The Weekly Roar
October 10, 2020
The Streets of La Ballona
As we move into October, you may have noticed that the area around La Ballona is getting a makeover! As many of you know, new crosswalks are being built around many of the intersections helping our students get to school safely. Next week, the corner of Matteson and Gerard sidewalk will be closed and pedestrians will not have access. Then, the beautification stage begins. Because your children's safety is so important, please watch this video about walking safely in our neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Dr. Becky Godbey
Please Apply for Lunch Benefits! (Repeated)
Books! Books! Books!
The La Ballona Outdoor Library will now be open every Wednesday and Thursday during the lunch hour, from 11:45-1:15. Books will be displayed on shelves on the Principal's Patio near the parking lot. Families must use street parking only. Students may check out up to 4 books and keep them for two weeks. If you have a book title, series, topic or author that you are looking for, please e-mail Mrs. Mehl, the librarian, at larajoymehl@yahoo.com.
Please wear your mask (with nose and mouth covered) and maintain social distancing, especially if someone else is visiting the library when you arrive. Please do not come if you or anyone with you has a fever or any other symptoms. Once books are returned, they will sit isolated for one week before returning to the shelf for circulation.
2020-2021 Backpack Program Sign-Up
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.
Community Support for People with Disabilities
In honor of Disability Awareness Month, we are learning about the different aspects of living and thriving with a disability. Last week we looked at artists, athletes and celebrities that live with disabilities.
This week we want to focus on how the community can help people with disabilities. As we look at people with disabilities, it's important to remember that they are a valuable part of our diverse society, and assistance should be aimed at empowering them to exercise their own control and make their own choices. The United Nations Conventions for the Rights of People with Disabilities has identified several domains where the community can assist people with disabilities. Among them are communication (which can be assisted through methods such as providing specialized speech therapy, use or sign language or braille, and computer assisted communication); transportation and mobility (including use of walkers, crutches and canes, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, accessible vehicles and chair lifts, ramps, and designated parking spaces); daily activities and community living (including assistance dogs which can help people navigate the community safely, personal assistants, and modifications of things like bathrooms and showers); and access to services like health care and education (provision of specialized medical care is vital to certain disabilities, including assistance from people such as school nurses).
As a school, we play a big role in assisting the education of people with disabilities. One way schools do this is by providing an Individualized Education Program. A Section 504 Accommodation Plan is another way students may be supported for having a physical or mental impairment. Mandated through Office of Civil Rights, a Section 504 Plan ensures that a student is not discriminated against, due to her/his impairment. Typically, these supports are strategies that help children in their general education environment.
One of the most important ways that our La Ballona Community can support students with disabilities is by valuing and including each and every student for who they are. At La Ballona, everyone deserves to belong. Despite our differences in ability, culture, language, race, ethnicity, gender, religion (or lack of), political affiliation, education, age, and all the factors that contribute to our identity, we all have a place here at La Ballona.
If you are interested in seeing more ways that people with disabilities function in the community, we have a few recommendations for family friendly films you can watch throughout the month. Here are links to a few movie trailer which may be relevant to parents and caregivers.
Intelligent Lives Trailer
Wretchers & Jabbers
Like Stars on Earth Trailer
My Flesh and Blood
There are also lists of family friendly movies published by Common Sense Media. This list has characters with physical disabilities.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/movies-with-characters-who-have-physical-disabilities
Reading and Math Assessments
What is Istation? (For Dual Immersion Program)
The LA County Library offers you a wonderful opportunity for your CCUSD child to receive the Student Card Plus
Safe Route to Schools Challenges
Below are some fun color activities for your children.
Please Join Our PTA
✅ The La Ballona PTA needs you! Being a member of the PTA is one of the best ways a parent or guardian can be informed on what goes on at La Ballona Elementary School. Being a member also allows you to vote at all La Ballona Elementary PTA meetings. Be involved and have a say at what goes on at our school! Being a member does not require you to volunteer or attend meetings, but we always appreciate extra company! Please join our PTA!
Here are two ways to sign up.
Totem: https://jointotem.com/ca/culver-city/la-ballona-elem
Or use our Square link: https://la-ballona-elementary-pta.square.site
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