We are thankful for all of our DVS students and families. There has been a positive spirit of gratitude around our campus. During Advisory this week, students decorated our campus with Gratitude Leaves, where they wrote down things for which they were grateful. Many students shared that they are thankful for their families and friends and for DVS being their school.
The DVS Parent Association also met on Zoom this week. It was lovely to see some new faces and meet more parents. We look forward to getting to know our parents as well and are looking to increase and connect the parent community.
Next week is a regular scheduled week. We hope students can continue working diligently and enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving Break!
Announcements & Reminders for Week 14:
- Attendance Matters: As Thanksgiving Break and the end of the semester approaches, we are grateful to our families, students, and staff who support and emphasize the importance of daily school attendance. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as connect with their peers and teachers. Please continue to take steps to schedule vacations and appointments around school hours. Please continue to send your students to school unless they are truly sick. Daily routines are essential for reducing stress and creating a sense of security for students and adults. If your family or your child needs support, please reach out to your child’s counselor.
- DVS Parent Association Announcements:
- The parent association is growing! We’re moving toward our goal of having 2 parents from each Advisory be active with our planning group. Want to join other DVS parents to support our DVS students and community? Sign In here: DVSpa SIGN IN 2024-25. Our upcoming projects include Fundraising for Advisories and a brand new event, DVS Family Community Night tentatively scheduled in March. We need your unique skills and talents as we work together to bring these projects to our school community. Slides from our DVSpa meeting this week can be viewed at this link.
- Da Vinci Science Parents Facebook Group: The DVS Parent Association would like to invite you to join the newly launched Da Vinci Science parent/guardian group on Facebook! This online space is meant for current Da Vinci Science parents/guardians to connect, ask questions, and build community with each other. Please note that this is a family-facilitated group, and anything posted is not directly sponsored by DVS or its staff. Search “Da Vinci Science Parents” and look for a green This is Home banner to join.
- Gratitude Baskets for Teachers and Staff: Next week is the time to bring in cards and Staff Favorite Things for your DVS Teachers and Staff Gratitude Baskets. Cards and items can be dropped off at the front office through Fri 11/22 at 9 am. If you’d prefer to donate a gift card to help fill all the baskets, you can send them to dvsappreciation@gmail.com by Tues 11/19, 11pm and your name will be added to the group card. Have some time 11/18 – 11/22 to help with assembling the baskets? Assemble Sign Up HERE
- Shelter-in-Place & Evacuation Drill: The Da Vinci high schools at the 201 N. Douglas location (including DVS) will participate in a Shelter-in-Place & Evacuation Drill on Tuesday, November 19th. Shelter-in-Place drills are designed to educate students and staff and provide practice opportunities for what to initially do in an on-campus or nearby emergency that requires a lockdown. Drill expectations and procedures were reviewed during announcements this week.
- Da Vinci Schools Fall Surveys: Parents/guardians and students should have received an email from Kelvin Education with a survey link to provide feedback. We appreciate your time and value your feedback.
- FAFSA Friday Workshop Series 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, November 22nd, 2024 (6-7:30 p.m.)
- Friday, December 6th, 2024 (6-7:30 p.m.) *Ayuda en Español*
- Friday, January 17th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
- Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
- Communication Workshop: DVS, in partnership with Whole Human Wellness Therapy, is excited to present a family communication workshop designed to help participants connect more deeply with themselves and their family members. This workshop is open to all Da Vinci high school students, families, and staff and will take place on the Da Vinci Science floor (2nd floor, 201 N. Douglas Street) this Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. FREE Raising Canes and fun activities will be provided. Please RSVP at this link.
- All WDV HS Open Mic: Join us for WDV’s fall Open Mic open to students from ALL WDV high schools Tue, 11/19 at 4pm in the ATRIUM at the 201 N. Douglas St. campus! Here is the link to sign up.
- Cardiac Screening Health Promotion Event: Da Vinci Schools in partnership with Saving Hearts Foundation and UCLA presents a FREE cardiac screening event Saturday, November 16, 2024. Pre-register now at this link!
- The Da Vinci Schools Song Contest: Submissions close 12/1, winners announced on 12/15. Please click here for submissions and full contest rules + regulations.
- DVS Parent Advisory Committee: It is not too late to join! Our PAC meeting #2 of this year is this Wednesday, 11/20, from 4:15-5:15 at this Zoom link. Parent Advisory Committee is an opportunity for parents, students, and staff to work collaboratively to review the school program, review data, identify needs, and make recommendations for the Local Control and Accountability Plan. If you are interested in joining our DVS Parent Advisory Committee, please complete the Parent Advisory Committee Interest Form or reach out to Grace: glong@davincischools.org. PAC Meeting Dates are planned for Wednesdays on Zoom from 4:15-5:15pm on these dates: 11/20, 2/12, 3/26, 5/14.
Week 14 Schedule (11/18-11/22):
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Monday – Friday, 11/18 – 11/22 9th Grade CHYA Presentations in Physics
- Tuesday, 11/19 Whole Human Wellness Communication Workshop @ 5:30pm
- Wednesday, 11/20 DVS Parent Advisory Committee Meeting @ 4:15 on Zoom
- Friday, 11/22 FAFSA Fridays Workshop Series #1 @ 6pm in DVC Room 3203
- Monday – Friday, 11/25 – 11/29 Thanksgiving Break
- Monday, 12/02 10th Grade College Field Trip
- Wednesday, 12/04 DVS Families Coffee Time @ 4:15 in-person or on Zoom
Helpful Links:
Some Highlights from the Week:
Computer Integrated Manufacturing Class, students are building their projects using Biomimicry. Students in Principles of Bio. Med. are learning to take vital signs.
Ms.McBee and 12th grade Government class held their annual Senior Elections. Students engaged in thoughtful, fun, and friendly debates to practice democracy in action!
Congratulations to students in grades 11 and 12 who were nationally recognized by the College Board for their performance on the PSAT last year (Fall 2023).
National Merit Scholarship Commended Students: Morgan Adams, Christian Ramos
National Recognition Program: Daryn Bonner, Gabriel Brown, GabrielChavez, Austin Chang, Harrison Kim, Jadon Long, Rania Abdella, Sarah Nelson, and Theodore Lumpkin