Verbum Dei Community Newsletter
Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes.#ThisSchoolWorks
Welcome Home!
Students,
My mother recently flew to Texas to attend a funeral of her uncle. She called me once the plane landed in Houston and said she had a great flight. I should tell you that my mom dislikes flying. Okay, I am being nice. She absolutely HATES it. As soon as she gets on the plane, she closes her eyes and starts humming gospel songs. One time, on an extremely turbulent flight to D.C. she said “Jesus help” over 50 times. I counted. So when she told me that her flight to Texas was great, I was extremely curious.
According to my mom, the pilot’s welcome to the passengers went something like this:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome on board Flight 3B7 with service from Los Angeles to Houston. I am your pilot, Captain America. Nope just kidding. Captain John. I would be nothing without my amazing crew who will make sure you are safe, comfortable, and cozy during our time together. My crew and I are here to guide us to our destination. This will be a great flight. Please listen to their instructions and thank you for flying United.
Nothing special, right? I am sure at this point my mom was preparing to begin her “Jesus help” mantra. Shortly before the plane gained altitude my mom said the pilot announced:
Ladies and gentlemen, I am expecting a little turbulence. I am going to ask you to keep your seat belts fastened even after we reach our altitude. Turbulence can make you feel like the plane is losing control. It’s not. It’s just doing a little wiggle. Turbulence is just the plane’s response to hitting an air pocket. No matter how bumpy the turbulence we are still moving forward.
Before this flight, my mom would say turbulence felt like the plane is hitting a wall and fighting to complete the journey. She never took the time to realize that the plane continues moving forward.
Obliviously, I loved the story because there is a connection to our life journeys. It is also a metaphor for your journey here at Verbum Dei. There is so much excitement surrounding the flight you are about to take. We are not only excited to get to the destination (college, career, leadership), but we are excited for the journey itself. You will grow so much academically and personally! You will continue to learn how to work well with others and overcome challenges. You will uncover your talents and discover new dreams. The Verb community considers it a privilege to accompany you on this journey.
So Verb students, it is with pride that I announce…..
Verbum Dei students, welcome on board Flight 2019-2020 with service from Los Angeles to your tomorrows. I am your pilot Dr. Odom. This journey would be impossible without my amazing crew who will make sure you are safe, growing, and feeling supported during our time together. My crew and I are here to guide you to our destination. We will have fun learning and growing. There will be times when we may hit some turbulence (challenges). As long as we keep moving forward, we will find that everything will smooth out. Please buckle your seat belts and get ready for a great ride. And thank you for soaring with Verb.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer.
Welcome Home,
Dr. OL
Coffee With the Principal
Friday, Aug 23, 2019, 07:45 AM
Verbum Dei Conference Room
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Welcome to the Verbum Dei Family!
Ms. Francis Argueta, Ignatian Service Corp Volunteer
Mrs. Bradley, Director of College & Career Counseling
Ms.Charles, Writing Teacher
Hello Verbum Dei! My name is Ms. Charles and I am a native of Compton, California where I currently reside with my family. I graduated from Paine College located in Augusta, Georgia where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications. My desire to teach began in college and followed me after graduation. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Incorporated where I am active in service to my community and to Los Angeles youth. I am passionate about my influence on students and can't wait to make an impact in students through writing.
Fr. De La Rosa, SJ, Chemistry Teacher
Mr. J., Biology Teacher
Hello! My name is Mr. J. I am a proud graduate of Loyola Marymount University (Go Lions!!) and I am excited to bring my passion for culture and biology to Verbum Dei High School. I began my Jesuit education at Jesuit High School Sacramento. Some of my roles included president of the Black Student Union, vice-president of the Latino Student Union, actor in the theatre program, and hurdler on the track and field team. I love marine biology and spent two summers volunteering at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. I have also conducted research on leopard shark populations off the coast of Catalina Island. I love travelling and have visited over 10 countries, including Ecuador where I taught English at a Jesuit school for the past year. With all these experiences, I am is excited to be Verbum Dei’s new biology teacher and is looking forward to the coming years!
Mr. Lopez, Geometry Teacher
Ms. G., Principal's Assistant/ Main Office Coordinator
I was born and raised in Whittier, CA. I enjoy watching sports basketball to be specific (GO LAKERS!). On my free time I like to spend time with my baby girl Sofia, I am a first time mom and loving it! I am very excited to be a part of such a great school, and I am looking forward to begin this new school year alongside all the amazing faculty.
Mr. Simonds, English 9/ English 10 Teacher
Calling home the smallest town in the smallest state - Warren, Rhode Island - I made the westward trek to Los Angeles since graduating from Gordon College, a Christian liberal arts school north of Boston. I attended Providence College where I studied journalism and learned my favorite bible verse: Hebrews 12:1-3. The Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) gave me my first glimpse at the dynamic Catholic-College Prep-Corporate Work Study educational model, placing me at Detroit Cristo Rey High School. There I taught College Readiness, and was involved in the school’s newspaper as well as its track program. I completed an addition year of JVC which led me to Homeboy Industries. I am excitedly awaiting integrating my experiences into my work as an English teacher and becoming a member of the revered Verb community. ......Go Celtics!
2019-2020 COURSE OFFERINGS
Freshmen
English 9/ Advanced English 9
Writing
Spanish I
Theology 9
HERO (Homework, Enrichment, ReTeaching/ Review, Organization)
PE/ Health
Sophomore
English 10/ Honors English 10
World History/ Honors World History
Spanish II
Theology 10
HERO (Homework, Enrichment, ReTeaching/Review, Organization)
Biology/ Honors Biology
Juniors
English 11/ Honors English 11/ AP English Lang
US History/ Honors US History/ AP US History
Art I
Social Justice/ Theology Elective
HERO (Homework, Enrichment, Reteaching/Review, Organization)/ SAT Prep
Chemistry/ Honors Chemistry
Seniors
English 12/ AP English Literature
AP Government/Honors Econ/ Government/ Econ
Art II/ Drama/ Music
Theo 12/ Senior Capstone
Intro to Anthropology/ Film Writing/ Journalism
Join Our Parent Organization Today!
Football Season Opener
Friday, Aug 23, 2019, 07:30 PM
7851 Gardendale Street, Downey, CA, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Summer Reading- Class of 2023 (Freshmen Students)
Summer Reading- Class of 2020, Class of 2021, Class of 2022
Parent Eagle Scouts Safety Team
Join Today!!!
Service Organizations
Verbum Dei Community:
Do you know of a local non-profit? Does your family volunteer at a place that could use extra help? Do you know of any places our students could get service hours? Please, let us know by filling out the form below We are looking to increase our non-profit partnerships and expand our Christian Service program especially in our local community. Please, note that any recommendations should require direct service to people( i.e. serving the homeless, tutoring kids, coaching, etc.). Thank you and we value your responses!
Verbum Dei Campus Ministry is on Instagram
August 2019 Calendar is HERE!!!
Moving from College Prep to College Ready
GOAL #2 All students will show fall to spring growth on all measurements (STAR, CWSP evaluation, GPA)
College Prep: Providing the courses that will lead students to gaining admission to a 4-year college or university.
College Readiness: The level of preparation a student needs in order to enroll and success- without remediation- in credit-bearing education courses at a post secondary institution that offers a baccalaureate degree or transfers to a baccalaureate program. College readiness leads to college success.
Beginning in Fall 2019, Verbum Dei will use STAR assessments to measure student achievement (Goal 1) and growth (Goal 2) for all students. These assessments will help students and teachers to identify key skills for improvement. The video below has some information. We will send home more information throughout the summer!
GO VERB!
STAR Video Information below
The Present Dei
About Us
Email: principal@verbumdei.us
Website: www.verbumdei.us
Location: 11100 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Phone: 323-564-6651
Facebook: facebook.com/verbumdeihs
Twitter: @VerbumDeiHS