Da Vinci Science

Happy Thanksgiving! We had an eventful and full week of learning, safety, fun, and gratitude. We love and appreciate all the thoughtfulness, generosity, and time that went into gifting DVS staff with beautiful gratitude baskets. Thank you to our DVS Parent Association for organizing these beautiful baskets. Thank you to our Parent Advisory Council for meeting this week and providing valuable feedback for our school. When our staff is asked why they love working here, the response is the joy of getting to know your students and having them in class every day. Thank you for all of your support and trust in our DVS staff! 

On behalf of the DVS Staff, we wish all of our students and families a Happy Thanksgiving!

Announcements & Reminders for Week 15:

• DVS Front Office Holiday Hours: DVS office will be open on Monday, 11/25 and Tuesday, 11/26 from 9:00am-12:00pm by phone. 
• Presentations of Learning: Presentations of Learning (POLs) for our 9th-11th grade students will be 12/16-12/19 (Week 17), while 12th grade students will be taking finals. All POLs and senior finals will be scheduled between Monday 12/16 and Thursday 12/19. Specific information about the format, requirements, and preparation process for POLs and finals will continue to be shared to students via Canvas, during Targeted Support, and in individual classes. Click here for an information sheet for families with details about presentations of learning. We encourage 9th, 10th, and 11th parents and guardians to attend your student’s POL. 
• DVS Parent Association: The DVS Parent Association is still looking to grow its parent community. We are looking for at least two parents from Advisory. If you want to participate in the parent association, please see this  Parent Advisory Email for more information and sign-ups. Once again, thank you for your engagement and support! 

• Da Vinci Science Parents Facebook Group: The Da Vinci Science parent/guardian group on Facebook 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.

•  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 in 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.)
• 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. Parent surveys will close 12/6
• DV Performing Arts Program Announcements: 
  • 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.
  • The “Voices of Da Vinci” Choir present: “Fam Jam”: Join the “Voices of Da Vinci” Choir for their first-ever winter concert: “Fam Jam” in the Blackbox on Thu, 12/5 at 6pm. Admission is FREE—with a $5 suggested donation.
  • Studio Orchestra Winter Concert: Please join us for a winter celebration of instrumental music, featuring student Bands, WDV Studio Orchestra, and WUSD Symphonic Band! The Studio Orchestra Winter Concert will take place in the Blackbox on Wed, 12/11, at 6pm. Admission is FREE—with a $5 suggested donation.
  • WDVPA Winter Showcase: You are invited to the Wiseburn Da Vinci Performing Arts Winter Showcase, a heartwarming evening of music and theatre featuring performances by the TK-8 Choir and Theatre groups, the Voices of Da Vinci Choir, and the high school Musical Theatre cast of “GREASE”. The WDVPA Winter Showcase will occur at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center on Fri, 12/13 at 6:30pm. Admission is FREE—with a $5 suggested donation.
• Family Communication Workshop Resources: Thank you to the families who attended the first Family Communication Workshop run by therapists from Whole Human Wellness this week! Even if you could not attend, Whole Human Wellness is graciously sharing these helpful tips and information discussed in the workshop with the Da Vinci community: Parent Resources & Tips (Spanish version), Teen Reflection Activity. Stay tuned-More workshops are in the works for second semester!

 

Week 15 Schedule (12/2-12/6):

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• 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
• Friday, 12/06 FAFSA Fridays Workshop Series #2 @ 6pm in DVC Room 3203
• Wednesday, 12/11 DVS Parent Association Meeting/Social @ 5:30pm
• Friday, 12/13 11th Grade Griffith Park & Observatory Field Trip
• Monday-Friday, 12/16-12/19 Presentations of Learning / Senior Finals
• Thursday, 12/19 Last Day of Semester 1 & Community Dialogue

 

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Some Highlights from the Week:

Advisory Fun! Candy Sushi, Mafia, Pringles Challenge, and Gratitude Pumpkins

We are so proud of DV’s Youth & Government. They did a great job at their 9th annual Bill Hearing Night. Each delegate represented their bill articulately and eloquently.

We are looking forward to improved Healthcare legislation led by our Y&G delegates.

 

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:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

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

 

We hope all students had a great CLD Day#2. Students on campus attended various workshops on self-defense, community service, and financial literacy. Students off-campus engaged in learning activities such as working on personal projects, college visits, and studying for upcoming exams. We hope all students had a productive learning day. Please note that whether students were on or off campus today, all students must fill out this Community Learning Day Attendance Form to receive attendance credit. Students who do not fill out the attendance form will be marked absent. 

DVS students also had a blast on Thursday with our second annual DaVincella. Seeing the whole school together, having fun, and supporting one another was joyous. We had various clubs represented, students shared their talents in folklorio, singing, rock and metal band performances. We have some very talented students! 

Happy Veterans Day! We honor and are grateful to all who have served in the U.S. military. There is no school Monday, November 11th. We wish everyone a great three-day weekend. 

Announcements & Reminders for Week 13:

• Progress Reports: Grades were updated this week. Progress reports were printed and mailed home, so please check your mailboxes in the next week or so. There are 5 weeks left of instruction for this semester. All coursework and grading information will continue to be through Canvas at https://davincischools.instructure.com.

• Da Vinci Schools Fall Surveys: We value your feedback! Parents/guardians and students should have received an email from Kelvin Education with a survey link to provide feedback. Thank you for taking the time to provide this valuable feedback.

• DVS Parent Association (DVSpa) would love to see you at our next meeting this coming Wed, 11/13 at 5:30pm on Zoom.  We’ll be discussing fundraiser ideas for Advisories as well as a brand new Family Community Day we’re planning for March. We are ALSO handing out Gratitude Baskets to staff on 11/22.  Please take a moment to write a note of thanks, bring in staff favorite things, or donate funds for these much loved baskets at dvsappreciation@gmail.com.  We also need volunteers to help organize and fill them the week of 11/18 – 11/22. Sign up HERE.
• SAT/PSAT Score Reports were released this week on November 7th. Students should have received instructions on accessing their scores from College Board if they listed an email for score reporting. If not, scores can be accessed through your College Board account at this link. PDF of score reports will also be mailed home with progress reports. Here are some resources to help understand scores: 
• • PSAT 8/9 (9th Grade) Understanding Scores for Students and Families
  • PSAT/NMSQT (10th & 11th Grade) Understanding Scores for Students and Families
  • SAT (12th Grade) Understanding Scores
  • More SAT Score Resources
  • Understanding Scores and Benchmarks
  • Big Futures college and career planning app
•  Communication Workshop: Join us for a Communication Workshop complete with FREE Raising Canes and activities! 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) on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Free food and fun activities will be provided. If possible, 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! WDV open mics aim to be a safe space for new and beginning performers to perform in front of a welcoming audience—but all experience levels are welcome! Refreshments will be provided, plus: all performers will be entered into a raffle to win a FREE pair of headphones! Here is the link to sign up, and we hope to see you there!

• 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. Come get an EKG, see a cardiologist on the spot if any abnormalities are detected for immediate follow up. Pre-register now at this link! Walk-ins welcome, those with appointments seen first! 

• 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.
• Honors Enrollment: Students who submitted their Honors Contracts on time and committed to pursuing honors have been enrolled in the corresponding honors course on PowerSchool. Please note that honors courses on PowerSchool will not have a grade until the end of the semester. Until then, please refer to the original course for students’ current grades.

• Week 13 College Rep Visit: On Tuesday, November 12th, we welcome Woodbury University to DVS. This is the last college rep visit for the semester. This meeting will be in Mr. Perez’s Room during lunchtime. Students from all grade levels (9-12) are welcome!

 

Week 13 Schedule (11/11-11/15):

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday, 11/11 Veterans Day – No School
• Tuesday, 11/12 AMC Math Competition 
• Wednesday, 11/13 DVS Parent Association Meeting @ 5:40pm on Zoom
• Monday – Friday, 11/18 – 11/22 9th Grade CHYA Presentations in Physics
• Wednesday, 11/20 DVS Parent Advisory Committee Meeting @ 4:15 on Zoom
• 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:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Some Highlights from the Week:

Students in SWE and Robotics had an opportunity to visit AltaSea- Students got to see 3D concrete printers being used for offshore anchoring systems, kelp research, and eco-waste surfboards

 

Students had a blast at DaVincella!

HBS students modeling the flow of ions in a neuron during an action potential

CLD Day- Self-Defense Class

Join us for a Family Communication Workshop complete with FREE Raising Canes and activities!

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.

If possible, please RSVP at this link.

 

What: Family Communication Workshop

When: Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 from 5:30pm-7:00pm

Where: Da Vinci Science (2nd floor, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo)

For Who: All Da Vinci high school students, families, and staff

By Who: Whole Human Wellness Therapy therapists

What to Bring: Yourself and your family (or just yourself)

 

What a fun week full of Spirit! Staff and students enjoyed being creative with their outfits and costumes to show during this week’s Spirit Week. We hope students enjoyed the day after Halloween and had a restful PD day. DVS Staff had a productive professional development day learning about how our strengths can be utilized to leverage strengths in all of our students. 

Tonight is our Da Vinci Masquerade Ball Dance, we are looking forward to a fun and safe time! Tickets have been pre-purchased, however, permission slips and tickets are still available at the door. The dance begins at 6:00 tonight.

Next week is another 4-day schedule due to CLD Day #2. 

Announcements & Reminders for Week 12:

• Community Learning Day #2: Friday, November 8th is our 2nd CLD! Here is the list of workshops offered on CLD #2. Students submitted their workshop request through this CLD #2 Survey last week. ALL students (whether you are on campus or at home) must fill out this Community Learning Day Attendance Form to receive attendance credit. 

• DVS Family Coffee Time: This month’s DVS Families Coffee Time will be held on Wednesday, November 6th, from 4:15-5:15. Join us in-person at DVS or use this Zoom link.

• Week 12 College Rep Visits: All meetings will be in Mr. Perez’s Room during lunchtime. Students from all grade levels (9-12) are welcome!

• • • Monday, November 4th: Santa Monica College
    • Tuesday, November 5th: Portland State University

• Da Vinci Schools Fall Surveys: We value your voice and input. Parents/guardians and students, you should receive 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 fill out the survey. Students will see a dog icon pop up on their DV Google accounts in the Chrome browser when the surveys are ready to be taken. Thank you for taking the time to provide this valuable feedback.

• DVS Parent Association Gratitude Baskets: As we approach the heartwarming season of Thanksgiving, the DVS Parent Association is excited to continue the tradition of organizing Thanksgiving Gratitude Baskets which will be delivered to our wonderful staff. Each basket will be thoughtfully filled with items our staff love, alongside heartfelt words of appreciation from our DVS community. Here’s how you can get involved: 

• • • Donate items inspired by our staff’s favorite things. Drop these off at the DVS front office.
    • Monetary contributions – Cash can be dropped off to the front office or gift cards can be emailed to dvsappreciation@gmail.com between now and November 19th. 
    • Craft handwritten notes of thanks and encouragement for our staff. You can drop these notes off at the front office.
    • Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to sign up to assist in assembling the baskets.

• Cardiac Screening Health Promotion Event: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. While often linked to chronic medical conditions, SCA alarmingly stands as the leading cause of death among athletes and on school campuses. 1 in 300 young individuals harbors an undetected heart condition, significantly heightening their risk of SCA. Da Vinci Schools in partnership with Saving Hearts Foundation and UCLA presents a FREE cardiac screening event Saturday, November 16, 2024. Come get an EKG, see a cardiologist on the spot if any abnormalities are detected for immediate follow up. Pre-register now at this link! Walk-ins welcome, those with appointments seen first! 

•  The Da Vinci Schools Song Contest: Calling all songwriters, lyricists, musicians, and producers for the first-ever “Da Vinci Schools Song Contest!” We are looking for a song that embodies the spirit of the Da Vinci community, using original lyrics and music. Submissions close 12/1, winners announced on 12/15. Please click here for submissions and full contest rules + regulations.

• Da Vinci is proud to serve as a Voting Center for the 2024 Election. The Hall of Champions corridor in the WDV Gym at 201. N. Douglas St. will be open for voting for the very first time starting Saturday, Nov. 2 through Tuesday, Nov. 5.

 

Week 12 Schedule (11/4-11/8):

 

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, 11/6 DVS Families Coffee Time @ 4:30pm on Zoom
• Thursday, 11/7 DaVinchella during Advisory and after school 2:34-5:00pm
• Friday, 11/8 Community Learning Day #2
• Monday, 11/11 Veterans Day – No School
• Tuesday, 11/12 AMC Math Competition 
• Wednesday, 11/13 DVS Parent Association Meeting @ 5:40pm on Zoom (link TBA)
• Monday – Friday, 11/25 – 11/29 Thanksgiving Break

 

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Some Highlights from the Week:

Last week, interested seniors visited Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo to learn more about what their potential major might look like in college

Fun Spirit Week!