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Archives for 2023

National School Counseling Week- Day 1

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Good morning. This is the DVC counseling team and today is the first day of National School Counseling Week. The theme of this year’s week is “School
Counselors: Helping Students Dream Big.” Did you know that my number one goal, as a school counselor, is to help you succeed?
Whatever you need to be successful at school – whether that’s learning how to stay motivated to complete your work, having positive relationships with your fellow students, advocating for yourself, or overcoming barriers – we are here for it. You’ve probably heard of actor and producer Tyler Perry. He said, “I don’t think the dreams die. I think people give up. I think it gets too hard.” Sometimes achieving your dreams is hard, but we are here to help you not give up.
As your school counselor, we want to help you achieve your dreams. What are your dreams? How can we help you make a plan to achieve them? Let’s talk about it. Have a great Monday!

Your DVC counseling team!

Week 22 Schedule

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We had a great week at DVC! We had a great kickoff to a rocket launch project in 9th Grade Computer Science and Physics in collaboration with the Aerospace Corporation. A big shoutout to our DVC student athletes, as well, especially our seniors who have been celebrating their senior nights! We see you out there representing our school well and making us proud. 

Week 22 Schedule: We are celebrating National School Counseling Week with some fun themed days!

  • Monday, 2/6: Wear Your Feelings
  • Tuesday, 2/7: Wear College Gear
  • Wednesday, 2/8: Wear Pink
  • Thursday, 2/9: Wear Sports Gear
  • Friday, 2/10: Wear Disney

Please consider writing a message of gratitude to our school counselors this week: 

After-School Tutoring: We are thrilled to be able to offer after school tutoring after school on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:35 – 4:35! Our tutor’s name is Alex and he is willing to help with anything but specializes in math and science. This is open to all grade-levels; we will let students know the location of the tutoring during  grade-level homeroom on Monday.

Black History Month: Huge thanks to our Black Student Union for creating and implementing lessons and activities in Advisory for the month of February! The decorations around the campus are terrific, too.

Input Requested for Community Schools Grant Application: DVC is applying for a grant and would like to get your feedback! All students and parents are invited to share thoughts on how DVC can improve in the following areas: (1) Integrated Student Supports, (2) Family & Community Engagement, (3) Collaborative Leadership, and (4) Expanded Learning Time & Opportunities. Please join via zoom (Meeting Link)  on Tuesday, 2/7 at 4pm for a brief overview of the grant and an opportunity to give input. 

College & Career Parent Information Nights: Our DVC counselors are hosting a series of webinars about college & career preparation. Please mark your calendars for these virtual events. The webinars will be recorded and made available to families after the event.

  • Wednesday, 2/15: 11th Grade College & Career Parent Info Night @ 5pm via Zoom (Meeting Link)
  • Wednesday, 2/22: 10th Grade College & Career Parent Info Night @ 5pm via Zoom (Meeting Link)
  • Wednesday, 3/1: 12th Grade College & Career Parent Info Night @ 5pm via Zoom (Meeting Link)
  • Tuesday, 3/7: 9th Grade College & Career Parent Info Night @ 5pm via Zoom (Meeting Link)

Here’s what’s coming up:

  • Monday, 2/6: National School Counseling Week Begins
  • Tuesday, 2/7: Community Schools Grant Application Feedback @ 4pm via Zoom  (Meeting Link) 
  • Monday, 2/13: Red Cross Blood Drive Hosted by DVC National Honor Society (sign up here)
  • Monday, 2/13: Senior Class Photo
  • Wednesday, 2/15: 11th Grade College & Career Parent Info Night @ 5pm via Zoom (Meeting Link)
  • Monday, 2/20: No School – Presidents’ Day
  • Wednesday, 2/22: 10th Grade College & Career Parent Info Night @ 5pm via Zoom (Meeting Link)
  • Friday, 2/24: Black History Month CD
  • Wednesday, 3/1: 12th Grade College & Career Parent Info Night @ 5pm via Zoom (Meeting Link)
  • Tuesday, 3/7: 9th Grade College & Career Parent Info Night @ 5pm via Zoom (Meeting Link)
  • Monday, 3/13 – Thursday, 3/16: Student-Led Conferences (minimum days)
  • Friday, 3/17: No School – Staff Development
  • Thursday, 6/8: DVC Class of 2023 Graduation (1pm start time)

DVC Weekly Schedules Year 10 (2022-2023) & DVC Year 10 Planning Calendar (2022-2023)

Announcements From Real World Learning Director (2.2.2023)

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For students interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession:

The Summer Legal Institute is a four-day legal immersion program for high school students across the country. The goal of the SLI is to enhance skill sets that are essential for students to progress successfully through high school, college, and law school. Scholars experience interactive sessions that will develop skills such as reading, writing, critical thinking, professional etiquette, financial literacy, and public speaking. Through a unique curriculum designed to enhance these skill sets, the SLI program inspires diverse students to pursue advanced degrees and careers in the legal profession. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2023. To learn more, click here. 

For students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement:

The California Highway Patrol’s Explorer Program is designed for young men and women, 15 to 20 years of age, allowing them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to serve the people of California through discipline and a commitment to serving their community. Explorers assist the CHP both in the office and out in the field. The experience they obtain here will be directly applicable to a future in law enforcement, while building relationships – with other Explorers, in the community they serve, and within the CHP. Explorers receive physical fitness training, medical training, and organizational, and clerical training. As an Explorer, you’ll attend Community Service events, staff DUI Checkpoints, participate in a ride-along in the field, and compete in Explorer Competitions. For more information, please call the California Highway Patrol Office in Torrance at (424) 551-4000. 

For students interested in pursuing a career with the Los Angeles Fire Department:

The LAFD Cadet program is the top tier of a progressive pathway to becoming a Los Angeles City Firefighter. Cadets work side by side with LAFD members to learn the duties and responsibilities of a firefighter. Following an introductory one-day orientation, the youth get assigned to an approved LAFD Cadet Post, located at one of our Fire Stations in the City. Cadet Post activities are organized by firefighters that act as advisors and have completed all youth protection training through the Exploring Program/Boy Scouts of America. Many of the Cadet Post Advisors have been Cadets themselves. Must be 14 years or older. For more information, click here. 

For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

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!

UCLA Game Lab Summer Institute- Registration Starts 2/15!

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The UCLA Game Lab Summer Institute introduces high school students to game-making as an artistic practice, teaching them techniques and tools to develop analog and digital games that reflect their own creative vision. No previous game-making skills are required. Students with an interest in games and visual arts will find the curriculum especially rewarding–and those who complete the two-week program receive 4 units of college credit!

This summer we’re featuring two sessions of the program: an online, virtual classroom version, as well as an in-person, residential program on campus at UCLA. The two sessions offer nearly identical instruction and game design projects—but now you can choose between an online or an on-campus experience! The dates for Summer 2023:

  • Session A (online, virtual classroom): July 10, 2023 – July 21, 2023
  • Session B (in-person, residential): July 23, 2023 – August 5, 2023

The Summer Institute program is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we welcome students of all cultural, racial, gender, linguistic, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and physical abilities.

Registration starts February 15 at the UCLA Summer Sessions website. Spaces in both programs are limited—and they tend to fill up pretty fast. So if you’re interested in learning all about game design this summer, please visit that site soon–and please read on to learn more about what makes the UCLA Game Lab Summer Institute so special!

 

 

Develop technical and creative skills by making game art!

Students in the program develop an aesthetic and technical foundation in various aspects of game design, and begin learning how to express their own personal ideas through game-making.

Taught by alumni of the internationally renowned UCLA Game Lab, the two-week program leads students through four, hands-on courses in game development. These classes focus on:

  • Learning the fundamentals of game design
  • Creating compelling game characters
  • Building game worlds
  • Programming/coding games

 

Prepare for college… and beyond!

By the end of the two weeks, students will have created complete games or game assets in each of the four classes. Completed student work is exhibited after the program is over—either in a gallery space at UCLA for our residential program, or via a gallery-like website installation for our online, virtual-classroom program. Either way, students and parents get to experience all of the wonderful game art completed during the program, and students graduate from the Summer Institute with their artwork—and 4 units of college credit—which they can include in their college applications and portfolios.

 

 

About the UCLA Game Lab

The Summer Institute program is sponsored by the UCLA Game Lab, a creative and research-based center that approaches game development as a discipline combining technology and the arts. The lab specializes in using game technology for experimental and expressive applications and enables designers of all backgrounds to start making games. Founded in 2009 by artist and game designer Eddo Stern, a professor in the Department of Design Media Arts, the lab is sponsored by UCLA’s School of the Arts and Architecture and the School of Theater, Film, and Television.

If you would like to learn more about the lab’s mission or to see the work of our student artists, please visit us on web at games.ucla.edu. For more information—or to schedule a campus visit—please email Tyler Stefanich (tyler@games.ucla.edu), Game Lab Manager. If you work with high school students, we would encourage you to book a group visit with us to introduce your students to the lab and our Summer Institute program!

 

 

Register for the Summer Institute!

For complete information about the program—and to register and enroll—please visit our program at the UCLA Summer Sessions website. As noted above, registration begins on February 15–and spaces are limited–so please be sure to complete your registration as soon as possible!

Da Vinci Communications

201 N. Douglas St. – Floor 3

El Segundo, CA 90245

(310) 725-5800