Da Vinci Science

This week started with fun and informative College Visits for our 11th graders! Students visited LMU and the Claremont Colleges and heard from DVS alumni. Students continued to go full force with their projects and learning this week and are looking forward to a three-day weekend! We honor Cesar Chavez Day in recognition and celebration of his contributions to the civil rights and labor movements.

(Apologies for the late post, apparently, the post did not go through as scheduled on Friday)

Week 29 Schedule:

Week 29 Announcements:  

• Exhibition Night for DVS is Tuesday, April 8th from 5:30-7:30pm! This is a whole-school event where students publicly showcase their projects. Current families, staff, community members, industry partners, and prospective families are all welcome to attend. It’s open house-style — just drop in anytime. All students are expected to attend and present. We look forward to seeing you there! 
• Wear Red for Autism Acceptance – Wednesday, April 2! This Wednesday, April 2, students are encouraged to wear red to celebrate Autism Acceptance! Acceptance means recognizing that communication, learning, and social interaction look different for everyone—and that’s a good thing! By supporting and valuing autistic people just as they are, we help create a more inclusive school. Let’s move beyond stereotypes and recognize the strengths, differences, and unique perspectives of autistic individuals. Spread the word, wear red, and celebrate neurodiversity with us! #RedInstead #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity

• 9th and 10th Grade Benchmark Testing: 9th and 10th grade students will be completing ELA and math standardized benchmark assessments (NWEA MAP) during April and May. These benchmark assessments provide valuable information on student levels and growth to inform our classroom practice and supports. We encourage students to get plenty of rest, have a healthy breakfast, and to do their best. 
• 2025 DVS Yearbook: The 2025 yearbook is ready to purchase at the school yearbook at Varsity Press. Click here for link. Prices start at $55 and are soon to change.
• Negotiating Your Financial Aid Workshop Series: If you’re looking to make college more affordable, this workshop is for you! This workshop will take place in room 3203 on the DV Communications floor from 6:30-7:30pm. See this blog post for available dates, more information, and RSVP for one workshop at this link.
• CollegeWise Workshops: Come hear from leading professionals in college admissions. Typically, these services require a fee, however, this workshop is at no cost for DVS students. Collegewise Workshops will be held on campus in Galileo Room. 
  • Thursday, April 3rd at 5:30pm: Juniors! How to Get Ahead on a College Application for 11th graders.Please register here.
  • Thursday, April 24th at 5:30pm: Building an Impressive Application Profile in High School for 9th and 10th graders. Please register here.
• Old speakers/Headphones WANTED! Taube’s 9th grade physicists will be dissecting speakers and headphones for our Beats by DVS project in early April. Please drop off in Taube’s classroom. Thank you!
• DVS Parent Association (DVSPA):
  • Come join us at our next DVSPA meeting, April 23rd at 5:30pm on campus.  We will be working on service projects for Teacher and Staff Appreciation week.
  • View the DVSPA exciting new DVS Merch Designs HERE.  DVSPA is taking pre-orders for our Apparel Fundraiser!  Show your school spirit and pre-order yours today using this ORDER LINK before the price increase.
  • Please join us in our final push for our ADVISORY FUNDRAISER – Please consider donating a gift card in any amount to places like Target, Amazon, Trader Joes, etc. by sending it to DVSappreciation@gmail.com.  You can make a tax deductible monetary donation at https://davincischools.networkforgood.com/ Select 07 – DaVinci Science AND write “DVSPA Advisory Fundraiser” as the “Note for Donor Scroll.” Thank you SO MUCH to those who have already donated this school year!

• Seniors- Class of 2025: Here is the flyer regarding some senior happenings:
• 

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, 3/31: Cesar Chavez Day Holiday- No School
• Wednesday, 4/2: DVS Families Coffee Time at 5:00pm
• Thursday, 4/3: CollegeWise Workshop at 5:30pm
• Friday, 4/4: 12th Grade Prospective Students Trip to El Camino College
• Monday, 4/7: Opt-in SAT School Day (10th & 11th grade)
• Monday, 4/7: 9th Grade College Field Trip
• Monday, 4/7: 12th Grade Park Field Trip
• Tuesday, 4/8 Exhibition Night 5:30pm-7:30pm
• Thursday, 4/10 State Seal of Biliteracy Exam
• Monday – Friday, 4/14 – 4/18 Spring Break – No School! 
• Monday, 4/21 Community Learning Day
• Wednesday, 4/23 Parent Association Meeting at 5:30pm at DVS
• Graduation Ceremony: June 12th 2:00 pm

 

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 College Tour- Claremont Colleges

11th Grade College Visit- LMU

Human Body System class- pig heart dissections

SWE trip to Algalita Marine Science Research Center- students got to kayak and analyze water quality

Sophomores in World History defended why their country was not to blame for WWI

Thank you for a great week of SLCs! We really enjoyed seeing families on campus (or on Zoom). We value the time to connect and build relationships with families through individualized conversations. Thank you for partnering with us to optimize our students’ learning experience! 

We are back to a regular schedule next week. 

Week 28 Schedule:

Week 28 Announcements:  

• 2025 DVS Yearbook: The 2025 yearbook is ready to purchase at the school yearbook at Varsity Press. Click here for link. Prices start at $55 and are soon to change.
• 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade College Planning Info Session Slides: Thank you to all the freshman and sophomore families that attended their grade-level college planning info sessions. Ms. Valle and Ms. Marquez also presented to all juniors during English class on 3/17 to discuss college applications. Below are the slides from each presentation. Sign-ups for individual 11th grade college planning meetings will be available in a few weeks.
  • 9th Grade College Planning Info Session Slides
  • 10th Grade College Planning Info Session Slides
  • 11th Grade Slides
• Negotiating Your Financial Aid Workshop Series: If you’re looking to make college more affordable, this workshop is for you! This workshop will take place in room 3203 on the DV Communications floor from 6:30-7:30pm. See this blog post for available dates, more information, and RSVP for one workshop at this link.
• CollegeWise Workshops: Come hear from leading professionals in college admissions. Typically, these services require a fee, however, this workshop is at no cost for DVS students. Collegewise Workshops will be held on campus in Galileo Room. 
  • Thursday, April 3rd at 5:30pm: Juniors! How to Get Ahead on a College Application for 11th graders.Please register here.
  • Thursday, April 24th at 5:30pm: Building an Impressive Application Profile in High School for 9th and 10th graders. Please register here.
• Old speakers/Headphones WANTED! Taube’s 9th grade physicists will be dissecting speakers and headphones for our Beats by DVS project in early April. Please drop off in Taube’s classroom. Thank you!

• DVS Parent Association (DVSPA):
  • DVS Parents BINGO NIGHT is Sunday! If it turns out you can make it, you can still RSVP HERE . Bring a fellow DVS Parent and/or come meet other DVS parents you don’t know yet!  Sunday, March 23rd, 5-8pm, at Five Point Five
  • View the DVSPA exciting new DVS Merch Designs HERE.  DVSPA is taking pre-orders for our Apparel Fundraiser!  Show your school spirit and pre-order yours today using this ORDER LINK before the price increase.
  • Please join us in our final push for our ADVISORY FUNDRAISER – we still have a ways to go to meet our $2,500 goal to support advisory teachers.  Please consider donating a gift card in any amount to places like Target, Amazon, Trader Joes, etc. by sending it to DVSappreciation@gmail.com.  You can make a tax deductible monetary donation at https://davincischools.networkforgood.com/ Select 07 – DaVinci Science AND write “DVSPA Advisory Fundraiser” as the “Note for Donor Scroll.” Thank you SO MUCH to those who have already donated this school year!

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Sunday, 3/23: DVS Parent Association Bingo Night at Five Point Five @ 5pm
• Monday, 3/24: 11th Grade College Field Trip
• Monday, 3/24: SWE Algalita Field Trip (AM only)
• Tuesday, 3/25: Medical Interventions Grand Rounds at 6pm in the Black Box
• Wednesday, 3/26: Parent Advisory Committee Meeting #5 at 4:15pm
• Friday, 3/28: CEA Honors So-Fi Tour
• Monday, 3/31: Cesar Chavez Day Holiday- No School
• Wednesday, 4/2: DVS Families Coffee Time at 5:00pm
• Thursday, 4/3: CollegeWise Workshop at 5:30pm
• Friday, 4/4: 12th Grade Prospective Students Trip to El Camino College
• Monday, 4/7: Opt-in SAT School Day (10th & 11th grade)
• Monday, 4/7: 9th Grade College Field Trip
• Monday, 4/7: 12th Grade Park Field Trip

 

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:

Guest speakers Zora Law and Paul Chae from the Southern California Casualty Actuarial Club came to talk to our Calculus students about their experiences as actuaries!

Physics built electromagnets! Advanced Physics finished one level of their DVS cribs: floating forces mobile project analyzing torque and rotational equilibrium

Great week of SLCs!

 

Hello DVS Families,  We hope you are enjoying your week!  Below are announcements for all grade-levels:

9th and 10th grades: Thank you to all the freshman and sophomore families that attended their grade-level College Planning Information Sessions.  Below are the presentation slides.

9th Grade College Planning Information Session Slides

10th Grade College Planning Information Session Slides

11th grade: As we mentioned during the Fall 2024 College Planning Information Session, Ms. Marquez will meet individually with all junior families to discuss next year’s plan; including the college application process, career selection and post-high school plans.  Ms. Valle and Ms. Marquez presented to all juniors this week in their English Classes with information on how to prepare for their meeting.  Here is the presentation.  Sign-ups will open in a few weeks and meetings will begin when we return from Spring Break.

12th grade: There are three more opportunities to attend the Negotiating Your Financial Aid Workshop Series.   If you’re looking to make college more affordable, this workshop is for you! This workshop will take place in room 3203 on the DV Communications floor from 6:30-7:30pm. RSVP for one workshop using this link.

 

Questions?

Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor (all grade levels) fmarquez@davincischools.org

Ms. Valle, Academic and Wellness Counselor (Class of 2026 and Class of 2028): cvalle@davincischools.org 

Ms. Ruiz, Academic and Wellness Counselor (Class of 2025 and Class of 2027):

cruiz@davincischools.org

 

 

 

We hope all students enjoyed PD day today. Last week, the DV Visual and Performing Arts team had their last musical performance of GREASE. The students worked so hard on this performance and did a spectacular job showcasing their dedication and talents. We are so proud of all of our performers!

Da Vinci is hosting FRC LA Regionals this weekend, 3/15-3/16. We are excited and consider it an honor to host this event and welcome schools from local communities across the country and worldwide. All are welcome to join the fun and cheer on the Robotics team or watch virtually at this link: FIRSTinspires2 – Twitch. Go Vitruvian Bots! 

This upcoming week is SLC week. We are looking forward to seeing families and engaging in reflective, meaningful conversations with students, parents, and teachers. SLCs are required as they are essential to the collaborative efforts to ensure each student’s achievement and success. 

Week 27 Schedule:

Week 27 Announcements:  

• Student-Led Conferences: Spring 2025 Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) are this coming week! They will take place from Monday-Thursday, 3/17-3/20. The schedule as well as specific instructions for SLCs were shared by grade-level teachers, and can be found in this SLC Plans for Families document. During SLC week, students will be dismissed early at 2:25 pm every day.
• 2025 DVS Yearbook: The 2025 yearbook is ready to purchase at the school yearbook at Varsity Press. Click here for link. Prices start at $55 and are soon to change.
• Negotiating Your Financial Aid Workshop Series: If you’re looking to make college more affordable, this workshop is for you! This workshop will take place in room 3203 on the DV Communications floor from 6:30-7:30pm. See this blog post for available dates, more information, and RSVP for one workshop at this link.
• CollegeWise Workshops: Come here from leading professionals in college admissions. Typically, these services require a fee, however, this workshop is at no cost for DV students. Collegewise Workshops will be held on campus in Galileo Room.
  • Thursday, April 3rd at 5:30pm: Juniors! How to Get Ahead on a College Application for 11th graders.Please register here.
  • Thursday, April 24th at 5:30pm: Building an Impressive Application Profile in High School for 9th and 10th graders. Please register here.

• Old speakers/Headphones WANTED! Taube’s 9th grade physicists will be dissecting speakers and headphones for our Beats by DVS project in early April. Please drop off in Taube’s classroom. Thank you!

• DVS Parent Association (DVSPA):
  • View our exciting new DVS Merch Designs HERE. DVSPA is taking pre-orders for our Apparel Fundraiser! Show your school spirit and pre-order yours today using this ORDER LINK before the price increase.
  • DVS Parents BINGO NIGHT is almost here! RSVP HERE to save your spot. Bring a fellow DVS Parent and/or come meet other DVS parents you don’t know yet! Sunday, March 23rd, 5-8pm, at Five Point Five
  • DVSPA ADVISORY FUNDRAISER – we are still working to meet our fundraising goal to support advisory teachers.  Please consider donating a gift card in any amount to places like Target, Amazon, Trader Joes, etc. by sending it to DVSappreciation@gmail.com.  You can make a tax deductible monetary donation at https://davincischools.networkforgood.com/ Select 07 – DaVinci Science AND write “DVSPA Advisory Fundraiser” as the “Note for Donor Scroll.”

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Friday-Sunday, 3/14-3/16 FRC Los Angeles Regionals @ Da Vinci
• Monday-Thursday, 3/17-3/20: Student-Led Conferences (SLCs)
• Friday, 3/21: Honors Commitment Deadline
• Sunday, 3/23: DVS Parent Association Bingo Night at Five Point Five @ 5pm
• Monday, 3/24: 11th Grade College Field Trip
• Monday, 3/24: SWE Algalita Field Trip (AM only)
• Tuesday, 3/25: Medical Interventions Grand Rounds at 6pm in the Black Box
• Wednesday, 3/26: Parent Advisory Committee Meeting #5 at 4:15pm
• Friday, 3/28: CEA Honors So-Fi Tour
• Monday, 3/31: Cesar Chavez Day Holiday- No School
• Wednesday, 4/2: DVS Families Coffee Time at 5:00pm
• Thursday, 4/3: CollegeWise Workshop at 5:30pm
• Friday, 4/4: 12th Grade Prospective Students Trip to El Camino College
• Monday, 4/7: Opt-in SAT School Day (10th & 11th grade)
• Monday, 4/7: 9th Grade College Field Trip
• Monday, 4/7: 12th Grade Park Field Trip

 

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:

And that’s a wrap! We enjoyed GREASE- thank you for an amazing performance!

 

Teletaubes Advisory having fun on Taco Tuesday

 

 

Students had another smooth and successful week, and they are almost halfway through the semester. On Monday, 9th graders had their physical fitness test, while 10th graders were team-bonding and culture-building in Culver City with Fulcrum. 

Congratulations to the Vitruvian Bots! Team 4201 had a great first competition of the season and looks forward to hosting the next competition, LA Regionals here on our Da Vinci Campus! Some highlights from last weekend’s Port Hueneme Regionals included: ranking 14 out of 36 teams, being first pick in their alliance, and a fantastic, effective working Bot, Lochness! The team has been kicking it up in high gear, working hard every day after school to get ready for LAR

Spring is approaching and we hope families keep warm this weekend; Happy International Women’s Day, Saturday, 3/8! Also, a reminder that clocks Spring Forward this Sunday, March 9th. 

We have a four-day week this week; PD Day Friday, 3/14- no school for students.

Week 26 Schedule:

Week 26 Announcements:  

• Student-Led Conferences: Spring 2025 Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) are coming up! They will take place from Monday-Thursday, 3/17-3/20. The schedule as well as specific instructions for SLCs were shared by grade-level teachers, and can be found in this SLC Plans for Families document. During SLC week, students will be dismissed early at 2:25 pm every day.
• Opt-in Spring 2025 SAT School Day: The Spring 2025 DVS Opt-in SAT School Day date has been set for Monday, April 7th. The Interest Form (Da Vinci Google account required) is due by Monday, March 10th, 2025. Please direct questions to DVS Assistant Principal, Saya Wai, at swai@davincischools.or
• College Planning Information Sessions are coming during Week 26! We will welcome 9th grade families on Tuesday, March 11th and 10th grade families on Wednesday, March 12th. Come learn more about college and career readiness, graduation requirements, college admissions tips and more! Meets are from 5:30pm-6:30pm and held on the DVS floor. Click here to reserve your spot!
• Negotiating Your Financial Aid Workshop Series: Da Vinci Schools is thrilled to announce a powerful, practical, and proven workshop designed to help families decode, dispute, and decrease their college costs. If you’re looking to make college more affordable, this workshop is for you! This workshop will take place in room 3203 on the DV Communications floor from 6:30-7:30pm. See this blog post for available dates, more information, and RSVP for one workshop at this link.
• CollegeWise Workshops

• • Thursday, April 3rd at 5:30pm: Juniors! How to Get Ahead on a College Application for 11th graders.Please register here.
  • Thursday, April 24th at 5:30pm: Building an Impressive Application Profile in High School for 9th and 10th graders. Please register here.
• OLD SPEAKERS/HEADPHONES WANTED! Taube’s 9th grade physicists will be dissecting speakers and headphones for our Beats by DVS project in early April. Please drop off in Taube’s classroom. Thank you!
• 2025 DVS Yearbook: The 2025 yearbook is ready to purchase at the school yearbook at Varsity Press. Click here for link. Prices start at $55 and are soon to change.

• DVS Parent Association (DVSPA):
  • The Da Vinci Science Parent Association is still taking pre-orders for the Spring 2025 DVS Apparel Fundraiser! Pre-order now at this MySchoolBucks link.
  • DVS PARENT BINGO NIGHT: Mark your calendar and RSVP YES to our DVS Parents Bingo Night. Sunday, March 23rd, 5-8pm, at Five Point Five. RSVP HERE
  • DVSPA ADVISORY FUNDRAISER: Please consider donating a gift card in any amount to places like Target, Amazon, Trader Joes, etc. by sending it to DVSappreciation@gmail.com. You can make a tax deductible monetary donation at https://davincischools.networkforgood.com/ Select 07 – DaVinci Science AND write “DVSPA Advisory Fundraiser” as the “Note for Donor Scroll.”

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Tuesday, 3/11: 9th Grade College Planning Meeting @ 5:30pm
• Wednesday, 3/12: 10th Grade College Planning Meeting @ 5:30pm
• Thursday – Sunday, 3/13 – 3/16: FRC Los Angeles Regional
• Friday, 3/14: PD Day, No School
• Friday-Sunday, 3/14-3/16 FRC Los Angeles Regionals @ Da Vinci
• Monday-Thursday, 3/17-3/20: Student-Led Conferences (SLCs)
• Friday, 3/21: Honors Commitment Deadline
• Sunday, 3/23: DVS Parent Association Bingo Night at Five Point Five @ 5pm
• Monday, 3/31: Cesar Chavez Day Holiday- No School

 

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: 

Class of 2027 conquering their fears during team-bonding Fulcrum Day

 

 

Class of 2028 practicing for Senior Beach Day