Da Vinci Design

Hello, Da Vinci Design Families!

We are heading into Week 11, and there is plenty to look forward to at DVD! From celebrating Halloween Spirit Week to preparing for the season of gratitude, we have some exciting activities and important dates coming up.

Halloween Spirit Week Is Here!

Get ready to show your DVD pride because Halloween Spirit Week is this week, October 26–29! We are looking forward to seeing our students and staff participate, have fun, and bring some extra energy to campus. Halloween Spirit Week is a great opportunity to celebrate our school community, build connections, and create memories together.

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

October 26–30: Halloween Spirit Week!

Friday, October 30: CLD

Friday, October 30: Da Vinci School Dance

Monday, November 2: Professional Development Day (PD)

Wednesday, November 4: Chat with Admin

Friday, November 6: Progress Reports Mailed Home

Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day

Monday, November 16: Parent Advisory Committee Meeting

Monday, November 16: Words of Appreciation Deadline

Wednesday, November 18: Thanksgiving Basket Donation Deadline

Friday, November 20: Thanksgiving Baskets Delivered to Staff

Thanksgiving Baskets: Showing Our Appreciation!

As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible people who make Da Vinci Design such a special place. From our teachers and counselors to our paraeducators, custodial team, and front office staff, each person plays an important role in supporting our students and school community.

To show our appreciation, we are organizing Thanksgiving Baskets for our DVD staff! Each staff member will receive a basket filled with treats and heartfelt messages of gratitude from students and families.

We would love your help in making this tradition special!

Here is the sign-up page link: Design Families: Staff Gratitude Baskets

How Can You Contribute?

1. Donate Treats and Goodies

Beginning Monday, November 2, families are invited to contribute non-perishable items, including:

Individually wrapped popcorn, gummies, trail mix, chips, pretzels, candy, or cookies

Hot chocolate, coffee drinks, tea, or sparkling water

Small gift cards ($5 to Target, Starbucks, etc.)

Other non-perishable snacks and treats

Donation Deadline: Wednesday, November 18

Donations can be dropped off in the collection box located in the first-floor front office.

2. Share Words of Appreciation

Sometimes the most meaningful gift is simply a few kind words!

We encourage students and families to write a note of gratitude, encouragement, or appreciation for our wonderful staff members.

You can submit a digital message using the link below:

DVD Staff Appreciation Notes

All digital messages will be printed and included in the Thanksgiving baskets. Handwritten notes can also be dropped off at the front office by Monday, November 16.

Whether it’s a favorite teacher, a counselor who has offered support, or a staff member who makes your student smile, this is a wonderful opportunity to let them know how much they are appreciated.

Thank you in advance for helping us spread kindness and gratitude throughout our DVD community!

This Week’s Bell Schedule

Looking Ahead

As we continue through the semester, we encourage our students to stay focused, remain engaged in their learning, and finish the coming weeks strong. There is so much to celebrate at Da Vinci Design, and we are grateful for the continued partnership of our families.

Let’s have a fantastic Week 11, Design!

Here we go, Week 10! Before we jump into another busy week at DVD, we want to start with a huge THANK YOU to all of our families who joined us for Student-Led Conferences last week!

We appreciate you taking the time to show up, listen, ask questions, celebrate growth, and support your student. Your partnership means so much to us!

And a special shoutout to our Designers! We are incredibly proud of our students for taking the lead, reflecting on their learning, and sharing their progress so far this school year. SLCs are all about student voice and ownership, and we loved seeing our students step up and share their stories!

PSAT & SAT THIS WEEK

This week, we have PSAT and SAT testing happening on campus this Thursday!

These assessments are an important opportunity for our students to see where they are academically, practice for future college entrance exams, and continue preparing for what comes after high school.

Families, please help our students come ready to do their best by making sure they:

Get a good night’s sleep

Eat breakfast

Arrive at school on time

Come ready to give their best effort!

We know testing days can feel long, so let’s encourage our Designers to take their time, stay focused, and show what they know!

Bell Schedule this Week

LOOKING AHEAD

A few important dates to have on your calendar:

Friday, October 30 — CLD
Our next Career Learning Day is coming up! Stay tuned for additional information about the day.

Monday, November 2 — PD Day
There will be no school for students as our staff participates in professional development.

Friday, November 6 — Progress Reports
Progress reports will be mailed home on Friday, November 6. This is a great time for students and families to check in on grades, celebrate progress, and make a plan for any areas that need additional attention.

LET’S HAVE A GREAT WEEK 10!

Thank you again to our families for continuing to partner with us and to our students for taking ownership of their learning. We have a lot happening at DVD, and we appreciate our entire community for continuing to show up for one another.

Here we go with Week 9!

Can you believe we are already heading into Week 9?! We have a BUSY week ahead at DVD with SLCs, Spirit Week, PAC, the Great ShakeOut, and CD all happening this week!

There is a lot going on, so stay organized, check the bell schedule, and make sure you know where you need to be. Let’s make it a great one!

IT’S SLC WEEK!

Designers, it’s your time to shine! Student-Led Conferences are happening this week, and this is your opportunity to share your progress, reflect on your growth, and show your families what you have been working on.

Come prepared, take ownership, and be proud of your journey so far this semester. You’ve got this!

Reminders for families arriving for SLCs:

• Families can find parking anywhere in the lot north of 201 N. Douglas St.
• Please check-in on the 1st floor upon arriving to get a name tag and find which classroom to report to
• Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time to allow time to check-in

Student Led Conferences (SLCs): Grade Level Resources

9th Grade Team Resource: 9th Grade Spring SLC Schedule

10th Grade Team Resource: 10th Grade SLC Fall 2026 Student Parent Letter

11th Grade Team Resource: Grade 11 SLC Overview Fall 26

12th Grade Team Resource: Fall 2026 SLC Letter to Families

PAC — Monday (TOMORROW) @ 5PM!

Our next Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting is happening tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom!

We love having our families join us, hear what is happening around DVD, ask questions, and share their voices. We hope to see our DVD families there!

LSU SPIRIT WEEK!

It’s LSU Spirit Week, Designers!

Make sure you check out the themes for each day, participate, and bring that DVD energy all week long. We want to see you showing up and having some fun!

GREAT SHAKEOUT — THURSDAY

On Thursday, DVD will participate in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill.

This is an important opportunity for our entire community to practice what to do in the event of an earthquake. Take the drill seriously, listen to staff directions, and help us make sure DVD is ready and prepared.

LSU CD — FRIDAY!

We’ll finish out our busy week by coming together for CD on Friday!

Bring the energy, Designers!

LOOKING AHEAD — OCTOBER 30

Save the date because October 30 is going to be a BIG day at DVD!

CLD
Fall Dance

More information will be coming soon, but get October 30 on your calendar now!

CHECK THE BELL SCHEDULE!

With everything happening this week, make sure you are paying attention to the bell schedule posted below.

Stay organized. Show up for your SLC. Participate in Spirit Week. And let’s keep taking care of each other as we head through Week 9.

Let’s have a GREAT week, Designers!

Design Families!

Next week is SLC week at Da Vinci Design October 12th-15th, and we are excited to have you on campus with us! SLCs are an important time when parents and teachers come together for a meeting led by the student. It is a time to highlight a student’s strengths and hard work, to encourage students to set new goals, and to ask guiding questions so students can take ownership of their learning. Every student is expected to participate in leading an SLC with a parent/guardian present this semester. SLCs will happen in-person. See below for SLC schedules and details presented by each grade level teaching team.

Reminders for families arriving for SLCs:

• Families can find parking anywhere in the lot north of 201 N. Douglas St.
• Please check-in on the 1st floor upon arriving to get a name tag and find which classroom to report to
• Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time to allow time to check-in

Student Led Conferences (SLCs): Grade Level Resources

9th Grade Team Resource: 9th Grade Spring SLC Schedule

10th Grade Team Resource: 10th Grade SLC Fall 2026 Student Parent Letter

11th Grade Team Resource: Grade 11 SLC Overview Fall 26

12th Grade Team Resource: Fall 2026 SLC Letter to Families

Designers and Families,

We wrapped up another great week at Da Vinci Design! Week 7 was filled with community, connection, and some great moments with our students. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for continuing to make Design such a special place.

A special shoutout to our seniors for two successful events this past week! Our Multicultural Food Fest was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the cultures, traditions, and foods represented within our community. We also had a successful Feeling Well Friday, giving our seniors another opportunity to connect, recharge, and focus on wellness. Thank you to everyone who helped make both events happen!

Chat With Admin – Wednesday, October 7

Our next Chat With Admin is this Wednesday, October 7 5pm. This is an opportunity for families to connect with our administrative team, hear updates about what’s happening at Design, ask questions, and stay connected to our school community.

We hope you can join us!

Here is the Zoom Information:

Topic: Chat With Admin

A reminder that Friday, October 9 is a Professional Development Day for our staff. There will be NO SCHOOL for students.

Our staff will spend the day learning, collaborating, and continuing the work of strengthening teaching and learning across Design.

Student-Led Conferences Are Coming!

We are already looking ahead to Week 9 and Student-Led Conferences (SLCs), beginning the week of October 12!

SLCs are an important opportunity for students to take ownership of their learning, reflect on their progress, celebrate their growth, and share their goals with their families.

SLC schedules and documents will be posted on the Blog later this week, so please keep an eye out for that information as you prepare for conferences.

Important Dates at a Glance

Wednesday, October 7 – Chat With Admin

Wednesday, October 7- Senior Sunrise

Friday, October 9 – Professional Development Day – NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Week of October 12 – Student-Led Conferences begin!

Week of October 12- LSU Spirit Week

October 12- Parent Advisory Committee Meeting 5pm Via Zoom

October 15- California Great Shakeout

October 16- LSU CD

Bell Schedule for Week 8

Thank you again for a successful Week 7! We are proud of the energy and community we continue to see across our campus and are excited for everything ahead.

Let’s have a great Week 8, Designers!

We want YOUR voice at the table!

Are you interested in getting more involved at Da Vinci Design and helping shape our school community? We invite all interested parents and guardians to join us for our first Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting!

📅 Monday, October 12
⏰ 5:00 PM
💻 Location: Zoom

What is the Parent Advisory Committee?

Our Parent Advisory Committee is an opportunity for families to connect with school leadership, share ideas, provide feedback, and have a voice in our school community. During our meetings, we’ll discuss school goals, student achievement, school culture, upcoming initiatives, and ways we can continue improving the Design experience for ALL students.

Whether you’re looking to get more involved or simply want to learn more about what’s happening at Design, we’d love to have you join us!

Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you!

We hope to see you on October 12!

Here is the Zoom Link!

Senior Families — This One’s for You!

Calling all 12th Grade families! Join us for our upcoming DVD Family Community Group: Senior Edition: Helping Your Child Launch with Confidence!

As senior year gets underway, there is a lot to navigate as students prepare for life after high school. This virtual gathering is an opportunity for senior families to connect, ask questions, and learn how to best support their student through this exciting transition.

Wednesday, September 30
7:00–8:00 PM
Zoom

Scan the QR code on the flyer to RSVP and join us!

We hope to see our senior families there as we work together to help the Class of 2027 launch with confidence!

Here is more information:

Seniors-Parent Meetings 2026-27

Designers!

Here we go Week 7! And somehow, we are already heading into October! It’s hard to believe how quickly the first several weeks of the school year have gone.

Before we jump into the week ahead, we want to give a BIG thank you to our entire Design community for another successful week! Week 6 was full of learning, connection, and school spirit, and we appreciate our students and staff for continuing to show up and make Design such a special place.

We also want to give a huge shoutout to everyone who helped make last week’s Club Fair a success! It was awesome seeing our students explore different clubs, connect with one another, and find new ways to get involved on campus. Thank you to our student leaders, club advisors, and everyone who helped bring the energy!

Lockdown Drill – Wednesday

This Wednesday, we will be conducting a Lockdown Drill on campus. Drills are an important part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety and preparedness. Students will receive directions from their teachers and staff, and we appreciate everyone taking the drill seriously and following instructions throughout the process.

Honors Decisions – Friday

A reminder that Honors decisions will be shared this Friday. We know many of our students have been working hard during these first several weeks and are looking forward to receiving their Honors placement decisions. Keep showing up, putting in the work, and finishing the week strong!

October Is Here!

This week also marks the beginning of October! A new month is a great opportunity to check in on goals, celebrate the progress we’ve made so far, and think about how we want to continue growing as we move further into the semester.

Bell Schedule for this Week:

Upcoming Dates:

September 30th: Lockdown Drill

October 7th: Chat with Admin 5pm Via Zoom

October 9th: Professional Development Day No Students

October 12th-15th: Student Led Conferences

October 15th: Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill

October 22nd: PSAT/SAT Test Day

Design Families,

We wanted to make you aware of a slight adjustment to our bell schedule for tomorrow, Friday, September 25. This change will help us better coordinate our shared campus spaces and ensure a smoother experience for our students.

Please take a moment to review the updated Friday bell schedule below:

We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and understanding with this small adjustment. Please make sure your student is aware of the updated schedule before arriving tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued support, and we’re looking forward to a great Friday at DVD!

See you tomorrow, Designers, for Club Fair!

Designers, we’re heading into Week 6, and there’s a lot happening this week at DVD!

First, A huge thank you to our Leadership students for kicking off our first CD of the year! We appreciate the energy, creativity, and school spirit you brought to our community. It was a great way to bring our Designers together and start building even more connection across campus. Thank you, Leadership, for setting the tone for a great year ahead!

Tomorrow is Career Learning Day (CLD), giving students an opportunity to step outside of their regular schedule and engage in experiences that help them think about their interests, future pathways, and the world beyond high school. We’re excited for our students to learn, explore, and make connections!

Then on Friday, it’s Club Fair! Club Fair is a great opportunity to find something you’re interested in, try something new, and get more connected to our DVD community. Whether you’re into art, culture, gaming, service, leadership—or something completely different—there’s a place for you. Find your people and get involved!

Also happening Friday: Progress Reports! Six weeks in is a great time to check in on your progress. Take a look at where you’re doing well, where you may need to make some adjustments, and what support you need moving forward. Remember—progress reports are a checkpoint, not the finish line!

As we continue to Build What Lasts, keep showing up, getting involved, asking for help when you need it, and taking ownership of your experience.

Here is the Bell Schedule for the upcoming week:

Let’s have a great week, Designers!