Archive for September 22, 2025

Free On-Campus Eye Exams and Glasses (Oct. 9-10)

Da Vinci Schools is partnering with VSP Vision to provide free eye exams and glasses to eligible Da Vinci students who have no vision insurance or face barriers to accessing vision care. The mobile eye care clinic will be on-site Oct. 9–10 at Da Vinci’s 201 N. Douglas St. campus, offering students (ages 5 and up) convenient, no-cost access to eye exams and eyewear. In most cases, glasses can be picked up the same day. Each appointment is approximately 45 minutes.

Pre-screening with our health team is required. Please email to receive more information and the sign-up link. No walk-ins allowed.

Communications, Design, Science: TLucero@davincischools.org

Connect, RISE: Egreen@davincischools.org

Preview for Week 6 at DVD

Design Families!

Thank you to all the Design families who showed up to Back to School Night this week. It was a great turnout and we have you to thank for it! We appreciate your involvement in your student’s education!

Next week we are kicking off our very first Community Learning Day (CLD) of the school year on Tuesday, September 23rd. This is an opportunity for students to come together for an on-campus learning experience with friends from other campuses; or to take advantage of a “leave to learn” activity off campus. All parents will be receiving a permission slip and a agreement form to sign in order to give students the option to learn off-campus that day.

Also next week, DVD is hosting our annual DVD Club Fair! At the end of the day on Friday, 9/26, student club leaders will set up booths and introduce their clubs. This is a great opportunity for students to find a club to join as well as meet other students that share their interests. This year we have a wide variety of clubs to join on a range of topics and which celebrate academics, culture, and fun hobbies. Clubs can also be great way for students to collaborate on ways to complete service learning with other students in a club setting.

Progress reports are being mailed home September 26th. The purpose of this 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.

If you do not receive a progress report in the mail by Friday, 10/3, please reach out by calling Da Vinci Design at 310-725-5800, or send an email Office Manager Maria Beltran at mbeltran@davincischools.org to request a digital progress report for your child.

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 6 at DVD:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Tuesday September 23rd CLD Day
  • Friday, Sept. 26th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
  • Friday, Sept. 26th: DV Club & Service Learning Fair
  • Wednesday, Oct. 1st: Coffee w/ Admin @8am and @5pm via Zoom
  • Thursday, Oct. 2nd: NO SCHOOL

Our next blog post will feature highlights from our first CD of the year that took place Friday September 19th!

Back to School Night at DVD Thursday 9/18

Design Family! We have a busy week! Happy Week 5!

We have our Back to School Night THIS Thursday September 18th. Back to School Night is a great opportunity to hear about classes, make connections with your students teachers, and tour classrooms at DVD. Each grade level will begin with an assembly in the Blackbox Theater from their grade-level teams, and then head up to the fourth floor to meet and greet teachers in the classrooms. Please note the presentation for the 9th and 10th grade is at 5:30pm and the presentation for the 11th and 12th grade families is at 6:00pm. See the schedule below for more information!

Also please note: DVD 12th Grade College & Career Family Information Night!!! This Thursday 9/18 at 5:00pm in the Da Vinci Skybox above the gym, the DVD Counseling Team will be discussing all things College & Career for SENIORS!!! This event is before Senior Back to School Night!

 

An unforgettable adventure awaits your child in Peru: Machu Picchu, Cusco & Lake Titicaca!

Dear families,

We’re thrilled to share that Da Vinci’s Atlas travel program is heading to Peru: Machu Picchu, Cusco & Lake Titicaca in Spring 2027, and we’d love for your student to join us! This opportunity is open to ALL Da Vinci high school students.

This is an incredible opportunity for students to explore new places, experience different cultures, and gain lifelong skills like independence and confidence. We’ll be sharing all the details, including what we’ll see and do, hands-on learning activities, academic opportunities, trip costs, and how to secure a spot at our informational meeting.

Meeting details:
📅 Date: September 22
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Zoom
👉 RSVP here to join us: https://rsvp.eftours.com/p244a2c

We’ll also open enrollment during the meeting—spots are limited, and we would love to help you secure this experience for your child.

In the meantime, please visit EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions. EF Tours is our trusted travel partner, and they have 60 years of experience helping students explore the world safely and affordably.

We hope to see you there and look forward to sharing how this trip can be a powerful and unforgettable chapter in your child’s life!

Discover the impact of the Atlas travel program in our recap of the 2025 Spring trip to Italy. Read the full story now.

 

Week 4 Wrap Up & Week 5 Look Ahead

Designers! What A Week! Thank you to all Design student leaders, Design staff, and 9th grade Designers! Your energy was noticed and appreciated!

This week, our 9th grader Designers took part in the annual Freshmen Overnighter! It was a fantastic opportunity for students, staff, and student leaders to build connections and enjoy time together in the great outdoors.

Throughout the camp, students engaged in a variety of fun activities, team-building games, and meaningful conversations — all designed to help them make new friends and ease the transition into high school.

Check out some highlights from the 2025 Overnighter Camp below!

 

Designers, here is the schedule for Week 5:

Friendly Reminder!

Back to School Night Thursday September 18th! The blog will post the schedule soon!

12th grade Family College and Career Planning Meeting

Attention Seniors and Families!
Please join the DVD Counseling team next week for the 12th grade Family College and Career Planning Meeting.
Please reach out to your/your student’s counselor with any questions! We hope to see you there!
Pam Baker: Last names A-GL
Nicole Tafoya: Last names Go-O
Omar Sanchez: Last names P-Z

Week 3 Reflections with Excitement Towards Week 4

Dear Designers and Families,

What an incredible week at Da Vinci Design! Our Wolf Pack continues to impress with their focus, energy, and commitment to living out what it means to be a true Designer. Here’s a quick look back and what’s on the horizon:

Highlights from This Week

  • MAP Testing: Students showed great effort as they tackled MAP assessments. This valuable data helps us set goals, track progress, and support every learner’s growth.
  • Coffee with Administration: Thank you to the families who joined us! Your questions, ideas, and feedback are essential as we grow together.

Looking Ahead

  • 9th Grade Overnighter: We are thrilled to host our annual Overnighter next week! This special event is all about bonding, team-building, and welcoming our newest Designers into the Wolf Pack. Please check the weather! It will be on the cooler side while we are there! Sweatshirts, jackets, and beanies are a great idea!!
  • Advisory Focus: Advisory continues to build strong community connections and practice our Designer habits of success.
  • Back to School Night Thursday September 18th!
  • Student Life: Fall sports, clubs, and activities are in full swing—be sure to stay connected and encourage your student to get involved.

Upcoming Dates: Keep an eye out for announcements on college visits, family events, and student celebrations later this month.

Reminders

  • Please encourage your student to fully engage in Advisory—it sets the tone for academic and social success.
  • Cell phone policy is going strong—thank you for helping us maintain a focused and respectful learning environment.

We are so proud of the drive and positivity our students are bringing to the year. Thank you, families, for being an essential part of our Wolf Pack. Together, we are building a strong, supportive, and joyful Designer community.

Bell Schedule for Week 4:

Overnighter Information for 9th Grader Designers!

DVD Wellness Screener

Dear DVD Families,

September is Suicide Prevention Month. In an effort to be more proactive in supporting students’ mental health, a wellness screener will be given on September 22nd to all students during advisory at Da Vinci Design HS to identify students who may need support. Results from the screener will be used by the counselors to offer students interventions such as coping skills groups, counselor check ins, and referrals for therapy.

Scores will not be shared with students or parents/guardians. Parent/guardian consent is required if a student is referred to receive counseling services delivered by Antioch or Pepperdine therapists. If you would like your student to OPT-OUT and NOT PARTICIPATE in the screener, please fill out the form by Monday, September 15th.

Be Well,


DVD Counselors

OPT OUT FORM