Dragon Tales

It was so great to have the building back in full swing this week. Welcoming students into the front doors on Tuesday gave me the sense that most students had a great break, but were also excited to return to school. There's a sense of relief in the building as we look ahead to the 2nd half of the year. That relief stems from the sense that it's time for us to get back to what we do best, educate and engage da Vinci students. No longer do we have the looming cloud of a potential strike or the headaches of an extended week of school hanging over us. Those are in the past and many students and staff that I've spoken to are excited to get back to a sense of normalcy.

I'm personally excited to continue my first year here at da Vinci and see all the many amazing upcoming student performances and events that will take place between now and mid-June. While shortened, I'm excited our families will have the chance to meet with teachers during our family-teacher conferences on January 10th, 11th, 24th and 25th (see below for more info). I'm excited to start planning Outdoor School (April 7-12) for our 6th graders and to watch our 8th graders start forecasting for high school classes in the coming weeks. I'm also excited for PTSA's Live Auction on the 24th of February.

Looking forward to enjoying this journey with you and your students. Please never hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Sincerely,

Mr. Roosevelt

Family-Teacher Conferences are starting next week. See below for more info.

January 10th and 11th:

• Time = 4-7pm
• Format = Virtual
• Sign Up = Please use this link to sign up for virtual conferences
• Conference Length = 10-minutes

January 24th and 25th:

• Time = 4-7pm
• Format = In Person (teachers will be in their rooms)
• Sign Up = There is no sign up. Just visit the teacher's rooms you'd like to meet with
• Conference Length = 5-minutes

We recognize that the length of conferences on the 24th and 25th will not provide the same amount of time for in depth conversations with your student's teachers, but this is the best way to ensure that as many families as possible have the opportunity for a check in with them.

All da Vinci students will be engaged in MAPs testing January 11th and 12th. MAP data is used three times per year to assess student learning and progress in reading and mathematics. Growth data helps inform students, parents and educators about progress students are making in these core instructional areas.

The MAPs data is also a crucial piece of data for any TAG referrals/requests, math acceleration requests and for placement in high school courses. Students should take these tests seriously, and they can prepare at home through the following portal. If you would like to help your student prepare for MAP testing while at home links are here.

Please make sure your student is on time to school, brings a fully charged chromebook, is well rested and has eaten breakfast.

January 25th will be the 2nd of two districtwide late-starts for middle schools to focus on the implementation of our newly adopted Social Emotional Learning curriculum used during our Advisory classes.

On the 25th, we will open up the cafeteria for breakfast at 10:30am. All other students can enter at 10:38am and classes will begin at 10:45am. School will get out at the same time as usual.

We will continue to send out reminders about this day, but wanted to get it on everyone's calendar as soon as possible.

Hello daVinci Families!

Counselor High School Information Session Update:

Unfortunately, the High School Information Session will need to be cancelled this year, due to the changing times and formatting of conferences.

Forecasting Update:

Forecasting season is upon us, and High School Counselors from all around the district will be visiting your student in the coming months, here at daVinci.

Right now we have:

- Grant High School - January 8th during 5th period

- Cleveland High School - January 18th during 2nd period

- Roosevelt High School - January 25th (TBD)
- Franklin High School - January 30th during 3rd period

- McDaniel High School - February 8th during 5th period

What happens during these visits?

High School Counselors will give students a brief summary of the history of their high school, describe activities and clubs that they can join, expectations for the school, what credits they will need to graduate, what their weekly bell schedule will look like, and walk them through their 9th grade forecasting options.

Students will be given the option to complete their forecasting during this session, or at a later time.

Each school has a deadline that forecasting can be completed by, so it's important for your student to make an informed choice on what they would like their electives to look like for 9th grade.

If you have any questions about your students High School, please feel free to contact either Shelby Kugler (Cleveland, Franklin, Ida B. Wells and Lincoln High School) or Shannon Foxley (Grant, McDaniel and Roosevelt High School)

Your Counseling Team,

Shannon Foxley and Shelby Kugler

We are SO EXCITED to present our first dance showcase of the 2023-24 school year! The 2024 da Vinci Winter Dance Showcase will be FRIDAY, JANUARY 19th at 7:00 pm, and classes have already begun working on choreography.

ALL Semester and Year-long dance classes will be showcasing their work in a high quality, professional environment with the help of their teachers and our professional design team. In order to create our highest quality work, it is crucial that all semester and year-long dance families carefully review this packet at this link Winter Dance Showcase. This document includes a calendar of rehearsals and performances. Please do not hesitate to email Sara (smartins@pps.net) with questions.

Each year the dance department collects a suggested $10.00 donation for the dance performances to help offset the cost of costuming all of our dancers. With multiple costume pieces per performer, there are hundreds of costume pieces per show.

Please make your donation on SchoolPay under “Winter Dance Costume Donation”. Any additional money your family can donate for the cause would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your support!

Our Author Visit with Gene Luen Yang was scheduled to take place on November 7th this year. Although we were unable to have him here at a da Vinci assembly due to the strike, we will still be showing students a presentation from the author of these amazing books.

We still have both Volumes 1 & 2 of his The Books of Clash series available for purchase. Copies of the book are signed by the author, which make them even more special.

The books are set in the mobile gaming world of Clash of Clans and Clash Royale and penned by graphic artist Gene Luen Yang.

The PPS Family Advisory Council is still seeking representation from a number of schools, one of which is da Vinci.

The purpose of this group is:

1) to provide input about PPS’ Instructional Priorities and initiatives, and

2) serve as a liaison to bring information back to your site council and school community and also bring topics of interest from the school community to this district-wide council.

Importantly, the Family Advisory Council on Education provides representatives the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with others from across PPS about the teaching and learning priorities that impact their students and the entire school community.

If interested, please reach out to Mr. Roosevelt @ sroosevelt@pps.net

Please take a moment to check out the January Talking Circle Newsletter.

Looking for a good way to boost your student’s reading skills? If so, check out this opportunity through Oregon State University.