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Neurodiversity Celebration Week begins Monday, 1/27!

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Dear DVC Families,
Next week, we’re diving into an exciting celebration of how unique and diverse our brains can be. Neurodiversity means that everyone’s brain works in its own special way, and there’s no ONE correct way to think, learn, or experience the world. We’re celebrating all the different ways people experience life, with a focus on understanding disabilities like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome, and more.
Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to participate in fun and engaging activities designed to celebrate these differences! Students can create their own neurodiversity buttons and fidgets at student-led lunch activities, make slime to explore sensory processing differences, and play interactive games to uncover the myths and strengths behind different disabilities.
But that’s not all! We’re also excited to introduce a permanent sensory wall installation created by students. The sensory wall offers a calming way for students to manage stress, improve focus, and take a break during busy moments at school.
The Neurodiversity Student Committee has been working tirelessly since the start of the school year to bring this exciting and meaningful week to life. They’re thrilled to offer these amazing opportunities to encourage everyone to learn, grow, and celebrate the unique strengths we all bring to the table!

Los Angeles Black College Expo

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Join DVC in attending the 2025 Los Angeles Black College Expo at SoFi Stadium on Saturday, February 1st! ALL students are welcome to attend!

At the Black College Expo, there will be several opportunities, including various colleges and universities, trade schools, the armed forces, and other programs. Other features include on-site college acceptances, scholarships, and the pre-show before the Honda Battle of the Bands, featuring 6 different HBCU marching bands.

Permission slips are available at the front desk of DVC. Please submit slips to Ms. Aldrete by 1/29. We only have space for 30 students!

Transportation is provided, and students will leave DVC at 9:00, returning at 1:45.  DVC will be attending the College Expo portion only; the Battle of Bands is a separate, ticketed event after the College Expo.





Week 19 Schedule

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Dear DVC Students and Families,

We want to start with a heartfelt thank you to our families, students, staff and community for the outpouring of support this week for those affected by the LA County fires. Thanks to DV community efforts, in collaboration with Pass it Forward and numerous community groups, over 2000 meals have been donated to firefighters, wildfire victims, volunteers and more.

If you are a DVC family who has been personally affected by the fires, please reach out to us as soon as possible so that we can offer support and resources. The health and safety of our students is our top priority. If you or someone you know is in need of resources at this time, please feel free to share this resource list. 

No School on Monday, 1/20: There is no school on Monday, January 20th, in honor of Martin Luther King Holiday. We are grateful for his pivotal role in the civil rights movement and his legacy for equality, justice, and nonviolence. 

Tutoring for Semester 2: We are pleased to expand our after school tutoring program to 3 days per week! There is free drop-in tutoring (no sign-up needed) available in Mr. Albans’s room (3401) on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesdays, 3:35 – 4:30
  • Wednesdays, 2:30 – 4:30
  • Thursdays, 3:35 – 4:30

Seminar Change Requests: Students, if you would like to request a change to your seminar classes, please fill out this form: Schedule Change Request Form All requests must be submitted by Friday, 1/24 at 4pm. You are required to attend the classes you are assigned until you are given a new schedule by school staff. As always, we will do our best to accommodate as many requests as possible, but not all requests can be honored. Please note that the form is only accessible by students through their DV google account.

Da Vinci Schools Surveys: We value your voice and input. Parents/guardians and students, you should have received an email from Kelvin Education during the first week of November with a survey link to provide feedback. Please look in your inbox for “Kelvin Education” to complete the survey. Thank you for taking the time to provide this valuable feedback. Surveys close on January 31st.

FAFSA Friday Workshops for Senior Families: Da Vinci Schools is excited to offer practical, hands-on FAFSA workshops to our senior families. See more information about the workshop on this post on our blog. This will be held on the DV Communications (DVC) floor in Room 3203 and is open to all Da Vinci Schools senior families. Participants should register here for ONE of the following dates as all workshops will cover the same material.

  • Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)

Here’s what’s coming up THIS WEEK and beyond:

  • Monday, 1/20: No School – MLK Jr. Day
  • Thursday, 1/23: Awards CD
  • Monday, 1/27 – Friday, 1/31: Neurodiversity Celebration Week 
  • Wednesday, 1/29: Computer Science Field Trip (9th & 11th)
  • Wednesday, 1/29: Reagan Library Field Trip (12th)
  • Monday, 2/3: Cal Poly Pomona / LMU Field Trip (11th)
  • Thursday, 2/6: USC Field Trip (11th)
  • Friday, 2/7: No School – Professional Development

 

Please use these links for easy access to school information:

(Juniors) USC Bovard Scholars Application Due Jan. 17th!

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The 2025 USC Bovard Scholars application is now open and due this Friday, January 17th!

We are excited to welcome our ninth cohort of Bovard Scholars to the USC campus this summer. As I write, our eighth cohort is in the midst of the college application process, working with our program’s college admissions counselors to refine essays and applications. Our seventh cohort is enjoying their first year as college freshmen at top-tier universities across the country—think Harvard, Columbia, the University of Chicago, the University of California, Berkeley, and right here at USC.

We invite all high-achieving high school juniors with financial need to apply HERE.

Do you or someone you know fit these requirements?

  • Junior in high school (11th grader) at time of application
  • Currently hold a 4.0 GPA or above
  • Enrolled in Algebra II, Trigonometry or above
  • Demonstrate financial need

If so, you are eligible to APPLY HERE.

If selected, each Bovard Scholar will have one full year of support through the admissions cycle and spend two weeks on the USC campus, where they will receive:

  • Personalized career exploration
  • Expert admission and financial aid support
  • Comprehensive test preparation
  • Leadership development

This year, the summer intensive runs from July 14, 2025, through August 2, 2025. More information on the program can be found at this link: https://bovardscholars.usc.edu/

We offer the program at no cost to students or families. USC will pay for transportation to and from campus for students outside of Southern California.

Applications are due January 17, 2025, at 5:00 pm PST.

Join Us for a FAFSA Workshop THIS FRIDAY!

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OPEN TO ALL DA VINCI SCHOOLS SENIOR FAMILIES

WHEN: 

  • Friday, January 17th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)

Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material.

WHERE: 

  • Da Vinci Communications Room 3203

Workshop Description:
Join us for a practical, hands-on FAFSA Workshop designed specifically for parents navigating the FAFSA process for the first time. In this 1 hour and 30-minute session, you’ll learn the essentials of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including what it is, why it matters for your family’s financial planning, and how to complete it accurately and confidently.

We’ll start by breaking down the FAFSA process, covering everything from basic eligibility requirements to deadlines, key documents, and common questions about financial aid. Then, parents will have the chance to practice filling out a sample FAFSA, with guidance from experts available to answer questions in real-time.

What You’ll Gain From This Workshop:

  • Clear Understanding of FAFSA Basics: Learn the purpose of the FAFSA, how it affects college affordability, and what types of aid your student could qualify for.
  • Step-by-Step Guidance: We’ll walk you through each section of the FAFSA form, demystifying terms, identifying common challenges, and clarifying exactly what information you’ll need to provide.
  • Hands-On Practice: Work on a mock FAFSA application to get comfortable with the format and practice identifying tools, documents, and information you’ll need for the real application.
  • Tools & Tips for Success: Get expert tips on maximizing your student’s financial aid opportunities and take home a checklist of essential resources to keep the process smooth.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll feel equipped and empowered to tackle the FAFSA with confidence and ensure your student gets access to the financial resources they deserve.

REGISTRATION:

Click HERE to register. Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material. 

 

Da Vinci Communications

201 N. Douglas St. – Floor 3

El Segundo, CA 90245

(310) 725-5800