Week 5 Preview

Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Week 4 at DVD was short but sweet! We wrapped up MAP testing in 9th grade, ended the week with a field trip to the Museum of Flight in our Architecture Pathway, and also had our first Community Dialogue (aka: “CD”) Friday morning. At CD, we introduced our Advisory names and mascots, celebrated our All-Star students, and had our new staff play Steal the Bacon. It was a great day for building spirit and community at DVD! See pictures from our first CD below!

Next week, we have another short week, since Friday September 15th is our first Staff Development – No School day. We hope our students are able to enjoy the day off while staff prepare for upcoming school events, plan projects, and update grades. AND – Back to School Night is next week on the night of Thursday, September 14th! Back to School Night is a great opportunity to hear about classes, make connections with your students teachers, and tour classrooms at DVD. Each grade level will begin with an assembly in the Blackbox theater from their grade-level teams, and then will head up to the fourth floor to meet and greet teachers in classrooms. See the schedule for Back to School Night here:

Lastly, we wanted to share a message on behalf of our Central Office regarding the Grand Ave drop-off area:
“The Pilot Drop-Off Program on Grand Street is still going really well! These past four weeks drop off at this new location in the morning has been very smooth and efficient. For now, DVD families should only use the regular, main drop-off area in the front of the school. It is important that we test the volume of one school at a time for this pilot program to work effectively, and so that we don’t risk the possibility of losing this new drop off area. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!”

Here is the Week 5 Bell Schedule for DVD:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Wednesday 9/13 & Thursday 9/14: MAP Testing for 9th Grade
  • Thursday, 9/14: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
  • Friday, 9/15: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Thursday, 9/21: DV Club Fair

Campus Highlight Week 4: September Community Dialogue!

Announcements From Real World Learning Director (9.5.2023)

STEMEd for Girls is a FREE series of lively, informative, and engaging virtual workshops that will pave the way for your success as you move through high school, into college, and eventually on to your career. Designed for those who want to stand out among their peers, the program:

  • Illustrates what leadership in STEM looks and feels like, emphasizes the rewards of innovation, describes different types of mentorship relationships, discusses what it means to have and expect a sense of belonging in STEM, presents coping strategies, and shares many more skills you can use for advancement and promotion in high school.
  • Demystifies the world of STEM and shows how accessible—and exciting—these fields can be.
  • Explores the different subject areas that you can choose as a college major, including biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and technology/computer science.
  • Shows the many types of lucrative jobs and careers a STEM education can prepare you for.

To view the schedule and register, please click here.

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

Week 4 Preview & Overnighter Wrap-Up

Greetings Designers and Design Families!

This week, our 9th graders participated in our annual Freshmen Overnighter Camp! 9th grade students, student leaders and staff got to connect with each other in the great outdoors. Everyone participated in fun activities, team building games, and important discussions that help prepare our 9th graders to make new friends and to transition into high school. See some pictures from the 2023 Overnighter Camp below! More photos will also be made available to 9th grade families next week!

Next week, we have a modified bell schedule due to the holiday weekend. And, 9th graders will be participating in MAP testing on Wed 9/6 and Thurs 9/7. See the Week 4 bell schedule below for more details.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Monday, 9/4: No School – Labor Day
  • Wednesday 9/6 & Thursday 9/7: MAP Testing for 9th Grade
  • Wednesday 9/13 & Thursday 9/14: MAP Testing for 9th Grade
  • Thursday, 9/14: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
  • Friday, 9/15: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Thursday, 9/21: DV Club Fair

Week 3 DVD Highlight: 9th Grade Overnighter Camp

Virtual Senior Family Planning Presentation

What: Senior Family Planning Presentation (before Senior 1:1 meetings starting next week)

When: Thursday 8/31/23 at 5:00 p.m.

Where: https://davincischools-org.zoom.us/j/98908042996

 

Please contact your counselor for questions.

Pam Baker: A-GL pbaker@davincischools.org

Nicole Tafoya: Go-O ntafoya@davincischools.org

Omar Sanchez: P-Z osanchez@davincischools.org

Announcements From Real World Learning Director (8.29.2023)

Driven by Design LA Youth – Creative Style Competition

Are you between 13-17 years old and passionate about fashion? Here’s your moment to shine! Transform your drawing into a stunning fashion style and bring it to life on the runway. Have a teen model showcase your creation and compete for fabulous prizes!

To participate in the Driven by Design LA Youth Style Competition, a registration fee of $35.00 will apply. Please note that registration is mandatory to participate. To register, click here.

Date and time:
Sunday, October 15, 2023 | 11:30am – 1pm PDT

Location:
Matte Argyle Runway Playa Vista
12775 West Millennium Los Angeles, CA 90094

This event celebrates cultural diversity and creativity, all while supporting our charitable foundation.

 

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

Week 3 Preview

Greetings Designers and Design Families!

It was a great second week of the school year at Design. We signed up for seminars, had time to connect each morning in Advisory classes, and many of us are getting ready for the Freshmen Overnighter next week! Seminars will begin next week, as well as Flex Block.

A big reminder that Picture Day is next week on Monday (8/28) and Tuesday (8/29)! Students should be ready to take their photos on whichever day they have English class. All 9th graders will take their photos in English class on Monday.

See below for the Week 3 bell schedule and other important upcoming dates:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Week of Monday, 8/28: Seminars and Flex Block Begin
  • Monday, 8/28 & Tuesday, 8/29: Picture Day (during English classes)
  • Wednesday, 8/30: 9th graders leave for Overnighter @ 8:40am
  • Thursday, 8/31: 9th graders return from Overnighter @ 2:30pm
  • Friday, 9/1: 11th grade guest speaker event with Afro News LA
  • Monday, 9/4: No School – Labor Day
  • Thursday, 9/14: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
  • Friday, 9/15: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Thursday, 9/21: DV Club Fair

South Bay Families Connected- Parent Chat

The Families Connected Parent Chat, established in 2017, will relaunch in September 2023 as a free monthly support group open to all South Bay parents and caregivers. Provided in partnership between South Bay Families Connected, Beach Cities Health District and Thelma McMillen Center, the Parent Chat offers its participants a confidential and supportive space to share their parenting challenges and successes. Dr. Moe Gelbart, Executive Director of the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center, is the lead moderator for the group and offers his professional insight and expertise on a variety of topics. He is joined by Laura Short McIntire, Founder of SBFC. Please note that the Parent Chat is not a therapeutic program, but rather a peer to peer support group with educational guidance from a mental health professional.

Join the Parent Chat the second Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Please join the next session September 12, 2023.  Click HERE for more information. 

 

SBFC’s parenting resources, videos and blogs are free and accessible to all. Below is a link to the resource pages: https://www.southbayfamiliesconnected.org/parent-resources

Week 2 Updates (Campus is Open Today)

Good Morning Designers & Families,

We hope you all stayed safe and stayed dry this weekend! As was announced over the weekend by the Da Vinci School central office, Da Vinci Design (along with all of the schools at 201 N. Douglas) will be open for classes today. Depending on weather, we will likely do a “Plan B” rainy day lunch schedule today, allowing students to eat on the 4th floor. We will confirm and announce this in Advisory for students. Please drive to campus safely today, and we will see you soon.

Each week, you can expect to see a blog post here wrapping up the previous week (often with shout-outs, highlights and photos) and announcing the upcoming week’s bell schedule along with other important dates. Last week was a great week! A great way to kick-off the new school year. Day One started as it traditionally does, with teachers cheering in students and gathering together for an assembly, and then heading off to Advisory for games and introductions. See pictures below from our First Day of School!

This week, students will have a chance to select their Seminar classes. Seminars are classes at the end of the day where students may choose a class based on their interest like a sports/fitness seminar or a fun skill-building seminar like crochet or music appreciation. Student may also be enrolled in an academic support seminar to get extra help or tutoring. If you would like to see the seminar offerings for this semester, you can click the link here to see the Fall 2023 seminar listings.

Here is the bell schedule for DVD Week Two:

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Wednesday, 8/23: 12th & 11th graders sign-up for seminars
  • Thursday, 8/24: 10th & 9th graders sign-up for seminars
  • Week of Monday, 8/28: Seminars and Flex Block Begin
  • Monday, 8/28 & Tuesday, 8/29: Picture Day (during English classes)
  • Wednesday, 8/30: 9th graders leave for Overnighter @ 8:40am
  • Wednesday, 8/31: 9th graders return from Overnighter @ 2:30pm
  • Monday, 9/4: No School – Labor Day
  • Thursday, 9/14: Back to School Night @ 5:30pm
  • Friday, 9/15: No School – Professional Development Day
  • Thursday, 9/21: DV Club Fair

Week One Campus Highlight: Day One Welcome Celebration!

 

El Camino Dual Enrollment Opportunities: Fall 2023

Good Morning Junior and Senior Families,

We hope you had a restful summer break and are ready to take on your junior and senior year. This Fall semester, Da Vinci Schools is offering the following dual enrollment courses:

COMS 100- Public Speaking 

(Synchronous, In-Person)

CDEV 103- Early Childhood Growth & Development 

(Asynchronous, Online)

ART 101- Art/Visual Culture:  

A Global Perspective

(Asynchronous, Online)

In this course, students will compose, present, and evaluate original speeches. Emphasis is placed on audience analysis, topic selection, research, evidence, organization, delivery, and critical analysis of persuasive communication. Students are required to attend out-of-class speaking events. 

3 units; 3 hour lecture

Transfer CSU, UC

Mondays/Wednesdays 

3:30 pm -5:00 pm

Start Date: Monday, August 28th, 2023

This course is an introduction to child development from conception through adolescence with an emphasis on the interaction between the maturational processes and environmental factors relating to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe and interview children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages. Also, the effect of cultural influences on development will be studied. 

3 units; 3 hour lecture

Transfer CSU, UC

Start Date: Monday, August 28th, 2023

This course is an introduction to art and visual culture across time and diverse cultures with a global perspective. Examining works of art through themes, theory, terminology and media, students acquire analytical and interpretive skills to develop visual literacy as well as an understanding of the role of art and visual culture in relation to contemporary life. This course explores how meaning is constructed, transmitted and negotiated in an increasingly visual world. 

3 units; 3 hour lecture

Transfer CSU, UC

Start Date: Monday, August 28th, 2023

Note: Some CSU/ UC transferable courses have credit limitations. For details, see a El Camino Counselor, the El Camino Transfer Center adviser, or assist.org. Please note that these are college courses, taught by college instructors.  Students must abide by the college policies.

 

Who:   Juniors and Seniors

What: College courses 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.

Where: Classes will be held virtually and are asynchronous on Canvas, the El Camino College student portal.  Students will be responsible to complete the course on their own time.

Dual Enrollment form must be completed and submitted to your counselor by Wednesday, August 23rd at 3:30pm.

El Camino Dual Enrollment Form

Space is limited and we are accepting forms on a first come first serve basis!

________________________________________________________________________

Helpful Information on applying to El Camino and enrolling in a Dual Enrollment Course:

Applying to El Camino College

Application for Admission Help

Dual Enrollment Application

 

Never applied to El Camino?

  • Submit an application for admission for Fall 2023: elcamino.edu/apply
  • Students can follow along screen-by-screen with this link: Help to Complete the Application for Admission
  • After submitting, you will receive your Welcome Email (with 7-digit El Camino College ID #) in 1-3 business days at the personal email address given on your application.  If you do not receive your Welcome Email after 3 business days, please email dualenrollment@elcamino.edu

Previously applied to El Camino?

  • Your El Camino student account is still in good standing if you submitted an application for admission for Spring 2023 or Fall 2022. You don’t need to reapply if you took courses during the Spring 2023 or Fall 2022 semesters, you’ll just need to submit a dual enrollment form to your counselor.
  • Your El Camino College ID # is the same as previous terms and is 7-digits (no letters)
  • If you do not know your El Camino College ID #, please email  dualenrollment@elcamino.edu

Dual Enrollment Application

All students must submit a separate, completed Dual Enrollment Application for each term they wish to be manually registered for class(es).

NOTE: ECC Admissions Office cannot accept forms with typed signatures. All signatures need to be drawn using the above methods, either by pen, mouse, or touchscreen. This is the most common reason why a form cannot be processed and students will not be registered.

MyECC

MyECC is El Camino College’s secure online portal where students view their registered classes, grades, unofficial transcripts, etc. Your MyECC username and password are included in your Welcome Email. You will be prompted to create a new password when you log into MyECC for the first time.

NOTE: El Camino College recently updated the Password Requirements for MyECC. Passwords must include at least 10 characters, 1 Capital letter, 1 number (number cannot be at end or beginning of password), and no repeated/consecutive characters. View Complete Password Complexity Requirements

  • Log into MyECC – this link can also be found at the top of every elcamino.edu webpage
  • If you are unable to into MyECC, please email us at dualenrollment@elcamino.edu

Dropping a Class

Registered students who wish to drop the class must perform this action themselves in MyECC by the drop deadlines.

Help is Available!

Dual Enrollment offers Drop-In Help via Zoom every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:00-5:00 p.m. to assist students one-on-one with questions they may have about their application for admission or Dual Enrollment Application.

Please join us using the links on this webpage – no sign up necessary!

Please email your counselor with any questions

Pam Baker: Last names A-GL pbaker@davincischools.org

Nicole Tafoya: Last names Go-O ntafoya@davincischools.org

  • Omar Sanchez: Last names P-Z osanchez@davincischools.org
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