BSC Weekly Newsletter

It is my humble privilege to welcome all of our new and returning families to Balboa. My name is Steven Otterman, and I am the President of your Balboa Spirit Club. As I start my fifth year in this role, I am incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our Balboa Family.

Many BSC volunteers were busy over the summer planning a fun and inviting return to school. Before the doors even opened, we welcomed our new families, treated our newest scholars at orientation, greeted our teachers with a luncheon, and celebrated together with an amazing Carnival. And that was just in the first two weeks!

I encourage all of you to find time to support the BSC, your teachers, and ultimately, your scholars by volunteering. Whether you spend a morning at Psychomotor, put together poetry books, read in the classroom, chair a BSC event, or help in the TAP room—there are so many ways to get involved and strengthen our community.

While we are all motivated by the benefits to our children, the personal sense of fulfillment adds real value to volunteering. Walking around campus and having a smiling scholar tell you they remember you from the carnival games, or helping them learn to run the bases at kickball, easily answers the question: “Why do we do this?”

If you are able to carve out even a little time to help at Balboa, I promise you it will be time well spent.

Gratefully,

Steven

Our COMPASS Fund drive is well underway. The Balboa Spirit Club relies on the thoughtfulness and generosity of our Balboa Family to deliver all of the amazing programs, enrichments, and events that make Balboa such a special place to grow. Please consider giving generously to support the BSC and our scholars.

More info and ways to contribute are available here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/compass-fund-2026--2027.

Please note, our payment processor, Zeffy, distributes 100% of your donation to the BSC. They do not charge us any base fees or credit card fees. When submitting your form, the site will ask about an optional contribution to Zeffy. This additional payment helps them cover their costs and expenses. It is an optional payment and is not considered tax deductible. Your support is appreciated.

If you prefer to write a check for your contribution, please be sure to make your check out to Balboa Spirit Club and include your scholar's name and classroom in the memo line. Please include a note with your email and contact information too. Donations can be left with the staff in the main office.

Please contact bsccompassfund@gmail.com with any questions. The Balboa Spirit Club is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All eligible donations will receive a tax receipt.

Visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/balboa-spirit-clubs-shop to order your Spirit Wear today!

Join us for our first meeting of the Balboa Spirit Club on Thursday, September 3, at 8:30 AM in the Balboa Library. We'll celebrate the start of the new school year, review plans for the upcoming year, as well as go over the COMPASS Fund and budget.

Can't make it in person? Please participate via Zoom using these details.

Join BSC Meeting

Meeting ID: 316 546 2990

Passcode: Balboa

We want to take a moment and wish our friend, Melon-y, best of luck. Melon-y was nothing but a small watermelon seed when she was planted with care during Garden Enrichment classes with Farmer Andreas. Destined for greatness, she grew her way outside of the fence in front of Balboa. Alas, after a summer of strong growth, enjoying the Carnival, and getting to welcome back all of our Scholars, Melon-y made a run for it (or some less than savory type plucked her from her vine 😠). We take solace in the fact that there are still more baby melons growing inside the garden, along with a thriving grapevine, some decent popcorn plants, and a bountiful harvest of opportunity. Opportunity for all of our scholars to get their hands dirty (literally) learning about our earth, soil, seeds, plants, and the environment around them, during their own Garden classes with Farmer Andreas this year. Just one of the many unique opportunities supported by the BSC and COMPASS Fund at Balboa.

Thank you once again to all of the scholars and families that joined us at our Welcome Back Carnival. It was such fun morning of games, popcorn, crafts, and community! A special thank you to Ms. Jackie Dolan for chairing the event and to all of the volunteers that made it possible.

Take a look at some of the pictures from the event and please be sure to upload your own! Our Yearbook Committee will often use the best shots from these albums to include in the yearbook.

There are many ways to volunteer and help at Balboa. On campus volunteers must be cleared and approved by the district. Please complete a Volunteer Application at https://volunteerapp.lausd.net to get the process started.

All volunteers, new and returning, must complete an application each year (for each school). Please contact our Community Representative, Ms. Julie Shon, at julie.shon@lausd.net, should you need any assistance.

Thank you for supporting our school!

THANK YOU to all of the parent volunteers that have already helped during our first week of Psychomotor. Please continue to signup as the mornings cool down and the activities heat up.

Scholars participate in weekly Psychomotor activities, focused on following rules, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. Parent Volunteers are needed to facilitate these sessions. Please signup to help out your classroom (and others!). Please signup here.

Tips and Hints for facilitating a successful Psychomotor session are in the linked file below!

View details and nutrition information for all of the menu items offered in the cafeteria

https://lausd.yumyummi.com/webapp/balboa-el-prep/weekly/lunch