Our 9th grade students had a great time checking out LMU, UCLA, and Cal Poly Pomona on Wednesday! We hope this special trip helped to inspire them to pursue their college and career goals after high school. 

The Addams Family: We’re proud of the students who are a part of Da Vinci’s musical theater program and putting on The Addams Family this weekend and next weekend! You can support them by purchasing tickets here.

Grade Checks: There are 7 weeks left this school year! Grades earned at the end of this semester appear on students’ transcripts. The last day for students to submit schoolwork is Friday, May 24th. POLs and Finals begin on Tuesday, May 28th. The easiest way to check your student’s grades is through Canvas. Here is the Canvas Login Page; you can find helpful info and videos here: tinyurl.com/dv-parent-canvas-help Please reply to this email or email Joshua Beals (jbeals@davincischools.org) if you need assistance linking to your student’s Canvas account.

Summer School: We will be offering Summer School for students in need of credit recovery as well as students currently in 9th grade wishing to take Geometry over the summer in order to accelerate in math (specific requirements must be met in order to qualify for the course). The dates for summer school are as follows:

• Summer School Session 1 Dates: Tuesday, June 11 – Friday, June 28 (no class on June 19th for Juneteenth)
• Summer School Session 2 Dates: Tuesday, July 9 – Thursday, July 25 
• Summer School Time:  8:30am – 11:30am
• Summer School Location: DVC (201 N. Douglas St. El Segundo, CA 90245)

Career Day: DVC will be hosting a Career Fair on Wednesday, May 15th from 8:15 am-11:10 am. We are looking for guest speakers to share their careers and work experiences to expose our students to a variety of careers. You do not need a degree and/or certificate to be a part of the DVC Career Fair. If interested, please fill out this google form: Career Fair Interest Form by Friday, May 3rd. We are seeking guest speakers in the following areas:

• Women in STEM
• Mental Health and Athletes
• Entrepreneur
• College Bound- First Generation and Higher Education
• Welding/Contractor/Electrician
• Trucking
• Transferring from a Community College
• Navigating an Artist’s world (Music, Art, Dance)
• Nursing
• Flight Attendant/Pilot
• Real Estate
• Financial Literacy – How to pay for college
• Entertainment
• or any other careers not listed above

Testing: State and benchmark testing at DVC continues this week and beyond! Please encourage students to take these standardized tests seriously, as they are important indicators of individual and school performance. If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Assistant Principal Andrew Daramola (adaramola@davincischools.org). 

Posse Scholarship: Every year, The Posse Foundation works closely with high schools to recruit Posse Scholars. Each Posse Scholar wins a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to attend one of Posse’s partner colleges or universities (check partner schools here). We have several graduates of DVC who received the Posse Scholarship and are thriving in college. Students – If you are interested in being nominated for the Posse Scholarship and demonstrate leadership and academic potential, please attend the information session on Friday, April 26th during lunch. It is highly encouraged for Juniors interested in Posse to attend this meeting so they can be nominated by Ms. Aldrete.

Staff & Teacher Appreciation Week: Please stay tuned for a separate email regarding Staff Appreciation Week! We are seeking monetary donations and volunteers to make this week special for DVC staff.

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

• Wednesday, 4/24: Ethnic Studies Field Trip (11th graders in the course)
• Thursday, 4/25 & Friday, 4/26: NWEA MAP Growth Testing in ELA & Math (9th Grade)
• Friday, 4/26: Anatomy & Astronomy Field Trip (11th graders in the course)
• Friday, 4/26: El Camino & Santa Monica College (12th graders attending in Fall 2024)
• Saturday, 4/27 – Tuesday, 4/30: DECA International Conference (selected 11th grade Marketing students)
• Monday, 4/29: CAST Testing Begins in Biology Classes (11th Grade)
• Thursday, 5/2: College & Career Signing Day
• Friday, 5/3: No School – Professional Development Day
• Friday, 5/3: Da Vinci Schools Prom
• Saturday, 5/4: Wiseburn Educational Foundation’s Rock Around the Block (info at this link)

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 hit the ground running upon our return from spring break, from an engaging and informative 11th grade trip to USC on Wednesday to a terrific Senior Showcase from our students in the Computer Science Pathway on Friday! Just before spring break (on Thursday, March 28th), we gave out 24 All-Star Awards to our students during CD. Congratulations to our All-Stars! 

There’s a lot of opportunities advertised in our Announcements Deck, including Monday’s Purple Up! Day in support of the sacrifices our students with families in the military have to make. Check out our Announcements Deck for more information about this and other student-centered events and opportunities!

Standardized testing begins on Monday, 4/15 for grades 9, 10, and 11! See below for details. If you have questions, please contact Andrew Daramola at adaramola@davincischools.org.

• 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). 
• Benchmark Testing on Monday, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16 (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. 
• 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

Staff Appreciation Planning Session Zoom on Monday, 4/15: I’d love to meet with DVC students and families to plan for Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week (May 6th – 10th). Join us on zoom on Monday, 4/15 at 4:30pm and we can work together! (ZOOM LINK HERE)

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

• Monday, 4/15: Purple Up! Day – Wear purple to support military children!
• Monday, 4/15: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week Planning Session @ 4:30pm (zoom only – LINK HERE)
• Monday, 4/15: CAASPP Testing ELA Begins in English Classes (11th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16: NWEA MAP Growth Testing in ELA & Math (10th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16: Physical Fitness Testing in Computer Science Classes (9th Grade)
• Wednesday, 4/17: College Field Trip to UCLA, LMU, Cal Poly Pomona (9th Grade)
• Wednesday, 4/24: Ethnic Studies Field Trip (11th graders in the course)
• Thursday, 4/25 & Friday, 4/26: NWEA MAP Growth Testing in ELA & Math (9th Grade)
• Friday, 4/26: Anatomy & Astronomy Field Trip (11th graders in the course)
• Friday, 4/26: El Camino & Santa Monica College (12th graders attending in Fall 2024)
• Saturday, 4/27 – Tuesday, 4/30: DECA International Conference (selected 11th grade Marketing students)
• Monday, 4/29: CAST Testing Begins in Biology Classes (11th Grade)
• Thursday, 5/2: College & Career Signing Day
• Friday, 5/3: No School – Professional Development Day
• Friday, 5/3: Da Vinci Schools Prom
• Saturday, 5/4: Wiseburn Educational Foundation’s Rock Around the Block (info at this link)

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 were so proud of our 9th and 11th graders for their terrific showcase during Exhibition Night! Thank you for attending – it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces, both familiar and new! 

We are excited to welcome students back for the remaining 9 weeks of the semester on Monday, April 8th. We have a busy schedule ahead of us – from field trips to standardized tests to special events! Please take a moment to record important dates on your calendar. Use these links to access our regularly updated SCHOOL CALENDAR and WEEKLY SCHEDULES.

Coffee with the Principals: Please join us @ 9am (in-person @ DVC) or 4pm (via Zoom – link here) on Monday, April 8th. Our agenda will include campus highlights, upcoming events, and time for Q&A. 

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, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16 (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

12th Grade Parent Financial Aid Workshop THIS FRIDAY, 4/12 @ 5pm: While we are in the midst of seniors receiving their college admission decisions and financial aid packages, we will be hosting a 12th Grade Parent Financial Aid Workshop: “How to get your high school student through college DEBT FREE”. This workshop will talk about the different types of financial aid, how to ask for more aid, and how to appeal an admissions decision/financial aid award letter. This workshop will be led by our Financial Literacy teacher, Mr. Jackson, and will take place on Friday, April 12th from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm in the DVC Common Area located on the DVC Floor. This workshop will not be recorded and no RSVP is necessary. All DVC senior families are invited to attend!

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

• Monday, 4/8: Coffee with the Principals @ 9am (in-person @ DVC) or 4pm (via Zoom – link here)
• Wednesday, 4/10: College Trip to USC (11th Grade)
• Friday, 4/12: Financial Aid Workshop for Parents @ 5pm in DVC Common Area (12th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week Planning Session @ 4:30pm (zoom only – LINK HERE)
• Monday, 4/15: CAASPP Testing ELA Begins in English Classes (11th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16: Physical Fitness Testing in Computer Science Classes (9th Grade)
• Monday, 4/15 & Tuesday, 4/16: NWEA MAP Growth Testing in ELA & Math (10th Grade)
• Wednesday, 4/17: College Field Trip to UCLA, LMU, Cal Poly Pomona (9th Grade)
• Wednesday, 4/24: Ethnic Studies Field Trip (11th graders in the course)
• Thursday, 4/25 & Friday, 4/26: NWEA MAP Growth Testing in ELA & Math (9th Grade)
• Friday, 4/26: Anatomy & Astronomy Field Trip (11th graders in the course)
• Friday, 4/26: El Camino & Santa Monica College (12th graders attending in Fall 2024)
• Saturday, 4/27 – Tuesday, 4/30: DECA International Conference (selected 11th grade Marketing students)
• Monday, 4/29: CAST Testing Begins in Biology Classes (11th Grade)
• Thursday, 5/2: College & Career Signing Day
• Friday, 5/3: No School – Professional Development Day
• Friday, 5/3: Da Vinci Schools Prom
• Saturday, 5/4: Wiseburn Educational Foundation’s Rock Around the Block (info at this link)

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 hope to see you THIS EVENING for DVC’s Exhibition Night! As a reminder, all DVC students are expected to attend and 9th and 11th graders will be showcasing their projects.

We are excited to welcome our families and friends to DVC for Exhibition Night on Wednesday, March 27th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm! As a reminder, all DVC students are expected to attend and 9th and 11th graders will be showcasing their projects. We are eager to meet our newest members of the DVC Family: the Class of 2028! 

Parent Advisory Committee Meeting on Monday, 3/25: Parents, students, and staff are welcome to attend our Parent Advisory Committee on Monday, 3/25 at 4:30pm in person (1st floor, Mona Lisa Room) or via this zoom link. We invite you to join us as we review Goals 1, 2, and 3 of our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).  Please see below for the agenda:

1. Public Comment
2. DVC Spotlight: Exhibition
3. LCAP: Goal 1, 2, and 3 Review
4. Meeting Reflection (Plus / Delta)

No School on Friday, 3/29: Please note that there is no school on Friday, 3/29 in recognition of Cesar Chavez Day, and there is no school the following week due to Spring Break. 

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