The Weekly Roar
September 6, 2021
Happy September La Ballona Families!
Need a translation? ترجمہ کی ضرورت ہے؟ ¿Necesitas una traducción? بحاجة الى ترجمة؟ ਇੱਕ ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ? 번역이 필요하세요? अनुवाद चाहिए? 翻訳が必要ですか? Besoin d'une traduction ?
Last week was an important week where families were able to hear the Back to School NIght presentations in each of the classrooms. Hopefully, the information you gained will help you feel more connected to the school. With limited parent to teacher face time, we strongly encourage you to use the teacher apps (for example, Dojo) and teacher emails to ensure that you are in touch with your child's teacher. As you begin to develop a year long relationship with your child’s teacher, a tip and a general rule of thumb regarding communication: start with your child’s teacher first. If you have a concern in the classroom or particularly about your own student, teachers always appreciate the opportunity to problem solve with you first. Since teachers are in the classroom teaching during the day, we ask for a 48 hour period for the teacher to respond to you with your inquiry. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please keep in mind that these first weeks of school continue to be a time to spend on relationship building, establishing our classroom communities and reviewing schoolwide expectations. As students and staff adjust to a social school setting with group procedures, routines and expectations, we need to "Go slow to go fast". In a time where much of everything seems like a priority and a rush, it is a reminder to myself, our staff, our students, and our families to slow down and re-teach lessons including playground expectations, building stamina in the classroom, how to accept disappointment, and how to be a student. We are investing our time now so that all our students may find success as the year continues.
As we enjoy a 3-day weekend, with Monday observed for Labor Day, this day also coincides with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown on Monday, September 6th and ends on Wednesday, September 8th. The days of Rosh Hashanah, which are considered some of the Holiest of Holy Days for those who celebrate, are followed by the Days of Awe, 10 days of reflection, atonement, and renewal. The holiday will end with a day of fasting and prayer on Yom Kippur which takes place on Thursday, September 16th. (Thank you El Rincon's Dr. Hodge for sharing this information.) Please mark your calendars that CCUSD schools are closed in observance on Thursday, September 16th.
L'Shana Tovah to all who celebrate,
Have a great week!
Dr. Becky Godbey
Look What's Happening at La Ballona. Save the Dates!
- Friday, September 10: Coffee with the Principal, 9:30am
- Wednesday, September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
- *Corrected*. Thursday, September 16: Yom Kippur. School Holiday.
- Monday, September 20: Outdoor Book Fair Begins
- Thursday, September 30 & Friday, October 1: Targeted Family Conferences
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Meet 4th Grade Teacher, Ms. Yasmin Borhani
Hello La Ballona Elementary School Community,
My name is Yasmin Borhani and I am the new 4th grade teacher for the 2021-2022 school year. I am so excited and honored to be part of the team. I was a student teacher last year at La Ballona while I was completing my Masters at USC and it was an amazing experience. I am so happy to be back!
I was born and raised in Orange County, CA and also attended college at UC Irvine. My passion for teaching started at a very young, and I love how every day in the classroom is not the same.
I am excited to work and collaborate with other staff members, parents, and guardians in the community. In the meantime if you have any questions please feel free to email me.
Sincerely,
Yasmin Borhani
Hola, comunidad de la escuela primaria La Ballona,
Mi nombre es Yasmin Borhani y soy la nueva maestra de cuarto grado para el año escolar 2021-2022. Estoy muy emocionado y honrado de ser parte del equipo. Fui estudiante de maestra el año pasado en La Ballona mientras completaba mi maestría en la USC y fue una experiencia increíble. ¡Estoy tan feliz de estar de regreso!
Nací y crecí en el condado de Orange, CA y también asistí a la universidad en UC Irvine. Mi pasión por la enseñanza comenzó desde muy joven y me encanta que todos los días en el aula no sean iguales.
Estoy emocionado de trabajar y colaborar con otros miembros del personal, padres y tutores en la comunidad. Mientras tanto, si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en enviarme un correo electrónico.
Atentamente,
Yasmin Borhani
10 Homemade Zero Waste Snacks
Back to school doesn’t mean you have to give up on yummy and healthy homemade meals and snacks. When doing it yourself, using your own containers and utensils, you will create less waste and feed your body with fresh and healthy ingredients. You can even choose organic produce for a healthier choice.
- A piece of fruit
- Vegetables and homemade hummus
- Sourdough crackers
- Roasted chickpeas, carrots
- Soft pretzels
- Granola bars
- Granola
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
- Stove-top popcorn
- Dehydrated produce
Take a closer at the recipes here. Have fun making these snacks ahead of time, and share the recipe if you liked it!
La Ballona After-care and Enrichment Survey
ALL CCUSD STUDENTS RIDE TRANSIT FREE!!!
Culver CityBus has launched a new pilot program for students in Culver City Unified schools offering students unlimited rides at no cost on Culver CityBus, LA Metro bus and rail, and LADOT Dash.
- Additional transit agencies are being added, so visit our Free Fare info page for the latest updates. Using the TAP card provided, students can ride for free to and from school, on trips after school and on weekends, now through June 30, 2022. (Students already part of the TAP K-12 Reduced Fare program will need to pick up a new Fareless K-12 card from their school and register it prior to use.)
1. Pick up your Free fare TAP card from your school representative: Dorothy Bellante, Secretary
2. Register Your TAP card by choosing one of these steps:
- Register online.
- Call TAP at 866-TAPTOGO.
3. Ride Transit!
Plan your trip using the NextCCBus app and stay up to date on program information by visiting our free fare program information page or by calling 310-253-6500. Welcome aboard!
Tellefson Park- A Historic Landmark
Did you know that Tellefson Park was once the site of a roller rink, from 1928-1970? The next time you are near the park, you will find a bronze plaque sitting atop the large cement block by the new playground equipment. Read more about it!
Because of the pandemic the Culver City Historical Society’s historic marker was unveiled at Tellefson Park with little fanfare. Thankfully, our markers outlast the speeches and applause and have become vital and permanent narratives, communicating our city’s history. The Rollerdrome was a social and recreational touchpoint in Culver City for over 40 years. The Historical Society is thrilled to mark the site with our 14th bronze plaque.
Collaboration is crucial and we would not have this site marked were it not for our friends at the City of Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department and Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, with the leadership of our Historic Sites Chair (and City Historian) Julie Lugo Cerra.
Did you know the Culver City Historical Society has marked 13 other historic sites around the city, like at Tellefson Park?
Click on tjis site for locations and a helpful Google map. We encourage you to mask up, take the people in your pod and (safely!) explore history in your city!
CCEF supports Art and Garden Initiatives
- Growing Great and school garden support
- Ceramics kilns and supplies
- Art & Innovation Lab support
CCEF supports Music & Theatre
- Symphonic Jazz Orchestra music education program
- Front & Center Theatre programs (Young Storytellers, Story Pirates, We Tell Stories, Actors' Gang, 24th Street Theatre)
- Musical instruments for 3rd graders
CCEF supports La Ballona Academics
- 5th grade college visits
- District Spelling Bee prizes
- Art & Innovation Lab support
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
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO RUN OUR DIFFERENT EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. CAN YOU HELP?
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.
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