Did you know that Da Vinci Schools are a South Bay Families Connected (SBFC) Partner District? SBFC is a youth mental health and social emotional wellness non-profit providing free online resources, support groups, educational videos and more to families at 115 schools in the South Bay. SBFC has resources, tips, articles, videos and more for both parents and teens regarding issues of stress management, depression, body image, substance abuse, social media and more. All Da Vinci Schools parents, guardians and teens are invited to visit our unique Da Vinci Schools Families Connected to access this resource, free of charge.

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! We are excited to have you as a part of the Da Vinci Schools community and are looking forward to a great year together.  

We view your mental health and well-being as a priority for your success at this school. In support of this, we have invested in several resources that you can access whenever you need help. Remember, you are not alone and it is a true act of bravery and strength to seek help.  

We encourage you to visit the on-campus resources, and save the community resources so you can easily find them if you or someone you know needs help.

On campus:

• You can access help by visiting the counselors’ office.
• By signing up for support with a counselor.
• You can email your counselor.

In our community:

Da Vinci Schools has partnered with Care Solace to support our community’s mental health.

If you or a family member is looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance.

Care Solace’s care navigation services are confidential and complimentary to  Da Vinci Schools’s students, staff, and their families. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language.

If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

• Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365
• Visit www.caresolace.com/davincischools and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

In an emergency:

• Call 911 or and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response
• Go to the closest emergency room for support
• Call the National Suicide Prevention & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
• Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor
• Trevor Lifeline LGBTQQ+ Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386

It is World Suicide Prevention Day! Each year on September 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day encourages worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicide and to support those who have been impacted by suicide.

Daily Challenge #5: Light a candle for World Suicide Prevention Day!

On this special day, you can join thousands of others in taking action for suicide prevention and remembering loved ones lost to suicide by lighting a candle near a window at 8 pm. Help spread the message by taking a photo and sharing on social media or with friends and family. To learn more about World Suicide Prevention Day, visit iasp.info/wspd/.

Find activities, resources and more in the Suicide Prevention Week Activation Kit.

Connect with thousands throughout the country during Suicide Prevention Week by using the hashtags #SuicidePrevention #takeaction4MH #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

Suicide Prevention Week (September 4-10, 2022) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2022) is a time when individuals and organizations around the country and the world join their voices to broadcast the message that everyone can take action for suicide prevention and to remember loved ones lost to suicide.

Daily Challenge #2: Learn something new about suicide prevention.

Finding the words to talk about suicide is easier when you feel more knowledgeable about the subject. Familiarize yourself with a suicide prevention resource that is new to you; visit their website or their social media page and like, share, comment or sign up for email alerts to show your support for the work they do. The list below is a good place to start:

• Visit the website or social media page of your local county behavioral health agency or public health agency and search for suicide prevention.
• California’s Suicide Prevention Campaign “Know the Signs”: suicideispreventable.org
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988lifeline.org
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: theactionalliance.org
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center: sprc.org
• American Association of Suicidology: Suicidology.org
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org
• The Trevor Project:thetrevorproject.org
• The Directing Change Program:DirectingChangeCA.org

Find activities, resources and more in the Suicide Prevention Week Activation Kit.

Connect with thousands throughout the country during Suicide Prevention Week by using the hashtags #SuicidePrevention #SuicidePreventionWeek #takeaction4MH

Good Morning,

The counselors, Monique Aldrete,  Jennifer Barba and Artia Thomas, will begin to host the annual parent presentations to discuss graduation requirements, college admissions, and parent tips on next steps. The following are the dates and times for each grade level:

9th Grade – Monday, February 7 from 5:00pm – 6:00 pm – Ms. Barba & Ms. Aldrete

10th Grade – Tuesday, February 8 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Ms. Thomas & Ms. Aldrete

11th Grade – Wednesday, February 9 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Ms. Barba & Ms. Aldrete

As we get closer to the event, counselors will provide zoom link information. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email the grade level counselor. We hope in seeing you soon!

Thank You,

The DVC Counseling Team

Ms. Aldrete, College and Career Counselor for grades 9-12 (maldrete@davincischools.org)

Ms. Barba, Grade Level Counselor for grades 9th & 11th  (jbarba@davincischools.org)

Ms. Thomas, Grade Level Counselor for grades 10th & 12th (athomas@davincischools.org)