Archive for January 31, 2023

Important Message about Emergency Drill Planned for Thursday, February 2, 2023

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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!

Posted in Student Life

Week 21 Schedule

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Another week down! Next week, we will be on a four-day schedule since we have a PD Day next Friday, February 3rd. Staff will be busy with professional development and we hope the students have an enjoyable and safe three-day weekend! To students who consistently read the DVS blog, thank you, and great job! 

Week 21 Schedule

Important Upcoming Dates:

  • Thursday, 2/2: Shelter-in-Place Drill (all-campus, more info TBA)
  • Monday, 2/6: Freshmen Fulcrum Day 
  • Friday, 2/3: Professional Development Day (no school for students)
  • Thursday, 2/9: School Site Council Meeting #3 (4:30 at this Zoom link)
  • Monday, 2/20: President’s Day Holiday (no school)
  • Friday, 2/24: Black History Month Community Dialogue during Advisory
  • DVS Graduation date is scheduled for Thursday, June 8th at 5:00pm
  • School Calendar Link
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Announcements From Real World Learning Director (1.24.2023)

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For students interested in arts, media, & entertainment:

Warner Bros. Discovery awards Honorships, internship-scholarship packages, to graduating high school seniors passionate about the business of media and entertainment. Honorship recipients should have an interest in careers within the corporate and studio side of the entertainment industry ranging from traditional business functions, such as finance, human resources, operations, marketing and communications, to more technical or creative roles such as content development, post-production, sound editing, and games. Must be a graduating senior to apply. The deadline is Wednesday, March 1. To learn more, click here.

For students interested in internship and volunteer opportunities:

The Child Development Early Learning Center connects students to internships and volunteer opportunities that use individual skills and interests to support young children and serve families in a variety of ways. You will help young children and families discover the magic of play to support school readiness. All types of work experiences are welcome. Locations are found in Reseda, Canoga Park, and Tarzana. For more information, click here.

The California Science Center is seeking volunteers in a number of areas including educational floor presenters and gallery hosts. To see the requirements, please click here.

The Aquarium of the Pacific offers a number of volunteer opportunities for teens 13-18 years old. To learn more, click here.

For students interested in STEM:

Avantus Cleantech Career Academy offers opportunities for youth to succeed in California’s green energy future through education, job-readiness, and paid-work-based learning. Youth earn $16.04 an hour while building their knowledge of opportunities in the cleantech sector. The Academy will take place virtually over a 12-week period on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 pm. Must be 16 years old. The deadline to apply is January 30. Apply here.

The Samuels Family LA-HIP (Latino and African American High School Internship Program) provides students from underrepresented minorities an opportunity to work in the STEM field. Participants are able to experience hands-on laboratory research and gain exposure to professional positions in science and medicine. The internship begins in June and ends with a Science Symposium in early August. The application is due February 3, 2023. To learn more, click here. 

Girls Make Games is offering a virtual summer camp where you can learn how to design and program your own video game in just 3 weeks! You will receive live gilded instruction, and each participant can submit their game to industry judges to win prizes. You will also get the opportunity to meet industry role experts and learn about careers and pathways in the video games industry. You must be 13-18 years old to participate. No prior coding game development experience needed! Program dates are July 11-29 Monday through Friday. There is 100% need-based financial aid to make the camp accessible to all. To learn more, click here. 

Hidden Genius is offering a FREE, 15- month, cohort-based training program 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.

LA-Tech offers students paid opportunities to kickstart their tech journeys at a high level. They offer opportunities in technical, creative, business, and marketing pathways. students interested in a tech career? LA-Tech offers students paid opportunities to kickstart their tech journeys at a high level. To learn more, please sign up for an information session here.

Girls Who Code offers two FREE programs in the summer: the Summer Immersion Program and the Self-Paced Program. Applicants can apply for BOTH programs, if eligible, using this application. However, students can only participate in one Summer Program. Apply Here

For students interested in fashion and interior design:

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is offering two unique summer programs for high school and college students: a five-day intensive FIDM Summer Program (for one college credit) and a three-day Pre-College Summer Program For High School Students. Scholarships may be available through the admissions office. 

  • The five-day college credit program is designed for high school juniors and seniors, recent high school graduates, and college students looking to experience FIDM as a student. With a focus on sustainability, the lectures and workshops mirror actual college-level discussions and coursework.
  • The three-day program for high school students of any grade has a power-packed lineup of hands-on workshops, engaging presentations, guest speaker panels, campus tours, and more—all structured to offer insight and foster passion for the creative industries.

 

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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We hope everyone had a great week. Seminars started this week and students are settling back into the routine of things. We also had our School Site Council meeting this week and had a great collaboration session with staff, students, and parents. 

  • Positive attendance – We love seeing our students here on campus and believe that attendance is important to maximize students’ learning experiences. Please see the message below from the central office and from the school about current attendance policies. 
  • Parent Office Hours with Grace & Saya: Parent Office Hours with administration will be held every even week. Since it is Week 20, we will be meeting at this zoom link this Thursday, January 26th from 4:30-5:30. This will be a casual time of updating, chatting, and Q&A. 
  • Bill Hearing Night – Last week, our Youth and Government students did a great job presenting their bills. Y & G students will be representing the Da Vinci Delegation in Sacramento in February and will propose a bill supporting more primary healthcare providers in the field. Thank you to Ms. McBee and the students in Y&G for doing such a fantastic job presenting your bills, and thank you Dr. Brann and Dr. Wunder, for your support and for being guest judges. 
  • Senior Portraits: 
    • If you would like to book a retake session with photographer, Stacee Liana, you may do so here: https://book.usesession.com/s/a7wSfElh5. Retakes are scheduled for January 28th at her studio in Palos Verdes. 
    •  The cost for reshooting will be $25. If you want to pass the sign-up along to anyone who might be interested you can do so here:  
    • Senior Portraits are available here: https://staceelianna.smugmug.com/DaVinciSchools/Class-of-2023 The password to access your gallery is your Student ID Number
  • Attendance Policy Updates: See the message below from the Da Vinci Schools Central Office.

__________________________

Good afternoon Da Vinci families!

With the start of a new semester, we would like to keep you informed and involved as we continue to support all of our students in their success at Da Vinci Schools.

We are working diligently this year to regularly monitor student progress in academics, socio-emotional well-being, behavior, and attendance to ensure that we are able to communicate with families, respond to concerns, and intervene with supports as quickly as possible when our students are struggling to access the educational opportunities that we provide. In particular this semester, we will be more closely monitoring attendance because research has shown that regular attendance is vital for the success of students in school. Students who are present are more likely to succeed academically, engage with others, and be better prepared for success beyond school. This semester we are increasing our communications with families when a student’s attendance falls below 90%, as that is the state threshold for students being classified as chronically absent. In addition to daily absence notification calls, every two weeks our schools will email or directly call the families of chronically absent students to keep them informed of their student’s attendance status and let them know whether or not their student’s attendance has improved over the past two weeks. Parent meetings may be held for student’s whose attendance fails to improve over the course of multiple weeks, with the goal of coming together as a team to identify the challenges and implement supports to ensure that we are doing all that we can to help get students back on track. 

California law states that absences are excused only if the child is ill or there is an excuse that meets the requirements of the California Education Code Section 48205. Even excused absences that cause your child to miss significant amounts of school can cause your child to fall behind in class and can cause them to be classified as chronically absent. Our school will continue to require verification of absences due to illness or quarantine if your child has missed school for three consecutive days. Please be aware that going “out of town” when school is in session with your child is an unexcused absence. 

 We hope that all of our students will be in attendance every day, but we also understand that there are times when absences may become a challenge. As we continue our pursuit of our students’ learning and growth, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with our families to ensure that all Da Vincians have the support that they need to access their education and achieve success. 

______________

Youth and Government at Bill Hearing Night, Jan. 11th. 

Important Upcoming Dates:

  • Thursday, 1/26: Parent Office Hours with DVS Admin at 4:30pm (at this Zoom link)
  • Thursday, 2/2: Shelter-in-Place Drill (all-campus, more info TBA)
  • Friday, 2/3: Professional Development Day (no school for students)
  • Thursday, 2/9: School Site Council Meeting #3 (4:30 at this Zoom link)
  • Friday, 2/10: Black History Month Community Dialogue during Advisory
  • Monday, 2/20: President’s Day Holiday (no school)
  • School Calendar Link

Week 20 Schedule: 

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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 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

El Camino Dual Enrollment Opportunities in the Spring

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

Who:   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 form and  DV Sponsored Dual Enrollment Supplemental  Form must be completed and submitted to Ms. Marquez by January 24th.

El Camino College Dual Enrollment Form

DV Sponsored Dual Enrollment Supplemental Form

 

Course Offerings:

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 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, including absences and tardies.

 

Please email Ms. Marquez with any questions: fmarquez@davincischools.org

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Week 19 Schedule – No School Monday in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King

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It was great to see the students back in school and in the swing of things. There was a lot of reconnecting with Advisory and a lot of learning with launching new projects. We love seeing our students here! In order to maximize learning opportunities, attendance is important. Thank you for working together with us to promote positive attendance. 🙂

In observance of Martin Luther King Day, we will have no school on Monday, January 16th. We honor and are grateful for Dr. Martin Luther King who championed racial equality, nonviolence, and justice. We strive to be a school where all students experience love, acceptance, equity, inclusion, and celebration for who they are.

Week 19 Schedule:

Important Upcoming Dates:
Monday, 1/16: Martin Luther King Holiday (no school)
Thursday, 1/19: School Site Council Meeting #2 at 4:30 on Zoom
Friday, 2/3: Professional Development Day, No School
Monday, 2/20: President’s Day Holiday (no school)
School Calendar Link

Posted in Uncategorized

Black College Expo

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T‍he 24th Annual Black College Expo is coming to Los Angeles!

When: Saturday January 28th

Time: 10am to 5pm PST

Location:

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

Register 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

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

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

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!!!

 

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