Welcome to Suicide Prevention Week!

Throughout this week, individuals and organizations around the state and country join their voices to broadcast the message that everyone can take action for suicide prevention. We all have a role to play in suicide prevention. There are actions you can take right now to support yourself and those around you:

• Together we can Take Action for Mental Health by learning more, checking-in with ourselves and others, and getting support when needed. Visit www.takeaction4MH.com for more information.
• Together we can Take Action for Suicide Prevention by knowing the signs for suicide, finding the words to check-in with someone we are concerned about, and reaching out to resources. Visit www.suicideispreventable.org for more information.

Get involved in Suicide Prevention Week by joining in on the Take Action for Suicide Prevention Challenge beginning today – Tuesday, September 6th, 2022. To get started download the challenge flyer and challenge card!

Daily Challenge #1: Play one of our games for suicide prevention

Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Although every story is different, and the problem of suicide is complex, there are three powerful ways everyone can take action for suicide prevention: Know the Signs, Find the Words, and Reach Out.

• Know the Signs of suicide. Pain isn’t always obvious. Yet most people who are considering suicide show some warning signs or signals of their intentions. The signs or changes in behavior may appear in conversations, through their actions, or in social media posts.

• Find the Words when you are concerned about someone. Ask them: “are you thinking about suicide?” The words can be difficult to say but being direct lets the person know that you care and want to help. Asking about suicide will not suggest the idea to them if they aren’t already thinking about it. Listening, expressing concern, and providing reassurance will go a long way in your effort to support them.

• Reach Out – You are not alone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) at any time for assistance or call 911 for life threatening emergencies.

Download one or more of the following games and challenge yourself or a group of friends to a friendly competition. Have fun while learning the warning signs of suicide, tips for having a conversation with someone you are concerned about, and interesting facts about mental health and suicide prevention.

• Crossword Puzzle
• Trivia
• Bingo

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

Hello DVC,

Happy Labor Day Holiday! Here are the list of colleges that will be visiting DVC during lunch this week:

• Thursday, September 8th @ 11:45 am: University of Southern California (USC)
• Friday, September 9th @ 11:45 am: Stanford University

All college rep visits will take place in Mr. Jackson’s room (3203), no sign-up is required to attend. As a reminder, food is not allowed during the college rep visits. Students are able to grab lunch after the presentation as I will give out excuse slips to extend their lunch time.

Students of all grade levels (9-12) can attend the college rep visits.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to email me or stop by my office,

Ms. Aldrete

maldrete@davincischools.org

College & Career Counselor

Dear Seniors & Parents,

A Cal Grant is money for college you don’t have to pay back. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent (private) and career colleges or technical schools in California.

To qualify, you must apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by March 2, 2023 and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements. There are three kinds of Cal Grants (A, B and C) but you don’t have to figure out which one to apply for. Your eligibility will be based on your FAFSA or CADAA responses, your verified high school Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your FAFSA and whether you’re a recent high school graduate. To learn more about the qualifications, please visit www.calgrants.org.

Da Vinci Communications is required to submit your student’s verified GPA. By law you have the option to “opt out” of this process if you do not want Da Vinci Communications to submit your student’s verified GPA. If you choose to “opt out”, this means your student will not be eligible to receive a Cal Grant. In order to “opt-out”, please complete the attached form and return to Ms. Aldrete via email at maldrete@davincischools.org no later than September 16th, 2022.

If you do not return the “opt-out” form, Da Vinci Communications will submit your student’s verified GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to determine your student’s Cal Grant eligibility.

To obtain an opt-out form click on this link Cal Grant Opt Out Form

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Aldrete via email at maldrete@davincischools.org.

Hello DVC Class of 2023, 2024, and 2025,

DVC will hosting our last Summer College Prep Workshop day this Wednesday, July 13 from 12:00 pm-2:15 pm. We will be hosting workshops about:

• Solidifying Your College List (Hosted by Amy Hernandez & Adrian Flores, Class of 2022)
• Scholarships (Hosted by Ms. Aldrete)
• Dual Enrollment (Hosted by El Camino College Dual Enrollment Office)
• Self-Care (Hosted by Ms. Thomas)

Registration is required if a student plans on attending this week’s College Prep Workshop Day. These workshops will be in-person at DVC. Students cannot choose which workshop they want to attend, they are highly encouraged to stay for the whole workshop day. There is a limit of 35 students per session: REGISTER HERE.

For any questions/concerns, please contact Ms. Aldrete or Ms. Thomas.

Ms. Aldrete (College and Career Counselor): maldrete@davincischools.org

Ms. Thomas (9th & 11th Grade Level Counselor): athomas@davincischools.org

Hello DVC Class of 2023, 2024, and 2025,

Interested in hearing more information about college and college readiness? DVC will hosting two Summer College Prep Workshop days starting tomorrow, June 29, and on July 13 from 12:00 pm-2:15 pm. We will be hosting workshops about:

• Solidifying Your College List (Hosted by Amy Hernandez, Class of 2022)
• Scholarships (Hosted by Makayla Wilson, Class of 2022)
• Dual Enrollment (Hosted by El Camino College Dual Enrollment Office)
• Self-Care (Hosted by Ms. Thomas)

Registration is required if a student plans on attending a College Prep Workshop Day (June 29 OR July 13). Students cannot choose which workshop they want to attend, they are highly encouraged to stay for the whole workshop day. There is a limit of 35 students per session: REGISTER HERE.

For any questions/concerns, please contact Ms. Aldrete or Ms. Thomas.

Ms. Aldrete (College and Career Counselor): maldrete@davincischools.org

Ms. Thomas (9th & 11th Grade Level Counselor): athomas@davincischools.org