Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Upcoming Calendar Highlights
December 13- QSA- Student meeting at lunch in room 207
December 13- BSU/Students of Color meeting in room 102, 3:15 - 4:15 pm
December 13- PTSA Meeting, 7 pm, da Vinci Library, all welcome
December 14- Winter Music Concert, 7 pm
Winter Break- December 16 - January 1, back to school on January 2

2018 Mark your calendars:
January 1- Holiday, no school
January 15- Holiday, no school
January 17- Late opening, 10:45 am start
January 29- Planning day, no school
February 1- Dance 3 & 4 Showcase
February 19- Holiday, no school
February 21- Late opening, 10:45 start
March 21- Late opening, 10:45 start
March 24 - April 1- Spring Break
April 13- Planning day, no school
April 15- da Vinci Annual Auction
April 18- Late opening, 10:45 am start
April 27 & 28- Spring Dance Showcase

We’re counting just a few days until Winter Break but each day is packed full. Remember to call the main office line, 503-916-5356 if your student will be out sick or for whatever reason missing school. On Wednesday and Friday this week we have special schedules with an assembly at the end of each day. If you plan to pick up your student early, please call ahead because we cannot easily find them in the auditorium.

PTSA Meeting Wednesday, 7 pm in the da Vinci Library
The PTSA will welcome the Oregon PTA Committee Chair of Diversity and Inclusion, Jaime Cale for a presentation as part of the general meeting. All are welcome to attend and join the discussion.

Music Concert December 14 at 7 pm, da Vinci Auditorium
All Band groups, Choir and African Drumming will be presenting their Winter Concert Thursday, December 14 at 7 pm. All are welcome. A $5 suggested donation will be collected at the door- pay what you are able with proceeds going to the Music Program. If you can help out, sign up on the Signup Genius site. The call time for students is 6:30 and they should report to the cafeteria. The doors will open around 6:30 to the auditorium.

Lost and Found and Locker Clean Out
It’s cold outside! Don’t leave your coats in the Lost and Found over the break. PLEASE COME IN AND SEARCH FOR YOUR STUFF. Just sign in in the office if you are here during the school day. There are lots of nice coats in a heap. On Friday morning, we will have scheduled time for students to clean out lockers and pack up stuff to take home. Please send a bag to transport items and talk to your student about how they are taking things home.

A Christmas Carol by Portland Playhouse and PTSA Fundraising Opportunity
If you order a regular priced ticket and see this classic at Portland Playhouse, using a code when ordering, da Vinci PTSA will earn $10 of each ticket. The play runs December 3 - 30 but the offer does not apply from December 17-24th. Look for information and tickets at www.portlandplayhouse.org or call 503-488-5822. Use the code DAVINCI when ordering.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Upcoming Calendar Highlights
December 7- da Vinci day at PTA Clothing Center, volunteers needed
December 7- Dance Showcase dress rehearsal, 3:15 and 5:00
December 8- Dance 1 & 2 Showcase, shows at 5:30 and 7 pm, see below for performances
December 13- PTSA Meeting, 7 pm, da Vinci Library, all welcome
December 14- Winter Music Concert, 7 pm
Winter Break- December 16 - January 1, back to school on January 2

2018 Mark your calendars:
January 1- Holiday, no school
January 15- Holiday, no school
January 17- Late opening, 10:45 am start
January 29- Planning day, no school
February 1- Dance 3 & 4 Showcase
February 19- Holiday, no school
February 21- Late opening, 10:45 start
March 21- Late opening, 10:45 start
March 24 - April 1- Spring Break
April 13- Planning day, no school
April 15- da Vinci Annual Auction
April 18- Late opening, 10:45 am start
April 27 & 28- Spring Dance Showcase

Arts Fair Thank You!
Many thanks to the organizing committee, artists, shoppers and all the volunteers who showed up to helpm- from baking cookies to hauling furniture back at the end of the day. The event was a great success and ran without a hitch.

PTA Clothing Center Volunteer Day Tomorrow
One person from da Vinci is going so far and they ask that the school send 5-6 volunteers twice a year to help staff the center. If you can help out tomorrow anytime between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, let Sheli know or sign up and go for it. The Clothing Center is all-volunteer run, located at Grant High School (Marshall campus, 3905 SE 91st Ave.) and open twice a week to serve students throughout the district who need support. Volunteers help sort donations or are assigned to be a shopping assistant to families who come in for help. If there are not enough volunteers, families can get turned away. It is a fun and rewarding volunteer job and extremely valuable resource for many families in our district.

Dance Showcase this Friday da Vinci Auditorium
All dance students in levels 1 and 2 will be showcasing their classwork in an informal performance on Friday in one of two shows. The rehearsal and showcase are graded. The show is free, but donations will be accepted to offset costs- any amount appreciated.

Show A: Dance 1/Period 3 and Dance 2/Period 4
Rehearsal on Thursday, December 7 at 3:15 - 4:45 pm.
Performance time on Friday, December 8 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Call time is 5:00 pm.

Show B: Dance 1/Period 1, Dance 1/Period 6, Dance 2/Period 3
Rehearsal on Thursday, December 7 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.
Performance on Friday, December 8 from 7 - 8:00 pm. Call time for students is 6:30. The auditorium will open after the Show A crowd exits.

Music Concert December 14 at 7 pm, da Vinci Auditorium
All Band groups, Choir and African Drumming will be presenting their Winter Concert Thursday, December 14 at 7 pm. All are welcome. A $5 suggested donation will be collected at the door- pay what you are able with proceeds going to the Music Program. If you can help out, sign up on the Signup Genius site.
P:ear Drive Continues through this week
As a service community project, our LEO Leader students are conducting a drive for the P:ear organization, collecting hats, gloves and scarves. We are aiming for 90% participation measured in 1st period classes with an incentive. Anyone who brings in a donation or $1 will count toward the goal. For more information about P:ear, see their website.

Clay Club is Coming Back
Who: 3D art students or da Vinci students who have taken at least one term of 3D art and want more time to work with clay.
When: 3:30 - 4:45 pm Mondays starting January 8 through April 23
Where: 3D art studio at da Vinci
 Middle School
Description: Da Vinci parents Anne Taylor and Alison Hardin will keep the clay studio open for up to 15 clay students interested in extending their time with clay. The prerequisite for participation is at least one term of 3D art and a letter of intent from the student.   Students should be self-driven to spend much of their clay club time working on their own clay projects.  Students will also spend several meetings working on a large collaborative sculptural peace pole project lead by Alison Hardin.  $10-$30 donations are accepted to help pay the school for clay and glazing materials that are used.
Sign Up on Sign up Genius Required by 12/14/17
Limited to 15 students with clay experience and based on Kelda's recommendation and letter of intent.
Students send letter of intent to Alison Hardin alisonbhardin@gmail.com
The letter of intent should introduce the students (grade and clay experience) and describe why they are interested in the club and the type of work they would like to explore.
Questions to Alison at 503-830-3079.
Families will be notified by 1/3/18 if their student is in clay club.
A Christmas Carol by Portland Playhouse and PTSA Fundraising Opportunity
If you order a regular priced ticket and see this classic at Portland Playhouse, using a code when ordering, da Vinci PTSA will earn $10 of each ticket. The play runs December 3 - 30 but the offer does not apply from December 17-24th. Look for information and tickets at www.portlandplayhouse.org or call 503-488-5822. Use the code DAVINCI when ordering.

Digital Detox Class
The CENTER in N Portland is offering a Winter Break DIGITAL DETOX session for students in 7th-10th grades. This is a free opportunity to spend time analyzing and understanding screen use. Space is limited. They will also be offering an ongoing, Sunday group at The CENTER on Sundays following Winter Break. Stay tuned for details on that.