Da Vinci Connect News and Updates 2/16/24

February 16, 2024

From Your Administrative Team

Hello Da Vinci Connect Families,

We hope you've enjoyed your week! This week's Black History Month resource comes from our friends over at Sesame Street--they have a curated list of YouTube videos specifically meant to help our youngest learners learn more about the contributions of our Black community members, often through song and dance! For our older students, here is a lesson from the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility, which includes one of our staff's favorite TED Talks on the Danger of a Single Story.

Our next Parent Advisory Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday 2/26 via zoom--see below for more info!

Finally, I wanted to share a quick update about our school's progress on our WASC Accreditation--as shared previously in past newsletters, this year we are engaging in the process of being re-accredited through WASC, which means lots of data, reflection, and action planning! At our recent PEC, I hosted a workshop where I shared some progress on specific goals we are working on related to WASC, and workshop participants provided feedback in each of these areas. I want to make sure that everyone who didn't have a chance to participate has access to the slide deck--please take a look HERE and shoot Kaitlin an e-mail with any thoughts or feedback you'd like to share! We will also be discussing WASC at future Coffee with Admin meetings, and forming Parent Focus Groups from there--stay tuned!

Have a beautiful long weekend!

Kaitlin (she/her) and Robin (she/her)

President's Day Holiday

Monday 2/19/24

No School or Homeschool

It's Time to Order Yearbooks!

We are excited to offer a yearbook again this year! To purchase, scan the QR code below or go to THIS LINK to log in/create an account. You can find more information about our yearbook and purchasing options HERE!

Q and A with Nancy and Theresa!

Tuesday, 2/20 AND Thursday, 2/22 from 9:30-10:30am

Q & A with Nancy and Theresa

Join Nancy and Theresa to get your Learning Log and Curriculum Questions answered before Learning Log #3 is due on March 26^th!

Use this link to reserve your spot!

Tuesday, 3/12 AND Thursday, 3/14 from 9:30-10:30am

Let’s Talk About Essay Pop… and Learn How It Supports Your Learning Log Work Samples

Bring your devices and all your wonderings about this stellar writing platform. Be sure to have your educator account set up in advance. Check out these resources that will help you get started: Program Profile, Onboarding Instructions with School Code, Essay Pop YouTube Channel

Use this link to reserve your spot!

Parent Advisory Committee Meeting

Monday February 26th at 5:00pm via zoom: https://zoom.us/j/3825363479

Join us at our next Parent Advisory Committee Meeting (everyone is welcome to join, even if you aren't a committee member!) to hear a WASC update and to review progress on Goal #3 of our LCAP!

Spring Student Led Conferences

Monday March 4-Wednesday March 6 (Homeschool days for all)

In the next week or so you will receive information from your classroom teacher regarding Student Led Conferences (SLCs)! These opportunities allow students to "own" their learning, show what they know, and advocate for any learning needs they might have with the grownups who support them. Thank you in advance for your meaningful participation in this signature and mandatory event! If you have questions, please reach out to your child's teacher.

FAN Annual Rhythm Event: STEAM Carnival!

Save the Date: Wednesday | March 27

Please complete this ~INTEREST Survey~

The STEAM (Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math) Carnival is a chance to share a STEAM project your student has been working on at home and to explore offerings from our Family Action Network group. Do they have an engineering project to demonstrate, a poster board to display or the results of a science experiment to share? Some of our offerings from last year included: a Garden Club seeding activity, Mr. Mason's 'A.R.T. the Recycled Robot', Paper Airplane Challenge, Boat Building Challenge, Catapult Challenge, and other Community Offerings including several Learning Log Extensions. For more details about our Annual Rhythm Events CLICK HERE. If you are interested in participating and/or volunteering please email Activities Coordinator Jahmal Durham at jdurham@davincischools.org

Attention Core 2 Families:

We are excited to invite our 'Core 2' families to take the lead at planning the STEAM Carnival 2024, if you would you like to join us in building a fun and unique experience, please send correspondence today to jdurham@davincischools.org

*Don't forget take a moment to complete this INTEREST Survey as we will use this data to help our planning team bring forward a memorable experience for our students and families.

Mr. Mason's Virtual Art Classes Are Back!

Every Wednesday from 2-3pm

Live ZOOM Art Class with Mr. Mason. Join us virtually for art classes each week!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2029821176

Summer Athletics Camps Hosted by WUSD + Da Vinci Schools!

Registration Opens March 1

Is your 4th-8th grade student interested in participating in a summer athletics camp? Learn more about this first time offering HERE!

Daily Read Alouds on Zoom!

M-F 9:00am

Want a connective way to begin your homeschool days? Join Nancy each day at 9:00am on zoom for a virtual read aloud! This invitation is for all ages, regardless of grade level or cohort! You can join her on zoom HERE

Da Vinci Connect Gear!

we are excited to share that we have an online store with new t-shirt designs for the 23-24 school year! We are honored to partner with Mychal's Learning Place for our printing needs. Take a look at our online store to purchase Da Vinci Connect t-shirts and hoodies, in youth AND adult sizes!

Email Connect K-8 Front Office |

Email Kaitlin | Email Robin | Office Phone (310) 725-5800

K-8 Parent Educator Resource Website | Family Handbook | School Calendar

Have a great week!

~ Your DV Connect Team