The Weekly Roar
May 11, 2024
Happy Mother's Day!
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Dear Families,
As we approach the end of the school year, excitement is building up among students so it's natural to see some end-of-year jitters and an increased number of student behavior incidents. To mitigate this increase, we are focusing on reinforcing school-wide behavioral expectations, particularly in addressing instances of teasing, bullying, aggression, and imitation among students. Our Staff, are continuously reinforcing these expectations and will continue to do so, through lessons from Counselor Ulloa-Serrano, Dr. Godbey's weekly videos, and community circles within the classroom. Promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all students is essential for their well-being and academic success.
Your continued support in reinforcing these expectations at home would greatly assist us in ensuring a positive and respectful school climate for all. Together, we can work to recalibrate any behavior problems and ensure a positive and safe environment for all students at La Ballona.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES (Student Handbook, p.15)
Each student has the responsibility to:
Come to school on time ready to learn and try hard.
Come to school ready to learn by bringing provided school materials and completed tasks to school daily.
Know and follow school and class expectations.
Ask for help when I need it.
Communicate regularly with my parents/guardians and teachers about school experiences so that they can help me to be successful in school.
Respect the school, classmates, staff, and families.
With Lion's Pride!
Dr. Becky Godbey, Principal
Ms. Brenda Selva, Assistant Principal
In this newsletter:
- Around the School
- Counselor Corner
- School Meal Information
- Community & After-School Opportunities
- Our Calendar
Our school website https://laballona.ccusd.org/
Our PTA website https://laballonapta.org/
Our facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laballonaelementary
Twitter https://twitter.com/LaBallona
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laballonaelementaryschool/
Weekly Principal's Assembly
1. Around the School
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
On behalf of La Ballona Staff, thank you for all the raffles, love and appreciation shown throughout the week! Teachers and staff, were extremely grateful for the cards, flowers, sweets, food, but more importantly your child's smiles each and every morning letting them know how much they appreciate how they help them grow. Thank you for our continued partnership!
Testing is Off to a Great Start!
On Monday, we held a school-wide Pep Rally to encourage our students to do their best on the CAASPP/SBAC tests. 5th graders began state testing. We are so proud of them. Yes, they were nervous, doubtful and excited, but handled everything with pose. This upcoming week, 3rd and 4th grade will begin testing. For 3rd graders, this is the first time they test. Teachers have been doing an amazing job preparing them, encouraging students to do their best and reminding them of Growth Gretchen, a Growth Mindset character who says, "I can't do this...yet" Do your best! ". You got this, Superheroes!
Here are some important tips:
Come to school everyday during testing, May 7-May 31th.
Please arrive on time.
Please avoid scheduling appointments in the morning.
Students should sleep 8-10 hours each night
Each a healthy breakfast
Try not to put too much pressure on your child. Tell them that it's their time to show off all that they know!
Healthy Snacks and Drinks
There's an uptick of students bringing unhealthy food and/or drinks to school, especially during breakfast and sharing it with other students. We encourage you have a conversation with your child regarding sharing treats as they may be unaware of food allergies or intolerance to certain foods. Your support is greatly appreciated. As a reminder that food brought to school should be nutritious (i.e. fruit, vegetables, cheese, crackers. No candy, gum, hot cheetos, donuts, unshelled sunflower seeds energy drinks, coffee, sodas, frappuccinos or sugary drinks.
2. Counselor's Corner
CCUSD Recognized National Mental Health Awareness Month!
May is mental health month! Students are learning that mental health is as important as physical health. They are learning coping and resilience-building techniques to help them regulate their emotions and face life changes and challenges. Students and teachers are also learning and practicing self-care strategies. This week we will celebrate Mental Health Month by having a spirit week. We hope you practice these self-care strategies with your families and ask your students what they are learning about mental health!
Please see the attachment for the Spirit Week flyer and newsletter.
3. School Meal Information
**Menus are subject to change**
4. Information for 5th Grade Families
Parent Immersion Night!
Please join Dr. Palmieri and CCMS Administration for an Informational, Parent Immersion Night on May 28th from 5:30pm-6:30pm in the Multi-purpose Room.
5. Community & AfterSchool Opportunities
California Fish Grill Fundraiser, 5/15
Grab dinner at California Fish Grill on Wednesday May 15th - 25% of sales will be donated to La Ballona! California Fish Grill, 4p - 8p
Kiosk orders, guest will need to key in the Coupon: FUND2024
Ordering via cashier/POS, inform the cashier that you are here for La Ballona or show them the flyer.
Online and catering orders, guest will need to key in the coupon code field "FUND2024"
Cene en California Fish Grill el miércoles 15 de mayo. ¡El 25% de las ventas se donará a La Ballona!
Para pedidos en quiosco, el huésped deberá ingresar el cupón: FUND2024
Al realizar el pedido a través de cajero/POS, informe al cajero que está aquí para La Ballona o muéstreles el folleto.
Para pedidos en línea y de catering, el huésped deberá ingresar el campo del código de cupón "FUND2024"
District Math Pathway Information!
ATTENTION: 4TH Grade Parents!
Join us for an informative meeting to learn about the various options Culver City has available at 5th grade, middle school and high school to prepare students for college and career. You’ll also hear about the rigor involved in the traditional pathway, the accelerated pathway and the double accelerated pathway in order to make the best choice for your child.
When: Wednesday, May 15th , 5:30-6:30PM
Where: Your Living Room via Zoom
https://ccusd.zoom.us/j/85279881252?pwd=OFN4bFM3K1BvSldwbHU3MkRmNjNSUT09
Meeting ID: 852 7988 1252 Password: 870308
OR Via recording posted after the event
Elementary Instrumental Spring Music Concert!
On Thursday, May 16, 2024, the Elementary Instrumental Music ensembles of Culver City Unified School District will be performing in the Robert Frost Auditorium. Students in 4th and 5th grade who are part Wind and String ensembles, will begin at 7:00 p.m. These students should arrive by 6:00 p.m. The concert will finish by 8:00 p.m.
Concert Dress
All students should be dressed in concert attire (white shirt or blouse and black or dark pants or skirt) and arrive prepared to perform with their instruments and music books.
Instrument and Book Collection
We will be collecting instruments and books at the end of the concert. After the performance, please be sure to go to your school’s table to turn in your instrument and book. Each student will need to be checked off before they leave.
AAPI Families Gathering!
We can't wait to meet and greet. . . and eat with you!
We are gathering to have an opportunity to meet other AAPI families from all of our Culver City school campuses (El Marino, El Rincon, Farragut, La Ballona, Linwood E. Howe, CCMS, CCHS, and Culver Park HS) and to celebrate our Asian heritages during Asian American Pacific Islander month!
Please fill out this RSVP form to help us plan for instant cup ramen supplies for this event. https://tinyurl.com/AAPICCUSDpicnic
There will be a cup ramen bar provided, but it will also be a picnic style potluck! Please bring your favorite AAPI dish to share (*6-8 serving size) and a mat or camping chairs to sit on the grass field.
Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Yearbooks still available for pre-order!
If you missed the deadline to pre-order a yearbook, you still have a couple options. We will have a limited number of yearbooks for sale at the school until they are sold out. You can also still order a yearbook online (with free customized pages), but it will now be shipped to your home instead of the school with shipping fees charged.
In order to purchase a yearbook online, you will need to log in or create an account through TreeRing. Additional info below:
Setting up a TreeRing account
Please SIGN UP HERE (https://tr5.treering.com/sign-up) to create a TreeRing account for the La Ballona Yearbook.
Please ensure that you enter your student's name as it appears on the official school roster. If you're unsure which way your student's name appears on the roster, please contact us at the email addresses below to confirm. If you've entered it incorrectly, you can contact TreeRing customer service to help edit the name to match.
Enter this passcode in the space provided: 1016801273244474
Otherwise, use the link at the bottom of the page to start your account. The link will have you fill out a few questions then you will receive an email with the link to start your new account.
Families with 5th graders: You should have received an additional email with special instructions on how to order your student's yearbook.
Thank you!
Christine Maitland-Koeh cmaitkoeh@gmail.com
TreeRing Help Center and Contact https://help.treering.com/hc/en-us
HSA Awards Information
Join us on Friday, May 17th at 6:30pm as we celebrate this year's PTA Service Awardees. Congratulations to La Ballona parent Karla Pizarro on winning an HSA from Culver City Council PTA! Would you like to join Culver City Council PTA in honoring our Honorary Service Award winners (along with winners from throughout the district? You can purchase tickets to the Honorary Service Award event.)
HSA Tickets Prices
$35 Advance Ticket Prices
$40 Ticket Price at the door
Link to purchase: https://a-night-in-the-tropics-pta-hsa-2024.cheddarup.com
Here is the link to donate to the music program for CCEF to include with the flyer:
https://ccef4schools.org/get-involved/support-an-event/tasteofculvercity/
5. Our Calendar
This Week at La Ballona
All new events, will be in italics
Monday, May 13
- Before/After School Tutoring
- SBAC Testing 3rd-5th Grade
- 5th Grade Water Basin Field Trip (Nasser/Wilson)
Tuesday, May 14
- Before/After School Tutoring
- SBAC Testing 3rd-5th Grade
- CCUSD Board Meeting, 6:00pm
Wednesday, May 15
- School Dismissal, 1:45pm
- SBAC Testing 3rd-5th Grade
- California Fish Grill Restaurant Fundraiser, 4:00-8:00pm
- District Math Pathway Parent Information, 5:30 pm
Thursday, May 16
- No Choir
- Before/After School Tutoring
- SBAC Testing 3rd-5th Grade
- All District Elementary Instrumental Music Concert, 7pm
Friday, May 17
Upcoming Dates (New Dates in Bold)
May 7-May 31-CAASPP (Statewide) Testing for 3rd-5th Grade
May 27-No School-Memorial Day Holiday
May 31-Last Family Friday (TK & K Performance), 8:45am
May 31-Coffee with the Principal, 9am
June 3-ELAC Breakfast Potluck @ El Rincon, 9:30pm
June 13-5th Grade Promotion, 9:30am
June 14-Kindergarten Promotion, 9:30am
June 14-Last Day of School-Early Dismissal @ 1:45pm
2023/2024 CCUSD CALENDAR and MONTHLY EVENTS AT A GLANCE
La Ballona Elementary School
Culver City, CA 90232
Email: rosyreyes@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