The Weekly Roar
October 10, 2021
New Covid Testing Procedures: A Message from the District Office
Dear CCUSD staff and families:
We are ready to go with the new COVID testing provider - Living Fit Nation (LFN). Testing will begin next week for all staff and students, with the first week (similar to the last rollout) acting as our pilot to make sure everything runs smoothly. We will monitor the registration status to ensure everyone is registering and contacting those who do not.
To be tested this first Tuesday (10/12), you must be registered by Saturday 10/9 at 8:00pm.
Registration for this system is similar to the last one with several improvements:
- One parent email is able to register multiple students
- Once registered, you are set - no need to “order tests”
- Assistance is available directly from LFN
- Step by step instructions are attached here to assist you
You will have to provide insurance information if available, as billing is done the same way. LFN will bill insurance if available and if not will bill the Federal grant program, which is why they need further information if you select “no insurance”. You will never be charged anything for these tests.
With this new provider, we will be able to do all the testing in one day. The schedule for now will be Tuesdays:
- All elementary schools and OCD first thing in the morning until 10:00am
For more information, please go to the district website: 2020-2021 Updates & Communications - ES: COVID-19 / Distance Learning - Culver City Unified School District (ccusd.org)
Click on the video to show your child what to do.
Important La Ballona Dates (New Events in Bold)
October 11- October Enrichment Begins
October 12- New Covid Testing begins (See above)
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 18-22 - Unity Week and Dress Up Days
October 22- Bidding for Good Auction Begins
October 29- Halloween Parade & Book or Treat Community Event
October 30- Bookmark Contest ends
Click on the Calendar Below to access many October activities.
Introducing our Teaching and Learning Partner: Senora Haro
Hello!
My name is Sandra Haro and I am the Teaching and Learning Partner (TLP) at La Ballona. I’m so excited to be back in this position. I’m privileged to have taught many different grade levels and serve different roles that have allowed me to grow personally and professionally here. As the founding teacher of the dual immersion program, I have dedicated most of my years here to strengthening and growing the dual immersion program. In 2016 I received my Masters in Education in Dual Language Development. During this time, I was also a Cotsen fellow. This program allowed me to learn from some of the leaders in mathematical research.
As a TLP, I wear many hats. I partner with teachers and help support teacher learning and growth. We work together to create goals and pick teaching strategies to achieve those goals. We then monitor progress until the goal is achieved. I also help plan, organize, and/or deliver professional development for teachers. This year I am working alongside our Assistant Principal, to help bolster our dual immersion program in order to make sure the program continues to be sustainable for our future generations. In addition, I help plan and organize Math Circles in order to share games and activities that show that math is fun and engaging.
Although most of my work is with adults, my favorite part continues to be the students. Their joy and excitement of learning is what motivates me to continue my work.
Math Circles are Back!
Math Circles are back! (sort of) This year we are sharing monthly activities and games to do at home. I will be sharing videos teaching you how to play the game and your classroom teacher will share the game board for you to use. For the month of October we are all playing a game called Nine Holes. Watch the video on how to play and have fun with your family!
Wait! What are Math Circles? Math Circles are communities of people who get together for the enjoyment of math. The main component of Math Circles is the child/adult conversations that guide the strategies and discussions around math. In the video, you will see some guiding questions you can ask your child, but always remember to have fun and make lasting connections with your child!
¡Los círculos de matemáticas han regresado! (más o menos) Este año compartimos actividades y juegos mensuales para hacer en casa. Estaré compartiendo videos enseñándoles cómo jugar y tu maestro/a compartirá el tablero de juego para que lo uses. Durante el mes de octubre, todos jugaremos a un juego llamado Nueve hoyos. ¡Mira el video sobre cómo jugar y diviértete con tu familia!
¡Espera! ¿Qué son los Círculos de matemáticas? Los círculos de matemáticas son comunidades de personas que se reúnen para disfrutar de las matemáticas. El componente principal de Círculos de matemáticas son las conversaciones entre niños y adultos que guían las estrategias y discusiones en torno a las matemáticas. En el video, verás algunas preguntas de orientación que puedes hacerle a tu hijo, ¡pero recuerda siempre de divertirte y de hacer conexiones duraderas con tu hijo/a!
Introducing Fourth Grade Dual Immersion Teacher: Maestra Lizette Serrano
I am Maestra Serrano. I went through my schooling as a child mainly in Bell and Downey. I have two lovely kids, a four year old boy and a one year old girl. I received my undergraduate from Cal state Long Beach, Teacher credential and Masters from San Diego State. I love working with children because I want them to get a positive learning experience of school and continue to pursue higher education. I like to motivate students to keep pursuing their dreams no matter how big they might seem. I like to roller blade, paint, play family board games and watch movies.
October is Disability Awareness Month
Vocal Music News (TK/K/1/2 )
Vocal music at La Ballona has started off wonderfully this year! If your student is in TK, Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade, they have weekly (TK/Kinder) or every-other-week (1st and 2nd grade) vocal music with Ms. Gallagher on Thursdays at La Ballona. We have been having so much fun singing, dancing, and moving to music together!
If you are in TK or Kindergarten, please ask your student for their "Ask Me" sheet that was handed out to them in music class this week, and ask them to sing "Hickety Pickety Bumblebee" and "No More Pie" for you! If your student is in 1st or 2nd grade, please ask your student to sing "No More Pie".
Please also check your student's vocal music Seesaw account, where optional singing activities and games have been posted for you to practice and respond to. If you have any questions about the vocal music program, feel free to reach out directly to the vocal music teacher at:
Kimberly Gallagher: kimberlygallagher@ccusd.org
I hope you have fun listening to your students' wonderful singing voices!
What is the Family Center? From Biana Bannerman
The Family Center provides both long and short term therapy to children and families at both La Ballona Elementary School and Farragut Elementary School. Depending on their need, students can be seen up to three times a week for thirty minute sessions. I operate under the Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy Model, which utilizes play and play-based interventions to help children change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
I am designated as Tier 3 support for our unhoused group of students but also see children who are struggling with other family issues. These matters include but are not limited to divorce/separation, disenfranchised grief, death in the immediate family, gender identity concerns, sexual trauma, deportation of family members, incarceration of parents, chronically ill family members, traumatic hospitalizations, accidents, severe sibling rivalry, severe anxiety, and severe depression. Of course, there are other life altering situations that are not listed here but affect our students just the same. If there is an issue that I do not hold the credentials or capacity to handle, I can refer the family via CareSolace to a community resource and follow up with them to make sure that they are satisfied with the services.
Students that are referred to me do not need to have a 504 accommodation or IEP to start therapy. There are referrals in the front office in my mailbox (bottom right corner). Please fill those out to the best of your ability and place them back into the mailbox. It is best to inquire with parents about possibly receiving therapeutic services before submitting the referral but I understand that that is not always possible. Please keep in mind that parents are allowed to request to review the referral that I receive. In the four years that I have been here, I have never had a parent request to see a referral but it is their right.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions, comments, or concerns. Email: biancabannerman@ccusd.org GoogleVoice Number: 323-407-8494. Office Extension: 236. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist meaning that although I have graduated, I have not yet taken the clinical licensing exam. My supervisor is Christie Schnur (LMFT #99146). Some of you may be familiar with her as she has worked here in the past. She can be reached via email at christieschnur@ccusd.org or by her El Rincon office number 310-842-4378."
LA County Library's Bookmark Contest- Due October 30
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
RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER- OCTOBER 10-13th
--Every order placed in our name will be added up and Humble Potato will donate 20% of the total to our school.
--Catering orders and gift certificate purchases count, too! Gift certificates would be great to have on hand for future French Fry-days, birthday celebrations, or days when you just plain need
someone else to manage mealtime.
--For in-person or phone orders, tell them you’re ordering for La Ballona Elementary School
--For online orders, enter LA BALLONA in the promo code field. Please note that orders placed through a third-party service will NOT count, so be sure to order directly
through Humble Potatoto raise money for La Ballona! Humble Potato is open daily for lunch and dinner.
--Humble Potato is located at 2608 Washington Blvd #b in Culver City. Phone number is (310) 881-9498. Order online at https://humblepotato.com/culver-city/.
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
Join the PTA!
School has now started and so does our PTA membership drive! Joining the PTA is a great way to get involved and show your support for La Ballona students. Membership dues are just $8 per person and all dues-paying members can vote at PTA meetings, which are held the first Thursday of each month. Member dues are used for programs, resources, and activities that benefit our students. Click below on the link to pay your membership today, thank you so much for your support
Sign up with TOTEM: https://jointotem.com/ca/culver-city/la-ballona-elem/join/register
Sign up with Squareup: https://la-ballona-elementary-pta.square.site/s/shop
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
The Student Store is NOW OPEN to pick up "Spirit Wear" orders!
La Ballona's "Student Store" has brand new facemasks for sale, 1 for $4, or 3 for $10. Stop by the Student Store today (during their new hours listed below) to purchase some and support the PTA. They also still have some "tie-dye" shirts available for purchase and are taking new orders for the sizes that they are currently sold out on, so don't delay in putting in your order for the family. Please email laballonastudentstore@gmail.com to place your order or drop by at the front of the school across from the entrance to the main office to see them in person.
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.
⛱️ 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