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Week 10 Schedule

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We had a terrific week at DVC, from the fantastic Latinx Heritage Celebration on Thursday afternoon to the Phantom Formal last night! We also had three field trips and a performance last week, too! Some 11th and 12th graders traveled to the University of La Verne and Occidental College, our Astronomy class visited Griffith and Mt. Wilson Observatories, our Spanish 3 students read children’s books to elementary students at DV Connect, and our 9th graders saw a play about mental health and resilience called “Ghosted.” DVC continues to promote a positive school culture and we are fortunate to be able to prioritize these terrific experiences for our students.

Congratulations to our All-Star Award Winners! These students were awarded because they stood out to their grade-level teachers for a variety of reasons, including excellence or improvement in academics or citizenship. 

 

There are two presentations coming up that are specifically geared toward parents & guardians:

  • 11th Grade College & Career Webinar THIS TUESDAY: On Tuesday, October 17th at 5pm, School Counselor Ms. Barba, School Counselor Ms. Aldrete and College & Career Readiness Teacher Mr. Jackson will cover information on college and career readiness and academics with a focus on how important junior year is. This is a Zoom webinar; it will be recorded and sent via email if you cannot attend live. We hope to see you! (LINK TO WEBINAR HERE) 
  • Substance Abuse Presentation for Parents/Guardians NEXT TUESDAY: Join us Tuesday, October 24th at 6:30pm in person or on zoom for a parent workshop on Substance Abuse Prevention featuring LA County Dept of Public Health Substance Abuse Counselor Steve Cagle. Learn about health and social impacts of substance use, what to look for with your own child, how to intervene when you have concerns and additional resources and support available. Located at 201 N Douglas Street, you will have the chance to see various vapes, devices and products.

Reminder about Purchasing School Photos: Student photos are ready and available for purchase! You can access your student’s photo by knowing the last name of their Advisory teacher. Photos can be purchased at this link: https://staceelianna.smugmug.com/DaVinciSchools/DVC-Picture-Day-2023 

Here’s what’s coming up for Week 10 & Beyond:

  • Tuesday, 10/17: 11th Grade College & Career Webinar (LINK TO WEBINAR HERE) 
  • Wednesday, 10/18: 10th Grade College Field Trip
  • Monday, 10/23 – Friday, 10/27: Red Ribbon Week 
    • Monday, 10/23: Substance Use Awareness Assembly (9th grade)
    • Tuesday, 10/24: Substance Abuse Presentation for Parents @ 6:30pm (Black Box Theater)
    • Wednesday, 10/25: Wear Red!
    • Thursday, 10/26: Mobile Vaccination Clinic (3:30pm – 6:30pm)
  • Wednesday, 10/25: 12th Grade College Field Trip
  • Wednesday, 10/25: LAX Aviation Day Field Trip (students must apply by 10/18)
  • Thursday, 10/26: “Mind Your Money” Book Tour w/Yanely Espinal
  • Friday, 10/27: Ethnic Studies Field Trip (Mr. Covelman’s Class)
  • Friday, 10/27: Open Mic for DV Students @ 4pm in the Atirum
  • Thursday, 11/9: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Thursday, 11/10: No School – Veterans Day Holiday
  • Wednesday, 11/15: “Press Submit” College Application Submission Celebration
  • Thursday, 11/16: DVC Exhibition Night (5:30pm – 7:00pm)
  • Monday, 11/20: No School – Thanksgiving Break

Bookmark these links for easy access to school information:

Wishing you a safe, restful, enjoyable weekend,

Erin D’Souza, Principal

Week 9 Schedule

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Thank you for making time for Student-Led Conferences last week! Our staff really enjoyed connecting with you in-person or virtually. We have 9 more weeks left in Semester 1, and grades earned at the close of the semester (December 21st) will be recorded on the student’s high school transcript. For an overview of the school year as well as the details of the weekly schedules, please use these links: 

Week 9 is a short but fun week! There is no school on Friday, October 13th due to Professional Development, and there is a school dance (Phantom Formal) in the evening – see details below. There is a field trip to Occidental College and La Verne on Tuesday, 10/10, and we are also excited for the culmination of Latin American Heritage Month with our celebratory CD on Thursday, 10/12.

Kaiser Presentation: Our 9th graders are scheduled to see a production focused on mental health and resilience put on by Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre on Tuesday, 10/10. For more information, please see this link.

School Dance: Phantom Formal will be held Friday, October 13th! The event will be with all DV Schools and will take place on campus. 6:00-9:00pm. Tickets can be purchased through My School Bucks here.

School Survey: You likely received an email from “Kelvin Education” that asked you to complete a survey about your experience with “Da Vinci Connect Schools.” This is legitimate communication from Da Vinci Schools. We are using a new service for survey feedback called “Kelvin Education,” and it was a mistake that the title asked for feedback regarding “Da Vinci Connect Schools” when we are indeed asking for feedback regarding your experience at Da Vinci Communications. Please take the survey as your feedback is important to us!

Here’s what’s coming up:

  • Tuesday, 10/10: College Trip to University of La Verne & Occidental (selected 11th & 12th graders)
  • Tuesday, 10/10: Kaiser Educational Theater Play on Mental Health & Resilience (9th grade)
  • Thursday, 10/12: Latin American Heritage Month CD
  • Friday, 10/13: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Wednesday, 10/18: 10th Grade College Field Trip
  • Monday, 10/23: Substance Abuse Presentation (9th grade)
  • Wednesday, 10/25: 12th Grade College Field Trip
  • Friday, 10/27: Ethnic Studies Field Trip (Mr. Covelman’s Class)
  • Thursday, 11/9: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Thursday, 11/10: No School – Veterans Day Holiday
  • Thursday, 11/16: DVC Exhibition Night (5:30pm – 7:00pm)
  • Monday, 11/20: No School – Thanksgiving Break

Week 8 Schedule

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Student-Led Conferences start on Monday! We are looking forward to connecting with our families this week. Students will be dismissed early (at 1:50pm) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday to accommodate the conferences. Wednesday dismissal will remain at 2:30pm. Please review the grade-level information at the following links:

PSAT: 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be taking the PSAT on Wednesday, 10/4. This test is paid for by the school and free for DVC students. Students who arrive at school late may not be able to take the test. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Erin D’Souza at edsouza@davincischools.org.

School Dance: Phantom Formal will be held Friday, October 13th! The event will be with all DV Schools and will take place on campus. 6:00-9:00pm. Tickets can be purchased through My School Bucks here.

School Survey: You likely received an email from “Kelvin Education” that asked you to complete a survey about your experience with “Da Vinci Connect Schools.” This is legitimate communication from Da Vinci Schools. We are using a new service for survey feedback called “Kelvin Education,” and it was a mistake that the title asked for feedback regarding “Da Vinci Connect Schools” when we are indeed asking for feedback regarding your experience at Da Vinci Communications. Please take the survey as your feedback is important to us!

Here’s what’s coming up:

  • Monday, 10/2: Student-Led Conferences – 1:50pm dismissal
  • Tuesday, 10/3: Student-Led Conferences – 1:50pm dismissal
  • Wednesday, 10/4: PSAT Day (9th, 10th, and 11th grades) – 2:30pm dismissal
  • Thursday, 10/5: Student-Led Conferences – 1:50pm dismissal
  • Friday, 10/6: Student-Led Conferences – 1:50pm dismissal
  • Tuesday, 10/10: College Trip to University of La Verne & Occidental (selected 11th & 12th graders)
  • Thursday, 10/12: Latinx Heritage Month CD
  • Friday, 10/13: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Wednesday, 10/18: 10th Grade College Field Trip

Bookmark these links:

Looking forward to connecting with you this week,

Erin D’Souza, Principal

Week 7 Schedule

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Student-led conferences begin next week! Parents & guardians are expected to attend their student’s conference during the week of October 2nd. Students will be dismissed early (at 1:50pm) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday to accommodate the conferences. Wednesday dismissal will remain at 2:30pm. Please be on the lookout for an email with sign-up information. You can also find grade-level information at the following links:

School Photos: Student photos are ready and available for purchase! You can access your student’s photo by knowing the last name of their Advisory teacher. Photos can be purchased at this link: https://staceelianna.smugmug.com/DaVinciSchools/DVC-Picture-Day-2023 

Yearbook: Purchase your 23-24 yearbook now before prices increase! You can buy the yearbook at yearbookforever.com by searching for Da Vinci Communications or clicking on this link. 

DECA Fundraiser: Please consider supporting DVC DECA at their Ice Skating Fundraiser at the Toyota Sports Center on Wednesday, September 27th from 2:45pm – 5:00pm. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased on myschoolbucks.com. 

Group Counseling Sessions: Our counseling intern, Ms. Giselle Arellano, is leading a group counseling session on self-esteem. Interested students should sign up here: Group Counseling Session: Self-Esteem 

College Field Trip to Occidental and La Verne: If you are in 11th or 12th grade and you are interested in going to visit Occidental College and the University of La Verne on Tuesday, October 10th, please attend an informational meeting on Monday, 9/25 in Kristina’s room (3105) during lunch. Spots are limited for this trip.

PSAT: All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be taking the PSAT on Wednesday, 10/4. This test is paid for by the school and free for DVC students. 

Here’s what’s coming up:

  • Wednesday, 9/27: DECA Fundraiser @ Toyota Sports Center
  • Monday, 10/2: Student-Led Conferences – 1:50pm dismissal
  • Tuesday, 10/3: Student-Led Conferences – 1:50pm dismissal
  • Wednesday, 10/4: PSAT Day (9th, 10th, and 11th grades) – 2:30pm dismissal
  • Thursday, 10/5: Student-Led Conferences – 1:50pm dismissal
  • Friday, 10/6: Student-Led Conferences – 1:50pm dismissal
  • Tuesday, 10/10: College Trip to University of La Verne & Occidental (selected 11th & 12th graders)
  • Thursday, 10/12: Latinx Heritage Month CD
  • Friday, 10/13: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Wednesday, 10/18: 10th Grade College Field Trip

Bookmark these links:

Hope you have a great week!

Erin D’Souza, Principal

Week 6 Schedule

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Spirit week was awesome and we finished with our first CD (Community Dialogue) of the year in the gym! It was Barbie-themed and we gave out All-Star Awards as well as played a great game of limbo for points in our year-long Advisory Olympics Competition. Congratulations to all the winners!

Latinx Heritage Month: Yesterday marked the start of Latinx Heritage Month, which takes place September 15th to October 15th every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. We have about 40 DVC students attending the Latino College Expo today, and our Latino Student Union (L.S.U.) leads the recognition and celebration throughout the next four weeks. Our next CD on Thursday, October 12th will be led by the Latino Student Union. Students interested in participating should contact Ms. Noemy Carrillo (ncarrillo@davincischools.org). 

Make-Up Picture Day: Students who did not get their picture taken on 9/5 or 9/6 will be called out of class on Tuesday, 9/19 to take their school photo. We will let you know when the photos are available for purchase.

Advisory Photos: On Friday, 9/22, students will take a group picture during Advisory for the yearbook. 

Student-Led Conferences: Please note that Student-Led Conferences will take place during the week of Monday, October 2nd. Sign ups will be available no later than Monday, September 25th. We ask that you make time during this week to conference with us regarding your student’s progress. Each grade-level will run their conferences differently in order to best meet the needs of our families. Stay tuned for more information.

PSAT: All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be taking the PSAT on Wednesday, 10/4. This test is paid for by the school and free for DVC students. More info about the day (schedule, etc.) will be released closer to the date. 

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC): The Parent Advisory Committee is an opportunity for parents, students, & staff to work collaboratively to:

  • review the school program,
  • review data and identify needs, &
  • make recommendations regarding the School Safety Plan & the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

This group replaces the School Site Council (SSC) but serves the same purpose. If you are interested in participating in the Parent Advisory Committee, please complete this interest form. There will not be elections (as was necessary for the School Site Council), but instead it is important that we have a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) that represents the demographics of our school. If you have any questions, please contact Erin D’Souza, Principal at edsouza@davincischools.org. 

Research Study @ DVC: Suneal Kolluri, a professor from UC Riverside, will be studying equity and merit at DVC. As a part of his research, he will be conducting surveys, observations, and interviews with some students. Please read the documents LINKED HERE. If you would prefer to opt your child out of the observation and/or survey portion of the study, please follow the instruction at the bottom of the document. No student interviews will be conducted without signed parental consent.

Here’s what’s coming up:

  • Saturday, 9/16: Latino College Expo
  • Tuesday, 9/19: Makeup Picture Day
  • Friday, 9/22: Advisory Picture Day
  • Monday, 9/25: Student-Led Conference Sign Ups Available
  • Monday, 10/2: Student-Led Conferences Begin
  • Wednesday, 10/4: PSAT Day (9th, 10th, and 11th grades)

Bookmark these links:

Wishing you a great weekend,

Erin D’Souza, Principal

Da Vinci Communications

201 N. Douglas St. – Floor 3

El Segundo, CA 90245

(310) 725-5800