Connect HS Newsletter
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First Community Learning Day – October 11th

Dear Da Vinci Families,
We recently shared with you information about an exciting new initiative this school year known as Community Learning Days (CLDs) in response to our community’s desire to provide more opportunities to bring students together across our five high schools. CLDs are all about options and designed to offer students the flexibility to explore their interests and build community with students and staff attending Communications, Connect High, Design, RISE and Science.
With our first CLD approaching on Friday, October 11th, we want to provide you with some important updates:
- This week in Advisory, students learned more about CLDs and took a Student Survey to express their interest in learning experiences/activities for the first two CLDs (Oct. 11 and Nov. 8).
- All students – whether they participate in on-campus or off-campus learning – will have access to free breakfast and lunch.
- On-campus programming will run from 8:30am-12:30pm. We have some exciting on-campus options planned such as college and career workshops, financial literacy, Real World Learning experiences, hands-on learning in the Ceramics Studio, performing arts experiences, athletics activities, community service, and more.
- Students requesting to learn off-campus must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian. Permission slips will be provided to students by Sept. 13th.
- During the week of Sept. 23, students will receive notice of enrollment for one of their selected workshops (on-campus) OR receive approval to engage in off-campus learning (permission slip required).
- Oct. 11 is Da Vinci’s first CLD Day!
- During the week of Oct. 21, we will send out a Feedback Survey to hear what you think so we can continue to improve!
As a reminder, there are four CLDs scheduled this school year (Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Feb. 10, Apr. 21). We can’t wait to embark on this exciting new journey together.
Gratefully,
Dr. Matthew Wunder
CEO/Superintendent
Da Vinci Schools
Cal Grant Opt Out Form
Hello Senior Students and Families,
As you prepare for the college application process, many of you will apply for financial aid. One of those funding options is our State Grant, called the Cal Grant. The Cal Grant is funding for college that students do not pay back. The Cal Grant can be used at any University of California (UC), California State University (CSU) or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent (private) and career colleges or technical schools in California.
To qualify, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements. Eligibility is based on your FAFSA or CADAA responses, your verified high school Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your FAFSA and whether you’re a recent high school graduate. To learn more about the qualifications, please visit www.calgrants.org.
Da Vinci Connect High School is required to submit student’s verified GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). By law families can “opt out” of this process if you do not want Connect HS to submit your student’s verified GPA. If you choose to “opt out”, this means your student will not be eligible to receive a Cal Grant. In order to “opt-out”, please complete the attached form below and return to Sylvia Soria via email at ssoria@davincischools.org no later than September 28, 2024. If you do not return the “opt-out” form, Connect HS will submit your student’s verified GPA to the CSAC to determine your student’s Cal Grant eligibility.
To obtain an opt-out form click on this link: Cal Grant GPA Opt–Out Form
CHS Performing Arts Seminar Sign-Up (Fall ’24)
If you are interested in a Performing Arts seminar, please sign up Here! Classes take place on campus at CHS from 1:00pm-1:50pm on Wednesdays. PLEASE NOTE: the first day of classes is Wednesday, September 11th.

NOW OPEN: AIAA High School Student Scholarships
Calling all High School Seniors! $10,000 Scholarships Available
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AIAA scholarships are available for high school seniors planning to study engineering or a related field. Students may apply to more than one of these scholarships. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is 31 December 2024. To view full eligibility requirements and application documents, visit the AIAA website. |
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AIAA Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson Scholarship |
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The AIAA Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson Scholarship was created in 2022 to encourage young women to study aerospace engineering and pursue a career in the aerospace defense industry. Made possible by donations from the Hewson Family Foundation and Lockheed Martin, the scholarship awards one $10,000 scholarship to a female high school senior and one $10,000 scholarship to a female university student who are intending to or already pursuing an engineering major at a college or university in the United States or one of its territories. |
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AIAA Roger W. Kahn Scholarship |
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The AIAA Roger W. Kahn Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Roger Kahn (1907–1962) and his passion for aviation and entertainment. The scholarship recognizes the extraordinary potential of students aspiring to become an engineering or science leader in the aerospace industry. Each year, AIAA awards up to four $10,000 Kahn scholarships to high school seniors. |
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Scholarship Also Includes:
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Questions? Contact K-12 Programs Manager. |
