Archive for Author Rachel Fusco

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

Dear Parents,

We encourage all students and families to regularly check PowerSchool and Google Classroom. You can log into Google Classroom to determine which assignments have been submitted and then view on PowerSchool, which assignments have been graded.

If you cannot access PowerSchool, the counseling team can resend you log in instructions for both you and your student. Please fill out this survey and we will be in touch with you by the end of this week with your PowerSchool log in instructions.

If you need access to Google Classroom, please contact your student’s teachers.

 

Summer Classes at our Local Community Colleges

Summer 2020 Community College Classes are now posted!

High School students in good academic standing are eligible to take free classes at our local community colleges during the summer. These classes look great on your college applications and job resumes (if you work hard and do well).

El Camino Collegehttps://www.elcamino.edu/academics/schedule.aspx

West LA College: (the searchable list is not posted yet but will be posted here) – http://www.wlac.edu/WLAC/media/documents/new-sis/Summer.pdf

Santa Monica College: (not posted yet, but will be accessible via this link)

Each college has their own process for the “concurrent” enrollment of high school students. In order to register for classes, you will first need to

1) submit an online application to that community college,

2) select the courses and sections you wish to register for,

3) complete a hard copy registration form and bring to your counselor to sign,

4) return the signed, hard copy registration form IN PERSON to the community college’s Office of Admissions.

Once all of these steps happen, then you can be registered for the class. Note that the registration dates are not for several weeks.

For a sample guide on how to search for classes, please click here.

Business Opportunities Summer Session @ Penn State University

BOSS is a two-week program for high school students interested in pursuing a business education in college. It’s an opportunity for these students to take college prep and business fundamentals courses taught by Penn State faculty. Participants will also get a glimpse of what college life is like by living in residence halls during their two-week stay on Penn State’s University Park campus.

To Apply

Complete the online application and submit (VIA MAIL) the supporting materials listed below:

  1. Your Personal Statement/Information
    Write a one or two-page essay that answers the following questions:

    • Why do you want to attend BOSS and what do you hope to gain from the experience?
    • Discuss other academic or educational programs in which you have participated.
    • Discuss your academic awards or honors and what courses you will take as a senior.
  2. Scholarship statement of financial need by guardian (if applicable)
    Some scholarships are available for students with financial need. To be considered for a scholarship to attend the BOSS program, enclose a statement written by your parent/guardian explaining your family’s financial situation.
  3. High school transcript and school profile
    Ask your school counseling office to send your high school transcripts from grade nine through the most recent marking period, as well as a school profile, if available, explaining the grading system.
  4. Recent standardized achievement test scores
    Ask your school counseling office to send your most recent standardized achievement test scores (SAT, PSAT, NEDT, if taken; otherwise, another achievement test administered by your school).
    If you have not taken a standardized test and your school does not administer another standardized test, please have your school guidance counselor contact our office.
  5. Letter of Recommendation
    You need to obtain one letter of recommendation from a high school teacher. The teacher should comment on your academic achievements, potential, and ability to contribute to and benefit from BOSS. The letter may be included in application, if envelope is sealed and signed across seal.

What are the program fees?

Program attendees are required to provide their own transportation to and from the University Park campus. While personal vehicles are not permitted (i.e. attendees cannot drive themselves and park their cars on campus), attendees can be dropped off at campus by a parent/guardian, take public transportation, taxi, private bus, or airplane to State College. A $50.00 registration fee is required only if you are accepted. Please do NOT send the $50.00 Registration fee along with your application. Only if you are accepted will you have to pay the registration fee, which is non-refundable.  There are no other fees associated with this program.

https://www.smeal.psu.edu/diversity/business-opportunities-summer-session-boss

UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program

UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program

This year the program will be a seven week program. It will begin on Friday, June 26, 2020, and end Friday, August 14, 2020. You will be required to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours. Once you are accepted into the program, as a Volunteen, you may begin your volunteering rotation in the following critical area:

Patient Transport
Patient Transport assists in the Patient Transport office at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. They are responsible for discharging patients, assisting in transfers, and helping the patient transport staff. This is a great opportunity for students to see all areas of the hospital and get clinical exposure. Shifts are available seven days a week.

Wayfinding
Wayfinders are student ambassadors. Wayfinders are stationed at hospital entrances and greet each visitor/patient along with providing wheelchair and escort assistance. Wayfinders must be friendly, proactive, and have good communication and customer service skills. 2-hour shifts are available Monday-Friday between 8:00am – 4:00pm. Due to the standing nature of this position, 4 hours will be rewarded for 2 hours of Wayfinding service.

Floater
Volunteers help deliver patient mail and newspapers. The assignments can change each shift depending on needs of department . Volunteers are assigned to the Volunteer Office for one, four-hour shift per week between 9:00 am – 4:00 am on Monday through Friday (weekends are not available).

What is the time commitment?
A minimum of 50 hours. Volunteers will design a schedule that best fits his or her availability.

Qualification and Health Requirements
Minimum age 16 years old
Agreement to volunteer 50 hours
Proof of Varicella, MMR and TB. Please click here for detailed information on health requirements
A valid, government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
If you currently hold a non-immigrant VISA or VISA Waiver status, our office is only approved to process international students who are full-time matriculating UCLA Students on F-1 Visas issued by Dashew Center.

Applying to the Summer Volunteen Program
*Please plan and anticipate visiting the medical center at least 4 times prior to volunteering*

Step 1: Sign-up for a MANDATORY Information Session on  03/26/2020 (Thu.)
from 5:30pm – 7:30pm PST.

Step 2: Applications will be emailed to those who attend a MANDATORY Information Session.(Please do not mail or drop-off application. It will not be accepted.)

Step 3: Gather all required forms, documents, and proof of immunizations. Bring to MANDATORY Check-In Day (discussed at Information Session).

Step 4: Attend MANDATORY Student Orientation.

https://www.uclahealth.org/volunteer/high-school-students

9th & 10th Grade Family Meeting Resources

Hi Families,

For the families who were able to attend and for the families who were not able to join, here is a link to the 9th and 10th grade family meeting presentation slides. As you review the slides, please let us know if you have any questions.

Additionally, here is the link to the resource folder that includes additional resources regarding summer programs and future college and career resources. NOTE: this is the same folder for grades 9-11. We want you to have access to additional materials in case you and your student are ready to begin exploring the next steps to their college and career exploration process.

Click here for the link to resource folder

Thanks,

Da Vinci Design Counselors

Princeton Review Practice Test Registration Link

If you are interested in registering for the FREE full length practice SAT and practice ACT (administered by the Princeton Review) at Da Vinci Design, please sign up in advance here: http://bit.ly/DaVinciPrincetonReview

 

FREE PRACTICE SAT
Saturday, March 21
8:30 am – 1 pm (testing will begin at 9 am)
@ Da Vinci Design
FREE PRACTICE ACT
Saturday, March 28
8:30 am – 1 pm (testing will begin at 9 am)
@ Da Vinci Communications

Practice exams will be scored by the Princeton Review. They will not be official scores and will not impact college applications. These exams are purely for experience and exposure. All students are invited to participate.

 

COLLEGE & CAREER FAIR FOR THE ARTS

Saturday, March 21, 2020
Center Theatre Group Offices at The Music Center Annex

601 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

RSVPs required to guarantee admission and be eligible for free headshots upon check-in. RSVP here – Deadline: March 19, 2020 at 5pm

A totally free event to help you go to college and learn about careers in the arts.

  • 25 local colleges, universities, and organizations participating
  • One-on-one college counseling
  • Student workshops on theatre careers and entrepreneurship for artists
  • Parent workshops on college planning and helping your student artist
  • Meet with professional actors, playwrights, designers, and directors
  • Food truck with free brunch
  • PLUS: free headshots for the first 100 students who RSVP and attend!
College & Resource Fair 9:30am – 2pm
Meet with representatives from local colleges and universities, as well as arts organizations and other services for teens and young adults.
Free Headshots 10am – 4pm
Professional photographers are donating free headshots to the first 100 students who register and attend. Photos will be taken on-site and available digitally afterward. Make sure you RSVP in advance and arrive early.
Free Food Truck 10:30am – 12pm
Vegetarian & vegan options will be available.
College Counseling 10am – 12pm
College counselors will be standing by to meet individually with students and/or their families.
Artists’ Life Info Tables 10am – 12pm
Curious about how to become a playwright, actor, designer, or director? We’ll have professionals available to answer all of your questions.
More Perks
Participate in fun artmaking activities, learn about free Center Theatre Group programs and tickets for students, and get a free one-year subscription to Backstage, a great online resource for actors and performers (for new student subscribers only).

Free Workshops

College Financing for Parents of Artists (Parents/Guardians/Educators Only) 12pm–1pm
Parents and educators are invited to this comprehensive overview of paying for higher education—including scholarships and financial aid—as well as school and degree options.
Your Theatre Career (Students Only) 12pm–1pm
This fun workshop will help you think about the life you want to lead in the arts, and how you might make it happen.
100% That Boss: When You Are the Brand, the Artist, and the Entrepreneur (Students/Parents/Guardians/Educators) 1:15pm – 2:15pm
Lead by Katrina Frye of Mischief Managed, a business development company that works to meet the needs and challenges of today’s artists + creatives.
I Am/You Are An Artist: Parents & Teen Artists in Conversation (Students/Parents/Guardians/Educators) 2:30pm – 4pm
Teen artists, what are your hopes and fears for your future? Parents and educators, what are your dreams for your emerging artist? All are invited to this thoughtful, participatory workshop.

The Fair is open to current high school students, parents, and teachers. Some workshops are just for students. Note that adults will not be admitted if not accompanied by a high school student.

Learn more here. For questions or more information, email CareerFair@CTGLA.org.

 

11th Grade Family Meeting Resources

Dear Families,

Thank you for attending our 11th grade family meeting. To those who were unable to attend, we wanted to post our electronic resource folder. This includes all handouts and the detailed powerpoint that we reviewed:

http://bit.ly/DVD11

If you have any questions about the material, please let us know.

Best,

DVD Counselors

« Older Entries