The Weekly Roar
April 9. 2022
Bring on Spring!
It's Springtime! I hope you've all had a wonderful Spring Break and are ready for the last 9 weeks of school. YES. There are 44 days left of school. I share this number not because I'm counting down, but to illuminate that we must all work together to ensure that our children have learned all that they can before they leave us for the summer. Please pay special attention to the sections in this newsletter describing ways families can be most supportive. Thank you!
In this newsletter:
- This Week at La Ballona
- How Can I Support My Child at School
- Around the School
- Upcoming Parent Education and Family Events
- Information for 5th Grade Families
- Community Support Needed
- Green Tip of the Week
- Important Dates
Stay PAWSitive!
Dr. Becky Godbey
Principal
1. This Week at La Ballona
Monday, April 11th
-regular day-
Tuesday, April 12th
Covid Testing
Wednesday, April 13th
We Tell Stories Assemblies
1:45 Dismissal
Thursday, April 14th
Vision/Hearing Testing
PTA Meeting, 6:30
Friday, April 15th
-regular day-
2. How Can I Support My Child in School?
Arrival Reminders
Arrival
- Breakfast is 8:00-8:30. Any student arriving at this time must enter through the front of the school. Students must sit at the tables during this time.
- There is no entry at the front of the school yet, except for breakfast (ends at 8:30) or if your child is late.
- By 8:35, Gates 1,4, and 6 are open for all student entry.
By 8:42, Teachers will pick up their students.
By 8:45, the Tardy Bell rings. Students are marked tardy if they are not in their seat by 8:45
Student Handbook Highlight: Civility Policy.
This week we will highlight our Civility Policy which can be found on page 31 in the handbook. We are starting with this policy because it sets the expectation that we all want. We want our children to learn and grow in a physically and emotionally safe environment. This includes maintaining a safe, healthy working environment for our staff. It is all of our jobs to ensure that we are the role models for our children. One of my favorite quotes is "the parent is the child's first teacher". Our children are sponges, collecting new information from every source. For example, If they see us yelling at a cashier at Ralph's, they will learn that it is okay to yell at service workers. We want our children to be better than us, and this means using self-control in moments of frustration. Imagine the world we could leave to our children if we practice civility at every turn.
Civility Policy
The Civility Policy for our district can be found on page 31 of our Student Handbook and also here: CCUSD Civility Policy. The key points for us all to remember are:
- "Members of CCUSD will treat parents and other members of the public with respect and expect the same in return. "
- "The policy is not intended to deprive any person of his/her right to freedom of expression, but only to maintain, to the extent possible and reasonable, a safe, harassment-free workplace for our students and staff."
- "Any individual who disrupts or threatens to disrupt school/office operations; threatens the health and safety of students or staff; willfully causes property damage; uses loud and/or offensive language which could provoke a violent reaction; or who has otherwise established a continued patter of unauthorized entry on school district property,, will be directed to leave school or school district property promptly by the Superintendent or designee."
- Should someone abuse this policy, "the administrator or employee to whom the remarks are directed will calmly and politely admonish the speaker to communicate civilly".
- There are progressive steps taken if the abusing party continues to not communicate civilly.
3. Around the School
The La Ballona Times
Wednesday Principal Assembly- March 23
Update on Cafeteria Tables
At first, because it was cool but not cold, we continued keeping the tables outside without the shade. The sun provided additional warmth and there were no issues. Unfortunately, with Spring, came warmer weather and direct sunlight. We began to receive several student complaints that the tables were too hot to sit at. It became clear that we needed another solution.
During the week before Spring Break, we moved the tables back indoors. For those of you new to the campus, our stage, which is inside the cafeteria has a back sliding door. This means that one entire wall was open to fresh air. On the other three sides, we opened all of the double doors and windows, creating ventilation. Along with our filter system, industrial fans, the open doors/windows, and social-distance seating (students sit arm's length apart) we are doing all that we can to maintain a healthy eating environment.
Our indoor eating is TEMPORARY. The district office is providing us with new, stronger tents that will create a shaded outdoor eating area. During the Spring Break, measurements were taken and consultants came to view the area. For those of you that have concerns in the meantime while we wait for new tents, we have a table outdoors right next to the cafeteria for children to sit at if they are uncomfortable sitting indoors. The noon supervisors will be able to see them, and they will be entirely outside. Please notify the teacher of this so they can remind your child to sit in the small outdoor section.
We continue to do the best that we can to address all the Covid-related issues that arise. We appreciate your grace and flexibility as we continue making efforts to keep our school safe.
Pictured Below: Our cafeteria with the stage sliding door open.
WE ARE LAUNCHING OUR NEW WASTE SYSTEM!
The Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC) is proud to announce: WE ARE LAUNCHING OUR NEW WASTE SYSTEM! We just received our 3-colored liners for the trash cans. Please follow: blue colored liners for recycling, black for trash and transparent for composting, then custodians will put them in the appropriate city colored dumpsters. The system is self explanatory on the attached flyer.
Here's an educational video on how to sort cafeteria trash. Also, check out this great video made by El Rincon parents for all the elementary schools.
Holi Assembly
4. Upcoming Parent Education and Family Events
5. Information for 5th Grade Families
La Ballona 5th Grade Recipe Book needs more Recipes!!
The fifth grade committee is putting together a school cookbook for our Class of 2022 legacy project. We would like to have 1-3 of your favorite recipes as soon as possible (we may be able to add more if space permits). We will select one or more of your recipes to be included in our cookbook; your name will even be printed in the cookbook with each of your own recipes! Please include recipes that reflect your culture, holiday recipes, easy weeknight meals, or ones that are special to your family. If your student is in fifth grade, your recipe will definitely be included. We will include recipes from other grades as space permits.
6. Community Support Needed
PTA community meeting- Thursday, April 14th
La Ballona's next PTA community meeting is Thursday, April 14th at 6:30pm by ZOOM. We offer simultaneous translation in Spanish. Here is the Zoom Information:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ccusd.zoom.us/j/89092196947?pwd=ZHZsOWxOUTdTL3UrR0dmTG01aVBRQT09
Meeting ID: 890 9219 6947
Passcode: 529610
7. Green Tip of the Week
8. Important Dates (New Dates in Bold)
- April 11- School Resumes
- April 14- PTA Community Meeting
- April 18- Mask Wearing Becomes Optional
- April 21- Parent Education- What is Bullying? Session in English, 9:30am
- April 21-Parent Education- What is Bullying? Session in Spanish, 10:30am
- April 22- ELAC Meeting, 9:15am
- April 26- School Board Meeting
- April 28-29- Targeted Parent Conferences, Early Dismissal
- May 2-6- Staff & Teacher Appreciation Week! This week is all about honoring the teachers and staff at the school that help your children each day.
- May 11- Open House (Virtual)
- May 30- Memorial Holiday, No School
- June 10- Last Day of school, Early Dismissal
La Ballona Elementary School
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