THE PAW PRINT
VOL. 33 - Week of May 4, 2020
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!
A Message for Students from the CCMS Office Staff!
It's not too late to help us celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week!
In case you missed the Virtual College Fair this week!
CCMS PE Locker Access
Some students and parents have asked about gaining access to student PE lockers during the school closure. However, due to the city’s “Safer at Home” order, schools must remain closed except for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions. Therefore, we are only allowing access to PE lockers for essential items. If you need to pick up and essential item from your child's PE locker, please complete the form below. Later in the school year, we will schedule a few more days to pick up all PE clothes, shoes, and anything non-essential that was left behind.
We are All Homeschoolers Now....but...You are Not Your Child's Teacher
There is a lot of pressure put on parents right now. Many are working from home while simultaneously trying to take care of children. Many teachers are in the exact same boat while trying to educate both your children and their own. So, how do parents manage? There is a lot of advice available, and here a few resources to check out.
The bottom line from all these resources? You don't need to panic about your child's education during quarantine. It's okay for parents to give themselves and their children a break and not stress about kids falling behind. Most kids around the world are in the exact same boat right now, and teachers will be mindful of this when we return to our "normal" school days.
"You may be thinking you can't do this, your kids are doomed and homeschooling is a disaster. But stop beating yourself up; we all have days we struggle."
This article from Slate can help put your mind at ease. The entire world is standing still. It's okay if you are struggling to teach your child math. "You do not need to cram every hour of your child's day with educational advancement. Your primary focus should be where it has always been: on the well-being of your child."
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Student Mental Health Week May 4-8
Mental Health/Warning Signs of Suicide for Parents and Who to Contact
Bike Month is here!
Friday, May 1: Welcome Bike Month by getting inspired with these fun videos:
Shed the Monster • Bike Safety Tips from First 5 LA
Saturday, May 2: Get ready to roll by learning how to properly fit your helmet watch this helmet fit video for tips to do it correctly.
Sunday, May 3: Get ready to roll with an ABC Quick Check for the whole family - watch this ABC Quick Check video to learn how to check your bike before each ride.
Monday, May 4: Get ready to roll by reviewing essential rules of the road. Check out this link to learn more.
Tuesday, May 5: Get inspired: Chalk up your driveway, add posters in your windows, and be sure to review routes to school!
Wednesday, May 6: Get outside: You've checked your helmet and bike and reviewed the rules of the road... Time to Ride!
Thursday, May 7: Express yourself: What did you like - or not like about biking in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts/concerns with us - take our Parent Survey HERE
Friday, May 8: Share your success! Create an original piece of art for the Why Drive... Art Competition (DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 17) Art details and applications can be found here: http://www.ccwalkandroll.com/whydrive
Safe Riding Tips can be found here: http://www.ccwalkandroll.com/safety-first
NEW FUN RIDES!
We've created new fun rides for each neighborhood. These rides are designed with families in mind and to help you explore your neighborhoods. They are each about 3 miles, easy and take advantage of our existing bike infrastructure and our quieter streets during the COVID-19 period. We recommend practicing all social distancing guidelines (no large groups, maintain 6 feet of distance and wear facemarks), safe streets rules, like riding on the right side of the road, stopping at all stop signs and signals and looking all ways before crossing streets or turning. Click on each map for details.
Fun Rides can be found here: http://www.ccwalkandroll.com/overview
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS
CCMS Parent Pop-In
We have been very thorough in what we post here on the Paw Print and have communicated as much information as we know about the happenings at CCMS. Some of the things we haven't given too much detail about are things that we are still figuring out such as 8th grade recognition activities, summer school and scheduling for next year. When we have updated information on anything, we will make sure to continue posting here.
To reserve your seat for the Parent Pop-In, please complete the Google Form below.
Video Message from the CCMS English Language Arts (ELA) Department
Because CCMS strongly believes that all of our students can benefit from the inclusion of students with different backgrounds and abilities, ALL CCMS 6th grade students will be enrolled in an honors-level ELA class for the 2020-2021 school year. This guarantees that all incoming 6th graders have the opportunity to access a rigorous ELA 6 program with appropriate supports.
To find out more, please check out the video below from the CCMS ELA Department, and marK your calendars for Thursday, May 7, 2020-2021, from 6:30-7:30 PM, to attend a virtual "town hall" meeting to discuss and ask questions regarding the new ELA 6 plan. In order to address as many questions and concerns as possible, we kindly ask that you submit your questions no later than 12:00 PM on May 7. Send inquiries and concerns to the CCMS ELA Department Chair, Mrs. Leah Thomasson, at leahthomasson@ccusd.org, with "ELA Town Hall" in the subject line.
ELA 6 Town Hall Meeting Zoom Link for Thursday, May 7, 2020, 6:30-8:00 PM
Please join us for the Town Hall meeting to discuss English Language Arts 6. Please send all questions you would like us to answer by 12:00 PM on Thursday, May 7, to Leah Thomasson, CCMS ELA department chair, at mailto:leahthomasson@ccusd.org. Please put "ELA Town Hall" in the subject line.
Topic: ELA 6 Town Hall Meeting
Time: May 7, 2020 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93498983561?pwd=V2htdGdaTkJyVVpmdUQ2OGpYRUlRQT09
Meeting ID: 934 9898 3561
Password: 1SDJt3
PREVIOUSLY POSTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please update your AERIES contact information!
Students are invited to watch the Panther Pressroom LIVE on Friday Mornings
Counselor's Message to Students
CCMS Counselors:
Last names A-E: Sarah Slemmons, sarahslemmons@ccusd.org
Last names F-K: Jeanine Lizotte, jeaninelizotte@ccusd.org
Last names L-Q: Terence Brown, terencebrown@ccusd.org
Last names R-Z: Antoinette Brown, antoinettebrown@ccusd.org
Class of 2020 Lawn Signs Fundraiser
Announce your student's graduation with a “CCMS Class of 2020” Lawn Sign
Purchase an 18 x24 sign for $12 through Paypal and proceeds will benefit the Culver City PTA Backpacks for Kids Program
CCUSD Class of 2020 Lawn Signs
All of the school signs will be available for pick up from Linwood Howe Elementary School on Friday & Saturday May 22&23 from 12-2 PM
Questions contact Leslie Gardner 310-963-5218 lesliegardner@ccusd.org
A Special Message on the Challenges of Distance Learning at CCMS
For the past two weeks, the CCUSD Distance Learning Plan called for teachers to use the time as a transition period with no new learning. You may have noticed that your children were primarily engaged in short class sessions, enrichment activities, and reviews of previous learning. We appreciate your patience as we now make the transition to new material.
The responses we have received from families have varied greatly, for some asking for more work and rigor, while others are asking for teachers to give students a break from demands of schoolwork during this stressful pandemic. The CCMS administration would like to provide a little “behind-the-scenes” explanation of what we are up against.
We absolutely want kids to continue to learn, but there are several issues that the school, and district, are contending with. First, not all of our students have access to computers, internet, or a quiet place to study. Some parents have told us they only have one laptop for several kids to share at home, and many families without internet have been on waiting lists for weeks trying to get free internet service that many providers are offering. And, some families are just struggling to obtain basics like food and supplies. These are the reasons why we needed to use the past two weeks to ease into this system. We are trying to be as equitable as possible for all students, and we have sent out several surveys to get feedback on how we can best support families.
Furthermore, we have many parents who are asking for us to cut back because they feel that remote learning is overwhelming and teachers are giving too much work, so trying to find a balance is very challenging. And, we have many teachers who have children at home, too, so the district has been trying to provide them with flexibility. Because we have so many students without tech capability (but we're working to get them what they need) and we have teachers who need flexibility, the teachers' union negotiated this plan with the district so teachers and students will not be expected to be on the computer all day long. Teachers are putting in long hours getting their classrooms online, as well as figuring out how to take attendance and assign grades remotely. Many have stated that it's like being a new teacher all over again, and some have said they're putting in over 16 hours a day right now just trying to keep afloat with work and home responsibilities. It's really been tough for all of us to keep up the exact same standards as we do in the classroom while trying to meet every individual students' needs. We are doing the best we can with what we have right now, but it's taken so much time, coordination, and effort.
If you feel that there are specific issues with which your child’s teachers can assist, even if it's providing enrichment, we recommend reaching out to them individually for assistance. Most are very happy to help and very accessible right now. And, starting Monday, April 20, we will be moving into the next learning phase per the district's plans. We hope this helps ease your concerns, and please know that we have really been working hard to provide what we can at this time. It's so much more complex than any of us imagined.
Yearbook Orders
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Grab and Go Lunches
Backpacks for Kids
Free Food Market
Free Internet Access
Digital Drop In Space
CCMS Distance Learning "Bell Schedule"
Access the complete plan here!
Teacher Google Classroom Codes
To join a class with a class code:
Go to classroom.google.com
- At the top, click the + at the top right corner
- Click on "Join Class"
- Enter the class code XXXXXXX and click "Join"
Parents' "Ultimate Guides" to Online Learning Safety
One questions we get asked often is about how to turn off pop-ups on Google Chromebooks. To do this, simply follow these steps:
How do I block pop-ups on my Chromebook? Quick Guide
1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More Settings.
3. At the bottom, click Advanced.
4. Under "Privacy and security," click Site settings.
5. Click pop-ups and redirects.
6. At the top, turn the setting to Allow or Block.
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media has some great tools for parents on how to understand and use Zoom, Google Classroom, Parental Controls, and more. Here are some helpful links from Common Sense Media.
- Parents' Ultimate Guide to Zoom (Common Sense Media)
- Parents' Ultimate Guide to Google Classroom (Common Sense Media)
- Parenting, Media, and Everything In Between: Internet Privacy and Safety by Common Sense Media
- Apps to Keep Track of What Your Kids are Doing Online
- Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls
A few other useful sites on parental controls for Chromebooks and other devices
Home Library Resources
Watch these videos to see how easy it is to access the library from home to help your student. Try out some of the library's many resources for fun, reading, and learning!
Click here for even more Los Angeles Public Library Resources and Activities!
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
Free Audible Books for Students
Be internet Awesome: A Parent Guide
Distance Learning Links from CCUSD
Counseling Resources From Our CCMS School Counselors
Please feel free to reach out to any of the school counselors! Our emails are below and on the "Schedule a Meeting" tab you can book a call/video chat appointment with any of us.
Additional Resources
Counseling Website: https://sites.google.com/a/ccusd.org/ccms-school-counselors
Make an Appointment: https://ccms.simplybook.me/v2/
Counseling 6th Grade Google Classroom Code: 4rkcggt
Counseling 7th Grade Google Classroom Code: 5msimvi
Counseling 8th Grade Google Classroom Code: itfwfzg
Counseling PSP Google Classroom Code: fat46au
Ms. Slemmons, Counselor A-E: sarahslemmons@ccusd.org
Ms. Lizotte, Counselor F-K: jeaninelizotte@ccusd.org
Mr. Brown, Counselor L-Q: terencebrown@ccusd.org
Mrs. Brown, Counselor R-Z: antoinettebrown@ccusd.org
Panther Pop-Ins
School Counselors will be hosting Panther Pop-ins through Google Hangouts so that students/ parents have an available Panther Staff Member to ask questions- this is intended for general use, not personal counseling. Check out the schedule! Type in the tiny url links into your internet browser or click the link in your grade level Google Classroom to access during the pop-in time. Panther Pop-Ins will be staffed by a rotating counselor. To meet with or speak to a specific counselor, be sure to email them.
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