“The Audrey Stephens Safe Zone” at Office of Child Development Audrey Stephens, Director of the Office of Child Development (OCD), is retiring at the end of this school year, after 32 years with CCUSD. To mark and remember her incredible influence on the OCD program, a plaque has been installed at that location. The plaque exemplifies what Audrey was maybe most passionate about – the safety of her students, especially as they moved through the tight confines of the OCD parking lot. Audrey took it upon herself over the years to create the safety path (yellow brick road) for children to follow. She also created and had installed the many large safety signs around the area, reminding adults to hold the hands of their children. Audrey could even be heard on many an occasion talking out her office window, telling parents and children to stay safe. The plaque now marks that area as “The Audrey Stephens Safe Zone” and will continue to remind adults and children alike to always remain vigil and safe.

El Rincon Elementary School Launches Reading Rockets Free Lending LibraryEl Rincon Elementary School has created a Free Lending Library for the student community. The library offers books for grades TK through 5 to encourage all students to read more books. Like the Free Little Libraries it is modeled after, it will be an “on your honor” system where students can borrow a book and return it, or donate a different book to the library. The hope is that students will have a wider variety of books to read to encourage more home reading. The library is 100% volunteer and donation driven. Parents at the school donated bookshelves and more than 100 books to start the library. To donate books (particularly for grades 3 -5) to the Reading Rockets Free Lending Library, please leave books in the El Rincon school office or contact Kathy Macaraeg at Kathy@kjm-marcomm.com.

CCMS Improv Performances Set for This WeekendBring the whole family for fun-filled, improvised performances by CCMS’s Improv Program. In its 7th successful year, the CCMS Improv Program is offering six entirely different performances at the Robert Frost Auditorium, 4401 Elenda Street, Culver City:

Saturday May 14: 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM Sunday May 14: 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM

83 enthusiastic Culver City Middle School students are fortunate enough to participate this year in the very popular Improv Program. This intensely engaging after-school program designed specifically for middle schoolers carries a waitlist of interested students and has the honor of being a deciding factor for some families in their choice to enter CCUSD. This unique program, unmatched elsewhere in CCUSD, helps to place CCMS at the forefront of the district’s “Full STEAM Ahead” initiative to champion the arts as integral to education.

The CCMS Improv Program challenges students to identify and actively implement their individual and collective strengths, resulting in the development of essential life skills such as self-confidence, collaboration, acceptance, perseverance, courage, flexibility, and commitment. These skills translate directly to academic performance, emotional/social intelligence, and students’ lifelong love of learning. The program is directed by professional improv performers Jennifer Flack, Eric Price, and Sarah Parga. All are award-winning teachers who have extensive professional performance and teaching experience.

Teacher Jennifer Flack explains the teachers’ role: “While encouraging play and discouraging hesitancy, we teach them to be kind to themselves and each other, face fear, take pride in their ideas, celebrate and have confidence in themselves and each other, perform to the top of their intelligence, and work as a team. These are performance skills and they are life skills. We are extremely proud of the CCMS Improv students and what they have accomplished.”

The CCMS Improv Program is made possible, in part, by generous support from the Culver City Education Foundation. The CCMS Improv Program is a program of Panther Partners, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that raises funds for, develops, and delivers a variety of after-school enrichment classes for CCMS students, in conjunction with the CCMS administration and the Culver City Unified School District. The CCMS Improv Program gratefully enjoys the active support of CCMS administration and members of the CCUSD School Board.

Similar to professional improv performances, CCMS student improvisers will accept audience suggestions for skit topics. Each skit – the characters, conversations, actions, and resolution – will be entirely made up on the spot by the CCMS students based on the audience’s suggestions. This style of performing requires confidence, adaptability, creative thinking, and extensive practice. The students have been working together since September. Some 8th graders are in their third year in the program, along with many returning 7th graders and 6th graders new to the program.

Every 5th grade CCUSD student will be admitted FREE to any show with one paid adult ticket! There is no limit to the number of shows each 5th grader may see, but each 5th grader must be accompanied by a paid adult at each show.

TICKET PRICES Single Show / 1-Day Pass (3 shows) / Weekend Pass (6 shows)General Admisson $10 / $15 / $20Student and CCUSD Staff $5 / $10 / $15

Advance ticket sales are available. For more information, please find the Improv Program on the CCMS website (ccms.ccusd.org)

Free Summer Lunch Program Offered at La Ballona Elementary School Because our kids need to remain healthy, connected, safe and “whole” during the summer months, CCUSD has created a free lunch program complete with a variety of daily activities for students under 18!

What: Free Summer Lunch and More (the “more” is the real fun part – books, board games, special guests, arts and crafts, physical activities, etc.)

Where: La Ballona Elementary School

When: Monday – Friday, June 13 – July 29 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Lunch 11:30 am – 1 pm Activities No program on Monday, July 4

Who: Anyone under the age of 18 (no forms to fill out, no eligibility exercises, etc.)

Why: It has been proven that some students not only miss out on meaningful growth opportunities in the summer, but actually regress and lose academic, social and behavioral skills. This opportunity to eat a free healthy meal becomes even more impactful with the opportunities for students to learn, play games, connect with peers, connect with caring adults, participate in a summer reading program, learn a new skills, etc.

The site will be closed on July 4. Please note that all food must be eaten on site and for teens and children only, not adults. In addition to lunch a variety of fun special events and activities are planned daily from 11:30am – 1:00pm. The calendar of events and activities will be posted on the CCUSD and the LaBallona websites, as well as at the site. Parents are encouraged to stay, play and partake in interactive activities with their child(ren) for the activity hour. The site will be open to the public daily beginning at 11:30am and will close at 1pm.

For more information, please call (310) 849-1731

BOOK DONATIONS SOUGHT

CCUSD is also accepting book donations for use in the summer lunch program. Donations of used and new age-appropriate books can be made at any CCUSD school office through the end of May.

If you have children who have outgrown their books, this is a great way to make sure those books get used over and over again by students who need them.

Still Time to Advertise in Culver Currents in Print – But Hurry!Good news! We have extended the space closing date for the upcoming Culver Currents in Print. This will be the last issue of the 2015/16 School Year and Superintendent Dave LaRose’s last article. Won’t you or your business support CCiP in its goal to communicate with CCUSD families and the community at large? Each school site and select departments report the positive things taking pace at CCUSD and our schools. Our newspaper is unique: most small districts don’t have anything like Culver Currents in Print. We publish 20,000 issues with 10,000 going out to the community and 6,600 going to our nine school sites and in English and Spanish!

Your ad helps support CCUSD’s goals of keeping the community informed. Families in CCUSD can see what other schools in our district are accomplishing and feel proud of our district.

We are extending the space close to Friday, May 13. Materials due Tuesday, May 17.

GRAD ADS: Ask about our annual May feature for grads from any school site from pre-school to high school. It’s a great way to show your graduate how proud you are of their accomplishments. Won’t you honor your student with a Grad Ad?

For more information please call, text or email Nancy Gerloff-Burne at (310) 985-1997or nancyburne@sbcglobal.net. hank you to all of advertisers from this year. We hope that we have your support again and that of new advertisers hoping to reach Culver City families and residents!

Like Us on FacebookCulver City Unified School District has launched its new Facebook page(www.facebook.com/culvercityschools/), where users can get the latest school information. Be sure to like us and participate in the conversation about the great things happening in our district. See you on-line!

Project Prom Needs Your Help! Volunteers and Donations Can Make Memories for CCHS StudentsWant to help some CCHS students feel like a princess or a prince for Prom? Then please make a donation to Project Prom run by Culver Closet at CCHS. Now in its third year, this great event helps find clothing, shoes, and accessories for that special night. And for the women, hair stylists and make-up artists to help them shine!

Project Prom is asking for the following:

Volunteers to help set up and clean up.Clothing: dresses, tuxes, men’s suits, dress shoes for boys and girls, accessories such as evening bags and jewelry.Easy finger foodMonetary donations

Last year, Project Prom served 55 low-income students, and this year organizers expect more.

Sponsors so far include –Smashbox Make-up Artists – 8 volunteers whose time is being paid for by SmashboxDevaChan Hair Salon, CC – 2 hair stylistsAcademy of Beauty, CC – several advanced studentsAlisha Martin, professional hair stylistHolly Gable, professional photographer (www.hollygablephotography.com) – Portraits and documentation of eventEunice VInes – flower donation and arrangements for decorationsCulver City Women’s Club – donation of shoes, jewelry, handbags, misc. accessoriesJanet and Jerry Chabola – 50 sandwiches from Sorrento’s Italian Market

Add your name to the list!

Thanks in advance to everyone community who steps up to make this day special for our Culver City High School students! Contact Adrienne Madrid, CCHS Career Counselor and Service Learning Coordinator, for more information: (310) 842-4200 ext. 3313 or adriennemadrid@ccusd.org.

District Seeks Members for Bond Oversight Committee and Community Budget Advisory CommitteeThe Board of Education of Culver City Unified School District is seeking a qualified, interested individual to serve on a committee of community leaders currently serving as the Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (“CBOC”) for the District’s Measure CC school facilities bond program.

Applications are being accepted by Culver City Unified School District until 4:30 PM on Friday, May 27, 2016. Late applications may not be accepted.

The Appointee will be appointed to serve from the date of appointment until October 31, 2017, and will be eligible for reappointment by the Board of Education for a second and third two-year term.

The appointee will be expected to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Committee Ethics Policy Statement and to attend a Brown Act / AB1234 (Ethics) training at a date and time to be determined.

The following constituencies are represented:

• Business Representative• Senior Citizen Group Representative• Taxpayer Organization Member• Parent or Guardian of Child Enrolled in District• Parent or Guardian of Child Enrolled in District & Active in a Parent-Teacher

Organization• Two (2) At-Large Community Members

The Appointment for this opening is tentatively scheduled to be considered by the Board of Education during a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Applicants are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Additional information and applications are available in person during business hours from Culver City Unified School District’s Business Services Department, located on the second floor at the District Office located at 4034 Irving Place, Culver City, CA; or may be requested by phoning (310) 842-4220 Ext. 4226, or can be obtained on the School District’s website (www.ccusd.org). Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Completed applications should be sent or faxed to the Business Services Department of Culver City Unified School District or emailed to mikereynolds@ccusd.org by 4:30 PM on Friday, May 27, 2016.

The Board of Education of Culver City Unified School District is also seeking qualified, interested individuals to serve on a committee of community leaders currently serving as the Community Budget Advisory Committee (“CBAC”).

Applications are being accepted by Culver City Unified School District until 4:30 PM on Friday, May 27, 2016. Late applications may not be accepted.

The Appointees will be appointed to serve from July 1, 2016 until June 30, 2018, and will be eligible for reappointment by the Board of Education for a second and third two-year term as applicable.

The appointees will be expected to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Committee Ethics Policy Statement and to attend a Brown Act / AB1234 (Ethics) training at a date and time to be determined.

The Appointments for these openings are scheduled to be considered by the Board of Education during a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Applicants are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Additional information and applications are available in person during business hours from Culver City Unified School District’s Business Services Department, located on the second floor at the District Office at 4034 Irving Place, Culver City, CA; or may be requested by phoning (310) 842-4220 Ext. 4226, or can be obtained on the School District’s website (www.ccusd.org). Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Completed applications should be sent or faxed to the Business Services Department of Culver City Unified School District or emailed to mikereynolds@ccusd.org by 4:30 PM on Friday, May 27, 2016.

CULVER CURRENTSCCUSD news