Upcoming Calendar Highlights
September 3, Labor Day Holiday, no school
September 4, Outdoor School presentation for all 6th graders, families welcome,
auditorium, 9:45
auditorium, 9:45
September 13, Back to School night, 6 - 8 pm
September 14, Picture day
September 25, PTSA General Meeting, 7 pm in the Library, all welcome
October 5, Run for the Arts
October 2, 3, & 4, Locker priming (after school, volunteer help needed)
October 10 & 11, Locker painting (students paint during day, volunteer help needed)
October 13, Statewide inservice day, no school
October 19, Picture retakes
October 29, Quarter 1 grading day for teachers, no school for students
Outdoor School All 6th Graders will attend Outdoor School Sunday, Sept 23 -
Friday, Sept 28. Paperwork was handed out on Friday and is due back to Mr.Gershuny Tuesday, Sept 4th! (White Health History form and Pink rules form). Outdoor School Site Supervisor “Coho” will come to give a presentation on Tuesday, Sept 4th, 9:45-10:45 am and families are welcome to attend. See the MESD website for answers to frequently-
asked questions.
Friday, Sept 28. Paperwork was handed out on Friday and is due back to Mr.Gershuny Tuesday, Sept 4th! (White Health History form and Pink rules form). Outdoor School Site Supervisor “Coho” will come to give a presentation on Tuesday, Sept 4th, 9:45-10:45 am and families are welcome to attend. See the MESD website for answers to frequently-
asked questions.
Picture Day is September 14th All students will have their portraits done on the 14th.
These photos are used for the complimentary student ID and loaded in Synergy.
A purchase is optional. Order envelopes were sent home in the opening packet but online
ordering is easier and more secure. An invitation to order online will come by email with
the direct link to do so. We have one volunteer to assist during the morning of the 15th
but could use a couple more to get students through the process. Please contact Sheli
in the office if you can help.
These photos are used for the complimentary student ID and loaded in Synergy.
A purchase is optional. Order envelopes were sent home in the opening packet but online
ordering is easier and more secure. An invitation to order online will come by email with
the direct link to do so. We have one volunteer to assist during the morning of the 15th
but could use a couple more to get students through the process. Please contact Sheli
in the office if you can help.
ParentVue and StudentVue accounts The office staff can help parents and guardians
with setting up Parentvue accounts. Please call or email if you need an activation key or
assistance. Student account passwords for StudentVue and Google Apps were reset this
summer to a default password and should be reset. Information to help your student is on
the da Vinci website on the Library page or here.
with setting up Parentvue accounts. Please call or email if you need an activation key or
assistance. Student account passwords for StudentVue and Google Apps were reset this
summer to a default password and should be reset. Information to help your student is on
the da Vinci website on the Library page or here.
Musical Auditions for John Hughes High Auditions for the fall drama production start
this week. See Ms. Accuardi’s website for information. Students need to sign up outside
the classroom for a slot.
this week. See Ms. Accuardi’s website for information. Students need to sign up outside
the classroom for a slot.
Chinook Books benefit the PTSA Books and the mobile app are now available in the
office. Books are $25 and the app is $15. They will also be available before Back to School
night outside the auditorium (check or cash only). You can now order the mobile app online
and the PTSA earns 60% until October 15th. You’ll save all year at local, sustainable
places you love such as Salt and Straw, Laughing Planet, Hot Lips Pizza, Grand Central
Bakery and more. This online link is designed for mobile devices only:
office. Books are $25 and the app is $15. They will also be available before Back to School
night outside the auditorium (check or cash only). You can now order the mobile app online
and the PTSA earns 60% until October 15th. You’ll save all year at local, sustainable
places you love such as Salt and Straw, Laughing Planet, Hot Lips Pizza, Grand Central
Bakery and more. This online link is designed for mobile devices only:
https://chinook.co/davinciartsmiddleschool.
Back to School Night, September 13, 6 - 8 pm Parents and guardians are invited to
attend the program on September 13th from 6 pm - 8 pm. We will start in the Auditorium,
then you will follow your student’s schedule and visit their classes. This is an opportunity
to learn more about what students will be doing this year, expectations, and how you can
support them. Due to limited space, we ask that if you are able to do so, please make
arrangements for childcare.
attend the program on September 13th from 6 pm - 8 pm. We will start in the Auditorium,
then you will follow your student’s schedule and visit their classes. This is an opportunity
to learn more about what students will be doing this year, expectations, and how you can
support them. Due to limited space, we ask that if you are able to do so, please make
arrangements for childcare.
Verification forms Please review verification forms that should have come home last week.
Make any changes necessary, then sign and return the forms to the office as soon as possible.
If your address has changed, please send in two forms of proof of current address.
Recent utility bills or lease agreements are preferred. It is essential that we have an accurate
address and current emergency contact information for students. Make sure the emergency
contact section is updated and provide one contact who does not live in the immediate area.
Make any changes necessary, then sign and return the forms to the office as soon as possible.
If your address has changed, please send in two forms of proof of current address.
Recent utility bills or lease agreements are preferred. It is essential that we have an accurate
address and current emergency contact information for students. Make sure the emergency
contact section is updated and provide one contact who does not live in the immediate area.
Attendance and Phone Reminder
Please notify the office if your student will be late for school (the final bell is 8:45 am,
when students need to be in their classroom ready to go) or absent for any reason.
You can email sbryan@pps.net or call the main office number, 503-916-5356 (put that
number in your contacts now). You can leave a message with the student’s name and the
reason for absence at any time if we do not answer. We do check messages regularly. If
you need to speak with your student during the day, you can call the office and we will find
them in class or deliver a message. Students are not supposed to be on their phones
during the day unless they have permission. They can ask to come to the office to make
a call if needed.
when students need to be in their classroom ready to go) or absent for any reason.
You can email sbryan@pps.net or call the main office number, 503-916-5356 (put that
number in your contacts now). You can leave a message with the student’s name and the
reason for absence at any time if we do not answer. We do check messages regularly. If
you need to speak with your student during the day, you can call the office and we will find
them in class or deliver a message. Students are not supposed to be on their phones
during the day unless they have permission. They can ask to come to the office to make
a call if needed.
Volunteer Needs- Please see this SignUpGenius site for a list of ways to get
involved now. It does take a village to do all we do at da Vinci. It doesn’t happen without
family support. Through the year we will use SignUpGenius to post needs and organize
volunteers. We also use the site for Teacher Conferences, so set up your account and learn
how to sign up sooner than later if you have not before. Take a look at current needs and
sign up or reach out for more information. Many thanks to the folks that came to the
Community Care Cleanup before school started and a special shout out to Scotti Weintraub,
Renee Hallbrook, Lara Raban, Virginia Meyers and Kieren Porter for help cleaning out and
organizing some rooms downstairs.
involved now. It does take a village to do all we do at da Vinci. It doesn’t happen without
family support. Through the year we will use SignUpGenius to post needs and organize
volunteers. We also use the site for Teacher Conferences, so set up your account and learn
how to sign up sooner than later if you have not before. Take a look at current needs and
sign up or reach out for more information. Many thanks to the folks that came to the
Community Care Cleanup before school started and a special shout out to Scotti Weintraub,
Renee Hallbrook, Lara Raban, Virginia Meyers and Kieren Porter for help cleaning out and
organizing some rooms downstairs.
Dragon Bench restoration There are still a few jobs remaining to finish our playground
dragon bench. If you have masonry/carpentry skills and could help set the final stones in
the bench seat, please reply. Soon we’ll have a weekend work party for sealing the concrete.
For more information, contact Melissa Mulder-Wright.
dragon bench. If you have masonry/carpentry skills and could help set the final stones in
the bench seat, please reply. Soon we’ll have a weekend work party for sealing the concrete.
For more information, contact Melissa Mulder-Wright.
Dancescape After School Dance Program jazz classes Registration is now open.
Please register for which class best describes your students current level, however,
please note that the teacher has the final decision on correct level placement for your student.
Please register for which class best describes your students current level, however,
please note that the teacher has the final decision on correct level placement for your student.
If your student is a recent alumni of Dancescape/da Vinci and would like to continue taking
classes with Dancescape, this is an option, but please note that jazz classes begin at 3:30pm
and they must not be tardy. If this is not a valid option for your student and you are looking
for other options and need any recommendations please don't hesitate to ask.
classes with Dancescape, this is an option, but please note that jazz classes begin at 3:30pm
and they must not be tardy. If this is not a valid option for your student and you are looking
for other options and need any recommendations please don't hesitate to ask.
The Advanced level class begins on Wednesday, September 5th. This class is for those
students who have either:
students who have either:
3-4 years prior jazz/ballet experience
Completed & Passed last year's 'Jazz B' level
Have been placed in D4 for this year, in the in-school program
Were placed in the summer program's highest level (red)
The Intermediate level class begins on Tuesday, September 11th. This class is for those
students who have either:
students who have either:
2 years prior dance experience
Have been placed in D2 for this year, in the in-school program
Were placed in the summer program's middle level (blue)
If you are not sure about which level is appropriate please email us:
dancescapepdx@gmail.com
da Vinci Arts Fair- The date is set for our annual event for December 1 but we need
some more help on the planning team for this event to happen. This is an important
community event and fundraiser for the PTSA. There are several team members able to
continue in an advisory role, but we need a few more folks able to take the reigns. Please
see the SignUpGenius site for discrete committee needs and consider joining the team.
some more help on the planning team for this event to happen. This is an important
community event and fundraiser for the PTSA. There are several team members able to
continue in an advisory role, but we need a few more folks able to take the reigns. Please
see the SignUpGenius site for discrete committee needs and consider joining the team.
Youth Cross Country Track starting now in most high school clusters Visit the
PIL website for more information. We do have packets for Cleveland in the office if you live
in the Cleveland boundary.
PIL website for more information. We do have packets for Cleveland in the office if you live
in the Cleveland boundary.
New- Empathy Club will be starting soon Details TBD. Contact
davinciarts.empathyclub@gmail.com or Elizabeth at 971.998.5667, who welcomes more
involvement to shape the club.
davinciarts.empathyclub@gmail.com or Elizabeth at 971.998.5667, who welcomes more
involvement to shape the club.
Coding Club now accepting applications, space limited The da Vinci Coder's Club is
going to learn microcontroller programming this year! We are tentatively planning getting
together on Monday afternoons, 3:30 to 5p. We have a box full of wires and sensors and
motors and blinking lights, and I'm sure we can fashion these components into many
marvelous and unruly creations over the course of the year. Because the box is only so big,
though, I will invite students to join the club. If you are interested, send an email
(via a parent is fine) to richard.c.ames@gmail.com to let me know what you might do with
the components at the bottom of this web page. The first lesson does involve blinking lights,
and it is here.
going to learn microcontroller programming this year! We are tentatively planning getting
together on Monday afternoons, 3:30 to 5p. We have a box full of wires and sensors and
motors and blinking lights, and I'm sure we can fashion these components into many
marvelous and unruly creations over the course of the year. Because the box is only so big,
though, I will invite students to join the club. If you are interested, send an email
(via a parent is fine) to richard.c.ames@gmail.com to let me know what you might do with
the components at the bottom of this web page. The first lesson does involve blinking lights,
and it is here.
Neighborhood Marimba Group Do you want to learn to play African marimba music?
Jangano Marimba Band is looking for a few new members for the 2018-19 school year.
No marimba experience is necessary. We rehearse three blocks from da Vinci once a week
for two hours. Day and time to be determined by the current members.
Jangano Marimba Band is looking for a few new members for the 2018-19 school year.
No marimba experience is necessary. We rehearse three blocks from da Vinci once a week
for two hours. Day and time to be determined by the current members.
Jangano performs out in the community several times a year. Check out these YouTube
videos of past performances:
videos of past performances:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sDrE_Su98A0 Jangano won first place at Cleveland High
School’s Battle of the Bands
School’s Battle of the Bands
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dq_fqxcBuvk Jangano at The Rose Festival
Cost:$250/year
Contact MyLinda King at marimba@teleport.com for more info on how to audition.
