A Busy Week for Parents!
Hello Lions!
This week as we start shifting towards more academics, there are many opportunities for parents to learn more about La Ballona!
Wednesday Night is Back to School Night, 6pm and/or 7pm
I'm happy to report that our Back to School Night is back, just like it was in 2019! Parents will come to campus and report to their child's classroom. There, they will learn about all about the expectations and ways to support the classroom. If you are slightly nervous about an in-person event, please wear a mask or two. Most teachers will not be able to offer a recording of the event, so please plan on coming. Also, please note that this event is for adults. We ask that you leave your children at home so that you can truly focus.
Thursday Night is Volunteer Orientation (5:30) and our First PTA Meeting (6:30)
If you want to help our students during the day through volunteering, you must attend a volunteer orientation. This includes CHAPERONING. If you think you'd like to chaperone a field trip, you must be a cleared volunteer. So, please come to the Volunteer Orientation Meeting. Information is below.
Right after the Orientation is our first PTA meeting in the cafeteria. Come learn about your child's school. Come find ways to be part of the solution. Our PTA needs all of you. You are welcome here!
Friday is Tea with the Counselor (9am)
Counselor Serrano along with Assistant Principal Selva will introduce to you all the information about our School Counseling program.
In this newsletter:
- Around the School
- Counselor Corner
- New Staff Spotlight
- School Meal Information
- Community & Afterschool Opportunities
- Our Calendar
Stay PAWSitive!
Dr. Becky Godbey
Principal
Our PTA website https://laballonapta.org/
Our facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laballonaelementary
Twitter https://twitter.com/LaBallona
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laballonaelementaryschool/
La Ballona Choir! At Last!!!
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL ELECTIONS!
- Looking for a few good volunteers to be a member of the School Site Council for the 2022-23 year.
- School Site Council meets once a month and looks at the school budget and decisions made to support our scholars.
- If you are interested in joining SSC, please email Dr. Godbey at rebeccagodbey@ccusd.org
All About Cone Crew
Why is Cone Crew Vital to La Ballona?
La Ballona has very challenging traffic in the morning. We have very little parking resulting in staff members not even having parking spaces. In 2013, the parent community decided to try to help families. They formed a team of parents to create a drive through drop off for children in the morning. In this way, parents do not need to find a parking space. Instead, they wait in the Cone Crew line until a volunteer opens the passenger door for them. See the diagram below. The only way the Cone Crew System works is if every LB community member respects it. This means that we ask for your patience, participation, and partnership. We may not be able to control the traffic, but we can at least work together to make our mornings more peaceful.
Volunteers are Needed
- Cone Crew is open! 8:15 until school starts every morning for drop-off!
- We need more parent / adult volunteers! Please email these parents if you can help one day a week! heavenpennies@gmail.com or klachoff.lb@gmail.com
What if I don't use Cone Crew?
- Line-up for parents who escort their children to the gates must wait with their kids outside the EAST side of Gate 1. Please do not block the Cone Crew children.
Interested in Volunteering?
Welcome New Staff Member: Ms. Annie Strom, 3rd Grade Teacher, Room 24
Hello! My name is Annie Strom and I am new to the LA area. I am originally from Mount Vernon, Washington, a very small town an hour North of Seattle, so I am adjusting to living in a big city. I attended undergrad at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon where I studied Sociology and Spanish. I spent the last two years in Farmington, New Mexico where I taught 5th grade on the Navajo Nation and earned a Masters in Teaching and Learning. I am very excited to be joining the La Ballona community and to be teaching a great group of 3rd graders this year!
A couple fun facts about me:
Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest I developed a deep love for spending time in nature and hiking. I am very excited to explore all the nature around here and live close to the ocean again! I also played soccer growing up and for my college. Finally, I have an Australian Shepherd named Maz who I love to take on walks and adventures!
School Meals are Priceless!
YES! All breakfast & Lunch are offered to all students at no cost.
However, we are asking that families do submit meal applications in order to establish free and reduced percentages for each site so that 1) schools can qualify for much needed funding and 2) to establish percentages that I need to submit for federal and state reimbursement. This is EXTREMELY Important to the health of La Ballona's budget. Each year, La Ballona receives federal funding to support our socio-economically diverse campus. Information below:
Volunteers Needed for Backpack 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 for pickup. 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/HH595xKxJGr9H8tw8 or complete a form in your school office. https://www.ccbackpacksforkids.com/
We also need a volunteer every Thursday to pick up the backpacks from Culver City Middle School and transport them to La Ballona Campus.
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
FIRST PTA MEETING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, Sept. 1
Don't forget that our first 'Community Information Night' meeting will be held through zoom on Thursday, September 1st at 6:30pm and it is hosted by the PTA . Get involved - know what’s going on at La Ballona ahead of time. You also have a voice and can let us know if you have any concerns about anything. Don't miss out....plus we have a Spanish interpreter to translate the meeting in real time. Yay!
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