We are excited to announce a new partnership between RIT and Microsoft, the Disability Leadership and Scholarship Program. This program aims to recruit 10 students who self-identify as members of the Disabled, Deaf Plus, d/Deaf, or hard of hearing community, and who demonstrate strong leadership skills and commitment to equity and justice for the Disability community. Due to requests for more time, we’re extending the deadline to apply for the scholarship to March 1, 2022.  We need your help to make students at Da Vinci Communications HS aware of this opportunity. Students should be a good match for RIT academically and should be particularly invested in disability, equity, and social justice. Benefits of the Program A one-time $10,000 scholarship to be used towards costs of RIT education Pre-orientation resource education ensuring students know their rights, resources, and supports on the RIT campus A dedicated RIT faculty/staff mentor and established peer community Ongoing professional and leadership development opportunities Who is Eligible? Current high school seniors who are applying to RIT for Fall 2022 and self-identify as Disabled, Deaf Plus, d/Deaf, or hard of hearing are eligible to apply. We understand disability as broad and as manifesting in a multitude of ways, whether lifelong or acquired, hidden or readily apparent. Those who identify with physical disability, learning disability, mental health disability, chronic illness, Deaf/Disabled identity, and more are within the scope of this initiative. Of particular importance to us is a student’s understanding of Disability as an identity and not a deficit. Application Process Please share this self-nomination form with any current high school senior that you think would be a good candidate for this new scholarship and leadership opportunity. Nominations should come directly from the interested student and are due by March 1, 2022.

Sandpipers has provided financial assistance to college-bound students since 1941 and is the oldest continuing aid program in the South Bay. Supporting more than 50 students per year, the program is unique in funding our qualified recipients throughout the four continuous years of their undergraduate studies.  View our video about our Scholarship Program here:  https://www.sandpipers.org/scholarships

For the 2021-2022 school year, Sandpipers awarded more than $300,000 to 55 college students (Freshmen – Senior years). Each student received a minimum of $500 with some receiving as much as $10,000 for the school year. This amount is based on their outstanding financial need from their FAFSA report.

High school seniors living in the South Bay (both citizens and eligible non-citizens as defined by the U.S. Department of Education) are eligible to apply for a Sandpipers Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year.  Detailed eligibility requirements are stated below.

The entire Sandpipers Scholarship Application is online.  The application is now available and can be accessed at this link: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/78786-Sandpipers

This year, the application should be easier for students in terms of the financial information that we are asking them to provide.  This year, applicants need to provide their FAFSA that lists their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC.)  If they did not do the FAFSA, then they will need to upload their parent/guardian(s) tax return, with all social security numbers crossed off.

All applications are due on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 5 PM, no exceptions.  Please submit your applications early in case of tech issues or other unforeseen delays.

The Sandpipers Scholarship Committee conducts a rigorous review of ALL applications.  Sandpipers will select up to 20 candidates to meet with the Sandpipers Scholarship Committee for virtual interviews. From those 20 students interviewed, the Committee will select between 12-14 students as Sandpipers Scholarship recipients for 2022-23.

Application Requirements and Process

High school seniors meeting all eligibility requirements below may apply for a Sandpipers Scholarship.

• U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen (as defined by the U.S. Department of Education in The Student Guide)
• Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher
• Permanent resident of the South Bay area of Southern California (roughly bounded by the 105 and 110 freeways)
• Students residing outside the South Bay area are eligible if they attend a high school in the defined South Bay area
• Demonstrate a financial need

Again, online applications with all supporting materials uploaded (essay, transcript, letters of recommendation) need to be completed by 5 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022. 

It was a great week at DVC with seminars starting back up, and our students continue to do an excellent job following our COVID protocols to keep our community safe! 

Lunch Update: On Monday, students will be expected to scan their student ID cards in order to get lunch. Lunch remains free for all students. If a student did not receive a student ID when they were distributed in December or if the student would like a replacement, please use this form: DVC Student ID Request Form 

COVID Testing Information:

• PCR Testing is available on Tuesdays from 2:30-4:30pm. This testing is required for athletes that are non-vaxxed, not boosted, or on a team with a confirmed positive case. This testing is open to any DV staff or student. Pre-​registration required: https://ihd-patient.preciseq.com/davinci-schools 
• On-site rapid testing for students open from 8:15am-3:45pm daily. Students are not allowed to leave class to test and must use time before school, during lunch, and after school. Students should pre-register here if this is their first time testing at school.

Here are some upcoming events you may want to add to your calendar:

Wednesday, 2/2: School Site Council Meeting at 4:30pm (Zoom Link)

Friday, 2/4: No School (Professional Development Day)

Monday, 2/7: 9th Grade College Information Webinar for Parents/Guardians @ 5pm

Tuesday, 2/8: 10th Grade College Information Webinar for Parents/Guardians @ 5pm

Wednesday, 2/9: 11th Grade College Information Webinar for Parents/Guardians @ 5pm

For students who are unable to come to school, class information and assignments will continue to be available via Google Classroom. All students who are feeling healthy and who are at home are encouraged to keep up digitally with assignments and videoconference during their teachers’ scheduled virtual office hours. Please see this link for virtual office hours information: DVC Zooms for Students in Quarantine Please contact Pattie Foxman in our office at pfoxman@davincischools.org to notify us if your child is going to be absent from school.

Have a nice weekend,

Erin

The Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarship Program is awarding 150 scholarships of $5,000 each for students pursuing associate degrees, credit-bearing certificates, or industry certifications in specified fields of study. To apply, students must be:  U.S. Citizens High school graduates (or GED equivalent) with less than a bachelor’s degree OR high school seniors Planning to enroll part-time or full-time at an accredited vocational technical school, trade school, two-year community or state college for the 2022-2023 academic year Pursuing an associate degree, credit-bearing certificate or an industry-recognized credential in one of the specified fields of study To learn more, visit https://lockheedmartin.com/vocational  Click here to download the flyer. Deadline to apply: April 1, 2022 3:00 pm CT