DaVinci Connection

May 2, 2025

⛳ Spring Golf Scramble

Time is Running Out - Sign-Up Today! - REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 8

Last chance to register for DaVinci Academy’s Spring Golf Scramble! Join us for a great day of golf - all to support our awesome school.

📝 REGISTER TODAY! - REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 8

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

Standard Ticket - $100/golfer: Includes golf, driving range, dinner, on-course games (longest drive, closest to the pin, longest put, etc)

Super Ticket - $125/golfer: Includes all standard registration items - PLUS BONUS ITEMS: 2 Mulligans, 10 Raffle Tickets, $10,000 Hole-in-One Opportunity.

Awesome Raffle Prizes: Taylor Made Driver, Wilson Putter, Golf Bag, Range Finder, GPS Watch, and MORE!

DaVinci Academy Spring Scramble Registration

Please click the link to complete this form.

form.jotform.com

📝 Principals Post

Wrapping Up MCA Testing

As we step into May, it’s hard to believe the end of the school year is just around the corner! This time of year brings both a sense of accomplishment and excitement as we wrap up our final weeks together.

First, we want to recognize the incredible efforts our students have shown during MCA testing. They’ve worked hard, stayed focused, and demonstrated resilience—and we couldn’t be prouder of them. Thank you to our teachers and families for the support and encouragement you’ve provided. FastBridge testing is coming up for grades K–3, and MAP testing for grades 4–8.

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to celebrate Science Week! This is always a highlight of the spring, as students dive into hands-on learning and explore the world around them through experiments, activities, and discovery. It’s a wonderful reminder that learning goes beyond the classroom and sparks curiosity. Thank you to our Science Week committee for planning this year’s events.

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week

Staff and Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5–9. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the incredible people who make DaVinci a great place to spend the day. Our teachers and staff nurture, guide, and care for our students with dedication and grace. Let’s take a moment to share our gratitude and show them how much they are appreciated. I encourage you to reach out with any positive messages.

As the year winds down, we remain committed to finishing strong. May is the perfect time to encourage your child to continue striving for their best. Academic excellence isn’t just about grades—it’s about the growth we see in confidence, effort, and perseverance. Thank you for being our partners in learning and for all you do to support our school community. We are grateful for each and every one of our students and families.

👸 Cinderella and the Substitute Fairy Godmother

Public Performances Next Week!

It's the night of the royal ball and Cinderella must get to the palace if she is ever to meet her one true love, Prince Charmfull. But when she calls for her Fairy Godmother, it turns out that some bad potato salad has given all the Fairy Godmothers food poisoning. Enter Lucretia Fossilwart, scented candle saleswoman and Substitute Fairy Godmother. This will not end well. (Or will it?)

The 5th through 8th grade cast and crew are excited to welcome you to the community performances of our spring play: Cinderella and The Substitute Fairy Godmother.

Show Times

Friday, May 9 at 6:30 PM
Saturday, May 10, at 11:00 AM

We hope to see you there!

💡 May's Character Trait - Creativity

Creativity is a vital character trait that empowers children to think outside the box, solve problems in unique ways, and express themselves with confidence and imagination.

Between the ages of 5 and 14, children are especially receptive to developing their creative abilities as they explore the world and form their identities.

Parents can nurture creativity by encouraging open-ended play, providing access to diverse materials for art, music, and storytelling, and creating a home environment where questions, experimentation, and even mistakes are welcomed as part of the learning process. Limiting screen time in favor of hands-on activities, involving children in imaginative discussions, and praising effort over outcomes can also reinforce creative thinking. By modeling curiosity and flexibility themselves, parents lay the groundwork for their children to grow into innovative and adaptable individuals.

Students may receive a character award and recognition for displaying this trait at school during May.

📣 PTO News

🌱 GERTEN’S PLANT PICK-UP

If you purchased plants through the Gerten’s fundraiser, order pick-up will be on Monday, May 5, right here at DaVinci. The estimated pick-up window is 4:30–6:00 p.m. (Please note: we currently only have a delivery window. If the delivery runs late, we’ll post an updated time via Bloomz.)

When you arrive, please drive past the East Door to the athletic field, where a member of the PTO will assist you. We are unable to store unclaimed plants, so please arrange for someone to pick up your order if you are unavailable.

Questions? Email the PTO at pto@davincicharterschool.org. We look forward to seeing you on Monday!

🛼 Cheap Skate Night

Mark your calendars—Tuesday, May 13 is DaVinci’s next Cheap Skate Community Night! We’ve booked the second Tuesday of each month through the end of the school year.

Join us from 5:00–7:30 p.m. on May 13 and June 10 for an evening of skating and fun. When you purchase tickets online, 100% of proceeds go directly to the PTO! Admission is $7.75, with skate rental available for an additional fee.

BUY TICKETS

🍔 MAY DAVINNER

Thanks to everyone who supported April’s DaVinner at Culver’s! Stayed tuned for May’s DaVinner, we will share the details as soon as it becomes available.

🎪 END-OF-YEAR CARNIVAL

Get ready—the End-of-Year Carnival is coming! Join us on Friday, June 6, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., for a fun-filled event hosted by the PTO. Enjoy carnival games, bounce houses, food trucks, a DJ, and more!

Volunteers make this event possible—stay tuned for details on how you can help make it a success.

🗳 EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION UPDATE

Per PTO bylaws, all Executive Board Officers serve two-year terms. This year, the positions of Vice President and Treasurer are up for re-election. The nomination window has now closed, and voting will take place at the May 19 Public PTO Meeting.

A BIG thank you to Treasurer Chrissy Rosenberg for her service on the Board—she will not be seeking re-election.

🙂 Mental Health Minute

May is Mental Health Month—Let’s Talk About It!

Mental Health Month is the perfect time to shine a light on something that touches all of us: how we think, feel, and cope with life’s ups and downs.

Children—especially those between the ages of 5 and 14—are growing, learning, and feeling a lot. They need our support now more than ever. The good news? You don’t need to be a mental health expert to make a meaningful difference. With a little intention and a lot of love, everyday moments can help your child feel safe, confident, and cared for.

Here are five simple (and powerful!) ways to support your child’s mental health:

Create a Safe, Predictable Routine - Children feel secure when they know what to expect. Consistent mealtimes, bedtimes, and time for homework or play can create a sense of comfort and stability.
Talk Openly About Feelings - Encourage your child to name and share their emotions. A simple check-in like, “What was the best and hardest part of your day?” helps build emotional awareness and trust.
Model Healthy Coping Skills - Let your child see you manage stress in healthy ways—whether it’s taking deep breaths, pausing to rest, or asking for help when you need it.
Limit Screen Time, Encourage Connection - Too much screen time can increase anxiety and affect sleep. Set healthy limits and prioritize face-to-face time, outdoor play, and shared family activities.
Know When to Seek Help - If you notice lasting changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or appetite, it’s okay to reach out—to a teacher, counselor, or mental health professional. Getting help early can make a big difference.

Caring for Your Own Mental Health

Supporting your child starts with supporting yourself. Parenting is incredibly rewarding—but it can also be exhausting. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Taking time to care for your own well-being isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Try to rest when you can, eat nourishing foods, and create small moments for yourself, even if it’s just a quiet cup of tea or a short walk. Talk to a friend, and don’t hesitate to seek professional support if you need it. When you care for your own mental health, you’re showing your child that it matters—for everyone.

Remember: emotional health is built over time, through love, support, and consistent communication. Every caring word, every shared moment, and every bit of understanding counts.

Have a great month—and thank you for all you do.