DaVinci Connection

At DaVinci Academy, our commitment to “Lead with Kindness, Learn with Purpose” shows up in the way students treat one another and care for their community. Being part of a community means thinking about how our words and actions affect others. Middle school is a time when students are still developing empathy and learning how their words and actions affect others. Our staff has been working with students to strengthen those skills encouraging them to take responsibility for their choices, support their peers, and help create a positive environment for everyone. Families play an important role in strengthening these skills. Simple conversations at home can make a big difference. Here are some things you can try at home:

Talk about daily choices
Ask your student questions like:

• “How did you help someone today?”

• “Did you notice anyone who might have needed support?”

• “What is one way you showed kindness at school today?”

Encourage ownership
When mistakes happen, help students focus on what they can control:

• What happened?

• Who might have been affected?

• What could you do to make it right?

Connect actions to community
Remind students that small choices matter. Picking up something that isn’t theirs, including others, or using respectful language all help create the kind of school community we want for everyone.

We know these lessons are most powerful when school and home work together, and we appreciate families reinforcing the importance of kindness, accountability, and community with their students.

This month, we are focusing on cooperation — working together to reach shared goals.

Cooperation helps children build positive relationships, strengthen communication skills, and learn how to be part of a team. Whether in the classroom, at home, or on the playground, practicing cooperation teaches students how to listen, share ideas, and problem-solve with others.

How to Encourage Cooperation at Home:

• Model teamwork. Let your child see adults working together respectfully to complete tasks or solve problems.
  
  

• Assign shared responsibilities. Give siblings or family members a task to complete together, such as setting the table or cleaning up toys.
  
  

• Practice turn-taking. Use board games or conversations to reinforce patience and listening skills.
  
  

• Encourage problem-solving. If conflicts arise, guide your child to ask, “How can we solve this together?”
  
  

• Celebrate teamwork. Acknowledge when your child works well with others: “I noticed how you helped your sister — that’s great cooperation!”
  
  

By practicing cooperation at home, you are helping your child develop essential life skills that encourage success. Thank you for partnering with us to build strong, collaborative learners!

Students who consistently demonstrate cooperation throughout the month of March 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 cooperation.

Part two of the cold and flu season is making its way through our community. We are currently seeing a number of cases of Influenza B, and other seasonal illnesses among students and families. The good news is that it appears we are starting to move toward the downslide of the season, and we hope that all are well to enjoy our upcoming spring break.

A quick reminder about our attendance policy: if your student is absent for 3 consecutive school days, they must either return with a doctor’s note or you should connect with the Health Office to discuss the absence. At the same time, we recognize that some illnesses, especially influenza, can take 7 to 10 days for students to fully recover. If your child is still recovering, please feel free to reach out to the Health Office so we can help support a smooth and appropriate return to school.

If your student is sick, a few simple steps can help support a quicker recovery:

• Lots of rest and sleep to allow the body to heal

• Plenty of fluids (water, electrolyte drinks, broths, etc.) to prevent dehydration

• Nutritious foods as tolerated

• Good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes to prevent spreading illness to others

Please remember that students cannot return to school until they have been fever-free, vomit-free, and/or diarrhea-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication. This helps protect both your student and the broader school community.

As always, our Health Office phone line and inbox are open, and we are happy to answer questions or help guide you if you are unsure whether your child is ready to return to school.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students healthy and learning.

Cassie Johnson, BSN, RH, PHN

School Nurse

Office: (763) 754-6577, ext. 1110

cjohnson@davincicharterschool.org