We hope you have a terrific Memorial Day Weekend and wish to extend a special word of gratitude to all those who have served or are currently serving in our country’s armed forces. We are grateful for the safety and freedom we enjoy because of your service!

Next week begins Presentations of Learning (POLs) for grades 9, 10, and 11! POLs give students the opportunity to develop their speaking and presentation skills and are an opportunity for students to reflect publicly on their learning. Because these are formal presentations, students are expected to wear formal attire. Our POL days are shortened days with a 1:40pm dismissal time. All students will be dismissed from school at 1:40pm starting on Tuesday, 5/31 and continuing through Wednesday, 6/8 (the last day of school). 

• Parents & Guardians: We also know that Presentations of Learning (POLs) can be a stressful time for students and their families. The two most important things you can do to help your student during their POL is (1) assure them that it is ok to make mistakes and (2) have them practice their POL many times to as many people in your household as possible. And finally, if you are interested in watching your student’s POL, please contact their teachers and let them know. We would like to be sure that you don’t miss this opportunity. Please note the visitor policy if you plan to attend: Visitors to Da Vinci Schools must show proof of either a COVID vaccination or negative PCR/Antigen test (taken within the last 72 hours); masking is strongly recommended. 
• Students: Please know that this presentation is a great opportunity to practice public speaking in front of a live audience. This is an important skill to develop; we ask you to do your best, but we are not expecting perfection. Please practice your presentation for your friends and family as many times as you possibly can. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel on the day of your presentations.

There are a bunch of upcoming events for the Class of 2022! Stay tuned for an email specifically for the Class of 2022 and families with information regarding graduation and more.

In the meantime, here’s what’s coming up during these final two weeks:

• Tuesday, 5/31: POL Schedule Begins: Minimum Days – students dismissed at 1:40pm
• Thursday, 6/2: 12th Grade DTLA Field Trip
• Friday, 6/3: Disneyland Grad Night (12th Grade)
• Monday, 6/6: FUTURES Graduation
• Tuesday, 6/7: Senior Awards @ 9:00 & Graduation Practice @ 12:00
• Wednesday, 6/8: Last Day of the School Year
• Thursday, 6/9: Class of 2022 Graduation @ 11am (Invitation Only)

Sincerely,

Erin D’Souza, Principal

Dear DVC Students and Families,

The tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas has shaken all of our nation and our school family. We are deeply saddened by the horrific and heartbreaking events, as surely you are as well. Our hearts are with every family affected by this tragedy, and with the entire Uvalde community as they respond and grieve.

For educators, parents, and students, school violence is something we all feel deeply. Here are some resources that may be helpful in the wake of this violence:

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)

Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)

Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)

Trauma and Disaster Mental Health (American Counseling Association)

I join you in feelings of sadness, but I am encouraged by the collective strength of our school community.

Sincerely,

Erin D’Souza, DVC Principal

What a blast we had at Camp Pondo with the Class of 2025! Students and families are able to access the photos from both the 9th and 10th grade retreats at the following links: 

9th Grade Retreat Photos

10th Grade Retreat Photos

We also had a terrific showcase of our pathways and our elective course offerings on Thursday afternoon. Students in 9th & 10th grade who have successfully completed Graphic Communications will be eligible to choose an elective course for the 22-23 school year. Forms for course selection will be available soon on Google Classroom!

Next week is the final week of classes before we begin Presentations of Learning (POLs) and Final Exams. The last day of academic instruction for the semester is Friday, May 27th, and all coursework needed for graduation is due at this time. Please check your student’s grades on PowerSchool and email teachers if you have any questions or concerns.

Looking Ahead:

• Friday, 5/27: Last Day for Seniors to Complete Coursework Required for Graduation
• Tuesday, 5/31: POL Schedule Begins: Minimum Days – students dismissed at 1:40pm
• Thursday, 6/2: 12th Grade DTLA Field Trip
• Friday, 6/3: Disneyland Grad Night (12th Grade)
• Monday, 6/6: FUTURES Graduation
• Tuesday, 6/7: Senior Awards @ 9:00 & Graduation Practice @ 12:00
• Wednesday, 6/8: Last Day of the School Year
• Thursday, 6/9: Class of 2022 Graduation @ 11am (Invitation Only)

Please continue to consult this DVC Year 9 Planning Calendar (2021-2022) as well as the DVC Weekly Schedules for the most up to date information. 

DVC Students and Families,

COVID cases are increasing in the wider community and within DV Schools. Please report all COVID cases to egreen@davincischools.org as soon as possible. Please monitor symptoms if you are a close contact, mask for 10 days from exposure and test 3-5 days after last exposure.

Rapid covid tests are available at school sites during school hours, no appt needed. Students, please pre-register for testing here. It is a rapid test and results are available 15 minutes later.

PCR tests available at 201 N Douglas Street every Monday/Tuesday 815-315pm. Results available approximately Wednesday afternoon. Pre-​registration required https://ihd-patient.preciseq.com/davinci-schools

Home Tests are available at school sites during school hours; please request from health office/front office.

Here is some helpful information about preventing spread at home: Prevent Spread At Home

Here is the school isolation flow chart: School Isolation Quarantine Flow Chart

Thank you!

Emily Green, School Nurse, RN, PhD

Fax: 310-356-3224

For current quarantine, isolation, and other COVID FAQs please see here.

We had a terrific College Signing Day in celebration of the Class of 2022 and all their next steps! Follow us at @dvchighschool on Instagram to see some video clips of our parade. Our seniors got accepted to 176 different colleges this year (check out the list here!). We are excited to make this an annual tradition! 

There are only two weeks left of instruction before we begin Presentations of Learning (POLs) and Final Exams. The last day of academic instruction for the semester is Friday, May 27th, and all coursework needed for graduation is due at this time. Please check your student’s grades on PowerSchool and email teachers if you have any questions or concerns.

Next week is another busy and fun one, especially for our 9th graders! Please see below for the important dates:

Next Week:

• Monday, 5/16: 11th & 12th Grade Retreat Leaders @ Camp Pondo
• Tuesday, 5/17: 9th Grade Retreat at Camp Pondo in Running Springs, CA
• Wednesday, 5/18: 9th Grade Activity Day at DVC & CD (All School)
• Thursday, 5/19: Pathway & Elective Info Session in Blackbox @ 2:45pm & POL Prep Begins

Looking Ahead:

• Friday, 5/27: Last Day for Seniors to Complete Coursework Required for Graduation
• Tuesday, 5/31: POL Schedule Begins: Minimum Days – students dismissed at 1:40pm
• Thursday, 6/2: 12th Grade DTLA Field Trip
• Friday, 6/3: Disneyland Grad Night (12th Grade)
• Monday, 6/6: FUTURES Graduation
• Tuesday, 6/7: Senior Awards @ 11:30 (Invitation Only) & Graduation Practice @ 12:30 (All Seniors)
• Wednesday, 6/8: Last Day of the School Year
• Thursday, 6/9: Class of 2022 Graduation @ 11am (Invitation Only)