Archive for June 18, 2025

Happy Summer from DVD!

Posted on by

Greetings Designers and Design Families!

From all of the faculty and staff at Da Vinci Design, we wish you a wonderful summer break! Monday, August 18th is the first day of school for students in the 2025-26 school year. We will see you in August!

Class of 2025 Graduation Photos

Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2025! It was an honor and pleasure watching you walk the stage yesterday. Graduation photos from yesterday have been uploaded for families here – you may access and download them for FREE thanks to our incredible photographer Stacee:

New Families Welcome Webinar Today (June 18th)!

Hello incoming DVD families! Please attend the New Families Welcome webinar via Zoom at 6pm using this link:

This webinar will be recorded and made available after on the blog here. The webinar will cover “what to expect” as a DVD student, signature programs and practices, student life, and more! In-person orientation dates for new families will be available in August before the first day of school. Stay tuned for more info to come!

Summer Break Front Office announcements: 

  • The Da Vinci Schools reception desk will be open for summer hours during the break. Please call us at 310-725-5800 between 8am-12pm to speak to someone on campus.
    • For attendance, student records requests, and work permits: reach out to Office Manager Maria Beltran at mbeltran@davincischools.org 
    • For all other questions or concerns, reach out to Asst. Principal Korina Pailin at kbarefield@davincischools.org 
  • All Da Vinci Schools offices will be closed June 30th – July 4th. If you need to reach us, please reach out via email.
  • Report cards have been mailed to arrive the week of June 16th. If you have questions about final grades, please reach out to teachers directly via email. Grade appeals must be initiated via email within 30 days of the end of the semester. For more information about final grades, see the DVD Student and Family Handbook

Please stay tuned over the summer! We will be making announcements for new families AND returning families here on the blog. See you in August!

Posted in Weekly Updates

Graduation Ceremony Livestream Link and Reminders

Posted on by

Greetings Graduating Seniors and Senior Families,

Graduation is TODAY! Please read this letter to Senior families for important updates and reminders about receiving graduation cap/gown, details for the graduation ceremony, and other end-of-year updates.

Watch live: Da Vinci Schools Ceremonies Live Stream

ALL graduates are expected to meet at 4pm near the soccer field at 201 N. Douglas. Families and guests may also arrive at 4pm to line up and being taking seats.

Congratulations Seniors! We are so excited to celebrate with you!

—DVD Administration

 

Posted in 12 Grade

Week 38 Preview

Posted on by

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Happy Friday! Thanks for a great week of POLs. It has been great fun to learn so much this week from students and their presentations: from debates in English 10 and dissections in Biology, to insightful presentations about historical events and mathematical functions. Keep up the great work, Designers!

This week, a group of Da Vinci Design Seniors made the news in the Daily Breeze! A group of DVD 12th graders designed and published an activity book in collaboration with the Roundhouse Aquarium on the Manhattan Beach Pier, and were recognized for their impact on the local community. Click here to read the article “Da Vinci high schoolers create kids activity book for Roundhouse Aquarium – Daily Breeze“.

Tomorrow, students from our Fine Arts pathway and Honors Fundamentals of Design 2 will be presenting their work at a special art show at Indivisible Arts. Please join us on Saturday, June 7th from 4pm to 7pm to celebrate our student artists! More info in the flyer below.

Here is the Bell Schedule for Weeks 38 at Da Vinci Design:

End of Semester Announcements:

  • PowerSchool and Canvas access for students/parents has been blocked starting 6/3 to finalize semester grades. The last day for students to check grades before seeing a final grade on report cards was on Monday, June 2nd.
  • Report cards are mailed home on Friday, June 13th.
  • POLs give students the opportunity to develop their speaking and presentation skills and are an opportunity for students to reflect publicly on their learning. Because these are formal presentations, students are expected to wear professional attire. Any student with questions or needs regarding professional attire should speak to their counselor ASAP.
  • A letter home regarding POL expectations and reminders will be sent to families within the next few days. Click here for the “POL Letter to DVD Families” for important information regarding POLs.

POL Treats for Teachers: Sign Up Here

Thank you so much to all of you who have celebrated our educators this week! If you would like to donate snacks like breakfast treats and coffee to our teachers, please use the sign-up below to tell us what you will be dropping off.

10th Grade Design Pathways Selection Resources

Leading up to POLs, 10th grade students have been receiving information about the CTE Pathway Selection process. During POLs, Sophomores will complete a survey selecting their preferences for whether they want to be in the Architecture, Graphic Design, Entrepreneurship, or Fine Arts pathway. This pathway course selection will dictate their schedule for 11th and 12th grade year.
Please look at the resource posted here so that you can help discuss this important decision as a family: Class of 2027 Pathways Selection Slides For Families
The final decision will be made in their Sophomore design class as part of their POLs. ALL Sophomores must complete the Pathways Selection Survey in order to have their preference considered for their 11th grade courses.
For questions, please reach out to your counselor.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Mon, 6/3 – Tues, 6/10: Presentations of Learning (POLs) – MINIMUM DAYS
  • Wed, June 11th: Last Day of Semester 2 – MINIMUM DAY
  • Thurs, June 12th: DVD Graduation Ceremony at 5pm

Posted in Weekly Updates

School Leadership Update at Da Vinci Design

Posted on by

We are excited to share several important school leadership updates, effective July 1, 2025.

Samantha Navarro has been selected as Principal of Da Vinci Design, succeeding Russell Stoll, who will be stepping down.

Samantha brings 25 years of experience in public education as a teacher, coach, and school leader with a strong commitment to student-centered learning and equity-driven leadership. Her career has included teaching social studies, coaching high school tennis, and most recently, serving as Principal of New Millennium Secondary School for the past decade. Under her leadership, New Millennium became a close-knit community known for its academic rigor, meaningful relationships, and commitment to student growth.

Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an Emphasis in Secondary Education and a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from Biola University, as well as a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Arizona. She brings to Da Vinci Design a passion for authentic learning, inclusive school culture, and the empowerment of both students and staff.

Joining Samantha is Korina Barefield, stepping into the role of Assistant Principal. Korina, formerly the Dean of Student Success and Culture, is widely recognized for her unwavering commitment to student support, her expertise in MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), and her ability to foster a vibrant, inclusive school culture. We are thrilled to welcome her into this new leadership role.

Kirk Takeyama will bring a wealth of expertise in operational excellence to his new role as Assistant Principal at Da Vinci Communications.

Please join us in congratulating Samantha, Korina and Kirk on their new roles. We look forward to the incredible work ahead under their leadership.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to Principal Russell Stoll for his outstanding leadership at Da Vinci Design. Most recently, he led the successful WASC re-accreditation process, with Da Vinci Design earning the highest level—a full six-year accreditation. We wish Russell all the best in his next chapter.

 

Posted in News