Archives for March 2024

Happy Sunday DVC,

Here are the list of college/career reps that will be visiting DVC during lunch this upcoming week:

• Monday, March 18th @ 11:45 am: High Point University (NC)
• Friday, March 22nd @ 11:45 am: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • 9th Grade students ONLY
    • Presentations for 10th and 1th grade coming soon this semester!
  • Students should sign up by filling out this google form using their Da Vinci Schools email: https://forms.gle/ujtFccfSaxgA74YN8
  • Only 36 spots available, spots are first come first-served and students will be notified by Wednesday, March 20th if they received a spot.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to email me or stop by my office,

Ms. Aldrete

maldrete@davincischools.org

College & Career Counselor

Exhibition Night is just around the corner! This week we begin preparations for an engaging, project-based showcase from our 9th and 11th grade students. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 27th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. All DVC students are expected to attend, we hope to see lots of families at this awesome event.

Tutoring Opportunities: Please take advantage of the FREE TUTORING available after school every day:

• Tutoring with Ms. Estrella (info here)

• • When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4pm – 5pm
  • Where: Wiseburn Room, 3120 – near the blue stairwell
  • Subjects: English, Economics, Essays, Homework
  • Grades: 9th and 12th grades

• Tutoring with Mr. Alex

• • When: Monday through Friday, immediately after school until 4:30pm
  • Where: Rob’s Room, 3204 (M, T, Th, F) or Albans’s Room, 3401 (Wed)
  • Subjects: All subjects, with a special emphasis on math and science
  • Grades: All grades

SmartPass Update: We successfully implemented our new digital hall pass system on Thursday! Students did a great job signing out of class by asking the teacher for permission and using the kiosk to make a pass. For more information about SmartPass, please click here.

Standardized Testing: Please note that there is a lot of testing for grades 9, 10 & 11 after spring break. Please read below for details of upcoming tests.

• Benchmark Testing on Monday, 4/8 & Tuesday, 4/9 (10th Grade): Da Vinci Schools is using the NWEA MAP Assessments to measure student progress and growth throughout the school year (from beginning to end) as well as from school year to school year. We ask students to take this test once during Semester 1 and again during Semester 2. Results are used to inform teachers about student areas of strength and areas for improvement. 
• Physical Fitness Testing on Monday, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16 (9th Grade): California requires all 9th grade students to take the Physical Fitness Test. Our 9th grade students will be taking this test during Computer Science classes. More information about the test can be found here. For questions, please reach out to Andrew Daramola, Assistant Principal (adaramola@davincischools.org) or Andy Galbraith, Computer Science Teacher (agalbraith@davincischools.org). 
• State Testing begins on Monday, 4/15 (11th Grade): Our 11th grade students will begin state testing in English-Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science after spring break. The testing will be done during their classes, with minimal disruption to the daily schedule. Please click the link for more information about each assessment. Students can access additional practice tests at this link as a guest user. 
  • California English-Language Arts Test (CAASPP-ELA) & California Mathematics Test (CAASPP- Math) Parent Information
  • California Science Test (CAST) Parent Information
  • California Alternate Assessment (CAA) Parent Information

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

• Monday, 3/25: Parent Advisory Committee Meeting – 4:30pm @ 201 N. Douglas or via zoom (link here)
• Wednesday, 3/27: Exhibition Night @ 5:30pm
• Thursday, 3/28: Da Vinci Trades Fair 1pm – 5pm (sign up here)
• Friday, 3/29: No School – Cesar Chavez Day
• Monday, 4/1 – Friday, 4/5: No School – Spring Break
• Monday, 4/8 & Tuesday, 4/9: NWEA MAP Growth Testing in ELA & Math (10th Grade)
• Wednesday, 4/10: College Trip to USC (11th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15: CAASPP Testing ELA Begins (11th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16: Physical Fitness Testing (9th Grade)
• Wednesday, 4/17: College Field Trip to UCLA, LMU, Cal Poly Pomona (9th Grade)

Bookmark these links for easy access to school information:

• DVC Announcements Deck: tinyurl.com/dvc-announcements-spring2024 
• DVC Monthly Calendar: tinyurl.com/DVCcalendar23-24
• DVC Weekly Schedules: tinyurl.com/weekly-schedules23-24
• Canvas Login Page: davincischools.instructure.com
• Canvas Help Website: tinyurl.com/dv-parent-canvas-help

We loved connecting with our families this week both in-person and virtually at our Student-Led Conferences! We know that it’s hard to disrupt the routine and step away from your own responsibilities; thank you for working together in partnership for the academic success and well-being of your child. Check out some great pics from Monday’s SLCs!

• Exhibition Night: We look forward to seeing our families on campus again on Wednesday, March 27th from 5:30 – 7:00pm for Exhibition Night! Our 9th and 11th grade students will be showcasing their projects. All DVC students are expected to attend, and all families and community members are encouraged to attend! We are especially looking forward to inviting our Class of 2028 to check out their new school on this special evening.

• Summer Plans: If you’re looking for awesome summer opportunities that help promote college and career readiness, please check out these resources: Spring and Summer Opportunities  – Real World Learning and pre-collegiate opportunities for students in grades 9, 10, or 11.

• DECA State Career Development Conference: You can follow DVC DECA students at their competition in Anaheim by following @dvcdeca on Instagram for updates! They’ve already won an award and we’re so proud of them!

• SmartPass Launch: We are switching to a digital pass system (no more handwritten passes and lanyards – yay!) and we are going to launch this new system schoolwide on Thursday, March 14th! The original launch date was Monday, March 11th, but we are going to allow additional time for teachers to review information with their classes before we launch. For more information about SmartPass, please click here.

• Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week Planning Session: Please join us via zoom on Monday, 3/11 at 4:30pm to brainstorm plans for teacher and staff appreciation week in May! We would love your ideas and assistance in planning a special week for the DVC team.

• No School this Friday, 3/15: Just a reminder that this is a four-day week and we have no school on Friday, 3/15 due to Professional Development for staff. We are also closed on Friday, 3/29 and the following week (4/1 – 4/5) for spring break.

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

• Monday, 3/11: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week Planning Session @ 4:30pm (zoom only – LINK HERE)
• Wednesday, 3/13:  Leadership Ice Skating Fundraiser @ Toyota Sports Center
• Friday, 3/15 – No School – Professional Development Day
• Monday, 3/25: Parent Advisory Committee Meeting – 4:30pm @ 201 N. Douglas or via zoom (link here)
• Wednesday, 3/27: Exhibition Night @ 5:30pm
• Thursday, 3/28: Da Vinci Trades Fair 1pm – 5pm (sign up here)
• Friday, 3/29: No School – Cesar Chavez Day
• Monday, 4/1 – Friday, 4/5: No School – Spring Break
• Monday, 4/8 & Tuesday, 4/9: NWEA MAP Growth Testing in ELA & Math (10th Grade)
• Wednesday, 4/10: College Trip to USC (11th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15: CAASPP Testing ELA Begins (11th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16: Physical Fitness Testing (9th Grade)
• Wednesday, 4/17: College Field Trip to UCLA, LMU, Cal Poly Pomona (9th Grade)

Bookmark these links for easy access to school information:

• DVC Announcements Deck: tinyurl.com/dvc-announcements-spring2024 
• DVC Monthly Calendar: tinyurl.com/DVCcalendar23-24
• DVC Weekly Schedules: tinyurl.com/weekly-schedules23-24
• Canvas Help Website: tinyurl.com/dv-parent-canvas-help
• Canvas Login Page: davincischools.instructure.com

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

See the attached QR code for more information, and please reach out to adaramola@davincischools.org with any questions or concerns.  We anticipate that this system will be beneficial for both staff and students.