From daylight savings to elections, to sunshine, wind, and drizzles of rain, November is already starting up with many changes thus far. Across the CCUSD school sites, including La Ballona, school sites are working within the guidelines provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) to bring students on campus as allowed.

Starting this Monday, we will bring back three cohorts, or Lion Prides, of targeted students who have been identified through multiple data points, such as English Learner status, socioeconomic status, attendance/engagement, technology issues, special education status and/or social emotional and mental health needs, to come on campus to access their learning. Under the strict guidelines of LACDPH each cohort will be up to 14 people (12 students and 2 adults). These targeted cohorts are mixed grade levels and will be supervised by a CCUSD certified substitute or our Special Education teachers. As we imagine, many families may be eager to have their child on campus. Our goal is to be able to gradually add additional cohorts where and when possible.

CCUSD has prepared the necessary documents and has applied for a waiver to the county. Once approved, this waiver would allow TK-2nd grade students to return to school in a cohorted and hybrid learning environment. As more information becomes available, I will be sure to keep you informed. We don’t know when more of our students will be back to school, but we want to make sure all students have a good idea of what to expect when they do return. Our district nurses have created a video, posted below, for students to learn how school might be a little different. It’s good information for parents too, so we recommend you take a few minutes to watch the video with your child (video is 6 minutes).

Meanwhile in our classrooms, November and December is typically the time of year where teachers will conduct assessments to gauge the progress of your students academically. In the coming weeks, teachers will ask your students to take the Literably reading assessment, and come December we will be reassessing on aMath. We ask the students to do their best on the assessment independently. Parent support is appreciated where technical support is needed, but the assessment answers should be that of your student. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Thank you,

Dr. Becky Godbey

In the past, teachers would reward students when they caught a student doing the right thing. Now it's the parents turn. Send rebeccagodbey@ccusd.org your pictures of your students "Caught Being Good". Don't forget to include their name, grade, and teacher. Look below for three Lions Caught Being Good!

Each year, La Ballona partners with the American Heart Association to promote healthiness and happiness. This year, in lieu of the jump-roping fundraiser, the AHA will provide La Ballona with a school-wide assembly on December 2 and then again on December 16. At these assemblies we will all be challenged to develop happy and healthy habits so that we can be prepared to physically and emotionally conquer the world. This website shares more information: https://www.heart.org/en/professional/educator/school-programs. In the meantime, encourage your child discover 15 ways to be well (below)

We want all families to know that they are welcome to attend our PTA meetings and events! You do not have to be a member. The PTA is vital to our school. We provide field trips, school supplies, teacher grants, volunteer support, the garden, assemblies, family nights, and much much more. We appreciate everything our parents to to help La Ballona. We hope you participate in the following PTA/school community events:

Barnes & Noble Book Fair- Ends November 16th

Thursday, November 19th- Music Technology Family Night Assembly (Also in Spanish!), 7pm

Square 1 Art Activity- Submissions due November 20

Hello! This is a Square 1 Art reminder. If you want to receive products (coffee mugs, pictures, canvas bags, coasters and much more) with your child's artwork in time for the holidays, please be sure to place your order by November 20th. Here are the instructions again:

1. Fill in your student’s name and school at the top of the blank art form you received in your packet. If you don't have the form here it is: https://www.square1art.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Art-Paper.pdf

Have your child create artwork of their choice using bright vivid colors. If possible, try to fill as much white space as possible. Be sure they include their name and the year as part of the artwork.

2. Take a photo of your child's art with your phone or tablet. Upload your art online at www.square1art.com/shop/upload.

3. You may then begin to shop for keepsakes to be shipped to your home!

10915 Washington Boulevard

Culver City, CA 90232

Email: erikaarredondo@ccusd.org
Website: www.laballona.ccusd.org
Location: La Ballona Elementary School, Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, USA
Phone: 3108424334
Facebook: facebook.com/laballonaelementary
Twitter: @LaBallona