The Paw Print
Vol 6. Week of September 20, 2021
Regular Weekly Bell Schedule
CCMS PTSA Special Education Committee - Sep 20
The CCMS PTSA Special Education Committee will be having our first meeting on 9/20/21 at 6:00pm via Zoom - all are welcome! Whether you have a child with an IEP or 504, or you’re passionate about the needs and inclusion of all students, we’d love to see you there. Disability Awareness Month is in October, so we welcome all input, ideas and talent!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81824917998?pwd=RWxvTWZCOHYyaE9WQnExRDBkTm9IQT09
Meeting ID: 818 2491 7998 Passcode: imz5tU7F
Please reach out to Lindsay Crain (craininla4@yahoo.com) or Mayra Marentes (maymaren81@gmail.com) with any questions.
Fall Sports Parent Meeting - This Week **UPDATE--PLEASE READ**
Tuesday, September 21 @ 6:00 pm in the Panther Plaza (In-person, no Zoom)
In order to participate in CCMS sports, the Los Angeles County Department of Health mandates that all student-athletes who are not vaccinated are tested weekly for COVID.
We will go over the logistics of testing at the Fall Sports Parent Meeting.
For children who are already vaccinated, please make arrangements to bring a vaccination card to the meeting or a picture or photocopy of vaccination cards (digital Los Angeles County record with QR code is also acceptable.) All copies will be given to the nurse to verify.
Don't want to wait until Tuesday's meeting to provide a copy of your child's vaccination card? Send a photo of the card or digital LA County record to CCMS Athletic Director Angelo Sablan at angelosablan@ccusd.org. Mr. Sablan will collect cards for each team and send the information on to the nurse's office.
This meeting is also your chance to meet and greet the coaches and answer any questions you may have about the programs. We will also be looking for team parent volunteers – if you’re interested, please let us know at the meeting or via email at info@pantherpartners.com.
As a reminder, in order to participate in school sports your child is required to be physically cleared. We also strongly encourage a $100 donation to Panther Partners per sport, per child. You are also welcome to donate an additional $50 (or whatever amount is appropriate) for the scholarship fund. Scholarships are available for those who apply.
The season begins on September 27th but different sports and teams will have different dates and schedules. Find out more details about CCMS Athletics here.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact info@pantherpartners.com and we will reply to you as soon as possible.
CCMS PTSA EQUITY COMMITTEE Meeting MOVED to Tuesday, 9/21
CCMS PTSA EQUITY COMMITTEE Meeting MOVED to next Tuesday, 9/21.
We wanted to be sure that anyone who wanted to join the PTSA Equity Committee meeting didn't have to choose between the CCUSD Board Meeting and our last meeting. Please join us this Tuesday, 9/21, from 6:30-7:30 pm.
If you'd like to hear more about the Equity Committee and would like to be notified of the Zoom links for those meetings, please sign up here:
https://forms.gle/bcQtZrFj7kyrDz3s7
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La reunión del COMITÉ DE EQUIDAD DE LA PTSA DE CCMS SE MUEVO al próximo martes 21 de septiembre.
Queríamos estar seguros de que cualquiera que quisiera unirse a la reunión del Comité de Equidad de la PTSA no tuviera que elegir entre la reunión de la Junta Directiva del CCUSD y la nuestra. Únase a nosotros el martes 21 de septiembre de 6: 30-7: 30 pm.
Si desea saber más sobre el Comité de Equidad y desea ser notificado de los enlaces de Zoom para esas reuniones, regístrese aquí:
COVID Testing Begins This Week
Dear CCUSD Families,
Starting this Monday, September 20, we will be offering COVID testing for ALL CCUSD students on the weekly schedule below.
Everyone registering will need to provide insurance information if they have it - the company will bill insurance where available, but will not deny testing to those without insurance. To be very clear - no family will be charged at any time and every student will be able to get tested regardless of insurance coverage. The driver's license is required during registration to authorize parent consent and insurance billing.
These first testing windows will only be for CCMS students is:
- Wednesday, Sep 20, during PE classes
You can register your students at any time. You will only have to register this one time and you do not have to schedule the appointment - the schools will manage getting the students to the mobile testers at the appropriate times.
Also attached here:
- FAQ document regarding student COVID testing that should answer most of your initial questions about the registration and testing process
- COVID Testing Consent Form
- New informational document from the LA County Department of Health
CCMS Cheer Tryouts
We are super excited to have your children participate in our program this season. If your child signed up at last week's meeting, they have received virtual tryout videos in their CCUSD student emails. Students should memorize the cheer and dance to the best of their abilities and record themselbes doing them. They should email their final videos to sakoiyafletcher@gmail.com by Friday September 24, 2021 by 11:59pm.
Good luck to you all!
Join Us For Back to School Night!
5-6 pm: Pre-Sessions
6-8 pm: Classroom Visits (12 minute visits, 5 minute transitions)
Period 0 >> 6:00 pm - 6:12 pm
Period 1 >> 6:17 pm - 6:29 pm
Period 2 >> 6:34 pm - 6:46 pm
Period 3 >> 6:51 pm - 7:03 pm
Period 4 >> 7:08 pm - 7:20 pm
Period 5 >> 7:25 pm - 7:37 pm
Period 6 >> 7:42 pm - 7:54 pm
Restroom Update
Panther PAWtique Opening Thursday, Sept 23rd!
Fun Friday Begins Sept 24th
Celebrate Latino Heritage Month With These Reads, Movies, Recipes, Experiences, and More!
Sukkot--Chag Sameach! September 20-27, 2021
Sukkot (Feast of Booths or Tabernacles) is one of the three biblically based pilgrimage holidays known as the shalosh regalim. It is an agricultural festival that originally was considered a thanksgiving for the fruit harvest. Sukkot are hut-like structures that the Jews lived in during the 40 years of travel through the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. As a temporary dwelling, the sukkah also represents the fact that all existence is fragile, and therefore Sukkot is a time to appreciate the shelter of our homes and our bodies.
How is Sukkot celebrated?
Sukkot is celebrated by, first of all, building a sukkah. Jews are required to eat in the sukkah for eight days (seven days in Israel), and some even sleep in the sukkah for the duration of the holiday. The sukkah is decorated and the first day is considered a holy day in which most forms of work are forbidden. The rabbis dictated that arbat ha’minim (four species) should be held together and waved during the holiday. These are based on four plants mentioned in the Bible, and the rabbinic version includes the following: etrog (fruit of the citron tree), lulav (palm frond), hadas (leaves from the myrtle tree), and aravah (leaves from the willow tree). This waving ceremony was performed at the Temple in the ancient world.
The seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshanah Rabah. On that day in the synagogue Jews circle the room seven times while the arbat ha’minim are held and special prayers are recited.
What kinds of foods are eaten on Sukkot?
There are no traditional Sukkot foods, except for kreplach (stuffed dumplings). Sukkot meal inspiration can come from the harvest origin of the holiday, and meals can include fresh fruits and vegetables, or other harvest-related ingredients. Of course, challah, chicken soup, and kugels are traditional Jewish foods that can be served on Sukkot (or any time of the year).
What is the proper greeting for Sukkot?
To wish someone a Happy Sukkot, simply say “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday).
When is Sukkot?
On the Hebrew calendar, Sukkot starts on the 15th of Tishrei and continues until the 21st of Tishrei.
Sukkot occurs on the following dates:
Jewish Year 5782: Sunset September 20, 2021 – Nightfall September 27, 2021
Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: September 21, 2021
from Chiff.com
It's a tradition that's thousands of years old and, like the moon that lights up the celebration, it's still going strong!
In China and throughout many Asian countries people celebrate the Harvest Moon. This year the Mid-Autumn festival falls on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
Also known as the Moon Festival, the night of the full moon signals a time of completeness and abundance. Little surprise, then, that the Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie) is a day of family reunions much like a Western Thanksgiving.
Throughout the Mid-Autumn Festival, children are delighted to stay up past midnight, parading multi-colored lanterns into the wee hours as families take to the streets to moon-gaze. It is also a romantic night for lovers, who sit holding hands on hilltops, riverbanks and park benches, captivated by the brightest moon of the year.
The festival dates back to the Tang dynasty in 618 A.D., and as with many celebrations in China there are ancient legends closely associated with it.
In Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, it's sometimes referred to as the Lantern Festival, (not to be confused with a similar celebration during the Chinese Lantern Festival), but whatever name it goes by, the centuries-old festival remains a beloved annual ritual celebrating an abundance of food and family.
Moon festival foods & festivities
Moon cakes (photo, left) remain one of the oldest traditional ways to celebrate the festival. Other traditional foods for a Chinese Mid-Autumn feast are red — for good luck. Lobster and salmon are particular favorites along with apples, pomegranates, and roasted chestnuts.
Of course, this being the harvest festival, there is also an abundance of fresh harvest vegetables available at markets such as pumpkins, squash, and grapes.
Similar harvest festivals with their own unique traditions also occur during the same time - in Korea during the three-day Chuseok festival; in Vietnam during Tet Trung Thu; and in Japan at the Tsukimi festival.
DID YOU KNOW? Moon festival fun facts
• The modern moon festival weekend is a time for family reunions, and one of the busiest travel times of the year second only to Chinese New Year when motorists clog the roads in epic traffic jams.
• The full moon and cooler weather call for snuggling and moon gazing. In some parts of China, parents still plot to arrange for blind dates for their umarried adult offspring during the festival.
• In Beijing, evening boat rides to gaze at the moon are wildly popular during the festival and must be booked up to months in advance.
• Sweet bean filling and fruit flavored moon cakes are the most popular and cheap to buy in China, but prices can rise into the thousands of yuan (about US$400) for a fancy gift box of 'gourmet' moon cakes.
• Here the one about moon cakes being responsible for the overthrow of invading Mongols? As the story goes, secret messages were distributed inside thousands of moon cakes during the Mid-Autumn festival in 1368 to alert revolutionaries when to act. The Mongols' ouster eventually led to the establishment of the Ming dynasty. There's still no real evidence if moon cakes had anything to do with it, but it's a great story!
Pre-Order your Yearbook Now, Before Prices Increase!
NOTE - some people have reported difficulties with the QR code so definitely try the website first. Please email Ms Gable if you have any questions: hollygable@ccusd.org
Annual Giving Campaign Update
So far, we have raised nearly $30,000! But, only 9% of our community has made a donation. We really want to get our entire community to participate in our campaign. Imagine what we can raise if 100% of our families donate even a small amount. If you haven’t donated yet, here’s another reason why YOU should donate right now…
Why You Should Donate To The CCMS 100 Campaign
"Our family are big fans of CCMS Panther Partners and PTSA! We've participated and benefited from programs supported by these two important organization such as improv, athletics, ASB, and parent engagement opportunities. Most of these activities are highlights of our CCMS experience and we are so grateful to have these resources at our school. Thanks to all the families and school staff who help to make PP and PTSA so great!” - Chi-Chi Tse, Communications Chair for Panther Partners
Make a difference in your family’s experience at CCMS by clicking here (Donate 21-22) to donate today to help us get to 100%. You can give once or spread out your donation over the year by giving on a recurring, monthly basis. A public education is free but a great one takes all of our support. All contributions, of any amount, are greatly appreciated and tax deductible! Don’t forget to see if your employer matches your donation as well!
P.S. Don’t forget that if you donate by 11/11, you reserve your very own Panther Drinkware Set!
News from CCUSD Sustainability Committee - Green Tip of the Week!
STUDENTS: Ride The Bus for FREE in Culver City and Beyond!
Culver City Bus has launched a new pilot program for ALL CCUSD students K-12, offering unlimited rides at NO COST on the Culver City Bus, LA Metro bus and rail, and LADOT Dash. Learn more about it here.
All you need to do is:
- Pick up your Free fare TAP card from your school representative: Victoria Zerpoli, Secretary
- Remember to Register Your TAP card online
- Ride the Transit! You can even plan your trip with the Next CCBus App
- Share the news with your friends at CCUSD! Together we can reduce the number of cars on the road, lower our greenhouse gas emissions, improve the quality of the air we breathe and our overall wellbeing!
Join our next CCUSD Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting on Thurs. Oct. 21st, 2021 from 5-6.30pm. Contact: sustainability@ccusd.org for details. Everyone is welcome!
CC Exchange Club Hosting Movie Under the Stars Event - 10/1
CC Backpack Program Hosting a Costume Drive!
Continuing Education Available to ALL PTSA Members
Did you know that California State PTA offers several continuing education scholarships for members, as well as program grants for PTAs?
The deadline to apply for either is October 15, 2021 so get ahead of the curve and start now!
Continuing Education Scholarships
To help school professionals and volunteers continue to learn and improve their skills, California State PTA is proud to offer two categories of scholarships: a $500 award for credentialed teachers, counselors, and school nurses, and a $500 award for PTA volunteers.
All scholarship applications require two references and an application form that can be completed online. Applicants must be a current member of California State PTA in good standing. So if you aren't already a member, join today!
Learn more and apply at https://capta.org/programs-events/scholarships/continuing-education/.
Program Grants
Available to unit, council and district PTAs in good standing, these unique annual grants are geared toward four areas of major interest to our children, schools and members:
- Parent education
- Cultural arts
- Outreach translation
- Healthy lifestyles
Learn more and apply at https://capta.org/pta-leaders/programs/grants-awards/.
All applications for continuing education scholarships and program grants are due by October 15, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
September Wellness information from 33rd District PTA
It's Not Too Late to Join the PTSA!
The CCMS Student Store Needs Volunteers!
The CCMS Student Store is open after school for students to purchase snacks and drinks (and PE clothes, once we resume sales). The student store is one of the PTSA's biggest volunteer opportunities! In order to open the store each day, we must have two parents willing to help out - don't worry we will train you!
Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050848aca62fa4fb6-student1
If you have any questions, please contact Stephany Olson stephanyo@ca.rr.com
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
PREVIOUSLY POSTED
September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month
Every year from September 15 to October 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by appreciating the community’s history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America.
Hispanic Heritage Month originally started with one week of commemoration when it was first introduced by Congressman George E. Brown in June 1968. With the civil rights movement, the need to recognize the contributions of the Latin community gained traction in the 1960s. Awareness of the multicultural groups living in the United States was also gradually growing.
Two heavily Latinx and Hispanic populated areas, the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles, were represented by Brown. His aim was to recognize the integral roles of these communities in American history. Observation of Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was later extended to a 30-day celebration by President Ronald Reagan, starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law via approval of Public Law 100-402 on August 17, 1988.
September 15 is set as the starting date for the month as it is important for many reasons. It is the independence anniversary for Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. From here onwards, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Dia de la Raza or Columbus Day also falls within this month, on October 12.
Hispanic Americans have been integral to the prosperity of the U.S. Their contributions to the nation are immeasurable, and they embody the best of American values. The Hispanic-American community has left an indelible mark on the U.S. culture and economy.
Share Your Traditions With Us!
Learn How to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with These Great Resources!
Congratulations to our New SSC Parent Members!
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Atheltic Clearance Information
- Students must have a physical before they can participate in any school sports including practices and games. No student will be able to participate without the approval of a physician. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are unable to obtain a physical from your physician call the Health Center to schedule an appointment at (310) 392-8636.
- Obtain written permission from a parent/guardian to compete.
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA (cannot have 2 or more N's and no more than 1U) or you will be ineligible to participate in the program.
- A student may be declared ineligible for disciplinary reasons by administrative action.
- All Students must complete an Athletic Clearance Packet before trying out or competing for any sport.
For more information regarding the Athletic Clearing process, please visit this link:
Athletic Clearance Information
Here are more options for obtaining a physical exam:
Health Center on Campus
Hours: Mon & Wed from 8:00 - Noon
(310) 392-8636
Cost: $25
Must have a signed parental consent form at time of appointment from the health center.
Must schedule appointment in advance.
Wellness Mart
12200 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 820-2150
Email: wla@wellnessmart.com
$40 walk-in welcome
Minute Clinic @ CVS Drug Store
Hours: M-F: 10a-6:30p / Sat & Sun: 9a-5:30p
Closed for lunch M-F: 2p-3p; Sat & Sun: 1p-2p
Address: 13171 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 821-8908
Last appointment: 15 minutes before closing
Cost: $49
COST OF CCMS SPORTS
This past year has been full of difficulties, inlcuding challenges to our CCMS sports program. Due to not be able to offer sports last year, we are severly lacking in enough funds to grow our programs. Now, more than ever, it's important that we collect as many donations as we can to keep our program afloat (especially to offer "no cut" teams).
We request a $100 donation per athlete per sport so that we may provide quality coaches, uniforms,equipment, league fees, certificates to each player at the end of the season, and so that we can continue to offer a wide and deep athletic program. If you are unable to contribute the full amount please donate an amount that is affordable. You may also choose not to donate by clicking on the appropriate button on the registration website (lnk below).
All clearances and donations for CCMS sports programs are to be entered here: Athletichttps://www.pantherpartners.com/athletics.html .
Culver City Backpacks Program
Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) believes that no child in our community should go hungry or have food insecurities, especially on weekends when students don’t have access to school-sponsored breakfast and lunch. The Culver City Council PTA, in conjunction with CCUSD, provides students in need with a backpack filled with non-perishable food and snacks each week to ensure that every child can eat on the weekends.
There is no cost to participate and enrollment is 100% confidential. Each week, filled backpacks will be available in the school’s main office. You or your child, simply pick up the backpack and take it home. Backpacks will not be returned each week; your student will receive a new backpack each week. Enrollment is ongoing so any child in need can sign up for the program at any time throughout the school year.
If you would like your student to receive a weekly backpack, sign up here: https://forms.gle/Afdf5QqgppsuYGQf7 or complete a form in your school office.
Cafeteria Information
During the 2021-22 school year, ALL students will receive free meals from the cafeteria.
- Students need only to show their student ID for scanning.
- Pins will no longer be used.
- If students wish to purchase additional snack not included in the regular school meal, they may do so out of the funds in their student meal account.
- Cash will no longer be accepted.
- To load money on your student's meal account, go to: https://family.titank12.com/PGQP3K
- To complete a meal application, click here: www.culvercafe.org
Follow us!
On Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @CulverCityMS
Culver City Middle School
Website: http://ccms.ccusd.org/
Location: 4601 Elenda Street, Culver City, CA, United States
Phone: 310-842-4200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulverCityMS/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
Twitter: @culvercityms