2010 Auction Catalog available on Da Vinci's Website

The draft of the 2010 Auction catalog is available online, linked from this page on Da Vinci's website, but also mailed to all Da Vinci families. Check out some of the fabulous items. http://www.dvacademy.org/s/304/davinci.aspx?sid=304&gid=1&pgid=935

I'll feature a few of the awesome items here in the coming days.

For instance, during the live auction we'll be auctioning off this:

908            Chicago Cub's Aramis Ramirez - Signed Bat

Authentic wood bat signed by Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez. This signed bat has a Certificate of Authenticity.  To enjoy your purchase, also included are two tickets to see the Cubs, game to be determined.

Donors: Chicago Cubs

Value: $ 300

or this cool basket--the kids will be begging for this item from the Silver Silent Auction section:

719 Take Home a Bundle of Webkinz

•       Tiger

•       Black and White Cat

•       Black Cat

•       Pink and White Cat

•       Yorkie

•       Himalayan

Donors: A Friend of Da Vinci Academy

Value: $ 84

Dr. Kelly Johnson speaker program a success!

Last Friday, April 16, Da Vinci parents and parents of gifted children in the greater Fox Valley Community were able to hear from local Neuropsychologist Dr. Kelly Johnson about giftedness and executive functioning. Her talk, titled Executive Functioning: How to Help Your Gifted Child Get and Stay Organized was an excellent and thorough review everything from the science of the brain and how certain skills and behaviors develop through practical tips for how to help a child who struggles with organization and executive functioning achieve success.

Handouts from the talk will be available on Da Vinci's website soon. Additionally, Dr. Johnson recommended these resources:

Norman Doidge, The Brain that Changes Itself

Sharon Begley's, The Plastic Mind. 

She also mentions that Larry Dossey included a study in his book Healing Words, that focuses on plant health in relation to speech.

Proceeds from this Da Vinci Academy Parent Education event benefited the 2010 Auction. Future events are planned for the 2010-2011 school year.

Here are some photos from the event:

 The dessert deserved its own picture.

 

Take-A-Chance Raffle for Class Gifts

Da Vinci classes pooled resources to obtain a set of phenomenal items for the Take-A-Chance Raffle. These items will be raffled off at the auction, must be present to win. Tickets are $5 each and sold the night of the auction ONLY. (Not to sound like a broken record, but be sure to RSVP so you can be there to try for your chance to win one of these!)

The fantastic items include:

Two night's stay in the Wisconsin Dells
A huge set of Magna-tiles
All five of the Lego Prince of Persia sets
Two scooters (Powerwing and Siege)
A Barnes and Noble Nook ebook reader and case
American Girl Doll and Outfits
Xbox 360 and 3 games
DSI and games
and yes, you asked for it..

an iPad tablet computer!

Class projects

Just wait til you see what the amazing and artistic duo of Anita and Amy have cooked up for 2010 Auction Class projects!


Included, but not limited to...a fingerpainted reproduction of Van Gogh's Starry Night, a dragon built entirely out of...legos! A chess set built entirely out of...nuts and bolts! A knight's head statue beaded in exquisite shades of blue. More information and pictures of the masterpieces-in-progress to come.

Have you sent in your RSVP yet? You have to attend to have the opportunity to bid on these fantastic student-created one-of-a-kind artistic wonders. Come join the fun! RSVP today!

New donations in Art/Culture/Music

Fantastic donations in the Art/Culture/Music category:

EB Creative photography package: Package includes: A two hour individual, children's or family photography session with one 11x14 print, two 8x10 prints, and 15% off all additional prints and products. Fair market value: $400


Hinds Photography portrait package: Family Sitting for up to nine people; custom deluxe wall print retouched, mounted and sprayed with matte lacquer finish. Finished portrait size 11" x 14".Fair market value: $239


Northlight Theater: Enjoy two tickets to Low Down Dirty Blues playing May 27-June 24, 2010 Fair market value: $110

Steel Beam Theater: Full tuition for one session of Steel Beam Theater Summer Camp 2010. Six sessions to choose from, three age groups. Your child will learn acting and stage skills, confidence, poise, and discipline. The two-week camp will cap off with two performances. Fair market value: $350

Painting Lessons: Two hours of watercolor painting instruction using for a beginner or advanced student. The lesson is given by artist C.D. McNamara. Let your child's creativity be channeled through painting. Fair market value: $120

Watercolor painting: Original watercolor painting by artist C.D. McNamara. Fair market value: $425

Sutton Studios donates a portrait package for Family/Dogs

This gift certificate from Sutton Studios has a fair market value of $725, and is for:
Gift Certificate good for weekday portrait sitting for up to 2 people and 2 pets (flexible); 11" x 11" signed exhibition print; $50.00 framing voucher.

Nudera Orthodontics donates $1000 off orthodontic treatment

Nudera Orthodontics of South Elgin has donated $1000 off orthodontic treatment to the Da Vinci 2010 Auction. Come to the event on May 1, 2010 so you can secure this fantastic package!