Happy Saturday, DVC Families,

We had another week of engaging learning all over campus! Some highlights included the outdoor lab in Mr. Einstein’s 9th grade Physics class and the gallery walk in Mr. Watson’s Graphic Communications class. We also got everything set up for FLEX Block, a new structure to help students get the support or enrichment they need in order to thrive in their classes. We are excited that Week 5 begins our official launch of FLEX Block!

Please note that students do not have school on Friday, September 17th due to professional development for staff. During our professional development time, the staff will be focusing on creating visual supports to be displayed on our classroom walls. 

A few updates:

School Site Council: The results are in! Parents and guardians have voted and selected the following parents to represent DVC on the School Site Council for the 2021-2022 school year: Arleen Romero, Liza Somilleda, and Desiree Saddler. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 4:30pm via zoom (link here). All are welcome to attend the meeting, and the first five minutes of the meeting are reserved for public comment.

Supplies & “Homebooks”: We know that many of you have been patiently waiting for school supplies to arrive as well as “homebooks” (i.e. a chromebook for home use) to be distributed. We are pleased to announce that all school supplies have arrived and we have begun distributing those to students who have requested them. We also just received a new shipment of chromebooks, so this will enable us to issue “homebooks” to students this week and next. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we were dealing with shipping delays.

Club Fair: We are excited to host our annual club fair on Thursday, 9/16 during Tuesday/Thursday seminar. All club leaders will be notified next week of their club’s status so they can prepare for the upcoming fair. Please encourage your students to sign up for at least one club at DVC! It’s a great way to get involved and make new friends.

National Hispanic Heritage Month: We are excited to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month starting on Wednesday, September 15th! 

Please see the weekly schedule on this post and also at tinyurl.com/dvcwebsite.

Wishing for a healthy and happy weekend for you and your family,

Erin D’Souza

Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students of Da Vinci Communications, Design, Science and Connect High Schools:

Earlier this week we became aware of a threat based on postings on social media that warned of a possible shooting at our campus on Wednesday, September 8th. We immediately contacted our School Resource Officers from the El Segundo Police Department (ESPD) who initiated an immediate investigation into the matter, in collaboration with Da Vinci Schools. Thanks in large part to the volume of information received from parents, students, staff, and community members, both DV and ESPD were able to successfully investigate and identify the students involved in the incident. We followed up with communication early Wednesday morning to inform all DVC, DVD, DVS and Connect High families that our schools would be open on Wednesday after having verified that the threat was deemed not to be credible.

Here are a few updates that we would like to share with you based on follow-up questions that we have received from families after the last notification went out:

– School has continued this week safely and without any further interruptions

– ESPD and DV continue to investigate the incident in order to ensure that all the issues that came to our attention this week are fully addressed

– ESPD has continued to provide their assistance as a resource to our schools

– Students at DVC, DVD, and DVS who were present on Wednesday participated in an activity that morning provided by DVC Principal Erin D’Souza that gave the students an opportunity to discuss the incident and address it in a focused and healthy manner. Connect HS students will also have this resource available to them. > School Safety Update

– All Counselors and mental health staff have been made available to students and staff to assist in any way possible to help with any anxiety, stress, and trauma generated by this incident

– Our Critical Incident Drill which was being planned for late September/early October will be moved up to be conducted as soon as possible in collaboration with ESPD and the El Segundo Fire Department

– We will continue to review and improve our critical incident communication and procedures. Thank you to the many people who have submitted suggestions and recommendations.

Lastly, many questions were posed regarding specific information about the students involved. This type of information is referred to as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as defined in Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 99.3. and also relates to the type of information that is categorized as a student record. Both at the state level (California Education Code 49061(b), 49076, and Title 5 California Code of Regulations 430 (b)), and the federal level through the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 34 CFR 99.31, student records are protected as confidential records and can only be accessed as provided in law.

Thank you for your support. We will continue to provide updates as needed. Our goal remains to provide the highest level of safety possible for our students and staff.

Be well and be safe,

Vicente Bravo

Chief Administrative Officer
Da Vinci Schools
201 N. Douglas Street
Office – #1308-Musician
El Segundo, CA 90245

(424) 290-3244 direct
(310) 725-5800, Ext. 1308 main
vbravo@davincischools.org

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. On this special day, you can join thousands of others in showing your support for suicide prevention and remembering loved ones lost to suicide by lighting a candle near a window or on social media at 8 p.m.

 

Additional Resources:

• The brochure “Help and Support After Suicide: Information and Resources to Promote Healing” explains complicated grief and offers resources for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. The brochure and a California Survivor of Suicide Loss Program Directory can be found on the “Reach Out” page of this website:  SuicideisPreventable.org

 

• Friends for Survival has offered support for those bereaved by a suicide death for over 30 years. Call their help line, sign up to receive their newsletter, and visit their web site for links to resources and reading material. Toll Free Suicide Loss Helpline: 1-800-646-7322.

 

• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a national organization with chapters in all 50 states that is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Their web site includes a wide range of resources and educational materials for survivors of suicide loss.

 

• To learn more about World Suicide Prevention Day, visit https://www.iasp.info/wspd2021/. 

 

Find even more activities in the Suicide Prevention Week 2020 Kit here.  It’s not too late to join the Suicide Prevention Week challenge.  To get started download the challenge flyer and challenge card!

 

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

 

Good evening, DVC Families,

Please help us select the parent representatives for this year’s School Site Council by voting for up to 3 of our wonderful parents/guardians: School Site Council Voting Form: Parent Representatives

The voting will be open until 5pm tomorrow evening (Friday, 9/10).

Thank you for your time,

Erin D’Souza

Principal

Suicide Prevention Week Challenge #4:  Pause and Take A Breath

 

It’s not too late to join the Suicide Prevention Week challenge. To get started download the challenge flyerand challenge card!  Today’s challenge is focused on a simple, but profound coping skill: Breathing. Schedule a 10-minute ‘Breathe Break’ into your calendar and use this time to remove distractions and partake in a breathing exercise of your choice. This can be done individually, during a zoom meeting, or even as a family.

 

Most of us experience any number of emotions from day to day. Experiencing negative emotions, especially when under stress, is part of the human experience; however, if left unprocessed or unacknowledged, they can cause harm physically and emotionally. Prolonged crises, such as the ones we have experienced due to COVID, and any form of significant life transition can lead to long-term and toxic stress. This type of stress can be especially amplified among people who were already experiencing significant life challenges, chronic health or mental health conditions, and disabilities.

 

Research has found that breathing practices are effective at reducing stress, balancing our energy and emotions, and helping us process some of the more challenging feelings that can arise. But incorporating self-care, such as breathing, into our busy lives is easier said than done and may also be particularly challenging for people who have experienced trauma.

 

Being gentle with ourselves by setting boundaries and limits that support our mental health may be the most important self-care act of all. As author Brianna Wiest says: “Self-care should not be something we resort to because we are so absolutely exhausted that we need some reprieve from our own relentless internal pressure. True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake, it is making the choice to build a life you don’t need to regularly escape from.”

 

But changing the expectations of ourselves and others takes time and practice. Starting with small actions can be a good way to begin. For example, try out one of the breathing exercises below or mindful breathing, which has been known to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

 

Belly Breathing:

It may sound strange, but many people forget how to breathe properly, using their chest and shoulders to breathe, resulting in short and shallow breaths which can increase stress and anxiety! When you breathe, your belly should expand, involving your diaphragm, a large muscle in your abdomen. This type of breathing is known as diaphragmatic, or belly breathing and can lower stress levels, reduce blood pressure, lower our heart rate, and help us relax. Belly Breathing is at the center of the practice of meditation which is known to help manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness.

 

Download, share and watch the 30-second Belly Breathing Animation, which can be found here: https://www.suicideispreventable.org/social-media.php

 

Color Breathing

Visualize a color that represents how you want to feel, imagine inhaling that color in. Visualize a color that represents what you want to let go of, imagine exhaling that color out.

 

4-7-8 Breathing Technique

Otherwise known as “relaxing breath”, 4-7-8 breathing, is a simple breathing exercise that can be done anywhere, anytime to aid in stress reduction, grounding, and even sleep. Inhale for a count of 7, hold for a county of 4, and then exhale for a county of 8!  Download and share the 4-7-8 Breathing Card and Social Media post.

 

Square Breathing

One of the most common breathing exercises is referred to as square breathing which is the act of breathing in the form of a square! Inhale 2…3…4… hold 2…3…4!  Download and share the Square Breathing Card and Social Media post.

 

Find even more activities in the Suicide Prevention Week 2020 Kit here. 

 

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

 

Reto #4 Semana de Prevención del Suicidio: Pause y Respire

No es tarde para unirse al reto de la semana de Prevención del Suicidio. Para comenzar descargue el folleto y tarjeta de retos.  El reto de hoy se centra en una habilidad de afrontamiento simple pero profunda: la respiración. Programe en su calendario una “Pausa para respirar” de 10 minutos y utilice este tiempo para eliminar distracciones y participar en un ejercicio de respiración que usted elija. Esto se puede hacer individualmente, durante una reunión de zoom, o incluso en familia.

La mayoría de nosotros experimentamos una gran cantidad de emociones todos los días. Experimentar emociones negativas, especialmente cuando está bajo estrés, es parte de la experiencia humana; sin embargo, si no se procesan o no se reconocen, pueden causar daño físico y emocional. Las crisis prolongadas, como las que hemos experimentado debido al COVID, y cualquier cambio significativo pueden provocar estrés tóxico de largo plazo. Este tipo de estrés puede amplificarse especialmente entre las personas que ya estaban experimentando grandes desafíos en su vida, enfermedades crónicas o enfermedades mentales y discapacidades.

Los estudios han descubierto que las prácticas de respiración son efectivas para reducir el estrés, equilibrar nuestra energía y emociones y ayudarnos a procesar algunos de los sentimientos más desafiantes que pueden surgir. Pero es más fácil hablar sobre el cuidado personal que de ponerlo en práctica inclusive puede ser particularmente desafiante para las personas que han experimentado trauma.

Cuidar de sí mismo y tener límites protege su salud mental y puede ser lo más importante para su autocuidado. Parece que hemos creado la expectativa que el autocuidado es algo opcional, algo que podemos hacer ocasionalmente cuando tenemos tiempo. El autocuidado no debe ser algo al que recurrimos cuando ya estamos desgastados y necesitamos descansar de nuestra propia presión interna. El autocuidado no se trata de baños salinos y pasteles de chocolate, se trata de las decisiones que tomamos para crear una vida de la que no tenemos que escapar regularmente.

Pero cambiar las expectativas de nosotros mismos y de los demás toma tiempo y práctica. Acciones pequeñas pueden ser una forma buena para empezar. Por ejemplo, si el decir no a las obligaciones sociales es muy difícil, trate de tomar un descanso breve antes y después de cada evento. Durante este descanso, use el tiempo para practicar cómo darle atención a la respiración, una práctica que ha demostrado reducir el estrés y la ansiedad.

Técnica de respiración 4-7-8

Uno de los ejercicios más comunes se conoce como respiración 4-7-8. Respire por la nariz mientras cuenta hasta 4. Pause y detenga su respiración mientras cuenta hasta 4 y exhale por la boca mientras cuenta hasta 8. Descargue y comparta la tarjeta de respiración 4-7-8 y la publicación para redes sociales. Encuentre aún más actividades en la caja de activación de la Semana de Prevención del Suicidio 2021 aquí.

 

Conéctese con miles de personas en todo el país durante la Semana de Prevención del Suicidio utilizando los hashtags: #PrevencióndelSuicidio #DíaMundialparalaPrevencióndelSuicidio