Da Vinci Science

Time flies when you’re having fun! And…when you’re busy finishing up the school year with studying, projects, presentations, field trips, learning, and lots of school events.

It’s our last full week of school! As we finish up the last couple of days of instruction and head into POL week, we want to remind students to keep striving for excellence to finish the semester well. As a reminder, daily attendance is still mandatory and an essential part of learning. During POL week, students will be engaging in POLs as well as various Extended Learning Room (ELR) activities. We are almost there!

This Week’s Schedule:

* Please note, different Grade Levels may have a slightly different schedule due to POLs. Please refer to Spring 2026 Presentation of Learning Information Families below and/or emails from Grade Level teachers.

This Week’s Announcements:

• Attendance Reminder: We are grateful to our families, students, and staff who support and emphasize the importance of daily school attendance. Students are expected to be in attendance at school from 8:50 am to dismissal every day through the last day of the 2026-2027 school year on Wednesday, June 10th. 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, and send your students to school unless they are truly sick.
• Presentations of Learning: POL begins this week! Weeks 37-38, 6/1 – 6/10. Specific instructions and schedules are shared by Grade-Level Teachers. Please see this Spring 2026 Presentations of Learning Information for Families for more information on POLs, including links to schedules and instructions (will be updated if not linked yet). 
• Attendance is still required every day throughout POL week. The last day of the Spring 2026 semester is Wednesday, June 10th. 
• Families are invited and encouraged to attend their student’s POL.
• Students who have perfect attendance during POL week will be entered to win free Jersey Mike’s coupons! 
• Extended Learning Rooms: We are still looking for guest speakers! When students aren’t in the spotlight for their POLs, they’ll be diving into grade-specific workshops designed to jumpstart their next chapter. We are still looking for more guest speakers! Help us bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world by filling out this interest form to share your industry expertise, research, or personal career journey! 
• Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony is Thursday, June 11th at 5pm in the Da Vinci Schools gym! All seniors and their parents/guardians received an email with information regarding the ceremony and seating registration. The Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony is Thursday, June 11th at 5pm in the Da Vinci Schools gym! All seniors and their parents/guardians received an email with information regarding the ceremony and seating registration last week. Please check your inboxes and direct questions to Liz at ediaz@davincischools.org.
• College Essay Writing Workshops for Juniors:  Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. Students will gain further insight and feedback on their essay. One workshop will run during POL Week (no sign-ups required) and one over the summer onThursday, June 18th from 9am-12pm.  Please register here.
• Here is a brief video and accompanying slides detailing the college essay workshops for juniors.
• Parent Coffee: Last  “Coffee with the Principal,” for the year!  The last DVS Parent Coffee will be this Wednesday,6/3  from 4:30-5:30 on Zoom using this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3108950461. This week’s topic: “26-27 Course Selection and Updates, Highlights from this year and changes for 26-27 School Year”

• Summer School & Summer Programs:
• Summer School at DVS is offered for students in need of Credit Recovery. Students will be notified by the end of the month of May if Summer School enrollment would be needed for your student. Summer School begins on Tuesday, June 15th and ends on Thursday, July 30th.
• Dual Enrollment for Summer Sessions: Some students are opting to take external (not provided by DVS) dual enrollment enrichment courses over the summer. If you need a dual enrollment form signed for summer session, please contact your counselor by June 5th. Counselors will not be available to sign forms during the summer. Please check your inboxes and direct questions to Liz at ediaz@davincischools.org.
• College Essay Writing Workshops for Juniors:  Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. Students will gain further insight and feedback on their essay. One workshop will run during POL Week (no sign-ups required) and one over the summer on Thursday, June 18th from 9am-12pm. This special Collegewise service is at no additional cost for DVS students. Please register here.
• Here is a brief video and accompanying slides detailing the college essay workshops for juniors.

• Summer School & Summer Programs:
• Summer School at DVS is offered for students in need of Credit Recovery. Students will be notified by the end of the month of May if Summer School enrollment would be needed for your student. Summer School begins on Tuesday, June 15th and ends on Thursday, July 30th.
• Dual Enrollment for Summer Sessions: Some students are opting to take external (not provided by DVS) dual enrollment enrichment courses over the summer. If you need a dual enrollment form signed for summer session, please contact your counselor by June 5th. Counselors will not be available to sign forms during the summer.

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday – Tuesday, 6/3 – 6/9 Presentations of Learning
• Friday, 6/5 Class of 2026 Disneyland Grad Nite
• Tuesday, 6/9 Senior Breakfast & Graduation Rehearsal
• Wednesday, 6/10 Last Day of the 2025-2026 School Year
• Thursday, 6/11 DVS Class of 2026 Graduation @ 5:00 pm
• First Day of School 2026-2027 School Year: Monday, August 17th

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

Beats by DVS Museum presented by 9th grade Physics class

Last CD of the year: Senior send off, theatre performances, Folklorico, and soloisits!

CEA Arch & Design students “Setting Sail” Regatta 2.0 @ the Colorado Lagoon.  Thank you Stacee

 

 

 

We are heading into our last week of instruction before POL week! Maycember is real. Students and staff have been busy with finishing up projects, culminating their learning, studying for assessments, going on field trips, and participating in many end-of-year school events and celebrations. As the end of the year is fast approaching, we encourage students to finish the semester with excellence, integrity, and of course, attendance! 

We had our last week of seminars this week. Thank you, staff and students, for running and attending seminars. Seminars have been a signature practice, a unique opportunity for students to engage in learning in addition to core academics. We hope you enjoyed your seminars this year! 

The last day of regular instruction will be June 2nd and the POL schedule begins June 3rd.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

This Week’s Schedule:

This Week’s Announcements

• Attendance Reminder: We are grateful to our families, students, and staff who support and emphasize the importance of daily school attendance. Students are expected to be in attendance at school from 8:50 am to dismissal every day through the last day of the 2026-2027 school year on Wednesday, June 10th. 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, and send your students to school unless they are truly sick
• Presentations of Learning: POL week is coming up, Weeks 37-38, 6/1 – 6/10. Specific instructions and schedules are shared by Grade-Level Teachers. Please see this Spring 2026 Presentations of Learning Information for Families for more information on POLs, including links to schedules and instructions (will be updated if not linked yet).
  • Attendance is still required every day throughout POL week. The last day of the Spring 2026 semester is Wednesday, June 10th.
  • Families are invited and encouraged to attend their student’s POL.
  • Students who have perfect attendance during POL week will be entered to win free Jersey Mike’s coupons! 
• Extended Learning Rooms: When students aren’t in the spotlight for their POLs, they’ll be diving into grade-specific workshops designed to jumpstart their next chapter. We are still looking for more guest speakers! Help us bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world by filling out this interest form to share your industry expertise, research, or personal career journey! 
  • 9th & 10th Grade: Career Discovery. Students will explore various industries and build the professional skills needed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world.
  • 11th Grade: College Essay Intensive. We’re hosting experts from CollegeWise to help juniors craft standout personal statements and get a head start on the application process. There will also be opportunities for students to imagine their senior year experience together.
  • 12th Grade: The Final Countdown. Seniors will spend their time finalizing graduation logistics and prepping for their upcoming senior activities.

• Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony is Thursday, June 11th at 5pm in the Da Vinci Schools gym! All seniors and their parents/guardians received an email with information regarding the ceremony and seating registration last week. Please check your inboxes and direct questions to Liz at ediaz@davincischools.org.
• College Essay Writing Workshops for Juniors:  Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. Students will gain further insight and feedback on their essay. One workshop will run during POL Week (no sign-ups required) and one over the summer onThursday, June 18th from 9am-12pm.  Please register here.
  • Here is a brief video and accompanying slides detailing the college essay workshops for juniors.
• Summer School & Summer Programs:
  • Summer School at DVS is offered for students in need of Credit Recovery. Students will be notified by the end of the month of May if Summer School enrollment would be needed for your student. Summer School begins on Tuesday, June 15th and ends on Thursday, July 30th.
  • Dual Enrollment for Summer Sessions: Some students are opting to take external (not provided by DVS) dual enrollment enrichment courses over the summer. If you need a dual enrollment form signed for summer session, please contact your counselor by June 5th. Counselors will not be available to sign forms during the summer.
• Spring Performing Arts Seminar Night (5/26): Join us for an inspiring evening at the Spring Performing Arts Seminar Night, showcasing the work of students from Stagecraft, Drum Ensemble, Music Production, On-Stage Acting, and On-Camera Acting! The Spring Seminar Night will take place in the Blackbox on Tue, 5/26 at 6pm. Admission is FREE—all are welcome to attend!

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday, 5/25 Memorial Day – No School 
• Thursday, 5/28 Community Dialogue #6
• Monday, 5/18 Advanced Physics Knott’s Berry Farm Field Trip
• Wednesday – Tuesday, 6/3 – 6/9 Presentations of Learning
• Friday, 6/5 Class of 2026 Disneyland Grad Nite
• Tuesday, 6/9 Senior Breakfast & Graduation Rehearsal
• Wednesday, 6/10 Last Day of the 2026-2027 School Year
• Thursday, 6/11 DVS Class of 2026 Graduation @ 5:00 pm

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, counseling team and Let’s Taco-Bout It Club shared wellness resources, squishy balls, bracelets, sensory stickers and played music to bring awareness to the DVS community. 

CTE Pathways took juniors to learn more about what their pathway instruction may look like in college at Cal Poly SLO

Advanced Physics Knott’s Trip to study the application of physics of roller coasters

Wild to Wilderness Project- CEA Honors students planned, built, designed, made, and carried their own sleep structures and stayed overnight at Wilderness Park

What an eventful week, especially for our seniors. We started with Beach Day and ended the week with Decision Day. Congratulations to all of our seniors for making their college and post-high school decisions. Thank you to all senior parents for their generous support in providing refreshments for our seniors this morning. 

Students continue to be learning and finishing up their projects well. We still have three and a half weeks to go. Students should engage in this final push to finish the semester with excellence! 

This Week’s Schedule:

This Week’s Announcements

• Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony is Thursday, June 11th at 5pm in the Da Vinci Schools gym! All seniors and their parents/guardians received an email with information regarding the ceremony and seating registration today. Please check your inboxes and direct questions to Liz at ediaz@davincischools.org.
• Parent Advisory Committee: PAC Meeting #4 is this Wednesday, 5/20/15, 4:30-5:30. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3108950461. On the agenda: LCAP Goals 3, 4, and 5.
• Parent Association Gathering: You’re Invited! Come out to Five Point Five to celebrate with fellow DVS Parents at the May DVS Parent Association gathering, Wed. May 20th, 5:30 – 7pm. We’ll have a brief meeting toward the beginning of our time then enjoy each other’s company as we celebrate our projects completed this school year. All DVS Parents are welcome!
• Call for Guest Speakers June 3rd – 9th: We are looking for guest speakers to join us during Presentations of Learning (POL) Week, June 3rd–9th. Help us bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world by filling out this interest form to share your industry expertise, research, or personal career journey! 
• Da Vinci Schools Family Survey: You have been receiving messages with your personalized survey link directly from Kelvin Education. Please take a few minutes to click on the link and take the survey before Friday May 29th. Your honest input helps us celebrate what’s working and identify areas where we can improve. 
• College Essay Writing Workshops for Juniors:  Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. Students will gain further insight and feedback on their essay. One workshop will run during POL Week (no sign-ups required) and one over the summer onThursday, June 18th from 9am-12pm.  Please register here.
• Here is a brief video and accompanying slides detailing the college essay workshops for juniors.
• Senior Awards Night Photo Link Here

• Summer School & Summer Programs:
  • Summer School at DVS is offered for students in need of Credit Recovery. Students will be notified by the end of the month of May if Summer School enrollment would be needed for your student. 
  • Dual Enrollment for Summer Sessions: Some students are opting to take external (not provided by DVS) dual enrollment enrichment courses over the summer. If you need a dual enrollment form signed for summer session, please contact your counselor by June 5th. Counselors will not be available to sign forms during the summer.

• WDV Performing Arts: 
  • HS Musical Theatre Showcase (5/17): Join us in The Blackbox Sunday, May 17 @ 4pm for an intimate and casual performance by our musical theatre students! This complimentary afternoon will include ensemble numbers from celebrated shows, as well as solos, duets and small group numbers selected and staged by the students themselves. (On stage Tech & Design enhancements by our stagecraft crew!) Questions: dfeldman@davincischools.org 

• • The “Voices of Da Vinci” High School Choir present HORIZON (5/21): Join the Voices of Da Vinci High School and Junior Choirs for their spring concert: “HORIZON”! In their first combined spring concert, these uplifting performances explore themes of perseverance, growth, and looking ahead toward new possibilities. Through a powerful mix of contemporary songs, soulful harmonies, spoken word, and inspiring moments, HORIZON celebrates the strength it takes to keep rising, even through challenges. Come experience an evening of music, hope, and connection as our students lift their voices toward what’s next. (HORIZON will take place in the Blackbox on Thu, 5/21 at 6pm. Admission is FREE—all are welcome to attend!)
  • : Join us for an inspiring evening at the Spring Performing Arts SeSpring Performing Arts Seminar Night (5/26)minar Night, showcasing the work of students from our dynamic performing arts seminar classes! Featuring presentations from Stagecraft, Drum Ensemble, Music Production, On-Stage Acting, and On-Camera Acting, this event highlights the creativity, collaboration, and artistic growth that have taken place throughout the semester. From live music to scene work, tech design to digital media, come experience the wide range of talent our students have to offer. (The Spring Seminar Night will take place in the Blackbox on Tue, 5/26 at 6pm. Admission is FREE—all are welcome to attend!)
  • Subscribe to the WDV Performing Arts Youtube Channel! You can check out all of our longer event content (concerts, spring musical, etc) here.
  • Follow WDV Performing Arts on Instagram (@WDVPerformingArts)! Keep up to date with the latest announcements, updates, or behind-the-scenes happenings.

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, 5/20 12th Grade Class of 2026 Gubernatorial Elections
• Wednesday, 5/20 PAC Meeting #4 @ 4:30
• Wednesday, 5/20 Parent Association Meeting @ 5:30-7:00 at Five Point Five Brewery
• Monday, 5/25 Memorial Day – No School 
• Thursday, 5/28 Community Dialogue #6Monday, 5/18 Advanced Physics Knott’s Berry Farm Field Trip
• Wednesday – Tuesday, 6/3 – 6/9 Presentations of Learning
• Friday, 6/5 Class of 2026 Disneyland Grad Nite
• Tuesday, 6/9 Senior Breakfast & Graduation Rehearsal
• Wednesday, 6/10 Last Day of the 2026-2027 School Year
• Thursday, 6/11 DVS Class of 2026 Graduation @ 5:00 pm (more info to come)

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

Decision Day Class of 2026

CEA Arch and Design and CEA Honors working on Sailboat and Wild to Wilderness projects

Freshmen physicists exploring sound waves with musical, wine glasses, old school telephones, and tuning forks! Honors students calculated the speed of sound using a tube and tuning fork with as low as 5% error!

Senior Signing Day! Congrats to our DVS athletes!

Senior Week Fun!

Thank you, DVS families for a wonderful Staff Appreciation Week! The DVS Staff felt very loved and well fed all week. Thank you for the thoughtful notes, meals, snacks, and treats all week, and gifts. We are grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity, and most of all, grateful for your partnership in caring and educating our students. We love our students and our families!

We have more celebrating to do next week as we look toward Senior Week for the Class of 2026!

This Week’s Schedule:

This Week’s Announcements

• Attendance: As we continue with our last full month of courses, attendance continues to be a requirement for continued success and achievement for students. Please continue to work towards positive attendance for the remainder of the school year to finish the semester strong. Please note seniors need to be in good academic standing and have positive attendance in order to participate in senior extracurricular activities.
• Senior Week May 11-15:
  • Monday: Senior Beach Day 
  • Tuesday: Senior Citizen Spirit Day for Seniors
  • Wednesday: Soak a Senior at lunch
  • Thursday: Seniors vs. Staff Dodgeball
  • Friday: Decision Day Celebration

• Call for Guest Speakers June 3rd – 9th : We are looking for guest speakers to join us during Presentations of Learning (POL) Week, June 3rd–9th. Help us bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world by sharing your industry expertise, research, or personal career journey! If you’re ready to spark curiosity and mentor future leaders, please fill out this interest form. We will follow up within 2-3 business days to discuss logistics. Thank you for investing in our students!
• Da Vinci Schools Family and Student Surveys: Da Vinci Families, your voice matters. You have been receiving messages with your personalized survey link directly from Kelvin Education. Please take a few minutes to click on the link and take the survey before Friday May 29th. Your honest input helps us celebrate what’s working and identify areas where we can improve. 
• College Essay Writing Workshops for Juniors:  Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. Students will gain further insight and feedback on their essay. One workshop will run during POL Week (no sign-ups required) and one over the summer onThursday, June 18th from 9am-12pm.  Please register here.
  • Here is a brief video and accompanying slides detailing the college essay workshops for juniors.

• Summer School & Summer Programs:
  • Summer School at DVS is offered for students in need of Credit Recovery. Students will be notified by the end of the month of May if Summer School enrollment would be needed for your student. 
  • Dual Enrollment for Summer Sessions: Some students are opting to take external (not provided by DVS) dual enrollment enrichment courses over the summer. If you need a dual enrollment form signed for summer session, please contact your counselor by June 5th. Counselors will not be available to sign forms during the summer.

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday, 5/11 Senior Beach Day
• Friday, 5/15 Class of 2026 Decision Day Celebration
• Wednesday, 5/20 12th Grade Class of 2026 Gubernatorial Elections
• Wednesday, 5/20 PAC Meeting #4
• Wednesday, 5/20 Parent Association Meeting @ 5:30-7:00 at Five Point Five Brewery
• Monday, 5/25 Memorial Day – No School 
• Thursday, 5/28 Community Dialogue #6
• Wednesday, 6/10 Last Day of the 2026-2027 School Year
• Thursday, 6/11 DVS Class of 2026 Graduation @ 5:00 pm (more info to come)

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

Torrance Memorial Pharmacology gave a career talk to HBS students, discussed a case study, and then lead a vaccination activity and a sterile PPE competition!  Thank you, TMMC!

We hope students had a great PD Day. Many seniors getting ready for Prom tonight! We hope all students in attendance have a fun and safe night. 

Team 4201 is at the FRC World Championship in Houston this weekend. We’ve been assigned to the Hopper division. Qualification matches were this week, and playoffs are tomorrow, Saturday. Best of luck to our Vitruvian Bots! Livestream links: https://frc-events.firstinspires.org/2026/HOPPER/watch Match results: TheBlueAlliance.com/team/4201 

Teacher Appreciation Week is this week, May 4-8! Our DVS Staff work tirelessly to ensure our students have the best possible high school learning experience. Simply put, we love your kids. Thank you for showing our teachers and staff appreciation and love this week! 

This Week’s Schedule

This Week’s Announcements

• Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is this coming week, May 4th-8th! Take some time to tell your DVS Teachers and Staff how much you appreciate their hard work for our DVS Students and Community.  To participate in DVSPA sponsored appreciation events during the week, please see the SIGN UP. E-gift cards to Costco can be emailed to DVSappreciation@gmail.com and cash or physical gift cards can be dropped off to Liz at the front desk.  
• Da Vinci Schools Family Survey: Da Vinci Families, your voice matters. You will receive messages with your personalized survey link directly from Kelvin Education beginning on Monday May 4th, please take a few minutes to click on the link and take the survey before Friday May 29th. The spring survey includes questions about school culture, teaching and learning, student experiences, and overall satisfaction-including how likely you are to recommend Da Vinci to others. Your honest input helps us celebrate what’s working and identify areas where we can improve. 
• Course Selection for 2026-2027 school year: Students received information about the course selection process for next school year. See 26-27 Course Planning Document to see course listings. Students should use this Course Selection Form (DV account required) to share their course preferences. More information on 26-27 Course Selection can be found on the Student Hub Canvas page. 
• Parent Coffee: Every first Wednesday of the month, we have “Coffee with the Principal,” where parents, guardians, and students can drop in to ask administration and staff questions and receive updates on school happenings. DVS Parent Coffee Time is this Wednesday,5/6, from 4:30-5:00 on Zoom using this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3108950461. This week’s topic: “26-27 Course Selection and Updates.” 5:00-5:30 Wisdom from Collegewise.  
• BAND BASH: Get ready for Band Bash, Spring 2026! The one-of-a-kind, high-energy, student-run rock concert featuring Da Vinci’s own student bands is BACK! Taking place on Thursday, May 7th from 4–6pm in the Black Box Theater, this event is all about live music, creativity, and giving students a chance to own the stage. Expect a mix of genres, electric performances, and a fun, laid-back atmosphere where the community can come together and celebrate student talent. It’s the perfect way to let loose and enjoy some great music as we head toward the end of the school year. All Da Vinci high school students are welcome!

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday, 5/4 10th Grade Cinco de Mayo Potluck
• Wednesday,5/6 Parent Coffee 4:30-5:30 on Zoom
• Friday, 5/8 Cal Poly SLO Field Trip for 11th Grade Pathways Classes
• Monday, 5/11 Senior Beach Day
• Friday, 5/15 Class of 2026 Decision Day Celebration
• Wednesday, 5/20 12th Grade Class of 2026 Gubernatorial Elections
• Wednesday, 5/20 PAC Meeting #4
• Wednesday, 5/20 Parent Association Meeting @ 5:30-7:00 at Five Point Five Brewery
• Monday, 5/25 Memorial Day – No School 
• Thursday, 5/28 Community Dialogue #6
• Wednesday, 6/10 Last Day of the 2026-2027 School Year
• Thursday, 6/11 DVS Class of 2026 Graduation @ 5:00 pm (more info to come)

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week: SWE at the LA Athletic Club for the MUSES Woman of the Year luncheon- honoring Dr. Diane Perlov- anthropologist who studied Kenyan culture and who led the planning for the mummies exhibit at the CA Science Center

Biomed Students dissecting a squid at the Aquarium of the Pacific! And getting to explore marine ecosystems and the touch tank!

 

We had a very eventful week that started with 11th-grade SBAC (State Testing). The juniors did a great job taking the tests seriously and doing their best. Thank you to the parents and families who donated snacks to keep the juniors going throughout their week of testing.

The week ended with Davincella! The students had a wonderful time being outdoors, representing their clubs, and showcasing their musical talents. Thank you, Leadership, for doing such a great job putting that event together so the whole school had the opportunity to destress and connect in such a fun and meaningful way.

We hope all students had a productive CLD Day today. We will be ensuring that all students fill out the CLD attendance form to receive credit for the day. Next week will be another four-day week, with a Professional Development (PD) Day and Prom Night on Friday, May 1st. We also wish the Vitruvian Bots well as they head off to Houston this week for World Championships!

This Week’s Schedule

This Week’s Announcements

• Course Selection for 2026-2027 school year: Students received information about the course selection process for next school year. See 26-27 Course Planning Document to see course listings. Students will select their classes through a Google form starting April 29th and will also select courses through Powerschool in Targeted Support class on May 6th. More information on 26-27 Course Selection can be found on the Student Hub Canvas page. 
• Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is May 4th-8th! Please see the SIGN UP for ways to celebrate all the staff that help create our beautiful DVS community. E-gift cards to Costco can be emailed to DVSappreciation@gmail.com and cash or physical gift cards can be dropped off to Liz at the front desk.  For other ways to donate funds toward DVSPA sponsored lunch, breakfast or other appreciation activities, contact Lori at lj.bowk@gmail.com.
• 11th & 12th Grade Student Directory Request Opt-Out Option: A message was sent to all 11th and 12th-grade families from Da Vinci Schools on Friday, 4/17 regarding a request from the U.S. Marine Corps for student directory information. While federal law requires schools to provide this information to military recruiters, we want to ensure our families have the opportunity to make the decision that feels right for them. If you would like to opt out of sharing your student’s name, address, or phone number, please complete the opt-out form in SchoolMint by Friday, May 1st. If you have completed the form already or are comfortable with this information being shared, no further action is required on your part.
• 11th College Planning Meetings: Our College and Career Counselor, Ms. Marquez is hosting Individual Post-DVS Planning Meetings with juniors and their parent/guardian. Every Junior is expected to schedule a meeting and have at least one parent/guardian present. Please sign up here and see an overview of the meeting here.
• Community Learning Day #4 Learning Logs: Today was our last CLD of the year! We will be completing Learning Logs together during Advisory next week as they are essential for students’ attendance records and to keep CLDs going strong!
• Yearbook 2025-2026: Grab your Da Vinci Science student’s yearbook today and keep this year’s highlights alive forever. Reserve Your Piece of DVS History Here. “Enter Da Vinci Site code 19656.”
• Prom: Is this Friday, May 1st at Skirball Center 7:00-11:00 pm. More details on Canvas and Instagram. All students in attendance must be in good academic standing and maintain positive attendance.
• Parent Coffee– Every first Wednesday of the month, we have “Coffee with the Principal,” where parents, guardians, and students can drop in to ask administration and staff questions and receive updates on school happenings. DVS Parent Coffee Time is next Wednesday,5/6, from 4:30-5:30 on Zoom using this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3108950461. This week’s topic: “26-27 Course Selection and Updates”

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday, 4/27 Opt-in SAT School Day
• Wednesday, 4/29 MTSS Team Meeting @ 7:45am in Berger
• Wednesday – Sunday, 4/29-5/3 FRC World Championships in Houston
• Wednesday, 4/29 Biomed Aquarium Field Trip
• Wednesday, 4/29 Lunch Open Mic
• Thursday, 4/30 Community Dialogue #5
• Friday, 5/1 Professional Development Day – No School
• Friday, 5/1 Prom at Skirball Museum 7:00-11:00 pm 
• Monday, 5/4 10th Grade Cinco de Mayo Potluck
• Wednesday,5/6Parent Coffee 4:30-5:30 on Zoom
• Wednesday, 5/20 PAC Meeting #4
• DVS Class of 2026 Graduation: Thursday, June 11th @ 5:00 pm (more info to come)

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

CLD Day #4, on campus workshops included volleyball, yoga, CPR training and 3D modeling

AltaSea at the Port of LA- students had the opportunity to test solar panels using multimeters, touch sea creatures, drive underwater robots, and show off their Climate Catalyst projects.

Davincella 2026

Da Vinci Science California Distinguished School Award 2026 recipient. Congratulations, DVS!

Spring is in full swing! On Monday, seniors spent a memorable day at the park and sophomores explored the Cal Poly Pomona campus. Juniors also refreshed their knowledge through CHYA presentations in biology this week.

Next week will be quite eventful with a long Advisory on Wednesday, Davinchella on Thursday (see below for details), and our last Community Learning Day of the school year on Friday. We are looking forward to all the lively fun and community spirit that these days will bring!

This Week’s Schedule

This Week’s Announcements

• Course Selection for 2026-2027 school year: In the next few weeks, students will be hearing about the course selection process for next school year. See 26-27 Course Planning Document to see course listings. Students will select their classes through a Google form starting April 29th and will also select courses through Powerschool in Targeted Support class on May 6th.
• 11th Grade Statewide Testing: All 11th grade students will be taking the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics as well as the CAST (California Science Test) on Monday and Tuesday, April 20th and 21st during school hours. State Testing Parent Notification Letter
• Snack Donations Wanted! The DVS Front Office is collecting any donations of individually wrapped, healthy snacks (no nuts please) to provide for 11th grade students during state testing breaks. Suggested Items: granola bars, protein bars, pretzels, crackers, fruit snacks, dried fruit, string cheese, beef jerky, small water bottles
• Davinchella is next Thursday, 4/23 from 2:35–3:55 PM! This outdoor event for DVS students during school hours is a collaboration between DVS Leadership and our student clubs to highlight student initiative and bring our student body together. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities to build community and foster engagement including free games, a soccer tournament, and an inflatable obstacle course (waiver required). 
  • Tickets: Students can also support our DVS student-led clubs by purchasing food and drinks at a variety of booths using tickets. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased at designated booths using cash, card, or mobile (tap) pay. 
  • Waivers: The inflatable obstacle course (free) and Animal Rescue Club’s puppy booth (paid) require the completion of a waiver for participation. Waivers were distributed in Advisory on 4/14 (digital version here) and MUST be returned by 4/21 at 4:00 PM to the Front Office or Brooke’s room (2406). No late waivers will be accepted.
  • Prep & Clean-Up: If your student is running a club booth, they may ask for your support leading up to the event. We appreciate your time and effort in helping them succeed! Please also note that student leaders may stay up to 20 minutes after school for clean-up.

• • PEP: 

• • • Preview: Davinchella is an 80-minute, outdoor, large gathering of the entire student body for students to play games, visit club booths, and hang out with the school community. Students will head outside to the West Plaza after taking attendance in advisory.
    • Experience: Loud environment due to student performances and large crowd >550; Overlapping conversations, noise and movement; Participation includes participants voluntarily participating in games and going up to club booths and activities.
    • Provided: Area further from noise (signage will be posted for location); earplugs available at the NDSC booth
• DVS Parent Association: 
  • May 4th – 8th is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week: Please see the SIGN UP for ways to celebrate all the staff that help create our beautiful DVS community. E-gift cards to Costco can be emailed to DVSappreciation@gmail.com and cash or physical gift cards can be dropped off to Liz at the front desk.  For other ways to donate funds toward DVSPA sponsored lunch, breakfast or other appreciation activities, contact Lori at lj.bowk@gmail.com. 
  • Join DVS Parents at the DVSPA meeting Wednesday, April 22nd at 5:30pm, on campus. We will be prepping for Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week and more.  
• 11th College Planning Meetings: Our College and Career Counselor, Ms. Marquez is hosting Individual Post-DVS Planning Meetings with juniors and their parent/guardian. Every Junior is expected to schedule a meeting and have at least one parent/guardian present. Please sign up here and see an overview of the meeting here.
• Community Learning Day #4: Next CLD Day is 4/24. All students should be engaged in activities that foster meaningful learning, on or off campus. See CLD On campus workshop Descriptions. Information and QR code to sign up for workshops is posted on students’ CLD Canvas page. 
• Yearbook 2025-2026: Grab your Da Vinci Science student’s yearbook today and keep this year’s highlights alive forever. Reserve Your Piece of DVS History Here. “Enter Da Vinci Site code 19656.”

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday – Tuesday, 4/20 – 4/21 11th Grade State Testing
• Wednesday, 4/22 Long Advisory
• Wednesday, 4/22 Parent Association Meeting @ 5:30pm
• Thursday, 4/23 SWE/Physics Honors AltaSea Field Trip
• Thursday, 4/23 Davinchella
• Thursday, 4/23 CollegeWise Workshop for 9th and 10th Grade @ 5:30pm
• Friday, 4/24 Community Learning Day #4
• DVS Class of 2026 Graduation: Thursday, June 11th @ 5:00 pm (more info to come)

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

Senior Park Day!

 

10th grade trip to Cal Poly Pomona featuring DVS alumni!

 

DVS Science teachers expanding their knowledge and skills as NSTA conference where Mark Rober was the keynote speaker

We are back in full swing! We hope our students enjoyed their Spring Break and are ready to tackle the remainder of the semester. It will be a busy few months ahead, filled with engaging learning activities, projects, and field trips. We continue to encourage consistent attendance to ensure students can take full advantage of all the opportunities DVS has to offer.

Da Vinci’s Robotics Team, Team 4201 the Vitruvian Bots, continues to excel in division competitions; they are currently ranked 6th out of 151 SoCal teams. We wish them well at this weekend’s SoCal District Championship! Livestream links and more info can be found at the Event Website. Go Vitruvian Bots!

This Week’s Schedule

This Week’s Announcements

• Parent Advisory Committee: PAC Meeting #4 is scheduled for Wednesday, 4/15, 4:30-5:30. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3108950461. On the agenda: LCAP Goals 3, 4, and 5.
• 11th Grade Statewide Testing: All 11th grade students will be taking the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics as well as the CAST (California Science Test) on Monday and Tuesday, April 20th and 21st during school hours. State Testing Parent Notification Letter

• Snack Donations Wanted! The DVS Front Office is collecting any donations of individually wrapped, healthy snacks (no nuts please) to provide for 11th grade students during state testing breaks. Suggested Items: granola bars, protein bars, pretzels, crackers, fruit snacks, dried fruit, string cheese, beef jerky, small water bottles
• 11th College Planning Meetings: Our College and Career Counselor, Ms. Marquez is hosting Individual Post-DVS Planning Meetings with juniors and their parent/guardian. Every Junior is expected to schedule a meeting and have at least one parent/guardian present. Please sign up here and see an overview of the meeting here.
• 11th Grade CHYA Refresh Presentations: Dr. Emily Green will be presenting a refresh of the health & sexual education curriculum (“CHYA”, or “California Healthy Youth Act”) during 11th grade biology classes Monday-Wednesday, April 13th-15th. Notification Letter from Dr. Green. Parents have the right to “opt-out” of this presentation for their child. If you wish to do so, please email Saya Wai, DVS Assistant Principal, at swai@davincischools.org. 
• CLD Day #4: Next CLD Day is 4/24. See CLD On campus workshop Descriptions. Information and QR code to sign up for workshops is posted on students’ CLD Canvas page. 

• Course Selection for 2026-2027 school year: In the next few weeks, students will be hearing about the course selection process for next school year. See 26-27 Course Planning Document to see course listings. Students will select their classes through a Google form starting April 29th and will also select courses through Powerschool during Targeted Support class on May 6th. 

• DVS Parent Association: 
  • Spring Mech Sale is happening NOW! PREORDER DVSPA MERCH HERE for pick up in approximately 3-4 weeks. Proceeds support DVS Advisories! 
  • Next DVSPA meeting will be held on campus, Wednesday April 22nd at 5:30pm. 
  • Save the dates – Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is May 4-8th. Watch for the sign up and more details in the next blog and on the DVS Parents FB group.
• Yearbook 2025-2026: Grab your Da Vinci Science student’s yearbook today and keep this year’s highlights alive forever. Reserve Your Piece of DVS History Here. “Enter Da Vinci Site code 19656.”

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday, 4/13 Senior Park Day
• Monday, 4/13 10th Grade Cal Poly Pomona Field Trip
• Monday – Wednesday, 4/13 – 4/15 11th Grade CHYA Refresh in Biology
• Thursday, 4/16 CollegeWise Workshop for 11th Grade @ 5:30pm
• Friday, 4/17 12th Grade Field Trip to El Camino College
• Monday – Tuesday, 4/20 – 4/21 11th Grade State Testing
• Wednesday, 4/22 Long Advisory
• Wednesday, 4/22 Parent Association Meeting @ 5:30pm
• Thursday, 4/23 SWE/Physics Honors AltaSea Field Trip
• Thursday, 4/23 Davincella
• Thursday, 4/23 CollegeWise Workshop for 9th and 10th Grade @ 5:30pm
• Friday, 4/24 Community Learning Day #4
• DVS Class of 2026 Graduation: Thursday, June 11th @ 5:00 pm (more info to come)

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

Beats by DVS speaker/headphone dissections – thanks to everyone who donated!

SWE guest speaker Sanam Tahan – founder of The Well Society – nutritionist/dietitian sharing best practices/healthy habits to start early; Adv Physics mobile project in progress – learning about rotational equilibrium and torque

DVS at the HOSA Student Leadership Conference 2026 in Ontario, CA!

We had a very eventful week before Spring Break! SWE field trip to Belkin, Engineering field trip to Data Center, HOSA Leadership Conference an Exhibition Night to name a few! Last week, Team 4201, the Vitruvian Bots, hosted the LA Division Regionals right here on campus. We achieved great success, finishing as FRC Finalists in the FRC LA District Competition and winning the most prestigious Impact Award for being a “True STEAM hub for the community.” Congratulations to Team 4201 on winning this incredible FRC award!

We extend a big thank you to all the students, families, and community members who joined us for DVS Exhibition Night! Our students enjoyed showcasing their projects and bringing others into their learning experiences here at DVS. We hope you enjoyed Exhibition Night as much as we did.

As the week concludes, we want to wish all our students and families a wonderful and much-deserved Spring Break! Whether you’re planning a vacation, catching up on rest, or simply spending quality time with loved ones, we wish you a happy and safe break. School will resume on Tuesday, April 7th.

This Week’s Schedule

This Week’s Announcements

• 11th Grade Statewide Testing: All 11th grade students will be taking the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics as well as the CAST (California Science Test) on Monday and Tuesday, April 20th and 21st during school hours. Please see this State Testing Parent Notification Letter for more information.
• Snack Donations Wanted! We want to make sure our 11th grade students have the energy and focus during testing so they can do their best! We would appreciate any donations of individually wrapped, healthy snacks (no nuts please) to provide for students during testing breaks. We will begin collecting donations immediately after Spring Break at the DVS Front Office. Thank you for supporting our juniors! Suggested Items: granola bars, protein bars, pretzels, crackers, fruit snacks, dried fruit, string cheese, beef jerky, small water bottles
• 11th Grade CHYA Refresh Presentations: Dr. Emily Green will be presenting a refresh of the health & sexual education curriculum (“CHYA”, or “California Healthy Youth Act”) during 11th grade biology classes Monday-Wednesday, April 13th-15th. Click this link to read the notification letter from Dr. Green. If you have any questions about the content that will be covered, please email Dr. Green at egreen@davincischools.org. Parents have the right to “opt-out” of this presentation for their child. If you wish to do so, please email Saya Wai, DVS Assistant Principal, at swai@davincischools.org.
• 11th College Planning Meetings: Our College and Career Counselor, Ms. Marquez will begin to host the Individual Post-DVS Planning Meetings with juniors and their parent/guardian starting mid-April through POL week. Please sign up here. Every Junior is expected to schedule a meeting and have at least one parent/guardian present. An overview of the meeting can be found here. If you have any questions about the Individual Junior College Planning Meeting, please reach out to Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor, directly (fmarquez@davincischools.org). If you have questions about your transcript, please reach out to Ms. Ruiz, Academic and Wellness Counselor for the Class of 2027(cruiz@davincischools.org ).
• Collegewise Workshops: Come hear from leading professionals in college admissions. Typically, these services require a fee, however, these workshops are at no cost for DVS students. Collegewise Workshops will be held on campus in Galileo Room.
  • Thursday, April 16th at 5:30pm: Juniors! How to Get Ahead on a College Application for 11th graders. Please register here.
  • Thursday, April 23rd at 5:30pm: Building an Impressive Application Profile in High School for 9th and 10th graders. Please register here.
• Parent Advisory Committee: PAC Meeting #4 is scheduled for Wednesday, 4/15, 4:30-5:30. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3108950461. On the agenda: LCAP Goals 3, 4, and 5.
• DVS Parent Association: 
  • Spring Mech Sale is happening NOW! PREORDER DVSPA MERCH HERE for pick up in approx 3-4 weeks. Proceeds support DVS Advisories! 
  • Next DVSPA meeting will be held on campus, Wednesday April 22nd at 5:30pm. 

• Yearbook 2025-2026: Grab your Da Vinci Science student’s yearbook today and keep this year’s highlights alive forever. Reserve Your Piece of DVS History Here. “Enter Da Vinci Site code 19656.”

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday, 3/30 Holiday – No School
• Tuesday-Friday and Monday, 3/31-4/6-Spring Break
• Wednesday, 4/8 DVS Families Coffee Time @ 4:30pm
• Monday, 4/20 and Tuesday, 4/21 11th Grade State Testing 
• Friday, 4/24 Community Learning Day #4
• DVS Class of 2026 Graduation: Thursday, June 11th @ 5:00 pm (more info to come)

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

SWE does Belkin Women’s History Month! Our very own Ellyse Legaspi spoke on the panel about her experience as the only girl on the electrical team for robotics.

HOSA Leadership Conference

Climate Catalyst Innovation Challenge

Vitruvian Bots- Finalists and Impact Award

DVS Exhibition Night 2026

We hope all students enjoyed the PD day. DVS staff were still hard at work learning and collaborating with industry partners, learning best instructional practices from one another, and catching up with grading. 

Students have begun Exhibition Prep and are looking forward to showcasing their work on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 5:30–7:30 PM. Please join us for an evening celebrating the incredible work of our students and the power of project-based learning! This event is open to DVS families, partners, and community members. You can also stop by the DVSPA table to meet other DVS Parents and learn about our upcoming service projects.

We also wish Da Vinci’s  FRC Team 4201: The Vitruvian Bots well as they compete this weekend at the CA District Los Angeles Event. Da Vinci is hosting the tournament in our gym, all are welcome to come cheer on our students! The hours are 10:30 am to 7:15 pm on Saturday 3/21 and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday 3/22. You can find more info at the official event website. The event is also viewable through livestream: TheBlueAlliance.com/team/4201.

This Week’s Schedule

This Week’s Announcements

• 11th Grade Statewide Testing: All 11th grade students will be taking the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics as well as the CAST (California Science Test) on Monday and Tuesday, April 20th and 21st during school hours. Please see this State Testing Parent Notification Letter for more information.
• Upcoming Emergency Drills: Safety drills were rescheduled for the month of March for the 201 N. Douglas Street campus. The last drill is a critical incident drill on 3/24, where we will focus on hiding and locking down classrooms. As you know, preparation is key to minimizing fear, confusion, and risks. We encourage you to talk to your students about safety on campus, at home, and in their community.
• DVS Merchandise: DVS Parent Association Spring Merch Sale is happening NOW! PREORDER DVSPA MERCH HERE for pick up in approx 3-4 weeks. Proceeds support DVS Advisories!  
• Summer Opportunities: Summer is fast approaching, and it’s the perfect time for students to build new skills, gain hands-on experience, and explore their passions! All students should be enrolled in the Real World Learning Canvas course, where updates and opportunities are posted regularly. Within the Canvas page, you’ll find a link to the Spring and Summer Opportunities Document — a curated and vetted list of programs, internships, and workshops organized by category. Don’t wait! Many summer programs applications are due soon.
• FREE SAT/PSAT and College App/Essay Seminars: PJ Test prep is offering FREE SAT/ACT Practice Test & Results Seminars and FREE College Essay & App Seminars via Zoom in April, May, and July. PJ Test Prep is a small, boutique SAT/ACT prep and tutoring company based here in the South Bay and West LA that has been providing support to DVS students during Test Prep Seminar for several years. Sign up for the seminars at this link.
• Speakers and Headphones Needed: Do you have any unwanted/old/broken speakers or over-ear headphones collecting dust? We would love to take them off your hands for the 9th grade physics classes’ speaker dissections! Drop them off with the DVS front desk or Dr. Taube through Spring Break.
• Spring Opt-in SAT School Day: In order to secure their spot for the Monday, April 27th SAT at DVS, 10th and 11th grade students must do BOTH of the following by Friday, March 27th: 1) Sign-up using this form (Da Vinci Google account required) and 2) Pay $60 at this MySchoolBucks link. Financial aid and waivers are available to qualifying students (email Saya at swai@davincischools.org).
• Yearbook 2025-2026: Grab your Da Vinci Science student’s yearbook today and keep this year’s highlights alive forever. Reserve Your Piece of DVS History Here. “Enter Da Vinci Site code 19656.”
• Exhibition Night PEP description for sensory sensitivity: 

• • Preview: Exhibition Night is a whole-school event in which each classroom and space will be decorated for presentations and experiences to showcase student work and projects. All classrooms on the DVS floor will be used as well as the atrium 1st floor space where snacks will be available for purchase.
  • Experience: Constant background noise; Large Group >500; Some unpredictability; Voluntary participation; Crowds moving and mingling on the DVS floor; Different levels of sound and music in each room; Varying lighting effects in each room
  • Provided: Quiet Space available in room 2302 in the Math Hub; earplugs available at front desk

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Friday – Sunday, 3/20-3/22 FRC Los Angeles District Competition
• Tuesday, 3/24 Critical Incident Drill
• Wednesday, 3/25 DVS Exhibition Night
• Thursday – Friday, 3/26-3/27 HOSA Conference
• Monday, 3/30 Local Holiday – No School
• Tuesday-Friday and Monday, 3/31-4/6-Spring Break
• Wednesday, 4/8 DVS Families Coffee Time @ 4:30pm
• Monday, 4/20 and Tuesday, 4/21 11th Grade State Testing 
• Friday, 4/24 CLD Day #4
• DVS Class of 2026 Graduation: Thursday, June 11th @ 5:00 pm (more info. to come)

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Gallery

Highlights from the Week:

Sophomores teach Freshmen all types of factoring!