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Archives for January 2025

Week 19 Schedule

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Dear DVC Students and Families,

We want to start with a heartfelt thank you to our families, students, staff and community for the outpouring of support this week for those affected by the LA County fires. Thanks to DV community efforts, in collaboration with Pass it Forward and numerous community groups, over 2000 meals have been donated to firefighters, wildfire victims, volunteers and more.

If you are a DVC family who has been personally affected by the fires, please reach out to us as soon as possible so that we can offer support and resources. The health and safety of our students is our top priority. If you or someone you know is in need of resources at this time, please feel free to share this resource list. 

No School on Monday, 1/20: There is no school on Monday, January 20th, in honor of Martin Luther King Holiday. We are grateful for his pivotal role in the civil rights movement and his legacy for equality, justice, and nonviolence. 

Tutoring for Semester 2: We are pleased to expand our after school tutoring program to 3 days per week! There is free drop-in tutoring (no sign-up needed) available in Mr. Albans’s room (3401) on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesdays, 3:35 – 4:30
  • Wednesdays, 2:30 – 4:30
  • Thursdays, 3:35 – 4:30

Seminar Change Requests: Students, if you would like to request a change to your seminar classes, please fill out this form: Schedule Change Request Form All requests must be submitted by Friday, 1/24 at 4pm. You are required to attend the classes you are assigned until you are given a new schedule by school staff. As always, we will do our best to accommodate as many requests as possible, but not all requests can be honored. Please note that the form is only accessible by students through their DV google account.

Da Vinci Schools Surveys: We value your voice and input. Parents/guardians and students, you should have received an email from Kelvin Education during the first week of November with a survey link to provide feedback. Please look in your inbox for “Kelvin Education” to complete the survey. Thank you for taking the time to provide this valuable feedback. Surveys close on January 31st.

FAFSA Friday Workshops for Senior Families: Da Vinci Schools is excited to offer practical, hands-on FAFSA workshops to our senior families. See more information about the workshop on this post on our blog. This will be held on the DV Communications (DVC) floor in Room 3203 and is open to all Da Vinci Schools senior families. Participants should register here for ONE of the following dates as all workshops will cover the same material.

  • Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)

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

  • Monday, 1/20: No School – MLK Jr. Day
  • Thursday, 1/23: Awards CD
  • Monday, 1/27 – Friday, 1/31: Neurodiversity Celebration Week 
  • Wednesday, 1/29: Computer Science Field Trip (9th & 11th)
  • Wednesday, 1/29: Reagan Library Field Trip (12th)
  • Monday, 2/3: Cal Poly Pomona / LMU Field Trip (11th)
  • Thursday, 2/6: USC Field Trip (11th)
  • Friday, 2/7: No School – Professional Development

 

Please use these links for easy access to school information:

(Juniors) USC Bovard Scholars Application Due Jan. 17th!

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The 2025 USC Bovard Scholars application is now open and due this Friday, January 17th!

We are excited to welcome our ninth cohort of Bovard Scholars to the USC campus this summer. As I write, our eighth cohort is in the midst of the college application process, working with our program’s college admissions counselors to refine essays and applications. Our seventh cohort is enjoying their first year as college freshmen at top-tier universities across the country—think Harvard, Columbia, the University of Chicago, the University of California, Berkeley, and right here at USC.

We invite all high-achieving high school juniors with financial need to apply HERE.

Do you or someone you know fit these requirements?

  • Junior in high school (11th grader) at time of application
  • Currently hold a 4.0 GPA or above
  • Enrolled in Algebra II, Trigonometry or above
  • Demonstrate financial need

If so, you are eligible to APPLY HERE.

If selected, each Bovard Scholar will have one full year of support through the admissions cycle and spend two weeks on the USC campus, where they will receive:

  • Personalized career exploration
  • Expert admission and financial aid support
  • Comprehensive test preparation
  • Leadership development

This year, the summer intensive runs from July 14, 2025, through August 2, 2025. More information on the program can be found at this link: https://bovardscholars.usc.edu/

We offer the program at no cost to students or families. USC will pay for transportation to and from campus for students outside of Southern California.

Applications are due January 17, 2025, at 5:00 pm PST.

Join Us for a FAFSA Workshop THIS FRIDAY!

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OPEN TO ALL DA VINCI SCHOOLS SENIOR FAMILIES

WHEN: 

  • Friday, January 17th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)

Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material.

WHERE: 

  • Da Vinci Communications Room 3203

Workshop Description:
Join us for a practical, hands-on FAFSA Workshop designed specifically for parents navigating the FAFSA process for the first time. In this 1 hour and 30-minute session, you’ll learn the essentials of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including what it is, why it matters for your family’s financial planning, and how to complete it accurately and confidently.

We’ll start by breaking down the FAFSA process, covering everything from basic eligibility requirements to deadlines, key documents, and common questions about financial aid. Then, parents will have the chance to practice filling out a sample FAFSA, with guidance from experts available to answer questions in real-time.

What You’ll Gain From This Workshop:

  • Clear Understanding of FAFSA Basics: Learn the purpose of the FAFSA, how it affects college affordability, and what types of aid your student could qualify for.
  • Step-by-Step Guidance: We’ll walk you through each section of the FAFSA form, demystifying terms, identifying common challenges, and clarifying exactly what information you’ll need to provide.
  • Hands-On Practice: Work on a mock FAFSA application to get comfortable with the format and practice identifying tools, documents, and information you’ll need for the real application.
  • Tools & Tips for Success: Get expert tips on maximizing your student’s financial aid opportunities and take home a checklist of essential resources to keep the process smooth.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll feel equipped and empowered to tackle the FAFSA with confidence and ensure your student gets access to the financial resources they deserve.

REGISTRATION:

Click HERE to register. Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material. 

 

Week 18 Schedule: Semester 2 begins Monday!

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Happy New Year, DVC Families,

We hope that the new year finds you healthy and safe. We are excited to welcome our students back to campus on Monday, 1/13! Classes begin at 8:30am.

Our hearts go out to all of those in our community who have been affected by the ongoing wildfires in LA. We are committed to helping our community navigate this challenging time. Please see this blog post for resources to support those affected by the wildfires as well as preparedness resources. 

PowerSchool Access & Report Cards: Please note that PowerSchool access has been restored; final semester 1 grades can be checked at davincischools.powerschool.com. We will be mailing end-of-semester report cards on Friday, 1/10; please check your mail next week. Included in report cards were NWEA MAP Test Results (grades 9-11) and PSAT/SAT test results (grades 9-12) for students who completed these tests. If you do not have access to PowerSchool or do not receive your report card next week, please reach out to our office manager Jackie Martinez (jmartinez@davincischools.org) or (310) 725-5800. 

Wednesday Snacks for DVC Staff: Thank you to the families who brought us snacks on Wednesdays! Over 30 families treated us to a surprise snack each week at the start of our collaboration time on Wednesdays. We enjoyed veggies and hummus, chips and dips, fruit, charcuterie boards, noodle dishes, granola bars, sparkling water, cakes, and cookies!  If you are willing and able to help during Semester 2, please sign up here: Wednesday Snack Sign Up. We ask you to bring enough snacks for about 20 people, and we ask for 2 parents/guardians for each Wednesday. The hope is that there is enough to give about 40 people a snack or treat each week. If you plan to bring snacks for 40, please sign up for both slots. If you have questions, feel free to email Jackie Martinez at jmartinez@davincischools.org. Thank you for your generosity!

Schedule Changes: Student schedules are sometimes adjusted at the semester to better align with academic goals, course availability, and overall student success. Semester 2 schedules will be printed and distributed during Period 1 on Monday, 1/13. If there are any questions about a student’s schedule, please contact your student’s counselor:

Seminar Changes: Students will remain enrolled in their seminar classes from Semester 1 with the exception of some classes that will no longer be offered. If you are notified that your class will no longer be offered or if you would like to request a change to your seminar classes, please fill out this form: Schedule Change Request Form All requests must be submitted by Tuesday, 1/14 at 4pm. As always, we will do our best to accommodate as many requests as possible, but not all requests can be honored. Please note that the form is only accessible by students through their DV google account. Students are required to attend the classes they are assigned until they are given a new schedule by school staff.

CHYA Presentations: Dr. Emily Green and Nurse Titsyana Lucero will be presenting a refresher of the health & sexual education curriculum (“CHYA”, or “California Healthy Youth Act”) to 11th grade students on Monday, 1/13 and Tuesday, 1/14. Click this link to read the notification letter from Dr Emily Green. If you have any questions about the content that will be covered, please email Dr. Green at egreen@davincischools.org. Parents have the right to “opt-out” of this presentation for their child. If you wish to do so, please email Erin D’Souza, DVC Principal, at edsouza@davincischools.org.

FAFSA Friday Workshops for Senior Families: Da Vinci Schools is excited to offer practical, hands-on FAFSA workshops to our senior families. See more information about the workshop on this post on our blog. This will be held on the DV Communications (DVC) floor in Room 3203 and is open to all Da Vinci Schools senior families. Participants should register here for ONE of the following dates as all workshops will cover the same material.

  • Friday, January 17th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)

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

  • Monday, 1/13: School Resumes & Semester 2 Begins
  • Wednesday, 1/15: Marketing Field Trip
  • Monday, 1/20: No School – MLK Jr. Day
  • Thursday, 1/23: Awards CD
  • Wednesday, 1/29: Computer Science Field Trip (9th & 11th)
  • Wednesday, 1/29: Reagan Library Field Trip (12th)
  • Monday, 2/3: NACAC College Fair Trip (11th)
  • Thursday, 2/6: USC Field Trip (11th)
  • Friday, 2/7: No School – Professional Development

Please use these links for easy access to school information:

Resources Regarding the Wildfires in LA County

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Dear Parents and Guardians,

We send love and condolences to all of our community members affected by the ongoing wildfires impacting the Los Angeles areas. These fires have led to evacuations, property loss, and significant disruptions for many families. This notification is designed to ensure that our Da Vinci community has access to where to find live updates and any needed resources during this time. 

Current Situation: LIVE UPDATES

Community Resources:

Health and Safety Recommendations:

  1. Stay Informed: Monitor local news outlets and official sources for the latest updates on evacuation orders and air quality advisories.

  2. Air Quality Precautions: Due to smoke and ash, air quality may be poor. Limit outdoor activities, keep windows and doors closed, and consider using air purifiers if available. If you have N95 masks, use them to protect against smoke inhalation.

  3. Emergency Preparedness: Ensure your family has an emergency plan in place. This includes having a “go-bag” with essential items, knowing evacuation routes, and establishing a communication plan with all family members.

  4. Support for Children: Children may experience anxiety or confusion during such events. Maintain open communication, provide age-appropriate information, and reassure them of their safety. The American Red Cross offers resources to help children cope during emergencies; Coping with Disasters: Free Resources for Kids (LINKED HERE) 

Additional Resources:

  • Ready.gov – Wildfire Safety: Comprehensive guidelines on preparing for wildfires and protecting your family (LINKED HERE)

  • American Red Cross – Wildfire Safety: Information on wildfire preparedness and recovery (LINKED HERE)

We understand that this is a challenging time for many in our community. Please prioritize your safety and well-being, and do not hesitate to reach out to local support services if needed.

Sincerely,

Erin Whalen 

Assistant Superintendent of Student Services 

Ewhalen@davincischools.org

Da Vinci Communications

201 N. Douglas St. – Floor 3

El Segundo, CA 90245

(310) 725-5800