THE PAW PRINT
VOL. 10 - Week of October 19, 2020
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Quarter 2 Begins Monday, 10/19/20!
Fun Friday Update
PTSA Meeting Save the Date!
Calling all CCMS PTSA Association members! Mark your calendars for the next Association meeting on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00pm via Zoom. Find out what we are up to, programs and events your donations are funding, vote on Association business items, hear from Administrators, and meet some fellow parents. At this meeting, you won't want to miss hearing from our fabulous school counselors and learning about how they are supporting your student. We hope you can attend!
Culver City Middle School PTSA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: CCMS PTSA Association Meeting (November)
Time: Nov 4, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87689243572?pwd=cU5CcFV5T1QvZm9oazU2dGtjbCs1UT09
Meeting ID: 876 8924 3572
Passcode: 791906
JOIN US FOR OUR CCMS TRICK OR TREAT EVENT ON OCT 27TH!
October Events From Walk 'n Rollers
Yearbook Needs YOUR Pictures!
Dear Parents,
My name is Audrey Rothenberg and I am one of this year's yearbook editors. Due to Covid-19 we are unable to take photos. We would love it if you could send us pictures of your kids doing school activities like sports, homework, art, projects and more. Please send the pictures to yearbookadviser@ccusd.org.
Thank you for your time and cooperation,
2020-2021 Yearbook staff
how to have difficult conversations with your child
OCTOBER IS DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH!
What is an invisible disability?
Link to Original article from invisibledisabilities.org
In general, the term disability is often used to describe an ongoing physical or mental challenge. This challenge could be a well-managed bump in life or a mountain that creates severe changes and loss. Either way, this term should not be used to describe a person as weaker or lesser than anyone else! Every person has a purpose, uniqueness, and value, no matter what hurdles they may face. When we define invisible disability, it helps us understand the subtle differences and challenges each person experiences in their daily lives.
Also, just because a person has a disability, does not mean they are disabled. Many living with these challenges are still fully active in their work, families, sports or hobbies. Some with disabilities can work full or part-time, but struggle to get through their day, with little or no energy for other things. Others are unable to maintain gainful or substantial employment due to their disability, have trouble with daily living activities and need assistance with their care.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) an individual with a disability is a person who: Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment (Disability Discrimination).
Furthermore, “A person is considered to have a disability if he or she has difficulty performing certain functions (seeing, hearing, talking, walking, climbing stairs and lifting and carrying), or has difficulty performing activities of daily living, or has difficulty with certain social roles (doing school work for children, working at a job and around the house for adults)” (Disabilities Affect One-Fifth of All Americans). Given this basic knowledge, it is easy to see how work to define invisible disability is both critical to helping so many who are overlooked but also daunting in scope.
Defining invisible disability can open doors of communication and understanding.
Often people think the term, disability, only refers to people using a wheelchair or walker. On the contrary, the 1994-1995 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) found that 26 million Americans (almost 1 in 10) have a severe disability, while only 1.8 million used a wheelchair and 5.2 million used a cane, crutches or walker (Americans with Disabilities 94-95). In other words, 74% of Americans who live with a severe disability do not use such devices. Therefore, a disability cannot be determined solely by whether or not a person uses assistive equipment.
Invisible disability refers to symptoms such as debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences and mental health disorders, as well as hearing and vision impairments. These are not always obvious to the onlooker, but can sometimes or always limit daily activities, range from mild challenges to severe limitations, and vary from person to person.
Also, someone who has a visible impairment or uses an assistive device such as a wheelchair, walker or cane can have an invisible disability or invisible disabilities. For example, whether or not a person utilizes an assistive device, if they are debilitated by such symptoms as described above, they live with invisible disabilities.
Opportunities for dialog begin when we talk about invisible disabilities.
Unfortunately, people often judge others by what they see and conclude a person can or cannot do something by the way they look. This attitude can be equally frustrating for those who may appear unable but are perfectly capable, as well as those who seem able, but are not.
The bottom line is that everyone with a disability is different, with varying challenges and needs, as well as abilities and attributes. Thus, we all should learn to listen with our ears instead of judging with our eyes. That is the reason we define invisible disability.
Need help getting your friends and family to understand the invisible nature of your illness?
Check out the book, But You LOOK Good.
Need a community where others understand you and your illness?
Join the Invisible Disabilities Support Community.
Have you ever thought about sharing your personal journey with illness and pain?
Be a part of the Invisible No More Campaign.
ARTICLE RESOURCES:
Disabilities Affect One-Fifth of All Americans, 1997 Census Brief
This is Me: Zack (Autism)
This is Me: Terrell (Lupus)
This is Me: Kaitlyn (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
CCUSD Drive-thru Flu Clinic
Introducing CCMS Counseling Groups!
CCMS Tech Help
Name: Josue Sainz
Email: josuesainz@ccusd.org
Office Phone: (310) 842-4200 ext. 5114
Google Cell: (424) 326-3106
OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS FOR PARENTS
Thank you Panther Parents for Supporting CCMS!
Our goal is to raise $100k in the first 100 days of school with 100% of families contributing. We’ve raised almost $27,000 in the first 55 days of school with about 15% of families contributing. Let’s go Panther Parents!
Your donations fund vital teacher supplies, virtual classroom materials, our WEB program, support for our inclusion/special needs program, English Language Development resources, technology, Improv, teacher/staff appreciation and much more. Culver City Middle School is one of the best middle schools in greater LA because of how strongly our community supports our school. We need everyone to lean in and stretch to give meaningfully to ensure we are able to continue supporting these important programs.
We know this pandemic is impacting everyone differently – give as you’re able knowing every dollar counts and helps to reach the goal. Wondering how much to give – it’s different for every family but consider matching what you would pay in a normal year for summer camp, sports team registrations or lessons during the year or consider contributing $1/day or $20/month.
We also accept COMPANY MATCHING donations! Check to see if your company has a matching gift policy by visiting the Panther Partner website (scroll to bottom left of page).
Donations of $250+ get you a beautiful plush navy blanket embroidered with the #CULVERPRIDE logo at the end of the campaign (limit 1 per donor).
Thank you so much for investing generously in CCMS! Donate 20-21
School Board Candidate Panel Discussion - Special Education Forum
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
New Grab-and-Go Weekend Lunches
Suicide Support & Resources
Our Counselors are always available to provide support, and have offered the following useful resources:
How to Help Someone that May Be Thinking of Suicide: BeThe1To.com
Resources from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Getting Involved to Support Suicide Prevention: NAMI Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
In Case of Emergency:
- If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
- If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
Sandy Segal Youth Health Center Services
2020-2021 Backpack Program Sign-Up
Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) believes that no child in our district 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.
Please click on the link below to sign up for this program.
Access the Incredible Resources of CCUSD!
List of Resources from the Los Angeles County of Education for Students and Parents
Please access the flyer below for mental health, crisis support, physical health, education, and youth resources.
Visit Our CCMS Store Today!
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