Announcements from Real World Learning Director (11.6.2023)
Apply to become a creative intern with Teens Media Network (TMN):
Teens Media Network (TMN) is currently looking for young, creative minds to join us on an exciting adventure to create a youth media network. We need multimedia producers (content creators), graphic designers, copywriters, social media managers, and PR professionals (event producers).
Apply now to be a part of something unique, exciting, and innovative! Applications are due Thursday, November 9.
If you need support with your application, please reach out to Ms. Nordia Simmonds at nsimmonds@davincischools.org.
Connect High School students, please reach out to Ms. Evelyn Hernandez-Rosas at ehernandezrosas@davincischools.org.
Learn more about amazing RWL Opportunities here!
For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
Week 13 Preview
Greetings Designers and Design Families!
This week was full of seasonal fun – from spooky lab experiments in Chemistry class to ofrenda building in Spanish class. Our students really had something each day to look forward to this past week at DVD. And, it was so much fun having our annual Halloween costume contest during lunch on Tuesday! Shout out to our winners – see a few photos below!
This week, also had our November edition of “Coffee with Admin”, where parents/guardians can meet with the admin team at DVD to hear updates and ask questions about all things DVD. Our agenda for this month’s edition was 1) Campus Updates & Highlights, 2) Upcoming Calendar Events, 3) Tardy and Absence Updates, 4) Red Ribbon Week: Key Resources, 5) Q&A. If you were not able to attend but would like to see a few campus, you can click here to find the slides from our November Coffee with Admin. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, December 6th.
See the Bell Schedule for Week 12 here, as well key dates and events below:
Upcoming Dates and Events:
- Thursday, 11/9: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
- Friday, 11/10: NO SCHOOL – Veteran’s Day Holiday
- Tuesday, 11/14: 12th and 10th Grade Exhibition Night
- 10th Grade: 3pm-5pm
- 12th Grade: 5:30pm-7:30pm
- Friday, 11/17: Diversity Council Community Dialogue & Community Paint Day
- 11/20-11/24: NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Holiday Break
Week 12 Campus Highlight – Halloween Costume Contest!
Staff Appreciation
Dear DVD Students, Parents, and Guardians,
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we are all grateful for the tremendous work of our school staff – from our teachers to counselors to paraeducators to custodians to front office staff. To show our appreciation, we are organizing Thanksgiving baskets to deliver to our school staff on Thursday, November 16th. The idea is that each staff member will receive one basket containing treats and words of appreciation from students and parents/guardians.
Here is how you can contribute to the baskets of Thanksgiving:
- Items: If you are interested and able to purchase something to show your appreciation, please consider non-perishable items such as: individually wrapped : pop corn, gummies, trail mix, chips, hot chocolate, pretzels, candy, cookies, gift cards ($5) to target, Starbucks, coffee, sparkling water, tea, and any other non-perishable snacks. We need donated items collected by: Tuesday November 14th. All items can be left on the first floor front office.
- Words of Appreciation: There is nothing that means more to school staff than words of appreciation or encouragement. Please consider handwriting a note of thanks or typing one digitally here: DVD Staff Appreciation Notes We will be printing these digital messages and including all words of appreciation in the baskets. Handwritten notes can be dropped off by Tuesday November 14th.
With gratitude for your ongoing encouragement and support,
Russell Stoll Kirk Takeyama Korina Barefield
Principal Assistant Principal Dean of Student Success & Culture
CSS Profile
Hello DVD Seniors!
The CSS Profile is an application for institutional financial aid required by more than 300 colleges, universities and scholarship organizations. If you are applying to a college that requires the CSS Profile, please complete this form as soon as possible. The financial information that is provided by completing the CSS profile will allow colleges to create an estimated award offer if you are accepted to their institution. As we wait for the FAFSA to open sometime in December, we are also anticipating that processing of the FAFSA may take longer than expected. However, the estimated award as a result of the CSS profile, will more than likely be the actual award you will receive.
- The CSS Profile is mostly for private schools. Here is the list of participating institutions
- Students that applied EA/ED may have an CSS Profile deadline in November or December. Please check deadline on the respective university websites
- The UCs and the CSUs do not require the CSS Profile, only the FAFSA or the CADAA
- Priority FAFSA or the CADAA deadline for the UCs is March 2nd
- Priority FAFSA or the CADAA deadline for the CSUs is April 2nd
If you have any questions, please contact your student’s counselor.
Thank you,
DVD Counselors
Announcements from Real World Learning Director (11.1.2023)
The Real World Learning Team Presents: RWL Workshops
Networking Workshop
November 16th, 4-5 PM
Real World Learning Center @ 201 N. Douglas
Join the Real World Learning Coordinator, Nordia Simmonds, for conversations about making your network work for you. You can expect to walk away from the workshop with practical tips to grow and maintain a thriving network that you can leverage to launch you into your dream career!
Career-Learning Opportunity
November 30th, 4-5 PM
Real World Learning Center @ 201 N. Douglas
We will be welcoming an exciting guest speaker, Andrea Howard, to share her experiences as a birth and postpartum doula!
Learn more about amazing RWL Opportunities here!
For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
Announcements from Real World Learning Director (10.31.2023)
The NewFilmmakers Los Angeles’ Student Mentorship Program has partnered with NBCUniversal Academy once again for their student mentorship program!
The Student Mentorship Program is open to current LA County High School Students. Participants will be paired with a production mentor during their time on set and will learn about directing, cinematography, lighting, producing, sound mixing and more. Students will also have the opportunity to meet the filmmakers on set and also receive IMDB credit for their participation. The students will have a chance to visit the Universal Studios lot and an actual Hollywood film set. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity.
Upcoming dates: 12 spots available for each date
- Thurs, Nov 9th
- Tues, Nov 14th
- Wed, Nov 15th
Location: NBC Universal Studios Lot
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, California 91608
Time: TBD but usually in the afternoon from 2pm to 6pm or 3pm to 7pm. We understand that it’s a school day, but we are also willing to write an excuse letter, if needed.
Each student is only allowed to participate once and they must be a current LA County-based High School student.
What you need to do:
- Students need to send their application via this link.
- The student’s parent/guardian needs to sign the NFMLA Release Forms and send them to us by email.
- Please make sure to inform the student to regularly check their email and respond to our invitation as soon as possible so we can reserve a spot for them.
- Spots will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. We will send a confirmation email to the student once they have been admitted to the program, so please remind them to check their inbox/spam folder regularly.
For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
Click here to see other Real World Learning opportunities.
Week 12 Preview
Greetings Designers and Design Families!
This week at Da Vinci Schools, we celebrated Red Ribbon Week. There were several events on campus to bring awareness to and share resources about drug prevention awareness and health. The theme was “Be Kind To Your Mind”. Especially with Halloween around the corner, we ask all of our students to be safe and make good choices as they engage in holiday festivities and social gatherings. If you would like to review any of the resources shared, please click here.
We are excited to celebrate Halloween on our campus next week with a special dress up spirit day on Tuesday! Please help remind all students that while costumes are encouraged, students are not allowed to bring prop weapons, full face masks, or excessive gore/blood. All costumes must be school appropriate, and students not in costume must adhere to dress code. We will be having a costume contest at lunch in the outdoor quad for the most creative costumes!
Here is the bell schedule for Week 12 at Da Vinci Design:
Upcoming Dates and Events:
- Wednesday, 11/1: Coffee With Admin!
- Zoom Link: https://davincischools-org.zoom.us/j/95960361073
- All parents/guardians are welcome! Please attend either the 8am or 5pm session via Zoom.
- Thursday, 11/9: NO SCHOOL – STAFF DEVELOPMENT
- Friday, 11/10: NO SCHOOL – Veteran’s Day Holiday
- Tuesday, 11/14: 12th Grade Exhibition Night
Announcements from Real World Learning Director (10.26.2023)
The RISE Diversity Project seeks to diversify the world of film and studio recordings by assembling an orchestra of young, BIPOC musicians from all across Los Angeles to work together with professional studio musicians and perform and record in a world-class recording studio. The opportunity is open for musicians aged 14-27 and it is free. The deadline is December 1st. For more information, please click here.
For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
Click here to see other Real World Learning opportunities.
Announcements from Real World Learning Director (10.26.2023)
For students interested in volunteer work:
Volunteer with TreePeople’s community forestry team and help restore our urban forest in Inglewood! Planting trees increases shade, rainwater capture, cleanses water draining to the ocean, bolsters air quality, and mitigates the impact of climate change for Los Angeles County.
Please join the efforts happening on Saturday, 10/28 from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Located at 590 E Brett St, Inglewood, CA 90302. Volunteers will sign in at the meeting location at 8:30 AM.
To sign up, please click here:
https://www.treepeople.org/volunteer/
WHAT TO BRING:
- Hat to provide shade
- Work gloves — some will be made available, but it is recommended that volunteers bring their own
- Comfortable clothing that can get dirty
- Sturdy, close-toed shoes
- Sunscreen
- Filled water bottle and snack
- Hand sanitizer
For students interested in film:
The NewFilmmakers Los Angeles’ Student Mentorship Program has two upcoming sessions on Saturday, November 18th and Sunday, November 19th, 2023 and they still have 12 spots available for students interested in film. Students must send their application via this link.
Below is a general overview of the program:
- The Student Mentorship Program is open to current LA County High School Students. Participants will be paired with a production mentor during their time on set and will learn about directing, cinematography, lighting, producing, sound mixing and more. Students will also have the opportunity to meet the filmmakers on set and also receive IMDB credit for their participation.
- Time: TBD but usually from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm.
- Location: TBD
- Each student is only allowed to participate once and they must be a current LA County-based High School student.
- Lunch and snacks will be provided to the students.
What you need to do:
- Students must send their application via this link.
- Please ask the student’s parent/guardian to sign the attached release forms sent to them via email.
- Please make sure to inform the student to regularly check their email and respond to our invitation as soon as possible so we can reserve a spot for them.
Spots will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. The organization will send a confirmation email to the student once they have been admitted to the program, so please remind them to check their inbox/spam folder regularly.
For more information about these opportunities, please contact Ms. Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
For a list of other current Real World Learning Opportunities, please click here.