Da Vinci Science

There are only two more weeks left in the semester! Students got right back to work this week. They’ve been busy finishing projects, learning the last unit of study, and engaging in cumulative review of the semester. Next week will be the last week of instruction, followed by POL week. We hope all students finish the semester strong- you’re almost there! 

DVS also commends all students who participated in our Youth & Government’s annual Bill Hearing Night that was held Friday, November 21st in the BlackBox theater. Bill Hearing Night celebrates student learning as delegates showcase their research, critical thinking, and communication skills by presenting and defending the bills they’ve crafted. This event, modeled after a formal legislative hearing, fosters civic engagement and deepens students’ understanding of policy-making, preparing them to become informed and active citizens. Congratulations to the Public Goods committee, whose winning bill funds fresh fruits and vegetables grown in CA to families in need.

Week 16 Schedule 

This Week’s Announcements

• Presentations of Learning: POL week is coming up, Week 18, 12/15-12/18. Grade Level Teachers provided POL times and assignments. Please see the Presentation of Learning Information for Families Document Fall 2025 for more information on POLs, including links to schedules for 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, as well as the 12th-grade Finals schedule.
  • Families are invited and encouraged to attend their student’s POL.
  • Please note that attendance is still required every day of POL week. When not presenting or watching presentations during POL week, students will be learning in Extended Learning Rooms. ELR Topics include: A-G & College Prep. Information from counselors, preparing for State Testing, and Career guest speakers. 
  • Students who have perfect attendance during POL week will be entered to win free Jersey Mike’s coupons! 

• Career Speakers for POL Week: Seeking Career Guest Speakers! Do you have a career that you would love to share with our students? During POL week, we have Extended Learning Rooms for students who are not in POL session. The purpose of ELRs is to provide educational opportunities we may not otherwise have during a regular school day. Many of our students are still exploring the various career options available. Having parents or guest speakers share their experiences would provide our students with exposure to multiple careers. If you are interested or available during POL week, Monday, December 15, to Thursday, December 18, for a 20–30 minute time block, please let us know by filling out this POL Week Career Guest Interest Form. We will reach out to you for more details. Thank you! 
• HOSA:will be collecting items to donate to local hospitals until December 18! You can drop items off in Jeremy’s room. All items must be new, here are some ideas: Toys (LEGOs, dolls, puzzles), art & craft supplies (crayons, coloring books, play-doh), books for all ages, or tabletop games (Uno, deck of cards), earbuds or headphones.
• DVSPA: is revisiting when to do our monthly meetings to see if Wednesdays are still the best day for the most people. Please complete this short form by Friday, Dec.12th to let DVSPA know which day works best for you to attend meetings or work on service projects.  No December meeting.  Jan meeting details to come.  Have a restful break.  
• FAFSA/CADAA Workshop for DVS Families: We are excited to announce a hands-on FAFSA/CADAA Workshop next week, Tuesday December 9th, from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. on the DVS Floor. Come get your financial aid questions answered and submit your  FAFSA/CADAA that night! Please RSVP HERE so we know how many computers will be needed. We ask that both student and parent have an FSA ID created and verified before the event. Please contact Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor, with any questions: fmarquez@davincischools.org
• Yucatan Adventure- Spring Break in México! If you are still planning on joining us, THIS Sunday is the last day to sign up to secure a slot!! After that prices may go up or spaces may be unavailable!
  •  Yucatan Adventure Spring 2026.pdfDownload Yucatan Adventure Spring 2026.pdf
  • For details about the trip visit: explorica.com/Magana-3077Links to an external site.
  • A few things to know:
    • You will need to have a valid passport at the time of the trip, but you can still sign up at this time while you process one
    • You do not need to pay in full at this time and can set up monthly payments once you register
    • Missed the meetings and have questions?? Feel free to contact Ms. Magaña at: emaganayucatan@gmail.com

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday-Thursday, 12/15-12/18: POL Week
• Thursday, 12/18: Last Day of the Semester
• Friday, 12/19: PD Day
• Winter Break: 12/22-1/9 
• First Day of Semester 2: Monday, 1/12 

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

Some Highlights from the Week: 

Y&G Bill Hearing Night

CEA students toured West Basin to see how they are recycling sewage water

Students enjoying their favorite time of day – lunch time outside our beautiful campus

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you to our DVS Families for the amazing gratitude baskets. Our staff felt so appreciated and got all the warm and fuzzies from receiving them. We will enjoy all the treats and treasure the kind notes from students and families, thank you! 

We are full of gratitude for our students and staff, and we hope everyone gets some much-needed rest over the break.  Please enjoy quality time with family and loved ones. The school will be closed during the break; however, the front office may be contacted through email Monday-Wednesday from 9:00-4:00 pm (ediaz@davincischools.org; balvarez@davincischools.org). School resumes Monday, December 1st. 

 On behalf of all DVS Staff, we wish our students and families a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Week 15 Schedule

This Week’s Announcements:

• DVSPA – Thank you to all our DVS Families! Your generosity, time, and contributions made our DVS staff feel appreciated.
• Career Speakers for POL Week– Seeking Career Guest Speakers! Do you have a career that you would love to share with our students? During POL week, we have Extended Learning Rooms for students who are not in POL session. The purpose of ELRs is to provide educational opportunities we may not otherwise have during a regular school day. Many of our students are still exploring the various career options available. Having parents or guest speakers share their experiences would provide our students with exposure to multiple careers. If you are interested or available during POL week, Monday, December 15, to Thursday, December 18, for a 20–30 minute time block, please let us know by filling out this POL Week Career Guest Interest Form. We will reach out to you for more details. Thank you! 
• HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)- will be collecting items to donate to local hospitals until December 18! You can drop items off in Jeremy’s room. All items must be new, here are some ideas: Toys (LEGOs, dolls, puzzles), art & craft supplies (crayons, coloring books, play-doh), books for all ages, or tabletop games (Uno, deck of cards), earbuds or headphones.
• College and Career: A reminder: UC and CSU applications are due December 1st.

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Monday-Thursday, 12/15-12/18: POL Week
• Thursday, 12/18: Last Day of the Semester
• Friday, 12/19: PD Day
• Winter Break: 12/22-1/9 
• First Day of Semester 2: Monday, 1/12 

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Highlights From the Week:

Grateful to DVSPA, DVS Families, DVS Staff and Students- Happy Thanksgiving!

This is the last week before the Thanksgiving Break! We hope all families will enjoy family time during the upcoming break. Please note that there are two weeks of instruction after the break, followed by POL/finals week.

Week 14 Schedule

This Week’s Announcements

• CLD Attendance 11/10-  We hope students had a productive CLD Day on 11/10. A reminder that all students, whether learning they learned from home or attended an on-campus workshop, need to take the “Quiz” on their Canvas page to receive attendance credit. Students who do not complete the quiz will be marked absent. 
• Career Speakers for POL Week– Seeking Career Guest Speakers! Do you have a career that you would love to share with our students? During POL week, we have Extended Learning Rooms for students who are not in POL session. The purpose of ELRs is to provide educational opportunities we may not otherwise have during a regular school day. Many of our students are still exploring the various career options available. Having parents or guest speakers share their experiences would provide our students with exposure to multiple careers. If you are interested or available during POL week, Monday, December 15, to Thursday, December 18, for a 20–30 minute time block, please let us know by filling out this POL Week Career Guest Interest Form. We will reach out to you for more details. Thank you! 

• College and Career: The Class of 2026 is in the thick of college application season. A reminder: UC and CSU applications are due December 1st. It’s time for students to “lock-in” and finish those applications. Please contact Mr. Perez, CCL teacher, rperez@davincischools.org, or Ms. Marquez College & Career Counselor, fmarquez@davincischools.org, for questions or additional information needed for college applications or FAFSA.
• DVSPA – Thank you to all families that have made contributions for Staff Gratitude baskets. DVSPA is still taking donations this week and is hoping to make a final push to show our DVS Staff how much we appreciate them. Baskets will be delivered to staff on Friday, November 21st. How You Can Help:
  • Donate Items Contribute staff favorites—see the list [HERE]. Drop off items at the DVS front office.
  • Monetary Gifts Cash or gift cards can be dropped off or emailed to dvsappreciation@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 18th. These donations will be used to purchase items for Gratitude Baskets for all staff members.
  • Notes of Thanks
    Handwritten messages from parents and students are encouraged and will be included in the baskets.
  • Volunteer to Assemble Baskets
    Parents are invited to help fill the baskets! Sign up here:
    SignUpGenius Volunteer Form Drop-Off Period:
    Monday, November 3rd – Thursday, November 20th

• DVSPA Meeting, Wednesday, 11/19 6pm  work/party meeting on campus

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, 11/19 DVSPA work party/meeting, 6pm on campus.
• Monday-Friday, 11/24-11/28: Thanksgiving Break
• Monday-Thursday, 12/15-12/18: POL Week
• Thursday, 12/18: Last Day of the Semester
• Friday, 12/19: PD Day
• Winter Break: 12/22-1/9 
• First Day of Semester 2: Monday, 1/12 

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Highlights from the Week:

Teachers have been intentional about conferencing with students to elevate their content understanding while also fostering positive relationships with students

The semester is going by quickly! We only have two more weeks until Thanksgiving break, and then two more weeks after the break until POLs. We hope students continue to engage in their learning to have a strong finish to the semester and enjoy the upcoming breaks. 

This week is a short week due to CLD Day on Monday and Veterans’ Day on Tuesday. We thank all of our Veterans for their service. 

Week 13 Schedule: 

This Week’s Announcements

• CLD Day- CLD Day #2 is this Monday, 11/10. Here are the 11/10 CLD Workshop Descriptions. All students, whether learning from home or coming to a workshop on campus need to take the “Quiz” on their Canvas page to receive attendance credit. Students who do not complete the quiz will be marked absent. 
• Grades Update – There will be another grade update this Thursday, 11/13. These grade checks will be used for eligibility for sports and extracurricular activities. It is also a good opportunity to check the status of grades before the Thanksgiving Break so that students can plan accordingly.  

• DVS Family Coffee Time Notes – It was great to see parents at our parent coffee time this past Wednesday. By request, here are the notes in case you missed it. Parent Coffee 11/5- Topic: What Teachers/Counselors Would Like you to Know 
• College Rep Visits for Week 13
  • Thursday, 11/13: Whittier College
• DVSPA – It’s that time of year- Gratitude Baskets for our amazing DVS staff. To show our appreciation, the DVS Parent Association is continuing the tradition of Gratitude Baskets, which will be delivered to staff on Friday, November 21st. How You Can Help:
  • Donate Items Contribute staff favorites—see the list [HERE]. Drop off items at the DVS front office.
  • Monetary Gifts Cash or gift cards can be dropped off or emailed to dvsappreciation@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 18th. These donations will be used to purchase items for Gratitude Baskets for all staff members.
  • Notes of Thanks Handwritten messages from parents and students are encouraged and will be included in the baskets.
  • Volunteer to Assemble Baskets Parents are invited to help fill the baskets! Sign up here: SignUpGenius Volunteer Form
  •  Drop-Off Period: Monday, November 3rd – Thursday, November 20th

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, 11/19 DVSPA work party/meeting, 6pm on campus.
• Monday-Friday, 11/24-11/28: Thanksgiving Break
• Monday-Thursday, 12/15-12/18: POL Week
• Thursday, 12/18: Last Day of the Semester
• Friday, 12/19: PD Day
• Winter Break: 12/22-1/9 
• First Day of Semester 2: Monday, 1/12 

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Highlights from the Week

Seniors visited UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton for 12th-grade college visits. It was great to reconnect with DVS Alumni as tour guides

The Filipino Club with Joel Jacinto, former director and founder of the Philippine Folk Arts cultural dance group

El Segundo Physics Network Exhibition: Freshmen creatively and confidently explained how understanding forces and motion can improve the performance of athletes.

Dear DVS Families,

The number of youth nationally experiencing anxiety and depression has risen 30% in recent years according to U.S. Health and Human Services. In an effort to be more proactive in supporting students’ mental health, a wellness screener will be given on November 13 and November 18 to all students during advisory to identify students who may need support. Results from the screener will be used by the counselors to offer students interventions such as coping skills groups, counselor check ins, and referrals for therapy.

Scores will not be shared with students or parents/guardians. Parent/guardian consent is required if a student is referred to receive counseling services delivered by Antioch or Pepperdine therapists. If you would like your student to OPT-OUT and NOT PARTICIPATE in the screener, please fill out the form by Wednesday, November 12th.

Be Well,
DVS Counselors

OPT OUT FORM

It was a fun Spirit Week! Thank you, staff and students, for showing your creativity and positive school spirit this week. We hope families have a happy and safe Halloween tonight. 

Week 12 Schedule

This Week’s Announcements

• CLD Day- The next CLD day is Monday, 11/10. All students should have received an email to sign-up on through the 11/10 CLD Workshop Request Form. Students may choose to learn from home or attend an on campus workshop. Here is the 11/10 CLD Workshop Descriptions..

• DVS Family Coffee Time: 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. There will also be various topics for discussion as requested by parents. This week’s DVS Families Coffee Time is this Wednesday, 11/5, from 4:30-5:30 in-person or on Zoom using this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3108950461. This week’s topic: “What Teachers Would Like You to Know and Vice Versa; Open Q&A” 
• College Rep Visits for Week 11
  • Tuesday, 11/4: University of Redlands
  • Thursday, 11/6: Mount St. Mary’s University
  • Friday, 11/7: UCLA

• DVSPA – It’s that time of year- Gratitude Baskets for our amazing DVS staff. To show our appreciation, the DVS Parent Association is continuing the tradition of Gratitude Baskets, which will be delivered to staff on Friday, November 21st.
  • How You Can Help:
    • Donate Items Contribute staff favorites—see the list [HERE]. Drop off items at the DVS front office.
    • Monetary Gifts Cash or gift cards can be dropped off or emailed to dvsappreciation@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 18th. These donations will be used to purchase items for Gratitude Baskets for all staff members.
    • Notes of Thanks
      Handwritten messages from parents and students are encouraged and will be included in the baskets.
    • Volunteer to Assemble Baskets
      Parents are invited to help fill the baskets! Sign up here:
      SignUpGenius Volunteer Form Drop-Off Period:Monday, November 3rd – Thursday, November 20th

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, 11/5, Parent Coffee
• Monday, 11/10, CLD Day #2
• Tuesday, 11/10, Veterans Day (no school)
• Thursday, 11/14, AMC 10/12 Math Test
• Wednesday, 11/19 DVSPA work party/meeting, 6pm on campus.
• Monday-Friday, 11/24-11/28: Thanksgiving Break
• Thursday, 12/18: Last Day of the Semester

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 25-26

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Highlights from the Week:

SWE Panel hearing from inspiring women in engineering

Students from the Biomedical Sciences Pathway visited Loma Linda University to see their Embryology Museum, Medical School Bio-Simulation suites, and Cadaver Lab

CEA Honors students take a structural tour of Rancho Los Alamitos with civil engineer, Russel Kehl

Spirit Week – Riders vs. Surfers; Dress to Impress; Happy Halloween!

We hope students enjoyed the PD day today. Staff utilized the time to collaborate with job-alike teams and to focus on student conferencing. Thank you to the students who came today and gave up some time during their student-free day to help us learn. The Fall Dance also had a great turnout and was a fun opportunity for all DV schools to enjoy the evening together.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! We had a celebratory CD on Thursday to mark Hispanic Heritage Month. We have some very talented students! We enjoyed Folklorico, singing and band performances, and staff and students dancing the Caballo Dorado. Thank you, and great job, Student Leadership!

 Next week is Spirit Week to round out the month of October! 

Week 11 Schedule

Week 11 Announcements

• CLD Day #2– The next CLD day is Monday, 11/10. All students should have received an email to sign-up on through the 11/10 CLD Workshop Request Form. Students may choose to learn from home or attend an on campus workshop. Here is the 11/10 CLD Workshop Descriptions.
• After-School Traffic– As you may know, traffic tends to get very heavy right before starting from 3:35 p.m. If you need to pick up your child before that time, please plan to arrive early and allow yourself enough time to avoid getting caught in the traffic line. Please also note that on Wednesdays, DVC dismisses at 2:30 p.m., which increases traffic earlier in the afternoon. For safety reasons, if you need to pick your student early, please account for traffic; we cannot send a student down without a parent or emergency contact signature, even if you are delayed in traffic. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us ensure all students are dismissed safely.
• College Rep Visits:

• • Monday, 10/27: UC Santa Barbara
  • Wednesday, 10/29: UC Riverside
  • Thursday, 10/30: Woodbury University
  • Friday, 10/31: Saint Mary’s University
• Spirit Week: 

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, 10/22 DVSPA Meeting and Social 6:30 pm at Chipotle
• Friday, 10/24 PD Day (no school)
• Wednesday, 11/5, Parent Coffee
• Monday, 11/10, CLD Day #2
• Tuesday, 11/10, Veterans Day (no school)
• Monday-Friday, 11/24-11/28: Thanksgiving Break

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Highlights From the Week:

Hispanic Heritage Month CD

Sophomores discuss modern democratic issues as revolutionaries of the past in their homemade paper outfits

SWE girls learned what it means to network, how to be better conversationalists, and how to write their own elevator pitches. Thank you Real World Learning Director, Crissel Rodriguez

We are more than halfway through the semester! Thank you for a great SLC week. It was a pleasure to see students sharing their learning and progress with parents & guardians while also having meaningful conversations with teachers. Our hope is that students will continue to grow in their learning to finish the rest of the semester well.

This week is a 4-day week with a special schedule; long advisory on Wednesday, CD on Thursday, and PD Day on Friday (no school for students). 

Week 10 Schedule 

This Week’s Announcements:

• College Rep. Visits this week:
  • Monday, 10/20: MIT
  • Tuesday: 10/21: Stony Brook University
  • Wednesday: 10/22: Syracuse University
  • Thursday: 10/23: Loyola Marymount University

• DVS Parent Association:
  •  CHIPOTLE fundraiser for DVS Advisories is this WED 10/22 from 4-8pm at Chipotle, 307 N Pacific Coast Highway, El Segundo.  Use this fundraiser flyer when ordering in the restaurant or code VNT3KMW for online orders picked up from 4-8pm.  Share with your friends and family to help support DVS Students, Advisory Teachers, and community.   
  • DVSPA 10/22 Meeting/Social at Chipotle, 307 N Pacific Coast Highway during our fundraiser, 6:30 – 7:30pm.  We’ll have take home volunteer work and sign ups for November’s Gratitude Basket Project.  

• • Did you see our DVS Merch at SLC check in?  You can ORDER HERE or get more info with this DVSPA Merch Flyer. Thank you for supporting our DVS community!
• Senior Portraits: The last days for senior portraits are October 25th and 26th.
  • Students can sign up here: https://book.usesession.com/s/LbbbrS_pC0

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, 10/22 DVSPA Meeting and Social 6:30 pm at Chipotle
• Friday, 10/24 PD Day (no school)
• Wednesday, 11/5, Parent Coffee
• Monday, 11/10, CLD Day #2
• Tuesday, 11/10, Veterans Day (no school)
• Monday-Friday, 11/24-11/28: Thanksgiving Break

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: 

9th Grade CHYA Presentations

Art class with Mr. Garcia- Oni mask project finals made primarily of cardboard; beautiful artwork displayed, honoring process and outcome

SLC Week- Student Lead Conferences with students, parents, and teachers