Da Vinci Design

Seasons Greetings Designers and Design Families!

From our staff to your families, we wish all of you a happy holiday season. We hope you travel safely, eat well, and get lots of rest!

Semester two officially begins and classes resume on Monday, January 13th. See the calendar below:

Winter Break Front Office announcements: 

• All DVD offices will be closed for the break starting Monday, Dec. 23th until Friday, Jan. 3rd. If you need to reach us, please reach out via email and we are happy to assist.
  • For attendance and student records: 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 .
• Report cards will be mailed to arrive the week of Dec. 23rd. 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.
• The Da Vinci Schools reception will be open during the break on select days. Please call us at 310-725-5800 between 9am-2pm to speak to someone on campus.

Collaborative Research Partnership 2024-2025 with UCLA

This year, Da Vinci Design is conducting two collaborative research projects with school partners. One research project is in partnership with University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) about how schools inform students’ social and academic development. The other 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”.

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 UCLA from 1/13-1/17. Students will participate in a 25-minute survey during one class in collaboration with teachers. This study seeks to expand our understanding of how Da Vinci Design’s design-based learning framework and curriculum shapes students’ social and academic outcomes. Participation is voluntary.

OPT-OUT: If you would like your student to opt-out of participating in this survey, or if you would like more information before they participate, please send an email to Principal Russell Stoll (rstoll@davincischools.org) by Thursday, 1/9/25 at 4pm. You may also call or visit the DVD Front Office to request and sign an opt-out form.

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

Wishing all of you a safe, restful and fun holiday break!

Greetings Designers and Design Families!

This week, we began POLs at Design. It is a joy to see students present such a wide array or talents and skills: from live debates and socratic seminars to art projects and peer critique, students should be SO proud of all the hard work they are accomplishing as they finish the semester strong.

Next week is the last week of the Fall semester. This means that we are only one week away from Winter Break! Next week, to get into the holiday spirit before break, we hope all of our staff and students will participate in a Holiday-themed spirit week! See the dress up days listed below!

DVD will follow minimum day schedules Dec. 12th-19th. School begins at 8:40am and school ends at 1:45pm every day.

A letter home regarding POL expectations and reminders was emailed to all parent/guardians this week. Click here for the “POL Letter to DVD Families” for important information regarding POLs.

See the Bell Schedules for Weeks 17 at DVD here:

• Monday, 12/16 – Wednesday, 12/18 – 1:45-4pm (Available for after school tutoring – since students are not allowed to leave room for POL’s)
• Thursday, 12/19 – NO TUTORING – POL’s are over!

End of Semester Announcements:

• PowerSchool and Canvas access for students/parents will be blocked starting 12/11 to finalize semester grades. The last day for students to check grades before seeing a final grade on report cards will be Tues, Dec. 10th.
• Report cards are mailed home on Friday, Dec. 20th.
• School will not be in session during Friday, Dec. 20th through Friday, Jan. 10th, 2025. The first day of Semester Two is Monday, Jan. 13th, 2025.
• 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.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• Mon, Dec. 16th – Wed, Dec. 18th: Presentations of Learning (POLs) (8:40am-1:45pm Minimum Days)
• Thurs, Dec. 19th: LAST DAY of the Semester (8:40am-1:45pm Minimum Day)
• Fri, Dec. 20th: NO SCHOOL – Staff Development
• Mon, Jan. 13th: First Day of Semester Two

Week 17 Campus Highlight: Presentations of Learning (POL)

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Happy Friday! We are in the final stretch of the semester, and POLs are around the corner.

DVD will follow minimum day schedules Dec. 12th-19th. School begins at 8:40am and school ends at 1:45pm every day (INCLUDING FRIDAY Dec. 13th).

A letter home regarding POL expectations and reminders was emailed to all parent/guardians this week. Click here for the “POL Letter to DVD Families” for important information regarding POLs.

POL Treats for Teachers: Sign Up Here

• While our students are preparing and presenting the learning they’ve achieved over the semester, our teachers are hard at work viewing and scoring those presentations. For teachers, this also means long, 8 hour days being a part of panels.
• One way that we show appreciation for our teachers during these long days is keeping them fed and caffeinated. And we would love your help!
• 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.
• *Click here to sign up to bring a treat for teachers* during POL week! Thanks!

See the Bell Schedules for Weeks 16 & 17 at DVD here:

Kelvin Surveys are Due Today! Thank you for taking 5-10 minutes today to do the biannual survey via Kelvin. Families can complete this survey via email or text on a computer or mobile device.

• Monday, 12/9 – Wednesday, 12/11: 3:45-5pm
• Thursday, 12/12: 1:45-5pm
• Friday, 12/13: NO TUTORING
• Monday, 12/16 – Wednesday, 12/18 – 1:45-4pm (Available for after school tutoring – since students are not allowed to leave room for POL’s)
• Thursday, 12/19 – NO TUTORING – POL’s are over!

Thank you to the families who joined us for our Coffee with Admin meeting on Wednesday! It is always 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 December 2024. Coffee with DVD Admin happens at 8am and 5pm via Zoom on the first Wednesday of every month.

End of Semester Announcements:

• PowerSchool and Canvas access for students/parents will be blocked starting 12/11 to finalize semester grades. The last day for students to check grades before seeing a final grade on report cards will be Tues, Dec. 10th.
• Report cards are mailed home on Friday, Dec. 20th.
• School will not be in session during Friday, Dec. 20th through Friday, Jan. 10th, 2025. The first day of Semester Two is Monday, Jan. 13th, 2025.
• 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.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• 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
• Wed, Dec. 11th – Wed, 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
• Mon, Jan. 13th: First Day of Semester Two

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.

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. 6^th, 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!

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!