Dragon Tales

How is it possible we only have 10 days of school left for all students? Only 10 days until yearbooks come out? Only 10 days until field day? Only 9 days of school left until 8th grade promotion? Only 5 days of school until 8th graders go to Oaks Park? Only 5 days left until 8th graders turn in their Chromebooks? Only 2 days left before our Capstone Presentations begin? What I'm saying is, how is the year almost over?

With these numbers in mind, please continue to:

1) Monitor for additional school communication

2) Encourage your student to get plenty of rest

3) Encourage your student to get all classwork completed

4) Communicate with teachers if you have specific questions

5) Reach out to the office or admin team with specific questions

It's been a pleasure supporting and serving our da Vinci students and community this year. Thank you for the opportunity to do so. Everyday I tell students, "How you finish this year, impacts how you will feel about starting next year." I firmly believe that. Together, we can finish the year on a positive note to ensure our departing, and returning, da Vinci students are excited to start school next August.

8th Grade Promotion will take place at Grant High School on June 13th, at 6pm (2245 NE 36th Ave, PDX 97212). Parking is limited in the lot to the North of the school. Please consider parking in the neighborhood and arriving with plenty of time to find a seat. Seating will be available in both the main auditorium as well as the balcony. Following promotion, the PTSA will be hosting an ice cream social just behind the auditorium.

On the 13th, all 8th graders will be participating in promotion rehearsal at da Vinci. In years past, we have had some students who have wanted to leave early. The 13th is still a school day and some students may have work to complete. If you wish to have your student leave early, please call the office and sign them out in the same way you would any other day.

For those that order yard signs for 8th grade promotion, they were made available for pickup out front after school today. Those that could not pick them up, can swing by the main office to pick up their yard sign when convenient for you.

Our 8th graders are working hard to finish up their incredible capstone projects! Visual artists will begin hanging their work around the school next week; literary artists are putting the final touches on their chapbooks; dancers are working on their choreography; actors are rehearsing their scenes; musicians are preparing their pieces; and techies are getting ready to put on the shows!

Here is our schedule for Capstone performances:

June 4th during the school day: Capstone performance A (afternoon show -- will begin at 1:15pm-line up TBD)*

June 4th 5-6:30pm: Literary and Visual Arts Capstone (with readings!)

June 6th during the school day: Capstone performance B (afternoon show will begin at 1:15pm-line up TBD)*

*Tech/dress rehearsals for the Capstone A and B will be held after school the day before their respective in-school performances. A & B show casts and tech schedules will be set and communicated next week.

Spirit Week is Next Week. Please encourage your student to dress up and have a bit of fun doing so next week. Here are the list of dress up days:

Monday = Pajama Day

Tuesday = da Vinci Color Days:

• 6th grade wear Purple
• 7th grade wear Black
• 8th grade wear Green

Wednesday = Twin / Matching Day

Thursday = Royalty (Princes and Princesses)

Friday = Athletes vs Mathletes

We have been reminding students, but also want to make sure families know that all library books must be returned by Monday, June 3rd.

The Junior Rose Parade is Wednesday, June 5th from 1-3pm. If you wish your student to attend, please email or call the office. We will still need families to excuse their student and to sign them out. If you wish to have your student leave early, and on their own, please send written communication to BOTH jehoward@pps.net or amknutson@pps.net. Once students leave, they are not to return for the day.

Dear da Vinci Families:

Just sending a final reminder that student Chromebooks will begin to be collected on Friday, June 7th. At this time, all student devices need to be cleaned of all writing, stickers, and sticker residue.

If you would like your 6/7th grade student to be able to keep their PPS issued device over the summer, this form needs to be filled out no later than Wednesday, June 5th.

Reminder, if your student's account lists any "lost" devices and/or has had a device damaged beyond repair, they will not be eligible for keeping a device over the summer.

If you have any questions, please email me, at kbayne@pps.net

Best,

Kerry Bayne - da Vinci Site Technology Liaison and Amazing Math Teacher!

As you all know, da Vinci has a lot of fun end of the year activities. That said, those activities do not excuse students from completing assigned course work. Please make sure to check your student's Canvas page, ask them what assignments or projects they have due, and work with them to get those assignments turned in.

We will be passing out yearbooks on the last day of school, right before Field Day. I have seen a preview and they are amazing. Aside from a variety of activities we have planned for Field Day, students will have the opportunity to spend the afternoon signing yearbooks with friends and teachers.

We are asking families to make a $20 donation to help us offset the publication costs of our school yearbook. Families might not be aware, but the district is closing the PPS Printshop and as a result we have had to find a private vendor.

Donations help offset the cost of printing this amazing student-designed yearbook. Our goal is to ensure all students and staff receive a yearbook. We recognize we may have some families that cannot make a donation, so any additional donations will be greatly appreciated.

Each comprehensive high school in PPS is sending us a Trimet Hop Pass that is valid for the summer. These are only for students heading to PPS high schools. We will let families know when all the passes have arrived. Once they have, your student may come to the main office to pick their up. They are not required to do so, but will be available later next week for those interested. Please discuss as a family if this is something you want your student to have over the summer. If it is, have them come to the office later next week to pick one up.

da Vinci Arts Middle School is searching for a family member to participate on the district’s Family Advisory Council.

The purpose of this group is:

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

2) serve as a liaison to bring information back to your school community

3) To bring topics of interest from the school community to this district-wide council

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 email Mr. Roosevelt (sroosevelt@pps.net)