I am thrilled to share that we have a very special visitor on Monday morning: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond! He will be visiting Mr. Christopher Jackson’s 12th Grade Financial Literacy class. State Superintendent Thurmond is choosing to visit DVC because our program is a model of the financial literacy education he hopes to see throughout California. We will be sure to share pictures of this special visit. If you don’t already follow @davincischools_org and @dvchighschool on Instagram, please start today!

There are just six weeks left of school before POLs (Presentations of Learning) begin. This is a great time to check grades and make plans for improvement (if needed) before the end of the semester. You can check grades on Canvas or PowerSchool, whichever is easiest for you. If you notice any discrepancies, please let the teacher know right away.

DECA Competition in Orlando, Florida: We have several students competing at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida. They left on Friday and we wish them all the best in their competition. Seniors Eryn Allen and Hilda Donis qualified to compete in the Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan event (check out their project that won 3rd place at state here!) while juniors Alani Flores, Samantha Guevara and Karina Ruiz have been selected to attend the THRIVE Leadership Academy to build their leadership skills and learn how to take our DECA chapter to the next level. These students will be joining approximately 22,000 high school students, advisors, business professionals and alumni for several days of competition, networking, and fun! Check out @dvcdeca on Instagram to follow their adventures in Orlando! This is the first time that students from DVC have qualified for this competition, and we are so proud of them.

College Visits: Our 11th grade had a terrific time visiting Cal Poly Pomona and Loyola Marymount University. We’ve had a great time taking students to college campuses this year! This Friday, we take our 11th graders to the NACAC College Fair at the Pasadena Convention Center. 

Here’s a list of what’s coming up:

• Wednesday, 4/26: Field Trip to Homeboy Industries & Olvera Street (Ethnic Studies Class)
• Wednesday, 4/26: Computer Science Senior Project Showcase (12th grade)
• Friday, 4/28: Field Trip to El Camino College (12th grade)
• Friday, 4/28: Field Trip to NACAC College Fair (11th grade)
• Monday, 5/1 – Thursday, 5/4: Mathematics CAASPP Testing during US History Classes (11th grade)
• Tuesday, 5/2: Field Trip to 72andSunny (12th grade- Marketing)
• Wednesday, 5/3: Field Trip to Moonwater Farms (Environmental Science Class)
• Thursday, 5/4: College & Career Signing Day (12th Grade)
• Friday, 5/5: No School Professional Development Day
• Friday, 5/5: Da Vinci Schools Prom @ The Proud Bird
• Monday, 5/8: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week Begins
• Wednesday, 5/10: School Site Council Meeting @ 5pm on Zoom
• Thursday, 5/18: Field Trip to Museum of Tolerance (10th grade)
• Wednesday, 5/24: Career Day (11th & 12th Grade)
• Thursday, 5/25: Senior Awards Night @ 5pm (by invitation only)
• Friday, 5/26: Last Day to Submit Work Required for Graduation
• Thursday, 6/8: DVC Class of 2023 Graduation (1pm start time)
• Summer School Dates (for credit recovery): Session 1: June 13-June 30 Session 2: July 11-July 27

DVC Weekly Schedules Year 10 (2022-2023) & DVC Year 10 Planning Calendar (2022-2023)

We had a great week back from spring break, and our 10th graders enjoyed a terrific trip to Cal State Fullerton & El Camino College. We are happy to support our students in thinking about life after high school. We are also especially proud of the DVC photography students who have an exhibit on display at the El Segundo Public Library until May 13th. If you didn’t get the chance to attend the opening reception this past Thursday, you still have time to check it out! Please read below for more updates and opportunities:

• State Testing  (11th Grade): Our 11th grade students continue state testing next week. The testing will be done during their classes, with minimal disruption to the daily schedule. These are the remaining weeks for the 11th grade state testing:
  • California Science Test: Week of 4/17 during Biology classes
  • California Math Test: Week of 5/1 during US History classes

• Rock Around the Block: Wiseburn Education Foundation’s Rock Around the Block is April 29th from 9:30am – 2:30pm! Get a jump ahead by purchasing your food and tickets for the day. While you are planning your day, please consider volunteering for a shift. There is something for everyone! We all know that volunteers help an event run smoothly and we all want to ensure the best possible day for everyone. The links to presale tickets and volunteer sign-up can be found at www.bit.ly/WEF2023RAB.

• Information Meeting Regarding Da Vinci Extension: On Thursday, 4/20 at 6:30pm in the Black Box Theater on campus, there will be an information session for 12th grade families regarding the opportunity to pursue college through Da Vinci. Click here for more info.

• Youth Board Representative (Del Aire Neighborhood): The Del Aire Neighborhood Association (DNA)  is looking for 1-2 high-school student leaders who want to serve as YOUTH BOARD REPRESENTATIVES who can help the organization grow, plan community events, and advocate for neighborhood improvements like the Greenway! You can find the application here – apply by April 19th.

• Johnstone Scholarship Application: The 5th annual Johnstone Scholarship application is now open and ready for Da Vinci seniors to apply!  Applications are due Thursday April 28th by midnight. The application link is bit.ly/JohnstoneScholarship2023

Here’s a list of what’s coming up:

• Monday, 4/17 – Friday, 4/21: California Science Test – CAST during Biology Classes (11th grade)
• Wednesday, 4/19: College Field Trip to Cal Poly Pomona & Loyola Marymount University (11th grade)
• Friday, 4/21 – Tuesday, 4/25: DECA International Career Development Conference (Orlando, Florida)
• Wednesday, 4/26: Field Trip to Homeboy Industries & Olvera Street (Ethnic Studies Class)
• Wednesday, 4/26: Computer Science Senior Project Showcase (12th grade)
• Friday, 4/28: Field Trip to El Camino College (12th grade)
• Friday, 4/28: Field Trip to NACAC College Fair (11th grade)
• Monday, 5/1 – Thursday, 5/4: Mathematics CAASPP Testing during US History Classes (11th grade)
• Tuesday, 5/2: Field Trip to 72andSunny (12th grade- Marketing)
• Wednesday, 5/3: Field Trip to Moonwater Farms (Environmental Science Class)
• Friday, 5/5: No School Professional Development Day
• Friday, 5/5: Da Vinci Schools Prom @ The Proud Bird
• Thursday, 6/8: DVC Class of 2023 Graduation (1pm start time)
• Summer School Dates (for credit recovery): Session 1: June 13-June 30 Session 2: July 11-July 27
• DVC Weekly Schedules Year 10 (2022-2023) & DVC Year 10 Planning Calendar (2022-2023)

The 5^th annual Johnstone Scholarship application is now open and ready for Da Vinci seniors to apply!   Through the Wiseburn Education Foundation, Dr. Tom and Terry Johnstone have established a scholarship to help five Da Vinci seniors (one from each school site) get a little head start with their freshman year of college. Dr. Johnstone was the superintendent in Wiseburn for many years and played a significant role in envisioning and actualizing the high school.  With his support, Wiseburn Education Foundation is honored to be able to offer scholarships to high school seniors.

Applications are due Thursday April 28th, by midnight. The application link is below.

bit.ly/JohnstoneScholarship2023

Please join us in celebrating the opening of Young Monochrome Eyes: A DVC Photo Exhibit that will be on display at the El Segundo Public Library starting on Thursday, 4/13 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm!

School resumes on Monday, April 10th! There are only 9 weeks remaining in the semester and only 7 weeks before 9th, 10th, & 11th Grade Presentations of Learning (POLs) and 12th Grade Final Exams. There’s a lot of learning that will take place in these final weeks, and we’re looking forward to finishing the school year strong!

• College Field Trip on Wednesday, 4/12  (10th Grade): Our 10th grade students will be visiting Cal State Fullerton or Loyola Marymount University this week! We are proud to be able to offer students the ability to spend time on a college campus; it helps them envision their future as a college-bound DVC graduate!

Standardized Testing: Please note that there is a lot of testing for grades 9, 10 & 11 in the coming weeks; read below for the details.

• The SAT Test @ DVC on Wednesday, 4/12  (11th Grade): Our 11th grade students will take the SAT on Wednesday, April 12th! 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, 4/12, 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). 

• Physical Fitness Testing on Thursday, 4/13 & Friday, 4/14 (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 this week. 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  (11th Grade): Our 11th grade students will resume state testing next week. The testing will be done during their classes, with minimal disruption to the daily schedule. These are the remaining weeks for the 11th grade state testing:
  • California Science Test: Week of 4/17 during Biology classes
  • California Math Test: Week of 5/1 during US History classes

• MAP Testing (9th & 10th Grades): 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. Our 9th and 10th graders will be taking the MAP assessments during the following weeks:
  • English-Language Arts MAP Test: Week of 4/17
  • Mathematics MAP Test: Week of 4/24

Looking forward to welcoming our students back to campus on Monday!

Erin D’Souza, Principal