This week's..
 Connect High School Newsletter

Welcome back! And Welcome to our Freshman, Class of 2030!

This school year we are excited that The Levitt Lab at Da Vinci Connect, powered by ASU Prep will be a part of our school community!!!!! 


In addition to our wonderful returning Connect High School staff we are thrilled to welcome six new staff members! 

Our counselor Sylvia will be joined by Susana and Stephanie completing our new Counseling team. 

Please look for emails from your students counselor introducing themselves. Counselors will also be handing out student schedules on the first days of school. 

We are also welcoming 4 new teachers: Priscilla, Biology teacher, Jimmy, English teacher, Mathew, Social Science teacher, and Yazmin, Spanish teacher. 


Student Metro Tap Cards are HERE!

Please stop by the front office and pick up your tap card from Mar or Savanah.


CHS Cell phone/Electronics Policy

Cell Phone/Electronics Policy

We implemented our policy last year, however as we enter this school year it is a California law that schools have policies in place limiting the use of personal electronic devices in schools.

Review the policy with your student, we will also review it as a school community with students and our staff.


🌟 Building Futures Inc. (BFI) After-School Leadership & Enrichment Program

Begins Thursday, August 27, 2026

Every Thursday | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM


Join Building Futures Inc. (BFI) for an engaging after-school experience where students can learn, grow, connect, and have fun in a positive and supportive environment.

Each week, participants will enjoy a variety of interactive activities designed to build confidence, leadership, communication, creativity, and teamwork, including:

  • 🎤 Leadership development and team-building activities
  • 🗣️ Friendly debates and public speaking exercises
  • 🎲 Interactive games and group challenges
  • 🎨 Creative expression through art therapy and custom design projects
  • 👕 Designing and decorating custom T-shirts, socks, hats, and jackets
  • 💭 Mindfulness and wellness activities
  • 🤝 Social connection and confidence-building
  • 🍎 Healthy snacks provided each week
  • 🎉 Special themed activities, guest speakers, and more!

Whether students love to create, collaborate, compete, or simply connect with new friends, there's something for everyone. This dynamic program encourages self-expression, critical thinking, leadership, and personal growth while providing a safe, welcoming space to explore new interests.

📅 Every Thursday beginning August 27, 2026

🕞 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Hosted by Building Futures Inc.

Building Community. Cultivating Wellness. Creating Space for Healing.


DV 2026-2027 Planning Calendar

The first day of school is Monday, August 17th, 2026. 
Our 2026-27 Da Vinci Schools Academic Calendar can be found
here.


Connect HS Blog if you haven't already please click the link and sign up for our Blog.


The Connect High School 2026-2027 Student and Family handbook is available in the link at the end of the newsletter.



Take care,

Tami and Robert


CHS Student Orientation Days

***Student ID photos will be taken during orientation.***

We ended last year with an amazing celebration for the Class of 2026!

We are looking forward to welcoming our students to this school year.

Messages from our returning

Connect High School's staff 🙂


Savanah & Mar 

We’re Savanah and Mar, your friendly front office team. We’re so excited to welcome you to campus! We look forward to meeting everyone and finally putting faces to the names we’ve been seeing in our systems.

Whether you have questions, need assistance, or just want to stop by and say hello, we’re here to help. Our goal is to make your experience at Connect as smooth, supportive, and welcoming as possible. 🙂


Charlotte Deardorff

Wishing a warm and happy summer to all of our wonderful students and families! I’m Charlotte Deardorff, and I am thrilled to support you this upcoming school year as your Chemistry and Asynchronous Support Teacher, helping you master the elements of science while navigating the rhythm of flexible learning. For now, the most important formula to focus on is a perfect mix of rest, relaxation, and fun, so please enjoy a well-deserved, sun-filled break before we kick off a great year together in the fall! 


Lourdes Alfaro

Hi I am Lourdes Alfaro (aka Ms. Lulu) and I am the 9th and 10th grade Inclusion Specialist. You will see me hopping in and out of classes to support all students who may have extra questions. I am also the Neurodiversity Club advisor, ask me questions if you’d like to learn more!


Emma Meyer

Hi there! I am Mrs. Emma. This will be my fifth year as a Social Science teacher at Da Vinci Connect with a focus in Economics and Government. I also support our ASU dual enrollment program by facilitating our Psychology and Sociology classes. I look forward to meeting and working with you all!  


Zaeem Khan

Hello, this is Z and I am thrilled to welcome you to our school this year. I am a math teacher and also a part of the MTSS Team, so I am here to support you throughout the year. I hope you have a smooth transition this year into our school!


Sylvia Soria

Happy summer - you made it! I am Sylvia, one of the three counselors at Connect High School. I support students with academics, college and career planning, social-emotional needs, and dual enrollment opportunities through our college partnerships!


Brendan Reynolds

Hello. I’m Mr. Reynolds and I am an English Teacher here at Da Vinci Connect High School. I help facilitate our 11th grade Dual Enrollment in Arizona State University’s English 101 course, and I also teach 9th through 12th grade English courses that are based both in literature and textual study as well as Project Based Learning. I will be covering the first session of Summer School coming up, and I may see you there, but if I do not, have a wonderful and restful summer, and I will look forward to seeing students and families for the Fall semester 2026!!! If you need to find me quickly, but we have not yet met each other in person, just look for the shiniest head on campus and chances are, it will be me. : )


Stephany Felix

Hello! My name is Stephany Felix, and I am the College and Career teacher as well as an English teacher here at Connect High School. I am excited to welcome students and families for the upcoming school year and begin a journey filled with meaningful learning, personal growth, and exciting opportunities.

Kevin Gray

Hi Everyone! I am Kevin and I am a founding member of our Da Vinci Connect High School team and have been fortunate enough to have seen this school grow into the great community it is now. I am the Biology teacher and the CTE Entrepreneurship pathway coordinator and have enjoyed being a part of the 9th grade teaching team that welcomes students into our school community. I look forward to seeing everyone at the start of next school year!


Alyssa Armstrong

Hello everyone, I am Mrs. Armstrong and one of the math teachers here at Da Vinci Connect High School. I am also a Da Vinci founding student and am a part of the Da Vinci Science Class of 2013. Apart from teaching mathematics, I am one of the lead teacher mentors and am a part of the 9th grade teaching team. I love supporting students with skills beyond the classroom and cannot wait to welcome our new students this coming school year!  


Melissa Reynoso 

Hi, I am Mrs. Melissa, a Speech Language Pathologist at Da Vinci Connect TK-8 and High School. I split my time between two campuses, so I may not always be on site. When I am on campus, I support students by assisting in classrooms. I am also one of the Neurodiversity Club advisors, so please feel free to reach out if you need anything. 


Jessi Snyder

Welcome aboard! I'm Jessi Snyder, and I teach Aviation and Aerospace. In my classes, you'll learn about everything from airplanes and drones to careers in the aviation industry. Expect hands-on activities, simulations, field trips, guest speakers, and opportunities to get your feet off the ground—sometimes literally. I am also one of the swim team coaches! Go Wolves!


Tina Hannouche

Welcome to DV Connect! My name is Tina and I am the Student Attendance Advisor. Since this is an independent study school, students keep track of their attendance on Learning Logs. My primary job is to ensure that students fill out their logs correctly so that we can take accurate attendance to sent to the State. I work on campus occasionally but I am always available through email with any questions regarding the Learning Logs. 


Stephen Skoropad

Welcome to DaVinci Connect High School! My name is Skoropad, I am the Physics and Financial Literacy teacher. In Physics you will learn about physical science and its application to the engineering processes to solve real-world problems. Then in Financial Literacy our focus is around utilizing money-management strategies to support you in planning out your future endeavors in life. I look forward to seeing everyone!


Casey Dykes

Hi everyone! I am Casey Dykes and I am one of the math teachers here at Da Vinci Connect High School. I teach everything from Geometry to Calculus and am the advisor for the Nintendo Club. I come from a family of math educators so this work is truly in my blood, and I love finding ways to make mathematics feel relevant, joyful, and accessible for every student. I cannot wait to meet you all this fall! 


Alexandra 

Hello families! I am the Inclusion Specialist supporting our 11th and 12th-grade students. I work with students and families to create an accessible, supportive learning environment where every upperclassman can thrive. I am truly looking forward to meeting all of you and working together this upcoming school year!

Email Connect HS Front Office

Email Tami | Email Robert | Office Phone (310) 725-5800 x5208

2026-2027 Student and Family Handbook