Archive for December 13, 2024

Week 17 Schedule

Today was the day of regular classes for the semester! Students were busy (and still busy) finishing final projects, assessments, and deliverables. With POLs next week, the light is at the end of the tunnel for Semester 1. We encourage all students to do continue to do their best and finish the semester well, and then they will be more than ready to enjoy their three-week winter break!  

Week 17 Announcements:

  • Attendance Matters: As Winter Break and the end of the semester approach, we are grateful to our families, students, and staff who support and emphasize the importance of daily school attendance. The last day of semester 1 is Thursday, 12/19, and although every day next week (12/16-12/19) ends at 2:25pm, students are expected to be in attendance at school from 8:50am-2:25pm. 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. 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.
  • Grades and Report Cards: PowerSchool access has been disabled during final grade processing. Teachers will be working on final grades until Friday, December 20th. We appreciate your patience. Access will be returned, and report cards will be mailed home once grades are finalized for the Fall 2024 semester. 
  • DVS Parent Association: DVSpa is supporting our Advisory Teachers through the Advisory Fundraiser again this year.  You can make a year end tax deductible donation right now through the DaVinci Schools “Give” tab (https://davincischools.networkforgood.com/) and Select 07 – DaVinci Science AND add DVS PA Advisory Fundraiser as the “Note for Donor Scroll.” You may also donate a gift card in any amount to places like Target, Amazon, Trader Joes, etc. by sending it to DVSappreciation@gmail.com.  Learn more about Advisory and why DVSpa is fundraising for Advisory Teachers HERE.
  • FAFSA Friday Workshop Series for Senior Families are 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. See more information on this post on our blog. There are two more workshop dates:
  • Friday, January 17th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • College Rep Visit– The session will be held in Mr. Perez’s Room during lunchtime. Students from all grade levels (9-12) are welcome!
    • Monday, December 16th:Yale University

Week 17 Schedule: 

 

Important Upcoming Dates: 

  • Monday-Friday, 12/16-12/19 Presentations of Learning / Senior Finals
  • Thursday, 12/19 Last Day of Semester 1 & Community Dialogue
  • Friday, 12/20 PD Day
  • Winter Break 12/23-1/10
  • Monday, 1/13 First Day of 2nd Semester
  • Wednesday, 1/15 DVS Families Coffee Time @ 4:15
  • Friday, 1/17 FAFSA Fridays Workshop Series #3
  • Monday, 1/20 MLK Jr. Day Holiday – No School
  • Tuesday, 1/21 First Day of Seminars for 2nd Semester

 

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: 

11th Grade Annual Griffith Observatory Field Trip! Congrats and great job to all award winners.

12th Grade Advanced Physics presenting Westy’s World projects

Folklorico Club did an amazing job dancing and hosting the “Posada” tonight, with a special guest from Santa!

Week 16 Schedule

We have two more weeks left of the semester! Students returned from break rested and refreshed and seemed ready to make the final push to the end of the semester. We also had our last week of seminars for Semester 1. Thank you, staff and students, for a fun and meaningful semester of seminars. Seminars provide students with varied learning opportunities and engagement with activities beyond core academic subject areas. We look forward to next semester’s seminar choices.

We also had a nice DVS Family Coffee Time this past Wednesday with the topic of Mastery Based Grading, Canvas, and PowerSchool. If you missed this month’s coffee, we hope to see you at the next Parent Association social gathering on Dec. 11th and/or the next DVS Families Coffee on Jan. 17th. 

This week and next will be busy with end-of-semester assignments, projects, assessments, finals, and POL planning. We will then head into POL week to end the semester on Dec. 19th. We encourage students to continue doing their best to finish the semester well.

Week 16 Announcements:

  • 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. 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
  • Math Tutoring: There will be free peer math tutoring Monday-Thursday at lunch this week in the Math Hub. Tutoring in all subjects is also available after school with our Academic Coaches every Monday-Thursday after school.
  • DVS Parent Association will have our Wednesday, December 11th meeting/social at Five Point Five Brewing Co, 137 Nevada St. in El Segundo, from 7 – 8:30pm.  Come join and connect with other DVS parents as we celebrate the season and share ideas to celebrate our Advisories.  Feel free to come and go as you need at this open house style gathering. 
    • If you are interested in being a part of the parent association, please see this  Parent Advisory Email for more information and sign-ups. Parent Association is still looking for at least two parent representatives from each Advisory- this could be you! 
  • Da Vinci Science Parents Facebook Group: Join this family-facilitated Facebook group by searching “Da Vinci Science Parents” and look for a green This is Home banner to join.
  • Free Executive Functioning Webinar: All Da Vinci parents/guardians and staff are invited to Whole Human Wellness’s Executive Functioning Webinar on Tuesday, December 10th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. This webinar is created for parents of pre teens, teens, and young adults, and is hosted by Nikki Wendel, who is the Whole Human Wellness Educational Consultant. You can read more about Nikki’s services here. RSVP at this link. We hope to see you all there!
  • FAFSA Friday Workshop Series for Senior Families are 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. See more information on this post on our blog. The next FAFSA info. Night will be:
    • Friday, January 17th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
    • Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • DV Performing Arts Program: 
    • WDVPA Seminar Night: Come celebrate with all of our Performing Arts seminar classes as they put on their final end-of-semester showcases to highlight everything they have been working on since September. Drum Ensemble, Stagecraft, Music Production, and Acting (Stage and On-Camera) will be in the Blackbox on Tue, 12/10 at 6pm. Admission is FREE—with a $5 suggested donation.
    • Studio Orchestra Winter Concert: 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 take place at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center on Fri, 12/13 at 6:30pm. Admission is FREE—with a $5 suggested donation.

Week 16 Schedule: 

Important Upcoming Dates: 

  • Wednesday, 12/11 DVS Parent Association Meeting/Social @ 7:00 pm at Five Point Brewery
  • 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
  • Monday, 1/16 Semester 2 begins 

 

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: 

ESPN (El Segundo Physics Network) Science of Sports Exhibition! Students did an excellent job presenting the physics behind their favorite sports!

ASL Seminar finished with students signing along to Christmas songs in ASL!

10th grade college visits to CSULB, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and Cal Poly Pomona. Students were guided by DVS Alumni who are now successfully attending those colleges!