Do you want to make a difference at Da Vinci Schools? Do you want a seat at the table? Consider becoming a student board advisor or coordinator and make your voice heard!
Student board advisors present monthly to the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees and you will provide perspective, insights and regular school updates.
Your participation gives current and future students a voice for years to come. Click here to apply!
Student board advisors:
Two positions open from each of the following schools (a total of 10 positions)
DV Communications
DV Connect TK-8
DV Connect High
DV Design
DV Science
Student board coordinators:
Two (2) positions open
Can be from any school and assists student board members in preparing for meetings
You may submit applications for both coordinator and advisor roles. For more information and details, please speak with your school’s principal.
*Please note: Students can only access the application using their DV email*
All student board advisors and coordinators meet on the first Monday of the month with Dr. Matt Wunder, CEO of Da Vinci Schools, to discuss students’ daily experiences at school. After the first few meetings with the CEO, the rest will be student-led. The first board presentation will be November 20th.
We are excited to announce a new partnership with Hazel Health, an innovative service now available to support the mental health needs of all Da Vinci students in grades TK-12. As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive care and resources, Hazel Health offers access to licensed healthcare professionals and services, both at school and from home.
What is Hazel Health?
Hazel Health connects students with a mental health counselor for virtual visits directly from school, or the comfort of your home, at no cost to families. Hazel Health ensures that your child receives timely care for mental health support.
How it Works
School-Based Care: Students and families can work with the Da Vinci Counselors to set up appointments for teletherapy at designated times from campus. Students will be supervised in a safe and privatized space for therapy sessions.
If your student has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and there is a concern or question about how this general education offered service would be incorporated into their school day with their current special education programming and services, please contact/consult with Dr. Lynn Rodriguez, Director of Special Education to answer any questions or seek clarification (lrodriguez@davincischools.org). Otherwise, families with an IEP or Section 504 plan should reach out to their case manager/counselor to meaningfully incorporate this service during your day.
At-Home Care: Families can schedule telehealth visits from home. Appointments are accessible and can be done on your own schedule between 7am-7pm, Monday through Friday.
Services Provided by Hazel Health:
Mental Health Counseling: Hazel Health provides support for anxiety, depression, grief, and other mental health concerns.
Why Hazel Health?
Convenient Access: No need for appointments or travel time. Support is provided virtually when your child needs it.
No Cost to Families: Services are free for all students at Da Vinci Schools, ensuring that every family has access to care.
Confidential & Secure: All services are confidential, and student privacy is a top priority.
Getting Started
To begin using Hazel Health, simply complete the consent form listed on the website https://getstarted.hazel.co/district/davincischools. You can also reach out to your school counselor for assistance in signing up. We are thrilled to bring this important resource to our Da Vinci community and are confident that Hazel Health will help us keep students happy, healthy, and ready to learn.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students’ well-being.
We recently shared with you information about an exciting new initiative this school year known as Community Learning Days (CLDs) in response to our community’s desire to provide more opportunities to bring students together across our five high schools. CLDs are all about options and designed to offer students the flexibility to explore their interests and build community with students and staff attending Communications, Connect High, Design, RISE and Science.
With our first CLD approaching on Friday, October 11th, we want to provide you with some important updates:
This week in Advisory, students learned more about CLDs and took a Student Survey to express their interest in learning experiences/activities for the first two CLDs (Oct. 11 and Nov. 8).
All students – whether they participate in on-campus or off-campus learning – will have access to free breakfast and lunch.
On-campus programming will run from 8:30am-12:30pm. We have some exciting on-campus options planned such as college and career workshops, financial literacy, Real World Learning experiences, hands-on learning in the Ceramics Studio, performing arts experiences, athletics activities, community service, and more.
Students requesting to learn off-campus must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian. Permission slips will be provided to students by Sept. 13th.
During the week of Sept. 23, students will receive notice of enrollment for one of their selected workshops (on-campus) OR receive approval to engage in off-campus learning (permission slip required).
Oct. 11 is Da Vinci’s first CLD Day!
During the week of Oct. 21, we will send out a Feedback Survey to hear what you think so we can continue to improve!
As a reminder, there are four CLDs scheduled this school year (Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Feb. 10, Apr. 21). We can’t wait to embark on this exciting new journey together.
Gratefully,
Dr. Matthew Wunder
CEO/Superintendent
Da Vinci Schools
Get ready to snag Da Vinci Schools swag beginning next Monday, September 9th! You’ll have the chance to pre-order hoodies, sweatshirts, and track jackets to show off your Da Vinci Schools spirit all year long.
You can choose from different styles and colors, all with a silk-screened Da Vinci Schools logo. The pre-order window will be open for two weeks from Monday, September 9th – Sunday, September 22nd at 11:59pm. Youth – adult sizes are available. Orders will be distributed to school sites for pick-up in October.
We’ll share the link as soon as it goes live! Stay tuned!
We are excited to introduce a new initiative for the 2024-25 school year called Community Learning Days (CLDs), in response to our community’s desire to provide more opportunities to bring students together across all our high schools. CLDs offer a day of choice and flexibility in learning for Da Vinci families enrolled at Communications, Connect High, Design, RISE, and Science.
Community Learning Days are designed to enrich the high school educational experience and foster a deeper sense of connection between students at all our high schools. CLDs advance our Da Vinci Schools’ vision of empowering a new generation of students prepared to lead, innovate and thrive in the modern world where learning can happen within and beyond the school walls. CLDs are scheduled four times throughout the school year (Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Feb. 10, Apr. 21), offering a unique blend of community, connection, flexibility, creativity, and accountability for both students and staff.
What are Community Learning Days? CLDs are a new initiative for the 2024-25 school year designed to provide students and families across our high schools with a menu of choices, including optional on-campus programming that brings students together from all our high schools from 8:00am-12:30pm at our 201 N. Douglas St. campus; extra learning time at home to catch up on schoolwork; or time for your family to take advantage of something that would not normally be available during regular school hours, such as going on college visits, exploring museums, and more.
Based on community input, the decision to introduce CLDs grew out of a desire for additional opportunities to bring together students across our high schools to foster deeper connections, for more student choice in pursuing learning that is most meaningful to them, and for new strategies to promote and support student and staff well-being.
How does it work? Students will learn more about CLDs this week during Advisory classes. A Student Survey will be launched during the week of September 5 for students and families to make selections about what they would like their first CLD to look like on Friday, October 11. Students and families will make a choice to participate in On-Campus Learning or Off-Campus Learning. Students and families will be notified of their CLD approved selection during the week of September 23.
Students are encouraged to plan their activities thoughtfully and productively. Students will track progress and accomplishments in Canvas, ensuring that these days are both enjoyable and productive. All students will learn and earn attendance but in different ways. Follow-up surveys will help us plan for future CLDs.
What learning can students participate in? ON-CAMPUS: High school students will have an array of diverse on-campus learning experiences to choose from at the 201 N. Douglas campus, such as:
Explore and engage with hands-on equipment in the Ceramics Studio, CTE Lab, shop materials, and learn how to use advanced tools like laser cutters and 3D printers
College and career workshops
Financial Literacy
Special community service or volunteer field trips
Open Lab (space for students to complete work or study)
Other planned offerings that will be shared in the upcoming survey
OFF-CAMPUS: Students can “leave to learn” and engage in a learning experience off campus independently, such as going on a college visit, service learning, job shadow, internship, etc. Or, students can complete work from home – get caught up or get ahead! A permission slip is required to be signed by the parent/guardian for Off-Campus Learning. All students – whether they participate in on-campus or off-campus learning – will have access to breakfast and lunch on all Community Learning Days.
How will staff be involved in CLDs? Staff will create new on-campus learning experiences based on their personal passions, while forming deeper connections with colleagues across our school community. Staff also will have flexible work time to prepare instructional materials and lessons, participate in professional development, and more.
We hope you are excited about Community Learning Days as we are. We believe that CLDs will be a transformative addition to our educational program, fostering a joyful and connected environment for our entire learning community. We look forward to seeing the creative and productive ways our students and staff will utilize these days to grow, learn, and thrive.
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm as we embark on this exciting new journey together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Matthew Wunder
CEO/Superintendent Da Vinci Schools
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.
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!
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
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
Graduates from across Los Angeles County will be celebrated during this special event at the Skirball Cultural Center onJune 8th at 3:00 pm.
Scholarship applications for the Los Angeles Urban League Black High School Graduation will open soon. Stay connected to their social media (@LAUrbanLeague_) for official the announcement! #LABlackLegacy
Don’t miss this networking opportunity at Belkin Global Headquarters on Wednesday, April 10th!
Belkin is hosting an exciting Spring Fling Career Event scheduled for Wednesday, April 10. This event is exclusively tailored for Da Vinci students in grades 7-12. They will be engaging with professionals from companies such as Google, Paramount, Savage Fenty, Snapchat, TechStyle Fashion Group, and Belkin. Transportation will be provided from the 201 N. Douglas St. El Segundo campus. Busses will be leaving at 9:30 am and returning at 1:30 pm. Lunch will be provided to all attendees. Spots are limited! To RSVP, please click here.If you have any questions please contact Ms. Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
Learn more about amazing RWL Opportunities here!
