The Weekly Roar
May 28, 2022
Thoughts from the Principal
This week has been an emotional roller coaster for us all. It's hard to imagine the terror Robb Elementary in Uvalde is facing. Such an unspeakable, unbelievable event has ripped our hearts out. We all wish we could do more to help, or at least take the pain away.
As the principal, it reinforced the reasons we keep all of our gates locked, check identification with all visitors, practice safety drills, establish strict arrival & dismissal protocols and continue to brainstorm ways to improve our safety procedures. Along with the district, La Ballona is eager to review all of our current safety measures and improve in the areas we need to. There is nothing more important. There is nothing more important to us than your children.
In this newsletter:
- This Week at La Ballona
- How Can I Support My Child at School
- Around the School
- Information for 5th Grade Families
- Community Support & Events
- Green Tip of the Week- no new tip this week
- Important Dates
Stay PAWSitive!
Dr. Becky Godbey
Principal
Pictured Below: LB parents join together to learn about Antiracist Parenting. We want to be part of the solution.
1. This Week at La Ballona
Monday, May 30st
Memorial Day, School Holiday, No School
Tuesday, May 31st
Covid Testing
Firetruck Experience for Kindergarten (on campus)
Wednesday, June 1st
1:45 Dismissal
Thursday, June 2nd
2nd Grade Field Trip
Friday, June 3rd
Cultural Celebration, Gates open at 6!
2. How Can I Support My Child in School?
PLEASE return your library books ASAP
June 3 - All library books are due on or before this date
What do I do about a lost library book? Students with overdue or missing books have received a printout of what they need to return. If they cannot find it, there are 3 ways to replace the book:
- Purchase a new book of the same title (exact title replacement).
- Purchase a similar book or choose one from our Amazon Wishlist
- Replace with a book from home. The replacement book from home must be in excellent condition (the cover must be intact, no writing on the pages, and no ripped pages).
Replacement books should be hardcover if possible, unless the book that is missing was a paperback.
The deadline to replace is Thursday, June 9th. If you have any questions or need more information, please email me at laramehl@ccusd.org.
LB PTA May Cultural Calendar
3. Around the School
What about those 3 days in January?
Take a Look
Lost & Found Come & Get it!
Come at Dismissal
Kindergarten Celebration information
We are fast approaching the end of the year, and our Kindergarten Graduation! Please join us Friday, June 10th from 9a-10a in the cafe-torium for our Kinder Graduation Ceremony. Seating is first come, first serve. To make sure there's room for everyone, please use two seats per family, and there is standing room for additional attendees. Once everyone is seated, we can fill in open seats with extra family members.
Afterwards, we'll share refreshments in the Kinder-Garden at 10:30a before heading out for early dismissal. Our planning committee is requesting donations of baked goods/treats/juice/water/etc from each classroom to share with friends and family after the ceremony. Please sign up HERE if you can help out!
Also see the attached invitation for more information on a playdate in the park/ potluck after graduation!
4. Information for 5th Grade Families
La Ballona Recipe book for sale!
The La Ballona cookbook has arrived! Get your copy after school by Gate #1 in the back on Monday May 30th - Friday June 3rd.. $8 each! All 5th graders will receive a copy for free at graduation as well. If you have reserved a copy, Laura should have that info, or if you have any questions please email her at fewmets@gmail.com to confirm your copy. Payment can be made by cash or Venmo @Laura-BLoo
Fifth Grade Reproductive Growth & Development
Human Growth and Development will be covered ( date through the end of the school year). If you were unable to make the family preview night feel free to see our family resource document (English/Spanish) that links in all lessons, standards/ed codes, objectives, and family talking points. If you specific questions about the human growth and development unit and/or lessons feel free to reach out to Erica Young our district Science/Health TOSA at ericayoung@ccusd.org.
5. Community Support & Events
Cultural Celebration (Formerly "International Dance'') - Celebración cultural (anteriormente "Danza internacional")
Save the date for Next Friday, June 3rd at 6pm. We are proud to announce La Ballona’s 'end of year' party is back! Our students have been practicing during PE to give a great performance to everyone! If you attend, your child will be performing! This is a picnic-style event so please bring blankets to sit on. You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks (no alcohol). There will also be food trucks with food and snacks for purchasing at our "Bites and Snacks" table. For the performance, please have students wear black on the bottom and a solid color shirt in one of the following colors:
● 5th grade: USA - red, white or blue
● 4th grade: Senegal - yellow, green or red
● 3rd grade: Brazil - green, yellow or navy blue
● 2nd grade Chile - white, blue or red
● 1st grade: Haiti - blue or red
● Kinder: Guinea - red, yellow or green
● TK: Trinidad and Tobago - black, red or white
Baked Goods needed for bake sale!
La Ballona families! We are Requesting baked goods from different cultures for our 2022 Cultural Celebration on Friday, June 3rd where 100% of the profits goes back to the PTA. Do you have a special recipe (savory or sweet! think empanadas, dumplings, sweet breads, squares etc.) for our "Bites and Snacks from Around the World" food stand? If you are able to bake some treats/food, please have them individually wrapped in Saran Wrap, and as well, all baked goods can be dropped off at the front office Friday morning, June 3rd. Thank you so much for your support.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ASAP!!!
Hello parents! It's the end of the year and we need volunteers for all the different "end of year" events we are having these final 2 weeks of school! If you're curious about how these events go, or if you're looking for a quick way to give back before the year is out, then this is a perfect time to help out the PTA and La Ballona. We have 2 different 'Signup Genius' links to browse and see what day works best for you to volunteer. Thank you so much for your support.
1-- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c45afa92ca6f49-5thgrade
2-- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4badaa2ca2f94-cultural
STAR Summer Camp registration now open!
6. Green Tip of the Week
7. Important Dates (New Dates in Bold)
- June 6- Wizard of Oz Performance by Room 11 (5pm for parents)
- June 7- 5th Grade Picnic
- June 9- 5th Grade Promotion, 9:30am
- June 10- Kinder Celebration, 9:00am
- June 10- Field Day, 1st-5th grades
- June 10- Last Day of school, Early Dismissal
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