Archive for July 31, 2020

Counselor Update

Dear Families,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that I have stepped down from my role as a Counselor. Working at Da Vinci has been an amazing experience and I am thankful to have known you and supported you over the years. I believe in every one of our students and know that the gifts you have already, the gifts you are in the process of developing, and the gifts you have yet to discover will undoubtedly make the world a better place. Continue to work your hardest and reach out for support when in need. The new counseling team is fantastic and I am excited for you to get to know the new team members. Ms. Rodriguez and Mr. Stoll will be introducing them via the blog shortly; please lookout for the upcoming post.

Best,

Rachel Fusco

Family Orientation Meetings and Chromebook/Student Schedule Pick-Up

Dear DVD Community, 

I hope you and your loved ones are doing well. In compliance with the state and LA County Department of Public Health, DVD will begin the 2020-2021 school year remotely. In preparation for this, we will host a Chromebook/Schedule pick-up day on Tuesday, August 11th, and will be meeting virtually with new and returning families on Thursday, August 13th. Throughout the summer, our staff has been working to refine our remote learning program so that it meets the needs of all learners and focuses on the social, emotional, and academic growth of students. Specific details regarding the program will be discussed at our family meetings. Please see below for further information about the Chromebook/Schedule pick-up and virtual meetings. 

Chromebook/Schedule Pick-Up Day (at the 201 campus parking lot) – August 11, 2020

    • Chromebooks: Students may pick up a school-issued Chromebook 
    • Student Schedules/PowerSchool Login: All students will receive their schedules and PowerSchool login information.
    • More information regarding Student IDs to follow
    • Scheduled times for pick up
      • 9th grade: 8:30 am – 10 am
      • 10th grade: 10 am – 11 am
      • 11th grade: 11 am – 12 pm
      • 12th grade: 1pm – 2pm

Family Orientation Meetings – August 13, 2020

We look forward to meeting virtually with our wonderful DVD families and welcoming our new families to the DV Community. There is no doubt that we are working through this as a community, and we will get through it together. I wish you and your family a safe, healthy, and restful last few weeks of summer. 

 

Kind regards, 

Veronica Rodriguez                                                                    Russell Stoll

Principal                                                                                    Assistant Principal

 


 

Estimada comunidad de DVD: 

Espero que usted y sus seres queridos estén bien. En cumplimiento con el estado y el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Los Ángeles, DVD comenzará el año escolar 2020-2021 de forma virtual. En preparación para esto, organizaremos un día para recoger Chromebooks y Horarios de Clase el martes 11 de agosto, y tendremos junta en línea para las familias el jueves 13 de agosto. Durante el verano, nuestros maestros han estado trabajando para refinar nuestro programa de aprendizaje virtual, para que satisfacer las necesidades de todos los alumnos y se centre en el crecimiento social, emocional y académico de los estudiantes. Los detalles específicos sobre el programa serán discutidos en nuestras reuniones familiares. 

Día para recoger Chromebooks y Horarios de Clase  (en el estacionamiento del campus 201) – 11 de agosto de 2020

    • Chromebooks: los estudiantes pueden recoger un Chromebook emitido por la escuela 
    • Horarios de Clases  / Login de Powerschool: todos los estudiantes recibirán sus horarios e información de inicio de sesión de PowerSchool.
    • Más información con respecto a las identificaciones (ID)  de los estudiantes será comunicado pronto
    • Horarios programados para recoger Chromebooks
      • 9° grado: 8:30 am – 10 am
      • 10° grado: 10 am – 11 am
      • 11° grado: 11 am – 12 pm
      • 12° grado: 1pm – 2pm

Reuniones de orientación para familias – 13 de agosto de 2020

Esperamos reunirnos virtualmente con nuestras maravillosas familias de DVD y queremos dar una bienvenida a nuestras nuevas familias. No hay duda de que estamos trabajando en esto como comunidad, y lo superaremos juntos. Les deseo a usted y a su familia unas últimas semanas de verano seguras, saludables y relajantes. 

 

Saludos cordiales, 

Veronica Rodriguez                                    Russell Stoll

Directora                                                   Subdirector

Friday, July 31st: Technology Drop-Off and Yearbook Pick-Up

Hello DVD Families,

We would like to use the summer months as an opportunity to service all of our Chromebooks issued to students during the year. If your student is enrolled in summer school or if you were not able to return your student’s Chromebook during the technology drop off days, we will have one more opportunity for you to do so. Please bring your student’s Chromebook and charger to Da Vinci (201 N. Douglas St.) on Friday, July 31st between 9am and 3pm. 

We will also be distributing yearbooks to those who purchased them on the same date (Friday, July 31st) from 9am until 12 noon. There are a few yearbooks left for sale. If you would like to purchase one, the cost is $65. Only exact payments in cash will be accepted. Please plan to pick up your yearbook in the morning on Friday, 7/31.

Thank you,

Veronica Rodriguez

Da Vinci Dance Troupe recap

Hello Da Vinci Design families!

We are excited to share with you the Da Vinci Dance Troupe Summer Intensive 2020 recap below! In attendance was such an amazing group of faculty and students from around the world-see recap graphic below!  Please visit Instagram at @davincidancetroupe or email davincidancetroupe@gmail.com for faculty bios and additional information on the dance troupe.

DVDT Summer Intensive Recap

Technology Return Day: Friday, July 31

Hello DVD Families,

We would like to use the summer months as an opportunity to service all of our Chromebooks issued to students during the year. If your student is enrolled in summer school or if you were not able to return your student’s Chromebook during the technology drop off days, we will have one more opportunity for you to do so. Please bring your student’s Chromebook and charger to Da Vinci (201 N. Douglas St.) on Friday, July 31st between 9am and 3pm. 

Thank you,

Veronica Rodriguez

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Great opportunity to learn more about African American History and Culture:

 

Summer Reading Challenge

Join National Museum of African American History and Culture this summer for a new digital experience: the NMAAHC Summer Reading Challenge!

Students in grades 3 through 12 are invited to read fiction and nonfiction literature about African American history. The theme for summer 2020 is “Reading through the Galleries.”

Students will choose books from a list of monthly recommendations, explore related resources and activities, record their book selections, and send in their reading lists to receive a monthly digital completion certificate! Click here for more information.

African American Museum 1

African American Museum 2

 

Fall 2020 Planning & School Reopening Update

Dear Da Vinci Families,

I wish everyone a good start to summer. I also recognize the challenges that so many in our community are facing. The 2019-20 school year was anything but typical. I am deeply proud of our Da Vinci community of students, families, faculty and staff who have done exceptional work to keep our students engaged, learning and connected during this challenging time.

Today, I am writing to update you about our plans for welcoming students back to our campuses in Fall 2020, informed by guidelines from the L.A. County Department of Public Health, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the CDC, the California Department of Public Health, and the California Department of Education.

Summer Planning

Our school leaders and Central Office team are dedicating themselves to thoughtfully preparing for the reopening of our schools in Fall 2020. Our primary goals are to: (1) keep our students and faculty/staff healthy and safe; (2) bring our community together; and (3) optimize our learning environments to deliver high quality learning experiences within the required health and safety guidelines for school reopening.

Families play an important role in informing our decision-making. Organization-wide and school site surveys have been sent to all families. The org-wide survey received 538 responses and 167 parents/guardians volunteered to provide additional input to our reopening committees.

Fall Instruction

Given the information that we have at this time, we are preparing for all Da Vinci schools to re-open in mid-August in a hybrid (in-person + remote) format, within the guidelines established by county and state health officials.

We are currently planning for possible hybrid options in which students are divided into cohorts, with some instruction provided on campus, and some instruction provided remote. More details will follow in the next few weeks about potential hybrid schedules after gaining more insight from stakeholders.

We also are planning with flexibility in mind. Current plans for in-person classes in Fall may need to be adjusted or we may need to return to a 100% remote learning program should the L.A. County Department of Public Health direct us to do so. If so, Da Vinci Schools will be ready for any option, whether it is on-campus, a hybrid schedule, or a full-time remote schedule.

A full distance learning option also will be a choice for all Da Vinci students/families who, due to personal circumstances or elevated health risks associated with COVID-19, are unable to return to their school site physically for the Fall.

Planning for Healthy and Safe Campuses 

Da Vinci is still developing specific protocols, but all on-campus activities will be conducted under the following health and safety guidance (contingent upon direction from the L.A. County Department of Public Health):

  • Staggered start times and assigned entrances to keep students entering in a cohort made up of only their school-specific students and teachers. New drop off and pick up procedures also will keep students from congregating.
  • Active and/or passive wellness screening and symptom checking will occur daily for all entering the school. Students with symptoms or fever will not be allowed to enter school.
  • No large gatherings or assemblies will be held.
  • Minimal use of indoor common space.
  • Floor markings indicating 6 feet will be utilized at all Da Vinci facilities. Physical distancing of 6 feet or more required while in buildings/classrooms. Desks will be set up to promote distancing.
  • Physical barriers will be installed (plastic/plexiglass barriers) to maintain physical distancing in places that are high-frequency areas such as front offices.
  • Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings while at school.
  • Increased hand sanitizer stations.
  • Increased cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting.
  • Staggered schedules to pick up grab-n-go style meals and go directly outdoors to designated areas with social distancing in place for lunch.
  • Other health and safety guidelines that may be directed by state and local health officials.

Supporting our Community

We each have a role to play in keeping our community safe and healthy. Please protect yourself and those you interact with by wearing a face covering, practicing frequent handwashing, and honoring social distancing guidelines.

Thank you for your flexibility, patience and trust as we prepare for the safe reopening of our schools. I truly believe our Da Vinci family will continue to emerge even stronger.

With gratitude,

Matthew Wunder, Ed.D.
Chief Executive Officer