Week 17

It’s here – the final week of Semester 1!  We have been so impressed by our students as they started their POLs last week, and we know that there are more strong presentations to come this week.  POLs and Finals continue this week, with early dismissal from Mon-Thurs at 2:00pm.  A reminder that Friday, 12/19, is a Professional Development Day (no students).

PowerSchool Access & Report Cards

PowerSchool access has been disabled as teachers finalize grades. We will be mailing end-of-semester report cards in the new year (January 2026), but we will restore PowerSchool access for families during the winter break. 

DVC Front Office

Our school office will be closed for break from Friday, 12/19 through Friday, 1/2. Our office opens again on Monday, 1/5, and school starts for students again on Monday, 1/12. 

Presentations of Learning Continue This Week

School dismissal for POL days is 2:00pm (12/11-12/18). POLs help students improve communication and public speaking skills and empower students to take ownership of their learning. The most important things you can do to help your student prepare for their POLs are (1) assure them that it is ok to make mistakes, (2) have them practice their POLs many times to as many people in your household as possible, and (3) help them prepare their professional dress. 

One of the expectations for a Presentation of Learning (POL) is that students come in professional dress. At DVC, professional dress is defined as including the following:

• HEAD: Hair should not cover the face; no hats
• SHOULDERS: Button-down dress shirt (shirt must be tucked in) or or non-revealing blouse (must cover shoulders); Suit jacket (optional)
• KNEES: Khaki pants or dress pants (no jeans); Dress or skirt that touches tops of knees when standing up straight
• TOES: Closed-toe dress shoes (no sneakers or excessively high heels)

Substance Abuse Webinar

Join Da Vinci Schools and our health partners for an important conversation on teen vaping and cannabis use, and how it impacts youth and families, as well as what you can do to start open and supportive conversations with teens. For info, please see the flyer here.

Here’s what’s coming up THIS WEEK and beyond:

• Presentations of Learning (POLs) – Thursday, December 11th – Thursday, December 18th (2:00 dismissal)
• Last Day of the Semester – Thursday, December 18th 
• PD Day (No Students) – Friday, December 19th
• Winter Break – December 22nd – January 9th 
• First Day of Semester 2 – Monday, January 12th
• MLK Day Holiday – Monday, January 19th

Bookmark These Helpful Links:

• DVC Announcements Deck: https://tinyurl.com/dvc-announcements-fall-2025
• DVC Monthly Calendars: tinyurl.com/planning-calendar2526
• DVC Weekly Schedules: tinyurl.com/DVCweekly-schedules2526
• DV/Wiseburn Athletics: athletics.davincischools.org 
• DVC Incident Reporting Form: tinyurl.com/dvc-incident-report
• PowerSchool Login Page: davincischools.powerschool.com/public
• Absence Reporting Form (Completed by parent for absences) 

Short-Term Independent Study (STIS) Form (Completed by student for absences).

Brothers Code is a free, hands-on technology experience designed to introduce middle and high school students to coding, tech entrepreneurship, and leadership. The event also includes a learning track for adults who want to better support young people as they explore opportunities in technology. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and all participants will have the chance to connect with mentors, volunteers, and local tech professionals.

Event Details 

What: Brothers Code, a technology and leadership experience for students and families
Who: Middle and high school students, plus adults who want to learn how to support youth in tech
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 8:00am–2:00pm
Location: Inglewood High School United (formerly Morningside High School)
10500 Yukon Ave S, Inglewood, CA 90303
Cost: Free with registration

Register Here

1. Social Security Number -parent(s) and student-
2. Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)
3. Federal Income Tax Return 2023, W2’s, and other records of money earned
4. Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
5. Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

Week 16

We only have two weeks left of school this semester! On Friday, we celebrated students who earned All-Star Awards for December as well as played another round of Advisory Olympics during our End-of-Semester CD. Congratulations to the awardees (see end of this message) and game winners!

Parent Advisory Committee Recap

We had our second Parent Advisory Committee this past Thursday, December 4th.  We reviewed the Da Vinci Schools School Safety Plan, which was insightful for parents, students, and staff.  If you missed the PAC meeting, you can watch the Zoom recording here!

Presentations of Learning (POLs) begin on Thursday, 12/11!

POLs begin this week!  School dismissal for POL days is 2:00pm (12/11-12/18). POLs help students improve communication and public speaking skills and empower students to take ownership of their learning. We are excited for our students to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned this semester! The most important things you can do to help your student prepare for their POLs are (1) assure them that it is ok to make mistakes, (2) have them practice their POLs many times to as many people in your household as possible, and (3) help them prepare their professional dress. 

One of the expectations for a Presentation of Learning (POL) is that students come in professional dress. At DVC, professional dress is defined as including the following:

• HEAD: Hair should not cover the face; no hats
• SHOULDERS: Button-down dress shirt (shirt must be tucked in) or or non-revealing blouse (must cover shoulders); Suit jacket (optional)
• KNEES: Khaki pants or dress pants (no jeans); Dress or skirt that touches tops of knees when standing up straight
• TOES: Closed-toe dress shoes (no sneakers or excessively high heels)

End of Semester Notes (PowerSchool/Canvas Access)

Grades earned at the end of this semester appear on students’ transcripts, and a new semester begins in January 2026. The last day for students to submit schoolwork for Semester 1 is Wednesday, 12/10. PowerSchool and Canvas access for students/parents will be blocked starting Wednesday, 12/10 to finalize semester grades. The last day for students to check grades before seeing a final grade on report cards will be Tuesday, 12/9.

Here’s what’s coming up THIS WEEK and beyond:

• Last Day to Submit Work for Semester 1 – Wednesday, December 10th
• Presentations of Learning (POLs) – Thursday, December 11th – Thursday, December 18th (2:00 dismissal)
• Last Day of the Semester – Thursday, December 18th 
• PD Day (No Students) – Friday, December 19th
• Winter Break – December 22nd – January 9th 
• First Day of Semester 2 – Monday, January 12th

Bookmark These Helpful Links:

• DVC Announcements Deck: https://tinyurl.com/dvc-announcements-fall-2025
• DVC Monthly Calendars: tinyurl.com/planning-calendar2526
• DVC Weekly Schedules: tinyurl.com/DVCweekly-schedules2526
• DV/Wiseburn Athletics: athletics.davincischools.org 
• DVC Incident Reporting Form: tinyurl.com/dvc-incident-report
• PowerSchool Login Page: davincischools.powerschool.com/public
• Absence Reporting Form (Completed by parent for absences) 
• Short-Term Independent Study (STIS) Form (Completed by student for absences).

Sincerely,

Andrew Daramola

Principal, Da Vinci Communications 

1. Social Security Number -parent(s) and student-
2. Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)
3. Federal Income Tax Return 2023, W2’s, and other records of money earned
4. Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
5. Records of untaxed income (if applicable)