“And the boy loved the tree.......very much. And the tree was happy.”

 "And the boy loved the tree...very much.                   And the tree was happy.” 

― Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree

We were heartbroken to have to say goodbye to our lush trees on the upper yard. Over the years, those trees protected us from relentless heat with their comforting shade, provided a home to countless birds and insects, and contributed their natural beauty to the landscape. The LAUSD arborists said that they were sick and dying, so we had no choice but to let them go. In their place, new baby trees have been planted. We'll love our new trees very much as we watch them grow into happy and beautiful canopies of shade.

In Remembrance of Martha

Please vote here for naming the CMCS auditorium Martha Melinda Auditorium in honor of Martha. In addition to dedicating the auditorium in her name, we will also be placing a rock in Lulu's Garden behind the Magnet Office with Martha's name, installing a plaque on the outside auditorium wall, and bringing members of the final Annie cast together to sing a song in her honor. Sherry Burch, CMCS first grade teacher, wrote the following tribute for Martha. 

Martha Melinda came to Community Magnet School over 30 years ago. After having been professionally trained with the best and brightest in the country at the Actors Studio in New York, she brought that insight and understanding of the importance of truth in the work of acting and directing into her work with children, and they, in turn, understood that truth deeply as well. Her improvisation classes were always a favorite amongst the students. She entrusted them with the plots, the direction, and the critique of the work. The children blossomed with this responsibility and creative outlet. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Community Magnet School was regularly taking top honors at the annual LAUSD Student Film awards, with short films created by and for children astutely led and nurtured by Martha. Many of the films had an activist theme. In giving children room to believe in the power of their words, she gave them space to believe they could make a difference with their films to make positive change in the world to save animals or the planet.

When the school moved to the new campus on Bellagio Road, there was finally an auditorium with a stage on Community’s campus. Then, Martha began to direct musicals with children aged 5-10 singing and dancing their way through adapted versions of The Wiz, High School Musical, Grease, and Seussical, just to name a few. Again, children were given space to expand their horizons of what they could do and be and they rose to that challenge and showed a side of themselves in ways their teachers and some parents had never seen before. But, always, along side the films, or the musicals, was the work in the Improv classes. This powerful, laser-pointed work, that only Martha could do, was a mainstay of the Community life. There, in that room, children who otherwise presented as very shy, or fearful of using limited English, or seemingly uninterested in any kind of acting, could transform before your eyes. Martha could always see even the glimmer of an idea in a child’s work and encourage that, so that they would believe in themselves, too. All of a sudden, an almost silent child could be up directing, setting up a scene for others to perform, or give feedback to others after a scene was over. Those children who sometimes felt they were too loud or too busy in class, felt heard and like they had found a home on the “stage” of the Improv classroom. Every single child’s opinion was valued, was listened to, was asked for.

Since the beginning of her tenure at Community, Martha Melinda carved out a sacred space for children in her after-school programs and Summer Peace Camps. At those times, it was known that, “Nobody should get hurt in body, mind, or soul.” During those programs, children were led through creative group improv games like “Tribes,” and given lots of time for inventive, creative play on their own. Yes, they did their homework, and yes, there were also gymnastics, baseball, art, and other classes offered. But, most children loved the time to work together to create something new, together, with their friends, outside on the playground and around the school. Martha nurtured the kindness in children. She mediated problems and helped them to understand one another. If you were to speak with former students, now in their 20s or 30s, they would tell you that they are the peaceful, creative people they are today in great part, due to Martha’s influence during their elementary years.

Martha Melinda is gone now, leaving behind her beloved daughter, Jamie Melinda, two brothers, and one sister. But, Martha will remain forever in the hearts and minds of the thousands of students that she touched, the thousands of creative sparks that she lit, the thousands of kind people who are in the world making it a better place because Martha helped them learn to see the truth in themselves through the inspired work she did with them.

-- Sherry Burch, 1st Grade teacher

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IS FRIDAY, JUNE 11

CMCS' FINAL DINE & DONATE OF THE YEAR !!!!

NEXT WEDNESDAY!!

       Take a night off from cooking AND enjoy yummy food . . .         all while giving back to our awesome school!!!

Open to Close
Wednesday, June 2nd

(3) Locations: Culver City, Larchmont & Sherman Oaks

Walk in, call in, or order online!
                    Burger Lounge also delivers!                    
So many ways to participate, so let's end the year strong!!!! 

Thank You!!!

GOT GAME SUMMER CAMP IS BACK!!!  

The Got Game Camp has the go-ahead and is BACK this summer in Mid-City for their 10th year! Registration is now open and space is very limited, so sign up today! 

Summer Camp runs all day, Monday thru Friday, with a wide and diverse range of options from active games, sports, projects, creative outlets, performances and much more for campers ages 5-12! Come see why Got Game is the best summer camp experience in LA!  

Visit  www.GotGameCamp.com  for more information and to register! 

Got Questions? Get answers! Email Admin@GotGameCamp.com or call (310) 975-8524 ext. 1 for more info and let's have some FUN this summer!! 

This week's Toni Awards will be presented on Tuesday, June 1.  Please click here to attend the webinar at 8:15 a.m. to recognize our Students-of-the-Week and Staff Spotlights. The presentation will also be posted at communitymagnet.org, under the From the Principal tab and recorded for teachers to view with their students.

           Read About our Recent Visit from the Department of Public Health

LA County Department of Public Health School Technical Assistance Team 

Site Visit for COMMUNITY MAGNET CHARTER SCHOOL 

Site Visit 2021-05-25 ID #19734606095467 on 2021-05-25  at 11301 BELLAGIO RD 

Health Educator Team #: 11 

Notification form, Waiver, or other: ["TK-2 Waiver/Safe Schools "] Background: School open for assessments, cohorted learning, or both: Both Other childcare activities["Licensed ECE"] 

Section A: 

Workplace Policies and Practices Physically Posted: 

Signage is posted at the entrance of the school informing visitors they should not enter if they are symptomatic for COVID-19:Yes 

Screening of staff, students, visitors is conducted before entering school:Yes Workplace policies and practices are available for STAT to review: Yes

 Containment Response and Control: School has established compliance team:Yes Containment Response and Control: School has a plan for a positive test: Yes Containment Response and Control: School has Exposure Plan: Yes 

Exposure Management Plan in PlaceYes 

Parent Information Packet discusses COVID-19 symptoms: Yes 

Parent Information Packet discusses Infection Control Yes 

Parent Information Packet discusses procedures to avert risk of exposure at school: Yes 

School has appropriate policies for specific, rare exemptions for face coverings with students with specific IEPs and 504s: Yes 

School has policies to enforce face covering compliance for students without IEPs and 504s: Yes 

Maximum number of students on campus at any one time does not exceed those allowed by protocols: Yes 

Cohorts are maintained with the maximum appropriate size: Yes

Section A General Notes: Each class is a separate cohort that does not interact with others. School also has after school care and testing on campus. Multiple parent information sessions held and info given.

 Section B: Physical Distancing Measures: 

Staff are practicing physical distancing while in common areas: Yes Staff work areas are at least 6 feet apart: Yes 

Students are practicing physical distancing while in common areas: Yes 

Student desks are 6 feet apart or have physical barriers:Yes 

Common areas allow for physical distancing are designed to encourage distancing: Yes 

School has physical distancing plans to allow for safe movement of students and staff at entry and exit: Yes 

Assessments allow for as much physical distancing as possible:Yes 

Section B Notes: Bathrooms, common areas, and classrooms are well designed for distancing. Drop-off is three different gates. 

Section C: Infection Control Measures School has a place to isolate symptomatic persons, or individuals who report close contact with symptomatic persons: Yes 

School has medical grade surgical masks available for symptomatic persons or individuals in isolation, as well as supervising individuals: Yes 

All staff, students, and visitors are correctly wearing face coverings over their nose and mouth at all times: Yes 

Optimum ventilation measures are in place (windows/doors open): Yes

HVAC system is maintained and in good working order: Yes 

School has a cleaning and disinfecting schedule: Yes 

Appropriate cleaning and disinfection is taking place according to schedule: Yes 

Student restrooms are clean: Yes 

Student restrooms have sufficient supplies: Yes 

Staff restrooms are clean: Yes 

Staff restrooms have sufficient supplies: Yes 

Shared water fountains are closed off: Yes 

Students and staff have access to frequent hand sanitation (hand-washing stations, hand sanitizer, etc): Yes 

Signage is posted throughout school showing proper use of face coverings:Yes 

Signage is posted throughout school showing proper handwashing: Yes School is aware of application of DPH protocols to other aspects of campus: Yes 

Section C Notes: Isolation area is a secluded area with easy access to exit. Hand sanitation in every classroom and around the school, extra hand washing stations were brought in. 

Overall Assessment: No recommendations for changes. Please keep up the work with having all students and staff mask and social distance at all times.

COVID WATCH

COVID testing will take place at CMCS every Tuesday conducted by AMI Health team. Once you have provided signed consent, your student is set to be tested every week. All LAUSD employees are also tested on site.

Through the on-site COVID testing last week, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, there were 0 identified positive results for COVID. 

The daily health check questions are asked of every individual visiting campus. Let's continue to work together to prevent COVID on our campus and to protect the students and staff who attend school every day. Please practice these healthy behaviors or avoid visiting campus or sending your student to school.

 

REMINDER: MONDAY EARLY OUT SCHEDULE

This is a reminder of the hybrid schedule on Mondays for the remainder of the school year. Note that buses will be operating on this early out schedule with CMCS departures at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.. Please adjust your schedules accordingly- you may expect your students to arrive at their bus stops about half an hour earlier for the 10:30 dismissal and approximately an hour earlier for the 2:00 dismissal. Teachers: please note the change in PM recess schedule.

8:00 - 10:30  - Cohort A instruction

• Recesses: 
  • 9:10-9:30 for Grades K-1 
  • 9:35-9:55 for Grades 2-3
  • 10:00-10:20 for Grades 4-5

10:30 - 11:30  - LUNCH / Midday valet and bus departures and valet arrivals

11:30 - 2:00 - Cohort B Instruction

• Recess: 1:10 - 1:30 for ALL Grades K-5
  

2:00 Dismissal with valet and bus departures

2:00 - 4:00  - Beyond the Bell supervision available to those who have applied and been accepted into the program.

2:00 - 3:00/3:30   -  Teacher Professional Development / Grade Level Planning and Collaboration

Here's your last chance in 2020-2021 to recognize a dedicated staff member for their hard work!

https://forms.gle/P1nMBFu3xhZorV169

     CMCS Summer Time Play Dates are Back!!

DATES                       LOCATIONS

Sunday, June 27            Valley or Mid-City

                 Saturday, July 24 or 25       Mid-City or Valley

                      Saturday, July 31                  West LA

Summer playdates are a fun tradition at CMCS. It's a time to meet new families, re-connect with old friends, and for new families to get acquainted with our school community. Save these dates!           Specific locations to be determined.

      PLEDGE DRIVE DONOR CHALLENGE

  PLEASE DONATE NOW!!!

A donor will contribute $1,000 per grade, up to $6,000 total, if at least one class in that grade reaches 100% pledge participation by May 31st! 

To those families who have not yet contributed, please click here to support our school. Regardless of the amount, any contribution will be appreciated!

Thank you to all the families that have contributed to the Pledge Drive and supported CFF. It means so much to our Community to have all the funding we need for enrichment classes, field trips, assemblies, office support, and translation services.