Dragon Tales

Spring Break is finally here! I know our students and staff are all excited for the break ahead of us. I hope everyone can find creative ways to rest, relax and recharge before the final push to the end of the year. That said, I would encourage all students to find a way to keep their brains sharp. Please encourage them to spend a little time each day reading, drawing, playing music, or finding other ways to keep those creative juices flowing.

Speaking of creative juices, this week was full of creativity. On Thursday, before the dance, I got the honor of seeing some of our students' artwork on display in the Superintendent's hall at the district office (see pictures below). Our work was displayed along with work by other students from across the district. Call me biased, but I thought our student's work was the best in show!

I also got to experience my first da Vinci school dance. It was spectacular. A huge shoutout to all the staff who help put the dance on and the many parent volunteers who showed up to help out. I've attended many middle school dances during my 22-year career in education. It shouldn't have come as a surprise that at a school where students take dance for PE credit, so many of them were out burning holes on the dance floor! Students reported having a blast...but I sure hope they all went home and showered! There were a lot of sweaty kids in the gym yesterday.

Lastly, our Quarter 3 Talent Show on Friday afternoon was spectacular. The acts included piano solos, monologues, duets, class performances and movie showcases. I've said it before, but will say it again, "Our students are so talented!" I've included a few photos below of these amazing acts.

Again, I wish everyone a great break. Please help your student get a good night's sleep on Sunday, March 30th and if they try to tell you that there is no school on Monday, April 1st... they're trying to pull an April 1st joke on you. We'll see everyone back here on Monday, April 1st.

Best,

Mr. Roosevelt

We still have a handful of families who have not turned in their paperwork for Outdoor School. ODS is such a wonderful opportunity for students and is an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives. If you have not already done so, please get your paperwork in ASAP.

I have so greatly enjoyed working closely with our amazing PTSA this past year. Next year we will have some turnover on our PTSA Executive Board and we need some new volunteers.

My hope, is to help build up our PTSA so that the work of being on the PTSA Executive Board won't feel so daunting. While this is a volunteer opportunity, it's one that has a lasting impact on the experience of so many da Vinci students. If interested in participating, please reach click here to learn more about this amazing group!

The PTSA Plant Sale is taking pre-orders up until April 4th. Please help our amazing PTSA raise funds for our students and staff by visiting their website here.

Check out this list of PPS approved camps and programs:

• AFS-USA Student Exchange Programs

• Rec Tennis Maplewood Tennis Afterschool Zone (Apr. 9 - May 28)

• Portland Metro Fire Camp for Women (Portland Jun. 21-23, Sherwood Jul. 12-14)

• City of Portland / Rose City Self-Defense Workshop Series:

• Foster / Powell neighborhood, April 10 & 17

• Lower Albina neighborhood, Saturdays, March 16, 23, & 30

• VIBE of Portland Spring Break Camp (Mar 25-29)

• VIBE of Portland East Winds Band Camp (July 22-26)
  (Spanish) (Russian)

• VIBE of Portland Music & Digital Art Classes for Kids

• Cognizart 360 Arts Camp (July 8-12, 15-19, & 22-26)

• OSU Summer Reading Program

We have seen a slight uptick in students ordering food to be delivered during lunches. Please remind your student that this isn't allowed and creates a hardship in the office, and lunchroom, when it occurs. You are, of course, more than welcome to drop off lunch for your student, but we find that when delivery services are used it typically results in challenges.