Da Vinci Science

We had a great first week of school! We hit the ground running and it was a busy, but fun week. Thank you for your patience as students get their schedules, make adjustments, and settle in. Hopefully the students will sleep well this weekend and be ready for Week 2! 

Week 2 Announcements: 

• • Schedule Change Requests are open until Friday, August 29th at 2:30pm. If students need to make a change to their schedule, they should fill out this Fall 2025 Schedule Change Request form and allow counselors 1-2 school days to process the request. Note that not all requests can be accommodated.
  • FREE Metro GoPass for DVS Students: Da Vinci Schools is participating in LA Metro’s GoPass Program again this year! This means each DVS student can receive a FREE metro card that, once activated, can allow them to ride on the Metro for FREE until June 30, 2027. Students should drop by the front desk (not during class time) and ask Liz to pick up a card and instructions to activate their card (one card per student). Find more information on the GoPass Program here.
  • PowerSchool Access: PowerSchool access will be disabled for the next several days as seminar schedules are being finalized. Students will receive their seminar schedules before seminars begin on Wednesday, 8/27. There will also be an opportunity to request seminar changes after seminars begin.
  • Class of 2026 Senior Portraits: There are two more dates in September (9/13 and 9/14) for seniors to take their portraits with Stacee Lianna! See more information in this flyer, and sign up for a session at this link.
  • Free College Rep Panel hosted by PJ Test Prep: PJ Test Prep has been providing instructors for DVS’s Test Prep Seminar for years, and they are hosting a free College Rep Panel on Sunday, August 24th at 4pm. Reps from a full variety of schools (big/medium/small, public/private, West Coast/Midwest/East Coast) will be present to give tips from insiders on applications and framing yourself as a strong candidate for admissions and scholarships! Please see the list of schools (still being updated) and RSVP at pjtestprep.com/rsvp.
  • South Bay / Los Angeles College Fair: The Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD), in proud partnership with the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) and the Redondo Beach Council PTA, is hosting the 2025 South Bay/Los Angeles College Fair. This event is free and open to the public and will take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Redondo Union High School. This dynamic annual fair will bring together 100 colleges and universities from across the country, offering students a one-stop opportunity to explore diverse post-secondary pathways. Representatives from public and private universities, community colleges, and military academies will be available to share insights, answer questions, and help students envision their future. For more information, please visit this WACAC page or contact Dr. Anthony Taranto, Executive Director of Career Pathways, at ataranto@rbusd.org. Please RSVP at this link.

• Parent Association Announcements

• • Family Beach Day: Join other DVS families at a casual social gathering Sat 8/23, at El Segundo Beach 12:30-3:30pm! See details in this flyer.
  • DVSPA Merch is available for pre-order. Show your school spirit and support DVS with your T-shirt and Hoodie orders.  Place your ORDER HERE (make sure you’re logged into your MySchoolBucks DaVinci Schools account if you also have a Wiseburn account). Images and more details HERE.  Questions to DVS parent Lori, lj.bowk@gmail.com.
• UCLA Blood Drive: The DVS Red Cross Club is partnering with the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center for another blood drive on Thursday October 9, 2025!  This blood drive is taking place in the DV Black Box Theater. Donating blood saves lives; every unit donated can save three lives! Every donor will receive a $10 Gift Card redeemable at AMC/Regal Theaters, Chipotle, Amazon, Starbucks, Panda Express, Shake Shack, Subway, McDonald’s, or Target! Schedule your appointment at this link. Note: Donors must be at least 16 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 lbs. at the time of donation. 16-year-old donors must present a signed Parental Consent Form that can be obtained from Mr Besina.
• Freshman Overnighter: Freshman overnighter will take place from 9/4-9/5. Advisory Leaders leave 9/3. All Overnighter permission slips and Medical Release forms have been sent home and are due. The Overnighter Info. document can be found here.

Important Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, 8/27 Seminars begin
• Monday, 9/1 Labor Day Holiday – No School
• Thursday, 9/4 – Friday, 9/5 Class of 2029 Overnighter
• Tuesday, 9/9 11th Grade NACAC Field Trip
• Thursday, 9/11 Club Fair during Advisory and lunch
• Thursday, 9/11 Back-to-School Night 5:30pm-7:30pm
• Friday, 9/12 Professional Development Day – No School

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Some Highlights from the Week:

Happy First Day of School!

10th Graders collaborating together to speed assemble puzzles during Tuesday Grade-Level Time

Welcome Back, DVS Families! We hope you had a fantastic summer!

Thank you for coming to our Welcome Orientation last night. We enjoyed reconnecting with returning families and meeting new families. 

For those of you who were unable to attend last night’s welcome orientation, the slide deck is available here: Welcome Orientation 2025 Slide Deck

Our First Day of School is this Monday, August 18th! 

School start time is at 8:50am and dismissal is at 3:55pm. In the morning, students will meet at the backyard/lunch area until 8:50am. We will begin our day at 8:50 with an all-school gathering outside before students head upstairs with their advisory teachers (students, be sure to stay with DVS as other schools will be going inside). A copy of students’ schedules will be given during Advisory at the beginning of the day. 

Week 1 Schedule:

Schedule Change Requests are now open. If you would like to make a change to your schedule, please fill out this Fall 2025 Schedule Change Request form. Please allow your hard-working counselors 1-2 school days to process your request. Note that not all requests can be accommodated, but we will do the best we can. All course requests must be submitted by Friday, August 29th 2:30pm.

Announcements from our amazing DVS Parent Association:

• Welcome Back Teachers Breakfast– The parent association will be welcoming DVS teachers and staff back to school with coffee and breakfast on the first day of school.  For more info on how to support DVS in this way, check out the sign up HERE
• Family Beach Day – Join other DVS families at a casual social gathering Sat 8/23, at El Segundo beach 12:30-3:30pm, details here  

Have a great weekend, and we will see you on Monday, August 18th! 

PEP: As one of Da Vinci’s neurodiversity-affirming practices, whenever possible, we strive to provide clear information in advance of events (Preview), outline the sensory environment (Experience), and list available accommodations and resources, such as earplugs (Provided). Our goal is to reduce uncertainty, honor sensory differences, and promote accessibility for all participants. 

First Day of School PEP

Preview: Students walk through a tunnel of cheering teachers to the West Plaza/lunch area, where the whole school gathers. Faculty introductions are made with loud music before students break into small groups in their classrooms.

Experience: Loud environment, very large crowd, overlapping conversations, noise and movement

Provided: Space to step away from the crowd, alternate entry to avoid the tunnel

DVS Staff is looking forward to a wonderful 2025-2026 school year with you! 

 

Hello Da Vinci Science Families! 

We hope you are having an enjoyable summer. We are excited to invite you to the DVS Welcome Orientation on Thursday, August 14th! 

This will be a time for families (students and guardians) to come to campus by grade level to hear pertinent school information, receive student schedules, and walk around campus for a self-guided tour to locate classrooms. Some staff and student leaders will be on campus to greet and help you.

If students are unable to attend this event, they will receive their schedules on the first day of school, Monday, August 18th, 2025.  

Da Vinci Science’s Welcome Orientation will follow the schedule below:

9th Grade

5:00-5:45 9th Grade Presentation in the Black Box Theatre

5:45-6:15 Schedule Pick-up, Self-Guided Tour of the DVS floor

10th Grade

5:45-6:15 10th Grade Presentation in the Black Box Theatre

6:15-6:45 Schedule Pick-up, Self-Guided Tour of the DVS floor

11th Grade

6:15-6:45 11th Grade Presentation in the Black Box Theatre

6:45-7:15 Schedule Pick-up, Self-Guided Tour of the DVS floor

12th Grade

6:45-7:15 12th Grade Presentation in the Black Box Theatre

7:15-7:30 Schedule Pick-up, Self-Guided Tour of the DVS floor

We hope to see you there, but if not, we are excited to welcome students back for the Fall 2025 semester on Monday, August 18th, 2025 at 8:50am!

PEP: As one of Da Vinci’s neurodiversity-affirming practices, whenever possible, we strive to provide clear information in advance of events (Preview), outline the sensory environment (Experience), and list available accommodations and resources, such as earplugs (Provided). Our goal is to reduce uncertainty, honor sensory differences, and promote accessibility for all participants. 

Please see the PEP below for the Welcome Orientation on Thursday, August 14th:

Preview: The Welcome Orientation is a presentation in the Black Box by grade-level for incoming and returning students and their families followed by an optional self-guided tour of the DVS floor; Informative presentation and multiple speakers; 50-250 audience members

Experience: Constant background noise; Large Group >100; Some unpredictability; Voluntary participation; Crowds moving and mingling on the DVS floor

Provided: Dimmed lighting and earplugs available in the Black Box; Presentation slideshow will be posted on blog afterwards; Student schedules will be passed out but also available on the first day of school

Helpful Links:

DVS Website/Blog

DVS 2025-2026 Planning Calendar

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS News YouTube Channel

Da Vinci Photos Link

And that’s a wrap for the 2024-2025 school year! We had a great last day of school on Wednesday and a celebratory Graduation ceremony yesterday-Congratulations to the Class of 2025! The staff had our last professional development day today. As we reflected upon this school year, we are proud of all that our students have accomplished and grateful for our families support along the way. We had very busy and successful school year, thank you! For our Graduates that are now Alumni, we will see you when you come back H.O.M.E to visit. And for our new and returning students, we’ll see you in the Fall! 

On behalf of the Da Vinci Science Staff, we wish all DVS families a wonderful summer!

 

Announcements:

• DVS 2025-2026 Planning Calendar–this is a draft of the DVS Calendar for your planning purposes; events may be added or subject to change throughout the school year.
  • Welcome Orientation Day for the 2025-2026 school year is Thursday, August 14th, time TBD (in the afternoon).
  • The first day of school for the 2025-2026 school year is Monday, August 18th.
• Summer Essay Writing Workshop: Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. You will gain further insight and feedback on your essay. Two dates available, you may register for one date below:
  • Tuesday, June 17th: 10:45am- 2:25pm
  • Wednesday, August 13th: 10:45am- 2:25 pm
  • Questions? Please contact Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor, fmarquez@davincischools.org 

• Summer College Counseling and Academic Counseling: We are excited to announce that DVS families will have access to FREE college counseling and academic counseling this summer through our partners at Collegewise. These 15 minute appointments are available to all grade-levels and are tailored to answer questions specific to your post-secondary planning.  Book your appointment using the links below:
  • June 18 – July 18 with Kate Strzelecki
  • July 21 – August 12 with Ian Parker
• Class of 2026 Senior Portraits: Senior portraits will be taken on campus over the summer this year by Stacee Lianna! See more information in this flyer, and sign up for a session at this link.
• 2025-2026 Calendar: Posted on Da Vinci Schools Website

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Some Highlights from the Week:

Congratulations, Class of 2025!

We are excited for our last day of school tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11th! 

Students, please note that we will start tomorrow morning in the West Plaza (lunch area). We’ll kick off the day with some fun and final announcements out there before heading into the rest of our schedule (below). Don’t miss it!

 

In addition, we are proud to celebrate the Class of 2025 for their Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, June 12th at 1pm. Information about the Graduation Ceremony has been emailed to graduates and their families, and seating information will be emailed tomorrow.

You can also celebrate the Class of 2025 by tuning in to the livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/rfLBS4TU03k?si=m4PhjVMUEynJJaC0

Let’s finish the year strong together!

And just like that, it’s the last week of school! The end of the year is here, and the general sentient from staff and students is that this year went by quickly. The students have been ending the year well with their final projects, some amazing Field Trips including 11th Grade Fulcrum Day in Downtown LA and Biomedical Pathway Field Trip to Cedar Sinai Simulation Center, and enjoying their last few days in POL and Extended Learning Rooms which include sessions on school culture, interview skills, Collegewise Workshops, POL pups to destress, and feedback groups to name a few. 

We look forward to our last few days of school together. Please note early dismissal at 2:25 each day this week, Monday-Wednesday. Have a great last week of school, we are almost there! 

Week 38 Schedule: 

Week 38 Announcements:  

• Attendance Matters: We are grateful to our families, students, and staff who support and emphasize the importance of daily school attendance. Students are expected to be in attendance at school from 8:50 am to dismissal every day through the last day of the 2025-2026 school year on Wednesday, June 11th. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as connect with their peers and teachers. Please continue to take steps to schedule vacations and appointments around school hours, and send your students to school unless they are truly sick.
• Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony: Information about this year’s graduation ceremony, taking place next Thursday, June 12th at 1pm, has been emailed to seniors and their families. Seating arrangements will be emailed one day prior and parking permits will be distributed during graduation rehearsal on Tuesday, 6/10. Please refer to the emails sent on 5/16 and 5/27 for more details.

• Presentations of Learning: Presentations of Learning (POLs) continue week 38 (6/3-6/10). 
  • Click here for an information sheet for families with details about presentations of learning. Families are invited and encouraged to attend their student’s POL.
  • When not presenting or watching presentations during POL week, students are augmenting their learning in Extended Learning Rooms. Seniors will participate in activities to prepare for graduation, juniors will explore career options and attend FREE essay writing workshops from Collegewise (more info below), sophomores will build their resumes in a resume workshop and test their interview skills in an interview workshop, and freshmen will review their TruMotivate Top 5 Motivators and discuss the components that contribute to healthy communication and relationships.
• College Essay Workshops for Juniors: We are excited to offer support to juniors in their personal statement and PIQ writing process through our partnership with Collegewise. We will offer a series of free workshops for juniors to work on their college essays:
  • POL Extended Learning Room: Juniors will attend two workshops where they will learn tips and tricks for mastering the art of college essay writing. They will leave the workshop with an essay outline. No sign-up needed as all juniors will be scheduled into an Extended Learning Room during POL Week.
  • Summer Essay Writing Workshop: Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. You will gain further insight and feedback on your essay. Two dates available, you may register for one date below:
    • Tuesday, June 17th: 10:45am- 2:25pm
    • Wednesday, August 13th: 10:45am- 2:25 pm
  • Questions? Please contact Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor, fmarquez@davincischools.org 
• Da Vinci Science Parents Facebook Group: Consider joining the DVS parent online community space facilitated by DVS parents. Search for the private Facebook Group, “DaVinci Science Parents” with a green “This is HOME” banner. This online space is for current DVS parents and families to connect, ask questions and build community with each other. 
• Class of 2026 Senior Portraits: Senior portraits will be taken on campus over the summer this year by Stacee Lianna! See more information in this flyer, and sign up for a session at this link.
• 2025-2026 Calendar: Posted on Da Vinci Schools Website

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Tuesday, 6/10 Senior Breakfast & Grad Rehearsal
• Wednesday, 6/11 Last Day of the 2024-2025 School Year
• Thursday, 6/12 Class of 2025 Graduation at 1:00pm
• 2025-2026 School Year: First Day of School, Monday, August 18th

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Some Highlights from the Week: 

Biomed Seniors presented their prototypes and posters for their Capstone Projects

Cedars Sinai Simulation Center- students got to perform ultrasound and detect veins and arteries, learn basic and advanced life support, and use a Da Vinci machine to perform Laparoscopy

11th Grade Fulcrum Day- team building while doing a scavenger hunt in Downtown LA

POL Pup’s Day: Students got to destress with furry friends

 

The countdown has begun! 8 more days of school. The students did a great job this week, as many classes had final presentations, assessments, and projects due. We still have a lot of learning to do, presentations to give, and fun to be had. We look forward to seeing all our students finish the year strong, with high engagement and attendance. 

Please note this week’s schedule change. School dismissal is the normally scheduled time at 3:55 on Monday, 6/2, and Tuesday, 6/3. Early dismissal time of 2:25 pm on Wednesday-Friday, 6/4-6/6.

Week 37 Schedule: 

Week 37 Announcements:  

• Attendance Matters: As the end of the school year approaches, we are grateful to our families, students, and staff who support and emphasize the importance of daily school attendance. Although school will be dismissed at 2:25pm starting Wednesday, June 4th, students are expected to be in attendance at school from 8:50am to dismissal every day through the last day of the 2025-2026 school year on Wednesday, June 11th. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as connect with their peers and teachers. Please continue to take steps to schedule vacations and appointments around school hours, and send your students to school unless they are truly sick. Daily routines are essential for reducing stress and creating a sense of security for students and adults. If your family or your child needs support, please reach out to your child’s counsel
• Presentations of Learning: Presentations of Learning (POLs) for all students will take place during Weeks 37 and 38 (6/3-6/10). 
  • Click here for an information sheet for families with details about presentations of learning. Families are invited and encouraged to attend their student’s POL.
  • When not presenting or watching presentations during POL week, students will be augmenting their learning in Extended Learning Rooms. Seniors will participate in activities to prepare for graduation, juniors will explore career options and attend FREE essay writing workshops from Collegewise (more info below), sophomores will build their resumes in a resume workshop and test their interview skills in an interview workshop, and freshmen will review their TruMotivate Top 5 Motivators and discuss the components that contribute to healthy communication and relationships.
  • College Essay Workshops for Juniors: We are excited to offer support to juniors in their personal statement and PIQ writing process through our partnership with Collegewise. We will offer a series of free workshops for juniors to work on their college essays:
  • POL Extended Learning Room: Juniors will attend two workshops where they will learn tips and tricks for mastering the art of college essay writing. They will leave the workshop with an essay outline. No sign-up needed as all juniors will be scheduled into an Extended Learning Room during POL Week.
• Summer Essay Writing Workshop: Want to take your college essay to the next level? Join Collegewise experts to deep dive into how to make your essay stand out. You will gain further insight and feedback on your essay. Two dates available, you may register for one date below:
  • Tuesday, June 17th: 10:45am- 2:25pm
  • Wednesday, August 13th: 10:45am- 2:25 pm
  • Questions? Please contact Ms. Marquez, College and Career Counselor, fmarquez@davincischools.org 
• Class of 2025 Chipotle Fundraiser: Please join the Class of 2025 and DVS Leadership for our last fundraiser of the year at Chipotle! See you at 307 N Pacific Coast Hwy, El Segundo, CA 90245 on Tuesday, June 3rd from 4-8pm. You can order online for pickup using the code 4DNMPDX or show this flyer in the restaurant.
• Da Vinci Science Parents Facebook Group: Consider joining the DVS parent online community space facilitated by DVS parents. Search for the private Facebook Group, “DaVinci Science Parents” with a green “This is HOME” banner. This online space is for current DVS parents and families to connect, ask questions and build community with each other. 
• Class of 2026 Senior Portraits: Senior portraits will be taken on campus over the summer this year by Stacee Lianna! See more information in this flyer, and sign up for a session at this link.
• 2025 DVS Yearbook: The 2025 yearbook is ready to purchase at the school yearbook at Varsity Press. Click here for link. Prices start at $55 and are soon to change.
• 2025-2026 Calendar: Posted on Da Vinci Schools Website

• Spring into SWE: Come to SWE’s night of medicine and engineering to have fun while doing hands-on STEM activities on Friday, June 6th! This event is FREE for 3rd-5th graders hosted by our Da Vinci Science High School Society of Women Engineers members at Da Vinci Science High School (201 N. Douglas Street, 2nd Floor). Dinner will be provided. Questions? Contact SWE President Jayleen jayleen_mclaurin@student.davincischools.org or SWE Outreach Coordinator Elizabeth elizabeth_bowker@student.davincischools.org. 

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Tuesday, 6/3 9th Grade POLs Begin
• Wednesday, 6/4 10th Grade POLs and 12th Grade SRPs Begin
• Thursday, 6/5 11th Grade POLs Begin
• Friday, 6/6 Disneyland Grad Nite
• Tuesday, 6/10 Senior Breakfast & Grad Rehearsal
• Wednesday, 6/11 Last Day of the 2024-2025 School Year
• Thursday, 6/12 Class of 2025 Graduation at 1:00pm
• 2025-2026 School Year: First Day of School, Monday, August 18th

Helpful Links:

DV/Wiseburn Athletics  

DVS Planning Calendar

DVS News YouTube Channel

DVS Announcements Slide Deck

Da Vinci Photos Link

Some Highlights from the Week: 

Honors Civil Engineering Water to Wilderness: Seniors designed structures that they walked from the beach to Hopkins Wilderness Park and spent the night in/on them!

 

Counselors organized various Mental Health Awareness Month lunch activities including yoga led by Dr. Taube and a dance party.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Swelebration potluck!

Advanced Physics students built baryons and mesons using quark puzzle pieces.

9th grade Physics students culminated their project by inviting staff, families, and community members to the Beats by DVS Museum to showcase headphones they designed and built.

Leadership culminated their seminar time together with an End of the Year Celebration and recognized Senior Buddies who mentored underclassmen throughout the year.

10th grade Chemistry students finished out their coffee unit with the DV Baristas event. We hope everyone enjoyed their freshly brewed coffee!