Join the Cast and Crew of Da Vinci’s First-Ever Musical: The Addams Family

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Inviting all Da Vinci high school students to join the cast and crew of Da Vinci’s first-ever musical: The Addams Family!

Please click here, or scan the QR code above, for detailed info about auditions, rehearsals, etc. Everyone who would like to participate will be accepted into the production! Auditions are necessary for casting, but no one will be turned away.

See below for information on important upcoming dates and times:

AUDITION PREPARATION RETREAT (optional)

Thursday, Jan. 18
4 – 7pm
Blackbox Theater, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo

We will distribute and review all audition materials, as well as chat about production themes, characters, concepts.

 

All those interested in being in the CAST must attend all three audition days (see information below for DANCE, VOCAL, and ACTING).

DANCE AUDITIONS

Tuesday, Jan.23
4 – 7 pm
Blackbox Theater, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo

Please come dressed to move. Sweats, dance clothes, etc. Dance shoes are not required, however if you have them, you are invited to wear them. Otherwise, please wear some type of tennis shoe you can dance in safely. EVERYONE ATTENDS FOR THE DURATION.

 

VOCAL AUDITIONS

Wednesday, Jan. 24
4 – 8:00 pm
Blackbox Theater, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo

All those auditioning will sign up for an individual 8-minute time slot. Click link and it will take you to the vocal audition sign-up spreadsheet.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1307jlDUdSURw8W1WRKmrytqZ_y_YkSh19czsTNagzJ4/edit#gid=0

 

ACTING AUDITIONS 

Thursday, Jan. 25
4 – 7 pm
Blackbox Theater, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo

Everyone will share their short scene and long scene. Please be familiar with all scenes as you may be asked to read for a variety of characters in a variety of scenes. EVERYONE ATTENDS FOR THE DURATION

– – – – – – –

CALLBACKS

Friday, Jan. 26
4 – 7 pm
Blackbox Theater, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo
An email with specifics will be sent Thursday evening after Acting Auditions.

– – – – – – – – – –

CAST AND CREW PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING

Tuesday, Jan. 30
6:30 – 7:30pm
Blackbox Theater, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo
Mandatory for all cast and crew to attend, as well as one parent/guardian.

 

**IMPORTANT NOTE: All those intending to participate as CAST MEMBERS will need to enroll in the new Tuesday/Thursday Musical Theatre Production Seminar. This provides us with an opportunity for some extra rehearsing!

 

For any questions, contact Diane Feldman, Theater Coordinator, at dfeldman@davincischools.org.

Posted in Student Life

FAFSA/CADAA are now open! Apply for financial aid

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Hello Class of 2024 families!

Over the winter break, the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) opened and are now available to submit. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for a variety of aid including federal, state, and school-based, as well as grants and scholarships. Please use THIS CHECKLIST to ensure that you are prepared to fill out FAFSA or CADAA, starting with obtaining an FSA ID, which is needed by both student and parent.

The sooner you complete the FAFSA or CADAA the better, as some aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit Studentaid.gov to begin the FAFSA application or visit Dream.csac.ca.gov to begin the CADAA application.

*DVD is hosting a hands on FAFSA/Dream Act workshop on our campus, where an El Camino College financial aid rep will be here to answer your financial aid/FAFSA/CA Cream Act questions, help you fill out the applications, and submit that night! This is taking place on the DVD campus on Tuesday January 30th, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Please RSVP HERE so we know how many computers will be needed.*

FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION WORKSHOPS

  • The California Student Aid Commission is hosting various online Financial Aid Workshops to help with applications. Check out their free resources and sign up for a free webinar HERE.
  • Da Vinci School Counselors will also be hosting a Parent Financial Aid Workshop Night in which we cover the steps of filling out the FAFSA. Our Parent Financial Aid Workshop Night will happen this semester and we are working on finalizing a date. Expect an update soon! Please note this is separate than the hands-on workshop on Jan. 30th.
If you have need assistance or have any questions, please reach out to your counselor.
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
Posted in Grade 12

Rivet School with Da Vinci Virtual Info Session Monday, Jan. 22 at 6:30PM

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Dear Da Vinci 12th Grade Students and Families,

We would like to invite you to a virtual information session to learn more about our Rivet School with Da Vinci program.

Rivet School is a reimagined college and career pathway program. Our college program is designed around the needs of students and provides both flexibility and structured accountability to support students in meeting their goals.

In partnership with Rivet School, Da Vinci seniors who choose to continue their journey through the Bridge Program will enroll in college at no cost (free!) to the student or their family. Students will participate in a flexible, online accredited degree program with opportunities for in-person meetings and career-connected learning on the Da Vinci Connect High campus.

Please join us to learn more about this program and if it may be a good fit for your student!

Rivet School with Da Vinci Student & Family Virtual Information Session

🗓️ Dates: Monday, January 22nd at 6:30 PM

📍 Location: Virtual Session (details provided upon RSVP)

💬 Spanish translation available

🔗 Link to RSVP: HERE

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Da Vinci + Rivet Team

Posted in 12 Grade, Events, Student Life

Seminar Offerings for Spring 2024 Semester

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Seminar Offerings for Spring 2024: Please click the link below to see the Seminar classes being offered for the Spring 2024 semester!

Students will sign up for second semester seminars Wednesday, 1/17 – Friday, 1/19:

  • Wed, 1/17 during Advisory (8:40am-9:25am): 12th grade Seminar Sign-Ups
  • Thurs, 1/18 during Flex Block (8:40am-9:25am): 11th then 10th grade Seminar Sign-Ups
  • Fri, 1/19 during English 9 (P1 + P3): 9th grade Seminar Sign-Ups

IMPORTANT: Listings will be updated at the end of each day as classes fill up. Students should come prepared with three choices in mind in the event that their first choice class is full. Students should also be aware that some seminars require an application to be enrolled, and students may be pre-enrolled in some seminars that may not be listed here.

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

Second Semester Begins January 16th!

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Greetings Designers and Design Families!

We are looking forward to seeing you all back on campus this week! Second semester at Da Vinci Design starts on Tuesday, January 16th. Today on Monday, January 15th, our campus is closed in observance of the legacy and birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As we begin a new semester, we encourage all of our families to remind students of the importance of being at school everyday. Research shows that the #1 indicator of success in school is attendance! The more students show up, the more successful they will be.

In the event that a parent/guardian knows their student will be absent for any reason, we encourage all parents/guardians to alert our front office team of a student’s absence via a new, easy-to-use form: Click Here for the Da Vinci Design Online Absence Reporting Form

The new online absence reporting form can also be found on the “Resources” sidebar on our blog – right under the box that says “Subscribe Now”.

Next week, we have a special schedule while we return from the holiday break. See our Week 19 Bell Schedule below:

Semester 2 Seminar Sign-Ups:
Check the blog on Tuesday, Jan. 16th for the full list of seminar offerings for this semester. We will be signing students up for second semester seminars Wednesday, 1/17 – Friday, 1/19:

  • Wed, 1/17 during Advisory (8:40am-9:25am): 12th & 11th grade Seminar Sign-Ups
  • Thurs, 1/18 during Flex Block (8:40am-9:25am): 10th grade Seminar Sign-Ups
  • Fri, 1/19 during English 9 (P1 + P3): 9th grade Seminar Sign-Ups

Welcome Back Designers! We are looking forward to a great semester together!

“Day One” Whiteboard art by Kerida – DVD Academic Coach

Posted in Weekly Updates

Announcements from Real World Learning Director (1.4.2024)

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For students interested in media production: 

Fresh Films is now enrolling for its free weekly filmmaking program with classes starting on January 9th, and every Tuesdays and Thursdays thereafter, in the Long Beach and San Pedro area. The program is open to all teens 13-19 interested in film, content creation, and storytelling. Click here for more information.

Location(s):

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor (San Pedro)
    Tuesday 6PM–8PM Thursday 5PM–7PM PT
  • Long Beach Polytechnic High School (Long Beach)
    Tuesday/Thursday 3:45PM–5:45PM PT

 

For students interested in college and career-readiness programming:

First Gen Empowers is a non-profit organization that addresses educational inequity by supporting first-generation, low-income, and undocumented students with college and career-readiness programming. The Empowered Scholars program is a 6-week program where undocumented students receive tailored support and guidance. Applications will open January 8th, 2024 and close January 19th, 2024. Click here to learn more. 

 

Learn more about amazing RWL Opportunities here!
For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

Posted in Real World Learning

El Camino Dual Enrollment Spring 2024

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Hello DVD Juniors and Seniors,

This upcoming Spring semester, Da Vinci Schools is offering three dual enrollment courses. Two of these courses are asynchronous online, and one is in-person at our Da Vinci Schools 201 Campus (Room # TBD) on Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:00 pm- 4:25 pm. Course details are listed below:

 

COMS 100- Public Speaking

 

(Asynchronous, Online)

BUS 101- Introduction to Business

 

(Asynchronous, Online)

 FILM 110- Film Appreciation

 

(Synchronous, In-Person)
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

Transfer CSU, UC

*meets graduation requirements at most CSUs

Start Date: Monday, February 12th, 2024

 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

Transfer CSU, UC

Start Date: Monday, February 12th, 2024

 In this course, students will investigate the origins and aesthetics of cinema including the classic Hollywood narrative film and its alternatives. By analyzing representative films as unique cultural products, the student will be introduced to various methods of interpreting and evaluating motion pictures within their socio-political context.

 

 

 

 

 

3 units; 2.5 hour lecture

Transfer CSU, UC

Tuesdays/Thursdays  3:00-4:25

Start Date: Tuesday, February 13th, 2024



Who: Juniors and Seniors from DVC, DVD, and DVS. Based on academic performance and review, 10th grade students will need El Camino dean approval.

What: College courses at Da Vinci Schools, 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 start on your college credits! It 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 from families that can are appreciated.

Where: Classes will be held virtually on the El Camino College student portal (Canvas & MyECC), or they will be in-person in a DVC/DVD/DVS classroom.


To be eligible to take a dual enrollment class, the student will need to pass all their academic classes from first semester, have no credit recovery for a-g classes, and be a junior or senior student. Space is limited and we are accepting forms on a first come first serve basis!

For more information click on the following links:

Applying to El Camino College

Application for Admission Help

Dual Enrollment Application

Dual Enrollment form and DV Sponsored Dual Enrollment Supplemental Form must be completed and submitted to counselors by Friday, February 2nd, 2024 at 3:30pm

El Camino College is closed December 22-January 1 for the Winter Break. The El Camino Dual Enrollment Office will return on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Dual Enrollment support will resume after our respective Winter Breaks.

 

DVD Counselors

Posted in Grade 12

Happy Holidays DVD

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Dear Designers & families,

Happy holidays! With winter break upon us, we encourage you to relax, unwind, and settle into a safe and restful break.

The holiday season is a time for togetherness and joy, but it can sometimes bring unwelcome guests, like stress and grief. Some of us may be experiencing the holidays without a loved one. Some of us may be balancing endless to-do lists from shopping to entertaining. While we each celebrate this season’s joys, it’s important to stay mindful, acknowledge our feelings, and reach out for help if needed.

To help keep your holidays bright, below is a helpful resources. We encourage you to save this resource so you can easily reference them should you or a family member need help.

Da Vinci Schools partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of our community. If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance. This is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Da Vinci Schools. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a mental health care provider:

  • Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
  • Visit www.caresolace.com/davincischools and either search on your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

May you enjoy your break and return rested and reinvigorated for a fantastic new year!

 

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 Tuesday, January 16th. See the calendar below!

Winter Break Front Office announcements: 

  • All DVD offices will be closed for the break starting Monday, Dec. 25th until Friday, Jan. 5th. 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 Vannessa Ramos at vramos@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. 25th. 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 Weekly Updates

Week 18 Preview: Last Week of Semester One

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Greetings Designers and Design Families,

Next week is the last week of the Fall semester! This means that we are only one week away from Winter Break! Next week, to get into the holiday spirit before break, we hope all of our staff and students will participate in a Holiday-themed spirit week! See the dress up days listed below!

Special 9th Grade Exhibition: Wednesday, December 20th 5:30pm-6:30pm

On Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 5:30 – 6:30 our 9th grade students and teachers will be hosting a special Exhibition on-campus at 201 N. Douglas! Students will display and present their lamp projects, narratives, and artwork that they have been working hard on for their first semester POLs. The theme of this project is to develop and share a deeper understanding of the experience of people who are migrants and refugees. See the flyer below – and hope to see you there!

Week 18 Bell Schedule:

Report Cards Mailed Next Week and PowerSchool Access Locked: PowerSchool access is locked for end of semester report card preparation, and in order to prepare schedules for the Spring 2024 semester. If you have questions regarding Fall 2023 report cards or grades, reach out to your counselor via email. Once report cards are completed, if you have questions about a grade for a specific class or wish to contest a grade, please reach out directly via email to the teacher of that course.

Presentations of Learning (POLs) are here! POLs are performance based assessments which give students the opportunity to develop their speaking and presentation skills, and they give students space 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 be happy to accommodate.

POL Treats for Teachers: Sign Up Here

While our students are preparing and presenting the learning they’ve achieved over the semester, our teachers are hard at work viewing and scoring those presentations. For teachers, this also means long, 8 hour days being a part of panels.

One way that we show appreciation for our teachers during these long days is keeping them fed and caffeinated. And we would love your help!

If you would like to donate snacks, treats, and coffee to our teachers, please use the sign-up to tell us what you will be dropping off.

Click here to sign up to bring a treat for teachers during POL week! Thanks!

Upcoming Events and Key Dates:

  • Thursday, Dec. 14th – Thursday, Dec. 21st: Presentations of Learning (POLs) – MINIMUM DAYS
  • Mon, Dec. 18th – Thurs, Dec. 21st: Holiday Spirit Week!
    • Mon: Wear a holiday hat / headband
    • Tues: Holiday colors and accessories
    • Wed: Wear your favorite plaid / flannel shirt
    • Thurs: Ugly holiday sweater!
  • Tues, Dec. 19th + Wed, Dec. 20th: POL Therapy Dogs On-Campus
  • Wed, Dec. 20th: 9th Grade POL Exhibition: “Illuminating Journeys” Lamps
  • Thursday, Dec. 21st: Last Day of Semester One
  • Friday, Dec. 22nd: Report Cards Mailed Home
  • Friday, Dec. 22nd – Monday, Jan. 15th: Winter Break (No School)
  • Tues, Jan. 16th: First Day of Semester Two

Posted in Weekly Updates
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