Archive for Author Nicole Tafoya

Save the Date! 9th and 10th Grade College and Career Family Meeting

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Attention 9th and 10th grade Families!
SAVE THE DATE! Please join the DVD Counseling team this week for the 9th & 10th grade Family College and Career Planning Meeting.
Please reach out to your/your student’s counselor with any questions! We hope to see you there!
DVD Counseling Team
  • Pam Baker: Last names A-GL
  • Nicole Tafoya: Last names Go-O
  • Omar Sanchez: Last names P-Z

 

Posted in Grade 12

11th Grade College and Career Family Planning Meeting

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Attention Juniors and Families!
Please join the DVD Counseling team this week for the 11th grade Family College and Career Planning Meeting.
Please reach out to your/your student’s counselor with any questions! We hope to see you there!
Pam Baker: Last names A-GL
Nicole Tafoya: Last names Go-O
Omar Sanchez: Last names P-Z
Posted in Grade 12

Join Us for the Final 9th Grade Parent/Guardian Community Group Session!

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Dear 9th Grade Parents and Guardians,

We invite you to join us for the final session of this year’s 9th Grade Parent/Guardian Community Group!

Thursday, March 19 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.

RSVP HERE

This meeting series is designed specifically for 9th grade families at DVD. Whether this is your first time attending or you’ve joined us before, all are welcome—no prior participation is required. During this session, we will focus on the 9th Grade Exhibition.

We hope you can join us!

Posted in Grade 12

LA Black College Expo!

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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!

 

REGISTER HERE

Posted in Grade 12

Introducing: The Da Vinci Family CFO Training Series

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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 3 (March 19): 529 Mastery: Maximize tax advantages and avoid costly mistakes
  • 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.

Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade, College Counseling, Events

SAVE THE DATE: 9th Grade Parent/Guardian Community Group

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Dear 9th Grade Parents and Guardians,

 

Please join us for the first session of the spring semester of the 9th parent/guardian community group.

Thursday, 2/5 at 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

This series of meetings is specifically intended for 9th grade parents/guardians at DVD! No prior attendance is required! All are welcome to join!

We hope to see you there!

Posted in Grade 12

POL Clothing Closet

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Dear Design Families,
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:
  • Button-down dress shirt or non-revealing blouse (must cover shoulders);              Sweater, collared shirt, Suit jacket (optional)
  • 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

Thank you for your support!
Posted in Grade 12

Senior Families: Join us for a FAFSA/CADAA Workshop Next Week

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Hello Senior Families!

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:

  1. Social Security Number -parent(s) and student or Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)
  2. 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)
  3. Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
  4. 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

 

We hope to see you there!

Posted in Grade 12

LA County Parks Food Programs

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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.

 

CLICK HERE for more information

Posted in Grade 12
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