Da Vinci Design

Dear Da Vinci Design Families,

It was another successful week here at Da Vinci Design! We are proud of the energy, engagement, and spirit our students continue to bring to campus each day.

Here’s a wrap up from Week 6!

Community Dialogue (CLD)
On Tuesday, we held our Community Dialogue (CLD). These days are designed to provide students with opportunities to either participate in meaningful learning experiences here on campus or engage in “leave to learn” activities off campus. Whether through workshops, guest speakers, or community-based experiences, CLDs allow students to connect their learning to the world around them and deepen their understanding as Designers.

Club Fair
We also had an exciting Club Fair this week! Students had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of clubs and sign up for activities that match their interests and passions. From creative outlets to service opportunities, clubs give our Designers a chance to connect with peers and grow outside of the classroom.

Looking Ahead

• Coffee with Admin October 1st 8am & 5pm Via Zoom – Please join us on Wednesday for an informal gathering with the administrative team. This is a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and hear updates.

• School Holiday Thursday October 2nd Yom Kippur – A reminder that school will be closed on Thursday. We hope everyone enjoys the extra time with family as we head into a new month.

• LSU Spirit Week & CD Friday October 3rd

• Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) – Mark your calendars! SLCs will take place the week of October 13th. These conferences provide students the opportunity to reflect on their learning, share their growth, and set goals moving forward. More details will be shared soon.

Week 7 Schedule:

Thank you, families, for your continued support in helping us build a thriving Designer community. We look forward to another great week ahead!

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!

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!

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!

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 Families!

Coffee with the Admin tomorrow at 8:00am and 5:00pm! See the Zoom link below! Come check us out!

We’ve had another fantastic week here at Da Vinci Design, full of learning, energy, and school pride!

Grade Level Meetings
This week, students came together in grade-level meetings to reflect on what it means to be a Designer and how we carry ourselves on campus and in the community. We look forward to seeing the commitment the students have in building a positive, respectful culture at DVD. Designers! Let’s make this happen everyday! Each student matters!

Cell Phone Policy
Our cell phone policy is continuing to go strong! We are so proud of our students for staying focused, present, and engaged in their learning. Thank you to our staff and families for supporting this important effort—it’s already making a big difference in classrooms.

Seminar Selections
Students also had the chance to choose their Seminars this week. From sports and fitness to crochet, music appreciation, and academic support, there’s something for everyone! Seminars officially begin soon, and we’re excited to see students dive into their interests.

Picture Day
Picture Day was a success—thank you to everyone for their cooperation and those big Designer smiles! These photos will become lasting memories in our yearbook and student IDs.

Schedule for next week, Designers!

Looking Ahead: MAP Testing & Coffee with Administration
Next week, students will begin MAP Testing, an important benchmark that helps us track growth and provide tailored support. Please encourage your student to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and bring their best focus and effort to the test.

Families are also invited to join us for Coffee with Administration on Wednesday, September 3rd at 8:00am and 5:00pm via Zoom. This is a great opportunity to connect, hear updates, and ask questions as we start the year together.

Key Dates & Upcoming Events

• Mon, Sept. 1 – No School (Labor Day Holiday)

• Wed, Sept. 3 – Coffee with Administration @ 8am & 5pm (Zoom)

• Wed, Sept. 3 – Thurs, Sept. 4 – MAP Testing

• Wed, Sept. 10 – Thurs, Sept. 11 – 9th Grade Overnighter

• Fri, Sept. 12 – No School (Professional Development Day)

• Thurs, Sept. 18 – Back to School Night @ 5:30pm

• Fri, Sept. 26 – DV Club & Service Learning Fair

Week 1 at Da Vinci Design: A Strong Start!

What an incredible first week back at Da Vinci Design! The energy on campus has been nothing short of inspiring—hallways filled with smiles, laughter, and the joy of reconnecting with friends after the summer.

From the very first day, our students have shown that they are serious about starting the year off right. We’ve been so impressed by the way they’ve embraced our cell phone policy, staying present in class, engaged in lessons, and focused on building strong connections with their peers and teachers. The level of attention and care students are bringing into their classrooms sets a powerful tone for the months ahead.

Families we thank you for the support with our Cell Phone Policy! Here is a brief version of what is happening at Design with the Cell Phone Policy:

Off and Away Helps Me Focus Today!

• Personal devices (cell phones, headphones/earbuds, ipads, etc.) should be powered off or placed in “Do Not Disturb” mode, and put in teacher designated area in classroom during instructional time. No phones allowed at all times in bathrooms. 
• If a student uses a device out of accordance to DVD policy, staff will:
  • Confiscate the device until the end of class.
  • Confiscate the device and turn it over to the office/administration.
  • Contact parent/guardian for notification (and/or pickup of device).
  • Prohibit the possession of personal (and/or school) devices on campus.

Whether it’s through Advisory activities, hands-on projects, or simply the excitement of seeing their friends and teachers again, the sense of community has been evident all week long. The positive energy on campus is a reminder of what makes Da Vinci Design so special—our students’ commitment to learning, collaboration, and supporting one another.

We are so proud of this amazing start and look forward to keeping the momentum going as we dive deeper into the year!

Here is what is coming up the Week of August 25th:

Get those smiles ready—Picture Day is happening next week on Monday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 26th during students’ English classes.

Picture Day is more than just a tradition; it’s a chance to capture memories, showcase those back-to-school fits, and officially mark the start of our 2025–26 school year at Da Vinci Design. These photos will be used for student IDs and the School Yearbook.

Next week, students have the opportunity to select their Seminar classes. Seminars take place at the end of the school day and give students the chance to explore areas of interest—whether that’s a sports/fitness seminar, a creative skill-building class like crochet or music appreciation, or an academic support seminar designed for extra help and tutoring. Seminar Enrollment will officially begin on Wednesday August 27th for Seniors and Juniors and continue Thursday August 28th for Sophomores and Freshmen.

Here is the Bell Schedule for next week:

Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

• Mon, Aug. 25th & Tues, Aug. 26th: Picture Day (during English classes)
• Wed, Aug 27th: 12th & 11th graders sign-up for seminars
• Thurs, Aug. 28th: 10th & 9th graders sign-up for seminars
• Mon, Sept. 1st: NO SCHOOL – LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
• Wed, Sept. 3rd: Coffee w/ Admin @8am and @5pm via Zoom
• Wed, Sept. 3rd and Thurs Sept. 4th: MAPS Testing
• Wed, Sept. 10th: 9th graders leave for Overnighter @ 8:40am
• Thurs, Sept. 11th: 9th graders return from Overnighter @ approx. 2:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 12th: No School – Professional Development Day
• Thurs, Sept. 18th: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 26th: DV Club & Service Learning Fair

A Little Photo Celebration of the First Day of School! Let’s Go Designers!!!!!

Greetings Designers and Design Families! It’s about that time!

We hope you’re soaking up the last few days of a fun, safe, and restful summer! The countdown is almost over—our new school year begins on Monday, August 18, 2025, and we can’t wait to see our students back on campus. Our amazing staff has been hard at work preparing classrooms, planning engaging lessons, and creating a welcoming space for every student. It’s going to be a fantastic year, and we’re so excited to begin it together!

Important info including the 2025-2026 Student and Family Handbook and New Family Information can also be found in the “Resources” section (to the right via computer, or at the very end of this webpage via mobile phone). You can also find highlights of important upcoming dates below.

Welcome back Designers! We look forward to making this year the best one yet!

Sincerely,
Team DVD

***

First Day of School Info: Monday, August 18th

On Monday, August 18th, students will head to the field first, then be welcomed into the Black Box theater. Students walk through a tunnel of cheering teachers to the black box, where the whole school gathers before meeting in small groups within the classrooms. All students will begin the day in Advisory, and will receive their class schedules in Advisory. PowerSchool access is temporarily locked while we upload student schedules – but will be accessible on the first day of school. If a student believes there is an error in their school schedule, students should go to the front office during passing period after Advisory.

Remember: traffic during the first two weeks of school is busier than usual; we recommend you arrive in the parking lot at least 15 minutes before your school start time to ensure your child makes it on time. See parking lot reminders below.

Note: DVD is focused on creating comfortable, enjoyable experiences for our neurodiverse population by priming, posting, and providing. Students can expect loud volume and large crowds. Earplugs will be available near the student check-in at the bike racks. For an alternate entry or other support, please contact Asst. Principal Korina Pailin (kpailin@davincischools.org) by Sunday, 8/17.

This is the DVD Week One Bell Schedule:

For the 2025-2026 school year, the start time for Da Vinci Design will remain the same at 8:40am Monday-Thursday and the traditional “late start” for Friday is 9:45am. The end time for the school day is 3:45pm each day.

Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

• Mon, Aug. 18th: First Day of School!
• Mon, Aug. 25th & Tues, Aug. 26th: Picture Day (during English classes
• Wed, Aug 27th: 12th & 11th graders sign-up for seminars
• Thurs, Aug. 28th: 10th & 9th graders sign-up for seminars
• Mon, Sept. 1st: NO SCHOOL – LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
• Week of Tues, Sept. 2nd: Seminar (P8) Begins
• Wed, Sept. 3rd: Coffee w/ Admin @8am and @5pm via Zoom
• Wed, Sept. 10th: 9th graders leave for Overnighter @ 8:40am
• Thurs, Sept. 11th: 9th graders return from Overnighter @ approx. 2:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 12th: No School – Professional Development Day
• Thurs, Sept. 18th: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
• Fri, Sept. 19th: DV Club & Service Learning Fair

Parking Lot Details and Reminders

• Please drive safely and patiently in the parking lot; this means entering and exiting through the properly marked areas, dropping students off only in marked areas, and following the directions of our grounds supervision crew
• Drop off areas are located 1) at 201 N. Douglas AND at 2) [East] Grand Avenue. Do NOT stop in traffic to drop off students across the street or anywhere along Duley Road.
• Remind your students to please stay on the designated pedestrian pathways in order to help maintain their safety as they enter the school campus.
• Remember: you don’t have to wait to get to the front of line of the drop off area to have your students exit the vehicle.  They should exit as soon as the vehicle has come to a safe, complete stop. This will help to make sure the drop off area is used as efficiently as possible.
• Students will not be allowed to enter or leave school through the gym or the pool deck at any time.