Why We Moved to Assigned Lunch Seating—And How It’s Helping

 

Why We Moved to Assigned Lunch Seating

—And How It’s Helping

Dear Community Families,

I’d like to address a concern some families have raised about our assigned seating at lunch. Your feedback is important, and I want to share the reasons behind this decision, the benefits we are seeing, and the ways we are including student voice in the conversation.

Although assigned seating may feel restrictive, our priority is always to provide a safe, structured, and welcoming environment. When students were free to sit anywhere, several issues arose. Some children who felt excluded avoided the lunch area altogether and instead roamed the campus unsupervised. Because there was no clear record of where students were supposed to be seated, it was difficult for staff to even recognize they were missing. This lack of structure created serious safety concerns.

We also noticed that without consistent seats, students were less accountable for their areas, which led to more mess and left tables unwelcoming for the next group. In addition, time was often lost as children wandered between tables or argued over seating instead of eating.

Assigned seating has helped resolve these challenges. It ensures staff can quickly account for students, builds accountability by making each child responsible for their own space, and creates a calmer, cleaner lunch area where everyone can focus on eating, talking with friends, and recharging for the rest of the day.

At the same time, we want students to know their voices matter. Recently, our 4th grade students wrote and submitted a petition advocating for unassigned lunch seating. We were proud of their initiative and the thoughtful way they expressed their concerns. Once Student Council is established, we plan to work with them to explore ways to incorporate structured opportunities for “choice seating” days, while keeping assigned seating in place for daily safety and accountability.

Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership as we balance student voice with our responsibility to maintain a safe, inclusive, and respectful lunch environment for all.

Best,

Toni

WEDNESDAY IS PICTURE DAY!

2025-26 COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Community Council Agenda for September 9, 2025

All CMCS stakeholders are welcome to attend any Community Council meeting. If you would like to share a concern about our school, please let a Council member know in advance so you may be scheduled for Public Comment. Each comment is limited to 2 minutes. Your concern will be heard, and the Council will address it at the following meeting.  

I’d like to extend my thanks once again to our new members for serving on this year’s Community Council. Our first meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 9, at 1:45 PM in Room 23.

Grade-Level Parent Representatives:

K: Chloe Badawy / Moonlit Beshimov

Gr. 1: Ben Dennis / Ron Truppa

Gr. 2: Jessica Leroy

Gr. 3: Howard Chiang

Gr. 4: Kristen Egan / Jackie Vestal

Gr. 5: Kathryn Garcia Castro

CFF Representatives:

Lynda Andrews / Seira Greenwood

Teachers:

Brandon Backhaus

Dylan Elliott / Kirsten Griffone

Cindy Krumplitsch / Paul Morgan

Fanahi Williams

Classified Staff:

Lalita Lewis

Sarah Lilly

Principal:

Toni Klugh

REGISTER FOR KIDS 4 COLLEGE FREE AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE

                   Kids 4 College Program Application.                      

Beyond the Bell Application

CMCS After-School Program Handbook

SCHOOL IS COMPULSORY!

Students need to come to school every day. When possible, please schedule your child’s medical appointments outside of school hours. (See the bell schedule for our school hours.) If you must schedule an appointment during school hours, please check in at the main office to pick up/drop off your child.

The following types of absences are excused: illness, doctor’s appointments, funerals, family emergencies, court dates, religious observances, etc. Examples of unexcused absences include: vacations, “we slept in,” “we took a family day,” “we went to Disneyland for her birthday,” "we visited relatives out of state/country," etc. Even if you send in a note to explain the absence, those examples would be designated as unexcused. For more information, please refer to LAUSD’s Attendance Guide.

You may know that LAUSD has an Independent Study program. This program is intended to provide make-up classwork for students who must miss school for legitimate long-term absences (for example, needing to go out of town for a death in the family, quarantine/lengthy stay at home for serious illness, or needing to make a visa appointment in a home country). Independent Study is NOT for “we are taking 2 weeks off and going abroad,” or “we are starting our Winter Break 10 days early.” For Independent Study in excess of 15 days, you must enroll in the online City of Angels program.

Save the Dates . . .

Recurring Activities

• Morning Assembly: Fridays
• Tuesday Enrichment: Tuesdays, beginning September 16
• Tiny Spotlight Musical Theater: Tuesday & Thursday casts 
• Student Nest Tutoring Services: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays- begin September 22

SEPTEMBER

• September 17-19
• 5th graders to Astro-Camp
• September 18
• Safety Drills

• September 23
• NO SCHOOL- Unassigned Day
• September 26
• TeaTime with Toni

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

• September 29-October 3
• Six Week Invitational parent conferences (mandatory for Kindergarten)
• Warning notices go home for students earning 1s or 2s on report cards
• September 29
• CATCH begins
• September 30
• Picture Make-Up Day
• October 1
• Minimum Day, 12:50 dismissal
• October 2
• NO SCHOOL- Unassigned Day

• October 6
• Math Kangaroo Introductory Meeting
• October 7
• Hispanic Heritage Month Grade Level Presentations, Grades 3 and 4
• October 8
• Prospective Parent Tour, #1
• Middle School Night
• October 9
• Above & Beyond Club
• October 10
• Teatime with Toni
• Hispanic Heritage Month Assemblies

Click here to view the 25-26 School Calendar

VALET RULES

For the SAFETY of your child and ALL children and parents at CMCS, if you are driving your child to school you MUST follow these valet rules. 
• Arrive at CMCS between 7:30 and 8:00
• Enter through the gate on the EAST side of the school.
• Drive along the left curb.  The right curb is a bus lane whether or not the buses have arrived.
• Wait patiently in a single file line along the left curb of the driveway.
• When a valet volunteer or LAUSD staff directs you, turn right at the parking lot and pull up to the Valet Curb.  There can be a maximum of 3 cars at the Valet Curb.  
• Under no circumstances can you park with your child and walk them through the parking lot. If, especially during these first weeks of school, you want to walk your child to the front gate, you MUST drop your child at the Valet Curb and then park your car.  Your child can wait for you near the valet volunteers on the bench by the Valet Curb.
• When you arrive at the Valet Curb, your child should be ready to exit the car from the passenger side of the vehicle.  IF a passenger side exit from your vehicle is unavailable, your child must wait until a valet volunteer opens the driver side door and escorts them in front of your car onto the curb.
• Under no circumstances should the driver exit the vehicle.
• Do not pull around cars in the valet line including at the Valet Curb.  The line is single file from the east gate entrance  through to the west gate exit.  Please wait your turn to drop off your child and to exit campus.
• FINALLY, be patient and kind.  The valet volunteers and LAUSD staff are there for the safety of your children.  Please treat them, the children, and the other drivers with respect.