ONE MORE spring PJ Test Prep FREE SAT/ACT PRACTICE TEST, on February 26th.
Any students who are interested in attending please visit- http://www.pjtestprep.com/RSVP
9th Grade Food Truck Field Trip & Week 23 Preview: Spirit Week
Greetings Designers and Design Families,
The classroom highlight from this week might make you hungry! Today, our 9th graders got to go on a walking field trip to Del Aire park and celebrate the kick off for their Spring exhibition projects by visiting some food trucks. For this upcoming project, students will model their ideal food truck and even conceptualize what recipes they would put on the menu. They got to spend the day outside at the park, sampling some of the food, hearing directly from food truck owners, and brainstorming what their food truck might be like. See photos below!
Next week is Spirit Week! See below for the spirit week days, and the Week 23 Bell Schedule:
Key Dates and Upcoming Events:
- Week 23 (2/13 – 2/17): !Spirit Week!
- Mon, 2/13: Pajama Day
- Tues, 2/14: Valentine’s Day Monochrome
- Wed, 2/15: Despicable Me
- Thurs, 2/16: Sports Day
- Fri, 2/17: Black Out Friday
- Friday, February 17th: Black History Month Community Dialogue
- Monday, February 20th: NO SCHOOL – President’s Day Holiday
- Week 27 (3/13 – 3/16): Student Led Conferences (minimum days)
- Friday, March 17th: NO SCHOOL – Staff Development
Week 22 Highlight: 9th Grade Food Truck Field Trip
Announcements From Real World Learning Director (2.10.2023)
For students interested in pursuing a career as a health professional:
The Turner-UCLA Allied Health Internship Program is a week-long summer internship for students to gain exposure and build interest in careers in the allied health professions. During the internship, students will stay at UCLA dorms and rotate through different departments at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, attend guest speaker panels, and workshops, and engage in supervised student life at the UCLA Campus. High school juniors are encouraged to apply. The program is free. A Zoom Information Session will take place on Wednesday, February 22nd from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Zoom registration and flier.
For students interested in public relations and journalism opportunities:
The Los Angeles Feminist Majority Foundation is seeking interns for their Public Relations and Journalism departments. Interns would work directly with Ms. editors to research, fact-check information, write blog posts, and curate content for the Ms. Magazine website and print magazine. Interns would also do research, conduct outreach to media contacts, develop press materials, and promote the organization on social media. They’re looking for bright, energetic, and resourceful people interested in learning how the editorial side of a nonprofit magazine operates–from the inception of an idea to the final printed product–and gaining new feminist perspectives. The deadline to apply is March 31. Click here for more information.
For students interested in internship opportunities:
This opportunity is recommended for graduating seniors interested in tourism and hospitality. The Great Wolf Summer Hospitality Internship Program is a 10-week program that provides high school graduates with a meaningful experience that compliments their current coursework. Through an experiential and structured approach to learning, interns will gain real-life experience in the hospitality and entertainment industry. The program will include a job shadow week to provide exposure and learning of other disciplines across the brand. At the end of the program, participants will also complete a term project and present it to the lodge leadership team. Upon successful completion of the program, interns will be considered for future internships, full-time positions, and/or Great Wolf Management Development Program (MDP). To learn more, click here.
For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
Senior Project Parent Info Meeting 2/23 @6:30pm via Zoom
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students of the Class of 2023,
We’d like to inform you about an exciting opportunity for the senior class. Your student will be a part of the next class of Da Vinci graduates to experience Senior Projects. This student-driven project will give Da Vinci Designers the opportunity to explore a project topic of their choosing, and each student will design a project meant to address a need of the Da Vinci Schools or of our local community. Working in a group, students will collect research, take action through fieldwork and consult with experts or target groups off campus. Each group will be assigned an advisor to guide them through the project design process, and through a series of POLs. The project will culminate in an exhibition with students explaining their research and solutions that they have created in response to their topic.
To learn more about the Senior Project process, you can access the full letter shared with students here: Senior Project Family Letter
We know that you likely have several questions about the senior project experience. You are invited to attend an informational meeting via Zoom. Please use the link below to join us.
To attend the parent information webinar on Thursday, February 23rd at 6:30 pm, please use this link: https://zoom.us/j/97930487772
Sincerely,
The DVD Senior Team
National School Counseling Week!
Today is the first day of National School Counseling Week. The theme of this year’s week is “School Counselors: Helping Students Dream Big.”
Come celebrate with your DVD counselors all week long and take a picture in front of the photo board!
Week 22 Preview
Greetings Designers and Design Families,
Happy February! We are kicking this month off with multiple celebrations.
First, we started this week celebrating Black History Month! Students from our BSU started a month long celebration by decorating the atrium staircase at DVD. They are also working on a collaborative mural that will be displayed on the first floor. And, they are hard at work preparing for our annual Black History Month community dialogue assembly. We look forward to recognizing the achievements of Black Americans this month in our classes and curriculum, too.
Next week, we are celebrating National School Counseling Week! Not only is this an opportunity for us to celebrate our amazing school counseling team, but it is also an opportunity to engage our students in a week of activities focused on promoting mental health, college readiness, and socioemotional learning. Take advantage of the spirit of recognizing the importance of school counseling this week, and consider sending a message of support or gratitude to our great team of counselors!
See the Week 22 Bell Schedule below, as well as a progress report update, important Senior updates, and upcoming events:
Academic Progress Report: Grades Updated Today via PowerSchool
Parent/Guardians: Friday, 2/3 is the first “Progress Report” grade update for semester 2. What that means is that during staff development today, teachers for all core classes have updated the “Final Grade” for students in both Canvas and PowerSchool. We encourage all parents/guardians to log in to PowerSchool to see your student’s current academic progress. If there are questions about your student’s progress, please encourage your student to connect with their teachers before/after classes, or you may always reach out directly to teachers with an email.
To log in to PowerSchool: See the link under the Resources section on the blog. And, if you have trouble accessing PowerSchool or Canvas, please reach out to the Front Office at DVD.
Senior Activities Updates:
Attention 12th Grade Students and Families: As we near the end of your final semester with us at Da Vinci Design, we look forward to celebrating you with so many great events! Dates for Graduation ceremony, Prom, and Disneyland Grad Nite can be found at the link below!
In the past week, the Senior teaching team has handed out both a Senior Activities overview, as well as a Senior Contract which reiterates important academic and behavior reminders for Seniors.
Seniors should have shared both the contract and the info sheet with you – see here for a digital copy of the activities sheet.
Do you have questions about any of these events? Please reach out to the contact person listed for each Senior activity or event on the Senior Activities info page.
Key Dates and Upcoming Events:
- Week 23 (2/13 – 2/17): !Spirit Week! *Details coming soon*
- Friday, February 17th: Black History Month Community Dialogue
- Monday, February 20th: NO SCHOOL – President’s Day Holiday
- Week 27 (3/13 – 3/16): Student Led Conferences (minimum days)
- Friday, March 17th: NO SCHOOL – Staff Development
Announcements From Real World Learning Director (2.2.2023)
For students interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession:
The Summer Legal Institute is a four-day legal immersion program for high school students across the country. The goal of the SLI is to enhance skill sets that are essential for students to progress successfully through high school, college, and law school. Scholars experience interactive sessions that will develop skills such as reading, writing, critical thinking, professional etiquette, financial literacy, and public speaking. Through a unique curriculum designed to enhance these skill sets, the SLI program inspires diverse students to pursue advanced degrees and careers in the legal profession. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2023. To learn more, click here.
For students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement:
The California Highway Patrol’s Explorer Program is designed for young men and women, 15 to 20 years of age, allowing them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to serve the people of California through discipline and a commitment to serving their community. Explorers assist the CHP both in the office and out in the field. The experience they obtain here will be directly applicable to a future in law enforcement, while building relationships – with other Explorers, in the community they serve, and within the CHP. Explorers receive physical fitness training, medical training, and organizational, and clerical training. As an Explorer, you’ll attend Community Service events, staff DUI Checkpoints, participate in a ride-along in the field, and compete in Explorer Competitions. For more information, please call the California Highway Patrol Office in Torrance at (424) 551-4000.
For students interested in pursuing a career with the Los Angeles Fire Department:
The LAFD Cadet program is the top tier of a progressive pathway to becoming a Los Angeles City Firefighter. Cadets work side by side with LAFD members to learn the duties and responsibilities of a firefighter. Following an introductory one-day orientation, the youth get assigned to an approved LAFD Cadet Post, located at one of our Fire Stations in the City. Cadet Post activities are organized by firefighters that act as advisors and have completed all youth protection training through the Exploring Program/Boy Scouts of America. Many of the Cadet Post Advisors have been Cadets themselves. Must be 14 years or older. For more information, click here.
For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
DVD Coffee with Admin Tomorrow Morning!
DVD Families,
Tomorrow, Wednesday February 1st, please join us for our monthly Coffee with Admin meeting! These monthly check-ins are to share important school updates and to hear from our DVD parent/guardian community. These meetings are held via Zoom so that you can attend from anywhere.
- Two Sessions: 8am & 5pm, via Zoom – all parents welcome!
- Agenda: 1) School Updates, 2) Survey Results/Information, 3) Community Schools Grant Ideas, 4) Parent Q&A
- Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96022195877
Hope to see you there!
Important Message about Emergency Drill Planned for Thursday, February 2, 2023
As previously mentioned, Da Vinci Communications, Da Vinci Design, and Da Vinci Science will be conducting a Critical Incident drill on Thursday, February 2, 2023. This drill is a normal part of our continued efforts each year to maintain a safe and peaceful school environment. The drill will take place at 10:30 a.m. and will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Teachers have been working with students during Advisory classes to prepare for this drill.
As part of our safety and emergency procedures, Da Vinci Schools has adopted elements of the “Run-Hide-Fight” program designed to provide various options to our students and staff. Our drill will focus on the “HIDE” component which is also referred to as “shelter in place”. Other components will be practiced during our Fire Drills planned for next month. During the drill, students will have a chance to practice the proper response if a critical incident were to occur such as an intruder on campus or any other incident requiring a lockdown of the school. Please help us by reminding them to:
- Listen and follow the instructions of their teacher or staff member in the room at the time of the drill
- Stay quiet during the duration of the drill
- Silence/turn off their cell phones and to remain off of them during the duration of the drill
- Wait for the “All Clear” announcement to indicate the drill has concluded
Our School Resource Officer, Officer Josh Gilberts will be joined by other officers from the El Segundo Police Department as well as members of the El Segundo Fire Department who will be joining our site administrators in observing the drill and providing feedback on our processes and procedures. Staff and students will debrief this week regarding the drill to get their input and recommendations in order to continue to improve our response efforts.
Please keep in mind that in order for the schools to remain informed and responsive, parents and students are encouraged to report any concerns or potential threats to the school. If you have any questions regarding this drill or any of our other safety procedures, please do not hesitate to contact the administration or front office of your child’s school. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in maintaining the safety and welfare of our students and staff.
Para obtener este anuncio en español por favor mande un correo electrónico con su solicitud a info@davincischools.org. Gracias!
El Camino College – Cash for College Financial Aid Resource Event
Hello Seniors,
El Camino College will be hosting Cash for College Financial Aid Resource Event:
Saturday, February 25, 2023 – 10am -12pm
Student Services Building – Free parking
FREE food by In-N-Out Burger
$1,500 Scholarship raffle
