We had a very busy week coming back from the break. From CLD Day to a field trip to Belkin, to Collegewise Info. Session, to Earth Day, bag making, and Beats projects in Physics! We now have less than 7 weeks of school this semester, and still lots of learning, projects, activities, events, and fun in store for the remainder of the school year. It will go by quickly!
This month, we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. Our Leadership students look forward to hosting a fun and meaningful CD this Wednesday, April 23rd. May 1st is Decision Day, and we look forward to cheering on our Seniors- Class of 2025 as they share what their plans are for the next chapter in their lives. And of course, we look forward to PD day on Friday, which will give seniors extra time to get ready for Prom, May 2nd at 6:00. We look forward to creating lasting, fond high school memories for all our students.
Week 32 Schedule:
Week 32 Announcements:
- 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) this coming Monday and Tuesday, April 28th and 29th during school hours. Please see this State Testing Parent Notification Letter for more information.
- Parent/Guardians Needed for WASC: Da Vinci Science’s WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation visit is coming up May 5th-7th. The primary goals of accreditation are certification to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning. During this time, WASC Visiting Committee Members will be on campus, meeting with stakeholders and observing classes. We are in need of parents/guardians to meet with the WASC Visiting Committee to share your experience as a parent/guardian of DVS. This meeting will take place in a hybrid format (you can come to campus or join via Zoom) on Sunday, May 4th at 5:15pm. If you are available and willing to participate in this meeting, please fill out this form, and we will reach out to you with details.
- 11th Grade CHYA Refresh Presentations: Dr. Emily Green and Nurse Titsyana Lucero will be presenting a refresh of the health & sexual education curriculum (“CHYA”, or “California Healthy Youth Act”) during 11th grade biology classes Monday-Wednesday, May 12th-14th. Click this link to read the notification letter from Dr. Green. If you have any questions about the content that will be covered, please email Dr. Green at egreen@davincischools.org. 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.
- FREE SAT/PSAT and College App/Essay Seminars: PJ Test prep is offering FREE SAT/ACT Practice Test & Results Seminars and FREE College Essay & App Seminars via Zoom in May and July. PJ Test Prep is a small, boutique SAT/ACT prep and tutoring company based here in the South Bay and West LA that has been providing support to DVS students during Test Prep Seminar for several years. Sign up for the seminars at this link.
- CollegeWise Slides: Thank you to all the juniors and their families who attended our Juniors! How to Get Ahead on a College Application workshop prior to spring break. Here are the PPT slides to his presentation. You may contact Ian Parker from CollegeWise if you have follow-up questions: ianp@collegewise.com.
- Junior College Planning Meetings: Ms. Marquez will begin the Individual Post-DVS College Planning Meetings with juniors and their parent/guardian in May and June. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss next year’s plan, including the college application process and students’ overall post-high school plans. Every Junior is expected to schedule a meeting and have at least one parent/guardian present. However, if a parent/guardian is unable to attend, students are still expected to sign up. This meeting can be in person, over the phone or via Zoom. These meetings can also be conducted in Spanish, if needed. Meeting information:
- Meeting sign-up
- Meeting Agenda
- Complete the Parent/Guardian Letter
- Build a college list using your A-G GPA as your baseline and SAT/ACT test scores, if applicable. For your reference, here is the Just for Juniors presentation Ms. Valle and I did prior to spring break which will support in your GPA calculation. and building your college list.
- If you have any questions about the Individual Junior College Planning Meeting, please reach out to Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor, directly (fmarquez@davincischools.org). If you have questions about your transcript, please reach out to Ms. Valle, Academic and Wellness Counselor for the Class of 2026 (cvalle@davincischools.org). I look forward to meeting with each of you to discuss your Post-DVS Plans
- 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.
- Parent Association
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- Teacher and Staff Appreciation week is right around the corner, May 5th – 9th. There are lots of ways to contribute to the celebration. SIGN UP today to help make this week extra special for our amazing DVS faculty and staff. More details in the sign up.
- Orders for DVSPA Spring Merch Fundraiser are still being accepted. Place your ORDER HERE (make sure you’re logged into your MySchoolBucks DaVinci Schools account if you also have a Wiseburn account). Images and more details in this DVSPA Spring Merch flyer. Questions to DVS parent Lori, lj.bowk@gmail.com.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Monday and Tuesday, 4/28-4/29: SBAC Testing-11th Grade
- Thursday, 5/1 College Decision Day
- Friday, 5/2 Professional Development Day – No School
- Friday, 5/2: Senior Prom Night
- Monday – Wednesday, 5/5-5/7 WASC Accreditation Visit
- Friday, 5/9: Cal Poly SLO Field Trip- 11th Grade Pathways
- Monday, 5/12 Senior Beach Day
- Monday, 5/12 9th Grade Fulcrum Day
- Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony: June 12th 1:00 pm
Helpful Links:
Some Highlights from the Week:
CLD Workshop- Soap Making in the Chemistry Lab
Collegewise Guest Speaker, Kate Strzelecki, came to speak to 9th and 10th grade families about college planning
SWE- tote-ally cool bag making at lunch for Earth Week
Beats by DVS Speaker/Headphone Dissections- thank everyone who donated!