The Paw Print
Vol 4. Week of September 6, 2021
This Week's Bell Schedule
Labor Day 2021 is Monday, September 6
Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day?
Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.
People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.
As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay.
Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Others gave rise to longstanding traditions: On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.
The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it. Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later, when a watershed moment in American labor history brought workers’ rights squarely into the public’s view. On May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives.
Celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 6-8, 2021
from History.com
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is one of Judaism’s holiest days. Meaning “head of the year” or “first of the year,” the festival begins on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which falls during September or October. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the two “High Holy Days” in the Jewish religion.
Rosh Hashanah 2021 begins on Monday, September 6, 2021 and ends on the evening of Wednesday, September 8, 2021. The exact date of Rosh Hashanah varies every year, since it is based on the Hebrew Calendar, where it begins on the first day of the seventh month. Rosh Hashanah is almost always in September or October.
Rosh Hashanah is not mentioned in the Torah, Judaism’s founding religious text, and appears under different names in the Bible. Though the holiday was likely well established by the sixth century B.C., the phrase “Rosh Hashanah” shows up for the first time in the Mishna, a Jewish code of law compiled in 200 A.D.
Customs and Symbols of Rosh Hashanah
Apples and honey: One of the most popular Rosh Hashanah customs involves eating apple slices dipped in honey, sometimes after saying a special prayer. Ancient Jews believed apples had healing properties, and the honey signifies the hope that the new year will be sweet. Rosh Hashanah meals usually include an assortment of sweet treats for the same reason.
Round challah: On Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) and other holidays, Jews eat loaves of the traditional braided bread known as challah. On Rosh Hashanah, the challah is often baked in a round shape to symbolize either the cyclical nature of life or the crown of God. Raisins are sometimes added to the dough for a sweet new year.
Tashlich: On Rosh Hashanah, some Jews practice a custom known as tashlich (“casting off”), in which they throw pieces of bread into a flowing body of water while reciting prayers. As the bread, which symbolize the sins of the past year, is swept away, those who embrace this tradition are spiritually cleansed and renewed.
“L’shana tovah”: Jews greet each other on Rosh Hashanah with the Hebrew phrase “L’shana tovah,” which translates to “for a good year.” This is a shortened version of the Rosh Hashanah salutation “L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem” (“May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year”).
The sounding of the shofar: A trumpet made from a ram’s horn and called a shofar is an essential and emblematic part of both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The ancient instrument’s plaintive cry serves as a call to repentance and a reminder to Jews that God is their king. Tradition requires the shofar blower to play four sets of notes on Rosh Hashanah: tekiah, a long blast; shevarim, three short blasts; teruah, nine staccato blasts; and tekiah gedolah, a very long blast. Because of this ritual’s close association with Rosh Hashanah, the holiday is also known as Yom Teruah—the day of the sounding of the shofar.
PE Clothes for Sale this Week!
We will be selling PE clothes in front of the school before and after school starting Tuesday all the way through Friday of next week. The only thing we do not have still are the yoga pants.
Purple PE shirt vouchers will be accepted as well. After this week, students may purchase PE clothes after school at the student store.
CCMS Sports Update: Girls Volleyball Tryouts, Cheerleading Sign-ups, Parent Meeting Date
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS: 7th & 8th graders
- Day: Tuesday Sept. 14 & Wednesday Sept. 15 (MUST BE PRESENT BOTH DAYS)
- Make-up day: Sept. 20 if student can only attend one of the 14/15 days
- Time: 4PM to 6PM
- Location: Front Gym
- Important information: Please make sure you wear athletic clothing and shoes. No parents will be allowed during tryouts. No club uniforms/logos of any kind can be worn during tryouts.
CHEERLEADING Sign-ups: Friday Sept. 10
- 7th & 8th graders: 2:15 PM to 2:30 PM
- 6th graders: 2:45 PM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Panther Plaza
- No parents are allowed at the cheerleading sign-ups.
FALL PARENT NIGHT MEETING
- Day: Tuesday Sept. 21
- Time: 6 PM
- Location: CCMS Multi-Purpose Room
- Please plan to attend to meet coaches and get practice and game schedules. We will also share any updates on how COVID testing will work and all guidelines needed for a safe and fun season.
Last Chance to Sign Up for Panther Partners Fall Session After School Classes!
CCMS Panther Partners After-School Program Classes will start Tuesday, September 7, after shool on the CCMS campus.
Fall session runs September 7- December 10, 2021 (13 weeks)
Beginning & Continuing French **Only a few left!
Discover Art **Only a few left!
Magic:The Gathering **Only a few left!
Chess Club Tuesday **Only a few left!’
Chess Club Thursday **SOLD OUT
Photography **SOLD OUT
Spanish Class **SOLD OUT
Math Olympiad & Math Counts **Only a few left!
Fictional Writing **SOLD OUT
Robotics using LEGO EV3 **SOLD OUT
CCMS IMPROV **SOLD OUT To be placed on the waiting list, email CCMSimprov@gmail.com
Enrollment is first come, first served and will close once the limit is met.
Please note: Classes that do not meet enrollment minimums will be cancelled.
To register, please visit: Sign Up for Panther Partners After-School Program
Emergency & Safety Drill Information
California schools are required to a practice fire, earthquake, and lockdown drills each month. This week we will have a fire evacuation drill. Students will be expected to remain calm, follow their teacher's instructions, walk in a line, and remain seated for attendance. You can help by reminding your students the importance of practicing for emergencies and how it helps us all to be prepared in the event of a real emergency.
In light of the recent shelter-in-place order that took place on campus, it is important to explain the difference between shelter-in-place and lockdowns.
Shelter-in-Place
- Threat in the community (police activity near school, toxic chemical in the air, etc.)
- Class activities continue as normal
- No restriction on volume
- Doors are closed/locked
- Waiting for direction: CLEAR or upgrade to Lockdown
Lockdown
- Immediate threat on/near campus
- All doors are locked
- Class activities stop
- All persons are silent
- Lights are off
- Not visible through windows
Need to Vote for SSC Members
Spanish-Speaking Parent Workshops
Los promotores de Salud Mental del condado de Los Angeles y Culver City Middle School los invitan a participar en estos talleres.
Invitados: Padres y Tutores de Culver City Middle School
Enlace de Zoom: https://fullerton.zoom.us/j/82220495787
Next PTSA Association Meeting is Wednesday, Sept 8 at 7pm
Calling all CCMS PTSA Association members! Mark your calendars for the first Association meeting on Wednesday, September 8 at 7:00pm via Zoom. Find out what programs and events your donations are funding, vote on Association business items, hear from Administrators, and meet some fellow parents. We hope you can attend!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82648338270?pwd=NW1lakpMK00xK1VHNEQ2TWszbVNiQT09
Meeting ID: 826 4833 8270
Passcode: 721525
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,82648338270#,,,,*721525# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,82648338270#,,,,*721525# US (Tacoma)
Annual Giving Campaign Update
Our community has raised nearly $21,000 in just 4 weeks - but we are only 1/5 of the way to our goal of $100,000. If you haven’t donated yet, please do! We are trying to hit 100% participation of our community. Donate whatever you can -$5, $20, $100 or $1,000. Donating to the CCMS 100 CAMPAIGN, will ensure that the Panther Partners and PTSA can continue to support athletics, music, art, teacher supplies, and more. AND, if you donate $250 or more to the CCMS 100 CAMPAIGN before November 10, you will receive a Culver Pride drinkware set. Reserve your drinkware set today!
Please give generously today - all contributions, of any amount, are greatly appreciated and tax deductible! Click here to donate now Donate 21-22.
CCMS PTSA Special Education Committee
The CCMS PTSA Special Education Committee will be having our first meeting on 9/15/21 at 6:00pm via Zoom - all are welcome! Whether you have a child with an IEP or 504, or you’re passionate about the needs and inclusion of all students, we’d love to see you there. Disability Awareness Month is in October, so we welcome all input, ideas and talent!
Zoom link to follow in the next Paw Print. Please reach out to Lindsay Crain (craininla4@yahoo.com) or Mayra Marentes (maymaren81@gmail.com) with any questions.
Back to School: Five Ways to Support Your Children
By Mental Health First Aid USA on August 16, 2021
Your children may be excited to return to school after a long summer – or even a year of online classes. However, the new school year can come with new challenges. As a caring adult, parent or guardian, it can be difficult to know how to support children with this stressful and overwhelming transition. In a typical year, your children may face a new environment, new classmates and teachers, perhaps even a new routine altogether. These changes can be a lot to handle, which is why it’s important that adults who live or work with youth help them have a smooth transition back to school.
This year may be particularly stressful, as accommodations for COVID-19 have had a major impact on youth mental health and may still affect the schedule, learning environment, and activities of schools. According to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, parents/guardians and their children have experienced worsening mental health since the start of the pandemic. Many children are not seeing their friends or family on a regular basis, are limited in the availability of extracurricular activities, or aren’t spending as much time outside. They also may not know how to communicate their feelings about these major disruptions to their lives.
With information and resources from the Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum, you can help them communicate their feelings and cope with stress, encourage open and honest conversation, and support them to get the help they may need throughout the school year.
Use these tips from the Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum to support your children as they go back to school:
Check in. Whether you’re having a conversation at dinner or talking to them while driving in the car, ask about how they are feeling. Encourage open and honest conversation and remind them that it is okay to ask for help.
Talk about COVID-19. Your children may have questions about the pandemic. Encourage them to ask anything and help them feel heard. Honest answers and reassurance can help them feel calm about the situation.
Establish a routine. Your children might be going back to school in person full time, staying in a virtual setting, or trying a hybrid of the two. With any of these scenarios, there will be a new schedule. Help them establish a routine through weekly planning check-ins that take into account your morning and nighttime routine, homework, chores and time to relax. Knowing what they can expect will alleviate some stress for young people.
Collaborate to find solutions. Sometimes, a young person who seems happy and relaxed at home acts differently outside the home. Ask your child’s teachers about how they are doing in the classroom and if additional support is needed. It is important to identify these challenges so you can offer support and facilitate appropriate help.
Model healthy habits. The way you behave during challenging times models the behaviors that you want to show and teach your child. If you cope with stress in a healthy way, your child will learn to do the same. Things like exercising regularly, eating healthy and practicing relaxation techniques can help you take care of your mental health and set a positive example for your children. Check out this blog for more ways to practice self-care as a family.
As we transition into a new school year that may look a little bit different than last year, knowing how to recognize your children’s needs, talk to, and support them is vital. Check out our other blog posts for more tips on how to support your children when they need it most:
- Tips to Help Children and Youth Take Care of Their Mental Health During COVID-19
- Five Ways to Manage Your Back-to-School Mental Health
- 4 Tools to Boost Your Mental Health at School
- 5 Signs Your Teen may be Asking for Help
- #BeTheDifference this Back-to-School Season
- Talking to Your Kids About COVID-19
You can also find a Youth Mental Health First Aid course near you. Youth Mental Health First Aid gives adults who live or work with youth the skills they need to identify, understand and respond to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge and help them connect to appropriate care.
With information and skills provided by Mental Health First Aid, we can all #BeTheDifference for our children this fall.
References
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care – HaPi Guide. Back to School: Child Mental Health and New Routines. https://www.harvardpilgrim.org/hapiguide/back-to-school-the-importance-of-mental-health-when-establishing-new-routines/.
- Mental Health First Aid USA. (2020). Mental Health First Aid USA: For Adults Assisting Children and Youth. Washington, D.C.: National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
- Panchal, N., Kamal, R., Cox, C., & Garfield, R. (2021, April 14). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. KFF. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED
Reminders (Water Bottles & Cellphones)
- The individual water spouts are closed for health and safety reasons. The students have access to water refill stations throughout campus to fill up their reusable water bottles.
- Please remind students to bring their reusable water bottles. Students can request one from the school, if needed.
- Student cellphone use is only permitted before and after school. If students need to contact parents/guardian during school they should use the phone in the main office.
The CCMS Student Store is Re-Opening!
Beginning Monday, 8/23, the student store will be open after school for students to purchase snacks and drinks (and PE clothes, once we resume sales). The student store is one of the PTSA's biggest volunteer opportunities! In order to open the store each day, we must have two parents willing to help out - don't worry we will train you!
Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050848aca62fa4fb6-student1
If you have any questions, please contact Stephany Olson stephanyo@ca.rr.com
CCMS Sports Update
Fall sports at CCMS are: girls volleyball, cross-country (coed), water polo (coed), flag football, girls tennis, and cheerleading. At this time, there have been no meetings for cheerleading signups. We are working out a plan with the cheer coaches and should have an update within the next week.
If your child missed one of the signup meetings last week, please email the CCMS Athletic Director, Mr. Angelo Sablan, for additional information. You can also send him any questions you may have about obtaining athletic clearance, practice times, costs, etc. He may be reached at angelosablan@ccusd.org
Furthermore, at this time, we are looking for ways to include as many students as possible in 7th and 8th grade. 6th grade sports will remain no cut. We are currently unable to offer no-cut teams at other grade levels due to sharing coaches and facilities with the high school and community groups with permits. We understand that this is disappointing for those 7th graders who were uable to participate in no-cut 6th grade sports, but as stated, we are looking for possible ways to include more students if we can--we just cannot guarantee no cut at this time. We thank you for your patience and understanding--of course we don't want to leave anyone out, but some of these issues are beyond our control. We're doing our best to see if we can create more options.
Culver City Volleyball Club
More Athletics Information
- Students must have a physical before they can participate in any school sports including practices and games. No student will be able to participate without the approval of a physician. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are unable to obtain a physical from your physician call the Health Center to schedule an appointment at (310) 392-8636.
- Obtain written permission from a parent/guardian to compete.
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA (cannot have 2 or more N's and no more than 1U) or you will be ineligible to participate in the program.
- A student may be declared ineligible for disciplinary reasons by administrative action.
- All Students must complete an Athletic Clearance Packet before trying out or competing for any sport.
For more information regarding the Athletic Clearing process, please visit this link:
Athletic Clearance Information
Here are more options for obtaining a physical exam:
Health Center on Campus
Hours: Mon & Wed from 8:00 - Noon
(310) 392-8636
Cost: $25
Must have a signed parental consent form at time of appointment from the health center.
Must schedule appointment in advance.
Wellness Mart
12200 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 820-2150
Email: wla@wellnessmart.com
$40 walk-in welcome
Minute Clinic @ CVS Drug Store
Hours: M-F: 10a-6:30p / Sat & Sun: 9a-5:30p
Closed for lunch M-F: 2p-3p; Sat & Sun: 1p-2p
Address: 13171 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 821-8908
Last appointment: 15 minutes before closing
Cost: $49
COST OF CCMS SPORTS
This past year has been full of difficulties, inlcuding challenges to our CCMS sports program. Due to not be able to offer sports last year, we are severly lacking in enough funds to grow our programs. Now, more than ever, it's important that we collect as many donations as we can to keep our program afloat (especially to offer "no cut" teams).
We request a $100 donation per athlete per sport so that we may provide quality coaches, uniforms,equipment, league fees, certificates to each player at the end of the season, and so that we can continue to offer a wide and deep athletic program. If you are unable to contribute the full amount please donate an amount that is affordable. You may also choose not to donate by clicking on the appropriate button on the registration website (lnk below).
All clearances and donations for CCMS sports programs are to be entered here: Athletichttps://www.pantherpartners.com/athletics.html .
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Culver City Backpacks Program
Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) believes that no child in our community 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.
There is no cost to participate and enrollment is 100% confidential. Each week, filled backpacks will be available in the school’s main office. You or your child, simply pick up the backpack and take it home. Backpacks will not be returned each week; your student will receive a new backpack each week. Enrollment is ongoing so any child in need can sign up for the program at any time throughout the school year.
If you would like your student to receive a weekly backpack, sign up here: https://forms.gle/Afdf5QqgppsuYGQf7 or complete a form in your school office.
Cafeteria Information
During the 2021-22 school year, ALL students will receive free meals from the cafeteria.
- Students need only to show their student ID for scanning.
- Pins will no longer be used.
- If students wish to purchase additional snack not included in the regular school meal, they may do so out of the funds in their student meal account.
- Cash will no longer be accepted.
- To load money on your student's meal account, go to: https://family.titank12.com/PGQP3K
- To complete a meal application, click here: www.culvercafe.org
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