Da Vinci Design

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was a big week for DVD! We successfully completed our WASC visit, fulfilling the requirements for a six-year accreditation cycle. The visiting committee, represented by four volunteer educators from local high schools, spent three days on campus meeting with various school stakeholders as part of a comprehensive process. The committee participated in classroom observations, ran focus groups, and reviewed a written report documenting Da Vinci Design’s core practices. On Wednesday during lunch, the WASC visiting committee shared their findings with the school community in a presentation. They highlighted governance, vision & purpose, teaching practices, school culture and student support amongst DVD’s highly effective practices. The chairperson of the visiting committee recognized Da Vinci Design as a “model school for Project-Based Learning and innovative teaching”. Congratulations Da Vinci Design, and thank you to our amazing school community for participating in this process! See photos below from the WASC VC presentation.

DVD also had a spirit week this week hosted by Black Student Union in honor of Black History Month. It was a wonderful way of showing our visitors fist-hand the kind of spirit and pride we have at DVD. We celebrated this week in multiple ways, including by wearing black-owned brands and apparel, portraying black musicians and artists, and also representing as a “BBQ dad” or “rich auntie” on Wednesday – a crowd favorite. See photos below.

See the Bell Schedule for Week 25 at DVD here:

WDV Performing Arts Presents: GREASE

Don’t miss the electrifying Wiseburn Da Vinci Performing Arts spring musical, GREASE! Join us for a unforgettable story of friendship, love, and adventure through the 1950s. The first show opens Friday, February 28th and runs through Sunday, March 9th. Grab your tickets today–– this is a show you don’t want to miss!

>> Purchase your tickets here!

Come show your support for the talented GREASE cast and crew, who have dedicated countless hours to bringing this show to life. Space is limited––get your tickets today!

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• Wed, Mar. 5th: Coffee w/ Admin
  • All parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team
  • 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
  • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
• Wed, Mar. 5th: English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
  • via Zoom, 5pm
• Mon, Mar. 10th – Thurs, Mar. 13th: Student Led Conferences (SLCs)
• Fri, Mar. 14th: NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

Campus Highlights (Week 24): WASC VC Presentation & BSU Spirit Week

Greetings Designers and Design Families!

Student Led Conference (SLC) week at Da Vinci Design is happening March 10th-13th, and we are excited to have you on campus with us! SLCs are an important time when parents and teachers come together for a meeting led by the student. It is a time to highlight a student’s strengths and hard work, to encourage students to set new goals, and to ask guiding questions so students can take ownership of their learning. Every student is expected to participate in leading an SLC with a parent/guardian present this semester. SLCs will happen in-person. See below for SLC schedules and details presented by each grade level teaching team.

Reminders for families arriving for SLCs:

• Families can find parking anywhere in the lot north of 201 N. Douglas St.
• Please check-in on the 1st floor upon arriving to get a name tag and find which classroom to report to
• Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time to allow time to check-in

Student Led Conferences (SLCs): Grade Level Resources

• 9th Grade SLC Resources: Overview Letter & Schedule Link
• 10th Grade SLC Resources: Overview Letter | Sign-Up Link (via Sign Up Genius)
• 11th Grade SLC Resources: Overview Letter | Schedule Link
• 12th Grade SLC Resources: Overview Letter | Schedule Link | RSVP Link

Please click here for the parent/guardian expectations and FAQs letter for Student Led Conferences; in English and en Espanol.

Bell Schedule for DVD Week 26 (SLC Week)

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Today, we celebrated Black History Month with our annual community dialogue celebration hosted by the DVD Black Student Union (BSU). The whole school community shared in the joy as we played games, featured student performances, and highlighted a series of fantastic celebrity impersonations during a fashion show from the likes of Aaliyah to Snoop Dogg. We will end our celebration of Black History Month with a Spirit Week next week. See pictures and spirit week flyer below!

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 24 at DVD:

WASC Visiting Committee Welcomed to DVD Next Week!

From Feb. 24th – Feb, 26th, DVD is welcoming a visiting WASC committee to spend time on our campus as part of our customary accreditation cycle. The WASC visiting committee will be doing classroom observations and focus groups with various school stakeholders.

Click here for slides shared during classroom presentations to students from Principal Stoll this week.

DVD’s most recent self-study visit was in March 2019 and DVD received a 6-year accreditation (maximum possible for a self study). The primary goals of accreditation, as stated by the WASC, is certification to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning, and the improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• Mon, Feb. 24th – Wed, Feb. 26th: WASC visiting committee
• Wed, Mar. 5th: Coffee w/ Admin
  • All parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team
  • 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
  • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
• Mon, Mar. 10th – Thurs, Mar. 13th: Student Led Conferences (SLCs)
• Fri, Mar. 14th: NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

Campus Highlight: Black History Month celebration & Spirit Week (2/24-2/28)

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was Spirit Week! It’s always so fun to see students engaged in dressing up and showing school spirit. Thanks to our student Leadership team for sponsoring this week, and Latinx Student Union (LSU) for giving this week a sweet ending with the “Conchas Con Carino” fundraiser!

Progress reports are being mailed home today on February 14th. The purpose of progress reports 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, May 3rd, 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 23:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• Fri, Feb. 14th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
• Mon, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day Holiday
• Wed, Mar. 5th: Coffee w/ Admin
  • All parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team
  • 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
  • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
• Mon, Mar. 10th – Thurs, Mar. 13th: Student Led Conferences (SLCs)
• Fri, Mar. 14th: NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was National School Counseling Week! Thank you to our amazing counseling team for planning activities and announcements fitting this year’s theme: “Helping Students Thrive”. Counselors: we appreciate you and all you do for our students!

This week also kicked off Black History Month! Our DVD Black Student Union has decorated our grade-level hubs, and has also designed an installation on display in the atrium on the first floor in collaboration with BSUs from other campuses. We will have our annual Black History Month Community Dialogue assembly on 2/21 with performances, games, and presentations recognizing and honoring Black History Month.

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 22:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• Fri, Feb. 7th: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
  • *CANCELLED* All-Schools Winter Dance!
• Mon, Feb. 10th: Community Learning Day (CLD) #3
• Tues, Feb 11th – Fri, Feb 14th: Spring Spirit Week!
  • See flyer with Spirit Days below!
• Tues, Feb. 11th: Parent Advisory Committee #4
  • 5pm via Zoom
  • Agenda: 1) Welcome, Introductions and Public Comment, 2) School Safety Plan Review, 3) WASC Updates & Visit Preparations, 4) LCAP: Goal 2 Review
  • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
• Fri, Feb. 14th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
• Mon, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day Holiday

Week 22: Spring Spirit Week!

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

This week was Neurodiversity Celebration week at DVD! Throughout the week, students participated in fun and engaging activities designed to celebrate our unique differences. We also unveiled a permanent sensory wall installation created by students which serves as a powerful reminder of disability awareness. We ended the week with a Community Dialogue celebration, with all-stars and games, too. See more pictures below!

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 21:

The final Da Vinci Schools “FAFSA Fridays Workshop Series” is on Feb. 7th. You can register here for the upcoming workshop. Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material. Click here for more information, flyer, and QR sign-up.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• Mon, Feb. 3rd & Tues, Feb. 4th: 9th Grade Physical Fitness Testing
• Wed, Feb. 5th: Coffee w/ Admin
  • All DVD parents and guardians welcome! Join for brief school updates and open Q&A with the DVD admin team.
  • 8am or 5pm, via Zoom
  • Agenda: 1) Campus Updates & Highlights, 2) Upcoming Calendar Events, 3) Staff and Student Survey Feedback, 4) Q&A
  • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
• Fri, Feb. 7th: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
  • Fri, Feb. 7th is also the All-Schools Winter Dance!
• Mon, Feb. 10th: Community Learning Day (CLD) #3
• Tues, Feb. 11th: Parent Advisory Committee #4
  • 5pm via Zoom
  • Agenda: 1) Welcome, Introductions and Public Comment, 2) School Safety Plan Review, 3) WASC Updates & Visit Preparations, 4) LCAP: Goal 2 Review
  • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
• Fri, Feb. 14th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
• Mon, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day Holiday

Week 20 Campus Highlight: Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

We ended out week at DVD by recognizing a stellar group of students at our second annual POL Excellence Awards Breakfast in the Black Box Theater. At this event, students who were nominated for exceptional performances on their Fall 2024 Presentations of Learning got to do a “victory lap” presentation in a TedTalk-style format for families, friends and staff. Students presented game concepts, debate speeches, non-fiction stories, and so much more. Congrats again to our POL Excellence Awards Winners! See more pictures below!

 

Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 20:

The final Da Vinci Schools “FAFSA Fridays Workshop Series” is on Feb. 7th. You can register here for the upcoming workshop. Participants should register for ONE workshop as all workshops will cover the same material. Click here for more information, flyer, and QR sign-up.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• Mon, Jan. 27th – Fri, Jan 31st: Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
• Mon, Feb. 3rd & Tues, Feb. 4th: 9th Grade Physical Fitness Testing
• Fri, Feb. 7th: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
  • Fri, Feb. 7th is also the All-Schools Winter Dance!
• Mon, Feb. 10th: Community Learning Day (CLD) #3
• Fri, Feb. 14th: Progress Reports Mailed Home
• Mon, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL – Presidents’ Day Holiday

Week 19 Campus Highlight: POL Excellence Awards (Jan 2025)

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Hoping this finds all of you safe, well and rested after the holiday break. We are looking forward to seeing you all back on campus next week. Second semester at Da Vinci Design starts on Monday, January 13th.

From: DV Central Office
Important Information on Indoor Air Filtration Systems

As the devastating fires continue to impact L.A. County and our region, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thoughts to everyone who has suffered immense loss and to express our deep gratitude to the brave first responders. Please know that our hearts are with you during this difficult time. The following blog post includes resources to support those affected by the wildfires as well as preparedness resources.

We look forward to welcoming our students back to our campuses beginning on Monday, Jan. 13. All Da Vinci schools remain open, but should circumstances change, we will notify families and staff immediately.

A complete message from Da Vinci Schools was sent to all families earlier today; more information can be found in the message sent, or the blog post above.

If you are a DVD family who has been personally affected by the fires or high winds, please reach out to Principal Stoll, your counselor, or DVD Front Office as soon as possible so that we can offer support and resources. The health and safety of our students is our top priority. If you or someone you know is in need of resources at this time, please feel free to share this resource list. 

Next week is a special schedule while we prepare to enroll seminar classes. Here is the Bell Schedule for Week 18:

Semester 2 Seminar Sign-Ups:
Students will see a full list of seminars available on during Advisory on Monday. We will be signing students up for second semester seminars Wednesday, 1/15 – Friday, 1/17:

• Wed, 1/15 during Flex Block (8:40am-9:25am): 12th grade Seminar Sign-Ups
• Thurs, 1/16 during Flex Block (8:40am-9:25am): 11th & 10th grade Seminar Sign-Ups
• Fri, 1/17 during English 9 (P1 + P5): 9^th grade Seminar Sign-Ups

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

• Mon, Jan. 13th: First Day of Semester Two
• Wed, 1/15 – Fri, 1/17: Seminar Sign Ups
• Mon, Jan. 20th: NO SCHOOL – MLK Jr. Holiday
• Tues, Jan. 21st: Parent Advisory Committee #3
  • 5pm via Zoom
  • Agenda: 1) Welcome, Introductions and Public Comment, 2) School Safety Plan Review. pt. 2, 3) WASC Introduction & Report Summary, 4) LCAP Goal #1 Review
  • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8331212069
• Mon, Feb. 3rd & Tues, Feb. 4th: 9th Grade Physical Fitness Testing
• Fri, Feb. 7th: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
  • Fri, Feb. 7th is also the All-Schools Winter Dance!

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!