-solving.

Here, students are empowered to reflect on their behavior, strategize for future success, and cultivate positive connections with their peers and adult mentors. It embodies a proactive approach to student support, fostering a culture of accountability and growth. Within these walls, individuals are encouraged to learn from their mistakes, develop resilience, and embrace opportunities for personal development. "The Options Room" stands as a beacon of empowerment, guiding students toward self-discovery and fostering a sense of community within our school environment.

If you have any questions about this flexible learning space, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jake Otterness, our Dean of Students. We look forward to a year of great learning and growth.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the community and supporting arts and education? Join the DaVinci Academy Gala Committee! We're seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to help plan and execute one of our most important fundraising events of the year. Whether you have experience in event planning, fundraising, or just a love for bringing people together, we welcome your talents and ideas.

Sign up using the form below and be a part of creating an unforgettable evening that will benefit our students and school programs. We can't wait to collaborate with you!

Show your DaVinci pride this school year! The DaVinci Spirit Wear store is now open, offering a range of gear to help you kick off the year in style. From t-shirts to hoodies, there’s something for everyone to showcase their school spirit.

Be sure to place your order by August 23 at midnight. Please note that all sales are final, with no exchanges.

You can pick up your orders at the main office from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, starting Tuesday, September 13. If you choose to have your order shipped, it will be sent out on September 13.

We are looking for parents/guardians, students, and stakeholders who are interested in joining our Equity Team! This is an opportunity for all members of our community to be involved in promoting equity in our school. Equity is defined as the quality of being fair and impartial; it meets people where they’re at and provides them with the appropriate resources to help them flourish. Equity is important because it allows all members of our community to thrive. This team meets monthly (after or before school TBD) and assists in volunteering for our equity events!

Last year, our equity committee helped with community events, and this year, we have 3 equity committee community events! Some of our goals this year include a picnic and play event, a bigger family heritage night, a family game night, and possibly collaborating with PTO to do a staff talent show. We also would like to collaborate with families to facilitate presentations for heritage months!

Please complete the survey below if you are interested. To be considered for the Committee, please apply for this group by September 1, 2024.

Please reach out to Mrs. Sweeney or Ms. Brierbrauer with any questions.

• Aug. 19 — Fall Musical Auditions (Grades 4-5) 3:30-5:00 PM
• Aug. 20 — Fall Musical Callbacks (if needed) 3:30-5:00 PM
• Aug. 20-30 — Fall Activities Registration
• Aug. 26 — School Board Meeting
• Sept. 2-3 — No School
• Sept. 6 — Picture Day