Archive for May 10, 2024

Week 34 Wrap-Up & Week 35 Schedule

Teachers and staff had a wonderful Teachers’ Appreciation Week! Thank you to all the parents and students who generously provided snacks, treats, breakfast, lunch, gift cards, and notes to keep our staff smiling and feeling all the warm and fuzzies all week long. We are fortunate to have such supportive DVS families. 

Also this week, DVS seniors in the Biomedical Pathway visited Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions. The students had access to the Swatek Anatomy Center, participating in a human cadaver lab to reinforce what they learned in their pathway classes; they received a lecture on embryology and explored the Shyock Embryology Museum, and they learned about various careers in the field of medicine. This is an experience they will take with them for a long time!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month- students enjoyed some de-stressing activities making bracelets today at lunch. We value the physical and mental health of all students. We encourage exercise, healthy eating habits, and talking with trusted adults and peers. Please reach out to a counselor or staff member if you feel you need mental health support.

Progress reports went out through the mail this week. Please be on the lookout for current grades through Canvas and/or PowerSchool as well as the paper copy of the progress report. There are three weeks left of instruction, we hope and expect students to finish the semester well!  

Announcements & Reminders for Week 35:

  • Parent Association Meeting: The DVS Parent Association will have its last meeting of the year at Five Point Five Brewery in El Segundo (a local establishment owned by a DVS family)! The meeting is on Wednesday, May 15th at 6:30pm. Five Point Five is located at 137 Nevada Street/ El Segundo, CA. Please stop by this informal meeting to relax, meet other parents from DVS, and help build community. Five Point Five Brewery has pizza for purchase if you want to multitask and grab dinner during the meeting! No RSVP necessary, just show up if you are able.
  • Presentations of Learning: Presentations of Learning (POLs) and Senior Research Presentations (SRPs) will begin the week of May 28th. Click here for an information sheet for families with details about presentations of learning. Specific information about the format, requirements, and preparation process for POLs and SRPs will be communicated from teachers. We encourage families to attend your student’s presentation. 
  • Extended Learning Rooms: When not presenting or watching presentations during POL week, students will be augmenting their learning in Extended Learning Rooms, which will include presentations and activities related to mental wellness, career preparation, and college planning. 
  • 11th Grade CHYA Presentations: Nurse Titsyana Lucero will be reviewing the health & sexual education curriculum (“CHYA”, or “California Healthy Youth Act”) to juniors in Extended Learning Rooms during POL week. Click this link to read the notification letter from Dr. Green. If you have any questions about the content that will be covered, please email Dr. Green at egreen@davincischools.org. Parents have the right to “opt-out” of this presentation for their child; if you wish to do so, please email Saya Wai, DVS Assistant Principal, at swai@davincischools.org
  • Decision Day May 15th: We are very excited for all the accomplishments of our senior students. On May 15th , DVS will host a Decision Day Celebration to celebrate their college acceptances and acknowledge the hard work of the Class of 2024. A group of senior parents would like to invite you to donate items for the celebration event. Please click here to donate items. If you have any questions, please reach out to senior parents: Kristine Ho: kristineho@gmail.com or Diep Seversen: diepseversen@gmail.com

Week 35 Schedule:

Important Upcoming Dates: 

  • Monday, 5/13: Senior Beach Day
  • Wednesday, 5/15: Senior Decision Day Celebration
  • Wednesday, 5/15: Parent Association Meeting at Five Point Five @ 6:30pm
  • Thursday, 5/16: Senior Awards Night, 6:00pm  
  • Friday, 5/17: UCLA Blood Drive
  • Tuesday-Tuesday, 5/28-6/4: Presentations of Learning & Senior Research Presentations
  • Wednesday, 6/5: Last Day of School 
  • Thursday, June 6th: DVS Class of 2024 Graduation Day @ 9am

 

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 

DVS Announcements Slidedeck  

DVS News YouTube Channel

DV 24-25 Calendar 

Teachers Appreciation Week – Thank you, DVS Parent Association

Mental Health Awareness Lunch Activity- Bracelet Making

Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions Week

Announcements from Real World Learning Director (5.7.2024)

 

Join us for the inaugural Da Vinci Design 10th Grade Student Art Show, hosted by Indivisible Arts at the Resin Gallery in the heart of Hermosa Beach on Saturday, May 11th from 4:30pm-8pm. 

Location:
Resin Gallery
618 Cypress Ave
Hermosa Beach 

Camp Kitsch will be an immersive experience where DVD students will showcase their talent. More than just an art show, this event aims to foster a sense of belonging by providing a safe and welcoming “third place” for South Bay high school students to come together and celebrate creativity. 

Guests will also be able to enjoy music from Da Vinci’s very own student bands, “Crawfish Department” and “Koi.” 

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of art, community, and young talent!

Week 33 Wrap-Up & Week 34 Schedule

We had a beautiful Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) CD! Thank you to all the staff and students who dedicated their time and shared their talents with us. We enjoyed hula, bhangra, vovinam, tinikling, and fan dance performances representing Hawai’i, India, Vietnam, Philippines, and China, and we learned elements of culture, language, and food from Taiwan and Japan. The CD wrapped up with a fashion show displaying clothing from various AAPI cultures.

Senior prom is tonight! Thank you for being flexible and understanding with the change of venue. We are looking forward to a fun, safe, and memorable night for the class of 2024. 

Announcements & Reminders for Week 34:

Teachers especially love hearing from students and families. We encourage students to show their appreciation by writing a note to your teacher or staff member about what you appreciate about them!  

  • Mental Health Awareness Month: May is Mental Health Awareness month. Every Friday during lunch, there will be a mental health activity. See flyer below. 

  • 11th Grade College Planning Information: Please contact college counselor, Ms. Marquez: 
    • 11th Grade Post-DVS Planning Meetings: If you have not done so already, please sign up here.
    • Posse Foundation Scholarship: Posse Scholars are awarded a four year scholarship to attend one of their partner colleges. Juniors, if you are interested in applying for the Posse Scholars program, please submit this form by Friday, May 24, 2024 at 3:00pm. Posse LAs Partner Universities.  Resources for students and parents: Posse Foundation FAQ and Parent Guide.
  • Decision Day May 15th: We are very excited for all the accomplishments of our senior students. On May 15th , DVS will host a Decision Day Celebration to celebrate their college acceptances and acknowledge the hard work of the Class of 2024. A group of senior parents would like to invite you to donate items for the celebration event. Please click here to donate items. If you have any questions, please reach out to senior parents: Kristine Ho: kristineho@gmail.com or Diep Seversen: diepseversen@gmail.com
  • 24-25 Da Vinci Calendar can be found on the DV Website linked here: DV 24-25 Calendar 

This Week’s Schedule:

Important Upcoming Dates: 

  • Thursday, 5/16: Senior Awards Night, 6:00pm  
  • Tuesday-Friday, 5/28-5/31 POL week 
  • Wednesday, 6/5, Last Day of School 
  • DVS Graduation Day: June 6th, 9:00am

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar 

DVS Announcements Slidedeck  

DVS News YouTube Channel

 

AAPI CD

Teal Blue Mental Health Workshop Flyer

 

Posse Foundation Scholarship Opportunity

Hello Junior Families!

I want to share an exciting opportunity with you about the Posse Foundation Scholarship. Every year, The Posse Foundation works closely with high schools, like Da Vinci Science, to recruit students who demonstrate leadership and academic potential to become a Posse Scholar. If selected, a Posse Scholar wins a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to attend one of Posse’s partner colleges or universities:

  • Bucknell University
  • Dickinson College
  • Hobart & Williams Smith College
  • Kalamazoo College
  • Middlebury College
  • Northwestern University
  • Pepperdine University
  • Tulane University
  • University of Wisconsin- Madison

 

Below are informational materials on the Posse Foundation:

Posse Foundation Information Guide

Posse Foundation Scholarship: Parent FAQ 

If you would like DVS to consider you as a nominee for the Posse Scholarship and you demonstrate leadership and academic potential, please complete the Posse Foundation Scholarship Nomination Request form by Friday, May 24th at 4pm.

 

Please reach out if you have additional questions!

Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor

fmarquez@davincischools.org 

Important Update: Senior Prom – Location Change

Dear Da Vinci Community,

This update provides important information about tomorrow night’s Class of 2024 Prom.

As many of you may know by now, there have been escalating protests at nearby college campuses, including at USC in close proximity to where our Senior Prom was scheduled to take place.

After conferring with law enforcement agencies and receiving new information last night related to security, the decision has been made to move the Senior Prom to a location in El Segundo to ensure the safety of our students, staff and security team. 

WHAT:  Senior Prom
WHEN:  Friday, May 3, 2024 | 6:30-10:00 PM
WHERE:  The Terrace, 2361 Rosecrans Ave., 2nd Floor, El Segundo – NEW
LOCATION

(The Terrace is located at the corner of Rosecrans/Continental Circle; there is plenty of free parking in the parking structure – a map will be provided soon.)

This may strike as initially disappointing news, yet I am confident that tomorrow will be a wonderful evening for our graduates in an elegant new location. I am grateful to our entire community for coming together to make sure the Prom goes on as scheduled.

I know many of you may have questions or concerns you wish to share about this change of venue. I ask that you refrain from reaching out to your school leadership and senior committee advisors unless absolutely necessary so they can focus on planning and making sure the prom is fun and memorable for the Class of 2024. If you feel you must reach out, please contact us at info@davincischools.org

Let’s all celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2024 with pride and joy as they embark on their exciting new journeys. 

I wish to extend deep gratitude to Richard Lundquist, Bob Tarnofsky and the entire Continental Development team, Da Vinci’s school leadership teams, senior advisory teachers, operations and safety teams, Wiseburn Superintendent Dr. Blake Silvers, and the El Segundo Police Department for adapting rapidly and effectively to a challenging situation. 

 

Gratefully,

Dr. Matthew Wunder
CEO/Superintendent
Da Vinci Schools 

 

You’re Invited: DVS Grand Rounds – May 9th @ 5:15pm

Dear Da Vincians,

A special group of Da Vinci Science students in the Biomedical Pathway will present their Grand Rounds Presentation for a panel of medical professionals. Jeremy Wong, Biomedical Pathways Teacher, extends an invitation to DV community members as students showcase their mastery over the diagnostic process used by medical professionals. 

If you are a medical professional interested in being part of the panel, please email Ms. Nordia Simmonds at nsimmonds@davincischools.org

We invite our DVS Community to be part of this special event: 

Thursday, May 9th, 2024 @ 5:15 PM – 8:00 PM
2nd Floor of Da Vinci Schools 

We hope to see you there!