We are heading into the last week of instruction before POL week! Time does fly by when you’re having fun. I’m sure the Senior families felt that way as we celebrated Senior Awards Night last night. Our amazing photographer, Stacee Lianna, captured some fantastic moments; photos can be found and downloaded at no cost for DV families at Stacee’s SmugMug Gallery.
This week will be the last week of seminars. We hope all students enjoyed their seminars. Students will be busy this week finishing their projects, finals, and assignments. There are a few opportunities for families to visit campus this week to enjoy some final projects. We encourage all students to finish the year with excellence.
As we approach Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember all those who have sacrificed in service to our country. In honor of Memorial Day, we will have no school on Monday, 5/26.
Week 36 Schedule:
Week 36 Announcements:
- Course Selection for 2025-2026 School Year: Here is a list of 25-26 courses and the DVS Course Catalog (some courses subject to change based on enrollment). This Course Request Form (Da Vinci account required) was posted on Canvas and is due on Friday, May 30th, 2025.
- Presentations of Learning: Presentations of Learning (POLs) for all students will take place during Weeks 37 and 38 (6/3-6/10).
- Click here for an information sheet for families with details about presentations of learning.
- When not presenting or watching presentations during POL week, students will be augmenting their learning in Extended Learning Rooms with guest speakers and workshops. More info to come, but students will not want to miss out on some great, FREE college and career preparation opportunities!
- College Essay Workshops for Juniors: We are excited to offer support to juniors in their personal statement and PIQ writing process through our partnership with Collegewise. We will offer a series of free workshops for you to work on your college essays:
- POL Extended Learning Room: Juniors will attend two workshops where they will learn tips and tricks for mastering the art of college essay writing. You will leave the workshop with an essay outline. No sign-up needed as all juniors will be scheduled into an Extended Learning Room during POL Week.
- Summer Essay Writing Workshop: Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. You will gain further insight and feedback on your essay. Two dates available, you may register for one date below:
- Tuesday, June 17th: 10:45am- 2:25pm
- Wednesday, August 13th: 10:45am- 2:25 pm
- Questions? Please contact Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor, fmarquez@davincischools.org
- Class of 2026 Senior Portraits: Senior portraits will be taken on campus over the summer this year by Stacee Lianna! See more information in this flyer, and sign up for a session at this link.
- 9th Grade Beats by DVS Museum: Physicists have been working hard prototyping their headphones and designing brochures to explain sound waves, where sound comes from, and sound phenomena. They would love for you to attend our Beats by DVS Museum on Tuesday, May 27th (P1 9:00-10:00 & P3 10:45-11:45) and Wednesday, May 28th (P2 9:00-10:00 & P4 10:45-11:45). We will be in the DVS Forum near the student bathrooms. This event is open to the community and will be gallery-walk style. Stay as long as you’d like. We hope to see you there!
- 10th Grade Da Vinci Baristas Coffee Brewing Competition: If you love coffee, or are willing to give it a try once again, please join our Da Vinci Baristas Coffee Brewing Competition! Families are invited to be coffee tasters as sophomores use their Chemistry knowledge to brew you the perfect cup. The competition will occur during the school day on Tuesday, May 27 (Period 3 10:55-11:40, Period 5 1:45-2:30) and Wednesday, May 28 (2 9:15-10:00, Period 4 10:55-11:40) in Brooke’s room. Please ask your student what period they have Chemistry to make sure you’re able to be a coffee taster during their class.
- 12th Grade Medical Interventions Biomimicry Symposium: Join us for our Second Annual Biomimicry Symposium! The Medical Interventions course partnered with Cal Poly SLO’s Biomedical Engineering Department and challenged the seniors this year to design a nature-inspired solution to a problem in the world. You are invited to see the prototypes and posters and vote on the best designs you see amongst the group’s designs, next week on Thursday 5/29 during Period 1 (9:30-10:20) and Period 5 (1:50-2:50) in the Forum.
- 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.
- 2025-2026 Calendar: Posted on Da Vinci Schools Website
- Seniors Class of 2025: Cap and gowns will be distributed during CCL class this week.
- Spring into SWE: Come to SWE’s night of medicine and engineering to have fun while doing hands-on STEM activities! This event is FREE for 3rd-5th graders hosted by our Da Vinci Science High School Society of Women Engineers members at Da Vinci Science High School (201 N. Douglas Street, 2nd Floor). Dinner will be provided. Questions? Contact SWE President Jayleen jayleen_mclaurin@student.davincischools.org or SWE Outreach Coordinator, Elizabeth elizabeth_bowker@student.davincischools.org.
- Wiseburn Da Vinci Girls Volleyball Graduation Lei Fundraiser
Please support our WDV Girls Volleyball team! You can support their journey by purchasing a beautiful graduation lei! It’s the perfect way to show your team spirit and contribute to an unforgettable experience for these dedicated athletes.- Last day to order is Thursday, May 29
- Pickup Dates: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 2 – 4:30 p.m Da Vinci 201 N Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA
- Thursday, June 12, 2025, 8:30 – 10 a.m. Da Vinci Connect 12501 S Isis Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
- https://my.cheddarup.com/c/wiseburn-da-vinci-girls-volleyball-fundraiser
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, 5/26 Memorial Day Holiday – No School
- Tuesday, 5/27 Last Day of TTh Seminar
- Wednesday, 5/28 Last Day of MW Seminar
- Tuesday, 6/3 9th Grade POLs Begin
- Wednesday, 6/4 10th Grade POLs and 12th Grade SRPs Begin
- Thursday, 6/5 11th Grade POLs Begin
- Friday, 6/6 Disneyland Grad Nite
- Tuesday, 6/10 Senior Breakfast & Grad Rehearsal
- Wednesday, 6/11 Last Day of the 2024-2025 School Year
- Thursday, 6/12 Class of 2025 Graduation at 1:00pm
- 2025-2026 School Year: First Day of School, Monday, August 18th
Helpful Links:
Some Highlights from the Week:
Advanced Physics at Knott’s Physics Day- studying the velocity, gravitation, and acceleration in a real-world setting
Seniors calculating focal lengths and magnification factors of lenses. This lab models what happens in your eye to project an image on your retina.
LMU Math Professor Robin Wilson shared about his educational journey at the joint BSU and NSBE meeting this week, and also visited our Collegiate Mathematical Thinking Seminar
Senior Awards Night 2025!