The Weekly Roar
October 2, 2021
This Week at La Ballona
On Tuesday, October 5th, it's PICTURE DAY. All families will be emailed information from the Photography company.
Tuesday, is also the due date for Square 1 Art.
On Wednesday, October 6th, there is a Family Information Night for Elementary Music.
Additional Information:
- Covid Testing is postponed for the week. CCUSD is changing companies to administer the tests.
- The NORTH WEST corner of Elenda and Culver will be closed through Friday at 2p for construction and again Monday and Tuesday all day. Please do not cross on the West side of Culver. Be smart, be safe and cross Elenda at Culver and then cross Culver. You can cross again safely at the 4-way stop at Murietta,
Have a great week!
Dr. Godbey & Ms. Nakagawa
Important La Ballona Dates (New Events in Bold)
October 5- School Picture Day
October 6- Walk to School Day
October 11- October Enrichment Begins
October 13- Special Olympics Assembly during PE
October 16- La Ballona Beach Cleanup Day, 9a-12pmOctober 16- CCEF's SIP for our Schools Event
October 22- Bidding for Good Auction Begins
October 29- Halloween Parade & PTA Events
October 30- Bookmark Contest ends
CCUSD 4th & 5th Grade Instrumental Music Information Night- Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30
Introducing our First Math Intervention Teacher- Ms. Laura Reynolds
Hello!
My name is Laura Reynolds and I am the new Math Intervention Teacher! I am so excited to be working at La Ballona with all grades this year, and cannot wait to see how much we learn together. This is my fifth year teaching, and I am so grateful to have picked this career path. Nothing is more fun than working with kiddos!
For some background, I was born and raised in Redlands, CA and received my BA and MA at the University of Redlands. After graduating, I moved to Portland, Oregon with my fiancé to teach and make wine with his family. Missing the CA sun, we moved back with our two dogs, cat, and rabbit this summer. We love to travel, bike, snowboard, hang on the beach, and check out new places around town!
I cannot wait for all the exciting things we are going to do this year!
Laura Reynolds
October is Disability Awareness Month
The La Ballona Special Needs Committee wants to kick off the month by giving you an easy breakdown of Disability Awareness.
First of all, we must ask ourselves, what is a disability?
The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. https://adata.org/faq/what-definition-disability-under-ada
What’s the significance of Disability Awareness Month?
Disability Awareness Month is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy.
Why is this important to the La Ballona Community?
Over the next month our La Ballona Special Needs Committee will educate students and staff on disability and the Disabled community as well as highlight the many accomplishments and contributions of individuals recognized as having a disability. Through education we hope to work towards the destigmatization of this label for the acceptance and celebration of the Disabled community.
Want more?
Enjoy the book and video below with your children.
Something to Think About
New After School Enrichment Classes are Now Available
La Ballona after school enrichment is here! Spaces are limited; please register by October 5.
1. Garden Club: https://forms.gle/8VXDajX7fGNhjkWo8
Wednesdays 1:50-2:50, all grades
2. Chess Tutors: https://forms.gle/RpQSKFgdNsrBRdPj8
Mondays 3:20 - 4:20, all grades but recommended 1st grade and above. Informational video here: https://youtu.be/nLVNaWoqkXo
3. Tennis with Coach Susan: https://forms.gle/UF3JZTHE7xjaMiiL8
Mondays 3:20 - 4:20 (K-1st). Wednesdays 1:50 - 2:50 (2-5th)
Due to limited spaces, we are asking families to register for one activity only. Participants are selected by lottery for each activity, therefore you are welcome to enter multiple lotteries, but each student will only be registered for one activity until additional spots are released. Sessions are 4 weeks, and students not selected for the first 4 week session will have priority for the second 4 week session. As we are working with multiple vendors, we do not have a centralized system for this. We thank you for your patience, as these activities were arranged by parent volunteers as soon as we received the news that our regular Enrichment programs would be starting after Thanksgiving. Thank you!
School photo day!
La Ballona Families, School Picture Day is Tuesday, October 5th. Photos will be done at a safe social distance by CFP Studio.
***Photos will be done on a Green Screen- DO NOT SEND STUDENTS TO SCHOOL WEARING GREEN
***extra retouching charges may apply.
You will be emailed 48 hours after photo day with a proof. If you do not receive your proof email CFP Studio cfpstudio@yahoo.com
Orders can then be placed online by visiting CFP Studio Photography - Photography - Los Angeles, California, then selecting online galleries and using your students ID # to gain access.
HELP US RAISE FUNDS for CCCPTA BY ORDERING YOUR STUDENTS PHOTOS
Class photos will be done composite style.
All makeup inquiries should be directed directly to CFP Studio via email. cfpstudio@yahoo.com. Please reference your students first and last name along with grade & teacher in each email.
All orders placed before October 31st will be delivered to school before November 19th. If students do not take a photo by October 15th they will not be in their class composite.
LA County Library's Bookmark Contest
Culver City Julian Dixon Library would like to invite your students to participate in LA County Library’s 42nd Annual Bookmark Contest, an annual program that encourages a love of books and reading while also promoting creativity, artistic expression, and community engagement. Students will have the chance to see their bookmark designs featured at their local library and throughout Los Angeles County. Participants compete in the following age categories:
- Kindergarten – Grade 2
- Grade 3 – Grade 5
- Grade 6 – Grade 8
- Grade 9 – Grade 12
Completed entry forms can be dropped off at individual library locations, sent in by mail, or submitted digitally via a link on the Library’s website. The deadline for entry is October 30, 2021.
The winning bookmarks from each library will be shared with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, who will select winners that reside in their District from each category. Winners selected by the Board of Supervisors will be recognized at a Board Meeting in 2022.
Here’s the Bookmark Contest Entry Form
Our Community Working Together
Annual Fundraising Drive
Hi Parents, With a goal of raising $150K (approx $300/child) for this year's programs and supplies, we're in need of community support. Every donation pushes us closer to our goal; allowing us to create a platform for our students to access educational opportunities, tools and experiences the school might not otherwise be able to afford.
Ways to donate and help out:
- Go to bit.ly/laballona and donate what you can!
- By check, make payable to "La Ballona PTA" and return in an envelope to your classroom teacher.
- Share this flyer with your friends, family, and local businesses!
Mental Health Workshops for Spanish Speaking Families
Save the date- NEXT PTA MEETING
Tickets to CCEF's SIP event are on sale now!
Tickets are on sale now for SIP for our Schools, Culver City Education Foundation's virtual fundraising event on October 16, 2021. Pick up a specially-curated whiskey tasting package in person at the beautiful courtyard of Culver City's Wende Museum, and meet us online that evening for a live streamed event. In addition to the blind whiskey tasting led by Bourbon & Banter, SIP for our Schools features video highlights from programs benefitting all CCUSD students, visits from special celebrity guests, a silent auction, and much more! Guests can also tune in to watch local mixologists demonstrate exciting cocktail recipes to enhance your whiskey tasting experience.
This event helps CCEF raise critical funds to sustain the vital arts and STEM education programs benefiting every student at every CCUSD school. We can't wait to SIP with you!
Purchase tickets today on our website: www.ccef4schools.org/attend-an-event
Online Auction fundraiser is now collecting items!
ATTENTION LA BALLONA FAMILIES! We are officially starting to collect new items for our online auction (one of our biggest fundraisers of the year). Do you have unused gift cards from restaurants or retail stores you'd like to donate? Are you a photographer, yoga Instructor/Baker or anything else in the service industry who can donate time/session/food? Do you have brand new items you don't need like toys, kitchenware/clothing with tags or jewelry? An old wedding gift still in its packaging? If you don't need them, then please donate them to La Ballona's "Bidding For Good online auction" which starts October 22rd, 2021. All proceeds benefit our school in the form of technology, assemblies and more.. Please contact Nancy at nancybalter@yahoo.com or Michele at michelej75@gmail.com to coordinate drop off. Thank you so much for supporting our school
Spirit Wear T-shirts For sale!
La Ballona's "Student Store" is now taking orders for t-shirts and hats that are adorable, so don't delay in putting in your order for the family. Please email laballonastudentstore@gmail.com to place your order. You can now pick them up at the Student Store room at the front of the school across from the entrance to the main office.
Hours are Monday 8:50-9:30am, Wednesday 1:50pm-2:30pm and Friday 8:50-9:30am, thank you!
Still need volunteers!
Please check out our google form below and select anything that seems interesting to you. We will follow up with more information soon by email. This is just an interest sheet, not a commitment.
English - https://forms.gle/SijPWkE9CRuBYyKw8
español - https://forms.gle/T2wzK8TrP22VXaZ98
We are still navigating the unknown and appreciate everyone's patience as we learn the ever-changing pandemic protocols and rebuild our on-campus programs. One thing we're sure of is that we're looking forward to seeing more smiling faces this year.
Reflections Art Contest
It’s Reflection time! This year’s theme is...“I WILL CHANGE THE WORLD BY..”
The Reflections Art Program has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. California State PTA and its members, families and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education.
All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:
- Dance Choreography
- Literature
- Photography
- Film Production
- Music Composition
- Visual Arts
Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated and judged by five grade-level divisions, while a non-judged Special Artists division celebrates student artists with special needs. School PTAs then choose a selection of entries to be judged by local PTA units, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.
Here you’ll find the student entry packets by category:
https://capta.org/resource/participant-forms/
For more information, please contact your school’s Reflections coordinator Traci Wells at wellster@hotmail.com OR Jenniffer Clinton at jennifferh@ca.rr.com thank you.
⛱️ SAVE THE DATE - LA BALLONA BEACH CLEANUP DAY
Join us SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16th 9AM - 12pm for the annual La Ballona Beach Clean Up Day! Check in will be at the Santa Monica South Beach Playground 3400 Barnard Way, 90045. We will have a table set up outside the entrance of the playground. Stop in to get your trash bag and gloves. Everyone who attends will be entered in a raffle for a fun prizes. Additional raffle tickets awarded for every trash bag filled by families. Looking forward to seeing you at this great event! Let’s do our part to keep our coastline beautiful! Bring the whole family to fill a bag and then stay afterwards to play at the beach with your fellow lions.
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