Archive for Student Life

Community Learning Day Tomorrow (April 21st)

Hello Designers and Design Families,

Tomorrow (Monday April 21st) is the last Community Learning Day (CLD) of the year! Students should check their Da Vinci email for confirmation of what CLD workshop they will be attending and what classroom / learning space to report to for attendance. All CLD sessions happen at the 201 N. Douglas St. campus and begin at 8:30am. All students, whether they attend an in-person session OR if they work off-campus tomorrow, will be responsible for completing this survey.

We will return for our regular class schedule starting Tuesday, April 22nd.

Hope you all have had a wonderful Spring Break and see you tomorrow!

Interested in Pursuing a Career in Healthcare or Aviation? Fill out an Interest Form Today!

Did you know Da Vinci is launching a new career certification program in Fall 2025 designed for graduating seniors? 

This FREE, full-time program provides a path to high-demand careers:

  • Healthcare: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Pharmacy Technician, or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • Aviation: FAA-Certified Remote Drone Pilot with progress towards Private Pilot License

Students will gain valuable skills, certifications, earn college credits through El Camino College, and receive personalized career planning and coaching — all while staying connected to their community at Da Vinci Schools.

This program is designed to give graduating seniors a strong start after graduation, complementing their future goals. 

Discover how LifeLaunch can help you take the next step toward a rewarding, in-demand career. This career training program supports Da Vinci’s commitment to providing real-world, career-connected learning experiences that lead to high-quality job opportunities.

For further information, please complete the Interest Form.

Rivet School invites all Da Vinci seniors to join our in-person open house on Wednesday, April 9th at 6pm!

We’re excited to invite you to explore all that Rivet School with Da Vinci has to offer at our upcoming Open House! This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about our tuition free college program, meet your college coach, and connect with current and future students.

Whether you’re still exploring your options, ready to apply, or have already committed, this will be a great opportunity for you to get more info and ask any questions you have!

Open House Details:

  • Date: Wednesday, April 9th
  • Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Location: 550 Continental Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245 (DV Connect High Campus)
  • Food will be provided

RSVP before Monday, April 7th so we know you are planning to attend.

Link to RSVP: HERE

Thanks and we look forward to meeting you all soon!

Cupid Shuffle Dance Canceled

Attention DVD students and families:

We have made the decision to cancel the Cupid Shuffle Dance scheduled for Friday, February 7th.

We know the students were excited about the event, and we’re sorry for any inconvenience. If you’ve already bought a ticket, a refund will be issued.

Thanks for your understanding.

 

Spring Dance on Feb. 7th – Tickets Available Now!

Get Ready to Dance at “The Cupid Shuffle” – DV’s Spring Dance!

Da Vinci is excited to host “The Cupid Shuffle”—this year’s Spring Dance—on Friday, February 7th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a sensory-friendly hour from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Ticket Information:

  • Presale: $25 (available through MySchoolBucks)
  • Deadline for Online Purchase: Thursday, February 6th, at 11:59 PM
  • At-the-Door Price: $30 (Friday, February 7th)

Event Details:

  • When: Friday, February 7th
  • Where: Da Vinci West Plaza
  • Dress Code: Semi-formal (dress up a little, but keep it comfortable!)
  • Who Can Attend: Only currently enrolled Da Vinci students (grades 9-12) – no outside guests permitted

Don’t miss out on a fun-filled night of music, dancing, and memories! Get your tickets early to save, and we’ll see you on the dance floor! [Check out the event flyer here.]

Note: We are using MySchoolBucks for the purchase of dance tickets and other school activities. Here are some resources you can use to set up your account, if you’ve never used it:

WDV Soccer Field – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Set for Monday, Oct. 21

We are thrilled to invite you to join us for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Wiseburn Da Vinci Soccer Field at 201 N. Douglas Street, which has generated immense excitement throughout our community. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place this Monday, Oct. 21 at 4:45 pm. Following the ceremony, we invite you to watch the WDV Boys Soccer practice.

Everyone is invited to the ribbon-cutting of our new state-of-the-art facility!! We look forward to sharing this beautiful new space with our students, families, and the broader community.

This project is made possible through the support of Wiseburn USD Measure EE funds.

AllCove Mental Health & Wellness resources

 

Attached please find the event and workshop calendar for AllCove, a robust community center right here in the South Bay. AllCove offers:

  • Mental health.
  • Physical health.
  • Substance use.
  • Peer support.
  • Family support.
  • Supported education and employment.

Below are some events that might be of interest to you and your student:

Holistic:

AllCove Open House – Saturday, October 5th

Clothing Upcycle Event, Thursday, October 17th from 4:30 – 6:00pm

Social Emotional:

Healthy Relationships Workshop – Saturday, October 12th, 19th and 26th – 12 – 1:30p

Gender Identity Dialogue – Tuesday, October 1, 15, 29 – 5 – 6:00pm

College:

Finding your Voice in College Essays – Wednesday, October 9th, 16th from 4:30 – 6:00pm

First Generation College Bound – Tuesday, October 22nd, 5 – 6pm

 

Call for more information:

allcove Beach Cities

(310) 374-5706

New Partnership with Hazel Health, a Free Resource for Mental Health Services

Dear Da Vinci Families,

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Hazel Health, an innovative service now available to support the mental health needs of all Da Vinci students in grades TK-12. As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive care and resources, Hazel Health offers access to licensed healthcare professionals and services, both at school and from home.

What is Hazel Health?

Hazel Health connects students with a mental health counselor for virtual visits directly from school, or the comfort of your home, at no cost to families. Hazel Health ensures that your child receives timely care for mental health support.

How it Works

  • School-Based Care: Students and families can work with the Da Vinci Counselors to set up appointments for teletherapy at designated times from campus. Students will be supervised in a safe and privatized space for therapy sessions.
    • If your student has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and there is a concern or question about how this general education offered service would be incorporated into their school day with their current special education programming and services, please contact/consult with Dr. Lynn Rodriguez, Director of Special Education to answer any questions or seek clarification (lrodriguez@davincischools.org). Otherwise, families with an IEP or Section 504 plan should reach out to their case manager/counselor to meaningfully incorporate this service during your day.
  • At-Home Care: Families can schedule telehealth visits from home. Appointments are accessible and can be done on your own schedule between 7am-7pm, Monday through Friday.

Services Provided by Hazel Health:

Mental Health Counseling: Hazel Health provides support for anxiety, depression, grief, and other mental health concerns.

Why Hazel Health?

  • Convenient Access: No need for appointments or travel time. Support is provided virtually when your child needs it.
  • No Cost to Families: Services are free for all students at Da Vinci Schools, ensuring that every family has access to care.
  • Confidential & Secure: All services are confidential, and student privacy is a top priority.

Getting Started

To begin using Hazel Health, simply complete the consent form listed on the website https://getstarted.hazel.co/district/davincischools. You can also reach out to your school counselor for assistance in signing up. We are thrilled to bring this important resource to our Da Vinci community and are confident that Hazel Health will help us keep students happy, healthy, and ready to learn.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students’ well-being.

Best regards,

Erin Whalen
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Da Vinci Schools
ewhalen@davincischools.org

First Community Learning Day – October 11th

Dear Da Vinci Families,

We recently shared with you information about an exciting new initiative this school year known as Community Learning Days (CLDs) in response to our community’s desire to provide more opportunities to bring students together across our five high schools. CLDs are all about options and designed to offer students the flexibility to explore their interests and build community with students and staff attending Communications, Connect High, Design, RISE and Science.

With our first CLD approaching on Friday, October 11th, we want to provide you with some important updates:

  • This week in Advisory, students learned more about CLDs and took a Student Survey to express their interest in learning experiences/activities for the first two CLDs (Oct. 11 and Nov. 8).
  • All students – whether they participate in on-campus or off-campus learning – will have access to free breakfast and lunch.
  • On-campus programming will run from 8:30am-12:30pm. We have some exciting on-campus options planned such as college and career workshops, financial literacy, Real World Learning experiences, hands-on learning in the Ceramics Studio, performing arts experiences, athletics activities, community service, and more.
  • Students requesting to learn off-campus must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian. Permission slips will be provided to students by Sept. 13th.
  • During the week of Sept. 23, students will receive notice of enrollment for one of their selected workshops (on-campus) OR receive approval to engage in off-campus learning (permission slip required).
  • Oct. 11 is Da Vinci’s first CLD Day!
  • During the week of Oct. 21, we will send out a Feedback Survey to hear what you think so we can continue to improve!

As a reminder, there are four CLDs scheduled this school year (Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Feb. 10, Apr. 21). We can’t wait to embark on this exciting new journey together.

Gratefully,

Dr. Matthew Wunder
CEO/Superintendent
Da Vinci Schools

Community Learning Days

Dear Da Vinci Students and Families,

We are excited to introduce a new initiative for the 2024-25 school year called Community Learning Days (CLDs), in response to our community’s desire to provide more opportunities to bring students together across all our high schools. CLDs offer a day of choice and flexibility in learning for Da Vinci families enrolled at Communications, Connect High, Design, RISE, and Science.

Community Learning Days are designed to enrich the high school educational experience and foster a deeper sense of connection between students at all our high schools. CLDs advance our Da Vinci Schools’ vision of empowering a new generation of students prepared to lead, innovate and thrive in the modern world where learning can happen within and beyond the school walls. CLDs are scheduled four times throughout the school year (Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Feb. 10, Apr. 21), offering a unique blend of community, connection, flexibility, creativity, and accountability for both students and staff.

What are Community Learning Days?
CLDs are a new initiative for the 2024-25 school year designed to provide students and families across our schools with a menu of choices, including optional on-campus programming that brings students together from all our schools from 8:00am-12:30pm at our 201 N. Douglas St. campus; extra learning time at home to catch up on schoolwork; or time for your family to take advantage of something that would not normally be available during regular school hours, such as going on college visits, exploring museums, and more. 

Based on community input, the decision to introduce CLDs grew out of a desire for additional opportunities to bring together students across our campuses to foster deeper connections, for more student choice in pursuing learning that is most meaningful to them, and for new strategies to promote and support student and staff well-being.  

How does it work?
Students will learn more about CLDs this week during Advisory classes. A Student Survey will be launched during the week of September 5 for students and families to make selections about what they would like their first CLD to look like on Friday, October 11. Students and families will make a choice to participate in On-Campus Learning or Off-Campus Learning. Students and families will be notified of their CLD approved selection during the week of September 23. 

Students are encouraged to plan their activities thoughtfully and productively. Students will track progress and accomplishments in Canvas, ensuring that these days are both enjoyable and productive. All students will learn and earn attendance but in different ways. Follow-up surveys will help us plan for future CLDs. 

What learning can students participate in?
ON-CAMPUS: High school students will have an array of diverse on-campus learning experiences to choose from at the 201 N. Douglas campus, such as:

  • Explore and engage with hands-on equipment in the Ceramics Studio, CTE Lab, shop materials, and learn how to use advanced tools like laser cutters and 3D printers
  • College and career workshops
  • Financial Literacy
  • Special community service or volunteer field trips
  • Open Lab (space for students to complete work or study)
  • Other planned offerings that will be shared in the upcoming survey

OFF-CAMPUS: Students can “leave to learn” and engage in a learning experience off campus independently, such as going on a college visit, service learning, job shadow, internship, etc.  Or, students can complete work from home – get caught up or get ahead!  A permission slip is required to be signed by the parent/guardian for Off-Campus Learning.

All students – whether they participate in on-campus or off-campus learning – will have access to breakfast and lunch on all Community Learning Days. 

How will staff be involved in CLDs?
Staff will create new on-campus learning experiences based on their personal passions, while forming deeper connections with colleagues across our school community. Staff also will have flexible work time to prepare instructional materials and lessons, participate in professional development, and more. 

We hope you are excited about Community Learning Days as we are. We believe that CLDs will be a transformative addition to our educational program, fostering a joyful and connected environment for our entire learning community. We look forward to seeing the creative and productive ways our students and staff will utilize these days to grow, learn, and thrive.

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm as we embark on this exciting new journey together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Matthew Wunder
CEO/Superintendent

Da Vinci Schools

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