Archive for October 28, 2022

Week 12 Preview

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

So many exciting things to look forward to in the next week! DVD’s annual costume contest in honor of Halloween, a whole week full of spirit, our second Coffee with Admin Zoom session for parents/guardians, and our first school dance of the school year!

A big shout out goes to our 10th grade students and teachers today for the amazing cardboard boat races that happened today! It was SO much fun to watch students find out if their boats would sink or swim. Thank you to our friends at the El Segundo Aquatics Center for all of your help and coordination with this activity! We can’t wait to share all of the fun and photos from this exciting event during Exhibition Night on November 15th!

See the Week 12 bell schedule below:

Upcoming Events and Key Updates

  • 10/31-11/4: Spirit Week! See flier below.
    • Please remind students that full-face masks and fake weapons will not be allowed in classrooms on Halloween, 10/31
  • Monday, October 31st: Deadline to complete federal meal application:
    We need every family to complete a federal Meal Application by October 31st to maximize funding for ALL Da Vinci students.
  • Blood Drive on Monday, 10/31: Our National Honor Society has partnered with the Red Cross to host a blood drive at Da Vinci Schools on Halloween! Please sign up here: Da Vinci Blood Drive Sign Up (Red Cross)
  • Wednesday, November 2nd: Coffee w/ Admin (Two Sessions: 8am & 5pm)
    • All parents/guardians are welcome!
    • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94873043049
    • Agenda: 1) School Updates, 2) Fentanyl/Drug Crisis and Student Health, 3) Q&A
  • Wednesday, November 2nd @4:30pm: School Site Council Meeting #2
  • Saturday, November 5th: Semi-Formal Dance!
    • 6pm – 9pm @ the DV Schools Campus (201 N. Douglas)
  • Friday, 11/11: Veteran’s Holiday – NO SCHOOL
  • Tuesday, 11/15: Exhibition Night (10th & 12th grades)
    • All families, friends, alumni, and community members welcome!
    • Location: Da Vinci Design, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

College Visits (Week 12): (Seniors can sign up via Naviance)

  • UCLA – Tues November 1, 2022
  • Scripps College – Thurs November 3, 2022
  • Hawaii Pacific University – Fri November 4, 2022

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

Announcements from Real World Learning Director (10.26.2022)

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Hello Da Vinci Scholars and Families,

We hope you enjoyed coming onto campus for Student Led Conferences last week! Check out the new RWL opportunities below:

For students interested in journalism, podcasting, photography, or video:
The LA Times is offering 10 weeks of intensive, hands-on internship experiences. They’re placing interns throughout the departments of the Los Angeles Times:

Metro/Local
Entertainment and Arts
Sports
Politics
Business
Features/Lifestyle (Fashion, Food, Travel, Home Design, Plants)
Foreign/National
Editorial Pages/Op-Ed
Photography
Video
Data and Graphics
Design
Digital/Engagement
Podcasting

These are paid internships and placements usually run from June to late August. They are also offering spring internships for Southern California students. The application for the 2023 Spring or Summer Internship Programs is open. The deadline to apply is November 15. Click here to apply. Applicants for spring will receive email notification of the committee’s decision by Feb 1, 2023. Summer internship applicants will be informed by March 1, 2023.

For students interested in art: 
The Vigilant Love Solidarity Arts Fellowship is a six-month program for Japanese & Muslim American young adults between ages 18 and 25 who have the desire to build meaningful & transformative relationships, experience multi-disciplinary arts & healing justice practices, and organize to resist Islamophobia & white supremacy. Fellows will gain access to facilitation, training, and mentorship from long-time, experienced leaders and artists from Muslim, Japanese, Black, Indigenous, and POC communities. All interested applicants must submit their responses by Sunday, December 4th, 2022. Click here to apply.

For students interested in science and engineering: 
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program places high school students in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories where they take part in real Naval research for 8 weeks during the summer. SEAP is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in STEM and have the opportunity to learn about Naval research and technology while receiving first-class mentoring by top scientists and engineers. SEAP is a competitive program with around 300 placements in more than 30 labs around the country. Inters are selected based upon academic achievement, personal statements, recommendations, and career and research interests. Click here to learn more. Click here to apply. Applications close November 2.

 

Posted in Real World Learning

More Than a Meal Application…We Need Your Help by Oct. 31st!

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don't leave money on the table. Complete a meal application by oct. 31

Da Vinci Families – We need your help!

Both the state and federal government require Da Vinci to report the number of students each year who qualify for free and reduced meals. Although meals are currently being provided to all students free of charge, Da Vinci’s percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced meals greatly impacts the amount of additional funding Da Vinci can receive.

Da Vinci is so close to qualifying for additional funding… Even a small increase in eligible forms collected results in significantly more money for ALL students.

We need every family to complete a federal Meal Application by October 31st to maximize funding for ALL Da Vinci students.

Please fill out the application online at MySchoolApps.com. Only complete one application per family. This information will not be shared or utilized for any other purpose.

Based on your circumstances, your family may qualify for P-EBT food benefits, low-cost internet access, utilities assistance, fee waivers for college applications, SAT/ACT and Subject Test fee waivers, scholarships, and more!

Don’t delay — you may be eligible for significant savings while helping Da Vinci maximize funding for ALL students.

Please complete a meal application no later than Oct. 31st at MySchoolApps.com. We thank you!

If you need assistance, please contact Sara at meals@davincischools.org or visit www.davincischools.org/meals.

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

Week 11 Preview

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Greetings Designers and Design Families!

It was so wonderful meeting you, parents and families, this week for Student Led Conferences! We appreciate your time and investment in the learning success of your children. We are here to support your students aspirations and goals – and expect each and every one of our students to do and be their best!

Next week, we will resume full days including seminars – and we will end the week with a spooky / spirit week themed Community Dialogue! See the Week 11 schedule AND a flier for spirit week (10/31-11/4) below!

It is time for us to do our bi-annual parent/guardian survey! Your positive feedback and participation is important to us. Please help us learn about our successes and about where we need to grow. If you did not get a chance to participate during SLCs, please do so today!

Upcoming Dates and Events:

  • Friday, 10/28: Community Dialogue Assembly
  • 10/31-11/4: Spirit Week!
  • Friday, 11/11: Veteran’s Holiday – NO SCHOOL

College Visits (Week 11 & 12): Seniors can sign up via Naviance

  • Loyola Marymount University – Mon October 24, 2022
  • UCLA – Tues November 1, 2022
  • Scripps College – Thurs November 3, 2022
  • Hawaii Pacific University – Fri November 4, 2022

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

Announcements from Real World Learning Director (10.17.2022)

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Hello Da Vinci Scholars and Families,

Check out the new RWL opportunities below:

For students interested in sports, hospitality, and fitness:
Bay Club is offering a 12-week course that exposes students to different areas of the Bay Club business while providing valuable experience to those interested in a career in hospitality, sports, fitness, and more. The course runs from Monday, October 24-Saturday, December 31, 2022. For more information and to attend a career fair, fill out this form today.

For students interested in music:
The Music Foundation is offering virtual modules for young people who are exploring careers in the music industry. Check out their sessions here. 

For students interested in exploring different careers:
Kollab Youth will be launching its Winter Cohort Virtual Workforce Development Program for Teens 13-19.  This program will start January 16, 2023, and helps youth to explore different career industries every week like Technology, Entertainment, Food Science, Money Management, Mental Health, Construction, Carpentry, and more! Participating companies include Kaiser Permanente and Target.  Virtual classes are held every Wednesday and Thursday at 4:15 pm. Students are eligible for field trips, jobs, and internships after they complete the 9-week program. Low-income youth are encouraged to apply. To apply, click here.

For students interested in film:
Applications are open now for the Fresh Films Weekly Filmmaking Program! Join the Film Crew and make movies every Thursday starting October 27! The program is 100% FREE and no experience is necessary! Space is limited so APPLY NOW! Registration ends October 20! Virtual options are also available. In-person classes are held at the Boys and Girls Club at Los Angeles Harbor. 

For students interested in video games, art, production, music, and journalism:
Women in Games offers a free digital-only event on Discord on October 26th – 28th. Students will see industry professionals including a few well-known faces who will drop into a Discord channel to take part in roundtables. Professionals will advise students on pathways into video games, review portfolios and share insight into what they do. There will also be a series of keynote speakers, who will join a line-up of programmers, artists, producers, musicians, journalists, voice actors and many more for three days of expert advice. Students can sign-up for free right here.

Posted in Real World Learning

Marissa Crook Named as New Wiseburn Da Vinci Athletics Director

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welcome new athletics director

We are excited to announce that Marissa Crook has been named Athletics Director of the Wiseburn Da Vinci Athletics program. Marissa assumed her duties last week.

For the past 12 years Marissa has worked to create and improve Physical Education and Athletic programs at the schools she has served. Marissa brings experience in building athletic teams and programs from the ground floor as an inaugural coach and athletic director. As a former high school and college athlete, Marissa has a passion for providing students with opportunities to thrive in both their academic and athletic endeavors.

Marissa’s focus is on building a positive and respectful culture of athletics whose members represent our schools and the WDV Athletics program with pride. “I am excited to be part of Da Vinci Schools and to serve in the Wolves’ Athletic Program. I hope to see many student leaders and athletes engaged in the community as exceptional ambassadors of the spirit and dedication of Da Vinci Schools and Athletics.”

Marissa is coming at an exciting time for Wiseburn Da Vinci Athletics which moved to the Pioneer League this school year. The new league benefits our student-athletes by providing a more competitive experience, more consistent game schedules, additional team levels, shorter travel times, and more.

Marissa earned her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology-Physical Education from Cal State Northridge, a teaching credential from Cal State Bakersfield, and a Master’s in Kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University.

Marissa was selected from a pool of 146 candidates. The top three candidates were interviewed by a joint Wiseburn Da Vinci Interview Panel composed of Wiseburn and Da Vinci administrators, Wiseburn community members who are parents with students attending both Wiseburn and Da Vinci schools, student-athletes, and coaches. We are deeply grateful to our panel members, as well as to Wiseburn Superintendent Dr. Blake Silvers for his athletic director expertise and for helping us through this process. We also wish to express our gratitude to Tori Grafeman, WDV Assistant Athletics Director, who did a wonderful job in her role and continues to be a highly valued member of the Da Vinci organization.

Marissa can be reached at mcrook@davincischools.org. Welcome to the pack Marissa! Go Wolves!

For the latest Athletics news and announcements, subscribe to our new WDV Athletics blog at athletics.davincischools.org.

 

Posted in Sports

Week 10: Student Led Conferences This Week

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Happy Monday! This week, we have SLCs starting today. Please use the links below to access resources for each grade level.

Reminder: We have minimum days Mon-Thurs (10/17-10/20) this week. Students will be released at 1:45pm. Friday (10/21) will have normal start and end times.

The Week 10 DVD bell schedule is here:

Student Led Conferences (SLCs): Grade Level Resources

Click links below to access SLC materials!

It is time for us to do our bi-annual parent/guardian survey! Your positive feedback and participation is important to us. Please help us learn about our successes and about where we need to grow.

Upcoming Dates and Events:

  • 10/17-10/21*: Student-Led Conferences (SLCs)
        *SLC days are early release days: classes end at 1:45pm
  • Friday, 10/28: Community Dialogue Assembly
  • 10/31-11/4: Spirit Week!
Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade

Cash for College Event Hosted by El Camino College: Saturday, October 15 from 10am-12pm

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Seniors Families!  We encourage you to attend the Cash for College event hosted by El Camino College this Saturday, October 15 from 10am-12pm. This FREE event is for seniors and their families to receive help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act (CADAA) and Chafee Grant for Foster Youth applications.

All students and families are welcome and you do not have to be a current or future El Camino College to attend.  See flyer below for details

 

FREE FOOD PROVIDED BY IN-N-OUT!

 

Posted in Grade 12

FAFSA webinar recording and helpful links

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Thank you to all Da Vincians who joined us on Thursday 10/6 for our Financial Aid Workshop for Senior Families.  In this workshop, we provided a general overview and explanation of the federal student financial aid process. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) were explained along with grants, federal loans and scholarships.  The session was recorded and can be found HERE

Important Reminders and Resources on Financial Aid:

 

  • To complete and sign a FAFSA electronically, both the student and the parent need an FSA ID.  CLICK HERE for information/a helpful video on creating an FSA ID.

 

  • If you are applying to a private college, you many need to complete the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.  The CSS Profile is used to assess the student for institutional aid, which may include merit-based aid.  Here is a list of colleges that requires the CSS Profile.

 

  • If you are an undocumented student, you may be eligible for the state aid and institutional aid.   Please complete the DREAM Act Applicationto apply for these funds. Please connect with your counselor if you need support with this process.

 

  • If you are or were a foster youth, you may qualify for the CHAFEE Grant. Please connect with your counselor if you need support with this process.

As always, please reach out to your respective counselor if you have any questions.

 

  • The DV Counseling Team
Posted in 12 Grade, College Counseling

Week 9: PSAT Day and SLCs Next Week

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Greetings Designers and Design Families!

This week, we are looking forward to a short but impactful week! We are preparing for the PSAT Test Day on Wed, 10/12. Thursday and Friday there is no school due to staff professional development. And, we are getting ready for Student Led Conferences (aka: SLCs) next week! Every student is expected to participate in SLCs this semester. SLCs will happen on campus unless a Zoom meeting is requested. See below for SLC schedules and details.

Last week, we wrapped up with a very special Community Dialogue in honor of Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month! We celebrated with banda music, dancing, student performances, and games. A special shout out goes to our Latinx Student Union, Leadership team and advisor teachers for helping to coordinate this special celebration. See photos below!

Here is special schedule for Week 9 (10/10-10/14):

Student Led Conferences (SLCs): Grade Level Resources

Click links below to access SLC materials!

It is time for us to do our bi-annual parent/guardian survey! Your positive feedback and participation is important to us. Please help us learn about our successes and about where we need to grow.

Upcoming Dates and Events:

  • Wednesday, 10/12: PSAT/SAT Testing Day
  • Thursday, 10/13 & Friday, 10/14: No School – Staff Development
  • 10/17-10/21*: Student-Led Conferences (SLCs)
        *SLC days are early release days: classes end at 1:45pm
  • Friday, 10/28: Community Dialogue Assembly
  • 10/31-11/4: Spirit Week!

College Visits (Week 9): Seniors can sign up via Naviance

  • University of California-San Diego – Tue October 11, 2022
  • Soka University of America – Wed October 12, 2022
Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade
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