Archive for November 22, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving Break from DVD! (School Resumes 12/2)

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Seasons Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was Exhibition! Our 10th and 12th grade students did a phenomenal job. 10th Grade hosted the 3rd annual Boat Races at the El Segundo Aquatic Center, where our sophomores have used skills and concepts from all classed to design full-scale boats out of reclaimed cardboard and the raced them in the WDV pool. 12th Graders presented their Conscious Consumption Project. Seniors spent time this semester researching how to be conscious consumers, then developed products like lamps, handcrafted tote bags and ad campaigns based off of their research. See photos below from DVD’s Fall 2024 Exhibition!

Next week, 11/25-11/29, there is no school due to Thanksgiving Break. The DVD admin team, DVD front office team and central office team will be available via email on from 8am-4pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (11/25-11/27). You can also call Da Vinci Schools at 310-725-5800 to leave a voicemail during business hours and someone will get back to you. All administrative staff will be out of office Thursday and Friday (11/28 & 11/29).

  • For records requests (including work permits): reach out to Office Manager Maria Beltran at mbeltran@davincischools.org
  • For attendance and student information: reach out to Admin. Support Manager Leslie Alonso at lalonso@davincischools.org
  • For all other questions or concerns, reach out to Principal Russell Stoll at rstoll@davincischools.org

School resumes on Monday, December 2nd. Here is the Week 15 DVD Bell Schedule:

THANK YOU PARENTS AND FAMILIES!

We want extend a BIG THANK YOU to all of the DVD families who made contributions to our DVD staff gratitude baskets; thanks to all of you for donating time, treats, and messages of gratitude to our staff to help send them off on a much deserved break with a little something to let them know how appreciated they are. We love our DVD families!

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) had its first meeting of the year on Tuesday Nov. 19th. PAC is an opportunity for parents, students, & staff to work collaboratively to review the school program, review data and identify needs, & make recommendations regarding the School Safety Plan & the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). And this year it will be more important than ever as we gear up for our six-year WASC accreditation cycle and two exciting research partnerships. On Nov. 19th we discussed the purpose of of the committee, “what’s new” for 2024-2025, and research partnerships with UCLA and America Succeeds. If you are interested in seeing the slides and information shared during PAC #1, click here for the meeting slideshow or see the “DVD Parent Info Sessions & Coffee with Admin Slides” document on the DVD blog.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Monday Nov. 25th – Friday Nov. 29th: NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break
  • Mon, Dec. 2nd: School Resumes!
  • Mon, Dec. 2nd: English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting #2
    • 5pm via Zoom; Link coming soon
  • Wed, Dec. 4th: Coffee w/ Admin
    • All DVD parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team.
    • 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
    • Agenda: 1) Campus Updates & Highlights, 2) Upcoming Calendar Events, 3) Presentations of Learning (POLs), 4) Q&A
    • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
  • Tues, Dec. 10th: Parent Advisory Committee #2
    • 5pm via Zoom
    • Agenda: 1) Welcome, Introductions and Public Comment, 2) School Safety Plan Review, 3) WASC Introduction & Report Feedback
    • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
  • Wednesday Dec. 11th – Wednesday Dec. 18th: Presentations of Learning (POLs)
    • Wed Dec. 11th: Regular Leave Time at 3:45pm
    • Thurs Dec. 12th- Thurs Dec. 19th: *Modified Schedule* (8:40am-1:45pm Minimum Day)
  • Thurs, Dec. 19th: LAST DAY of the Semester (8:40am-1:45pm Minimum Day)
  • Fri, Dec. 20th: NO SCHOOL – Staff Development

Week 14 Campus Highlight: Fall 2024 Exhibition

Posted in Grade 12, Weekly Updates

Thanksgiving Food Drive

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DVD and DV Connect K-8 are working in conjunction with Big Sunday and their 13th annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event.

 

DVD will be collecting canned goods in our advisories.  The main items we want to collect are:
Canned green beans ( any brand )
Canned corn ( any brand )
To help Connect with their drive, we can also accept:
Bruce’s Canned Yams ( 15 oz )
Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce ( 14 oz )
We appreciate your support!
Posted in Grade 12

Show Your Gratitude for DVD Staff

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Dear DVD Students, Parents, and Guardians,

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we are all grateful for the tremendous work of our school staff – from our teachers to counselors to paraeducators to custodians to front office staff. To show our appreciation, we are organizing Thanksgiving baskets to deliver to our school staff on Friday, November 22nd. The idea is that each staff member will receive one basket containing treats and words of appreciation from students and families.

Here is how you can contribute to the baskets of Thanksgiving:

  1. Items: If you are interested and able to purchase something to show your appreciation, please consider non-perishable items such as: individually wrapped items (popcorn, gummies, trail mix, chips, hot chocolate, pretzels, candy, cookies), gift cards ($5 to Target, Starbucks, etc.), coffee drinks, sparkling water, tea, and any other non-perishable snacks. We need donated items collected by: Thursday, November 21st. All items can be left in a donation box on the first floor front office. 
  2. Words of Appreciation: There is nothing that means more to school staff than words of appreciation or encouragement. Please consider handwriting a note of thanks or typing one digitally here: DVD Staff Appreciation Notes We will be printing these digital messages and including all words of appreciation in the baskets. Handwritten notes can be dropped off by Thursday November 21st.

With gratitude for your ongoing encouragement and support,

Russell Stoll, Principal

Kirk Takeyama, Assistant Principal

Korina Barefield, Dean of Student Success and Culture

Posted in Grade 12

Week 14 Preview: Exhibition on Thursday Nov. 21st!

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Good Morning Designers and Design Families,

We had a short but sweet week at Design, and ended with fun sports-themed community dialogue to celebrate our student athletes and our upcoming Winter sports season! The highlight was a staff vs student basketball where out students came out on top.

Next week on Thursday, November 21st is Fall Exhibition! Both 10th and 12th grade will be displaying work.

  • 2pm-4:30pm at the El Segundo Aquatic Center, 10th Grade Boat Races:
    Sophomores have used skills and concepts from Math and Chemistry class (like surface area and buoyancy) to design full-scale boats out of reclaimed cardboard in their Fundamentals of Design 2 class. And, on the afternoon of Exhibition, they will be racing each other across the ESAC pool for our 3rd annual Boat Race! We hope you can stop by to see who will be our champion this year.
  • 5:30pm-7:30pm at 201 N. Douglas, 12th Grade Conscious Consumption Project:
    Seniors spent time this semester researching how to be conscious consumers, and are developing products and ad campaigns based off of their research. 12th graders studied companies and organizations committed to sustainability and environmental awareness. Then, they worked on different deliverables related to their CTE pathway classes. In Graphic Design, they handmade screen printed canvas tote bags. In Architecture, they used the laser cutter to design and craft environmentally conscious lamps. In Entrepreneurship, students have created a media ad campaign around the theme. Come stop by and see the hard work of our Seniors in their final Exhibition!

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 14 at Da Vinci Design:

Collaborative Research Partnerships 2024-2025

This year, Da Vinci Design is conducting two collaborative research projects with school partners. One research project is in partnership with America Succeeds, a non-profit educational advocacy group, which selected Da Vinci Design as a partner school in its efforts to understand how educational institutions teach students “durable skills”. The other research project is in partnership with UCLA about how schools inform students’ social and academic development.

What does a research partnership look like?

  • A great opportunity for a school to work with experts in research to better understand our school practices and how we support students
  • It often means surveys, observations, and/or interviews to collect data
  • Participation is always voluntary, and always confidential; researchers must go through multiple approval processes before conducting research on campus with students

Da Vinci Design will begin its first round of surveys with students in partnership with America Succeeds next week. On Wed, 11/20 and Thurs, 11/21, students will participate in a 10-minute survey during class with the goal of understanding how DVD teaches durable skills to enhance students’ learning experience and engage in career connected learning. Participation is voluntary.

OPT-OUT: If you would like your student opt-out of this survey, or if you would like more information before they participate, please send an email to Principal Russell Stoll (rstoll@davincischools.org) by Tuesday, 11/19 at 4pm. You may also call or visit the DVD Front Office to request an opt-out form.

For more information, you may also see the slides presented at our most recent “Coffee with Admin” meeting on Nov. 6th, 2024. These slides are available to families on the “DVD Parent Info Sessions & Coffee with Admin Slides” document on the DVD blog.

Staff Gratitude Baskets

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we are all grateful for the tremendous work of our school staff – from our teachers to counselors to paraeducators to custodians to front office staff. To show our appreciation, we are organizing Thanksgiving baskets to deliver to our school staff on Friday, November 22nd. The idea is that each staff member will receive one basket containing treats and words of appreciation from students and families.

Here is how you can contribute to the baskets of Thanksgiving:

  1. Items: If you are interested and able to purchase something to show your appreciation, please consider non-perishable items such as: individually wrapped items (popcorn, gummies, trail mix, chips, hot chocolate, pretzels, candy, cookies), gift cards ($5 to Target, Starbucks, etc.), coffee drinks, sparkling water, tea, and any other non-perishable snacks. We need donated items collected by: Wednesday, November 20th. All items can be left on the first floor front office.
  2. Words of Appreciation: There is nothing that means more to school staff than words of appreciation or encouragement. Please consider handwriting a note of thanks or typing one digitally here: DVD Staff Appreciation Notes We will be printing these digital messages and including all words of appreciation in the baskets. Handwritten notes can be dropped off by Monday November 14th.

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is having its first meeting of the year next week. PAC is an opportunity for parents, students, & staff to work collaboratively to review the school program, review data and identify needs, & make recommendations regarding the School Safety Plan & the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). And this year it will be more important than ever as we gear up for our six-year WASC accreditation cycle and two exciting research partnerships. If you are interested in joining the Parent Advisory Committee, please email Russell Stoll at rstoll@davincischools.org for more information!

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Tues, Nov. 19th: Parent Advisory Committee Meeting #1
    • *5pm via Zoom*
    • Agenda: 1) Welcome, Introductions and Public Comment, 2) Purpose of Committee, 3) DVD Spotlight: What’s New for 2024-2025, 4) Research Partnerships with UCLA and America Succeeds
    • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
  • Thurs, Nov. 21st: DVD Exhibition! (Grade 10 and 12)
    • 2pm-4:30pm at the El Segundo Aquatic Center, 10th Grade Boat Races
    • 5:30pm-7:30pm at 201 N. Douglas, 12th Grade Conscious Consumption Project
  • Mon, Nov. 25th – Fri, Nov. 29th: NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break
  • Mon, Dec. 2nd: School Resumes!

 

Posted in Weekly Updates

Free Cardiac Screening Event – Saturday, Nov. 16th

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Don’t miss out! Join us for our FREE Cardiac Screening Health Promotion Event tomorrow, November 16, 2024, from 9am – 3pm at Da Vinci Schools. In partnership with the Saving Hearts Foundation and UCLA, we invite all youth between the ages 12-25 to to get an EKG screening. If abnormalities are detected, you’ll have access to a cardiologist for immediate follow-up.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death on school campuses and among athletes. 1 in 300 young individuals unknowingly carries a heart condition that could lead to SCA. Don’t miss this chance to safeguard your health!

Location: Blackbox Theater, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo

Details:

  • Pre-registration is highly encouraged to secure your spot (walk-ins welcome, but pre-registered attendees will be seen first).
  • Save lives by taking a proactive step in protecting your heart health!

Register Now: Click here to RSVP.

Posted in Events

“FAFSA Fridays” Workshop Series- FAFSA Essentials for First-Time Parents

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OPEN TO ALL DA VINCI SCHOOLS SENIOR FAMILIES

WHEN: 

  • Friday, November 22nd, 2024 (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday, December 6th, 2024 (6-7:30 p.m.) *Ayuda en Español*
  • Friday, January 17th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday, February 7th, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)

Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material.

WHERE: 

  • Da Vinci Communications Room 3203

Workshop Description:
Join us for a practical, hands-on FAFSA Workshop designed specifically for parents navigating the FAFSA process for the first time. In this 1 hour and 30-minute session, you’ll learn the essentials of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including what it is, why it matters for your family’s financial planning, and how to complete it accurately and confidently.

We’ll start by breaking down the FAFSA process, covering everything from basic eligibility requirements to deadlines, key documents, and common questions about financial aid. Then, parents will have the chance to practice filling out a sample FAFSA, with guidance from experts available to answer questions in real-time.

What You’ll Gain From This Workshop:

  • Clear Understanding of FAFSA Basics: Learn the purpose of the FAFSA, how it affects college affordability, and what types of aid your student could qualify for.
  • Step-by-Step Guidance: We’ll walk you through each section of the FAFSA form, demystifying terms, identifying common challenges, and clarifying exactly what information you’ll need to provide.
  • Hands-On Practice: Work on a mock FAFSA application to get comfortable with the format and practice identifying tools, documents, and information you’ll need for the real application.
  • Tools & Tips for Success: Get expert tips on maximizing your student’s financial aid opportunities and take home a checklist of essential resources to keep the process smooth.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll feel equipped and empowered to tackle the FAFSA with confidence and ensure your student gets access to the financial resources they deserve.

REGISTRATION:

Click HERE to register. Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material.

For families who speak Spanish/prefer help in Spanish, register for the December 6th workshop.

Familias que necesitan ayuda en español, por favor regístrense para el 6 de diciembre.

Posted in Grade 12

Show Your Gratitude for DVD Staff

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Dear DVD Students, Parents, and Guardians,

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we are all grateful for the tremendous work of our school staff – from our teachers to counselors to paraeducators to custodians to front office staff. To show our appreciation, we are organizing Thanksgiving baskets to deliver to our school staff on Friday, November 22nd. The idea is that each staff member will receive one basket containing treats and words of appreciation from students and families.

Here is how you can contribute to the baskets of Thanksgiving:

  1. Items: If you are interested and able to purchase something to show your appreciation, please consider non-perishable items such as: individually wrapped items (popcorn, gummies, trail mix, chips, hot chocolate, pretzels, candy, cookies), gift cards ($5 to Target, Starbucks, etc.), coffee drinks, sparkling water, tea, and any other non-perishable snacks. We need donated items collected by: Wednesday, November 20th. All items can be left in a donation box on the first floor front office.

  2. Words of Appreciation: There is nothing that means more to school staff than words of appreciation or encouragement. Please consider handwriting a note of thanks or typing one digitally here: DVD Staff Appreciation Notes We will be printing these digital messages and including all words of appreciation in the baskets. Handwritten notes can be dropped off by Monday November 14th. 

With gratitude for your ongoing encouragement and support,

Russell Stoll, Principal

Kirk Takeyama, Assistant Principal

Korina Barefield, Dean of Student Success and Culture

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

Week 13 Updates

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Last week, we had our second Community Learning Day (CLD) on Friday, November 8th. Students who came to campus for in-person activities got to experience workshops on manufacturing, on college applications, and service learning just to name a few! Please remind your students to complete the CLD reflection form, whether they engaged in learning on or off campus, to make sure they get credit for attendance!

Thank you to the families who joined us for our Coffee with Admin meeting last Wednesday! It is great getting the chance to meet with families, hear what is on your mind, and share the great things happening at DVD. If you did not get a chance to meet with us this week, click here for the Coffee with DVD Admin slides from November 2024. Coffee with DVD Admin happens at 8am and 5pm via Zoom on the first Wednesday of every month.

Here is the Week 13 Bell Schedule for DVD:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Fri, Nov. 15th: Community Dialogue (Go Sports!)
  • Thurs, Nov. 21st: DVD Exhibition! (Grade 10 and 12)
  • Mon, Nov. 25th – Fri, Nov. 29th: NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break
  • Mon, Dec. 2nd: School Resumes!
Posted in Weekly Updates

“Coffee with Admin” Zoom for DVD Families Today at 8am and 5pm

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Good Evening DVD Parents and Guardians,

Today, Wednesday Nov. 6th, at 8am and 5pm join the DVD admin team for our monthly “Coffee with Admin” chat. Simply log on via Zoom and bring any school-related questions, or just sit back, relax, and hear about school updates. This will be our third Coffee with Admin of the 2024-25 school year. Hope to see you there!

Wed, Nov. 6th: Coffee w/ Admin

  • All DVD parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team.
  • 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
  • Agenda: 1) Campus Updates & Highlights, 2) Upcoming Calendar Events, 3) DVD Research Partnerships w/ UCLA and America Succeeds, 4) Q&A
  • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade

Week 12 Preview

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was Spirit Week at Da Vinci Design! We had so much fun in particular with our “Student-Teacher Swap” day, where students and staff got the chance to walk in each others’ shoes. We also held our annual Halloween costume contest on Thursday – congrats to all of our winners! We are ending the week with our fall dance, which is masquerade themed and will be a great way to round out Spirit Week. See Spirit Week photos below.

Here is the bell schedule for Week 12 at Da Vinci Design:

With the end of the semester and POLs approaching soon, it is time for our last round of progress reports. Progress reports are being mailed home next week on Nov. 8th. The purpose of progress reports is to give families the opportunity to have a snapshot of student progress, and to be able to have a conversation at home with students about how to stay successful in school. This information will also be used by teachers and counselors in their plans to support all students. Please follow up with your child’s teachers directly with any questions about assignments or grades.

It is time for our biannual family and student surveys! Next week, you will receive an email from a survey app called Kelvin. This is not spam! Please follow the prompt to complete an online survey from Kelvin to share your feedback on Da Vinci Design. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete the survey. We appreciate your time and your feedback!

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Fri, Nov. 1st: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
  • Wed, Nov. 6th: Coffee w/ Admin @8am and @5pm via Zoom
    • All DVD parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team.
    • Agenda: 1) Campus Updates & Highlights, 2) Upcoming Calendar Events, 3) DVD Research Partnerships w/ UCLA and America Succeeds, 4) Q&A
    • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
  • Fri, Nov. 8th: Community Learning Day #2
  • Fri, Nov. 8th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
  • Mon, Nov. 11: NO SCHOOL – Veteran’s Day Holiday
  • Thurs, Nov. 21st: DVD Exhibition Night! (Grade 10 and 12)

College Rep Visits (Week 12 & 13): Seniors can sign up via Naviance

  • Santa Monica College – Mon, Nov. 4th
  • Woodbury University – Tues, Nov. 12th

Campus Highlight: Spirit Week and Halloween Costume Contest (Week 11)

Posted in Grade 12, Weekly Updates