Archive for January 31, 2014

Baby Fever

Da Vinci Design Juniors are currently being put to the ultimate test: being teen moms and dads… (at least for three weeks).

Biology students are learning how to bond with their 5 pound sugar baby and learning how to share the responsibility with their “partner” as part of the 11th grade Sugar Baby project. Digging deeper into the project, students are realizing that genetics play a huge role in their baby’s phenotypes (physical features) and that there are dominant and recessive genotypes (genes) that determine those features as well as possible hereditary diseases.

Students are caring for their “baby” 24/7. Safety is a number one concern. To ensure the safety of the sugar babies, fellow Design students and teachers are serving as eyes and ears and reporting any “neglect” to the children. In some accidental instances, sugar babies have been left at skate parks or on bike baskets, but other responsible “parents” nearby  took the leadership of reporting it and making sure the babies were kept safe and sound.

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The project is supposed to teach students to be accountable and to be responsible for their baby and pay attention to them. At first the students were all excited, but as time has passed, the students are starting to realize that it is hard work to take care of a child.

– Ms. Adabale

   11th Grade Bio Teacher

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Baby Giovannii

“The project has shown me that you can’t just leave the baby anywhere. It’s showing me that you have to be responsible to be a parent.”

– Joanna A.

Partner: Jazmine S.

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Baby Antonio

“It’s a life learning experience. It shows me that I’m too young to have kids. I need to get my career and education first.”

– Genesis G.

 “It’s been time consuming. It takes a lot of mental and physical energy. You can’t just leave it out of sight. It gives me another reason to wait.”

– Henry G.

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Baby Melvin

“It’s showing me that I need to be aware because someone might harm him. I need to keep an eye on it at all times to keep him safe. Even so, I know it’s nearly not as hard as the actual thing.”

– Ivan N.

Partner: Allan G.

Reported By: Kassandra Castellanos, Class of 2013

Alert: Lockdown Lifted

Dear Da Vinci Design Families,

Today at 11:55am at the request of the LA County Sheriff Southern California station, Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications were put on lockdown due to a home burglary west of our location. At 12:15pm, the LA County Sheriff informed us that the suspect was in custody, and that the lockdown was no longer in effect.  The lockdown was precautionary, as there was never a threat or person on campus who posed a danger to our students. The day will continue as normally scheduled for today.

“Just for Juniors” Meeting Tonight at 6 pm

Calling all junior parents!

Tonight is the “Just for Juniors” meeting starting at 6 pm in Jessica Jones’ classroom. Student PSAT results will be distributed and reviewed by SAT Instructor, Cordell Haynes. We hope to see you there.

Questions? Please email Megan Anderson at manderson@davincischools.org

 

 

Traffic and Safety Reminder!

Designers: Thank you for helping to make our campus and surrounding neighborhood a safer place for students and community members!  Just a few reminders about drop-off and pick-up times:

  • Please drop students off in the designated areas.
  • Do not allow students to get out of the driver’s side of the car.
  • Please have students use the crosswalks at all times.
  • Do not stop in the cone drop-off lane so traffic can keep flowing.
  • Please be respectful to our traffic and safety employees, and volunteers – they are working hard to make sure everyone gets to and from school safe and sound!

Please contact us at the school with any questions or concerns!

Week 20 Update

Hello Designers!  We hope you all enjoyed your day off today!  Below is the week 20 update.

Other events coming up in the weeks ahead at Design…

  • Family Association Meeting – “Just for Juniors” Night – January 27 at 6 pm
  • FAFSA Workshop for senior families – January 30 from 5:30-7 pm

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

week 20 families

Meeting Date Changes

CANCELLED – Tuesday, 1/21 Parent Association Meeting

NEW “JUST FOR JUNIORS” PARENT MEETING – Monday, 1/27 at 6 pm in Jessica Jones’ classroom

For the upcoming Parent Association meeting on 1/21, there has been a change in agenda because Dr. Wunder is no longer able to attend. This meeting will instead be moved to Monday, January 27th and directed toward the parents of our 11th grade DVD students. We will distribute and review the results of the PSAT that students took in the fall (10th grade PSAT results will be distributed at another time). At the 1/27 meeting, a guest speaker will present on the importance of the SAT and what to expect senior year.

We will also hold FAFSA financial aid workshops (for senior parents) on the following dates in Alexandra Martinez’s computer lab classroom:

January 30 from 5:30-7

February 20 from 5:30-7

**Parents will need to bring their filed 2013 tax return forms, or if they have not filed their 2013 taxes yet, their 2012 tax return forms.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Megan Anderson at manderson@davincischools.org

 

 

 

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