The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) League Championship for the El Paso region was held at the UTEP Memorial Gym on Saturday, February 3, 2018. The team’s performance was by far the best of the season. Along with our alliance, Cathedral High School, the Da Vinci Dragons were able to secure first place in the Regional Alliance for the El Paso region. A best-of-three match in the final was a nail-biter to the end. Our drive team gave an outstanding performance! The marketing group wowed the judges. We can’t forget about the bot who had to maneuver slowly in the the field while accomplishing its task on its own. Kudos to the robot mechanics for building a robust robot! The team worked very hard and long this season. While many kids were still in bed, team 5670 spent their Saturdays programming, fabricating, and fine-tuning the bot. Marketing also spent their days constantly in search of sponsors and reaching out to the community to promote robotics and STEM. Coaches Insurriaga and Fernandez would like to thank the amazing and wonderful parent volunteers, team parents, faculty, staff, and of course, the team!

In the end, the Dragons won the FTC League Design Award, as well as the Winning Alliance Award. Both of these secured a spot for them in the Panhandle Plains FTC Championship which will be held in Lubbock, TX on February 17, 2018. We want to thank Coach Raya, Coach Hernandez, Ms. Saunders, and all the friends and family that came out to support the team at UTEP. Go Dragons!

The Literary Fair will take place in the Da Vinci auditorium. There will be games, literacy activities, and a pumpkin carving contest. Students are allowed to dress as a character from a book. The schedule is shown below:

• 10:30 A.M.-11:00 A.M.: 6th Grade
• 11:30 A.M.-12:00 P.M.: 7th Grade
• 12:00 P.M.-12:30 P.M.: 8th Grade
• 12:30 P.M.-1:00 P.M.: 9th and 10th Grades
• 1:00 P.M.-1:30 P.M.: 11th and 12th Grades

Dear Parents,

It is my pleasure to announce that Da Vinci won Sweepstakes in French this school year. We attended the awards ceremony last Saturday where several of our students received their medals and trophies. Also, we had a Platinum Grand Prix Winner in the 2017 National French Contest, Luis Mora.

A platinum winner is the highest award in Le Grand Concours — Luis Mora earned the top score in the nation in his respective level and division! The award includes a platinum medal, a plaque for the student, and a Laurét National certificate.

Here is the list of winners and some pictures. A special thank you to Ms. Burnham and Mrs. Gonzalez for their valuable support for the French program at Da Vinci. We are proud to be Dragons!

Respectfully,
Mme. Rocío Acevedo

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Teacher to Teacher

Mrs. Gonzalez, the superintendent, challenged Da Vinci teachers to answer one of the following questions with the expectation that a dialog concerning teacher procedures and protocols will set the tone and expectations that will lead to a multitude of student benefits.

1. How can we use Data Carousels at Da Vinci?
2. What do you do to support the use of data in your classroom?
3. How do you use data to reteach a lesson or concept?

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The following are a sample of teacher responses that reflect the commitment and professionalism of our faculty. We share these comments in order to promote a better understanding of what Da Vinci stands for, and how it expects to fulfill its mission: student success.

• 3. How do you use data to reteach a lesson or concept?
   
  After students complete an assessment, I analyze the SEs that were covered and the level of mastery for each student. I separate students into groups based on the SEs they did not understand and facilitate small group instruction to reteach specific concepts for students. Typically, after I have already taught a concept, I will focus on more hands on activities/graphic organizers to help students gain understanding in a more simplified way. From here, I build upon their knowledge until they have reached a satisfactory level of understanding. I do not only use summative assessments for to determine if a lesson needs to be retaught. I also use exit tickets, homework, and class assignments to determine students’ level of achievement. If needed I will reteach a concept to the entire class. [KM]
  • I really like your methods to ensure understanding and mastery of key concepts. In particular how you use a number of ways to ensure understanding. While it’s great that they show mastery on a test, it is still important that they are consistent with their exit tickets, homework, and class assignments. [PH]

The Da Vinci FTC team did exceptionally well at the FTC Championship, which was held at UTEP’s Memorial Gym on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. There were 17 teams competing which were mostly made up of High School students. Our fearless Dragons which consisted of mostly 7th and 8th graders did not let that deter them. They faced some challenges during the matches; including the loss of a wheel during the first match!! The team was able to work together to correct the problem and finish in 8th place. During the elimination round, they were selected by a team from El Dorado High School as an alliance partner. The team secured an invitation to the Panhandle Plains FTC Championship in Lubbock when they won the PTC Design Award for their scissor lift mechanism. Mr. Insurriaga and Mr. Orozco would like to thank Mrs. Gonzalez, DV teachers and staff, the entire team and their families, and also a special thanks to Mr. Rubio, and Mrs. Litman.

Twenty-seven Da Vinci 7th-8th grade students attended the middle school UIL competition in Van Horn. Da Vinci took second place overall. The following students placed in individual events:

• David Baca – 1st place 8th Grade Spelling
• Zach Cross – 4th place 8th Grade Chess Puzzles
• Chandni Garcia – 3rd place 8th Grade Art
• Chandni Garcia – 1st place 8th Grade Listening
• Zayya Gutierrez – 4th place 8th Grade Math
• Cash Johnson – 2nd place 7th Grade Maps, Graphs, and Charts
• Chloe Koenig – 3rd place 7th Grade Science
• Diego Legarreta – 1st place 7th Grade Chess Puzzles
• Diego Legarreta – 4th place 7th Grade Math
• Diego Legarreta – 1st place 7th Grade Social Studies
• Xavier Litman – 2nd place 7th Grade Chess Puzzles
• Xavier Litman – 3rd place 7th Grade Numbers Sense
• Xavier Litman – 4th place 7th Grade Social Studies
• Carlos Lopez – 4th place 7th Grade Chess Puzzles
• Alex Ovalle – 4th place 8th Grade Numbers Sense
• Hector Rios – 1st place 8th Grade Chess Puzzles
• AnaMaria Solis – 2nd place 8th Grade Social Studies
• Sebastian Velez – 3rd place 8th Grade Science

Da Vinci Middle School Dragons Win!

On May 5, 2016 the Da Vinci Dragons, Middle School won the Father Yermo Indoor soccer tournament. With a record of 7 wins and 3 losses, the Dragons went into the playoffs in 2nd place. The Dragons made it to the championship game by winning their playoff game 6 to 2 against the Maranata School.

The Championship game was played on May 5th, and after a fought out game that ended in a tied 1 to 1 the Dragons went into penalty kicks. Our Dragons outscored Father Yermo School 2 to 0 on the penalty kicks . This is the first time our Middle school soccer team wins the championship game. Congratulations!

Submitted by: Luis Lopez

2016 Braden Aboud Race

On Sunday May 15^th the Da Vinci Student Council participated in the 10^th Annual Braden Aboud Run/Walk. The Da Vinci team was one of the largest teams of the race with 83 participants. The race and foundation was formed in loving memory of 14 year old Braden who tragically passed away in a skiing accident in 2007. The annual run/walk is now one of the largest youth centered 5K’s in the nation. As a result of its success, the El Paso community can benefit from the B WARM Blanket Drive, the B Strong Show Giveaway, City of El Paso After School Project, student scholarships, school and organization grants, and various other initiatives. Da Vinci student council members had a great time walking/running the race and more importantly gave back to the community by participating. The giant inflatable obstacle course, climbing wall, pet adoption zone, and many booths and activities added to the overall great energy and positive experience. A special congratulations goes out to Mr. Villagrana who came in 13^th place. It was a twenty minute race but a lifetime of smiles and memories with great friends and family.

Submitted by: Luis Jacquez