From Your Administrative Team |
Greetings Connect K8 Families,
Congratulations! Together, we have navigated one heck of a historical time-- within our own homes, in education, and in our global community. We have come to the other side of this pandemic not without some bumps and bruises, and hopefully with a deeper appreciation for the things and people that matter most. As we dip our toes into summer and look ahead to what Fall might bring, we know there will be more challenges and transitions ahead as we continue to seek and define our "new normal".
This week, as our staff began to reflect, unpack, process, celebrate and heal from all this year has brought us, the idea of burnout was present in my mind. We listened to a podcast between the authors of the book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle and Brene Brown, and I'd like to also invite you to listen HERE. The podcast episode touches on the themes in the book around how our physiological systems are designed to respond to stress for the purpose of survival, yet our stressors today aren't often physical threats, but smaller, nuanced triggers that we can't escape, therefore not allowing us to complete the stress cycle. This incomplete stress cycle is even more present for those who are human givers: parents, educators, caregivers, etc. Hi, that's you, home educators ;) The podcast highlights ideas from the book which outline specific, tangibles ways that we can complete the stress cycle, regardless of the stressor, so that our bodies can stay safe and healthy, and that we can thrive and find joy in the ways that bring us purpose.
We ALL need to take care of ourselves and our people, so that we can come back in the Fall ready to continue this journey together. Please take time this summer to find ways to unlock and complete your own stress cycles, and please make time to rest. Physical rest, emotional rest, all the rest. Not only do you need it, you deserve it.
Below are a few, short updates (and the last of this school year!) to hopefully ease your mind and help you lean into the rest you so deserve:
- We just celebrated 45 8th grade graduates as they leave Connect and begin their journey into High School! Congrats to all 8th grade families!
- We are still awaiting updated COVID guidelines from the state and county level. Some of our planning for the fall is contingent on these guidelines, and we will update you (sparingly in the summer, I promise!) once we have confirmation on how the guidelines will impact our program! For now, please know that we will continue to offer our full hybrid program in-person, with two cohorts (on M/T and Th/F) in the Fall, and will follow any COVID guidelines outlined by the LADPH.
- We are committed to offering a remote option for families who need it for the Fall semester, and will re-assess that need for second semester. We will reach out to families individually who indicated interest in a remote option on Da Vinci's recent planning survey with more details--stay tuned!
- We are excited to share that our beloved Julia Rivera will be helping us create this remote program, and therefore will not be a Core 3 teacher next year. She has all the just right magic that this new role will entail, and we are thrilled for this opportunity!
- Core 3 will transition back to a year for our 3rd graders in a single-grade classroom, with Patrick Garland. While this year's structure met our needs during the COVID transition, we recognize that, among other considerations, straddling 2nd graders across multiple cores, especially, does not meet our philosophical needs, nor does it support our enrollment matriculation into older cores.
- As a reminder, the first day of school is August 16th. The first week will be a full homeschooling week, with opportunities for social events and 1:1 meetings with your teachers and with Theresa, our Parent Educator Support Specialist!
With immense gratitude for your partnership in navigating a difficult, challenging, and beautiful year...
Take Good Care,
Kaitlin, Tami, and Michelle
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Yearbooks are HERE!
We will distribute yearbooks in front of the Connect campus drive thru style on the following dates and times: (Masks required please)
- Monday, June 14th from 9:00-3:00 pm
- Tuesday, June 15th from 9:00-12:00 pm
If you aren't able to pick up your yearbook on these dates, we will have them ready at the beginning of school in August.
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Technology Return!
Tuesday 6/15 and Wednesday 6/16 @ Connect campus
We recognize that you may have heard different ideas surrounding chromebooks and technology distributed to students, and we apologize for any confusion! Please plan to return ALL school-issued technology (wifi hot spots, chromebooks, chargers, headsets, etc.) during the following drop off times at the Connect Campus:
- Tuesday June 15th from 9:00 am-12:00pm
- Wednesday June 16th from 12:00pm-4:00pm
If you cannot attend either of these drop offs, please reach out to our IT team at studentsupport@davincischools.org to arrange tech drop off. Thank You!
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FAN’s Parents Connect Night Out!🎉
Wednesday, June 16 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Upshift Brewing Company in El Segundo!
Update: Dali’s Kitchen Food Truck will be serving delicious, Mexican cuisine for purchase at event!
to save your spaces for a very special night out for parents benefiting DV Connect, and to support a new, local favorite, Upshift Brewing Company! Because…It’s been a year, and it's time to Connect!🍻
*Upshift Brewing Company will generously give back $1 per pint sold on Wednesday, June 16th, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm--stop in for a minute, or stay for a few hours!
*The owner, Steve will personally match every dollar generated by pint sales!!! Thank you Upshift Team!
*Dali’s Kitchen food truck will be there serving delicious, Mexican cuisine for purchase and there will be other yummy surprises in store for all who attend! We will also have non-alcoholic beverages available! 😋
*Upshift Brewing Company offers outdoor seating with spaced out picnic tables and other seating that will be provided on a first come, first served basis!
Please sign up and show them our DV Connect Parents Connect Sign-Up Genius flier or mention DV Connect when you attend!
**This may change, but as of now, masks are still required unless seated, and there is to be no walking around or standing while eating or drinking. Thank you!!!**
Can’t wait to Connect and toast to you all!!! Cheers!🍻
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Attn: Upcoming 5th/6th Graders and 7th/8th Graders!
We are happy to announce that 5th and 6th grade Astro Camp and 7th an 8th grade Catalina Camps will be back in the Fall!
If you are interested in having your student attend please complete THIS INTEREST FORM, no later than June 21st for Astro Camp and June 28th for Catalina Camp.
There will be a mandatory information camp meeting for those who are going on August 25th at 4pm.
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The Parent Center @ DV Connect!
Stay connected to learning—and each other—this summer!
The Parent Center in Partnership with our Family Action Network (FAN)
Join in on the summer “Fill your Bucket Challenge!” Not only will you and your students keep the learning going this summer, you’ll have fun and maybe even make some new friends in the process!
This PDF has a bunch of ideas you can your children can do to fill your own and others’ buckets too, including:
· “Fill Your Bucket” Worksheets and Activity Ideas
· Chant & Clap Lyrics
· Word Search
· Crossword Puzzle
· Coloring Page
· Recycled Ring Toss
· “Trash to Treasure Art”
· DIY Seedling Containers
Stay connected and share your “Fill Your Bucket” ideas and adventures all summer at #dvconnect
The Parent Center @ DV Connect Google Classroom
· Use this code (w3yytj2) to access all content all summer!
Office Hours for 1:1 Meetings with Theresa
· There are still a few opportunities to check in with before we break for summer holidays.
· Use this LINK to sign up!
Use Da Vinci Connect Supplemental Curriculum this Summer!
Beast Academy Online - Activation codes will work for 12 months from the date you activated your unique code.
BrainPop - Accounts will be active until July 10th .
CPM – Middle School Families can use these resources to keep math skills sharp during summer break:
o Check out the shared teacher CPM Weebly site to find where to pick up for summer. This will be unique for each math class.
dvconnectmathc5.weebly.com
password: core5math
o CPM Lessons CC2
Epic Books – Keep reading all summer! 😊
Explore Learning – You can use Science 4 Us, Gizmos & Reflex Math all summer.
Learning A-Z Tools – This suite of tools will be live all summer.
MAP Accelerator w/Khan Academy – 3rd through 8th graders can continue tapping into their “playlists” all summer!
ST Math – Gigi will be “on” this summer to continue playing math games!
Scholastic Teachables – The entire Teachables library is available to you for all of your break.
ThinkCERCA – Keep writing OR take the time to explore this platform for the first time!
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