Early Bird Pricing Extended

Dear Da Vinci Families,

Our Auction Committee has decided to extend the deadline for early auction RSVP pricing to this Friday (April 15).  If you are planning on attending (and we certainly hope that you are), you definitely do not want to miss the discount pricing.

We will make it easier than ever, just use this hyperlink to e-mail the Auction Committee that you are coming and how many are in your party:

Respond Now

After you respond, fill out the reservation form and send it to school with your check.  Once we get your e-mail RSVP, your discount pricing will be good as long as we get your paper registration and check by Friday.

Six compelling reasons why you should attend the Auction!

1.      It is a fun, adult evening out.

2.      You get a fantastic meal (wine, steak, jumbo prawns).

3.      You get to see the fantastic class projects our students have been working on for the auction.

4.      Auction revenue accounts for about 5% of our educational budget.  Your child’s education is positively impacted every day by funds provided through past auctions.  We need everyone in our community’s support going forward.

5.      You show your appreciation for the countless hours that our parent volunteers devote toward making the auction a great event.

6.      Every attendee has a chance to win a Barnes and Noble Nook Color eBook Reading Tablet.  Your odds of winning are going to be about 1:150.  Not bad at all!

The auction is Saturday, April 30.  Please join us!  Much more information is available on our website.

Jeff Stroebel

Class Projects 2011

Class projects are getting started in anticipation of the 2011 Annual Benefit Auction here at Da Vinci.  Each child gets the opportunity to participate in the class projects and there are really exciting things going on!

PK - The pre-Kers are working on a Fairytale quilt.  Check out the pictures of the progress of their work.

K - The Kindergartners are creating a mosaic birdbath with a Jake and the Beanstalk theme. Pictures of the work in progress are here.

1st - The first graders are working on a canvas painting. We can't wait to see what they are making!

2nd - The second graders are making a sidetable with a "Rumpus in the Rainforest" theme.

3rd - The third graders are going to make a world clock.

4th- The fourth graders are going to be creating a Photoshopped piece of art.

5th - The fifth graders are using the Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass theme for a mirror.

6th - The sixth graders are making a Red Wolf Paper Collage theme.

7th - The seventh graders are working a Mona Lisa theme.

8th - The eighth graders are working on a reproduction of the "Son of Man" artwork by René Magritte.

Welcome back from Spring Break!

The official countdown to the auction has begun. A few things to remember in these upcoming weeks.

1. Volunteers are still needed. Please see our volunteer page for more information.  
2. The Parent Education event is also coming up Find out more information about this event.  Please consider coming. 
3. Lastly, don't forget to consider coming to the auction.  The early-bird ticket pricing expires on 4/11. RSVP information has been added here.

Hope everyone had a great break! Stay tuned for class project updates and continue to check out the blog for auction items and various other information.

Auction Item: Bonita Springs, Florida

Up for auction at our event on April 30th. You don't want to miss this!

8 Days in beautiful Southwest Florida. This condo is located in the Fort Meyers Area in the town of Bonita Springs.  Ideally located between Naples and Ft. Myers, the community of Bonita Springs offers the unique and inviting Old Florida lifestyle of a charming, small, beach town. Beautiful beaches, along with the sparkling Gulf of Mexico and the natural beauty of Estero Bay, offer sun-lovers and anglers the ultimate paradise.  

This gorgeous 3 bedroom plus loft, 2 bathroom condo is on the second floor overlooking a pool and waterfall.  Water taxi is available to island beach. Condo can sleep up to 8 (four twins, one King, one Queen) and is completely furnished and equipped, including laundry, linens, towels, well-outfitted kitchen, broadband Internet and WiFi.

Winning bidder may select a date between May 15, 2011 and September 15, 2011, subject to availability.  

Auction Item: Schwinn Scooter by BBK Motorsport in Elgin

Up for auction is a Schwinn Scooter, a 2008 Schwinn Hope™ 50.

Find out more information about this scooter here and complete technical details here.  The top speed on this amazing scooter is 30 mph (downhill with a tail wind).  As it is a 50cc machine and is capable of less than 30 mph, it can be ridden on public roads with only an Illinois automobile license. The purchaser will be responsible for 7% Illinois vehicle tax and $134 plate and title fees.


This scooter is donated by  BBK Motorsport located at 222 Dundee Ave in Elgin.  Please check out their site for what they offer at http://www.bbkmotorsport.com/.

Golden Ticket Contest Board

The Golden Ticket Contest has begun and we are keeping track of the score in the front lobby of the school.  Here is the Golden Ticket Contest board!

Here you will find which class/advisory is in the lead for the pizza party and which student is in first, second and third place for the awesome Visa gift card prize!

Parent Education Breakfast on Thursday April 14

The Parent Association invites you to a Parent Education Breakfast on Thursday April 14 at 9 AM with Dr. Michelle Bidwell, Psy.D.  The event will be held at the Elgin Country Club. 

Dr. Bidwell will be speaking about "The Social and Emotional Aspects of Parenting Gifted Children."  Admission is $25 and proceeds go towards the Annual Benefit Auction. 

Please RSVP via email to Tammi Sowinski before April 11.  Feel free to invite a few friends!

Download complete information here.

Golden Ticket Contest

The Golden Ticket Contest starts TOMORROW! We are running a Golden Ticket contest from March 21 through April 22.  The top-selling class will win a pizza party.  The top three students with the most tickets sold will win Visa gift cards ($100, $75, $50.)  Download the Golden Ticket Competition flier for complete details.  Sell early, sell often!

Who can compete?  Any Da Vinci Academy Class or Student

When is the competition? March 21st through April 22nd

How do we know who is winning? A Pizza Party will be awarded to the class with most
Golden Tickets sold during contest dates. THE TOP THREE STUDENTS WITH THE MOST TICKETS SOLD ALL WIN A $100, $75, $50 VISA GIFT CARD TO SPEND AS THEY CHOOSE.

What are the rules? SELL AS MANY TICKETS AS POSSIBLE. Takeyour tickets with you everywhere. Winners do not need to be present at the Auction to win. You get to help raise money for your school. Please be sure the tickets are filled out completely – see Spongebob’s example below. Ticket prices are: 1 ticket for $10.00 and 6 tickets for $50.00, cash or check (checks should be made out to Da Vinci Academy). Thank you for doing your part to help out!

Front of Ticket

Back of Ticket

Auction Item: Aruba

Up for auction is a sunny week in beautiful Aruba! At the Marriot's Aruba Surf Club, enjoy an amazing vacation from Thursday, December 15, 2011 to Thursday December 22, 2011. Accommodations include 2 bedrooms (BR1: King Size Bed, BR2: Pull out Sofa, Queen Size Bed, LR: Pull out Sofa) with 2 bathrooms and can hold up to 8 people with kitchen facilities, satellite TV and many other amenities. On-site, you will find car rental options, beach/pool towels, hot tub or whirlpool, restaurants, health club, laundry, playgrounds, pools, beach and much more!

Located very close to Queen Beatriz airport, you will also find yourself near many wonders such as the Natural Bridge, Huliba Caves and the Dunes. 

Passports are required. Value of this awesome vacation is $4095.

Annual Benefit Auction Planning in high gear!

It's that time of year, Annual Benefit Auction planning is kicking into high gear.

Some, but by no means all of the fabulous donations already received:

- Signed White Sox baseball (if I knew more about baseball I could probably tell you who it was signed by, but not a big baseball fan, alas. More info to follow!)
- A week stay at a beautiful timeshare in Aruba, wonderful amenities, unbelievable! The dates are the week before Christmas this year, 2011.
- A fabulous day at the American Girl Store including a lunch at the cafe. Plan your special outing with your favorite girl soon!
- Custom-painted signs with whimsical and inspirational sayings

Stay tuned for more details about these items and more!