THE WEEKLY NEWS FOR ACADEMIE DA VINCI CHARTER SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS
Da Vinci Dispatch
S E P T E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 0 9
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
Swine Flu Prevention
It took six weeks, but the Swine Flu made its way onto our campus this week. We have a student who was tested and declared positive for H1N1. The student is home and resting. Meanwhile, every family is encouraged to follow the guidelines established by the Center for Disease Control and adopted by all Pinellas County Schools: wash hands frequently. Carry a bottle of sanitizer if unable to use soap and water. Cough into the elbow. Use tissues once and then dispose of them. If sick, stay home. Keep sick children home. If your child has a fever and ANY other symptom (cough, aches, extreme fatigue, etc.) s/he should be tested for the flu. The Health Department recommends flu testing be completed at the dr.‟s office rather than the ER. This choice prevents exposing large numbers of people to the virus. Pediatrician Dr. Robert Friedmeyer spoke to our PTA last month and informed us H1N1 is a „cousin” of the strand A flu virus that made rounds in the 1970s. (Most flus are categorized as “A” or “B”). Doctors are now labeling every flu with A characteristics as Swine Flu because of the very close relationship. At school, we are continuing to clean with a broad-spectrum germicide, encourage frequent hand-washing, and sending students home who are ill with any cold symptoms.
Swine Flu Prevention Pen pals Step-Up This Friday ParentTeacher Conferences Being Scheduled
Letters From New Zealand
The package arrived today; it was worn and torn, but it made it to the 5th grade classroom from New Zealand— over 7,800 miles away! Our students wrote to students of the same age about two weeks ago. The pen pal project is one part of the Write Away theme the entire school has adopted this year. Each class is completing a variety of projects and tasks that challenge students to write. The 5th grade class researched and found the other Dunedin in southern New Zealand. Besides letter writing, these pen pals are exchanging e-mail addresses. The classes will actually meet each other via a web broadcast later this year. The 4th grade class is communicating to a class in Edinburgh, Scotland;. Edinburgh was originally called...Dunedin!
5th grader beams as she shows off letter from her pen pal in Dunedin, New Zealand.
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3rd Grade Garden Party Teaches About Plants
The 3rd grade students called it a “Garden Party”. The adults called it Biology. Whatever the name, the class enjoyed learning all about plants. The students were first treated to a plateful of sliced strawberries, bananas, apples, and other seasonal fruit. Each student drew sketches of the plant cross-sections, and examined the seeds under magnification. The class explored plants, and how they grow from seed to germination. They also learned the role of photosynthesis, and the nutritional needs of plants. They planted new plants in the garden beds behind their classroom. The students loved their garden party so much they have extended their Science lessons outside on picnic tables adjacent to their classroom. They say they want to be close to the plants they are studying. Now every day during Science seems like another garden party.
“I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.”
-Socrates
Second Step-Up to be Conducted Friday
The talents of our students in all areas of academia and the arts will be demonstrated every 2-3 weeks in the Step-Up Program. This program highlights the exemplary works of selected students. These students will step up to our new portable stage and present their work to the school during an assembly, scheduled for 2:00 Friday. This second Step-Up program includes poetry readings, dances, essay recitations, storytelling, and other assorted best works. Parents of this week‟s selected performers are being notified by the teachers. Parents are reminded not to park in the school‟s small lot or our local business neighbors.
Academic Conferences Ongoing
During this past week teachers have been contacting parents to schedule a teacher-parent conference. Many parents are taking advantage of the opportunity to get a one-on-one talk with the teacher about how their child is progressing. Additionally, teachers are sharing scores from FCAT, Common Assessments, and last Spring‟s and this Fall‟s Met-8 assessments. These standardized test together can present a clear picture of each student‟s academic development. If you have not heard from your child‟s teacher, or missed the information, please contact the school office. We will forward your request to the teacher.
DA VINCI DISPATCH