Week 20 Preview

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Greetings Designers and Design Families!

We hope you had a great week as we get back into the swing of Semester 2! Next week, things get back to normal as we start seminars back up again. Students had a chance to sign up for seminars this last week and are ready to go!

Now that second semester schedules are finalized, PowerSchool access is open again for students and families. For easy access, look for the “PowerSchool” link in the Resources section on the right hand side of the DVD Blog home page.

See the bell schedule for Week 20 here:

Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

  • Monday & Tuesday (1/23 & 1/24): Seminars begin!
  • Wednesday, February 1st: Coffee w/ Admin Parent Session
        (Two Sessions: 8am & 5pm, via Zoom – all parents welcome!)
  • Friday, February 3rd: NO SCHOOL – Staff Development Day
Posted in Grade 12

Still Enrolling in Da Vinci’s New Vocal Music/Choir Class

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Are you looking to improve your vocals or to learn how to sing?

There are still a few spots available to join Da Vinci’s new Vocal Music/Choir class that meets on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:00-6:00PM in the Black Box Theater.

If interested in participating, please complete the Interest Form here. The next class meets again on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 4:00PM.

This class is open to ALL Da Vinci high school students and there is no prior vocal music/choir experience required. Students are expected to attend both days each week throughout the semester.

Leading the class is Alexi Paraschos, the schools’ new choir teacher. Alexi has more than 14 years of experience as a music teacher and choir director.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade, Student Life

Announcements From Real World Learning Director (1.18.2023)

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For students interested in computer science:

Code Ninjas in El Segundo is offering an information session on their upcoming Python Club (ages 13-18) program for students interested in practical applications of Computer Science. Python is an essential building block for many data science applications (i.e., Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, etc). More information will be shared on cost and start dates on Thursday, 1/19 at 7 pm via Zoom.

For zoom invite, click here.

For students interested in animation:

Have you ever wondered what it’s like being an intern at Pixar Animation Studios? Learn the inside scoop from former interns and their mentors in this panel series taking place on Sunday, January 29 at 3 pm. Panelists include former interns Asha Farmer, Gina Beneduci, and Sadie Shipton. The panel also includes their mentor and current art director working at Pixar, Carlos León. Learn what the day is like as an intern at Pixar, how to make your portfolio stand out to recruiters, gain advice from industry professionals, and more. The panel will be followed by a 15-minute Q+A at the end. To register, click here.

For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

Posted in Real World Learning

Week 18 Wrap Up and Week 19 Preview

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Greetings Designers and Design Families!

We are back! It was great to be back with students this week, and teachers wasted no time in getting right to work doing amazing project based learning with our students: Grade 9 started laying the ground work for a food-focused Exhibition project, graphic design students started to stretch their legs in Photoshop, and English 11 students did mini-presentations on songs that shaped them in the year 2022.

Last week, the Da Vinci Design staff had a special opportunity to spend the day on-site with industry partner RIOS! RIOS is a local architecture and design firm that hosted the DVD staff for a day of learning about real world design practices, connecting with design professionals, and working with their grade level teams to plan authentic projects for the semester. DVD staff then had the opportunity the next day to pitch project ideas to feedback panels with industry partners, too. Our teachers and faculty are hard at work preparing amazing, real-world projects for our students! See below for a few photos from our field trip to RIOS.

Next week, we have a special schedule thanks to the holiday on Monday, 1/16, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. We hope that students and families are able to rest and reflect on this day in honor of MLK’s important message and legacy of civil rights and social justice.

Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, January 16th: NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
  • Wednesday, January 18th @4:30pm: School Site Council Meeting #3
    • Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/95810863962
    • Agenda: 1) School Updates, 2) School Stakeholder Survey Review
  • Wednesday, February 1st: Coffee w/ Admin Parent Session
        (Two Sessions: 8am & 5pm, via Zoom – all parents welcome!)
  • Friday, February 3rd: NO SCHOOL – Staff Development Day

DVD Highlight: Staff Field Trip to RIOS

Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade

El Camino Dual Enrollment Course Opportunity Spring 2023

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Hey Designers,

Below is the information for El Camino’s Dual Enrollment course offering for Spring 2023:

Who:   Current Juniors and Seniors

What: College courses at Da Vinci, through El Camino College. Courses meet transfer requirements for most Cal State and UC campuses, as well as most private colleges and universities.

Why:   Get a jump on your college credits! If you do well, it also looks great on your college applications.

Cost:   Free! The state of California and Da Vinci Schools pick up the costs, including textbook fees. Donations to help cover the cost of the textbooks for families that are able to are appreciated.

Where: Classes will be held virtually and are synchronous on Canvas, the El Camino College student portal.

Dual enrollment forms must be completed and submitted to your counselor by January 24th.

Click the link here for the Dual Enrollment form.

BUS 101- Intro to Business

(Synchronous Class)

AJ 100- Intro to Administration of Justice

(Synchronous Class)

This course is a survey of organization and management factors influencing the establishment, location, and operation of businesses. This course emphasizes the functional area of accounting as well as the legal framework within which business activities are conducted. The course also emphasizes the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) in a multicultural and globalized environment.

 

 

3 units; 2.5 hours lecture

Transfer CSU,UC

Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:00pm – 4:15pm

 Start Date: Monday, February 13th 2023 (ends week of June 9th)

This course introduces students to the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. Focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the system, and current challenges to the system. The course examines the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system and the evolving forces which have shaped those principles and approaches. Although justice structure and process are examined in a cross context, emphasis is placed on the United States justice system, particularly the structure and function of police, courts, and corrections. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, sentencing, and incarceration policies.

 

3 units; 2.5 hours lecture

Transfer CSU, UC

Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:00pm – 4:15pm

Start Date: Tuesday, February 14th 2023

(ends week of June 9th).

*Note: Some CSU/ UC transferable courses have credit limitations. For details, see a counselor, the Transfer Center adviser, or assist.org

If you are interested please see your college counselor to sign up. Please note that these are college courses, taught by college instructors. All students must show their counselor and administrators the academic skills and accountability necessary to be in these courses. Students must abide by the college policies, including regarding absences and tardies.

 

 

Posted in Grade 12

Black College Expo 2023

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Hey Designers,

The 24th Annual Black College Expo™ is happing this month!

 

Saturday January 28th • 10am to 5pm PST

Los Angeles Convention Center
Kentia Hall • South Building
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015

WIN A SCHOLARSHIP! SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY BY: 01/09/23

SUBMIT ESSAY HERE

‍Seniors and Juniors and College Transfer Students meet one on one with over 40 HBCUs and over 150 other colleges and universities . Get ALL you need to know to WIN! Get Educational Resources. EVERYONE is Welcome…it’s for Students of ALL Ages…Plus…

Get Accepted on the SPOT, students you must bring your transcripts and test scores (12th graders and some colleges may accept 11th graders)

College Transfer Students this is a great opportunity for you to get accepted on the spot! Bring your transcripts from all colleges that you have attended. FREE for College Students just show your ID.

Application fees waived..so save hundreds $$$.

Scholarships on the SPOT! And we will be giving away CASH at the STAGE…

Black College Expo™ is 10am to 3pm and the After Show from 3pm to 5pm, featuring a Step Show, “Dance Off” for Cash hosted by our celebrity ambassadors. Everyone has the opportunity to win CASH and prizes!!!

STEAM Technology Pavilion powered by American Honda Foundation.

 

CLICK HERE AND REGISTER TODAY FOR THIS GREAT EVENT!

 

 

 

Posted in Grade 12

Announcements From Real World Learning Director (1.12.2023)

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Welcome back Da Vinci students and families! I hope you all had a restful and joyful winter break. Please see the real-world learning opportunities below.

For students interested in STEM:

Cal State Dominguez Hills is having an iUrban Teen Summit on Saturday, January 21. It will be a day filled with fun and technology for middle and high school students. They will have workshops, ideation sessions, and even a parent roundtable. The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided. There will also be a raffle of cool prizes. To reserve your spot, click here.

For students interested in leadership and entrepreneurship opportunities:

Hidden Genius is offering a FREE, 15- month, training program that provides Black males in high school with upwards of 800 hours of holistic, trauma/healing-informed, high-touch mentorship and intensive training that seeks to develop youth into strong and responsible leaders equipped with coding and entrepreneurial skills, who can identify and develop tech-enabled solutions to address society’s most compelling challenges. The deadline is February 19. To apply click here.

For students interested in travel opportunities:

National Geographic is hosting a number of webinars related to their summer travel programs. Some destinations include the Canadian Arctic, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Iceland, Thailand, Tokyo, and Yellowstone! These travel experiences come at a cost and applications are now available. To learn more, click here. To learn about other opportunities currently available to students, click here.

To learn about other opportunities currently available to students, click here.

Posted in Real World Learning

Mentoring Student Entrepreneurs at Da Vinci Design

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Eleventh and 12th grade students from the Da Vinci Design Entrepreneurship pathway recently participated in a three-month mentorship program with BUILD culminating in a Diversity Design Challenge. As an entrepreneurship program for high school students, BUILD mentors work closely with high school students to help them develop their own small businesses and become the CEO of their own lives. At a recent pitch event akin to Shark Tank, Da Vinci Design students presented product solutions that would solve everyday challenges in their communities. A few of the product ideas pitched to a panel of community leaders included Sicklings, Crafts-On-The-Go, and Sunshine Inc.

The Sickling is a cute stuffed animal that demonstrates to children what various diseases or illnesses look like. Children with medical implications can use the bear to better understand their condition, mitigate their fears, and help them to feel safe.

Crafts-On-The-Go is an adjustable tray that mounts on a wheelchair to help wheelchair users comfortably perform tasks. The tray can hold various items, but was designed with the artist in mind. The tray can hold an artist’s palette, paint, and paintbrushes.

Sunshine Inc. is an alarm clock that gently awakens the user in a relaxing manner. The alarm clock uses an app to turn the light on over a period of time, which acts to mimic a sunrise. Simultaneously, the device diffuses a citrus oil that students researched to help people wake from sleep.

The panel of non-profit organizations, engineers, and other community leaders provided valuable insight and feedback. In the upcoming months, students will focus on two-to-four of the product ideas and launch them into small businesses. They will refine their products, create a business plan, and flex their marketing skills.

Thank you BUILD for your time, partnership, and mentorship!

Posted in Grade 12

Happy Holidays from Da Vinci Design!

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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 9th. See the calendar below!

Winter Break Front Office announcements: 

  • All DVD offices will be closed for the break starting Tuesday, Dec. 20th until Tuesday, Jan. 3rd. If you need to reach us, please reach out via email and we are happy to assist.
    • For records requests (including work permits): reach out to Office Manager Maria Beltran at mbeltran@davincischools.org .
    • For attendance and student information: reach out to Admin. Support Manager Brianna Castaneda at bcastaneda@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. 19th. 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 8am-2pm to speak to someone on campus.

Wishing all of you a safe, restful and fun holiday break!

Posted in 09 Grade, 10 Grade, 11 Grade, 12 Grade

Announcements from Real World Learning Director (12.15.2022)

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For students interested in media production:

Fresh Films is now enrolling for their free weekly filmmaking program. In-person classes take place on Thursdays after school at the Boys and Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor. Virtual classes are also available. Registration ends December 31st. Fresh Films is also offering participants ages 16 and older are eligible to gain an on-set apprenticeship or paid internship. Click here for more information.

For students interested in mentorship opportunities:

Stanford University’s Qualia Global Scholars Summer Mentorship Program for students in grades 6-12 is now taking applicants. This program is designed to empower students to become future global leaders in the fields of liberal arts and STEM. Students are paired with Stanford mentors. Need-based financial aid is available. Click here for more information.

For students interested in travel and photography:

National Geographic is offering a China expedition to high school students in the summer. Students will be feeding pandas, photographing the Great Wall, going on an overnight camping trek and meeting photo editors at National Geographic magazine’s China Headquarters. To learn more, click here.

For students interested in leadership and social justice:

Apply to be part of Harvard’s Caring Common’s Youth Advisory Board. This board brings together a diverse group of high school students from across the country who are committed to making schools more caring respectful places. As a member you will help create solutions to some of the most pressing social challenges. To learn more, click here. For the application, please email yab@makingcaringcommon.org.

For students interested in tech:

New Earth is offering paid tech training starting in January in the areas of IT Support, Web3, content creation, entrepreneurship training, coding, marketing, and more. To sign up for more information, click here.

The Paradigm Challenge: The Paradigm Challenge, a competition based in Los Angeles, invites students aged 4 to 18 worldwide to submit an idea, invention, mobile app, or any solution that solves real-life problems presented in this year’s Paradigm Challenge. Participants with the top idea from each age division (4-8, 9-13, and 14-18) move up to the next round and compete for The Paradigm Challenge Prize of $100,000. Learn more about it here.

For students interested in entrepreneurship:

The Conrad Challenge: The Conrad Challenge is a purpose-driven innovation competition creating the next generation of entrepreneurs who will change the world. Anyone aged 13-18 is called to expand their collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills. Design an innovation, solve an important problem, and change the world through this challenge. Registration is now open so register here.

Blue Ocean Competition: Blue ocean competition calls high school students from anywhere in the world to take part in the world’s biggest virtual entrepreneurship competition. Participants need to complete the online Blue Ocean Mini Course before submitting the pitch and they can compete individually or as part of a team (max 5 students per team). Learn more about it here.

 

For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

Posted in Real World Learning
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