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Greetings DVIA Families!
A Few Words From Our Principal
 Hello everyone!
I hope you have enjoyed plenty of family time and created some fun memories over winter break. Our staff did the same, but we've been back for a week and are ready to see your kiddos again! We've got new projects to launch, exciting workshops coming up and much, much more!
I am excited to share some special news with you! DVIA was recently featured in Education Week, a nationally-read publication! In addition to this awesome article, Tom Vander Ark included DVIA in his list of 38 elementary and middle schools worth visiting! Additionally, these photos were featured on Education Week's photoblog. Of course, amazing moments happen across campus and for every student, and unfortunately they weren't all captured in the article or series of pictures. I am so proud of all that your children do, all that you do as parent educators, and all that our staff, students and families have accomplished in 2.5 short years!
Lastly, a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Annual Giving Campaign! DVIA's participation has been strong and the matching has been increased to $45,000 in response! Regardless of the amount you can give, please consider donating before February 28th so that your donation can be matched by Northurp Grumman, Belkin and Chevron. We are aiming for 100% particpation by Da Vinci families and staff.
Thank you for your support and here's to an amazing 2014!
Thank you!
Tyler's Two Cents
Literacy is such an important element of our kids' education. It gives our kids the ability to access content to study and become whatever they desire.
One of DVIA's Core 2 students, Eden Grace, was recently awarded a grant to build "little libraries" around our school to promote literacy and give kids free access to a variety of books. Congratulations Eden Grace!
We will be having a work day from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, January 25th here at school to construct these "little libraries." We would love your help building, painting, and organizing books. Additionally, if you have any gently used books at home, appropriate for grades K-8, please bring them to the front office and we will stock our libraries! And thank you to Eden Grace for making this happen!
What you need to know this week:
WORKSHOP: Growing Patterns
Friday, January 17th 9:25-11:00
Join Helen Chan and learn useful tools and strategies you can use at home to support your child in developing their mathematical thinking as they work with pattern blocks. Observe Helen as she works with a Core 4 math group (9:25-10:15) then debrief with her afterward in the Innovation Lab. This will be focused on Core 4's level but others are encouraged to attend.
On Friday morning, please wait quietly on the seating outside the Core 4/5 classrooms and you will be invited in when it is math time.
January LACMA Event
Mon, 1/20 | 10:00 - 4:30 pm | LACMA | FREE!
The parents at DVIA are planning a family field trip to LACMA for Monday, January 20th (Martin Luther King Day). The buses will be boarding at 10:00am at DVIA and will be back at 4:30. For more information and to RSVP, p lease use this signup genius link.
Attention 8th Grade Families!!
 Is your student planning on attending a DV High School? Attending an Information Meeting is highly encouraged. The next Information Meeting is Thurs, 1/16 at 6 pm. Get more information here.
A limited number of "Shadow Days" are being offered on a first come, first served basis. Visiting students are paired with a freshman who serves as a personal guide for a day. RSVP's are required (more info here).
Priority enrollment applications are due Fri, 2/28.
Get more info on the application process here. Even if you are unsure about whether your child plans to attend Da Vinci Science, Design of Communications, please submit an application so that s/he doesn't lose the opporuntity! Applications are required for DVIA 8th graders.
Good To Know!!
Science & Literacy In The Natural World,
A Parent Educator Resource
This book, written by a veteran teacher, gives great ideas for integrating nature into the classroom. The examples are drawn from a 2nd grade classroom, but the ideas work for Cores 1-4. You can buy the book here or read it for free online by clicking the "preview online" link just above the picture of the book on the purchase page. Please note that you do not need to register to read the book (choose the option to the far right).
Our Chickens Need You!
 If you would like to help make sure our chickens keep laying eggs for students to collect, please consider donating a bag of chicken mash (a corn-based chicken food that promotes egg laying) and/or crushed egg shells. Please help us keep our chickens sustainable! If you feel ambitious or want to do some project-based math, here's a recipe.
Mark your calendars! Coming up soon:
 Save the Date! Winter Jubilee Tues, 1/28
Help Your Students Develop Computation Skills,
A Parent Education Workshop
Thurs, 1/23 & Fri, 1/24 - Core 2 Focus | 9am
Thurs, 1/30 & Fri, 1/31 - Core 3 Focus | 9am
Join Janette for 45 minutes of strategies to help your students with computation fluency.
Campus Work Day - Help Us Build Little Libraries!
Sat, Jan 25th | 9 am to 3 pm
January Pizza Lunch Coming Up
 Thurs, 1/30 & Fri, 1/31FAN's monthly Pizza Lunch FUNdraiser is right around the corner. This month, FAN is asking Core 1 families to host. Expect a Sign-Up Genius link soon.
Priority Application Deadline For DV High Schools
Fri, 2/28
Enrichment Classes Start!
Week of February 3rd
Have a great week!
Your DVIA Team |
