Get a FREE Membership at the Y this Summer! (Click the image for more information)
June 15 – August 15 | Ages 12-18* years old
The LA Y “Get Summer” teen initiative is designed to keep teens active, engaged, and safe while school’s out for summer. Ys across Los Angeles County are offering free memberships to all teens, ages 12-18 years old. Individual branches will provide youth with academic support, college and employment readiness, volunteer opportunities, social gatherings, and exclusive programming with local partners.
*Anyone 18 years of age must be a graduating high school student to qualify for a free membership through the Get Summer program. Programs and activities vary by branch. For branch offerings, please contact your local teen director.
If you have any questions please contact Ms. Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
From all of the faculty and staff at Da Vinci Design, we wish you a wonderful summer break! Monday, August 14th is the first day of school for students in the 2023-24 school year. We will see you in August!
Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2023! It was an honor and pleasure watching you walk the stage yesterday. Graduation photos from yesterday have been uploaded for families here – you may access and download them for FREE thanks to our incredible photographer Stacee: https://staceelianna.smugmug.com/DaVinciSchools/Da-Vinci-Design/2023-Graduation/
Happy LGBTQ Pride Month! Thank you to our DVD Pride Club for hosting an amazing CD on the last day of school that included lip sync performances, dancing, and fun games. Da Vinci Schools is proud to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQ community this month, and the many ways LGBTQ folx have contributed to our world. Pride was originally focused on securing basic rights and later confronting the AIDS epidemic. Pride continues to be about creating and affirming spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can exist freely, without persecution.
Report cards: have been put into the mail today and will be arriving next week. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to the Da Vinci Design Front Office and ask for Office Manager Maria Beltran, or send an email to mbeltran@davincischools.org for any questions regarding work permits, enrollment, summer dates, etc. The DVD Front Office is open Monday-Friday (except for holidays) from 8am to noon.
June 13th: Summer Session 1 begins (by referral from counselors) Summer school forms were distributed to students last week. If your student received a summer school form, you must register for summer school. Click here for the summer school registration form.
Please stay tuned over the summer! We will be making announcements for new families AND returning families here on the blog. See you in August!
Tomorrow is the big day! DVD Graduation Ceremony begins promptly at 9am.
We are pleased to announce that the Class of 2023 graduation will be live streamed on June 8th starting at 9 am for those of you who have family members who want to cheer you on from home!
Please share this link so they can join the Class of 2023 graduation celebration!
If you are attending in-person tomorrow, please remember:
ARRIVAL TIME AT 8AM: Graduates MUST arrive at 8am to line up in preparation of the ceremony.
TICKETS AND SEATING: Family and guests MUST have a ticket in order to be seated at the ceremony. Seating is assigned, and maps/direction will be provided upon check in. We appreciate all guests staying in their assigned seats for the entirety of the ceremony.
WHAT TO BRING: Please remember to bring the gown, tassel, and cap provided by DVD. Students may wear flower leis or stoles over their gown.
WHAT NOT TO BRING: There will NOT be a place to store purses or bags during graduation. Graduates should travel light and leave belongings with family.
Balloons and “air horns” are not allowed – thank you for helping us to create an enjoyable environment for everyone and for ensuring everyone can see and hear the ceremony.
For last minute requests or questions, please reach out to Kirk Takeyama, Asst. Principal, via email: ktakeyama@davincischools.org .
Da Vinci Summer Career Training Programs still accepting applicants:
L.A. Urban League’s Biz Camp Summer Program
Learn how to turn ideas into successful businesses through planning, analysis, and real-world application. All entrepreneurs are encouraged to sign up. Stipends are available for participating students. To register, click here and apply for ‘Biz Camp Summer Program Session 2: Monday, July 10 – Thursday, July 27.
Da Vinci Connect Summer Gaming Opportunity
During this program, students will have the opportunity to engage in gameplay, project design, and collaboration. Students will have the opportunity to interact with AI-based mini-games, allowing them to explore their visions of the future through their creative work. They will have four hours a day over the course of 2 weeks (July 18-July 27), to build transformative experiences using emerging technology. To learn more, click here.
If you have any questions please contact Ms. Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
Da Vinci’s graduating seniors are closing out the school year with final Presentations of Learning where they reflect on their learning and growth over the past four years.
At Da Vinci Design, seniors completed a six-week capstone project culminating in a Senior Showcase held at the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo on May 24th. The Senior Showcase was a special exhibition for families, friends and the entire DV community.
Da Vinci Design’s senior project is composed of four stages of the Design Process: Care, Conceptualize, Create, and Critique. Projects focused on honing students’ design skills and serving the local community, from engineering indoor gardens to supporting local animal shelters, to starting small businesses selling jewelry and crochet items, to coordinating the Senior Showcase itself!
What started as a conversation over their passion for role playing games, Anthony Roberson, Adrian Williams, Francisco Saldana, and Danica Mojonnier created a professional role playing game called MouseVale, a fantastical world beneath human’s feet where adventuring animals maneuver the dangers of modern life. The students used Natural Crit to create a 150-page MouseVale: A Player’s Guide that resembles the Dungeons and Dragons format. They also created 50 original art pieces (some shown below). In order to bring this idea to life, the students have raised over $1000 in funds through a Kickstarter campaign and cookie sales. With so much momentum growing around their game, the Design students intend to release a PDF version of the guide, then hard copies.
The Wooden Room, a community space at Da Vinci Design, was renovated into The Garden Room by seniors Eli Velasquez, Mia Gonzalez, and Renna Ady. Their goal was to create a space for learners and educators that would encourage “greater engagement and motivation toward academic pursuits”. Utilizing SketchUp software they learned in their architecture pathway course, the group first created an electronic layout of the floor plan. Once conceptualized, they created wooden wall-mount planters, raised planters, and shelves that would be placed around the room. In collaboration with Cal Terra Design, Angel Velasquez Systems, and West Coast Welding and Fabrication, the students received over 20 donated plants, lumber, tools, and consulting services to support their project. To help maintain the garden after they graduate, the seniors created a “how to” manual so others can learn how to care for the different plants in the Garden Room after they’re gone.
Without any prior experience of writing, editing, or directing short films, Ruby Yarlett, Jayla Jones, and Devin Gough created an analog horror film, Nocturnum. Sparked by Ruby’s interest in analog horror films, they reached out to Jayla and Devin and the niche analog horror community for help in bringing this idea to life. Jayla was responsible for the film’s creative animations, while Devin edited the film’s sounds and visuals.
We are so inspired and impressed by all the senior projects, and wish all Da Vinci graduates a fantastic commencement and transition into college, career and life!! We are so proud of you!!
We have added some exciting internships and programs to our running list of summer opportunities. You can access them by using this link.
We also wanted to share this amazing program with you all. The Arte Youth Program is a non-profit organization that helps students learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math. They are offering a virtual course where students ages 11-17 will engage with analog astronauts and participate in activities and presentations. There will be prizes, gifts, and scholarships for selected participants. Students must have a computer to participate.
The Virtual Dates are:
June 16-18
July 28-30
The time sessions will be from 10am-4pm PST with a 30 min lunch break in the middle of the session.
You may register by clicking here. To learn more about analog missions, please see this website.
If you have any questions please contact Ms. Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
We are only two weeks away from the end of the school year! And we know what that means… POLs are here!
*SEE BELOW FOR THE SCHEDULE AND FOR IMPORTANT POL RESOURCES BY GRADE LEVEL*
This week, we had our annual Senior Showcase! Hosted at the Zimmerman Auto Museum, our 12th graders participated in one last special exhibition for families, friends and the DV community. The auto museum was full of live music and displays on a wide range of projects. Projects are focused on honing their design skills and serving the local community: from engineering indoor gardens to supporting local animal shelters, from starting small business selling jewelry and crochet to coordinating the Senior Showcase itself! And the ice cream parlor and food trucks were a big hit, too! See below for photos from the Class of 2023 Senior Showcase!
POLs are next Week! 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 formal attire. Any student in need of formal attire, please contact the front office and we will do our best to accommodate. Click the links below for grade-level specific information.
Grade 12: Hello 12th grade families, the 12th grade students will be presenting their final POL connected to their senior project on their designated time. Please see the attached schedule to help remind them. Best, 12th grade team.
Week 36-38 Bell Schedule: POLs May 30th-June 6th
Please note: On Friday, June 2nd, school begins at the normal time of 8:40am, NOT at 9:45am. Students should make sure to arrive on time and prepared for POLs on this day.
Key Dates & Upcoming Events
Monday, May 29th: NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day Holiday)
Friday, June 2nd: Senior Grad Nite (@ Disneyland)
Tues, May 30th – Tues, June 6th: Presentations of Learning (Minimum Days)
Wednesday, June 7th: Last Day of School! (Minimum Day)
Thursday, June 8th: DVD Graduation Commencement Ceremony
Time/Location: 9am at 201 N. Douglas St Campus
Week 36 Campus Highlight: Senior Showcase, Class of 2023
The DVD School Yearbook is Here and Available for Purchase!
The DVD yearbooks arrived at school on Wednesday and are available for pickup and purchase in Mr. White’s room (4205) before school, at lunch and after school.
If you pre-ordered the book, just come and pick it up. If you still need to purchase a book, there are some available. They cost $60, and you can pay cash, check (made out to Da Vinci Schools) or you can pay for it on My School Bucks. Here’s a QR code that you can use:
FOR SENIORS (or anyone else who would like to purchase one), there is also a Senior supplement that you can order that contains all of the spring Senior events that happened after the yearbook deadline: Senior Beach Day, Senior Prom, Senior Showcase, Grad Night, Graduation, and more! Supplements cost $10 (which includes shipping to your home) and can be ordered at the yearbookordercenter.com website (just enter our school code, which is 17693).
Here’s a QR code for that website:
If you have any questions, please email Mr. White (the yearbook adviser) at jwhite@davincischools.org ; thank you!
It’s that time of year where we celebrate our Seniors and start preparing for POLs! On Wednesday, we recognized so many amazing achievements of the Class of 2023 at our Senior Awards Night! We handed out awards and scholarships for academics, leadership, student clubs and councils, excellence in design/art portfolios, and more! See below for photos from our Senior Awards Night!
Speaking of Seniors, please join us this Wednesday, May 24th, from 5pm-7pm for our Senior Showcase! ALL ARE WELCOME to this special Exhibition night for DVD Seniors by DVD Seniors! This event celebrates all of the hard work rom our Class of 2023 on their culminating senior projects. This year, the event will be held at the Zimmerman Auto Museum! See the flier here for more information – hope to see you there!
POLs are around the corner! 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 formal attire. Any student in need of formal attire, please contact the front office and we will do our best to accommodate.
For specific details and schedules regarding POLs, please reach out to your student’s grade level teachers. More details coming to the blog soon.
10th Grade Design Pathways Selection Resources
10th grade Students and Parents/Guardians: Today, Sophomores received a presentation about the Design Pathways Selection Process in their Fundamentals of Design class. Please look at the resource posted here so that you can help discuss this important decision as a family: 2022-2023 Pathways Selection Slides
The final decision will be made in their Sophomore design class as part of their POLs. ALL Sophomores must complete the Pathways Selection Survey in order to have their preference considered for their 11th grade courses. Stoll will be available this coming Wednesday for a “Coffee w/ Admin” session to discuss Pathways options!
For questions, please reach out to your counselor.
An Update About Da Vinci + Wiseburn from the Da Vinci Schools CEO/Superintendent
“I know this has been a busy week, and that the update we shared with you on Wednesday about our lease agreement and evolving relationship with WUSD prompted many questions, concerns, and feelings. First, I want to reassure you that Da Vinci Schools are here in the community for the long-term. Second, I’m so sorry that our students, families, and prospective families are experiencing this untimely distraction at the end of the school year. We are exceptionally confident that Da Vinci Schools will be serving students here in Wiseburn for many years to come.
We launched this webpage to serve as a hub for information, and we hope it will be a useful resource for you at this time. We will add more information as we have it and we will keep you updated to that effect.” – Dr. Matt Wunder
Week 36-38 Bell Schedule: POLs May 30th-June 6th
Please note: On Friday, June 2nd, school begins at the normal time of 8:40am, NOT at 9:45am. Students should make sure to arrive on time and prepared for POLs on this day.
Dual Enrollment classes are a great way to be competitive in the college application process by taking community college courses over the summer break and during the Fall 2023 semester. Below you will find helpful information on the Dual Enrollment process.
A message from the Dual Enrollment Office at El Camino College.
Please read the following completely and carefully:
Summer 2023 & Fall 2023
• The Class Schedules for Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 are available online: View Class Schedules
• Registration for Summer 2023 classes is scheduled to begin May 18 for K-12 students. Registration for Fall 2023 classes is scheduled to begin May 25 for K-12 students. K-12 students must complete Steps 1-3 of the Steps for Dual Enrollment before they can Register for Classes (Step 4).Emailing us your Dual Enrollment Application Form? At this time, we are prioritizing forms for Summer 2023, regularly processed within 2-3 business days. Forms for Fall 2023 are processed within 3-5 business days. Please read below to ensure your form is complete and can be processed.
• Please make sure Sections I, II, and III are complete, including Semester and Year (e.g. Summer 2023), Grade Level, and High School Graduating Class year.
• Student, Parent, and High School Authorized Signatures must be drawn (they cannot be typed) in order to be accepted by our Admissions & Records Office.
• Students in Grades K-10 must also include Division Dean Approval on their Dual Enrollment Application form.
• Make sure you have emailed your form to us as an attachment to allow Dual Enrollment and Admissions Office staff to access your form. You will not receive an email notification when your Dual Enrollment Application form is processed. Instead, students can check the MyECC portal: after your form has been processed, all K-12 Form notifications and error messages will disappear, and the course(s) listed on your form will appear under Petitions & Waivers. See Page 5 of How to Register for Classes
Next Steps to Register:
Please refer to the Steps for Dual Enrollment on our website for support to complete Steps 3-4. • Step 3. Clear any Prerequisites – Students are responsible for clearing any prerequisites prior to registering for classes. • Step 4. Register for Classes – This is the last step to save your seat in El Camino College classes!
After You Register Please read After You Register to discover how to: • Check your registered classes • Check your account balance • Look up and purchase required textbooks and course materials • Access Canvas and your @elcamino.edu email address • Learn important dates for the term
More Information & Help Complete steps and support for each step of the dual enrollment process can be found on our website: www.elcamino.edu/dualenrollment
Ask us anything! Dual Enrollment Zoom Help is available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Helpful Links: • Tips for Dual Enrollment – NEW! • Read FAQs about Dual Enrollment – answers to common questions for K-12 students • A list of Popular Courses for Dual Enrollment by grade level • Help & Events – Find online and on-campus support and upcoming and past events about Dual Enrollment
If you are a parent, know that we are unable to discuss a student’s application, dual enrollment, or registration status with anyone except the student who will be taking the class due to FERPA.
Get a FREE Membership at the Y this Summer! (Click the image for more information)
