April 26, 2021
From Your Administrative Team
Greetings Connect TK-8th Grade Families,

We are excited to welcome students back to campus for regular Connect programming next week, and to welcome back some students on zoom from our classrooms! I have copied and pasted our newsletter from last week below, in case you missed it. The Intent to Return RSVP form (see below) is due no later than 8:00pm TONIGHT! We know that for many of you this news is a huge sigh of relief, and for others the news brings more questions and uncertainty. All feelings are welcome. It has been a very long and challenging year, and while we are shifting quickly, we are confident that our staff will maintain a safe, caring, and engaging learning environment for all students. We are deeply grateful for the trust you have in us to share this partnership and community.

As we are all navigating the pandemic, changes and transitions, and looking ahead to the future, please remember that every e-mail, comment, survey response, etc. is landing in front of real humans with real feelings. I am committed to slowing down and making sure that I greet and communicate with folks with kindness and patience--I hope that you will join me. A simple greeting and acknowledgement of humanity before launching in to requests/feedback goes a long way, and is something I'm needing to remind myself of more often lately, too. Thank You!

We hope to see you at our second event with NASA TOMORROW, and our Talent Showcase THIS Friday! Thank you to our staff, board member Jo Webber, and the folks at NASA for bringing these events to our community, and thank you to the many FAN Families who are organizing the Talent Showcase, and to our students for being brave and confident in sharing their talents with us! See more details about attending these virtual events below.

From Last Week's Newsletter...


Yesterday, you should have received an email from Dr. Wunder explaining our intention to continue widening the reach of our reopening plans. Because health and safety conditions have improved considerably and many of our teachers and families have received vaccinations, we are excited to share that we are shifting to in-person learning with our teachers and staff in classrooms beginning on May 4th. Please note that May 3rd will be a PD day for staff to prepare for this return. 

We are asking all families to complete this Intent to Return RSVP Form for each child by 8:00pm Monday, April 26th so we can determine how many students will be returning to campus for in-class instruction and how many wish to remain remote-only learners. 

All Da Vinci schools will continue to offer a full-time distance learning option for those who wish to remain remote for the rest of the 2020-21 school year. Students who remain remote will continue to zoom in to their teacher’s classes. Students who return to campus for in-person instruction will attend full-time on both of their cohort days with their teachers for live instruction. To mitigate contact tracing, we cannot honor requests for partial on-campus experiences at this time. We know this change of plan will be heard with a range of reactions--some will be excited, some confused, some nervous… We also recognize that we previously expressed skepticism about delivering learning both live and remotely at once. We carefully weighed all options and especially considering vaccinations, the success of our current partial reopening phase, and the recommended 3 feet of distance between students, we believe that bringing as many students back as wish to return and keeping all students with their teachers/classmates and same schedules is best for the remainder of this year. 

We have made slight changes to our typical hybrid schedule to allow for staggered drop off/pick up and lunch times. Please take particular note of your child’s specific drop off and pick up window. Families with multiple students in different cores should use the later drop off and pick up windows. We will only be using the YELLOW route indicated in the map below for all drop off and pick up times. Thank you in advance for reviewing these documents and planning accordingly for your family!

For families choosing to remain remote, please note that the afternoon class time is optional--we realize that by extending our time on-campus, this potentially extends the time students are spending on zoom, and we want to be as flexible as possible! If your student experiences zoom fatigue or needs a plan to be “screen free” in the afternoon, they may log off for the day at lunchtime.

This change in schedule maintains compliance with our COVID safety guidelines as outlined in our COVID Handbook. 

Thank you for your ongoing patience and support of our community as we work together to bring our students back to school safely!

Please reach out with any questions you might have. 

With Gratitude,

Kaitlin, Tami and Michelle
Professional Development Day
Monday May 3rd--no school or homeschool
NASA Event with Dr. White!
TOMORROW, Tuesday 4/27 at 9:10 am

On Tuesday, April 27th, our K-5th grade students will have the opportunity to hear from NASA scientist, Dr. White! Dr. White will be engaging our students in an activity related to the stars! She has asked that students attending complete the activity and template PRIOR to the event. Video instructions for this activity can be found here. We hope all of our Da Vinci students will join us on Tuesday morning from 9:10-10:00am to listen to Dr. White’s presentation! Please join us at this link on Tuesday morning! Please note that the attached flyer references EST rather than PST. We will begin our time with Dr. White at 9:10am PST. Middle schoolers who are homeschooling that day are more than welcome to join us, but the presentation will be geared towards a younger audience. 

FAN PRESENTS: Da Vinci Connect's 2nd Annual Virtual Talent Showcase!
THIS FRIDAY, April 30th @ 6:00pm!

DV CONNECT COMMUNITY - This week!!
Mark your calendars and plan to attend this year's 2nd Annual Virtual Talent Showcase:

Friday, April 30th at 6pm.
Join us on Zoom:

Meeting ID: 892 1468 3383
Password: talent2021

Together we will share laughter and goodwill as we celebrate and encourage our talented students as they showcase their gifts of creativity.
-We are looking forward to "seeing" everyone there!

Email jdurham@davincischools.org if there are any questions or concerns. 
Kindness Movement--Book and Toy Drive to support Migrant Children!
Monday April 26-Friday May 7

Join the Kindness Movement in gathering new books and new toys (not used) for migrant children arriving at the Long Beach Convention Center. Drop off new books or toys (no textbooks please) for grade levels Kindergarten–Young Adult. Books can be in English, Spanish, or a combination of English/Spanish. Donate at pickup/drop-off or at the DV Office between Monday, April 26 and Friday, May 7! You can also drop off letters/cards for the children that we will deliver! This can be used as a great learning log sample ;)

Social Emotional Health Resources!
Check out these helpful resources on mindfulness and body autonomy made just for you by our MSW intern, Jocelyn!

Also, please check out this incredible opportunity offered by one of our former Antioch counseling interns, Jamie:
The Parent Center @ DV Connect

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS WITH ALL WORKSHOPS: LIVE VIRTUAL & ASYNCHRONOUS RECORDINGS
 
Google Classroom (Code = w3yytj2) 249 people connected so far!
·        There is so much useful content here:
o  Supplemental Curriculum offerings + links and login credentials
o  Curriculum resources like webinar/workshop recordings, quick start guides and lesson planning tools
o  Podcasts
o  Links to articles and webinars + so much more!

Office Hours for 1:1 Meetings with Theresa
·        The link to my SignUp Genius can be found near the top of the Google Classroom and is updated monthly. Here’s the LINK for April 2021! And, here’s the LINK for May 2021!
·        Remember, I am always willing to find a spot that works for your schedule if posted dates/times are not a good fit!

·        ThinkCERCA Middle School Parent + Student Jam (Meets weekly on Thursdays from 12:45-2pm)
o  Hosted by parent educator ThinkCERCA “Champions” Laura Caputo, Lena Garcia & Jahmal Durham. This will be an on-going space for parents and students to collaborate on writing using the CERCA Framework and the ThinkCERCA platform
o  Use this link to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87917820269
o  Password = thinkcerca

·        Support & Hope in Community (Meets First and Third Wednesdays at 7-7:45am)
NEXT MEETING IS ON:
May 5th:  “Be a Conscious Creator” w/Melissa Liebeskind & Jahmal Durham
This workshop series is a collaboration between FAN, The Kindness Committee and The Parent Center
o  This workshop series was designed to create a safe space to connect, share, listen and lift each other up. FAN members, Jahmal Durham, Grace Bader, Dominique Seeley, Beth Griffin, Da Vinci parents Johana Mytko & Melissa Liebeskind, as well as DV Connect Staff members Kene Washington and Theresa Leone will take turns offering up content that promotes conversation, exploration, reflection, hope and maybe even a call to action. No matter what, the gathering is meant to feel like home—a place where we all belong.
o  The SignUpGenius has the link to join the Zoom meeting.
Making Mistakes is GOOD! (Meets on 4/27 from 3-4pm)
·        Let’s explore why creating a culture that embraces mistakes is necessary in your homeschool classroom.
·        This workshop is based on Colleen Cruz’s book, “Risk. Fail. Rise. A Teacher’s Guide to Learning From Mistakes.”
·        Participants will read and discuss an expert from the book to learn about types of mistakes and the amount of learning that happens as a result of them. Too, attendees will participate in a model lesson that they can take home and repeat with their children.
·        Use this link to sign up https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044ba8af2ea0f85-mistakes
o  The SignUp Genius has the link to join the Zoom meeting.
 
Parent-Student Book Club
·        A book club for Parents and Students!
Thank you to Julie and Andrew Hill for the idea and for championing this event :)

·        We will meet twice a month on Tuesday afternoons, from 1-2pm
Do this!
1)     Please get your hands on a copy of "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" and "How to Read Literature Like a Professor... For Kids" 
2)     Check out the link on The Parent Center Google Classroom to see options to purchase and check out from the public library!
2) Read accordingly--the more prepared everyone is, the better our conversations will be!
3) Come ready to discuss!
 
April
4/13
4/27: Chapters 2 & 10 (both books) NEXT MEETING!

** STUDENTS AND PARENTS COME TO THE MEETING PREPARED TO SUGGEST THE NEXT TWO CHAPTERS FOR THE GROUP TO READ--WE WILL VOTE TO DECIDE AS A GROUP! ***

May
5/11
5/25: Resources, Appendices, Extras

Gizmos Math & Science Simulations (Grades 3-8) (Meets on 4/30 from 1-3pm)
·        Please join us for a Gizmos webinar to get started -- or review features -- of this amazing science and math simulation platform!
 

·        Here's how to attend the live webinar:
o  Click on Guest and log in by typing your name in the Guest Box.
·         If you are using a Chromebook, please have them select
             to enter through browser.
Audio Information: Computer audio is recommended. If unavailable, please use the following Gizmos Conference Line: 1-866-705-2554, Participant Code 524855#
PRIOR to attending the webinar, please do the following:
1. Set up your Gizmos Teacher Account - NEW USERS ONLY: Use this Reg Key and link to set up your new Gizmos account: RegKey: EA2B-GFMS
*** Returning users simply log in with your existing credentials. You can reset your password if you have forgotten it. ***
2. Watch this short video before the webinar. This video will acclimate you to basic mechanics of the website and helps them create their accounts from the registration key that you distribute. The video link is: https://kvgo.com/explorelearning/pre-gizmos
 
Project Based Learning (PBL) at Home (ALL GRADES, WE PROMISE!) (Meets on 5/12 from 2-4pm)
·        In this workshop Rita & Theresa will focus on the mindset, framework, strategies and tools you need to collaborate with your child to create a fantastic project based on your child’s passions!
·        Wednesday, May 12th from 1-3pm
·        Topics include:
o  How do I involve my child in PBL project planning at home?
o  A deep dive into what PBL IS and what is ISN’T
o  Learner agency: Why it is essential and how to cultivate it in your student and your project
o  Helping your student find their “SUPER POWER”
o  Establishing quality indicators for excellence and the tools to execute
·        Use this link to sign up https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044BA8AF2EA0F85-project
 
Safe Passage: Coping Strategies for Middle School Students and Parents (Meets on 5/19 from 6:15-7:15pm)

Please join Dr. Scott Harris, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Cori Rosenthal, Marriage and Family Therapist for a special presentation entitled "Safe Passage." 
The goal of our time together is to take stock of this last year in a pandemic and begin to unpack the toll it has taken on families, relationships, our children and ourselves. Scott and Cori will help understand the past year through the lens of empathy and compassion as well as offer practical strategies for you and your middle school children to process and prepare for the "new normal" that is emerging as students return to some form of in-person learning.
Also, the presenters welcome your specific questions and concerns in advance of the event. Please submit content for consideration to tleone@davincischools.org Use this LINK to sign up!
Finally, special thanks to Antioch Counseling Intern Desiree Basl for making the opportunity available to Da Vinci Connect families! 
New (or New-Ish) Family Chat (Meets on 6/1 from 3:30-4:15pm)
 If you have recently joined the DV Connect Community—or simply still feel new-ish—join Theresa and parent educator Jahmal Durham to connect and hopefully gain some helpful insights as you head into the end of the school year and begin to think about your plans for summer and beyond.

This is also a great opportunity to meet other parents and start building your network at Connect.
 
Have a great week!
~ Your DV Connect Team