DaVinci Connection
January 9, 2026
Gratitude, Reflection, and Goals for the New Year
As we begin a new calendar year and reach the midpoint of our school year, it’s a natural time to pause, reflect, and look ahead with intention. The end of the semester offers an opportunity to celebrate how much our students have grown, while also setting meaningful goals for the months ahead.
We want to express sincere gratitude to our families for your partnership and support. Your encouragement at home, communication with teachers, and belief in your children make a powerful difference. When students know the adults in their lives are working together, they feel supported, confident, and ready to learn.
Thank you for the trust you place in our school and for the many ways you contribute to our community. We look forward to continuing this journey together, supporting our learners as they grow, stretch, and succeed in the months ahead.
Wishing you a healthy, hopeful, and inspiring start to the new year.
In partnership~
Dr. Murphy
Elementary Principal
Character Education
This month is all about perseverance. One way to think about perseverance is “pushing yourself through challenges and obstacles.” We all experience challenges in our lives. We all have moments when we feel like we can’t do it or that we want to give up on a big task. It is important to develop tools that help us work through those challenges in order to grow in those moments instead of giving up.
Students can practice perseverance by using TOP Goals:
TOP stands for…
● Target: Visualize your goal and think about why this is important for you.
● Obstacles: Plan for challenges. If _____ gets in the way, then what can you do?
● Plan: Create 3 action steps you will need to take to complete your goal. This technique helps students persevere through challenges and equips them to achieve their goals.
Students who consistently demonstrate Perseverance throughout the month of January may be nominated to receive a Character Award!
Award recipients and their caregivers will be invited to enjoy Pastries with the Principals to celebrate their positive example of perseverance.
The PTO Buzz 🐝
A Huge THANK YOU!
Butter Braid & Pizza Fundraiser
We are so grateful to everyone who supported our Butter Braids & Pizza Fundraiser!
Thanks to your generosity, we raised an unofficial total of $3,260 for the PTO!
These funds will help make a big impact — supporting future PTO-sponsored events like the
Middle School Party and the End-of-Year Carnival, as well as providing classroom resources
for our amazing teachers.
Once again, thank you for making this fundraiser such a success — we couldn’t have done it
without you!
January DaVinner
Hold tight! Our team is busy putting together an all new DaVinner experience at PotBelly
Sandwich Shop in Coon Rapids! Full details coming soon – don’t miss out!
CheapSkate
Lace up those skates and roll into an evening of fun, laughter, and community! Bring your family, bring your friends—let’s make memories on wheels!
📆Date: Tuesday, January 13th
⏰Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍Location: Cheap Skate – Coon Rapids, MN
💵Admission: $7.75 (skate rental extra)
✨ 100% of online ticket sales go directly to the PTO!
Tickets must be purchased online before the event to support DaVinci Academy.
Bonus! If you skate on any Tuesday and mention “DaVinci Academy,” our PTO earns an extra 15% of admission sales!
Next PTO Meeting
Join us for our next PTO public meeting on January 26th at 4:30 PM in Ms. Severson's room (#304)
Let’s make our 2026 events unforgettable—together! We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help with our Middle School Party and Carnival Committees. Every helping hand brings us closer to an amazing celebration!
For more information, send an email to pto@davincicharterschool.org.
Mental Health Minute
Healthy Habits for the Whole Family
The beginning of the new year is a great time to refresh routines and build healthy habits that support your child’s learning and well-being.
Here are a few simple ideas to get started:
Start the day with a nutritious breakfast to support energy and focus
Establish a consistent and healthy sleep routine
Set up a designated learning space that is calm and organized
Create a schedule for your child’s afternoon work or homework time
Use your child’s planner or another system to stay organized and on task
Schedule regular movement breaks
Encourage social connection with peers through play, clubs, or shared activities
Remember to have fun—healthy habits are most successful when they feel positive and manageable for the whole family
Small steps, practiced consistently, can lead to big changes over time.
McKinney-Vento Support
Every Child Belongs in School
No matter where your family is staying right now, your child has the right to attend school and feel supported. This includes families who may be temporarily living in shelters, motels, cars, campgrounds, or with friends or relatives, as well as youth who are not currently living with a parent or guardian.
Students experiencing housing challenges can:
Start school right away, even if some paperwork is missing
Continue attending their school of origin if that is best for them
Receive support such as transportation, meals, and other helpful services
Support is available to help your child feel safe, connected, and successful at school.
If you’re interested to learn if you qualify, please click here for a housing survey.
If you know someone else who may qualify, please click here for a referral form.
Please reach out with any questions!
District Liaison for Students Experiencing Homelessness:
Phoenix Hathaway, MA (she/her)
Licensed School Counselor
763-754-6577 ext. 1203
📅 January Events
January 11-Bach to Rock Bachapalooza Event 10-4pm
January 15-Art & Music Showcase 6-8pm
January 19-NO SCHOOL Office Closed
January 20-NO SCHOOL-Teacher grading day
January 21-Multilingual Learners Family Night 6:30-8:30
January 22-Middle School Information Night. *For Prospective Families
January 26-PTO Meeting 4:30-5:30
January 26-Board Meeting 6-9pm
January 28-Elementary School Information Night 6:30-8pm *For Prospective Families
January 29-STEAM Night 6:30-8pm