Happy Friday! We are looking forward to some great things happening at DVD next week. Our Seniors will be having a “Decision Day” celebration during Advisory on Monday where they will declare which colleges they are going to in the Fall! We can’t wait to share the celebration in a post next week.
Next week is also TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK! Thank you in advance for the outpouring of support for our amazing, dedicated teaching staff here at DVD. Parents/Families: please check your email inboxes for opportunities to celebrate teachers this week and to support DVD. Here are a few ways to celebrate our teachers this week:
Calling all thinkers, tinkers, creative problem solvers and leaders!
Kick off your summer fun with three exciting in-person camps at Da Vinci Schools in beautiful El Segundo.
This summer, we are proudly offering Robotics, Graphic Design and L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability, Determination) Camps at our campus, located at 201 N. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245. Choose from two separate weeks with AM & PM sessions available. >> Register here: Da Vinci Summer Camp 2022
Week 1: June 21-24, 2022 (4 days)
Week 2: June 28-July 1, 2022 (4 days)
Schedule for both 4-day weeks:
Robotics Camp | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (entering grades 4-9)
Graphic Design Camp | 9:00AM to 12:00PM (entering grades 6-9)
L.E.A.D. Camp (Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability, Determination)| 12:30-3:30PM (entering grades 6-9)
COST: $200 per 4-day week/per AM or PM session
ROBOTICS CAMP: Campers will learn basic engineering concepts using LEGO Mindstorms, while designing, building, and programming their robots to complete a challenge based on the 2021-22 FIRST Robotics Challenge. Mentored by students on the World Champion Da Vinci Robotics Team, campers will complete a wide-range of robot objectives based on each student’s skill level and interest!
GRAPHIC DESIGN CAMP: Campers will be introduced to Adobe Photoshop and develop professional graphic design skills! Each day, students will learn how to use a new Photoshop tool or technique in response to a fun or interesting design challenge. At the end of the camp, students will create a final piece that shows off all their skills.
L.E.A.D. CAMP (Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability, Determination): Campers will develop valuable life skills – leadership, communication, teamwork, goal setting, problem-solving and time management to become great students and people through various team-building activities, games, workshops, and more!
Da Vinci Summer Camp 2022 is open to the general public. Morning campers may be dropped off as early as 8:30AM. All campers must be picked up within 15 minutes of camp ending. Lunch supervision is provided for campers participating in both the AM and PM sessions. **Please complete a separate registration for each child.**
COVID Protocols: Please note that Da Vinci Schools actively follows all federal, state and county guidelines related to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, masks will be strongly recommended.
I want to start this week by celebrating all of the students, staff, and student leaders who braved the snow and joined us in the mountains for our 10th Grade Retreat Camp! We were not expecting snow in April, but if this year has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected! It was truly a great bonding experience for our 10th graders and will be a camp retreat we won’t ever forget. See pictures below!
Also, we want to celebrate our 12th graders for starting their Senior Project journeys this week! Students who complete their Pitch POL and have their ideas approved will begin field work on their projects next week. For more details, reach out to the teachers on Team 12.
This week, we have a normal bell schedule week. 12th graders will be taking the CA Science Test (CAST) on Monday and Tuesday. 11th graders will be taking the CAST in their Biology classes on Wednesday and Thursday. See the Week 32 bell schedule here:
Parent Hiring Panel Interest Survey (Spring 2022)
Parents/Guardians: we need YOU! It is this time of year when we begin the process of hiring and interviewing potential teaching candidates for the 2022-2023 school year. It has traditionally been part of Da Vinci’s hiring practice that all school stakeholders participate in our hiring events (called symposiums) to help us find the next great DVD teachers. If you would like to participate, complete the Parent Hiring Panel Interest Survey here to learn more and to sign up!
Upcoming Dates & Events:
Friday, April 29th: Senior Beach Day Field Trip
Wednesday, May 4th: Spanish 3 Field Trip
Friday, May 6th: Staff Professional Development Day (No School)
Friday, May 6th (6pm-10pm): Prom! (@ Proud Bird in El Segundo)
This week, we have a special schedule to accommodate our all-school community dialogue this week! And, we are looking forward to sending our 10th graders on the all-day Camp Retreat this Friday. See the bell schedule for the week below:
10th Grade Retreat to Running Springs (Friday, 4/22): Our 10th grade students are scheduled to spend all day Friday, April 22nd in Running Springs, California (near Big Bear Lake)! We are asking all 10th grade students to arrive at DVD by 8:30am on Friday so that we can board buses and leave by 9am. We will be returning to DVD around 9:00pm that evening. Please see information about what to bring (and what not to bring) at this link:
Since we are going into the mountains, the weather on Friday is looking to be cold in the morning and evening, but will be warmer and sunnier during the day while we are there. In addition to bringing a water bottle and sunscreen, we recommend students do wear pants and bring a hoodie/sweater along with a light waterproof jacket just to be ready for any weather.
There will be plenty of fun things to do at camp from outdoor games like frisbee golf and soccer, to indoor games and a rock climbing room. Additionally, student will participate in meaningful discussions and opportunities to connect with their peers. Students can bring phones and headphones with them on the bus, but will leave them in a safe location with staff while at camp to be able to focus on the activities planned.
10th graders: Please return signed permission slips no later than Thursday, April 21st. Students should give their permission slips to their advisory teacher.
It was so great to see all of you this week at Exhibition Night! We are so proud of the work of our amazing students: from the incredible designs of zines and posters, to the thought provoking photography and spoken word, and of course to the awesome displays of architectural models and art work – we celebrate it all! Hats off to our excellent and collaborative teaching staff for the hard work and coordination it took to help our Design students shine so brightly. See some highlights below!
Wishing all of our students, families and staff a restful and amazing Spring Break! School resumes on Monday, April 18th.
We are delighted to invite our DVD Families and friends onto campus today, April 6th and tomorrow, April 7th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm for our Exhibition Nights!
We will be showcasing grades 11 & 12 today and grades 9 & 10 tomorrow (4/7). Families and community guests are welcome to come see all of the amazing work that students have been doing.
This is a masked event. All visitors are required to wear a mask while on campus.
We look forward to seeing you at our Exhibition Nights!
Thank you to everyone, including our students, staff leaders and families, who made the CARnival event such a great success last week! Can’t wait to do it again next year.
Next week, Exhibition week is finally here! All families and community guests are welcome to come see all of the amazing work that students have been doing. DVD Exhibition night is from 5:30pm-7:00pm on Wednesday 4/6 for grades 11 & 12, and Thursday 4/7 for grades 9 & 10.
Lastly, here is an important message from our Da Vinci Schools CEO & Superintendent, Dr. Matt Wunder:
Dear Design Families, Students, and Staff,
Here is a video message regarding the incident that took place at the Design Black History assembly on March 4.
Families, if you are interested in joining the Family Equity Council, please email Dr. Allegra Johnson, Executive Director of Educational Services, at ajohnson@davincischools.org.
The council will meet twice a semester and share insights and recommendations around curriculum, creating inclusive school cultures, and supportive programming for students.
Thank you for your time, your honesty, and your commitment to the well-being and growth of the Da Vinci community.
Gratefully,
Matt
Key Dates & Upcoming Events at Da Vinci Design:
DVD Exhibition Nights:
Wednesday, April 6th (for Grades 11 & 12)
Thursday, April 7th (for Grades 9 & 10)
Friday, April 8th: NO CLASSES (Staff Development)
Monday, April 11th – Friday, April 15th: NO CLASSES (Spring Break)
The Architecture for Communities of Los Angeles (ACLA) is hosting Paul Revere Williams Day at the Los Angeles Trade-Tech College on Saturday, April 2nd from 9 am to 5 pm.
The Paul Revere Williams Day celebrates inclusivity in design-related professions by providing a wide range of activities and modes of engagement between students, educators, and professionals to share information, resources, and excitement for design!
This free event is open to the public– RSVP today to make connections, try great food, and have fun learning more about design professions!
Activities will include:
Mentoring Sessions: Speak with college students, professionals, and teachers about pursuing a career in architecture, engineering, and construction-related fields.
Mock interviews: Sign up to practice your interview skills!
Portfolio Reviews: Present your work to professionals/teachers to get feedback!
Site Tours: Visit open houses at schools/companies, or construction site tours of buildings!
In two weeks, we’re excited to be bringing back our Exhibition Night tradition! DVD Exhibition night is from 5:30pm-7:00pm on Wednesday 4/6 for grades 11 & 12, and Thursday 4/7 for grades 9 & 10. We look forward to welcoming you to campus and giving you an opportunity to see what our students have been doing and learning this year! See the bell schedule for the next two weeks, leading up to Exhibition, here:
This semester, our Exhibition Nights will be “open-house” style, and masks will be required of all participants as these are large indoor events with students, families, staff and community stakeholders present. Please see this email for the comprehensive update on masking.
Finally, we are thrilled to be able to bring back the spirit of the “Overnighter” tradition this year with “Camp Retreats” for our 9th and 10th grade students! These will be full-day (but not overnight) retreats at Camp Pondo, with students leaving the Da Vinci campus at 9am and returning at 9pm. The DVD Camp Retreat days are:
Friday, April 22nd for 10th graders
Wednesday, May 19th for 9th graders
The retreats will include a wide variety events including team-building, meaningful dialogue, and recreational activities including a zipline, skate park, climbing wall, and more! Details of the retreats will be coming soon, but for now you can mark the dates in your calendar if you have a 9th or 10th grade student!
Key Dates & Upcoming Events
DVD Exhibition Nights:
Wednesday, April 6th (for Grades 11 & 12)
Thursday, April 7th (for Grades 9 & 10)
Friday, April 8th: NO CLASSES (Staff Development)
Monday, April 11th – Friday, April 15th: NO CLASSES (Spring Break)
You are cordially invited to the Da Vinci Schools’ first CARnival! We invite you to a day of fun, games, food, and CARS!
This unique show will feature cars from the Automobile Museum, the Corvette of Choice Club, Army Armored Vehicles, and more. We will also have dunk tanks, carnival games, and many local food trucks. It will be an event you won’t want to miss!
The funds raised at the event will be used to support our senior class across all Da Vinci Schools (Science, Communications, Design, Connect, and RISE) and support our prom, Grad Nite, and graduation. Since many of our school activities were placed on hold during the pandemic, we would like for this event to be a way to bring our community together and celebrate our graduating class of 2022!
