Connect HS Information/Newsletter
Happy New Year!
Please click here to read our latest newsletter, in preparation for school resuming on Jan. 9th 2023.
2023 USC Bovard Scholars application is now open!

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Announcements from Real World Learning Director (12.15.2022)
For students interested in media production:
Fresh Films is now enrolling for their free weekly filmmaking program. In-person classes take place on Thursdays after school at the Boys and Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor. Virtual classes are also available. Registration ends December 31st. Fresh Films is also offering participants ages 16 and older are eligible to gain an on-set apprenticeship or paid internship. Click here for more information.
For students interested in mentorship opportunities:
Stanford University’s Qualia Global Scholars Summer Mentorship Program for students in grades 6-12 is now taking applicants. This program is designed to empower students to become future global leaders in the fields of liberal arts and STEM. Students are paired with Stanford mentors. Need-based financial aid is available. Click here for more information.
For students interested in travel and photography:
National Geographic is offering a China expedition to high school students in the summer. Students will be feeding pandas, photographing the Great Wall, going on an overnight camping trek and meeting photo editors at National Geographic magazine’s China Headquarters. To learn more, click here.
For students interested in leadership and social justice:
Apply to be part of Harvard’s Caring Common’s Youth Advisory Board. This board brings together a diverse group of high school students from across the country who are committed to making schools more caring respectful places. As a member you will help create solutions to some of the most pressing social challenges. To learn more, click here. For the application, please email yab@makingcaringcommon.org.
For students interested in tech:
New Earth is offering paid tech training starting in January in the areas of IT Support, Web3, content creation, entrepreneurship training, coding, marketing, and more. To sign up for more information, click here.
The Paradigm Challenge: The Paradigm Challenge, a competition based in Los Angeles, invites students aged 4 to 18 worldwide to submit an idea, invention, mobile app, or any solution that solves real-life problems presented in this year’s Paradigm Challenge. Participants with the top idea from each age division (4-8, 9-13, and 14-18) move up to the next round and compete for The Paradigm Challenge Prize of $100,000. Learn more about it here.
For students interested in entrepreneurship:
The Conrad Challenge: The Conrad Challenge is a purpose-driven innovation competition creating the next generation of entrepreneurs who will change the world. Anyone aged 13-18 is called to expand their collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills. Design an innovation, solve an important problem, and change the world through this challenge. Registration is now open so register here.
Blue Ocean Competition: Blue ocean competition calls high school students from anywhere in the world to take part in the world’s biggest virtual entrepreneurship competition. Participants need to complete the online Blue Ocean Mini Course before submitting the pitch and they can compete individually or as part of a team (max 5 students per team). Learn more about it here.
For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.
South Bay Connected Resources
Our youth wellness partner, South Bay Families Connected, invites you to connect with their free and accessible online parent and guardian resources to help provide you and your children with self-care and greater connection this holiday season. Below are resources featured this month:
- New Blog: Unplug and Reconnect This Holiday Break – Holiday activities to foster connection
- Mindful Parenting
- Empathy and Compassion
- Social Skills and Connection
- Healthy Relationships
For resources created for students, visit the SBFC Virtual Teen Center where a wide variety of mental health and wellness topics are covered. To see more youth wellness resources provided by Da Vinci Schools and SBFC, please visit Da Vinci Schools Families Connected.
Vocal Music/Choir Interest Form
Da Vinci is thrilled to announce we will be offering a new Vocal Music/Choir class on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:00-6:00PM in the Black Box Theater at 201 N. Douglas St. beginning on January 17, 2023. This class is open to high school students from ALL Da Vinci schools. Students are expected to attend both days each week throughout the 2nd semester. No prior vocal music/choir experience required.
Da Vinci welcomes Alexi Paraschos as our new choir teacher. Alexi has more than 14 years of experience as a music teacher and choir director. Welcome, Alexi!
If you are interested in participating in Vocal Music/Choir, please complete the Interest Form HERE. We can’t wait to get started!
Connect HS Last Week
Thank you Connect High Families for a wonderful Fall Semester. Being able to end the year watching students showcase what they have learned and their talents through our Exhibition Nights was truly memorable. We appreciate the support and encouragement as our students participate in Da Vinci signature practices, such as Exhibition, Student-Led Conferences and Presentations of Learning (all of which will take place in the Spring).
The last day for students on campus will be Thursday 12/15 (tomorrow 12/13 is the LAST day for our T/F cohort), and tomorrow 12/13 is also the due date for Learning Log #2.
School will resume on January 9, 2023, have a restful winter break.