Saturday, February 14th the Black College Expo is taking over Pomona Fairplex property starting at 9:00am. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with representatives from a variety of historically black colleges and universities and other colleges. Over 200 colleges will be in the house. 2 year college, 4 year colleges, trade schools and more. Seminars- 411 for Student Athletes, Real Talk College vs. High School, How to Start a Business & Maintain it Powered by Comerica Bank, Booming Careers, Celebrities, Cash & Prizes! A special Financial Health Series with the opportunity to receive $100 towards your account Powered by Wells Fargo.
Audition for Band Scholarships onsite! Thousands of dollars available, BRING Your Instruments
Special “LIVE” HBCU Cultural Spotlight Experience presented by Divas of Compton
Get ACCEPTED on the Spot! Over 20 million in Scholarships Available! Get your tickets now!
A message from Christopher Jackson, College and Career Readiness Teacher at DV Communications:
I am inviting DV families from all campuses to a FREE, 6-workshop series designed to help you shift from financial stress to financial clarity.
Seats are limited and registration is required. Please see details below and sign up if you are interested and able to attend!
Workshop Details:
Dates: Every 3 weeks, Thursdays from Feb-May 2026
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: 201 N. Douglas St. Campus/3rd floor, room 3203 (in-person)
Cost: FREE
Did you know $3.75 billion in free college aid goes unclaimed every year?
Not because families don’t need it.
Not because they didn’t save.
But because 40% of eligible students never file the FAFSA, often assuming they won’t qualify.
Even families earning over $100,000 frequently qualify for aid. But they never find out because they skip the application entirely.
Meanwhile, 76% of students say financial aid is the #1 factor in choosing which college to attend. Research shows that just $5,000 in additional aid is enough to prompt nearly half of students to switch schools.
That’s not chump change. But most families leave it on the table.
Not because they lack intelligence. Not because they’re lazy.
But because they lack a strategy.
Most families treat college planning like an emergency, scrambling when acceptance letters arrive, reacting to financial aid offers they don’t understand, and hoping it all works out.
But what if you could approach your family’s financial future the way a CFO approaches a business plan?
Strategic. Proactive. In control.
Introducing: The Da Vinci Family CFO Training Series
I invite you to a FREE, 6-workshop series designed to help you shift from financial stress to financial clarity.
Whether you have a kindergartner or a senior, this series will provide you with the frameworks, tools, and confidence to make smarter decisions about retirement, college savings, investing, and long-term wealth.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Workshop 1 (Feb 5): Money Story & CFO Mindset: Identify limiting beliefs and adopt a strategic decision-making framework
Workshop 2 (Feb 26): Retirement Planning Essentials: Secure your oxygen mask first (401k, IRA, Roth strategies)
Workshop 4 (April 16): Balancing Priorities: Navigate competing goals with the CFO Decision Filter
Workshop 5 (May 7): Investment Fundamentals: Demystify investing and match strategies to your timeline
Workshop 6 (May 21): Personal Financial Roadmap: Create your customized action plan
Why This Series?
This isn’t theory. This isn’t a sales pitch. This is practical, actionable training you can use immediately.
You’ll walk away with:
A clear financial roadmap tailored to your family
Confidence to make smarter money decisions
Community with other Da Vinci families on the same journey
Peace of mind that you’re setting your kids up for success
Seats are limited. Register today. Click HERE to secure your spot.
This series is designed for any Da Vinci parent who wants to take control of their family’s financial future, whether you’re just starting to save or already investing.
You don’t need to attend all 6 workshops (though I recommend it for maximum impact). Each one builds on the last, but you can join where it makes sense for your family.
I’ve worked with over 1000 families on college planning, FAFSA strategy, and financial literacy. I’ve seen firsthand how the right information at the right time can save families tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars.
My goal? Help 1 million families think like CFOs, starting with ours here at Da Vinci.
Presentations of Learning (POLs) begin next Wednesday 12/10.
One of the expectations for a Presentation of Learning is that students come in professional dress. Professional dress is defined to including the following:
Khaki pants or dress pants (no jeans); Dress or skirt
Interview-style attire
belts and ties
We understand that many families may not be able to put together attire that meets these standards in a short timeline. In order to help our families, the DVD has a POL clothing closet for students to borrow from. The clothing closet is in need of a refresh. If you have clothing or shoes that meet these requirements and that you no longer need, please consider donating them to DVD.
We will accept donations of professional clothing to the downstairs front office, and we welcome students to see if there is something donated that fits their need. We are hopeful that this professional clothing exchange helps us work together as a community to ensure that each student feels comfortable and confident in their presentation!
Students can contact their counselor for any questions.
Pam Baker: Last names A-GL pbaker@davincischools.org
Nicole Tafoya: Last names Go-O ntafoya@davincischools.org
Omar Sanchez: Last Names P-Z osanchez@davincischools.org
Da Vinci Schools is hosting a hands-on FAFSA/CADAA workshop on our campus, where an El Camino College financial aid representative will be here to answer your financial aid/FAFSA/CADAA questions, help you fill out the applications, and submit that night! This is taking place on the DV Science floor on Tuesday December 9th, 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Please RSVP HERE so we know how many computers will be needed.
Please have an FSA ID created and verified before the night. Please CLICK HERE to apply for an FSA ID. Both parent and student need an FSA ID.
Please bring with you on the night:
Social Security Number -parent(s) and student or Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)
Federal Income Tax Return 2023, W2’s, and other records of money earned (accessible online through an IRS interface, if you filed your 2023 taxes electronically)
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
If you have any questions, please reach out to your/your students counselor:
Pam Baker: Last names A-GL pbaker@davincischools.org
Nicole Tafoya: Last names Go-O ntafoya@davincischools.org
Omar Sanchez: Last Names P-Z osanchez@davincischools.org
LA County Parks believes that access to nutritious meals is a cornerstone of healthy, thriving communities. The Youth, Teen, and Senior Food Programs are designed to ensure that residents of all ages have access to free, wholesome meals and snacks—supporting both physical health and community well-being.
Through these programs, LA County Parks is committed to fostering communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, grow, and stay healthy. They invite all residents to take advantage of these vital services and join them in building a stronger, more nourished community.
The Department of Education (ED) officially launched the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–27 academic year a week early. The launch came after a successful beta testing period in August. Students and families can complete the form now, giving them earlier access to financial aid information. Please note that some challenges have been found for mixed-status families. The ED has not yet provided a permanent solution to identity verification issues, which continues to pose a challenge for these families when attempting to file the FAFSA and privacy concerns.
The 2026–27 CADAA opens October 1: The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) opens on October 1. The CADAA is available to eligible undocumented Californians and mixed status families. While the CADAA provides access to state and institutional aid, students who file only the CADAA are not eligible for federal financial aid dollars.
The 2026-2027 CSS Profile opens October 1:
The CSS Profile is an online application used by mostly private colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid. The UCs and CSUs do not use the CSS Profile. Here is list ofcolleges that use the CSS Profile.
If you have any questions please contact your/your students counselor.
Pam Baker: Last names A-GL pbaker@davincischools.org
Nicole Tafoya: Last names Go-O ntafoya@davincischools.org
Omar Sanchez: Last Names P-Z osanchez@davincischools.org
September is Suicide Prevention Month. In an effort to be more proactive in supporting students’ mental health, a wellness screener will be given on September 22nd to all students during advisory at Da Vinci Design HS to identify students who may need support. Results from the screener will be used by the counselors to offer students interventions such as coping skills groups, counselor check ins, and referrals for therapy.
Scores will not be shared with students or parents/guardians. Parent/guardian consent is required if a student is referred to receive counseling services delivered by Antioch or Pepperdine therapists. If you would like your student to OPT-OUT and NOT PARTICIPATE in the screener, please fill out the form by Monday, September 15th.
