Da Vinci Science

We are excited for the beginning of Presentations of Learning this week! POLs give students the opportunity to develop important speaking and presentation skills and are an opportunity for students to reflect publicly on their learning. Because these are formal presentations, students are expected to wear formal attire. Our POL days are shortened days with a 1:45pm dismissal time. All students will be dismissed from school at 1:45pm starting on Tuesday, 5/31.

• Parents & Guardians: We encourage all parents and guardians to come and watch your student’s POL, and please note the visitor policy: Visitors to Da Vinci Schools must show proof of either a COVID vaccination or negative PCR/Antigen test (taken within the last 72 hours); masking is strongly recommended. We also know that Presentations of Learning (POLs) can be a stressful time for students and their families. The two most important things you can do to help your student during their POL is (1) assure them that it is ok to make mistakes and (2) have them practice their POL many times to as many people in your household as possible.
• Students: Please know that this presentation is a great opportunity to practice public speaking in front of a live audience. This is an important skill to develop; we ask you to do your best, but we are not expecting perfection. Please practice your presentation for your friends and family as many times as you possibly can. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel on the day of your presentations.

Please note that Powerschool access is turned off while teachers complete final evaluations of students’ grades based on all work submitted by last week’s deadline.

Sincerely,

Steve Wallis, DVS Principal

We hope you have a terrific Memorial Day Weekend and wish to extend a special word of gratitude to all those who have served or are currently serving in our country’s armed forces. We are grateful for the safety and freedom we enjoy because of your service!

Next week is the beginning of Presentations of Learning! POLs give students the opportunity to develop their speaking and presentation skills and are an opportunity for students to reflect publicly on their learning. Because these are formal presentations, students are expected to wear formal attire. Any student in need of formal attire, please contact the front office and we will do our best to accommodate.

Students have been preparing and practicing for these important year-end professional presentations, and you can learn more about them in this document: Spring POLs Details & Policies.

Students will be participating in learning activities throughout the week and are expected to attend school weeks 37 and 38 from 8:10 am – to 1:45 pm.

Dear DVS Family,

The tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas has shaken all of our nation and our school family. We are deeply saddened by the horrific and heartbreaking events, as surely you are as well. Our hearts are with every family affected by this tragedy, and with the entire Uvalde community as they respond and grieve. 

For educators, parents, and students, school violence is something we all feel deeply. We encourage all students and families too to reach out to our counselors if your children are in need of support.  Here are some resources that may be helpful as you navigate your classrooms in the wake of this violence:

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)

Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)

Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)

Trauma and Disaster Mental Health (American Counseling Association)

Teaching in the Wake of Violence (Facing History and Ourselves)

I want to reassure all of you that these events, while too common, are rare, and that our school is very safe. I join you in feelings of sadness today, but am encouraged by the collective strength of our school community.

Sincerely,

Steve Wallis, DVS Principal

Hello Da Vinci Scholars and Families,

Students who are interested in receiving 5 academic credits for summer internships/volunteer opportunities, must fill out the Unpaid Internship Agreement and submit a timesheet that demonstrates the completion of 60 hours of service. The Agreement must be turned in before the start of the internship/volunteer opportunity. The timesheet is due August 6, 2022. Please email all documents to Ms. Rodriguez at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in the medical field? Learn more about the Da Vinci Schools + Stepful Certified Medical Assistant program. The program begins on July 25th. To learn more, contact Val Green (v.green@davincischools.org) or see this flyer.

> Be job ready in 5 months
> Program includes coursework, an internship, and coaching support
> Tuition-free
> Earn a CMA certificate

Loyola Marymount University is offering a free Financial Literacy program from June 20th to August 5th. This program is ideal for students who want to learn how to make healthy financial decisions. To register, please click here.

Da Vinci Schools is thrilled to announce the long-awaited soccer field project at 201 N. Douglas Street is moving forward this summer. On March 8, 2022, the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees approved $1.5 million in reserve funds designated to complete the soccer field.

“Both Da Vinci Schools and Wiseburn Unified share a mutually beneficial goal and desire to complete the soccer field project for our students, families and community. It’s been four and a half years since the campus opened. As a long-term user of the facility, Da Vinci decided to assume financial responsibility for the completion of the soccer field,” said Dr. Don Brann, Da Vinci’s Board President.

A formal Facilities Use Agreement (FUA) between the Wiseburn Unified School District and Da Vinci Schools calls for the construction of playing fields at the high schools campus for the benefit of Da Vinci students, the Wiseburn District, and the Wiseburn community. With enough reserve funding on hand, the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees voted to fund and complete the project with the District’s cooperation.

The soccer field project is projected to begin in Summer 2022. The project scope includes removal of a large amount of existing dirt (estimated at 3,600 yards), grading, installation of new synthetic turf, bleachers and a scoreboard, among other work. The soccer field project is anticipated to be completed in time for use during the 2022-23 soccer season.

Spring POLs are coming up! Students should have already received their presentation times and are working hard this week to prepare for them. Please see this link for details: Spring POLs Details & Policies. Students will be in presentation rooms and in extended learning rooms, participating in learning activities throughout the week. All students are expected to attend school weeks 37 and 38 from 8:10 am – to 1:45 pm. Please note early dismissal at 1:45 pm for Weeks 37 and 38. We look forward to seeing and hearing students’ presentations of learning!

We are delighted to share that Dr. Steve Wallis has been selected to serve as Executive Director of the Da Vinci Institute, effective July 1, 2022.

In this role, Steve will be responsible for continuing to build out formal structures for best practice sharing to internal and external changemakers who wish to accelerate 21st century learning and excellence. Steve’s work will include developing a strategy and system to build institutional memory around Da Vinci’s signature programs and practices, developing training and coaching programs for external school leaders interested in school start-up or redesign, implementing an administrative credentialing program, and developing a “Powered by Da Vinci Schools” platform, among other responsibilities.

As a co-founder of Da Vinci Schools, Steve has been instrumental in developing Da Vinci’s signature programs and practices. He brings extensive experience in education leadership, partnership development, and building strong school cultures. Steve recently earned his MBA and doctorate degree.

Steve will officially start in his new position on July 1, 2022. He will work closely with Megan Martin, the Director of Da Vinci Institute, to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months. He also will work closely with Allegra Johnson, Executive Director of Educational Services, and Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, to advance our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

We are excited to work with Steve in this new capacity.

Last week was another terrific week at DVS, including the Grand Rounds event for our Biomedical Career Pathway on Thursday and the DV Science & Engineering Showcase on Friday! Also, in case you were unable to view them earlier, you can see a slideshow of our 9th & 10th grade camp retreats here and the entire photo galleries at these links for 9th Grade and 10th Grade. It was awesome!!!

If you were unable to watch the college planning webinars earlier, I encourage you to watch view your respective grade level Webinar and reach out to your counselor if you have questions. (9th Grade Webinar/Slides) (10th Grade Webinar/Slides) (11th Grade Webinar/Slides).

We are looking forward this week to our final meeting of seminars before POL prep begins, as well as our School Site Council meeting (on this Zoom link) where we will discuss our progress on this year’s LCAP plan and possible adjustments for next year.

It’s hard to believe that there are only four more weeks of school before summer break! There are only two weeks left of instruction before we begin Presentations of Learning (POLs). The last day of academic instruction for the semester is Friday, May 27th, and this is also the deadline for students to submit any late or missing assignments for consideration in their final grade. Please check your student’s grades on PowerSchool and email teachers if you have any questions or concerns.

Finally, thank you to all 136 parents who took our Spring Parent Survey – if you haven’t taken it, we’d really appreciate it if you would take a couple of minutes to do so! This is helpful information for us as we reflect and plan for next year.

As always, please let us know how we can help and support your students in our final weeks of the 2021-2022 school year!

 

Thank you to all parents and students that were able to attend Office Hours this week to ask questions about the College Planning Webinars.  If you have not already done so, please view your respective grade level Webinar and reach out to your counselor if you have questions. We are here to help!

 

9th: Webinar/Slides

10th: Webinar/Slides

11th: Webinar/Slides

 

DVS Counseling Team 

Ms. Valle (A-F), cvalle@davincischools.org

Ms. Ruiz (G-M), cruiz@davincischools.org

Ms. Rodrigues (N-Z), frodriguez@davincischools.org

All Da Vinci Seniors and their families are cordially invited to learn more about how only Da Vinci Seniors can receive FREE COLLEGE and support in their first year of college and beyond.

Da Vinci Extension (DVX) partners with El Camino College, UCLA Extension and Southern New Hampshire University to bring a supportive and unique college experience that includes Career Building and Exploration as well Life Development Skills including Financial Literacy along with earning their College Credits and College Degrees.

If you are planning to attend El Camino College in the Fall or are undecided about your college future, you don’t want to miss this opportunity!

Please join us on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 7:30pm on the DVX Campus located at 550 Continental Blvd El Segundo CA, 90245 or you can join us via our live stream on Zoom.  Please see the link below.

Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3LrVGF6
Meeting ID: 986 0974 8426

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely the DVX Team

**

Noches de Información sobre DVX para Estudiantes y Familiares

Todos los Seniors de Da Vinci y sus familiares están invitados cordialmente a hallar de cómo los Seniors de Da Vinci podrían recibir crédito universitario SIN COSTO y apoyo con su primer año de colegio y más.

Da Vinci Extension (DVX) se asocia con El Camino College, UCLA Extension y Southern New Hampshire University para provocar una experiencia única y con apoyo que incluye la exploración y el desarrollo de carrera y además el desarrollo de habilidades de vida, incluso las habilidades financieras mientras obtienen sus créditos universitarios y/o diplomado o título.

Si piensan en asistir a El Camino College en el otoño o estás indeciso/a acerca de su futuro académico, ¡no deben perder esta oportunidad!

Por favor, acompáñennos este miércoles, 11 de mayo a las 7:30 de la noche en el campus de DVX ubicado a 550 Continental Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245 o pueden participar en línea por nuestra transmición en vivo en Zoom. Por favor vean el link abajo.

Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3LrVGF6
Meeting ID: 986 0974 8426

¡Esperamos que los veamos!

Saludos,

El Equipo de DVX