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South Bay College Fair (9/27)

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Looking at colleges and universities?  Check out the South Bay College Fair, hosted by Vistamar School this Sunday, September 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on their campus in El Segundo (737 Hawaii Street, El Segundo, CA 90245). The event is completely free!

As of today, 81 colleges and universities have RSVP’d. The schools are a strong mix of public and private institutions from across the country, plus a handful of international universities. Please see which colleges are attending by clicking here.

  • The fair is free and open to all students and families in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. There is no requirement to be affiliated with Vistamar, and students in every grade are welcome.
  • Students and parents are encouraged to pre-register in advance. Pre-registered attendees receive a barcode that college representatives can scan on the spot, so there is no waiting to check in on arrival.
  • Ample parking is available.  If taking Metro, the campus is about a 10-minute walk from Douglas Station on the Metro K Line (Douglas St. just north of Rosecrans Ave.).

Week 7 Updates for Families

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Week 7 

Hello DVC Families, there was lots of energy on campus this week! Our Latino Student Union (LSU) presented on Latino culture in our advisories to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Click here to see this week’s presentation on different Latino cuisines and for the game students played. In addition, our first CLD Day happened this past Monday!  It was great to see students engaged on campus in career activities, and we know that time spent at home was valuable as well.  We will have three more of these opportunities this school year.

Career Learning Day Follow Up: In order to receive attendance credit, all students, whether attending online workshops or at home, must fill out Learning Logs on the CLD Canvas page. Students who do not have the Learning Log turned in will be marked absent for that day.  

CHYA Notices:  9th Grade students will receive sexuality education as required by the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA) the week of October 12th-16th.  Additional notification will be sent to 9th grade parents this week.  Parents/guardians have the option of excluding their child from sexuality education instruction. Please contact Assistant Principal, Elizabeth Ornelas (eornelas@davincischools.org) if you wish to opt your child out of this requirement.

Student-Led Conferences (SLCs): Student-Led Conferences are coming up!  At DVC, students take the lead on presenting to their parents and guardians about their progress.   SLCs will take place October 12th-16th on every day except Wednesday, from 2:30-4:00.  We will have additional updates next week on signing up for your conference.

Upcoming Emergency Drill: The next planned 201 N. Douglas Street campus emergency drill will be the Lockdown Drill on Wednesday, September 30th. By practicing these procedures in advance, we help ensure that everyone knows what to do in order to respond calmly and effectively in the unlikely event of a real emergency.

Student Pickup: As a reminder, students can only be released to an approved guardian or emergency contact in PowerSchool. As we want to maintain an orderly dismissal, please also refrain from picking up students less than 15 minutes before school ends.  Thank you, and we appreciate your partnership!

PSAT & SAT: DVC 9th, 10th, and 11th graders will take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 21st.

FREE SAT Practice Test:  TJ Test Prep, a local test prep agency that DVC works with, is offering a free SAT test on September 26th & November 29th, both in-person at their Hermosa Beach site and on Zoom. Register here for these tests and other PJ Test Prep offerings. For more information on other upcoming dates (and RSVPs), please check out pjtestprep.com/rsvp.

We’re Looking for Parent Volunteers! All of our parents are an important part of what we do at DVC.  If you’d like to get even more involved, sign up for our new DVC Parent Association (interest link here), where you can volunteer for various opportunities to get involved! We’re excited to partner with you to support DVC! 

Make Up Senior Photos: Make up dates for senior portraits have been finalized. They will take place on October 3rd, October 4th and October 30th if needed. Families can sign up here: https://book.usesession.com/i/BVNtg0TnF

Absence Reporting Reminder: If a student is going to be absent, parents should fill out the Absence Form.  After this is filled out, students can fill out the STIS Form in order to recover and clear this absence.

Tutoring: By popular demand, Tutor Alex is returning for another year of tutoring at DVC!  Tutoring in all subject areas (except pathways and art) is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 3:30-4:30 in room 3205 (Sandoval).

 

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

  • Lockdown Drill – Wednesday, September 30th
  • Wednesday w/a 3:30 Dismissal – Wednesday, October 7th
  • Hispanic Heritage Month CD – Thursday, October 8th
  • Professional Development Day (No Students) – Friday, October 9th
  • Great California Shakeout – Thursday, October 15th
  • Student-Led Conferences – October 12th-16th
  • 9th Grade CHYA Presentations – October 12th-16th
  • 9-11 PSAT and 12th Grade SAT – Wednesday, October 21st

 

Bookmark these links for easy access to school information:

 

Week 6 Updates for Families

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Week 6

Hello DVC families!  We had a great time at last Friday’s Club Fair, with participation from over 30 student-led clubs!  The energy in the Black Box Theater was electric. Last week also marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place September 15th to October 15th and celebrates the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. Our Latino Student Union (L.S.U.) will lead the recognition and celebration throughout the next four weeks, as well as our next CD on Thursday, October 8th.  L.S.U. is already decorating the floor and raising awareness about this important month! Students interested in participating should contact Ms. Noemy Carrillo (ncarrillo@davincischools.org).

Career Learning Day: CLD Day #1: Our first Career Learning Day is coming this Monday, 9/21. Students have either signed up for an on-campus workshop or have turned in a signed permission slip on the CLD Canvas to learn from home that day.  On campus workshops will be from 8:30am-12:30pm on Monday. In order to receive attendance credit, all students, whether attending online workshops or at home, must fill out Learning Logs on the CLD Canvas page. Students will be given time to fill out Learning Logs during Advisory this week. Students who do not have the Learning Log turned in will be marked absent that day.  We look forward to our first CLD!

Student Pickup: As a reminder, students can only be released to an approved guardian or emergency contact in PowerSchool. As we want to maintain an orderly dismissal, please also refrain from picking up students less than 15 minutes before school ends.  Thank you, and we appreciate your partnership!

PSAT & SAT: DVC 9th, 10th, and 11th graders will take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 21st.  At DVC, we believe that it is important to have students try these practice tests and become familiar with them in advance of taking the SAT.  For 11th grade students, there is also the possibility of scholarships and recognition based on PSAT performance.  12th grade students have the option of taking the SAT for a final time before applying to college!  Here is some more information about the tests:

FREE SAT Practice Test:  TJ Test Prep, a local test prep agency that DVC works with, is offering a free SAT test on September 26th & November 29th, both in-person at their Hermosa Beach site and on Zoom. Register here for these tests and other PJ Test Prep offerings. For more information on other upcoming dates (and RSVPs), please check out pjtestprep.com/rsvp.  

We’re Looking for Parent Volunteers! All of our parents are an important part of what we do at DVC.  If you’d like to get even more involved, sign up for our new DVC Parent Association (interest link here), where you can volunteer for various opportunities to get involved! We’re excited to partner with you to support DVC! 

Staff Meeting Snacks: One of the reasons why DVC is able to be such a wonderful learning environment is that we prioritize staff meeting and collaborative time.  If you’d be interested in providing a snack for staff members on Wednesday meetings as a pick-me-up, please check out this link.  We are thankful for your generosity! 

Make Up Senior Photos: Make up dates for senior portraits have been finalized. They will take place on October 3rd, October 4th and October 30th if needed. Families can sign up here: https://book.usesession.com/i/BVNtg0TnF

Absence Reporting Reminder: If a student is going to be absent, parents should fill out the Absence Form.  After this is filled out, students can fill out the STIS Form in order to recover and clear this absence.

Tutoring: By popular demand, Tutor Alex is returning for another year of tutoring at DVC!  Tutoring in all subject areas (except pathways and art) is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 3:30-4:30 in room 3205 (Sandoval). 

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

  • Career Learning Day – Monday, September 21st
  • Lockdown Drill – Wednesday, September 30th
  • Wednesday w/a 3:30 Dismissal – Wednesday, October 7th
  • Hispanic Heritage Month CD – Thursday, October 8th
  • Professional Development Day (No Students) – Friday, October 9th
  • Great California Shakeout – Thursday, October 15th
  • Student-Led Conferences – October 12th-16th
  • 9th Grade CHYA Presentations – October 12th-16th
  • 9-11 PSAT and 12th Grade SAT – Wednesday, October 21st

 

Bookmark these links for easy access to school information:

 

Club Fair Pics from the creative lens of Mr. Albans!

Cal Grant Opt Out (For Seniors Only)

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Hello DVC Senior families,

As you prepare for the college application process, many of you will apply for financial aid.  One of those funding options is our State Grant, called the Cal Grant.  The Cal Grant is funding for college that students do not pay back. The Cal Grant can be used at any University of California (UC), California State University (CSU) or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent (private) and career colleges or technical schools in California.

To qualify, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by March 2, 2027 and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements.  Eligibility is based on the FAFSA or CADAA responses, your verified high school Cal Grant GPA, the type of California Colleges you list on your FAFSA or CADAA and whether you’re a recent high school graduate. To learn more about the qualifications, you may learn more about the Cal Grant here. 

Da Vinci Communications High School is required to submit student’s verified GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). By law families can “opt out” of this process if you do not want DVC to submit your student’s verified GPA. If you choose to “opt out”, this means your student will not be eligible to receive a Cal Grant. In order to “opt-out”, please complete the attached form and return to your students counselor via email no later than September 24, 2026.

If you do not return the “opt-out” form, Da Vinci Design will submit your student’s verified GPA to the CSAC to determine your student’s Cal Grant eligibility.

To obtain an opt-out form click on this link for the Cal Grant Opt Out Form, which is also available in Spanish. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your/your students counselor.

Jennifer Barba: Last Name A – G                jbarba@davincischools.org

Jamisyn Williams: Last Name H – Pa        jawilliams@davincischools.org

Christine Almeda: Last Name Pb – Z         calmeda@davincischools.org

Week 5 Updates for Families

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Week 5

DVC Families, this was quite the week!  Our 9th Grade students had their Overnighter September 9th and 10th.  We had an amazing time up in the mountains, and we even had special appreances from some “Incredibles”!  The Class of 2030 impressed us with their maturity, friendliness, and willingness to challenge themselves as they learned about what truly makes them “super” and how to spread this power to others.  A special thanks goes out to our Overnighter staff – both the Da Vinci staff and our 11th and 12th grade Wolfpack leaders!

Student Photo Make Ups: Make up photos for school photos are on Wednesday, September 16th.  Please reach out to Jackie Martinez (jmartinez@davincischools.org) with any questions.

Da Vinci Student Board: If your student is interested in applying to be a member of the Da Vinci Schools’ Student Board, please have them refer to the email sent by Mr. Daramola.  Deadline is September 18th!

Club Fair: Our annual Club Fair is coming up on Friday, 9/18. This is a great opportunity to see all of the clubs that DVC has to offer and to join them! Please contact Ms. Carrillo (ncarrillo@davincischools.org) with any questions or concerns.

We’re Looking for Parent Volunteers! All of our parents are an important part of what we do at DVC.  If you’d like to get even more involved, sign up for our new DVC Parent Association (interest link here), where you can volunteer for various opportunities to get involved! We’re excited to partner with you to support DVC! 

Staff Meeting Snacks: One of the reasons why DVC is able to be such a wonderful learning environment is that we prioritize staff meeting and collaborative time.  If you’d be interested in providing a snack for staff members on Wednesday meetings as a pick-me-up, please check out this link.  We are thankful for your generosity! 

PSAT & SAT: DVC 9th, 10th, and 11th graders will take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 21st.  At DVC, we believe that it is important to have students try these practice tests and become familiar with them in advance of taking the SAT.  For 11th grade students, there is also the possibility of scholarships and recognition based on PSAT performance.  12th grade students have the option of taking the SAT for a final time before applying to college! 

Here is some more information about the tests:

12th Grade students have the option to opt out of taking the SAT. Please fill out this form by September 18th if you are choosing to opt out.

 

Make Up Senior Photos: Make up dates for senior portraits have been finalized. They will take place on October 3rd, October 4th and October 30th if needed. Families can sign up here: https://book.usesession.com/i/BVNtg0TnF

Absence Reporting Reminder: If a student is going to be absent, parents should fill out the Absence Form.  After this is filled out, students can fill out the STIS Form in order to recover and clear this absence.

Tutoring: By popular demand, Tutor Alex is returning for another year of tutoring at DVC!  Tutoring in all subject areas (except pathways and art) is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 3:30-4:30 in room 3205 (Sandoval). 

Metro Passes: Any DVC student can receive a free Metrocard that, once activated, will allow them to ride on the Metro at no cost until June 30th. Students can pick up a card and instructions to activate their card from Jackie Martinez (jmartinez@davincischools.org) at the DVC Front Desk. Here is more information on the GoPass Program if you are interested.

 

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

  • Picture Day Make Ups – Wednesday, September 16th
  • Club Fair – Friday , September 18th
  • Career Learning Day – Monday, September 21st
  • Hispanic Heritage Month CD – Thursday, October 8th
  • Great California Shakeout – Thursday, October 15th
  • Student-Led Conferences – October 12th-16th
  • 9-11 PSAT and 12th Grade SAT – Wednesday, October 21st

Bookmark these links for easy access to school information:

 

Overnighter Photos!

Da Vinci Communications

201 N. Douglas St. – Floor 3

El Segundo, CA 90245

(310) 725-5800