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If you have not already done so, save the contact information for our amazing Career & College Readiness Counselor, Dynasty Taylor. She is available to answer questions you have around graduation requirements, credit trackers, the college application process, and more. Don’t hesitate to reach out to her for support!

Email: dtaylor@davincischools.org
Phone: 323-303-2318

Dear RISE Students & Families,

We are devastated by the tragic events involving the murders of unarmed Black people, like Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, and we know that you are feeling heartbroken and exhausted as well. While we know that the protests have served to further amplify the voices that are hungry for change, we recognize they have also required additional expenditures of emotional and mental energy, and that the ongoing unrest happening in our community can cause fear and anxiety.

After watching the response from other schools around the country (such as the Democracy Prep network who shared the following plan with their community), and in an effort to provide space for mental wellness and reflection  we will be calling a day off from business as usual at RISE.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020, is devoted to “Remembering Their Names.”

In the words of Democracy Prep’s’ CEO Natasha Trivers, “We will not pretend the events around the country and the world are not unfolding. We will not grow numb…We will use “Remembering Their Names” as a moment of reflection and rejuvenation but also as a space to organize for change.”

 We have asked our staff to take a day to prioritize their own self-care and mental health, and we understand that many students may want and need to do the same. We encourage you to do so if you feel you need a moment to breathe.

We also understand that the end of the year is particularly stressful and that Seniors are working to meet deadlines for graduation. To this end, Kari & Rebecca will be online during Office Hours & Exhibition Workshop tomorrow (June 2)  to provide assistance and support for students who would like to work on their projects. You can see below for the full schedule, and the zoom links will be messaged in the morning via DreamSeeDo.

Finally, we have made a video message in an attempt to share what we are feeling as an admin team; you can watch it HERE.

The events of the past several weeks have been very heavy. Let’s rest, reflect, and rejuvenate. And then, let’s be ready to take action in the ways that feel right to each of us.

We love you and are grateful for you.

In solidarity,

Your RISE Leadership Team

Dear RISE Students & Families,

We are excited to share opportunities for earning credit through Da Vinci RISE Summer School. Information regarding dates,  course offerings, and registration can be found below.  Feel free to reach out to the RISE admin team with any questions!

Summer School Dates:
June 22 – July 17

• Students will attend virtual classes and workshops Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 12:30pm

Summer School Course Offerings

Summer School Expectations & Guidelines

• Given the condensed timeframe and the work required for course completion,  students are expected to log into virtual sessions at 10:00am each morning, and attendance will count towards credit for the course. More than 3 absences or tardies (10 minutes late or more) to virtual sessions may result in failure to obtain credit. 
• Classes will consist of whole-group virtual instruction, 1:1 and small-group check-ins, and independent work time. 
• Students will receive a course-specific contract on day one of summer school outlining the assignments and expectations for earning credit. 
• Students will be expected to complete homework each evening to prepare for the following day’s class. 

How to Sign Up

Use the survey LINKED HERE to register for summer school. If you have questions regarding which course is best for you, please check the appropriate box within the survey to request a conversation with the RISE admin or counselor. We are more than happy to help you register for the courses you need most in order to graduate!

The deadline for Summer School registration is June 12, 2020.

Dear RISE Students & Families, 

We miss seeing you on campus every day, and we are sending well wishes of health and safety to you and your loved ones. 

With just four weeks left in the school year, we are entering our final grading period with final opportunities for credit attainment and course completion. Progress Reports for Quarter 4 are being mailed today, and we wanted to provide additional information regarding grades and credits during this unprecedented time. 

Progress Reports + Grading Policies

We know this is incredibly challenging, and that the uncertainties and anxieties of the pandemic may make it difficult to focus on school. Some students have continued to progress and have earned credits in the first half of Quarter 4, and congratulations are certainly in order for all of their hard work. Other students have struggled to prioritize assignments in the midst of the campus closures, and we want to express our understanding of these realities as well. 

RISE  staff will continue to provide access and instruction for those who are able to complete assignments, while also ensuring we are not penalizing students with extenuating circumstances who are unable to focus on academics during the pandemic. Students who continue to attend online learning sessions and complete their assignments will continue to receive credits on their transcripts. Students who, because of COVID-related difficulties, are unable to complete work during the last quarter of school will not be penalized but rather will have grades of “No Credit” reported on their transcripts, with the possibility of picking up where they left off either in Summer School or in the Fall Semester. 

Your Safety & Well-Being

We want you to know that your health & well-being are our primary concerns during this time. If you are unable to prioritize your academics due to the campus closures, all we request is that you continue to communicate with the RISE team and that you commit to re-focusing on your academics once we are able to be together on campus again. While the lack of work completion may require an extended timeline for completing your graduation requirements, we are confident in your abilities to work hard and meet these requirements once the stress of the current situation has subsided. 

Opportunities for Credit Attainment

Finally, there is still time to earn credits through the completion of your Exhibition project on DreamSee Do! You can access the project by searching “Exhibition Project-Spring 2020”.

• If you have questions about your assignments, you can reach out to your Advisory teacher or to any of the other RISE staff.
• Office hours and workshops via Zoom are available each day Monday – Thursday, and we would be happy to set up a time to meet and provide the support you need to complete your work.
• Exhibition-specific office hours are available Monday-Thursday from 1-2:30pm. The Zoom link is always sent to you through DreamSeeDo by your teachers or can be accessed at the top of the exhibition project through the step titled “Zoom Session Link.”

Information regarding Summer School dates and registration will be provided the last week of May. Please continue to check our blog for updates. And continue to let us know how we can provide support and encouragement during this time. 

Dear RISE Students & Stakeholders,

There is now a DreamSeeDo project specifically to help you learn to navigate the virtual learning space at RISE. This project provides a video overview of expectations around work completion, outlines the daily schedule for office hours and 1:1 support from teachers, lists all staff contact information in one place, and provides resources for navigating Zoom and other necessary technology platforms.

Students should have already been invited to join this project (check your . notifications in DSD!); if for some reason you do not see the invite, please let your Advisory teacher know.

Further, if any stakeholders would like access to DreamSeeDo in order to better understand the virtual learning model or to support your student through their assignments, please email the Assistant Principal at your student’s site, and they will get you set up!

Erin Whalen, AP at APCH
ewhalen@davincischools.org

Dr. Rebecca Robertson, AP at Hawthorne
rrobertson@davincischools.org

Dear RISE Scholars,

We love and miss you. Stay safe at home, and continue working hard! Have a wonderful, amazing, productive, marvelous, engaging, courageous, stupendous, awesome, fabulous, week. See you soon!

All virtual work and guidelines are now on the blog and on DreamSeeDo. Look for the “RISE Online” DSD project for more guidance. Let us know how we can continue to support you during this time!

– RISE Staff

Dear Students, Parents and Stakeholders, 

Welcome to Da Vinci RISE virtual school! The RISE staff is fully committed to continuing to provide a meaningful school experience for our students and stakeholders during California’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak. We have been working hard to adjust our school model to meet the needs of our students during this uncertain time. This post includes pertinent information for how students will be engaging with school, earning credits and accessing resources during the campus closure. Please reach out with any questions or concerns to your site admin.

APCH Assistant Principal: Erin Whalen (Ewhalen@davincischools.org)

Hawthorne Assistant Principal: Rebecca Robertson (Rrobertson@davincischools.org)

To Access the full Virtual Learning document online: https://tinyurl.com/DVRonline 

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Virtual School Expectations 

1. Students MUST Complete AT LEAST 3 steps per day on DreamSeeDo (Mon-Fri) – In order to offer flexibility in the program, steps may be completed at a time that works best for the student’s individual schedule.* 2 Steps in Exhibition Project
   * 1 Step in a specific class (or a third step in their exhibition project)
2.  Students are encouraged to check-in with RISE staff at least 3 times a week – Communication may be during office hours, advisory, scheduled 1-on-1’s, by phone or DreamSeeDo messenger. 

• • Our Suggestion:
    • 2 Academic (1 Exhibition Office Hour and 1 Academic Office Hour)
    • 1 Advisory hangout or check in

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Communication

ALL RISE staff will be using Zoom to video conference with students  

What is Zoom ?
Zoom is a video conferencing app that allows the RISE community to communicate via computer or cell phone. Teachers and staff are able to display PowerPoints, send messages and manage communications through this platform. All students must login to zoom meetings at least 3 times per week.

Sign up here: https://zoom.us/signup

All 1-on-1 appointments with staff will be scheduled through Calendly

What is Calendly?
Calendly is an online scheduling app that Da Vinci RISE staff members are using to manage student meetings. Students must use the staff member’s calendly links (found below) to schedule 1-on-1 sessions to recieve help and/or support.

Follow-up
RISE staff will be reaching out to students and stakeholders to ensure all students are making academic progress. If students fail to complete 3 steps a day or to participate in at least 3 Zoom sessions a week, RISE staff will reach out to set a plan for how to ensure progress moving forward.

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Special Education

Da Vinci RISE is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to the same virtual learning opportunities provided to non-disabled peers. Because virtual learning differs from campus-based instruction, the services on a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will also look different during this time.  Students with disabilities may receive their IEP services as: consultation, direct instruction through Zoom or Calendly, email, instructional phone calls, and other curriculum-based activities. During the week of 4/13-4/20, students with IEPs must contact their resource teacher (Tiffany Edwards at Hawthorne or Charles Snow at APCH) via Calendly to schedule a time to meet to develop their individual weekly virtual IEP service schedule. Resource teachers will reach out to stakeholders of students who are not adhering to their weekly virtual IEP service schedule.

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504 Plans 

Accommodations and access to instruction is provided through teachers via the DreamSeeDo online platform. For any questions or concerns, please contact our 504 coordinator, Dynasty Taylor at Dtaylor@davincischools.org.

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Exhibition Benchmark Calendar

* LINKED HERE*
This document provides  recommendations for which Exhibition steps to complete each day, and gives guidelines around how long it will take you to complete each Benchmark if you stay on schedule.

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Daily Learning Schedule & Teacher Availability

Dear Da Vinci RISE Seniors and Families,

We know that the campus closures due to COVID-19 have taken a particularly difficult toll on you. You have spent a long time looking forward to Senior year, and you have worked incredibly hard to meet Senior requirements so that you could celebrate this accomplishment through Prom, Grad Nite, and Commencement. Please know that we share in your sadness and frustration, and we want to find ways to ensure you feel as supported as possible during this time. Below you will find a list of Frequently Asked Questions along with responses that detail the answers we have at this time. You will also find information regarding senior meetings and counseling office hours, which we strongly recommend you take advantage of in order to stay looped in to forthcoming updates. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us and let us know how else we can support you during this time.

Kari Croft, Principal
kcroft@davincischools.org

Erin Whalen, Assistant Principal at APCH
ewhalen@davincischools.org

Dr. Rebecca Robertson, Assistant Principal at Hawthorne
rrobertson@davincischools.org

Dynasty Taylor, College Counselor
dtaylor@davincischools.org

What senior requirements & deadlines should I meet to receive my diploma?

• You must still complete the credits and courses necessary for your graduation pathway. Updated credit trackers were emailed to your Da Vinci Schools Student email address last week. If you did not receive yours, please email Dynasty Taylor to receive another copy. This credit tracker outlines completed courses and remaining credits to be eligible for graduation. All credits that are highlighted in red or yellow MUST BE COMPLETED in order to graduate and receive your diploma in June.
• You do not have to complete the additional senior requirements initially outlined for participation in graduation. The following senior requirements have been waived:
  • Resume (RISE staff will support you in completing your resume as necessary to ensure you have it as a resource once you graduate)
  • Cover Letter
  • Final Senior SLC
  • Community service hours
• There will be a one-on-one Senior check-in on May 21 to review credits earned and determine eligibility for June deadlines. Seniors are encouraged to communicate weekly with Dynasty and with their teachers to ensure they are on track to complete necessary credits.

Are Graduation and Senior Activities cancelled?

• Unfortunately, Grad Nite and Prom have been cancelled,  and Graduation has been postponed due to safety concerns around Coronavirus. You will receive reimbursements for any funds paid to reserve your place for Grad Nite and/or Prom. We are committed to ensuring that you still get the opportunity to celebrate your graduation by walking across the stage, and once we have received the all-clear from the Governor and the District, we will plan a ceremony and give you enough prior notice so that your family, friends, and loved ones can plan to attend. We will communicate this new graduation date and plan as soon as we have it. Thank you for your continued patience.

What do I do if I signed up for the CHSPE? 

• All students who were registered for the March California High School Proficiency Exam have been rescheduled for June 20.
• If you still need to register for the June 20^th date, you can do so when registration window opens on April 16.
• Your point person for assistance in registering or for accessing study materials is Meika Nwaomah. Please reach out to her at mnwaomah@davincischools.org

When are Senior Meetings and how can I receive additional support? 

Next Senior Meeting (both sites): Tuesday April 7, 9:00am – 10:00am

Dear Students, Parents and Stakeholders, 

The RISE staff remains fully committed to providing a meaningful school experience for our students and stakeholders during California’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.. We have been working hard to adjust our school model to meet the needs of our students during this uncertain time. Below you will find pertinent information for how students will be engaging with school, earning credits and accessing resources during the closures. Please reach out with any questions or concerns to your site admin. 

APCH Assistant Principal:
Erin Whalen (Ewhalen@davincischools.org)

Hawthorne Assistant Principal:
Rebecca Robertson (Rrobertson@davincischools.org)

Virtual School Schedule

For our first week back from Intersession (April 6 – 10), we will continue to follow the daily Arena Schedule. Students can plan to meet with their content teachers via Zoom during the regularly scheduled rotation times. Staff is working hard to create a more individualized schedule for the coming weeks to ensure students are receiving adequate support for completion of their assignments. Please check the blog regularly to receive scheduling updates!

Monday, April 6 – Thursday, April 9 (Friday, April 10, Staff PD Day)

Schedule can be downloaded HERE. 

Students can join the class times by logging onto their teacher’s Zoom links; you can find Zoom link information HERE.

Virtual School Guidelines: How Should Students Spend Time?

• Students should strive to complete three steps per day on DreamSeeDo. Two of these steps should be on their Exhibition Project, and the remaining third step can be for any of their content courses.
  • If a student is unclear on which steps to complete, they can Zoom into their teachers’ hours using the schedule above, or can join their ASB time with their Academic Coach to receive more clarity.
  • Students and stakeholders can also reach out directly to students’ Advisory teachers and/or the lead Site Admin (contact information included above)