Upcoming Calendar Highlights

November 3 - No school, Teacher planning/grading day, end of quarter 1

November 7, 8, 9 - Family-Teacher Conferences

Note- Conferences are after school on the 7th and there is no school on November 8 and 9.  November 10 - No school, Veteran’s Day

November 15, 16, 17, 19 - da Vinci Drama and the Fall Festival of Shakespeare present Romeo and Juliet, tickets available at the door and online link coming soon

November 22, 23, 24 - No school, Thanksgiving break

Family-Teacher Conference times & Sign-Up

Tuesday, November 7th EVENING 4:15pm – 8:15pm  (after school)

Wednesday, November 8th DAYTIME 8:15am – 3:45pm (no school for students) Thursday, November 9th DAY/EVE 8:15am – 8:15pm (no school for students)

The link and information about conferences is on our website.  

Meals Sign-up for Teachers During Conferences

Our teachers work long days during these conferences. If you can contribute to morning treats or a meal on Thursday, please use this Sign-up and let us know what you can bring. Teachers really appreciate this support and nourishment.

Security Tip and Regarding Personal Belongings

Please make sure your student has a lock for their locker and have a conversation about the importance of keeping their belongings secured in locked lockers. Families are welcome to come in and check the lost and found for personal belongings that end up there. There are MANY jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes and a few other assorted items. Phones and other small items are regularly found and turned into the office. We currently have a found dental appliance, a few keys and assorted jewelry in the office. We would love a volunteer to help clean up and organize the lost and found area in the cafeteria.  

In Need of Clean Beanbag Chairs

Do you have beanbag chairs that you no longer need?  We are looking for 4 to 6 beanbag chairs to create a lounge workspace for students. If you have a beanbag chair in good condition to donate please drop it off in the office.

It's TAG Nomination Time!

If you would like to have your student tested for potential TAG identification, nomination forms are now available in the front hall (next to the auditorium doors) or online.  Forms are due back by November 12th and can be turned in to the office. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Young.  More information can be found on the PPS Talented and Gifted website.

PPS High School Lottery Application

8th Grade Families - The PPS High School Lottery application window for Benson HS and Jefferson is Nov.13 - Dec.1.  For information on info sessions/tours for all PPS high schools, please see Katie’s website.

13th Annual da Vinci Arts Fair

• 5 weeks to go — Dec 2nd.  Save the date! Tell your friends!
• It’s time now for student and alumni student artists to register. Forms will be in the office on Monday.
• Musicians! Help us create some ambience. Volunteer, acoustic performers wanted for 15-45 minute slots at the event. Students welcome. Email us at davinciartsfairlove@gmail.com.
• Questions?  Our Information Sheet is brimming with answers! 
• Share us, like us, follow us on social media:
• Facebook
• Instagram

PTSA in search of volunteer for to help with Taxes

The deadline is coming up. As a nonprofit organization, the PTSA is required to complete taxes. Thank you to Judy Holmes for working on the audit. If you have tax preparation experience, please contact the Treasurer, Maggie Vera.

Upcoming Calendar Highlights

Ongoing - Dragon Bench repair project, volunteers welcome, see sign up below

October 23 - Due date for Run for Arts forms, shirt orders, monies

October 23 - Spanish after school starts with Kids Like Languages, room 102, 3:20

October 24 -  Pizzicato Dough for Dollars!, Laurelhurst, Dine out for Foundation

October 26 - QSA Meeting, 3:20 - 4:20 in cafeteria

November 3 -  No school, Teacher planning day, end of quarter 1

November 7, 8, 9 - Family-Teacher Conferences

Note- Conferences are after school on the 7th and there is no school on November 8 and 9. November 10 - No school, Veteran’s Day

November 15, 16, 17, 18 (or 19, TBD )-  da Vinci Drama and the Fall Festival of 

Shakespeare present, Romeo and Juliet

November 22, 23, 24 -  No school, Thanksgiving break

Important Safety and Security Reminders

With rainy weather and shorter days, traffic patterns are inevitably more challenging. In the last week, the office received several complaints and letters of concern about the student safety at drop off and pick up times. We need to remind everyone driving around the school to drive safely and courteously. We don’t want anyone to get hurt and we want to be good neighbors.

Our school rules of being Safe, Fair and Friendly apply to all of us. Thanks for your help.

• Drive slowly and yield to pedestrians.
• Pull up to the curb when dropping off students and have them exit car curbside.
• Don’t park in front of the fire hydrant zone and don’t block driveways.
• Be patient and don’t honk your horn- it’s driving neighbors crazy.
• Drive EAST in front of the school on Everett.

We also need family support in dealing with recent security issues. Many thanks to the students who have come forward with helpful information. We hope everyone will have a family conversation about the importance of care and respect for our collective community.

Eat Pizza at Pizzicato, Laurelhurst location, 28th & E. Burnside, Tuesday, October 24

Our wonderful neighbor and perennial supporter, Pizzicato, will once again donate 20% of the proceeds of the day to our da Vinci Foundation. Pick up lunch or dinner or purchase gift cards for another day. You can pre-order and take out, or even order par-baked pizzas to finish off later. They are open from 11 am to 9 pm and here’s the menu. 

Run for the Arts, Funds Due Monday, October 23th

Thanks again to all the families who have used the online platform for fundraising. Our new online total is $9,232! Please turn in the paper pledge form with monies collected (make checks out to Young Audiences or Run for the Arts) to the office on Monday if your student wants a t-shirt ordered. You can still set up an online page to share with your friends and family. This is an easy and effective way to ask for contributions.

Dragon Bench Restoration

The Dragon Bench is really shaping up! Students are still working next week on cement. The weather should be better and having a few more adults on hand would be great.  Here is the Signup if you can come in and help out.

We'd like to send a huge THANK YOU to the growing list of businesses who have enthusiastically donated materials for the dragon restoration project. These contributions have been essential to helping us stay within our budget.

3M

Beaumont Hardware

Home Depot

Mr. Plywood

SCRAP

You Realty

MCR Safety

NE Portland Tool Library

It's TAG nomination time!

If you would like to have your student tested for potential TAG identification, nomination forms are now available in the front hall (next to the auditorium doors) or online.  Forms are due back by November 12th and can be turned in to the office. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Young.

Family-Teacher Conference times & Sign-Up update

Save the dates for fall conference times:

Tuesday evening, November 7th from 4:15pm – 8:15pm

Wednesday daytime, November 8th from 8:15am – 3:45pm

Thursday day/evening, November 9th from 8:15am – 8:15pm

Due to positive feedback over the last 2 years, da Vinci will again schedule Family-Teacher Conferences online. Like last year, the online Sign-Up is scheduled to open two weeks before conferences, on Tuesday October 24th at 5:30pm. On that Tuesday, we will supply detailed information as a post on our website and also send a separate email, via the usual daVinci-family-mailman-list-serv. If you’re seeing this, your email is on the list! A reminder that families must coordinate sign-ups with all parent/guardians as there is only ONE Conference spot per teacher for each student. Please also keep your eyes open for a Teacher nourishment SignUp to keep our teachers going during Conferences. We know we have such a giving and supportive family community and THANK YOU in advance for helping us give back to our teachers.

8th Grade Families - The PPS High School Lottery application window for Benson HS and Jefferson HS for this year is Nov.13 - Dec.1.  

For information on info sessions/tours for all PPS high schools, please see Katie the Counselor's website (recently updated).

Spanish Class After School

Kids Like Languages will start with a weekly class on Monday and they still have spots open.  Registration information was sent via PeachJar. Please reply if you need more information.

PIL Youth Sports

Some schools are starting to share flyers for winter sports (basketball and wrestling) and we put announcements in the student daily bulletin. For more comprehensive information on all schools and youth sports through PIL, visit their website.

13th Annual da Vinci Arts Fair

• 6 weeks to go — Dec 2nd.  Save the date! Tell your friends!
• It’s time now for student and alumni student artists to register. Forms will be in the office on Monday.
• Musicians! Help us create some ambiance. Volunteer, acoustic performers wanted for 15-45 minute slots at the event. Students welcome. Email us at davinciartsfairlove@gmail.com.
• Share us, like us, follow us on social media:
• https://www.Facebook.com/davinciartsfair
• https://www.instagram.com/davinciartsfair
• Questions?  Our Information Sheet is brimming with answers!

Upcoming Calendar Highlights

Ongoing - Dragon Bench repair project, volunteers welcome

October 17 -  Site Council - 3:30 to 5:30, Conference room, ALL Welcome!

October 18 -  PPS 2 hour late opening, 10:45 am start

October 18 -  PTSA meeting, 7:00 pm in the Library, ALL Welcome!

October 19 -  SOC (formerly named BSU) student meeting, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, room 102

October 20 -  Picture retake day, volunteer needed

October 24 -  Pizzicato Dough for Dollars, Laurelhurst, Dine out for Foundation

November 3 -  No school, Teacher planning day, end of quarter 1

November 7, 8, 9 - Family-Teacher Conferences

Note- Conferences are after school on the 7th and there is no school on November 8 and 9. 

November 10 - No school, Veteran’s Day

November 15, 16, 17, 18 (or 19, TBD) -  da Vinci Drama and the Fall Festival of Shakespeare present, Romeo and Juliet

November 22, 23, 24 -  No school, Thanksgiving break

THANK YOU, LOCKER PAINTING VOLUNTEERS!

Thanks for all the family support of our Locker Painting tradition. We had wonderful volunteers who helped each step of the way. See the wonderful slideshow of photos from Judy Holmes now on our website. We still need some help to paint the borders a solid color after school next week. Contact Sheli  if you can help. If students want to stay after school to work on their lockers, they must have adult supervision. We ask that they use a tarp and not use bathroom sinks to clean out brushes and containers.

Run for the Arts, Funds Due

Thanks to all the families who have used the online platform for fundraising. We have $8,398 toward our $10,000 goal in online donations alone! This pot of funding will ensure we can buy a new kiln this year and hire guest artists to help with our productions. Please turn in the paper pledge form with monies collected (make checks out to Young Audiences or Run for the Arts) to the office. You can still set up an online page to share with your friends and family. This is an easy and effective way to ask for contributions. If your student wants a t-shirt, please gather funds and return the form to the office before October 23rd.

Dragon Bench Restoration

Thanks to parent, Melissa Mulder-Wright for her leadership and supervision of this much needed repair of our playground dragon bench/sculpture. Students in 2-D Art, 3-D Art  and 6th-grade science classes are participating in this work during the school day. This week they will be working with cement. Students should wear (or bring extra) clothing that can get dirty and dress warmly for working outside. Here is the Signup if you can come in and help out.

Picture Retake day- this Friday, October 20

Only students who were absent on the original date or who have purchased a package that they are not happy with will be permitted to go to the auditorium for retakes. They will need a pass to be released from class. If you want your student to have a picture retaken, reply to Sheli  for your student to be on the list and get a pass. You must return the original package. We could use a volunteer to help out on Friday as well. Let Sheli know if you have time on Friday morning.

Family-Teacher Conference times & Sign-Up update

Save the dates for fall conference times:

Tuesday, November 7th EVENING 4:15 pm – 8:15 pm

Wednesday, November 8th DAYTIME 8:15 am – 3:45 pm

Thursday, November 9th DAY/EVE 8:15 am – 8:15 pm

Due to positive feedback over the last 2 years, da Vinci will again schedule Family-Teacher Conferences online. Like last year, the online Sign-Up is scheduled to open two weeks before conferences, on Tuesday, October 24th at 5:30 pm. On that Tuesday, we will supply detailed information as a post on our website and also send a separate email, via the usual daVinci-family-mailman-listserv ~ if you’re seeing this, your email is on the list! A reminder that families must coordinate sign-ups with all parent/guardians as there is only ONE Conference spot per teacher for each student. Please also keep your eyes open for a Teacher nourishment SignUp to keep our teachers going during Conferences. We know we have such a giving and supportive family community and THANK YOU in advance for helping us give back to our teachers.

Don't miss our 13th Annual da Vinci Arts Fair, Dec 2nd 10 am - 4 pm.

For any and all questions about the Arts Fair, see our information sheet.  This weekend is the deadline for juried artists to apply. Student artists should apply by November 10. Help us get the word out if you know of professional artists who might want to join us. Questions should be directed to davinciartsfairlove@gmail.com.

PTSA in search of volunteer for Audit and Taxes

As a nonprofit organization, the PTSA is required to have an independent audit of the books each year and complete taxes. You do not need extensive experience or credentials but it does take a few hours to review documents and make sure required documentation is in order. There is a simple checklist to follow. If you could do the audit, or assist with filing taxes, please contact the Treasurer, Maggie Vera.

Da Vinci parents and ScreenSage are hosting a seminar aimed at increasing awareness and education around tw/teenage social media.

"When are you going to let me get Instagram?"

"But, all my friends have Snapchat!" - "I'm the only one out of all my friends who don't have that app!"

Sound familiar? If so, then this is the class for you. This interactive seminar explores the mysteries of tw/teen social media use. We will cover the How, Why and When of Snapchat, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, TBH, Sarahah, and more. You'll leave with a better understanding of the apps themselves and how to keep your child safe online. Plus! We will have live teens on hand to (honestly) answer all your questions.

Registration is limited. Sign up today! $30. Thursday, October 19, 7:00 - 8:30 PM  or Sunday, October 22, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Hollywood Senior Center - 1820 NE 40th Ave.

Get tickets here: https://screensage.net/events/

Free and Reduced Meals update

The grace period for meals has ended. If your child qualified last year, they will no longer receive meals unless you submit a new application and qualify.  Apply for Free/Reduced Meals. If you need assistance or a paper application, contact the main office 503-916-5356.

Cleveland High School 8th-Grade Parent Information Night

Cleveland parent groups are hosting an information night for prospective parents on November 15th at Hopworks Urban Brewery Banquet Room, 2944 SE Powell Blvd from 6 pm to 8 pm. This is an adult-only event to learn more about the Cleveland community. Questions can be directed to Melissa Hurley.

Upcoming Calendar Highlights

October 9, Dragon Bench repair project, see SignUp and info below

October 10, Tarp floors, tape and prep for student painting

October 11, Grace period for free lunches ends, see below to apply before deadline

October 11 and 12, Locker painting for students

October 16, Locker painting final after school, paint borders

October 13, No school - Statewide Inservice day

October 18, PPS 2 hour late opening, 10:45 am start

October 19, BSU meeting for students, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, room 102

October 20, Picture retake day

October 24, Pizzicato Dough for Dollars, Laurelhurst, Dine out for Foundation

November 3, Teacher planning day, end of quarter 1, no school

It’s locker painting week!

Design worksheets are due to 1st period teachers on Monday, October 9. They should be signed by an adult at home. Please read through the guidelines carefully. If students need help with supplies, they need to talk with their 1st period teacher on Monday to arrange assistance in advance of painting days. The design sheet is attached. We still need some volunteers to help out, especially with tarping floors on Tuesday night. Sign up on Signup Genius if you can. Volunteer instructions will be sent to the folks who are signed up and will also be available in the office.

Run for the Arts, October 6th

We had a great run event with perfect weather and volunteers to cheer and mark laps as the students (and many staff members) walked and ran laps. Now begins the collection phase of the fundraiser. If you set up an online page, you will receive an email reminder to enter the laps completed and then pledges will be processed. Note, you can still set up an online page and ask for a set donation from friends and family to contribute to the school’s needs. If you are using the paper pledge form, gather funds and return the form and monies to the office before October 23rd. Make checks payable to Young Audiences or Run for the Arts. If your child wants a t-shirt, they should have 30 points and/or at least turn in $30 to help cover the cost of the shirt and still make this a fundraising effort.

Funds raised will buy a new kiln this year and help pay for our fall Shakespeare production, Dance guest artists, and more.

WE NEED Family Volunteers

Our Signup Genius site is where you can see volunteer needs for Locker Painting  and the Dragon Bench repair project. Check it out and sign up where you can. Your time and support make all the difference!

Apply NOW for Free/Reduced Meals- The deadline is October 11th!

If your child previously received free or reduced meals, you must re-apply before October 11. If you need assistance or a paper application, contact the main office 503-916-5356.

Dragon Bench Repair Project

Repairs will start this week and students will participate during school hours provided we have the adult volunteers to help supervise. Sign up if you can come in. We would love to borrow a collection of plastering trowels (various shapes) and large plastic basins (for cement mixing and clean-up). Also helpful would be donations of work gloves, protective eye wear, and work clothing. All donations can go to the 3D studio or the office if that is easier.

Don't miss our 13th Annual da Vinci Arts Fair

Dec 2nd 10am - 4pm. Art • Crafts • Music • Food • Free Admission

Did you know our Arts Fair includes juried artists, student artists and now alumni student artists? Click here now to learn all about our event and how to participate, especially student artists and student musicians!

COUNTDOWN…SAVE THE DATE!

• 8 weeks to go for the event — Dec 2nd
• 1 week left for juried artists to apply -- Oct 15th  
• 5 weeks left for student artists and alumni student artists to apply -- Nov 10th

Questions? davinciartsfairlove@gmail.com

See the da Vinci Arts Fair Facebook page!

After school language classes need more registered to run

Kids Like Languages will offer classes at da Vinci if there are a couple more students who register. See the attached flyer and contact them directly with any questions.

Chess Club needs parent advisors/volunteers

There is a group of students who would love to continue with a chess club but we need one or two adults to take on leadership and supervision for this to happen. Please contact Sheli if you are interested. For the last few years, the club met weekly on Wednesdays and participated in several tournaments.

Upcoming Calendar Highlights

October 2, 3, & 4, Locker priming after school

October 4, 8th-Grade students attend “Hands Up” in am

October 6, Run for the Arts

October 9, Dragon Bench repair project starts, see sign up and info below

October 10, Tarp floors, tape and prep for student painting

October 11, Grace period for free lunches ends, applications due

October 11 and 12, Locker painting for students

October 13, Statewide inservice day, no school

October 18, PPS 2 hour late opening

October 18, PTSA meeting, 7:00 pm, library

October 19, BSU meeting for students, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, room 102

October 20, Picture retake day

October 24, Pizzicato Dough for Dollars, Laurelhurst, Dine out for Foundation

November 3, Teacher planning day, end of quarter 1, no school

Many THANKS and APPRECIATION to EVERYONE attending Back to School Night! If you missed it, here’s a link to our Community Presentation prepared by principal Fred Locke, including slides from AP Alicia McMillen and Counselor Katie Loewen with embedded links for family supports and engagement opportunities!

Run for the Arts, October 6th

We are so excited that da Vinci students will be raising critical funds through our annual Run for the Arts, coming THIS Friday 10/06! Funds pay for things like a new kiln, fall Shakespeare, Dance guest artists, and more. Young Audiences now makes it easier than ever for students, friends and families to show their love for our beloved school by using their run site to Register A Runner and set up a cool student online pledge page. Then spread the word by sharing your  link far and near, so friend-and-family supporters can easily pledge or donate directly online! Our kiddos’ efforts can make a HUGE impact! Check out this 1 min How to Register a Runner Video created by da Vinci students to get going (Teacher name should be 6th period.) Every student participates in the run, and we believe they will be proud of their contributions! Every pledge and donation to da Vinci’s Run helps A LOT more than folks may realize!

Run details:

• All students run or walk laps for 30 minutes at the end of the day. Students should wear clothing and shoes appropriate for spirited da Vinci-style lap running.
• Family members are welcome to come cheer on the runners.
• Students do not need to return their pledge form until October 23rd when funds raised are due. Students will fill out their own pledge form, or update their online site, with the number of laps they run.

WE NEED Family Volunteers - Our Signup Genius site now has three pages where you can sign up for Locker Painting, Run for the Arts and to help with the Dragon Bench repair project. Check it out and sign up where you can. Your time and support make all the difference!

Another way to become involved at da Vinci is to run for a Site Council parent/guardian seat! Our Site Council webpage has a lot of info, including meeting dates (usually 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 3:30-5:30.) Our team is great, and we have openings to grow, so please reach out to AP Alicia McMillen if you want to chat about it and get more info. Or feel free to simply send her an email with a few paragraphs about yourself and why you would like to serve on the Council for inclusion on the fall ballots. A month-long on-site voting period for parent/guardian membership begins in October and ends after the fall Family Conferences, where parents/guardians are encouraged to cast their vote in the main hallway.

Apply NOW for Free/Reduced Meals- The deadline is October 11th!

If your child previously received free or reduced meals, you must re-apply before October 11. If you need assistance or a paper application, contact the main office at 503-916-5356.

Hands Up field trip forms due Monday

Eighth-grade students must turn in this permission form in order to attend the performance on Tuesday morning. 
 

SPECIAL PERMISSION SLIPS HERE

Lifetouch Photos

Photos arrived last week and were handed out on Friday, 6th period. If you did not order photos, you will receive a “proof package” with a code specific to your child to order online if you wish to do so. Ordering information and contact information for Lifetouch is on the envelope. Retakes will be October 20th if you are not satisfied with your photos or your child was not present on picture day.

Mosaic and Tools needed for Dragon Restoration

We are still collecting mosaic pieces for the dragon restoration project (broken dishware, marbles, glass or ceramic tiles, etc). If you donate broken dishware or tiles for this project (all tile sizes welcome), please be sure that the ceramics are high fire stoneware (and not low fire ceramic). You can test this by putting a wet finger on the unglazed side of the ceramic dish or tile. If the water is absorbed, it is low fire and it won't hold up to the outdoor elements. Thanks!

Tools and supplies needed

We would love to borrow a collection of plastering trowels (various shapes) and large plastic basins (for cement mixing and clean-up). Also helpful would be donations of work gloves, protective eye wear, and work clothing. All donations can go to the 3D studio or the office if that is easier. Thanks all!

13th Annual da Vinci Arts Fair is December 2- CALL FOR ARTISTS DUE OCTOBER 15

da Vinci Families — We can use your help reaching out to prospective vendors for our Arts Fair.  Our deadline for applying is October 15th!  Please encourage artists you admire and/or think would be a good fit for the da Vinci Arts Fair to visit us at www.Facebook.com/davinciartsfair or contact us at davinciartsfairlove@gmail.com or feel free to send us your suggestions.  You can also share us through Twitter and Instagram @davinciartsfair.

Click here now to learn all about the event and how you can join in this absolutely fabulous, art-loving fundraiser!         

    

Need Tech Help? Important links and resources for da Vinci families:

• da Vinci Website  BOOKMARK this page! Go here to get the latest information on what's happening, see the calendar, quick links to an archive of this newsletter, teacher website links and more.
• Synergy ParentVUE BOOKMARK this page! This is also referred to as Synergy. If you need an access to code to open your account, contact the main office. This is the system used for grading and a communication portal between teachers and families.

* On the Home tab, you will find teacher/staff messages, your student's attendance record, class schedule, assignment and class-level grades, and more.

* Go to the My Account tab and you can update account information as well as have your students grade book scores emailed to you every week.

• Google Classroom  BOOKMARK this page!

Some teachers use this for teacher-student communication and assigning & completing in-school work and homework. Google Classroom is integrated with other Google tools, so students can complete assignments using Google Docs, and see assignments and due dates in Google Calendar. If students need help with their Google accounts, they should seek Judy Holmes before or after school, or at lunch in the library.

Homework help and resource room now open before and after school.

The Computer Lab downstairs (Rm. 106) is now staffed by Shantel Schneider, paraeducator, before school each day from 8:00 to 8:30 am, and on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15 to 4:30 AND now also has a printer for those needing to use it.