We had a wonderful first week of school! Students are getting comfortable with their new schedules and adjusting to their new classes. Everyone has been doing a great job helping each other, cleaning up after lunch, and doing their best to get back into school mode. Students seem happy seeing old friends and meeting new friends as well.
There is a lot going on at DVS! This week, during advisory, students signed up for seminars and club applications went out. DVS Club Fair will be Tuesday, August 30th during Advisory. Students will learn about various club opportunities and sign up during the club fair.
This Thursday, August 25th, we will have “Parent Office Hours with Grace & Tim Zoom” from 4:30-5:30pm. It will be a casual time for us to chat and answer any questions you might have at this time.
Welcome Back Da Vinci Scholars! It’s nice to see you all back on campus. Please see the announcements below.
For students interested in health-related fields:
Introduction to Ophthalmology Virtual Course: Project InSight is pleased to offer an opportunity for students to participate in Introduction to Ophthalmology where they will learn about the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye. The course is open to 20 Los Angeles students interested in the medical field or eye health to join the 12-week virtual course this fall. This course will be taught by California Credentialled Science Teachers and will meet weekly beginning September 13 for one hour online after school on either Tuesday or Thursday. For more specific information, please use this link.
We are looking for web developers to connect with our Computer Science teacher, Mr. Marintsch, at Da Vinci Communications. Should you have any connections, please email Ms. Rodriguez at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
Thank you for all your support as we kick off the Season 14 school year. Students are adjusting well and we love seeing them on campus!
This week, students have been able to request schedule changes as needed and they are filling out the seminar interest form. This Friday, August 19th, will be the last day for schedule change requests. Our hope is for students to be set up for success and begin to establish a routine that will help them navigate the year ahead. Please note, although we really do make our best attempt to honor every request, due to class size limitations, schedule changes and seminar requests may not be guaranteed. Students are filling out seminar forms during Advisory this week.
Below is the link to the Schedule Change Request form and a list of Seminar offerings for Semester 1.
There will be an interest meeting tomorrow on Zoom for the Belize Spring Break Trip! Please view the information and details below and attend the Zoom meeting tomorrow, August 18th, at 6:00pm if you are interested. This is open to all DVS students and details about cost/vouchers will be shared at the meeting. There will be a bonus $100 discount applied if you sign up after the interest meeting.
Welcome to the first day of the 2022-23 school year! Please review the flyers for student pick-up and drop-off procedures. Remember to give yourself enough time to maneuver through the parking lot. We look forward to seeing you today and the start of the new year!
Thank you for coming to our Welcome Back to School night last night. It was so great to see families and we are excited for Season 14!
The first day of school is Monday, August 15th. School start time is at 8:50 am and dismissal is at 3:55pm. Students will find their advisory teacher outside the gym (near Crossfit box and bike racks).
We’re excited to welcome 50 new teachers, counselors and support staff to the Da Vinci family. We are honored that so many talented individuals have chosen to make Da Vinci their new home. For some, they are Da Vinci alumni or recent graduates of Da Vinci’s in-house teacher residency program in partnership with the Alder University Graduate School of Education. All total, Da Vinci has 25 alumni employed across our organization.
Da Vinci Schools invests significant resources into supporting new and returning educators who receive approximately 23 days of professional development (PD) each year, including two weeks of training in August at the start of the new school year.
Last week, new teachers from across Da Vinci came together for a full day of new teacher orientation and professional development support with mentor educators from Da Vinci Institute, Da Vinci’s professional learning center. New teachers played team building games, toured all schools, and were introduced to Da Vinci’s signature programs and practices.
With all new and returning educators back at their individual school sites, the focus has been on reflection and goal setting, logistics, project-based and real world learning planning, curriculum building, special education, assessment, school culture, social-emotional learning, restorative justice, addressing equity and opportunity gaps, advisory planning, dual enrollment, all grade level and job-alike planning, and much more. There’s also been plenty of time for fun community building activities and getting spaces ready for students.
This year, teachers and students are transitioning to a new learning management system known as Canvas. Canvas syncs with PowerSchool, our student information system, and is what most colleges use giving students a head-start on knowing how to access course materials and other resources.
Da Vinci is continuing to expand our pool of dedicated educators and support staff. Check out our current openings here. We are so excited to start the new school year! Together, we are preparing students to lead, innovate, and thrive in the modern world.
For students interested in jobs:
The LA County America’s Job Center will be hosting a Job Fair in South LA, on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm. To register, please visit this flyer. It is highly suggested to bring several copies of your resume to share with prospective employers!
For students interested in mental health opportunities: The Fall 2022 Teen Line Training application is available now. As a volunteer for Teenline, you would be helping to take calls and text messages from teens that are going through life challenges. For the Fall training period, Teenline will only accept applications from teens going into the 9th and 10th grade, with the minimum age of 14, living in or near the Los Angeles area. Please visit this link and click on “Apply Now” to be directed to the online volunteer application portal. Applications and references are due before 1pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
For students interested in science and engineering: The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program places high school students in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories where they take part in real Naval research for 8 weeks during the summer. SEAP is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in STEM. Students have the opportunity to learn about Naval research and technology while receiving first-class mentoring by top scientists and engineers. SEAP is a competitive program with around 300 placements in more than 30 labs around the country. Interns are selected based upon academic achievement, personal statements, recommendations, and career and research interests. Learn more here. Click here to apply. Applications close November 2.
For students interested in financial literacy and managing money: Co-founders of Latinas Talking Dinero, are hosting financial literacy virtual workshops that incorporate their lived experiences as Latinas and first-generation college students. They teach financial literacy through an anti-racist lens and cover tops such as the wage gap, credit and interest, and financial trauma. Youth (up to 24 years old) are invited to attend for FREE. Virtual workshops start on Wednesday, August 24. Register here.
Just a reminder that we will have our Da Vinci Science Back to School Night tomorrow, August 11th!
This will be a time for families to come to campus by grade level to hear pertinent school information, receive student schedules, and to meet and greet teachers and staff members. If students are unable to attend the Welcome Back to School Night, they will receive their schedules the first day of school, August 15th.
Da Vinci Science’s Welcome Back to School Night will take place outdoors at the West Plaza at the following times:
9th Grade- 5:00-6:00 (Freshmen Orientation)
10th Grade- 6:00-7:00
11th Grade- 7:00-8:00
12th Grade – 7:00-8:00 (meet & greet teachers on the 2nd floor at 7:00, followed by the presentation in the West Plaza at 7:30 pm)
See you August 11th at Welcome Back to School Night and/or First Day of School, August 15th!
I hope you are enjoying the last weeks of summer break. Please see the announcements below:
For students interested in receiving academic credit for their internships:
Students who are interested in receiving 5 academic credits for summer internships/volunteer opportunities, must fill out the Unpaid Internship Agreement and submit a timesheet that demonstrates the completion of 60 hours of service. The Agreement must be turned in before the start of the internship/volunteer opportunity. The timesheet is due August 6, 2022. Please email all documents to Ms. Rodriguez at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
For students interested in art, film, and animation:
The El Segundo Public Library encourages all individuals who live, work and/or play in El Segundo to submit artwork for Summertime, Summertime: A Community Juried Art Exhibition! This art show will feature 2-dimensional artwork, including painting, photography, photo collage, photomontage, collage, drawing, printmaking, etc. that celebrates summer. For information on how to submit your artwork, please click here.
Dreamworks Animation is hosting a Summer Speaker Series from August 8 – August 12 where students will learn about roles in animation, succeeding in the industry, and more. Register here.
For students interested in social change:
The Alliance for Girls is hosting a community-building and healing-oriented event for youth leaders seeking to bring safety to school to address sexual harassment. Alliance for Girls is co-hosting this event with Unity Council to prepare both youth and adult advocates for a new school year prioritizing policies and programs that help sexual assault/harassment survivors. Attendees will also hear from representatives from the Equal Rights Advocate and the Unity Council. The event will be an entirely virtual event and will take place on Saturday, August 6. It is open to all youth and youth champions. $15 Visa Gift cards will be provided to youth 24 and under who RSVP and attend the event. RSVP Here.
For students interested in jobs: The LA County America’s Job Center will be hosting a Job Fair in South LA, on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm. To register, please visit this flyer. It is highly suggested to bring several copies of your resume to share with prospective employers!
For students interested in science and engineering:
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program places high school students in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories where they take part in real Naval research for 8 weeks during the summer. SEAP is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in STEM the opportunity to learn about Naval research and technology while receiving first-class mentoring by top scientists and engineers. SEAP is a competitive program with around 300 placements in more than 30 labs around the country. Inters are selected based upon academic achievement, personal statements, recommendations, and career and research interests. Click here to learn more. Click here to apply.
Have a great weekend!
