Yearly Archives: 2025

Senior_Weekly_Update_Sept15_2025

Seniors & Families,

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 15th. Each week, I will share:
📎 Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
🎓 College planning tips & reminders
🌟 Career exploration resources

Please review this week’s newsletter (attached) and take advantage of the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will make this senior year a strong foundation for your next steps.

If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out.

Best regards,
Kene

BRRC is a student-run, student-led organization founded in 1983 that focuses on encouraging the pursuit of higher education among Black students. Funded through UC Berkeley, we host events that support Black youth in their pursuit of higher education. You can learn more about us here.

We are excited to share our upcoming annual Bay Area College Tour (BACT)!

BACT is a program designed for Black, low-income high school sophomores and juniors that introduces them to the different educational institutions available in the Northern California region. The tour will take place from November 6th to November 9th, featuring three other schools in addition to UC Berkeley. In previous years, we have visited UC Davis, CSU East Bay, Stanford, and SJSU. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about the college admissions process, financial aid, academics, and the Black culture on each campus.

BACT is completely FREE for students. BRRC will provide housing, transportation, and meals — all expenses paid. The 2025 Bay Area College Tour application, which you can find here (BACT Application), is now open! The application closes on Monday, October 6th at 5 PM. You can also view a tentative itinerary here.

BRRC has been working diligently to ensure that students are provided with an experience that is informational, fulfilling, and fun. This is a wonderful opportunity for high schoolers to learn more about higher education and be encouraged to pursue their goals.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the BRRC Outreach Coordinators via email at brrcbact@gmail.com.

Attention Seniors & Families!

Join us for FAFSA Night on Monday, Sept. 22 at 5:00 pm (Zoom). This workshop will guide you step-by-step through FAFSA, share updates for the 2025–2026 school year, and answer your financial aid questions.

✨ Special Kickoff: The LifeLaunch program will open the meeting, sharing free college & career pathways in healthcare, aviation, and business for graduating seniors.

Why Attend FAFSA Night?
Learn FAFSA basics & why it’s required
Get 2025–2026 updates (simplified app, new rules)
Review documents you’ll need
Hear key deadlines (March 2, 2025 CA priority)
Avoid common mistakes

Event Details:
📅 Monday, Sept. 22
🕔 5:00 PM
💻 Zoom: https://davincischools-org.zoom.us/j/94483101479?pwd=hko1JxaE7Le1fMGqJDPBZHYOuFy3oW.1

Meeting ID: 944 8310 1479 | Passcode: 256439

Who Should Attend: Seniors + Parents/Guardians

Mark your calendars and log in with your family—this is your chance to get a head start on college financial aid and learn about exciting LifeLaunch opportunities after graduation!

Hello Seniors and Families,
As you prepare for the college application process, many of you will also be applying for financial aid. One of the funding opportunities available to California students is the Cal Grant—a state grant that helps pay for college and does not need to be repaid.
The Cal Grant can be used at:

University of California (UC) campuses
California State Universities (CSUs)
California Community Colleges

Qualifying independent (private) universities and career or technical schools in California

How to Qualify
To be considered for a Cal Grant, students must:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

Meet financial and eligibility requirements
Meet minimum GPA requirements
Be a recent high school graduate

List California colleges on the FAFSA or CADAA

For full details, please visit http://www.calgrants.org.

GPA Submission Requirement
Da Vinci Connect High School is required to submit students’ verified GPAs to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). This information is used to determine Cal Grant eligibility.

By law, families have the option to opt out of this process. Please note:
If you submit an Opt-Out Form, your student’s GPA will not be submitted, and they will not be eligible for the Cal Grant.

If you do not submit an Opt-Out Form, Connect High School will send your student’s GPA to CSAC automatically.

Important Deadline
If you wish to opt out, please complete the Cal Grant GPA Opt-Out Form and return it to Kene Washington at kwashington@davincischools.org before Friday, September 26, 2025.


👉 Click here http://Cal Grant GPA Opt-Out Form

Seniors & Families,

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 8th. Each week, I will share:
📎 Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
🎓 College planning tips & reminders
🌟 Career exploration resources

Please review this week’s newsletter (attached) and take advantage of the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will make this senior year a strong foundation for your next steps.
If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out. 

Septemer 11th Scholarships

Senior_Weekly_Update_Sept8_2025

Best regards,
Kene

Please click here to read the latest newsletter,

Juniors! Please CLICK HERE to fill out the Google form to reserve your spot to take the PSAT!

When: Wednesday October 29th

Where: Connect HS campus, 8am-11:30am

Any Junior who wishes to take the PSAT MUST fill out the Google form. To access the Google form, students MUST be logged into and use their DV student email address to submit. No outside email address will be allowed.

Space is initally reserved for Juniors, and if there is remaining space, Sophomores will be notified.

Picture Day on September 8th and 9th!!!