The Weekly Roar
September 17, 2022
Social Emotional Learning
Social emotional learning (SEL) is part of the way students and adults interact in and outside of the classroom, and helps provide children with equitable, supportive and welcoming learning environments. Throughout the school year, students will use weekly SECOND STEP lessons to work on developing in the five core competencies of self awareness, self management, social awareness, responsible decision making, and relationship skills. Across the campus, students are engaging in weekly Second Step lessons and learning how to use these skills to persevere with daily tasks and challenges and problem solve.
Here are some of the ways we can help our children from home:
Help your children learn natural consequences. If they forget their lunch, homework folder, or water bottle, allow them the opportunity to experience natural consequences. Our goal as the adults is to foster their independence. If we "save" them from these minor mistakes, we are stealing the opportunity from them to learn to be more responsible. (Please do not worry, we will always provide food and water to your children if they don't have something from home. Always).
If your child reports a recess/play concern, ask many questions to your child. Asking questions like "Where did this occur? Who were you with? What were you doing? What happened right before? What happened after?", will help us learn more about the incident. The best thing we can do for our children is to give them our undivided attention and remind them that staff is here to help them solve problems at school. Let's all remember that children see their world mostly through their own view. It's our job to broaden that perspective for them.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend,
In this newsletter:
- Around the School
- Counselor Corner
- Staff Spotlight
- School Meal Information
- Community & Afterschool Opportunities
- Our Calendar
Stay PAWSitive!
Dr. Becky Godbey & Ms. Selva
Our PTA website https://laballonapta.org/
Our facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laballonaelementary
Twitter https://twitter.com/LaBallona
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laballonaelementaryschool/
1. Around the School
This month, we began our celebration of Hispanic Heritage with a wonderful community event!
Our Weekly Wednesday Principal Video Assembly
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL UPDATES
- School Site Council meets once a month and looks at the school budget and decisions made to support our scholars. The three parents below have offered to serve on the committee.
- We are required to hold an election, even though all 3 parents are unopposed.
- Will you please help La Ballona, by completing the ballot below? Thank you.
Interested in Volunteering?
Congratulations La Ballona, a BRONZE award winner
2. Counselor's Corner
3. Staff Spotlight
Meet Ms. Bianca Bannerman, Mental Health Counselor
Hello! I am Ms. Bianca Bannerman, one of the school-based mental health counselors that works for Culver City Unified School District. I practice therapy with elementary school aged children to improve their overall psychological well-being. I graduated from Howard University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. I then went on to pursue a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University and graduated in 2018. In January of 2022, I obtained full licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist from the Board of Behavioral Sciences in the state of California. I am passionate about relieving children and individuals of symptoms that cause distress through psychoeducation, play, and training. My favorite thing about La Ballona would be hard to narrow down. I appreciate the parent involvement around campus, the dedication that our teachers and staff display to our students on a day-to-day basis, the successful attempts at teaching our students the importance of kindness, diversity, and inclusion, and the constant improvement of our ability to work together. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, thrift shopping, visiting museums, and attending comedy shows!
License Number: LMFT 131139
Pronouns: She/Her
Google Voice Number: 323-407-8494
Office Phone: 310-842-4390
Email: biancabannerman@ccusd.org
Meet Coach Mendoza, Physical Education Teacher
My name is Mark Mendoza and I’m the Physical Education teacher here at La Ballona. This is my 19th year at La Ballona. I have a Bachelors degree in Secondary Physical Education from Long Beach State and a Masters degree in Sports Administration from Liberty University.
I teach a structured SPARK curriculum PE class that incorporates teaching fundamental skills, locomotor movements, team sports, innovative and cooperative games, sportsmanship and exercise skills.
In my own time I enjoy playing golf and attending professional sports games. I support and participate in many school activities such as Running Club, Ballroom dancing, Jog-A-Thon and International Dance. My favorite thing about La Ballona is teaching Ballroom dancing to 5th graders and seeing the smiles when students are successful in PE.
4. School Meal Information
EVERY PARENT AT LA BALLONA NEEDS TO COMPLETE THIS!
A special note from Dr. Godbey- La Ballona receives federal funding each year due to the number of families at our school living at or near the poverty line. We use our funding to provide your children with programs and support such as kindergarten aides in every classroom, free aftercare, free theater, Chromebooks and/or ipads for every single student, classroom supplies, and so on. Our students deserve this and we need your help. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE complete this application. Please.
FOOD SERVICES
Parents are asking why they should submit an application when all meals are free.
1. By submitting an application it can help your school with much needed funding for the classrooms from the federal government.
2. If their student(s) qualify for Free or Reduced Price Meals, the household may be eligible to receive discounts on their utilities and internet services.
3. Students may receive discount pricing for tests, such as ACT and SAT exams.
4. Increased percentage district-wide helps with additional funds.
Thank you all in advance for communicating this to your families Food Services will be sending out letters to families who applied last year, but have yet to apply this year next week. We need to encourage as many families/guardians as we can to submit applications. This is a requirement. Meal Application Flyer & Link
A special note from Dr. Godbey- La Ballona receives federal funding each year due to the number of families at our school living at or near the poverty line. We use our funding to provide your children with programs and support such as kindergarten aides in every classroom, free aftercare, free theater, Chromebooks and/or ipads for every single student, classroom supplies, and so on. Our students deserve this and we need your help. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE complete this application. Please.
What's for Breakfast and/or Lunch?
5. Community & Afterschool Opportunities
DEI MEETING-9/29/22 at 6:30pm
La Ballona Elementary's DEI Committee is dedicated to supporting our families and community to ensure that all students experience equitable, inclusive, and diverse educational experiences. Our goal is to be reflective, create experiences, share resources, and shape policy that supports the development of students who are Black, Indigenous, People of color (BIPOC) and other underrepresented populations as they strive to navigate the surrounding school community and beyond. See our 2021 cultural calendar. https://laballonapta.org/resource
Come join us for our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee
September 29, 2022 at 630-730pm.
NEXT MEETING:
Thursday, September 29th on Zoom
6:30pm - 7:30pm
(Meeting ID: 898 5866 8508 Passcode: lions)
Please fill out this google form to share your contact info and expectations of what our committee can address this year.
https://forms.gle/w7SGSPZD4PKS936s5
Please contact DEI Committee Co-Chairs
Candice or Ti to get involved!
Email: ladycjbaker@gmail.com -or- nghhuo@gmail.com
El Comité de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión
El Comité DEI de La Ballona Elementary está dedicado a apoyar a nuestras familias y comunidad para garantizar que todos los estudiantes experimenten experiencias educativas equitativas, inclusivas y diversas. Nuestro objetivo es ser reflexivos, crear experiencias, compartir recursos y dar forma a políticas que respalden el desarrollo de estudiantes negros, indígenas, personas de color (BIPOC) y otras poblaciones subrepresentadas mientras se esfuerzan por navegar en la comunidad escolar circundante y más allá.
PRÓXIMA REUNIÓN:
jueves 29 de septiembre en Zoom
18:30 - 19:30
(Meeting ID: 898 5866 8508 Passcode: lions)
Please fill out this google form to share your contact info and expectations of what our committee can address this year.
https://forms.gle/w7SGSPZD4PKS936s5
¡Comuníquese con los copresidentes del comité DEI
Candice o Ti para involucrarse!
Correo electrónico: ladycjbaker@gmail.com or nghhuo@gmail.com
State College Savings Accounts for Low-Income Students.
Join the PTA!
School has now started and so does our PTA membership drive! Joining the PTA is a great way to get involved and show your support for La Ballona students. Membership dues are just $8 per person and all dues-paying members can vote at PTA meetings, which are held the first Thursday of each month. Member dues are used for programs, resources, and activities that benefit our students. Click below on the link to pay your membership today, thank you so much for your support
Sign up with TOTEM: https://jointotem.com/ca/culver-city/la-ballona-elem/join/register
Sign up with Squareup: https://la-ballona-elementary-pta.square.site/s/shop
6. Our Calendar
This Week at La Ballona
Monday, September 19
PTA Enrichment Tennis, 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Pali Camp Parent Meeting for 5th grade parents (zoom)
Tuesday, September 20
PTA Enrichment Class Chess, 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Wednesday, September 21
Weekly Covid Testing
Early Dismissal Every Wednesday at 1:45
PTA Enrichment Class Tennis, Group A 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm and Group B 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
PTA Enrichment Class Garden Club 1:45pm - 2:45 pm
Thursday, September 22
Vocal Music Classes
Choir, 8:00
Young Storytellers, 5th Grade
Friday, September 23
Coffee with the Principal, Green Tables, 9am
Volunteer Orientation, 10am
Upcoming Dates (New Dates in Bold)
September 29-30 Early Dismissal, 1:45 for Targeted Conferences
September 29- DEI Committee (See above)
September 30- Bullying Prevention Assembly Lasor Show Assembly
October 4- Picture Day
October 6- PTA Meeting
Bell Schedule for your refrigerator
Calendar for the First Half of the Year- print and post
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