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Thank you, Da Vinci Communications!

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Dear DVC Students & Families,

It is with a mix of excitement and deep gratitude that I share some important news with you. Starting in July 2025, I will transition into a new role at Da Vinci Schools as the Executive Director of LifeLaunch, an innovative career pathway program designed to bridge the gap between high school education and career success. I will continue to serve as Principal of Da Vinci Communications through June. While I am excited for this next chapter, leaving DVC is undoubtedly bittersweet.

Being Principal at DVC has been an incredible experience. This community – our students, families, and staff – has shaped me into a better leader, listener, and advocate. Serving this diverse and dynamic school has been an honor and a privilege, and I will forever be grateful for the six years I have spent here.

DVC is a special place—one where creativity and diversity are celebrated, expectations are high, inclusion is paramount, and laughter and fun remind us of our shared humanity. At DVC, we know that collaboration always trumps competition – except, of course, when it comes to the Advisory Olympics! The energy and passion that fill our classrooms are what make this school truly exceptional, and I know that spirit will continue to thrive long after I step into my new role.

Though my path is taking a new direction, I will always be a champion for DVC and its incredible students. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey; I carry with me the memories, lessons, and relationships that have made this experience so meaningful.

With appreciation and respect,

Erin D’Souza

Principal, Da Vinci Communications

Week 28 Schedule

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Exhibition Night is less than 3 weeks away! This week we begin preparations for an engaging, project-based showcase from our 10th and 12th grade students. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 9th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. All DVC students are expected to attend, we hope to see lots of families at this awesome event.

Yearbook Information: This year’s yearbook is bigger and better than ever, with more pages, larger pictures, and increased coverage of clubs and sports to showcase our diverse school community. Don’t miss out – purchase your yearbook today at this link: Da Vinci Communications Yearbook – Purchase it here! 

The SAT Test @ DVC on Wednesday, 3/26  (11th Grade): Our 11th grade students will take the SAT on Wednesday, March 26th! DVC is covering the cost of the test for 11th grade students. Though not all 4-year colleges require SAT scores for admission, there are still many colleges and scholarships that require the submission of SAT or ACT scores. On Wednesday, students should bring the following; a snack/drink for their break, an approved calculator (phone calculators not acceptable), and pencils (No. 2 required). If you have questions about the test administration, please contact Andrew Daramola, Assistant Principal (adaramola@davincischools.org). 

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting on Tuesday, 4/1: All are welcome to attend our Parent Advisory Committee Meetings! The agenda for the next meeting is as follows: 

  1. Public Comment
  2. WASC Follow Up
  3. LCAP: Goal 1, 2, and 3 Review
  4. Meeting Reflection (Plus / Delta)

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

  • Monday, 3/24: Photography Seminar Field Trip
  • Wednesday, 3/26: SAT (11th Grade)
  • Thursday, 3/27: Media Production Field Trip to Warner Brothers Studio (11th)
  • Friday, 3/28: CD
  • Friday, 3/28: Davincilandia Event hosted by Latino Student Union
  • Monday, 3/31: No School – Holiday – César Chávez Day
  • Tuesday, 4/1: PAC Meeting @ 5pm – 201 N. Douglas or via zoom (link here)
  • Friday, 4/4: El Camino College Trip (12th)
  • Monday, 4/7: CA Science Test (CAST) Begins (11th grade)
  • Wednesday, 4/9: Exhibition Night @ 5:30pm
  • Friday, 4/11: College Trip (9th) & Anatomy Field Trip (11th)
  • Monday, 4/14 – Friday, 4/18: Spring Break
  • Monday, 4/21: Community Learning Day

Please use these links for easy access to school information:

Week 27 Schedule

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Last week, we welcomed a WASC Accreditation Visiting Committee of four educators from California high schools to review and evaluate Da Vinci Communications. The Visiting Committee spent three days on campus meeting with various school stakeholders as part of a comprehensive process. The committee participated in classroom observations, ran focus groups, and reviewed a written report documenting DVC’s core practices. On Wednesday during lunch, the WASC visiting committee shared their findings with the school community in a presentation linked here. They highlighted school culture and professional development amongst DVC’s highly effective practices. The chairperson of the visiting committee shared that she’d never felt more welcome at a school and that our students were excellent communicators. Thank you to our amazing school community – students, parents, and staff – for participating in this process!

11th Grade State Testing begins on Monday, 3/17 (11th Grade): Our 11th grade students will begin state testing in English-Language Arts this week. 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. 

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. Students are invited to join a Canvas course called “Real World Learning Opportunities” where regular announcements are made about opportunities at Da Vinci and beyond. Ask students if they’ve accepted the invitation to join this course so that they see all the opportunities as they come up.

The SAT Test @ DVC on Wednesday, 3/26  (11th Grade): Our 11th grade students will take the SAT on Wednesday, March 26th! DVC is covering the cost of the test for 11th grade students. Though not all 4-year colleges require SAT scores for admission, there are still many colleges and scholarships that require the submission of SAT or ACT scores. On Wednesday, students should bring the following; a snack/drink for their break, an approved calculator (phone calculators not acceptable), and pencils (No. 2 required). If you have questions about the test administration, please contact Andrew Daramola, Assistant Principal (adaramola@davincischools.org). 

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

  • Monday, 3/17: CAASPP English-Language Arts Testing Begins (11th Grade – during English classes)
  • Wednesday, 3/19: CS Pathway Juniors and CS Freshman AR Workshop @ Snapchat
  • Wednesday, 3/19: Marketing Field Trip (11th)
  • Friday, 3/21: Media Production Field Trip (12th)
  • Friday, 3/21: Movie Night @ 4:30pm hosted by Leadership
  • Saturday, 3/22: Community Aviation Day
  • Monday, 3/24: Photography Seminar Field Trip
  • Wednesday, 3/26: SAT (11th Grade)
  • Thursday, 3/27: Media Production Field Trip (11th)
  • Friday, 3/28: CD
  • Friday, 3/28: Davincilandia Event hosted by Latino Student Union
  • Monday, 3/31: No School – Holiday – César Chávez Day
  • Friday, 4/4: El Camino College Trip (12th)
  • Monday, 4/7: CA Science Test (CAST) Begins (11th grade)
  • Wednesday, 4/9: Exhibition Night @ 5:30pm
  • Friday, 4/11: College Trip (9th)
  • Monday, 4/14 – Friday, 4/18: Spring Break
  • Monday, 4/21: Community Learning Day

Please use these links for easy access to school information:

Week 26 Schedule

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Thank you for coming to campus for Student-Led Conferences last week! We loved meeting with you and would appreciate hearing your thoughts about the experience: SLC Feedback Form for Parents & Guardians 

WASC Accreditation Visit begins on Monday, 3/10: We are excited to welcome a visiting committee of four educators from California high schools to review and evaluate our amazing high school! Here’s a short video that students were shown during Advisory on Friday to give a basic idea of the purpose of the visit and what to expect. We welcome parents and guardians to share their experience at DVC at our Parent Advisory Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 3/11 at 5pm in-person or on zoom. The committee would love to hear from you!

11th Grade State Testing begins on Monday, 3/17 (11th Grade): Our 11th grade students will begin state testing in English-Language Arts soon. 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. 

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. Students are invited to join a Canvas course called “Real World Learning Opportunities” where regular announcements are made about opportunities at Da Vinci and beyond. Ask students if they’ve accepted the invitation to join this course so that they see all the opportunities as they come up.

Restorative Detention: We are implementing a system for all students to take accountability for their class attendance, specifically working to reduce the number of tardies and potential classroom avoidance behaviors at DVC. Each week, we will review attendance records for students who have been tardy (unexcused) three or more times or have skipped class at least once between Monday and Friday. The data collected last week (3/3 – 3/7) will be used to inform who is assigned detention on Wednesday, 3/12. For any questions or concerns, please contact Andrew Daramola, Assistant Principal, at adaramola@davincischools.org. 

FLEX Block Attendance: This is a friendly reminder to ensure your student signs up for FLEX Block in SmartPass. FLEX Block will be held this week on Tuesday, 3/11, Wednesday, 3/12 and Thursday, 3/13. Teachers will be taking attendance, and FLEX Block attendance will be recorded in PowerSchool. It is important that students attend the session they signed up for. If a student does not sign up or is marked absent due to being in the wrong FLEX Block, an attendance notification email and call will be sent. Thank you for your support in helping your student stay on track!

Wednesday Snacks for DVC Staff: We are thankful to the families who have provided us with snacks or treats for our meetings on Wednesdays. If you have already contributed this academic year, please do not sign up again. If you haven’t done this yet but you’re willing and able to help out in this way, please sign up here: Wednesday Snack Sign Up

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

  • Monday, 3/10: WASC Visit Begins & Journalism 1 Field Trip
  • Tuesday, 3/11: PAC Meeting with WASC Visiting Team @ 5pm – 201 N. Douglas or via zoom (link here)
  • Tuesday, 3/11: Journalism 1 Field Trip
  • Friday, 3/14: No School – Professional Development
  • Monday, 3/17: CAASPP English-Language Arts Testing Begins (11th Grade – during English classes)
  • Wednesday, 3/19: CS Pathway Juniors and CS Freshman AR Workshop @ Snapchat
  • Friday, 3/21: Media Production Field Trip
  • Monday, 3/24: Photography Seminar Field Trip
  • Wednesday, 3/26: SAT (11th Grade)

Please use these links for easy access to school information:

Week 25 Schedule

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We look forward to seeing our families on campus this week during Student-Led Conferences! As a reminder, students will be dismissed at 1:50pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. On Wednesday, students will be dismissed at 2:30pm. We will have tables set up in the 1st floor atrium for conference check-in. If you haven’t signed up yet or if you need to double check or change your scheduled date/time, please use the links below:

Black History Month: We finished up our celebrations of Black History Month with presentations led by students in the Black Student Union (BSU) during Advisory on Friday! Huge thanks to all the hard work that went into this terrific and educational celebration.

DECA State Career Development Conference: Our Marketing Pathway includes an option to join DVC’s DECA Chapter and participate in competitions against other high schools involving role-plays, case studies, prepared events and online simulations. We wish our DVC DECA students much luck at their competition in Anaheim which began on Thursday, 2/27 and continues through the weekend! Follow @dvcdeca on Instagram for updates!

Grease Performance: Don’t miss the electrifying Wiseburn Da Vinci Performing Arts spring musical, GREASE! Join us for an unforgettable story of friendship, love, and adventure through the 1950s. The show runs through Sunday, March 9th. Grab your tickets today–– this is a show you don’t want to miss! We are so proud of the many DVC students in the cast and crew!

WASC Accreditation Visit begins on Monday, 3/10: We are excited to welcome a visiting committee of four educators from California high schools to review and evaluate our amazing high school! If you are interested in sharing your experience at DVC with the committee, please reply to this email and I’ll send you a special invitation to the regularly-scheduled Parent Advisory Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 3/11 at 5pm.

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. Students are invited to join a Canvas course called “Real World Learning Opportunities” where regular announcements are made about opportunities at Da Vinci and beyond. Ask students if they’ve accepted the invitation to join this course so that they see all the opportunities as they come up.

Restorative Detention: We are implementing a system for all students to take accountability for their class attendance, specifically working to reduce the number of tardies and potential classroom avoidance behaviors at DVC. Each week, we will review attendance records for students who have been tardy (unexcused) three or more times or have skipped class at least once between Monday and Friday. On Mondays, students and parents will receive a notification if detention is assigned. Detention will take place on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 PM. If a student misses their scheduled detention, they will need to attend a make-up session on Thursday from 3:35-4:35 PM. If they miss the second make-up session, parents will be contacted, and an additional make-up detention will be scheduled. The data collected during this upcoming week (3/3 – 3/7) will be used to inform who is assigned detention on Wednesday, 3/12. For any questions or concerns, please contact Andrew Daramola, Assistant Principal, at adaramola@davincischools.org. 

FLEX Block Attendance: This is a friendly reminder to ensure your student signs up for FLEX Block in SmartPass. FLEX Block will be held this week on Tuesday, 3/4 and Thursday, 3/6. Teachers will be taking attendance, and FLEX Block attendance will be recorded in PowerSchool. It is important that students attend the session they signed up for. If a student does not sign up or is marked absent due to being in the wrong FLEX Block, an attendance notification email and call will be sent. Thank you for your support in helping your student stay on track!

Email Communication Expectations: Communication between parents and school staff is essential, and we want to ensure you know what to expect when reaching out. Based on feedback from our recent Parent Advisory Committee Meeting, we have developed these guidelines to provide clarity on response times while recognizing that teachers and staff spend most of their day directly supporting students. This document outlines our approach to email responses, helping to set clear expectations while ensuring our focus remains on student learning. We’ve also included information for students and families regarding communication specifically surrounding school absences. You can review the guidelines here: Email Communication Expectations & Absence Reminders

Wednesday Snacks for DVC Staff: We are thankful to the families who have provided us with snacks or treats for our meetings on Wednesdays. If you have already contributed this academic year, please do not sign up again. If you haven’t done this yet but you’re willing and able to help out in this way, please sign up here: Wednesday Snack Sign Up

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

  • Monday, 3/3: Student-Led Conferences (1:50pm dismissal)
  • Tuesday, 3/4: Student-Led Conferences (1:50pm dismissal)
  • Wednesday, 3/5: NO Conferences (2:30pm dismissal)
  • Thursday, 3/6: Student-Led Conferences (1:50pm dismissal)
  • Friday, 3/7: Student-Led Conferences (1:50pm dismissal)
  • Friday, 3/7: Class of 2025 Photo in West Plaza @ 1:30pm
  • Monday, 3/10: WASC Visit Begins & Journalism 1 Field Trip
  • Tuesday, 3/11: PAC Meeting with WASC Visiting Team @ 5pm – 201 N. Douglas or via zoom (link here)
  • Tuesday, 3/11: Journalism 1 Field Trip
  • Friday, 3/14: No School – Professional Development
  • Monday, 3/17: CAASPP English-Language Arts Testing Begins (11th Grade -during English classes)
  • Wednesday, 3/19: CS Pathway Juniors and CS Freshman AR Workshop @ Snapchat
  • Friday, 3/21: Media Production Field Trip
  • Monday, 3/24: Photography Seminar Field Trip
  • Wednesday, 3/26: SAT (11th Grade)

Please use these links for easy access to school information:

Da Vinci Communications

201 N. Douglas St. – Floor 3

El Segundo, CA 90245

(310) 725-5800