Da Vinci Design

Week 23 Preview

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Russell Stoll

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was Spirit Week! It’s always so fun to see students engaged in dressing up and showing school spirit. Thanks to our student Leadership team for sponsoring this week, and Latinx Student Union (LSU) for giving this week a sweet ending with the “Conchas Con Carino” fundraiser!

Progress reports are being mailed home today on February 14th. The purpose of progress reports is to give families the opportunity to have a snapshot of student progress, and to be able to have a conversation at home with students about how to stay successful in school. This information will also be used by teachers and counselors in their plans to support all students. Please follow up with your child’s teachers directly with any questions about assignments or grades.

If you do not receive a progress report in the mail by Friday, May 3rd, please reach out by calling Da Vinci Design at 310-725-5800, or send an email Office Manager Maria Beltran at mbeltran@davincischools.org to request a digital progress report for your child.

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 23:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

Fri, Feb. 14th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
Mon, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day Holiday
Wed, Mar. 5th: Coffee w/ Admin
- All parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team
- 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
- Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
Mon, Mar. 10th – Thurs, Mar. 13th: Student Led Conferences (SLCs)
Fri, Mar. 14th: NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

Posted in Weekly Updates

Week 22 Preview

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Russell Stoll

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was National School Counseling Week! Thank you to our amazing counseling team for planning activities and announcements fitting this year’s theme: “Helping Students Thrive”. Counselors: we appreciate you and all you do for our students!

This week also kicked off Black History Month! Our DVD Black Student Union has decorated our grade-level hubs, and has also designed an installation on display in the atrium on the first floor in collaboration with BSUs from other campuses. We will have our annual Black History Month Community Dialogue assembly on 2/21 with performances, games, and presentations recognizing and honoring Black History Month.

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 22:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

Fri, Feb. 7th: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
- *CANCELLED* All-Schools Winter Dance!
Mon, Feb. 10th: Community Learning Day (CLD) #3
Tues, Feb 11th – Fri, Feb 14th: Spring Spirit Week!
- See flyer with Spirit Days below!
Tues, Feb. 11th: Parent Advisory Committee #4
- 5pm via Zoom
- Agenda: 1) Welcome, Introductions and Public Comment, 2) School Safety Plan Review, 3) WASC Updates & Visit Preparations, 4) LCAP: Goal 2 Review
- Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
Fri, Feb. 14th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
Mon, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day Holiday

Week 22: Spring Spirit Week!

Posted in Weekly Updates

Senior Activities 2025

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Korina Barefield

Hello Seniors and Senior Families:

You’re almost at the finish line! This week in English class, DVD’s Dean Ms. B presented important information for the Class of 2025.

See the link here for important dates and details regarding Senior Activities!
Senior Activities One-Sheet: Class of 2025

Important Class of 2025 Dates:

Prom – Friday, May 2, 2025
Disneyland Grad Nite – Friday, June 6, 2025
Graduation Ceremony – Thursday, June 12, 2025 @ 5pm

Posted in Grade 12

Cupid Shuffle Dance Canceled

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Emily Shapiro

Attention DVD students and families:

We have made the decision to cancel the Cupid Shuffle Dance scheduled for Friday, February 7th.

We know the students were excited about the event, and we’re sorry for any inconvenience. If you’ve already bought a ticket, a refund will be issued.

Thanks for your understanding.

Posted in Events, Student Life

“Coffee with Admin” for DVD Families (via Zoom) Tomorrow at 8am and 5pm

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Russell Stoll

Good Morning DVD Parents and Guardians,

Tomorrow, Wednesday Feb. 5th at 8am and 5pm join the DVD admin team for our monthly “Coffee with Admin” chat. Simply log on via Zoom and bring any school-related questions, or just sit back, relax, and hear about school updates. This will be our fifth Coffee with Admin of the 2024-25 school year. Hope to see you there!

Wed, Feb. 5th: Coffee w/ Admin

All DVD parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team.
8am or 5pm, via Zoom
Agenda: 1) Campus Updates & Highlights, 2) Upcoming Calendar Events, 3) Staff and Student Survey Feedback, 4) Q&A
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069

Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade

Week 21 Preview

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Russell Stoll

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was Neurodiversity Celebration week at DVD! Throughout the week, students participated in fun and engaging activities designed to celebrate our unique differences. We also unveiled a permanent sensory wall installation created by students which serves as a powerful reminder of disability awareness. We ended the week with a Community Dialogue celebration, with all-stars and games, too. See more pictures below!

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 21:

The final Da Vinci Schools “FAFSA Fridays Workshop Series” is on Feb. 7th. You can register here for the upcoming workshop. Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material. Click here for more information, flyer, and QR sign-up.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

Mon, Feb. 3rd & Tues, Feb. 4th: 9th Grade Physical Fitness Testing
Wed, Feb. 5th: Coffee w/ Admin
- All DVD parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team.
- 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
- Agenda: 1) Campus Updates & Highlights, 2) Upcoming Calendar Events, 3) Staff and Student Survey Feedback, 4) Q&A
- Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
Fri, Feb. 7th: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
- Fri, Feb. 7th is also the All-Schools Winter Dance!
Mon, Feb. 10th: Community Learning Day (CLD) #3
Tues, Feb. 11th: Parent Advisory Committee #4
- 5pm via Zoom
- Agenda: 1) Welcome, Introductions and Public Comment, 2) School Safety Plan Review, 3) WASC Updates & Visit Preparations, 4) LCAP: Goal 2 Review
- Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
Fri, Feb. 14th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
Mon, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day Holiday

Week 20 Campus Highlight: Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Posted in Weekly Updates

El Camino Spring 2025 Dual Enrollment

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Pam Baker

Hello DVD Juniors and Seniors,

This upcoming Spring semester, Da Vinci Schools is offering three dual enrollment courses.

COMS 100- Public Speaking

(Online)

BUS 101- Introduction to Business

(Asynchronous, Online)

HDEV 110

(Asynchronous, online)

In this course, students will compose, present, and evaluate original speeches. Emphasis is placed on audience analysis, topic selection, research, evidence, organization, delivery, and critical analysis of persuasive communication. Students are required to attend out-of-class speaking events.

3 units

Transfer CSU, UC

*meets graduation requirements at most CSUs

Start Date: February 18th, 2024

This course is a survey of organization and management factors influencing the establishment, location, and operation of businesses. This course emphasizes the functional area of accounting as well as the legal framework within which business activities are conducted. The course also emphasizes the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) in a multicultural and globalized environment.

3 units

Transfer CSU, UC

Start Date: February 18th, 2024

This course provides an exploration of cognitive, psychological, social and physical factors influencing success.
Topics include personal responsibility, critical thinking, motivation, self-efficacy, lifelong learning, health and
wellness, and interpersonal communication in a diverse world. Students will identify and utilize strategies and
resources for success in college, careers, and life.3 units;Transfer CSU, UC

Start Date: February 18th, 2024

Who: Juniors and Seniors from DVC, DVD, and DVS. Based on academic performance and review. 10th grade students will need El Camino dean approval (this means students will need to email the dept. dean at El Camino directly before submitting the dual enrollment form – please see Miss Pam for directions).

What: College courses at Da Vinci Schools, through El Camino College. Courses meet transfer requirements for most Cal State and UC campuses, as well as most private colleges and universities.

Why: Get a start on your college credits! It looks great on your college applications.

Cost: Free! The state of California and Da Vinci Schools pick up the costs, including textbook fees. Donations to help cover the cost of the textbooks from families that can are appreciated.

Where: Classes will be held virtually on the El Camino College student portal (Canvas & MyECC).

To be eligible to take a dual enrollment class, the student will need to pass all their academic classes from first semester, have no credit recovery for A-G classes, and be a junior or senior student. Space is limited and we are accepting forms on a first come first serve basis!

For more information click on the following links:

Applying to El Camino College

Application for Admission Help

Dual Enrollment Application

Please complete application and dual enrollment forms to your counselor ASAP as the Spring term is starting soon!

Thank you,

DVD Counselors

Posted in Grade 12

Spring Dance on Feb. 7th – Tickets Available Now!

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Russell Stoll

Get Ready to Dance at “The Cupid Shuffle” – DV’s Spring Dance!

Da Vinci is excited to host “The Cupid Shuffle”—this year’s Spring Dance—on Friday, February 7th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a sensory-friendly hour from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Ticket Information:

Presale: $25 (available through MySchoolBucks)
Deadline for Online Purchase: Thursday, February 6th, at 11:59 PM
At-the-Door Price: $30 (Friday, February 7th)

Event Details:

When: Friday, February 7th
Where: Da Vinci West Plaza
Dress Code: Semi-formal (dress up a little, but keep it comfortable!)
Who Can Attend: Only currently enrolled Da Vinci students (grades 9-12) – no outside guests permitted

Don’t miss out on a fun-filled night of music, dancing, and memories! Get your tickets early to save, and we’ll see you on the dance floor! [Check out the event flyer here.]

Note: We are using MySchoolBucks for the purchase of dance tickets and other school activities. Here are some resources you can use to set up your account, if you’ve never used it:

Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade, Events, Student Life

Week 20 Preview: Neurodiversity Celebration Week!

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Russell Stoll

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

We ended out week at DVD by recognizing a stellar group of students at our second annual POL Excellence Awards Breakfast in the Black Box Theater. At this event, students who were nominated for exceptional performances on their Fall 2024 Presentations of Learning got to do a “victory lap” presentation in a TedTalk-style format for families, friends and staff. Students presented game concepts, debate speeches, non-fiction stories, and so much more. Congrats again to our POL Excellence Awards Winners! See more pictures below!

Get ready—Neurodiversity Celebration Week is almost here!

Next week, we’re diving into an exciting celebration of how unique and diverse our brains can be. Neurodiversity is a concept that means that everyone’s brain works in its own special way, and there’s no ONE correct way to think, learn, or experience the world. We’re celebrating all the different ways people experience life, with a focus on understanding disabilities like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome, and more.

Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to participate in fun and engaging activities designed to celebrate these differences! We’re also excited to introduce a permanent sensory wall installation created by students, and a designated quiet space for use during passing periods. These new offerings were designed to honor the different ways people process the world around them, helping students find peace and relief amidst the hustle and bustle of school when they need it.

The Neurodiversity Student Committee has been working tirelessly since the start of the school year to bring this exciting and meaningful week to life. They’re thrilled to offer these amazing opportunities to encourage everyone to learn, grow, and celebrate the unique strengths we all bring to the table!

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 20:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

Mon, Jan. 27th – Fri, Jan 31st: Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
Mon, Feb. 3rd & Tues, Feb. 4th: 9th Grade Physical Fitness Testing
Fri, Feb. 7th: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
- Fri, Feb. 7th is also the All-Schools Winter Dance!
Mon, Feb. 10th: Community Learning Day (CLD) #3
Fri, Feb. 14th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
Mon, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day Holiday

Week 19 Campus Highlight: POL Excellence Awards (Jan 2025)