THE PAW PRINT
VOL. 14 - Week of November 18, 2019
Thanksgiving Break
EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS!
PTSA Meeting and Special Speaker, 11/19 7pm
This month we will have a special guest speaker! Mirna Cervantes, LCSW, MSW is a Psychotherapist in private practice in Los Angeles. She is a former CCUSD student and a current CCMS and El Marino parent. She will be discussing Parent Teen Dialogue as it relates to vaping, alcohol, or drug use. Come learn about communication tools you can use to help talk with your teen about these issues.
The CCMS PTSA Needs A Few Good Parents!
1. Join the Nominating Committee! We need five members and one alternate for the Committee which must be assembled by the end of December. All must be current PTSA members. As a Committee member, you'll participate in 2-3 meetings and help identify/recruit potential candidates to fill the five open PTSA positions. We're looking for people that can give objective consideration to all nominees, use sound judgment and of course, be diplomatic!
2. Step forward as a Candidate! We need strong leaders for these five positions:
- Treasurer (http://toolkit.capta.org/job-descriptions/treasurer/)
- Financial Secretary (http://toolkit.capta.org/job-descriptions/financial-secretary/)
- Auditor (http://toolkit.capta.org/job-descriptions/auditor/)
- Parliamentarian (http://toolkit.capta.org/job-descriptions/parliamentarian/)
- Historian (http://toolkit.capta.org/job-descriptions/historian/)
Please email our CCMS PTSA Parliamentarian Ellen Davidson at erdavidson112@yahoo.com to share how you'd like to help. We plan to form the Committee at the January PTSA meeting on Tuesday, November 19th so please email today!
Backpacks for Kids- Please help if you can!
The program is looking again for volunteers who can help on Wednesday and/or Friday mornings, ~8:30-9:30am, to stand by the middle school office to collect and distribute backpacks for all the schools in our district. This volunteer-run program provides backpacks filled with food and snacks for CCUSD kids to take home over the weekend to ensure that every child can eat on the weekends. We are currently serving over 130 kids across the district each week so please help if you can. Contact cslwong123@gmail.com - thanks!
Raise money for PTSA by volunteering in the Student Store!
Copy Room Volunteers Needed
Are you looking for a way to get involved at CCMS? Do you like helping out your kids’ teachers? If so the PTSA is looking for volunteers to work in the copy room this year. This is a great way to get to know the campus and the staff. You must be a cleared volunteer and be willing to commit to a hour or two once a week or every other week.
Please contact Allison Herbst (asherbst@me.com) if you are interested.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Red Ribbon Month Pledge Day, Friday 11/15
Congratulations to our winners!
November 2019 CCMS Teacher and Employee of the Month
Ms. McVay is a hard working, passionate educator. Her students know that she is more than a math teacher; she is also a cheerleader and advocate for all that her students can accomplish. She is constantly advocating for her fellow teachers as well, and is the kind of person who finds the good in everyone. She is very supportive of each of her colleagues and empathetic to the needs of families. She goes above and beyond the boundaries of her duties and absolutely deserves recognition!
If you have had the pleasure of having Ms. Lewis as an instructional aide in your classroom, then you know how attentive, helpful, and awesome she is! She has endless patience and has built meaningful relationships with many students. Whether she’s leading a learning station, conferencing with a specific student, or making a tough phone call home, she does it all to the fullest. There is nothing she can’t do! Thank you, Ms. Lewis!
Turkey Tournament
CCUSD Sponsor-a-Family December Holiday Program
CCUSD recognizes that the holiday season can be stressful for families who are most in need. This year, CCUSD School and Family Support Services is coordinating various district-wide efforts to support our CCUSD families in need during the holiday season to increase the joy and lessen the stress.
At this time, we are excited to announce our Sponsor-a-Family Program. The program will enable one family to provide gifts for a family in need. Both families will remain anonymous. Prior to the Thanksgiving break, sponsor families will receive the list of wishes and needs for each member of one family. Our request is that the sponsor family purchase at least one wish and one need for each member listed. All gifts will be dropped off at the district office on December 16 or 17. School and Support Services staff will distribute the gifts on December 18 and 19. If you are able to make the holiday season special for another family, please click on the link below and complete the form.
Link to Form-https://forms.gle/ysUaPv3G8UU3Dsqo8
Friends of the Sandy Segal Youth Health Center
The Friends of the Sandy Segal Youth Health Center will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, November 21ST at 6:30 p.m. in the Culver City High School Library, 4401 Elenda Street, Culver City. Refreshments will be available before the start of the program. At 7:00 featured presenter Georganne Bruce will speak about “Keeping the Lines Open: Communication Between Parents and Children.” Ms. Bruce has been the Executive Director of the Exchange Club Family Support Center in Downey for 28 years. The Center provides counseling and support services for families at the facility and with home visits. Child abuse prevention programs are offered as well as parenting classes which are open to the public. At the conclusion of her presentation Ms. Bruce will take questions from attendees.
After the program, Anne Allaire, Culver City School Board Member, will conduct the installation of this year’s Board Members. Current president Diana Hauptman will once again lead the Board. A short walk over to the Health Center will follow the presentations, with a tour of the facility. A plaque will be unveiled at the Center which honors the memory of Dr. Sarah Carpenter, former president of the Friends group, who passed away recently.
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. The program and installation are scheduled from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., followed by a very short Friends Board Meeting. Refreshments will be served.
The Friends group serves as the fundraising arm of the Health Center which is located on the Middle and High School campus. Free physical and mental health services, as well as health education, are provided to children living in Culver City or attending Culver City schools. The nonprofit Center, which is operated by the Venice Family Clinic, is supported through donations. For more information about this event call Diana at 310-839-0862, or email her at hauptmandiana@gmail.com . To find out more about the Health Center go to the website www.sandysegalyouthhealthcenter.org.
Attention: 7th Grade Families!
Your child is being asked to be a part of our school’s California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) sponsored by the California Department of Education. This is a very important survey that will help promote better health and well-being among our youth, improve the school learning environment and combat problems such as drug abuse and violence. Your child does not have to take the survey. If you do not want your child to complete the survey, you must notify your school.
Survey Content. The survey gathers information on developmental supports provided to youth; school connectedness and barriers to learning; school safety; and health-related concerns such as physical activity and nutritional habits; alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; and risk of depression and suicide and perceived sexual orientation.
The results from this survey are compiled into district- and county-level CHKS Reports. To view a copy of your district’s report, go to https://calschls.org/reports-data/search-lea-reports/ (Outside Source) and type in the district name.
It is Voluntary. Students who, with your permission, agree to participate do not have to answer any questions they do not want to answer, and may stop taking the survey at any time.
It is Anonymous. No names are recorded or attached to the survey forms or data. The results will be made available for analysis only under strict confidentiality controls.
Administration. The survey will be administered during the first week of December 2019. It will take about one class period to complete (about 50 minutes) and will be administered in your child’s PE class.
Potential Risks. There are no known risks of physical harm to your child. Risks of psychological or social harm are very small. None have been reported in 20 years of survey administration. In rare instances, some discomfort might be experienced from the questions. The school’s counseling services will be available to answer any personal questions that may materialize.
For Further Information. The survey was developed by WestEd, a public, non-profit educational institution. If you have any questions about this survey, or about your rights, call Lisa Michel at the district (310) 842-4220 x4250. If you do not want your child to participate, return the CHKS Withdrawal Form to Julie Markussen, CCMS Assistant Principal, juliemarkussen@ccusd.org or 310-842-4200 ext. 3235
CCMS Performances Brings You Cinderella!
Save the Date for the next ELAC Meeting
CCEF and CCUSD Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Front and Center Theater Collaborative
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
Backpacks for Kids Thanks Our CCMS Parents!
PERIOD @ Culver City MS
We will start a menstrual products drive 11/18 -11/21 and have a Packaging Party on 11/22 during both lunches. Our initial goal is to deliver menstrual products to our CCMS classrooms and local shelters for the Thanksgiving Season.
November is Red Ribbon Month!
8th Grade Tshirts - Last day to purchase is 11/22!
From the Arts Community
Actors’ Gang presents George Orwell’s 1984 now through December 10.
Center Theatre Group has released their 19-20 student matinee offerings. The Front and Center Theatre Collaborative partnership covers the cost of busses, so be sure to check out the opportunities.
CCHS/AVPA Art In Motion Fall Dance Concert November 21 - 23 at the Robert Frost Auditorium. Featuring choreography by Faculty and Students.
Dance Camp Thanksgiving Dance Camp for 7-10 year olds. Join CCHS/AVPA Dance Company for fun dance combinations, dance games and art activities led by our amazing high school dancers. November 25 & 26 at The Robert Frost Auditorium. Camp hours are 9am -3pm.
Wende Museum Berlin Wall Teen Night November 23, 5:00 - 9:00pm. Join us for the Wende Museum’s first-ever Teen Night, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The evening's activities include live music by The Campbells and Cohort, a hands-on street-art project with the artist Muck Rock (bring clothes you don’t mind getting messy!), and free food and drinks provided by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Loqui. Guests will also have a chance to explore our newest exhibition, The Medea Insurrection: Radical Women Artists Behind the Iron Curtain. Open to all teens with student I.D. Please RSVP: bit.ly/wendeteennight"
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Resources and Information on Vaping for Parents
Letter and flyer about Vaping from the LA County Department of Health
Link to letter- LACDH Letter
Link to FAQ Flyer- LACDH Vaping FAQs
Drugs on Social Media: What Parents Need to Know
Backpacks for Kids Program
The Backpacks for Kids Program provides backpacks filled with food and snacks for students to take home over the weekend to ensure that every student can eat on the weekends. If you would like your student to receive a backpack, please complete the Backpacks Form and return it to Ms. Campos in the front office.
After School Homework Help in the Library
Yearbook Pre-Orders
Dental Care for Students On Campus!
Venice Family Clinic now offers dental services, such as exams, cleanings and fillings, right here on our campus at the Health Center! Every Tuesday starting September 17, the dentist will be available from 8am until 1:30pm. To make an appointment, please go to the Health Center or call (310) 392-8636. Your parent or guardian will also need to complete a consent form, which you can pick up at the front desk.
AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES AND SPORTS
Registration for Sports
If you have a child interested in participating please be sure to visit the CCMS Athletics page and select the link for the specific sport of interest to see when the first practice is scheduled to begin.
Please note that all students must be cleared to participate in sports, which includes a current physical exam taken within the last year, before they may participate in any sport practice or games. You may access forms at the CCMS Athletics Homepage here: CCMS Athletics Homepage. You may enter clearances and donate to the sports program at: Athletic Clearance
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