Monday, September 30, 2019

da Vinci Scroll 9/30/19

Upcoming da Vinci Calendar Highlights
10/4, Run for the Arts
10/11, In-service Day, no school 
10/15, TAG Parent Meeting, 8:15 am, Library  
10/16 & 17 Locker Painting 
10/ 20 - 10/25, Outdoor School for all 6th graders 
10/28, Picture retakes 
11/1, Planning Day, no school for students 
11/4, Quarter 2 starts 
11/5, Lottery window opens for MS and HS
11/7&8 and 14&15, Hamlet, 6:30 pm, da Vinci Auditorium, tickets $10 
11/11, Veterans’ Day Holiday, no school 
11/13, Information session for 20-21 enrollment 
11/16, Hamlet, Fall Festival of Shakespeare at Winningstad Theatre 
11/19, Open house and Information session for 20-21 enrollment 
11/25 & 26 Conferences 
11/27, 28 & 29, Thanksgiving break 


Run for the Arts is October 4th! Now is the time to get pledges of support. Our goal for this fundraiser is $10,000 and every dollar gets us closer to covering expenses for theater tech for all of our performances, after school music programs, guest resident teachers for visual arts and dance and more. You can ask neighbors, friends and family to support the run with a set amount or a per lap pledge. Use the paper pledge form that came home this week or set up an online page that can be easily shared via email or social media. Families are encouraged to join us on run day to cheer on the runners and mark laps. The run will take place from 2:30 to 3 pm. Set up a runner online donation site with Young Audiences now. 


Volunteers Needed! 
There are now several signups ready for upcoming events. Please take a look and sign up to help where you can. We cannot do these things without family support. 


Teen Substance Use and other risky behaviors, presented by Big Village Da Vinci families are invited to attend a program presented by a Grant HS Social Worker and Counselor from Beverly Cleary at Grant HS on October 22nd from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. 


Race Matters: A community dialogue series Da Vinci Families are invited to participate in this conversation about race sponsored by Glencoe ES and Mt. Tabor MS PTAs. The events are at Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont St. from 5:30 to 8 pm. 
There is a series of three events planned; 10/10, 11/19 and 3/5/20. Childcare and pizza available upon request to munirahenry@gmail.com


For families of 8th grade students: Now is the time to mark your calendars for High School Information Events. Please refer to each school’s website for more information.  
Benson Polytechnic High School
Tuesday, Oct. 22nd  6-8 pm
Tech Show, April 16 & 17, 2020  6-9 pm


Cleveland High School
Bridging the Gap
Thursday, Dec. 12, 7-9 pm


Discover Franklin High School
Wednesday, Dec. 4th, 6-8:30 pm


Grant High School 
Thursday, Nov. 14th 6:30-8:30 pm


Jefferson HS-Middle College for Advanced Studies
Wednesday, Oct. 30th, 6-8 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 6-8 pm


Lincoln High School
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6-8 pm

Madison High School
Tuesday, Nov. 5th 6:15 – 8 pm


Metropolitan Learning Center
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6-7:30 pm
Thursday, Nov. 14, 6-7:30 pm


Roosevelt High School
Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 6-8 pm


Wilson High School
Wednesday, Nov. 6th 6-9 pm


Hamlet Rehearsals Please see the da Vinci Drama website for updated rehearsal information. 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

da Vinci Scroll 9-23-19

Upcoming da Vinci Calendar Highlights
9/23- 9/27, Spirit Week 
9/26, PTSA Meeting, 7 pm, Library
10/4, Run for the Arts
10/11, Inservice Day, no school 
10/16 & 7 Locker Painting 
10/ 20 - 10/25, Outdoor School for all 6th graders 
10/28, Picture retakes 
11/1, Planning Day, no school for students 
11/4, Quarter 2 starts 
11/5, Lottery window opens for MS and HS
11/11, Veterans’ Day Holiday, no school 
11/25 & 26 Conferences 
11/27, 28 & 29, Thanksgiving break 


It’s Spirit Week! 
Monday - Crazy hat/hair day
Tuesday - Favorite color day 
Wednesday - PJ day!
Thursday - Fandom day! (What are you a fan of?)
Friday - 80's day! Plus there will be a dance party at the end of the day with a one-hour assembly schedule. The dance party is designed to be fun and inclusive with a range of activities in different rooms. If you know that you are picking your student up early or need us to deliver a message, do so before 2:00 pm. We will not be able to locate them in their usual classroom after the party starts. 


Thanks to everyone that came to Back to School Night 
We’d love your feedback so we can make improvements for next year’s event. Please use this Google form to let us know what you thought.  


The da Vinci PTSA and Foundation Need You! Please come to the first PTSA meeting on September 26th at 7 pm in the Library to learn about the many opportunities to get involved at da Vinci. All are welcome. You don’t have to commit to anything, just bring your voice to the table We want to hear  your questions and concerns, and your presence will give strength to our community. At the first meeting we will be electing officers for the year and voting on the budget.


Run for the Arts is October 4th! Now is the time to get pledges of support. Our goal for this fundraiser is $10,000 and every dollar gets us closer to covering expenses for theater tech for all of our performances, after school music programs, guest resident teachers for visual arts and dance and more. You can ask neighbors, friends and family to support the run with a set amount or a per lap pledge. Use the paper pledge form that came home this week or set up an online page that can be easily shared via email or social media. Families are encouraged to join us on run day to cheer on the runners and mark laps. The run will take place from 2:30 to 3 pm. A sign up for volunteers will come out soon. Set up a runner online donation site with Young Audiences now. 


Hamlet Rehearsals Please see the da Vinci Drama website for updated rehearsal information. 

da Vinci Scroll 9-14-19

Upcoming da Vinci Calendar Highlights
9/17, STOPPS bus safety drill, special schedule
9/19, Back to School Night, 6-8 pm
9/23- 9/27, Spirit Week 
9/26, PTSA Meeting, 7 pm, Library
10/4, Run for the Arts
10/ 20 - 10/25, Outdoor School for all 6th graders 

Thank You! Thanks to parents Juan, Bobbi, Alexandra and Rebekah for volunteering for picture day. The process ran very smoothly thanks to your help. 

Back to School Night is this week, Thursday, 6 - 8 pm. There is a new format this year and the schedule is as follows: 
6:00-6:25  Meet & Greet Circulate around the building to meet teachers and see classrooms where your student spends their days.
6:30-6:45  Auditorium Presentation Join us in the auditorium for a message from the administration.
6:50-8:00  Session Rotations - Choose three of 
           the available sessions to attend:
6:50-7:10  Rotation 1
7:15-7:35  Rotation 2
7:40-8:00  Rotation 3
More details on each session are on the website and a flyer will be sent home this week so you can plan in advance which ones to attend. 

PPS Guidance on the Climate Strike event, 9/20/19 In preparation for the planned event next Friday, we want to ensure families have conversations with their students in advance and that you understand your rights and responsibilities for participating in such an event. We encourage you to have conversations with your students about climate change, climate justice, and civic participation. We ask that you please notify us in advance if you wish to excuse the absence for your student to participate. An email is preferred, to Sheli Bryan for the purpose of recording an excused absence. Once students leave school grounds during a school day, we cannot ensure their location or safety and we do not have staff that will follow them. We also do not have the capacity to notify every family when students leave the building. If a student is marked absent and it has not been arranged in advance, you will receive the standard automated call. If you plan to meet your student and sign them out, arrange in advance to meet them at a certain time in the office to do so. 

Students will have the responsibility of communicating with teachers directly regarding any missed work. 

If you know that your student plans to participate, please communicate with them your expectations for what to do when leaving school, during the event and how they will return home. 

Traffic Patterns and School Building Hours Please travel EAST on Everrett from 24th Ave. toward 28th Ave. to avoid traffic jams during drop off and pick up. The 106 Computer Lab is open at 7:45 am with Paraeducator, Shantel. The cafeteria opens at 8 am for breakfast. Before 8:30, students should enter the building from the SE corner accessible door (by Ms. Steven’s room). Enter the gate from the playground to the garden courtyard to get to that door. At the first 8:30 bell students can go to their lockers and head to class. After school, the Library is generally open until 4 pm. The office is open until 4:30 pm. 

Dance Extensions, After School Dance Class Registration Open Now
The after school dance program is now in its second week but registration is still open and there is space in most classes. Sign up online and contact Sarah for more information. 
  Sarah Fuhrman is the new director of Dance Extension, LLC. Dance Extension will be offering two levels of jazz with Mari Juras, ballet class with Sarah, and a new rotating supplemental class on Mondays. The first term of the supplemental class will be a musical theatre class with Andrés Peraza, the second term is TBA. Students will take jazz and ballet every week with the option to add the Monday class or students may enroll in the supplemental Monday class only.
  The schedule will be as follows, starting the week of September 9th:
Monday 3:30-5: 00 pm, Musical Theatre with Andrés Peraza
Tuesday 3:30-5: 00 pm, Jazz 1 with Mari Juras
Wednesday 3:30-5: 00 pm, Ballet with Sarah Fuhrman
Thursday 3:30-5: 00 pm, Jazz 2 with Mari Juras
  The registration link is below. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. REGISTER HERE
Sarah Fuhrman, Dance Extension Director
Danceextensionllc@gmail.com


After School Music with Mr. Gerolami

  • Jazz Band rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 18th from 3:30 pm- 4:45 pm. Anyone who plays an instrument and can read music is welcome to attend. 

Hamlet Auditions and Rehearsals Once again da Vinci will collaborate with Portland Playhouse and the Fall Festival of Shakespeare for the fall production. Please see the da Vinci Drama website for updated rehearsal information. 

The da Vinci PTSA and Foundation Need You! Please come to the first PTSA meeting on September 26th at 7 pm in the Library to learn about the many opportunities to get involved at da Vinci. All are welcome. You don’t have to commit to anything, just bring your voice to the table We want to hear your questions and concerns, and your presence will give strength to our community. 

Saturday, September 7, 2019

da Vinci Scroll 9-9-19

Upcoming da Vinci Calendar Highlights
9/12, Outdoor School Presentation for all 6th graders, 1:20 pm in Auditorium 
9/12, Alumna Megan Moore Reception in the Connie Cheifetz Gallery, “Nostalgia” 5 - 6:30 pm, Photography exhibit open to the public
9/13, Picture Day
9/17, STOPPS bus safety drill, special schedule
9/19, Back to School Night, 6-8 pm
9/23- 9/27, Spirit Week 
9/26, PTSA Meeting, 7 pm, Library
10/4, Run for the Arts
10/ 20 - 10/25, Outdoor School for all 6th graders 

Thank You! Thank you to Beth Lemen (and friends) and Lara Raban for coordinating social events before school started. Thanks to everyone who came to the Project Community Care event and helped clean up the school grounds. We had a great crew and got so much done! Thanks, everyone, for the supply donations sent in to start the year. We always appreciate contributions of tissues, extra locks for students who need them, and other school supplies.

Verification Forms Due Please review the Verification forms sent home the first week of school carefully. Make any changes necessary and return to the office ASAP. Be sure to sign the form! It is essential that we have accurate contact information and emergency contacts. 

Outdoor School Information Session 9/12 Students will be receiving information about Outdoor School from site representatives on Thursday this week. Family members are welcome to attend, though the session is primarily geared for students. Students will be bringing home a packet of information and most sites have an open house so that you can visit in advance if you would like. Students will be going to five different sites, with one da Vinci teacher per group and the students in their Science period. More information about Outdoor School is on the MESD website

Picture Day this Friday LifeTouch will be photographing all students this Friday. Every student receives a complimentary student ID and this is the photo used for the Yearbook and Synergy, our Student Information System. You can send in the order form that day if you wish to order a photo package or order online. Look for an email with a link to order photos directly through LifeTouch. We could use a few adult helpers on Friday to help! Please let Sheli know if you can come help manage lines and communication between the auditorium and the office. Volunteers receive a free photo package. 

Traffic Patterns and School Building Hours Please travel EAST on Everrett from 24th Ave. toward 28th Ave. to avoid traffic jams during drop off and pick up. The 106 Computer Lab is open at 7:45 am with Paraeducator, Shantel. The cafeteria opens at 8 am for breakfast. Before 8:30, students should enter the building from the SE corner accessible door (by Ms. Steven’s room). Enter the gate from the playground to the garden courtyard to get to that door. At the first 8:30 bell students can go to their lockers and head to class. After school, the Library is generally open until 4 pm. The office is open until 4:30 pm. 

Dance Extensions, After School Dance Class Registration Open Now
The after school dance program is back with a new name and some new classes! 
  Sarah Fuhrman is the new director of Dance Extension, LLC. Dance Extension will be offering two levels of jazz with Mari Juras, ballet class with Sarah, and a new rotating supplemental class on Mondays. The first term of the supplemental class will be a musical theatre class with Andrés Peraza, the second term is TBA. Students will take jazz and ballet every week with the option to add the Monday class or students may enroll in the supplemental Monday class only.
  The schedule will be as follows, starting the week of September 9th:
Monday 3:30-5: 00 pm, Musical Theatre with Andrés Peraza
Tuesday 3:30-5: 00 pm, Jazz 1 with Mari Juras
Wednesday 3:30-5: 00 pm, Ballet with Sarah Fuhrman
Thursday 3:30-5: 00 pm, Jazz 2 with Mari Juras
  The registration link is below. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. REGISTER HERE

Sarah Fuhrman, Dance Extension Director
Danceextensionllc@gmail.com

Schedule Update from Counselor Katie  At this point if your student’s schedule change request has not been directly addressed, a change is not possible. The scheduling team did their best to accommodate requests, but unfortunately, there are limitations to what we can do. Thank you so much for your patience as we've been working through these issues. 

After School Music with Mr. Gerolami
  • Trogdor, da Vinci's very own rock band, will be holding auditions on next Thursday, September 12th in the music building starting at 3:30 pm. Bring a piece to play that demonstrates your ability. 

  • Jazz Band rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 18th from 3:30 pm- 4:45 pm. Anyone who plays an instrument and can read music is welcome to attend. 

Hamlet Auditions and Rehearsals Once again da Vinci will collaborate with Portland Playhouse and the Fall Festival of Shakespeare for the fall production. Please see the da Vinci Drama website for updated information. The callback lists for Monday and Tuesday are now posted and the schedule for the rest of the week will be posted soon. 

The da Vinci PTSA and Foundation Need You! Please come to the first PTSA meeting on September 26th at 7 pm in the Library to learn about the many opportunities to get involved at da Vinci. All are welcome. You don’t have to commit to anything, just bring your voice to the table We want to hear your questions and concerns, and your presence will give strength to our community. 

The annual PPS Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Discipline Handbook is available online.

Attendance Reminder and Early pickups  
If your student will be arriving late or be absent for any reason, please email sbryan@pps.net or call the main office number, 503-916-5356. Let us know the student’s name and the reason for the absence. If you need to pick up your student early or have the office deliver a message, please let us know.