The Weekly Roar
April 27, 2024
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Dear Families,
This past Wednesday, La Ballona was showered with excitement and joy as students and their families joined us this year's Open House! Parents were led by a personal tour guide, their child, around their classroom. They had a glimpse into what their darlings do each and every day while they are in school. It was truly magical to witness how proud each student was to share the amazing work they have accomplished this school year. Lots of writing, mathematical curiosity, projects, science experiments, computer-generated activities, and many more! Kudos to our outstanding and dedicated teachers who give it their all each and every day, ensuring your child has the best learning experience while at La Ballona.
Lastly, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, SoCalGas crew or contractors will be working in our area. Construction will be located at 3873 SPAD PL. The estimated completion date is May 31st. Normal working hours are between 07:00 am and 04:00 pm. We appreciate everyone's patience during these hours.
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
Math Olympiads!
Congratulations to this year's Math Olympiads representatives of La Ballona. Thank you Manny and Tony for your support. Go to go Lions!
Walk/Bike to School!
Please join La Ballona on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 8:00-8:35am for the last Walk & Roll to School of the school year. There will also be a bike valet at the Taste of Culver City event this coming Sunday, April 28th.
On Sunday, May 5, there will be a Community Bike Repair Day at Village Well. Bring your bike in and let our techs give you a free tuneup. (it's also a fundraiser, so 20% of your VW purchase supports our adopt-a-bike program)
National Bike Day is Wednesday, May 8th!
State Testing is Coming!
Just as a remainder, State testing begins May 7th-May 31st for all 3rd-5th grade students. If your child in TK-2nd grade, we encourage all families to remind their child to always do their best and encourage their "older" buddies to rock the test! Students will be preparing to do their best on their assessments. They got this!
Here are some important tips:
Come to school everyday, especially May 7-May 31st.
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!
Leo's Book Club
April's Book ClubJulian is a Mermaid/Sirenas by Jessica Love
Rationale: Children’s sensibilities and attitudes about race start forming at a very early age. If we want to change racialized systems, then we have to deliberately engage kids in dialogue about the complexities of race early on in their development. A recent article from Teaching Tolerance (now Learning for Justice) illuminates the ever increasing need to take an activist approach and go beyond teaching kindness towards teaching justice [Teaching Kindness Isn't Enough]. During this year-long project, we plan to use picture books as a springboard for meaningful, transformative, conversations about race because when we “read race” we are helping children develop the skills to see the world through a critical race lens. These books were specifically chosen for the following reasons: they feature Black, Indigenous People, and People of Color (BIPOC) as the main character, they avoid stereotypical portrayals of BIPOC, and they are written by authors/illustrators who share an identity with the characters in the book. Some are stories of racism and oppression, while others introduce, explore, and celebrate human differences and show children of many identities in everyday situations because we don’t want to send the message that struggle alone defines a person’s experience. Our hope is that as a result of engaging in this school-wide reading and conversation, students will be inspired to become active anti-racists and ask questions like “What can we do?” or “How can we change that?”, as they fight for racial justice.
Possible Discussion Protocol:
1. What did the story make you think about or wonder?
2. How does this story connect to your own life?
3. What did you learn from this story/what will you take with you after reading this story?
Story Read Aloud (English & Spanish) While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three people spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes— and even more important, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Julián Is a Mermaid provides a role model of a grandmother who loves and affirms her grandson and his exploration of his interests.
Selected Resources:
- Guiding Questions:
Do you think Julián would be teased for being a mermaid at our school? ¿Crees que en nuestra escuela se burlarían de Julián por ser sirena?
What is the behavior called when someone is being unkind to another person? ¿Cómo se llama el comportamiento cuando alguien es cruel con otra persona?
What are some ways we can work together in our classroom so that everyone can wear clothes and have their hair the way that makes them happy and comfortable—so they can BE WHO THEY ARE? ¿Cuáles son algunas maneras en que podemos trabajar juntos en nuestro salón de clases para que todos puedan usar ropa y peinarse de la manera que los haga felices y cómodos, para que puedan SER QUIENES SON?
Additional Books: Max and the Talent Show by Kyle Lukoff
Annie’s Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davis
2. Counselor's Corner
LA BALLONA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR CAREER FAIR!
This year's Career Fair is around the corner. It will take place on Wednesday, May 1st. If you want to share about your career/profession, please complete this form. This fair will be in person but you can also participate by recording a video and sharing it with Mrs. Ulloa-Serrano at dianaserrano@ccusd.org
Date: Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
Location: La Ballona Elementary School
Time: 9:00-11:00 am
Set up time: 8:45 am
3. School Meal Information
Lunch Hero Day!
May 3rd is Lunch Hero Day. This is their day and they definitely deserve to be thanked for all they do each day to ensure our students are fed and cared for. Please send love to Ms. Bessy, Emelia, and our Noon Duty Supervisors, Liz, Aurelia, Ofelia, Sally, Angela!
Glass Containers!
Lately, we've seen students with glass water bottles or any other glass containers and lunch boxes at school. These are likely to break or shatter posing a safety concern. Just this week, we had two different glass containers break in the cafeteria. We ask to please avoid sending your any glassware to school. We appreciate your cooperation!
4. 5th Grade Committee
Pantherpalooza at CCMS!
Hello Future Panther Families,
Culver City Middle School looks forward to welcoming La Ballona's 5th graders as incoming 6th graders to CCMS next school year. They will hosting "Pantherpalooza" on April 30th, in order to get students excited and learn more the campus.
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
April is Autism Acceptance Month!
At their April meeting, members of the Equal Access Committee - including families touched by autism - discussed the word “ACCEPTANCE” and what it means to them. Together they came up with the words in the graphic above. They invite you to have a similar discussion with your family and see what words you can come up with! Let’s work together to promote the spirit of acceptance at La Ballona and everywhere we go!
La Ballona is proud of its diverse Autistic community and to be partnering with the Equal Access Committee to promote the visibility, awareness and acceptance of Autism. To learn more, or to join the La Ballona Equal Access Committee contact megan.oddsen@icloud.com.
Spring Concert!
Due to scheduling issues, we have had to move the Choir Concert date!
The NEW DATE IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 at 6:30 PM. Singers will meet at 6:00 PM to practice. Thank you for everything!
Warmly,
Kimberly Gerber Gallagher (Ms. G)
Elementary Vocal Music Educator, CCUSD
Availability: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays
Elementary Instrumental Music Concert!
Elementary Instrumental Music Concert on May 16 at 7pm. Students should arrive at 6pm and the concert will be over at 8pm.
Save the Date-State of the District Event!
At La Ballona Elementary, Teachers and Staff are Superheroes!
Join the PTA May 6 - 10 as we dedicate a week to celebrate and appreciate our SUPER-awesome teachers and staff! There are many ways for you and your students to show your appreciation all week long. We’ll also be organizing a potluck lunch for every day of the week, sign up to contribute!
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!
Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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.
Yearbooks still available for pre-order!
If you would like to order a yearbook and have it delivered to the school prior to the end of the year, you can still place an order and avoid shipping costs. We will also have a small number of yearbooks a available for in person sales, but they will likely sell out.
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 recieved 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!
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
Commissary Coffee Restaurant Fundraiser!
Visit Commissary Coffee + Kitchen in Del Rey May 1st - 5th, and 15% of sales will be donated back to our school!
¡Visite la economía Coffee + Kitchen en Del Rey del 1 al 5 de mayo y el 15 % de las ventas se donará a nuestra escuela!
5. Our Calendar
This Week at La Ballona
All new events, will be in italics
Monday, April 29
- Tutoring
- Disney Musical, Finding Nemo School Performances
Tuesday, April 30
- Tutoring
- Kindergarten Field to the Aquarium
- 5th Grade Pantherpalooza at CCMS
- Disney Musical Wrap Party 3:30-5:30pm
- PIQE Graduation, 6pm
Wednesday, May 1
- Walk & Roll to School, 8am
- Career Day, 9-10:45am
- School Dismissal, 1:45pm
- La Ballona Choir Concert, 6:30pm
Thursday, May 2
- Choir
- No Tutoring
- Early Dismissal, 1:45pm
- Target Conferences
- PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
Friday, May 3
Upcoming Dates (New Dates in Bold)
May 6-10-Staff Appreciation Week
May 7-May 31-CAASPP (Statewide) Testing for 3rd-5th Grade
May 9-State of the District, 6pm
May 16- All District Elementary Instrumental Music Concert, 7pm
May 27-No School-Memorial Day Holiday
May 31-Family Friday, 8:35am
May 31-Coffee with the Principal, 9am
June 3-ELAC Breakfast Potluck @ El Rincon, 9:30pm
June 14-Last Day of School
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