DOLPHIN SPLASH

Dear El Marino Families,

First and foremost, I want to again apologize for my first email on Monday that might have caused unneeded concern. I know this was frustrating to many and I am appreciative of your understanding and words over the past few days. Further, I want to thank all of you for your feedback and support during this time.

I want to use this correspondence to recap the past week and a half to families and ensure that we are committed to the safety of our students.

To reiterate, on Thursday afternoon of the previous week just before dismissal, the Principal's Office was notified that a student accidentally cut their finger on a small object. Families with students who observed were notified the same day, and out of an abundance of caution the entire class's families were called.

On Friday, the investigation was able to continue because all parties were available for interviews and statements. Safety is the priority at El Marino, and the police were contacted to investigate. A detective came on site, spoke to students with parental notification, and subsequently turned the investigation over to the school site. A student was given serious and appropriate consequences for bringing a small pocket knife to school, which they accidentally cut themselves with on Thursday.

All students who witnessed were able to see the counselor and then to reassure students of our protocols and practices the counselors led restorative discussion circles. Furthermore, as we moved through the investigation and learned new information the families of those who were involved were personally contacted. Additionally, a notice went out to fifth grade families about the community discussion circles to reinforce safety measures and reassure students and address their questions.

The district applied any and all consequences in alignment with the education code and our school safety plan. Our protocols and procedures are followed and we employ serious and appropriate consequences such as restorative means of correction, removal from class, and suspension. The next steps would be to schedule reentry meetings with any removed student. Additionally, if a student has brought an item not allowed on campus that then triggers regular backpack checks to ensure the safety of all.

Many have asked about the context and intent of bringing the object onto campus, so I want to make it clear that the object was not brought on campus with ill intent. The student saw something at home that was thought to be “cool” and brought it to campus without thinking about the fact that it is prohibited on school grounds. I want to make it clear that I am not dismissing the fact that a prohibited item was brought to school, but many families did ask this question about context so I wanted to make sure that you had the answer.

We also have had extra district administrators on site to help support our school and students. Further, our administrator and incredible counselors have gone to each classroom to have age appropriate discussion about school safety. Discussions ranged from discussing the incident to discussing what to do if a student feels unsafe and what adults are on or off campus that they can talk to. Moreover, we continue to offer counseling to any student who would like assistance.

Please understand that we are prohibited from sharing specific information that may breach a student’s confidentiality.

I know this has been a very emotional time. I want to thank all of you for being so empathetic and understanding throughout. I think this is an opportunity for us all to come together, talk to our children, and help make sure our children feel safe and are safe at school.

Again, I want to thank you all. I truly believe that El Marino is an amazing place and I feel honored and privileged to serve such an incredible community. Please note that my door is always open for our El Marino families. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you and want families to know that I will always be there for them. Please do not hesitate to contact me about any concerns you have.

I cannot emphasize enough how vital the partnership of school and parents is to the safety, growth, and achievement of our students.

Best,

Paul Karaiakoubian, Ed.D.
Acting Principal
El Marino Language School

If interested in applying click the link below (El Marino Parents/Grownups, and community members can apply as well if interested):

https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1696677

Please remember to place a zip lock bag/plastic bag in your child's backpack to protect their library books on rainy days. This also helps to protect books from a water bottle or lunchbox spill.

Thanks for your help!

Several families have expressed their frustrations and/or concerns in regard to Principal Saavedra's leave. Below are a few of the Culver City Unified District avenues in which to express questions or concerns regarding any district educational matters:

• Contact CCUSD Superintendent Quac Tran via email at quoctran@ccusd.org

• Contact the CCUSD school board members at: boardmembers@ccusd.org

• You can attend a CCUSD School Board Meeting and express questions and concerns in person or virtually.

  • Check for meeting dates regularly and signup virtually to make a public comment or attend in person: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/ccusd/Board.nsf/Public

• GLITTER BALL TICKET PRESALE
  8:00 - 9:15am
  3:00 - 5:30pm

• GLITTER BALL TICKET PRESALE
  8:00 - 9:15am
  3:00 - 4:00pm
  

• JAPANESE STORY TIME
  5:00 - 5:20pm for longer picture books
  5:30 - 5:50pm for shorter picture books
  on ZOOM

• GLITTER BALL TICKET PRESALE
  8:00 - 9:15am
  1:30 - 2:30pm

• BOLLYPOP LA ASSEMBLY
  BollyPop was started by Aakansha who was born and raised in Delhi and spent over a decade training in Bharatanatyam under Padmashree Geeta Chandran and toured around India. She has trained in Indian folk dance styles such as Garba, Kalbeliya, Ghoomar and Bhangra with various Delhi and Rajasthan based teachers who are specialists in their field. Aakansha acted and danced in the Hollywood movie Vara: A Blessing (2013) directed by Khyentse Norbu, shot by Bradford Young in Sri Lanka. If you’d like to learn more about BollyPop you can visit http://www.bollypopla.com/.

• PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT
  7:00 - 9:00pm in the CCMS Multi-Purpose Room
  See flier below for more info

• JAPANESE COFFEE & CHAT
  8:45 in front of the Auditorium
  
  
• CLUB de LECTURA
  8:00 - 8:30am in the Auditorium
  See flier below for more info

• GLITTER BALL TICKET PRESALE
  8:00 - 9:15am
  3:00 - 4:00pm

• SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING
  3:25-5:25 in the Auditorium

• LAWN/WINDOW SIGN PURCHASE & PICKUP

• GLITTER BALL TICKET PRESALE
  8:00 - 9:15am
  3:00 - 4:00pm
  
  
• GLITTER BALL
  5:30 - 8:30pm
  
  

• 5th GRADE YEARBOOK DEDICATIONS DEADLINE
  Last day to purchase
  

• LGBTQIA PLAYDATE AT SCOOTER'S JUNGLE
  See fliers for more info

This is the last week to purchase your 5th grader's dedication ad. The deadline for the dedication ads is Friday, March 17th

Link to purchase is here

https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/elmarinolanguageschool/ads

We can not accept anything later because the book needs to be prepped for printing.

Thank you

Yearbook Committee

Culver City Council PTA is hosting a parent education night on Wednesday, March 15th at 7 pm in the Multipurpose Room at Culver City Middle School on "Supporting our Gender Expansive Community." We have an expert, Lisa Koenecke, on LGBTQIA and gender/identity coming in from Wisconsin to speak with us. If you aren't able to join us in person, we have a zoom option as well, which I have included below. We would love to see you there!

More about Lisa:

As an experienced and energetic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professional speaker and facilitator, Lisa's impact is amplified by strengthening each person’s allyship. With a demonstrated history of working in education and a passion for community and social services, she is an expert in counseling, crisis intervention, educational leadership, and program development. After receiving her Diversity & Inclusion certification from Cornell University, Lisa launched her Inclusion Ally business. Being an expert in LGBTQ+ issues has allowed her to present in 55 states and keynote numerous school counseling conferences. Lisa’s speaking style can best be described as dynamic, energetic, and interactive. After 12 years of being a middle school counselor, she is now an adjunct instructor at Lakeland University training the next generation of school counselors.

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8518995441

Thank you to our sponsors Iverbe Day and Sports Camp and The Bratt Law Firm!

We will be tabling this week. Or you can use the QR code for entry and presale items. Contact Shelly Zappas at shelly.mae.peters@gmail.com for more information.

We plan on going cashless, there will QR codes and a couple of readers to purchase ticket packages, wrist bands, and Glitterati packages.

Presale Entrance Wristband = $10 ($15 at door)
Presale Glitterati Packages = (15 ($20 at door)

Tickets to purchase food, drinks, etc. are $10 for 12

TICKET PRESALES:

• MONDAY, MARCH 13
  8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
  3:00 PM - 5:30 PM

• TUESDAY, MARCH 14
  8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
  3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
  8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
  1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

• THURSDAY, MARCH 16
  8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
  3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• FRIDAY, MARCH 17
  8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
  3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

https://app.planhero.com/gatherings/17977-copy-of-glitter-ball-2023

Please volunteer to help out at the Ticket Presale Table before and after school this week. There are still spots available!

https://app.planhero.com/gatherings/17973-glitterball-ticket-presale-volunteers

Contact Shelly Zappas at shelly.mae.peters@gmail.com for more information.

PURCHASE A LAWN/WINDOW SIGN FOR $10 to honor a Culver City High School 2023 graduate, the promotion of a CCMS 8th grader, or the promotion of a 5th grader or Kinder student at each of our 5 Culver City Elementary schools (Farragut, El Marino, El Rincon, Linwood E. Howe, or La Ballona).

Signs are great for students, parents, teachers, and staff! Each sign is 24″ by 18″ full color. Metal “H” stake included. Can also be displayed in a window.

LAWN SIGNS ARE IN STOCK NOW!

Lawn signs will be available for pick-up or purchase on THURSDAY, MARCH 16 from 4pm to 5pm in the parking lot between Farragut Elementary School and Culver City Middle School. Alternate pick-up/sales dates will be held from March through May and at El Marino's Open House on March 22.

THE LAWN SIGN SALE WILL END ON June 5 AT 12pm OR WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

This fundraiser is sponsored by the Culver City High School PTSA. All proceeds for each school’s lawn sign sales will go to the CCHS PTSA to be reinvested back into the school and used for scholarships for the senior class.

Food is available for pre-sale by Savage Tacos Food Truck (vegan options available).

Purchase here for day-of-pick-up:

https://www.bestfoodtrucks.com/shifts/101653-los-angeles-11450-port-road-on-2023-03-22

You must order by March 20th!!

Questions about Open House? Email school office staff directly at mariavasquez@elmarinopta.org & mikayanase@elmarinopta.org

CCUSD HAS 13 MATH OLYMPIAD teams participating in the April 22nd tournament!

And even more exciting, El Marino has 2 teams in the tournament, coached by Maestra Bell and Plehn Sensei!

Regrettably, the parent network before the pandemic is broken and we must rebuild as soon as possible. Our tournament success is dependent upon parent volunteers.

If you are interested please sign up on the Google Form ASAP!

https://forms.gle/f9HV2x9yMjb44Sqh6

Thank you on behalf of all the CCUSD mathletes, the Tournament Committee, and Dr. Jason Frand (Math Olympiad Coach and Tournament Chairperson)

If you are already a cleared volunteer, please make sure that your TB is current. If you don't know, please check with the front office staff first.

If you think you are not current with your TB, please make sure to provide your TB survey to the school nurse. The office staff will provide you with the contact information for the nurse and the next steps.

Questions about your current volunteer clearance? Contact mariavasquez@elmarinopta.org.

The Principal has provided 6 Volunteer Orientations this school year and no more orientations will be provided until the 2023-24 school year.

Please sign up on the Google Form to reserve your spot.

Tours are on the 3rd Friday of the month from 9:00- 10:00 am.

• Friday, March 17th
• Friday, April 21st
• Friday, May 19th
  
  

The 1 hour will include a presentation overview of CCMS followed by a walking school tour.

All tours are capped at 100 people. Every individual attending MUST sign up.

These tours are designed specifically for parents and incoming NEW students to the district, but no student will be turned away should parent choose to bring them. If you do bring your child, when they return to El Marino to finish their school day, their tardy will be excused.

Please meet at the front blue gate by the CCMS main office.

Parking is limited, please be aware of street parking restrictions.

A reminder email will be sent the day before the tour.

Questions? Email Ms. Flores at leonorflores@ccusd.org.

SIGN UP HERE: https://forms.gle/79XWy5pAmaGYGjrY8

• TBD - WILL BE RESCHEDULED DUE TO RAIN ON 3/14
  Green Ambassadors Meeting (Focusing on Beneficial Insects)

• MARCH 22
  El Marino Open House
  
  
• MARCH 23
  Staff Appreciation Breakfast

• MARCH 23
  Talent Show - 3rd-5th Graders
  
  
• MARCH 24
  Talent Show - TK/K - 2nd Graders
  
  

• MARCH 25 - APRIL 9
  Spring Recess

• TBD - WILL BE RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL 13
  Principal Coffee and Chat

• APRIL 14
  Walk n Roll
  5th Grade PantherPalooza at CCMS

• APRIL 19
  DEI Book Club

Website: elmarino.ccusd.org
Location: 11450 Port Rd, Culver City, CA 90230, USA
Phone: 310-842-4241

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