Every week, Culver City Unified brings you the stories, pictures, videos, and words that bind us as a family of schools and further our culture of excellence.  Feel free to click, download, and share everything.  Show off that #CULVERPRIDE!
THIS WEEK IN CULVER CITY SCHOOLS...


Friday (12/12)

La Ballona Movie Night

7pm @ La Ballona Cafetorium

More Information Below


CCHS Winter Music Concert

7pm @ Robert Frost Auditorium

More Information Below


Saturday (12/13)

CCMS Beautification Day

9am to 12pm @ Culver City Middle School

More Information Below


Elementary Dance Session with OBDC

9am @ Culver City High School Room 107

More Information Below


CCHS Improv Performances

5pm | 7pm @ Robert Frost Auditorium Black Box Theatre

More Information HERE


Sunday (12/14)

First Night of Hanukkah


Tuesday (12/16)

CCHS Boys Soccer vs Crossroads

5pm @ CCHS


Thursday (12/18)

CCMS Vocal Music Winter Concert with Special Guests

6pm @ Robert Frost Auditorium


Friday (12/19)

CCHS Girls Basketball vs Venice

6pm @ CCHS


Sunday (12/21)

Holiday Lights Family Bike Ride

5:30 to 7pm meet @ Village Well

More Information Below



LOOKING AHEAD ...


Monday (12/22) through Friday (1/2)

Winter Break

NO SCHOOL


Monday (12/22)

CCMS Bike Ride

10am to 12pm meet @ Culver City Middle School marquee

More Information Below


Monday (12/29)

CCHS Bike Ride

10am to 12pm meet @ Culver City High School marquee

More Information Below



Note: The weekly calendar in CulverPride includes CCHS varsity home games only.

To see the full calendar for Centaur athletics, please click here.

Superintendent's Message

Dear CCUSD Community,


As we enter the final stretch of December, there is an energy on our campuses that reflects both hard work and anticipation for the upcoming winter break, especially with all of the winter performances. This season is also one of reflection and celebration for many of our families, and I want to wish those who observe Hanukkah, which begins this Monday, a joyful and meaningful celebration in the upcoming week. I continue to be grateful for the dedication of our students, the commitment of our employees, and the support of our families. It is this partnership that makes CCUSD such a vibrant and caring school community.


With finals quickly approaching, I want to wish all of our students the very best. This is an important time, and I encourage each of you to study thoughtfully, rest well, and eat nutritious meals so you can bring your best selves to your exams and final projects. Your hard work throughout the semester has prepared you for this moment, and we believe in each of you. 


I also want to take a moment to highlight our Speech and Debate program, which had an outstanding showing in last week’s competition. We are incredibly proud of our students and coaches for their preparation, perseverance, and poise. Speech and Debate is not only a powerful academic activity, but it is a program that many top colleges value highly because it builds essential communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills. These abilities are among the most sought-after in both higher education and the workplace, and our students continue to shine!


I am also proud to share that our First Interim Budget was recently approved by the Board with a “Positive” certification, meaning the district is projected to meet all of its financial obligations for the next three years. While this is encouraging news, it does come with an important caveat: we have relied on one-time funding to support ongoing programs, and this is not a sustainable long-term approach which creates the importance of a Parcel Tax to support our schools. On Wednesday, we will be sharing the results of the Parcel Tax polling survey on our district website. Please visit our homepage that day, where a pop-up notice will guide you directly to the information. We appreciate your engagement and look forward to keeping our community informed. I encourage our community to visit the Business Services section of our district website to review the full budget reports and presentations for greater context and transparency.



In closing, thank you for your continued support and for choosing CCUSD. We know you have many options for your child’s education, and we are honored that you place your trust in us as we strive to provide excellence for each child, each day.


With gratitude,


Dr. Alfonso Jiménez

Superintendent

Culver City Unified School District

___________________


Estimada Comunidad de CCUSD,



A medida que comenzamos la recta final del mes de diciembre, hay una energía en nuestros campos escolares que refleja tanto el enorme trabajo como la anticipación por las próximas vacaciones de invierno, especialmente con todas las presentaciones de la temporada de invierno.  Esta temporada es también una de reflexión y celebración para muchas de nuestras familias y les quiero desear a aquellas personas que celebran Hanukkah, el cual comienza este lunes, una celebración alegre y significativa la siguiente semana.  Sigo muy agradecido por la dedicación de nuestros estudiantes, el compromiso de nuestros empleados y el apoyo de nuestras familias. Es esta alianza la que hace de CCUSD una comunidad escolar tan vibrante y solidaria.


Con los exámenes de fin del semestre aproximándose, les quiero desear a todos nuestros estudiantes todo lo mejor.  Este es un momento muy importante, y aliento a cada uno de ustedes de estudiar cuidadosamente, descansar bien, y que coman alimentos nutritivos para que puedan dar lo mejor de sí mismos en sus exámenes y proyectos finales.  Su arduo trabajo a lo largo del semestre los ha preparado para este momento, y nosotros creemos en cada uno de ustedes.


También quiero tomar un momento para destacar nuestro programa de Oratoria y Debate, el cual tuvo una excelente presentación en la competencia de la semana pasada. Estamos increíblemente orgullosos de nuestros estudiantes y entrenadores por su preparación, perseverancia y serenidad. Oratoria y Debate no solo es una actividad académica impactante, sino también es un programa que muchas universidades de primer nivel valoran favorablemente porque fomenta comunicación esencial, pensamiento crítico, y habilidades de liderazgo.  Estas habilidades están entre las más codiciadas tanto en educación superior como en el lugar de trabajo, y nuestros estudiantes siguen brillando.


También me siento orgulloso por compartir que nuestro Primer Presupuesto Provisional fue recientemente aprobado por el Consejo Directivo con una certificación “Positiva,” lo que significa que el distrito proyecta poder cumplir con todas sus obligaciones financieras durante los próximos tres años. Aunque estas noticias son muy alentadoras, a la vez llegan con una advertencia importante: hemos dependido de fondos únicos para apoyar programas continuamente en marcha, y este no es una estrategia sostenible a largo plazo, el cual constituye la importancia del Impuesto a las Parcelas para apoyar a nuestras escuelas.  El miércoles, estaremos compartiendo los resultados de la encuesta sobre el Impuesto a las Parcelas en el sitio web de nuestro distrito.  Por favor visite nuestra página de inicio ese día, donde un aviso lo guiará directamente a la información.  Agradecemos su compromiso y esperamos seguir manteniendo a nuestra comunidad informada.  Ánimo a nuestra comunidad a visitar la sección de los Servicios Empresariales del sitio web de nuestro distrito para revisar los informes completos del presupuesto y las presentaciones para mayor contexto y transparencia.


Para concluir, les doy las gracias por su continuo apoyo y por elegir a CCUSD.  Nosotros comprendemos que hay muchas opciones para la educación de su hijo/a, y nos sentimos honrados de que depositen su confianza en nosotros mientras que aspiramos brindarles excelencia a cada niño/a, cada día.


Con gratitud,


Dr. Alfonso Jiménez

Superintendente

Distrito Escolar Unificado de Culver City

CCUSD Board Elects New Officers

The five School Board members representing the Culver City Unified School District are elected at-large. Annually, in December, the Board elects one of its members to serve as President, a second to serve as Vice-President, and a third to serve as Clerk for the coming year.


At its organizational meeting of December 9, the School Board of Culver City

Unified School District reorganized as follows:


Ms. Stephanie Loredo President

(Term: 12/1/22 - 11/30/26)


Mr. Brian Guerrero Vice-President

(Term: 12/1/22 - 11/30/26)


Mr. Andrew Lachman Clerk

(Term: 12/1/24 - 11/30/28)


Ms. Lindsay Carlson Parliamentarian

(Term: 12/1/24 - 11/30/28)


Mr. Triston Ezidore Member

(Term: 12/1/22 - 11/30/26)

CCUSD Students Will Have Access to Fentanyl Test Devices

Culver City students will have access to free fentanyl test devices as part of a pilot program adopted this week by the CCUSD Board of Education.


Providing the pocket-sized test devices district-wide is meant to be a proactive tool for students and families to use amid "a rapidly escalating fentanyl crisis," said Board Member Triston Ezidore.


Portable fentanyl test devices will be discreetly provided at the Culver City Adult School.


This initiative makes CCUSD one of the first school districts in the region to implement this pilot program.


Youth fentanyl-related deaths increased by more than 625% in recent years and are the leading cause of death for Americans 18 to 45 years old, according to the California Department of Public Health.


"Keeping our students safe means meeting this crisis with honesty, compassion, and real tools," Ezidore said. "Fentanyl is taking lives across California, often because young people do not know what they're being exposed to."


Fentanyl test devices test drugs for the presence of fentanyl, which cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted when mixed into another drug. Strips typically offer results within five minutes.


CCUSD will update families in the coming weeks regarding distribution locations, educational materials, and other information as the pilot program is rolled out.

Middle School Speech and Debate Team Brings Home Honors From Two Competitions

Culver City Middle School's Speech and Debate team had a great weekend!


On Friday, December 6, the team's 28 students visited Jefferson Middle School in San Gabriel and brought home 11 trophies. The following day, the school hosted 12 other schools on CCMS campus for another competition, and four CCMS debaters brought home two more trophies.


"All of our students represented us well!" said coach Gina Polesetsky. "It was a fantastic end to the semester. Thanks to all of the volunteers who made it happen!"


Congratulations to all the winning students:


First-place - Novice SPAR - Bowie Horowitz

Second-place - Assigned Platform - Azzie Johnson

Second-place - Coldreading - Arya Rath

Third-place - Assigned Platform - Christopher Tomasz

Third-place - Novice SPAR - Trajan Katigbak

Third-place LD Debate Top Speaker - Benjamin Polesetsky

Third-place LD Debate Placement - Benjamin Polesetsky

Fourth-place - Open SPAR - Ford Miller

Fourth-place - Prose - Christopher Tomasz

Fifth-place - DUO - Asher Rosenau & Leonardo Gonzalez

Ninth-place - HI - Nina Sivakumaran

11th-place - Storytelling - Quinn Smith-Bussell

Safe Routes to School Update

Holiday Lights Ride 2025


Sunday, December 21 at 5:30 p.m. 

Meet at Village Well Coffee + Books

It's the holiday season once again! Get your reindeer ready and sleigh bells jingling because it is almost time for Culver City Walk 'n Rollers' Holiday Lights Ride. Join everyone on Sunday, December 21 to ride through the neighborhoods and enjoy the twinkling lights, festive decorations and holiday cheer.


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Upcoming CCMS and CCHS Group Rides


Get your teens rolling this Winter Break! This December, Culver City Walk 'n Rollers is excited to offer two fun, active opportunities for middle and high schoolers during the holiday break.


On Monday, December 22, Culver City Walk 'n Rollers will lead a ride for Culver City Middle School students; and on Monday, December 29, another for the Culver City High School students.

 

Help your teens stay active during the break with a fun group ride led by trained instructors. This is the perfect opportunity to build confidence, practicing safe riding skills, and enjoying time outdoors with friends.


Both rides will start and end in front on their respective schools at 10 a.m. All riders and e-bikes are welcome. Helmets and a signed waiver required.

Participate in the City's Tri-School Area Mobility Study – Make Getting to School Safer

Make getting to school easier and safer. Share your experiences getting to Farragut Elementary, CCMS and Culver High with the Tri-School Area Mobility Study.

 

The study aims to understand the transportation challenges community members face, gather input on potential solutions, and develop improvements that will make the neighborhood’s roadways safer and more comfortable for everyone.

 

Visit the Study Webpage and Click the Online Comment section

 

Culver City Tri-School Area Mobility Study

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