Da Vinci Science

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!