Davenport School of the Arts

Unclaimed items from last day of school. Come and get them!

Another update from Mrs. Braaten:
After Mr. Barone’s retirement we sought a replacement. Last week our team interviewed candidates for our band director position. Please welcome Gabe Ortiz to the DSA family!! Our students are going to love him!! He is looking forward to joining DSA!

Don’t forget today, June 20th and June 27th are the only days to purchase uniforms until orientation!

Message to Our DSA Families:

Good Evening DSA Family,

I am writing to share some news that is both exciting and deeply bittersweet for me. As you may have already seen in the message from Polk County Public Schools, I have applied for and will be taking a position as Senior Coordinator of Teacher Training in the Professional Development Department. While this opportunity is just five minutes from my home, the decision to leave Davenport School of the Arts after so many years has been one of the most difficult of my life.

This new role allows me to fulfill a long-held dream of supporting and developing teachers across our district. Although my position will change, my purpose remains the same—to positively impact students by investing in the educators who serve them every day.

For 18 of my 26 years with Polk County Public Schools, DSA has been my home. More importantly, it has been a place where I’ve had the privilege to partner with incredible families like yours. Together, we have celebrated your children’s growth, creativity, and achievements—both in the classroom and through the arts. Watching our students thrive has been the greatest joy of my career.

As Winnie the Pooh once said, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” That could not be more true. The relationships built here—with students, families, and staff—mean more to me than I can fully express.

Because of your trust, your support, and your belief in this school, DSA has become the special place it is today. Your children have taught me so much—their energy, their creativity, their resilience—and I will carry those lessons with me always. Each family has left a lasting imprint on my heart.

Please know how grateful I am for the opportunity to have been a small part of your child’s journey. It has been an honor to support their learning, celebrate their talents, and watch them grow into confident, capable young people.

DSA’s culture—rooted in creativity, excellence, and heart—will continue to thrive because of the incredible students, families, and staff who make it so special. I know the future is bright, and I look forward to coming back to cheer on our students at performances, events, and celebrations.

Over the past few days, I’ve shed many tears—but they come from a place of deep love and gratitude. While this is the right step for me and my family, leaving DSA is incredibly hard because of the community we’ve built together.

Thank you for trusting me, for supporting our school, and for allowing me to be part of your child’s story. I have truly loved serving this community, and I will continue to carry DSA with me.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Braaten