Welcome BAck 2019 logo

DVCA Staff 2019




Dear Da Vinci Families,

Welcome back to the 2019-20 school year. We hope summer has offered time with family and friends and provided time for adventure and relaxation. I had the chance to visit Yosemite, soak in some hot springs and spend time with my 2-year-old daughter. I’m glad to be back and get the year started!

 

We are glad to report that nearly all of our outstanding staff has returned for the upcoming year but we do have a few new teachers joining our staff. At the junior high site, we are excited to welcome Hannah Perkins (Science), Barbie Nolan (SPED) and Coleen Antonio (SPED). Ms. Perkins is a recent UC Davis graduate and DJUSD student teacher who brings a passion for learning science through hands-on experiences and projects. Ms. Nolan spent the last year student-teaching at our high school site and brings her experience and passion for inclusive education to the junior high. Ms. Antonio, brings multiple years of experience as a paraeducator to her new teaching position. Julia Kropinova joins the high school team as our new art teacher. Ms. Kropinova is a CSU Sacramento graduate and practicing artist in the area. She is accomplished in acrylic and mixed media on canvas but experienced in teaching all artistic mediums.  These new additions will strengthen our already talented and enthusiastic team.

 

The summer break has allowed for our staff to make some important changes and updates to our program. The Internet at our high school site has been significantly upgraded. We anticipate more reliable and faster service for our students and staff. Several new courses have been added. At the junior high we have added ACES, a study skills course. At the high school we have added two new courses. TQR is new a math course specifically for seniors that supports conceptual thinking and maintenance of math skills for students that don’t plan to pursue a STEM college program. The new AP CS Principles course takes a broad approach to computer science learning through topics such as programming, coding, cybersecurity and data sets. This course creates a second offering in our CS Pathway. We are also in the process of revising our policies and practices to support accountability in collaborative learning and to reduce the distraction of cell phones. More information on these updates will be shared with you in September.

 

There are also some notable long-term changes and opportunities on the horizon. We will begin the process of planning for the program and facilities changes that were approved by the DJUSD Board of Education on May 30th 2019. The program component of this plan includes moving our Da Vinci 9th graders from the current Da Vinci/Emerson Junior High campus to the Da Vinci High School Site in order to establish a 9th grade through 12th grade high school program. It also includes expanding enrollment of our 7th and 8th grade from 100 students to 140 students. On the facilities side of the plan, science lab/classrooms are being built on the Da Vinci/Emerson campus over the course of the next school year and the Da Vinci High School Campus will be receiving some much needed additions and upgrades. The list of improvements is extensive but some important highlights include:

  • an additional science lab/classroom
  • additional on-campus parking
  • re-location of the Children’s Center Preschool Programs to Korematsu Elementary and other satellite campuses
  • outdoor seating for students
  • re-location of the Da Vinci Administration, Counseling, and Student Support Services to the front offices of the Valley Oak Campus
  • dedicated P.E. locker rooms
  • additional restrooms
  • a gym with space for indoor athletic activities, performances, and community events

We are thrilled that you and your student have chosen Da Vinci Charter Academy for the 2019-20 school year. We consider it an honor and a privilege to be part of your student’s education. If you have questions about registration or anything else, please reach out to our DVHS Office at (530) 757-7154 DVJH Office at (530) 759-1615.

Best regards,

Tyler's Signature
Tyler Millsap   
 

Principal
Da Vinci Charter Academy
Annie's Signature
Annie Nelson

Vice-Principal & Site Administrator
Da Vinci Charter Academy Junior High 
Scott's signature
Scott Stephen Bell

Vice Principal
Da Vinci Charter Academy High School