It’s not too late to join the Take Action for Suicide Prevention Challenge. To get started review this attached flyer and download the challenge card!

Daily Challenge #3: Make a list of trusted contacts.

Having a strong social support network is a crucial element to thriving, but when in crisis it can be hard to think of who to reach out to. You may be feeling alone in your distress, or afraid to share thoughts of suicide with someone else. Making a list of safe and trusted contacts ahead of time is a reminder that you are not alone when you need help the most.

Write down three or more contacts and the easiest way to reach them. These can be friends, family members, or providers. Be sure to include at least one crisis line or warm line that is available 24/7. Place the list in a safe place near (or on) your phone or highlight the contacts on your phone with a special photo or image. 

If you or someone you know needs help, please know that you are not alone. Crisis lines, counselors, intervention programs, and more are available to you, whether you are in crisis yourself or concerned about someone else.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741
• The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ Young People): 1-866-488-7386
• Friendship Line (for Older Adults): 1-800-971-0016
• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
• Teen Line:  Call 1-800-852-8336 (from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. PST)

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

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

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

Dear DVC Students and Families,

I hope you are enjoying the Labor Day holiday and trying to stay cool and healthy this weekend! Last week, the Class of 2026 had a terrific time at The Overnighter. Students were immersed in DVC culture by building relationships, having fun, playing games, and engaging in meaningful discussions about the type of school they want to have, and the type of people they want to be. Thank you to all the parents, students, and staff that made this event possible! We are especially grateful to the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees for approving this special trip.

Week 4 Schedule: We have a busy four-day week ahead of us, including the launch of FLEX Block, Honors, and our School Picture Days!

• FLEX Block: FLEX Block is a time for all students to choose which class they’d like to attend for extra help and support. Students will be presented with their options on the first day of the week during Grade-Level Homeroom. During that time, they will select their FLEX Blocks for the remainder of the week. 
• Honors: The purpose of the honors program at DVC is to allow all students the opportunity to demonstrate deeper learning in a subject area, emulating conditions that best prepare students for a rigorous college or university program upon high school graduation. Students who successfully meet the honors requirements in a course earn an honors designation in that course on their transcript as well as an additional point added to their GPA. Teachers will be explaining how honors will work in their classes starting this week.
• Picture Days: Students will be taking pictures in their English classes on Thursday, 9/8 and Friday, 9/9. Your picture day is whichever day you have English class.
• School Site Council Meeting: We have rescheduled our first School Site Council Meeting and the new date is Wednesday, 9/28. Stay tuned for more information about participating in our School Site Council this year!

Here’s what’s coming up:

• Tuesday, 9/6: FLEX Block Begins
• Thursday, 9/8: DVC Picture Day (during English class)
• Friday, 9/9: DVC Picture Day  (during English class)
• Thursday, 9/15: Club Fair
• Thursday, 9/15: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
• Friday, 9/16: No School – Professional Development Day
• Wednesday, 9/28: School Site Council Meeting #1 
• Wednesday, 10/12: PSAT for Grades 9, 10, & 11 / 12th Grade College Trip
• Thursday, 10/13: No School – Professional Development Day
• Friday, 10/14: No School – Professional Development Day

Please bookmark this school calendar for the most up to date information. For all weekly schedules, please bookmark this link: DVC Weekly Schedules Year 10 (2022-2023)

Sincerely,

Erin D’Souza, Principal

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