Da Vinci Design

Week 1 at Da Vinci Design: A Strong Start!

What an incredible first week back at Da Vinci Design! The energy on campus has been nothing short of inspiring—hallways filled with smiles, laughter, and the joy of reconnecting with friends after the summer.

From the very first day, our students have shown that they are serious about starting the year off right. We’ve been so impressed by the way they’ve embraced our cell phone policy, staying present in class, engaged in lessons, and focused on building strong connections with their peers and teachers. The level of attention and care students are bringing into their classrooms sets a powerful tone for the months ahead.

Families we thank you for the support with our Cell Phone Policy! Here is a brief version of what is happening at Design with the Cell Phone Policy:

Off and Away Helps Me Focus Today!

• Personal devices (cell phones, headphones/earbuds, ipads, etc.) should be powered off or placed in “Do Not Disturb” mode, and put in teacher designated area in classroom during instructional time. No phones allowed at all times in bathrooms. 
• If a student uses a device out of accordance to DVD policy, staff will:
  • Confiscate the device until the end of class.
  • Confiscate the device and turn it over to the office/administration.
  • Contact parent/guardian for notification (and/or pickup of device).
  • Prohibit the possession of personal (and/or school) devices on campus.

Whether it’s through Advisory activities, hands-on projects, or simply the excitement of seeing their friends and teachers again, the sense of community has been evident all week long. The positive energy on campus is a reminder of what makes Da Vinci Design so special—our students’ commitment to learning, collaboration, and supporting one another.

We are so proud of this amazing start and look forward to keeping the momentum going as we dive deeper into the year!

Here is what is coming up the Week of August 25th:

Get those smiles ready—Picture Day is happening next week on Monday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 26th during students’ English classes.

Picture Day is more than just a tradition; it’s a chance to capture memories, showcase those back-to-school fits, and officially mark the start of our 2025–26 school year at Da Vinci Design. These photos will be used for student IDs and the School Yearbook.

Next week, students have the opportunity to select their Seminar classes. Seminars take place at the end of the school day and give students the chance to explore areas of interest—whether that’s a sports/fitness seminar, a creative skill-building class like crochet or music appreciation, or an academic support seminar designed for extra help and tutoring. Seminar Enrollment will officially begin on Wednesday August 27th for Seniors and Juniors and continue Thursday August 28th for Sophomores and Freshmen.

Here is the Bell Schedule for next week:

Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

• Mon, Aug. 25th & Tues, Aug. 26th: Picture Day (during English classes)
• Wed, Aug 27th: 12th & 11th graders sign-up for seminars
• Thurs, Aug. 28th: 10th & 9th graders sign-up for seminars
• Mon, Sept. 1st: NO SCHOOL – LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
• Wed, Sept. 3rd: Coffee w/ Admin @8am and @5pm via Zoom
• Wed, Sept. 3rd and Thurs Sept. 4th: MAPS Testing
• Wed, Sept. 10th: 9th graders leave for Overnighter @ 8:40am
• Thurs, Sept. 11th: 9th graders return from Overnighter @ approx. 2:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 12th: No School – Professional Development Day
• Thurs, Sept. 18th: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 26th: DV Club & Service Learning Fair

A Little Photo Celebration of the First Day of School! Let’s Go Designers!!!!!

Receive College Credit through El Camino College for Fundamentals of Design 2, Intermediate Fine Arts and Advanced Fine Arts!

• 10th Grade
  • Art 110: Drawing Fundamentals I
• 11th Grade: 
  • Art 130: Two Dimensional Design Fundamentals I
• 12th Grade 
  • Art 160: Three Dimensional Design Fundamentals I 

This opportunity is open to ALL Students enrolled in Design 2, Intermediate Fine Arts, Advanced Fine Arts!

Applications will take place during class time. It is a two part process. Please provide your student with the following information to start:

Please watch this video for more information about Dual Enrollment 

Understanding Dual Enrollment at El Camino College

https://youtu.be/mQGNqhV8rIA

Questions? Please Email Mr. Kartez at jkartez@davincischools.org

Designers! You are invited to the South Bay/Los Angeles College Fair 2025 hosted by RBUSD! Use the QR or CLICK HERE to register!

Hello Designers!

*UPDATE – BUS 101 IS NO LONGER OFFERED!

Da Vinci Schools is partnering with El Camino College to offer three dual enrollment courses in the Fall 2025 term. All three courses are online and asynchronous.

El Camino’s fall term classes begin on August 25, 2025. Students who have never completed the El Camino College application should complete and submit it prior to August 22.

Da Vinci will be holding application “office hours” for students needing assistance with completing their application in the RWL Center computer lab (1st floor) on Tuesday 8/19 from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Students should know their SSN# (if they have one) and whether or not their family is considered a military family when they apply.

To be eligible to take a dual enrollment class, students need to be in grades 10-12 and be in good academic standing. Space is limited. Spaces will fill up on a first come first serve basis. 

*All application materials must be submitted by August 22nd @ 4:00pm.

If you are interested in signing up for dual enrollment options, please email Miss Pam for more information at pbaker@davincischools.org

Please click the photo below for course information:

Greetings Designers and Design Families! It’s about that time!

We hope you’re soaking up the last few days of a fun, safe, and restful summer! The countdown is almost over—our new school year begins on Monday, August 18, 2025, and we can’t wait to see our students back on campus. Our amazing staff has been hard at work preparing classrooms, planning engaging lessons, and creating a welcoming space for every student. It’s going to be a fantastic year, and we’re so excited to begin it together!

Important info including the 2025-2026 Student and Family Handbook and New Family Information can also be found in the “Resources” section (to the right via computer, or at the very end of this webpage via mobile phone). You can also find highlights of important upcoming dates below.

Welcome back Designers! We look forward to making this year the best one yet!

Sincerely,
Team DVD

***

First Day of School Info: Monday, August 18th

On Monday, August 18th, students will head to the field first, then be welcomed into the Black Box theater. Students walk through a tunnel of cheering teachers to the black box, where the whole school gathers before meeting in small groups within the classrooms. All students will begin the day in Advisory, and will receive their class schedules in Advisory. PowerSchool access is temporarily locked while we upload student schedules – but will be accessible on the first day of school. If a student believes there is an error in their school schedule, students should go to the front office during passing period after Advisory.

Remember: traffic during the first two weeks of school is busier than usual; we recommend you arrive in the parking lot at least 15 minutes before your school start time to ensure your child makes it on time. See parking lot reminders below.

Note: DVD is focused on creating comfortable, enjoyable experiences for our neurodiverse population by priming, posting, and providing. Students can expect loud volume and large crowds. Earplugs will be available near the student check-in at the bike racks. For an alternate entry or other support, please contact Asst. Principal Korina Pailin (kpailin@davincischools.org) by Sunday, 8/17.

This is the DVD Week One Bell Schedule:

For the 2025-2026 school year, the start time for Da Vinci Design will remain the same at 8:40am Monday-Thursday and the traditional “late start” for Friday is 9:45am. The end time for the school day is 3:45pm each day.

Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

• Mon, Aug. 18th: First Day of School!
• Mon, Aug. 25th & Tues, Aug. 26th: Picture Day (during English classes
• Wed, Aug 27th: 12th & 11th graders sign-up for seminars
• Thurs, Aug. 28th: 10th & 9th graders sign-up for seminars
• Mon, Sept. 1st: NO SCHOOL – LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
• Week of Tues, Sept. 2nd: Seminar (P8) Begins
• Wed, Sept. 3rd: Coffee w/ Admin @8am and @5pm via Zoom
• Wed, Sept. 10th: 9th graders leave for Overnighter @ 8:40am
• Thurs, Sept. 11th: 9th graders return from Overnighter @ approx. 2:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 12th: No School – Professional Development Day
• Thurs, Sept. 18th: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 19th: DV Club & Service Learning Fair

Parking Lot Details and Reminders

• Please drive safely and patiently in the parking lot; this means entering and exiting through the properly marked areas, dropping students off only in marked areas, and following the directions of our grounds supervision crew
• Drop off areas are located 1) at 201 N. Douglas AND at 2) [East] Grand Avenue. Do NOT stop in traffic to drop off students across the street or anywhere along Duley Road.
• Remind your students to please stay on the designated pedestrian pathways in order to help maintain their safety as they enter the school campus.
• Remember: you don’t have to wait to get to the front of line of the drop off area to have your students exit the vehicle.  They should exit as soon as the vehicle has come to a safe, complete stop. This will help to make sure the drop off area is used as efficiently as possible.
• Students will not be allowed to enter or leave school through the gym or the pool deck at any time.