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... | | |
SEPT. 15 THROUGH OCT. 15 IS NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
OCTOBER IS DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
OCTOBER IS CHARACTER EDUCATION MONTH
OCTOBER IS FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
2026-2027 CCUSD School Calendar Available HERE
Saturday (10/3)
Culver City Walk 'n Rollers Walk to School Sign Making Day
10am to noon @ Syd Kronenthal Park
More Information Below
Monday (10/5)
WORLD TEACHERS' DAY
Final Day to Purchase CCUSD Inclusion Apparel
More Information Below
Tuesday (10/6)
CCHS Girls Tennis vs Geffen Academy
2:30pm @ CCHS
CCUSD Board of Education Candidates Forum
6:30pm via Zoom
More Information Below
Wednesday (10/7)
International Walk to School Day
More Information Below
Thursday (10/8)
CCHS Boys Water Polo vs Palos Verdes
3:30pm @ The Plunge
Friday (10/9)
Deadline to Enroll in Alder WIDE Teacher Residency Program
More Information Below
Sixth Annual CCMS Noche de Familia
4:30pm to 7pm @ CCMS Panther Plaza
More Information Below
Saturday (10/10)
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Culver City Art Festival
10:30am to 6pm @ Arts District
(Washington Blvd will be closed between La Cienega Ave and Hutchison Ave)
More Information HERE
Monday (10/12)
Final Day to Donate to Annual Halloween Costume Drive
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.
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Dear Families and Community,
This has been a very difficult week for our Culver City Unified School District community. We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our Culver Park High School students, as well as the loss of a beloved Culver City Bus driver who served members of our community. Our thoughts are with their families, friends, classmates, colleagues, and all those whose lives they touched.
During times of loss, we know that students may experience a range of emotions. We encourage any student who needs additional support to reach out to a school counselor, administrator, teacher, or another trusted adult on campus. Our staff is here to listen, provide support, and help our students as they process these difficult losses.
We also want families to be aware that Culver CityBus service will remain suspended through the weekend. We understand that many of our students and families rely on public transportation, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will provide families with an update if there are any changes that may impact transportation to and from school.
Out of respect for those we have lost and for the members of our community who are grieving, I will keep this week’s message brief, but am sending a separate communication to our parents via Parent Square. As a school community, may we continue to care for one another and provide compassion and support to those who need it most.
With Gratitude,
Dr. Alfonso Jiménez
Superintendent
Culver City Unified School District
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Estimadas Familias y Comunidad,
Esta ha sido una semana muy difícil para nuestra comunidad del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Culver City. Nos entristece profundamente la pérdida de uno de nuestros estudiantes de la Escuela Preparatoria Culver Park, así como el fallecimiento de un querido conductor de autobús de Culver City que prestaba servicio a miembros de nuestra comunidad. Nuestros pensamientos están con sus familias, amigos, compañeros de clase, colegas y con todas aquellas personas cuyas vidas fueron tocadas por ellos.
Durante momentos de pérdida, sabemos que los estudiantes pueden experimentar una variedad de emociones. Animamos a cualquier estudiante que necesite apoyo adicional a comunicarse con un consejero escolar, administrador, maestro u otro adulto de confianza en el plantel escolar. Nuestro personal está aquí para escuchar, brindar apoyo y ayudar a nuestros estudiantes mientras enfrentan estas difíciles pérdidas.
También queremos informar a las familias que el servicio de autobús de Culver CityBus permanecerá suspendido durante el fin de semana. Entendemos que muchos de nuestros estudiantes y familias dependen del transporte público, y continuaremos monitoreando la situación de cerca. Proporcionaremos una actualización a las familias si se presenta algún cambio que pueda afectar el transporte hacia y desde la escuela.
Por respeto a quienes hemos perdido y a los miembros de nuestra comunidad que están atravesando este duelo, mantendré breve el mensaje de esta semana. Como comunidad escolar, sigamos cuidándonos unos a otros y brindando compasión y apoyo a quienes más lo necesitan.
Con gratitud,
Dr. Alfonso Jiménez
Superintendente
Distrito Escolar Unificado de Culver City
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CCUSD Counseling and Mental Health Resources
Members of our Crisis Response Team are available to support students in the coming days and weeks. If you believe your child would benefit from additional support, please contact their counselor or a school administrator directly. I also want to remind families that counseling and mental health resources are available to students, parents and staff. A list of these services is available on the CCUSD website HERE.
Recursos de Consejería y Salud Mental de CCUSD
Los miembros de nuestro Equipo de Respuesta ante Crisis estarán disponibles para brindar apoyo a los estudiantes durante los próximos días y semanas. Si considera que su hijo/a se beneficiaría de apoyo adicional, comuníquese directamente con su consejero escolar o con un administrador de la escuela. También quiero recordarles a las familias que hay recursos de consejería y salud mental disponibles para estudiantes, padres y personal. Puede encontrar una lista de estos servicios en el sitio web de https://health.ccusd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1671960&type=d&pREC_ID=2075975
| | | CCHS Alum Combines Faith, Talent and Family Support Creating A Successful Combination | | |
by Catherine Galanti
For Leena Powell, sports and family have been enduring anchor points throughout her life. Watching a recent game against Ohio State at UCLA's Wallis Annenberg soccer stadium, the deep connection between the family is clear. "I actually hear my mom's voice on the field," said Powell while laughing after the game.
Indeed, within moments of Powell scoring the winning (and only) goal against Ohio State, her father Jameel was out of his seat and running down four rows of bleachers, cheering loudly for his daughter. He sheepishly apologized while on the way back to his own seat, but when it comes to passion and family pride, there's nothing to apologize for.
Powell grew up in Culver City and attended Culver City High School where she ran track her freshman year and was also a cheerleader. Now, she has quickly made a name for herself as a forward on UCLA's women's soccer team. Going to school so close to home, and so close to her family, has contributed to her success.
"I am so blessed. God genuinely blessed me to be here, and being able to see my family and my cousins and family friends be able to come out to my home games just means the world to me," said Powell. "They've stood by my entire career, and they've never dropped off. So that just means even more."
Read the full story in the Culver City Observer HERE
| | Speech & Debate Team Kicks Off 2026-2027 Season With 17 New Panthers | | |
The Culver City Middle School Speech and Debate team is kicking off the 2026–2027 season with 36 students – its biggest roster yet. Please welcome the 17 new students who are ready to find their voices, sharpen their arguments, and probably talk their parents into a few more things at home.
Welcome to new team members: Abby Sanchez, Albane Bertel, Asher Lakobrija*, Ava Eslamimehr, Emilie Hong, Emmett Patterson, Greta Venckus, Kai Johnson, Kaia Brewer, Katherine Riega, Lana Feldstein, Lexa Elchlepp, Lily Yoo, Milo Gottlieb, Nyla-Nicole Richmond, Sai Cheekala, and Seina Johnson.
And welcome back to returning team members: Amelia Brys, Arya Rath, Azzie Johnson, Bowie Horowitz, Christopher Tomasz, Emily McGee, Ian Hansen, Jerome Baxt, Kisuke Ishimori, Lev Miller, Mason Kim, Nami Noriega, Nina Sivakumaran, Rachel Hwang, Reina Nakazawa, Sakina Shaiq, Trajan Katigbak, Wesley Gulin, and Xochitl Muller.
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*Not pictured: Asher Lakobrija
New Voices on the Lincoln Douglas Debate Team
Nine of the team's new students have also joined the Lincoln Douglas (LD) Debate team, where they'll go head-to-head on big questions of ethics and philosophy. Congratulations to Albane Bertel, Asher Lakobrija*, Ava Eslamimehr, Greta Venckus, Katherine Riega, Lana Feldstein, Lily Yoo*, Milo Gottlieb, and Sai Cheekala!!
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*Not pictured: Asher Lakobrija and Lily Yoo
The team has a big season planned with 14 tournaments, fun community fundraisers, and, for a lucky few, an additional trip to compete at NSDA Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. As always, a big thanks to everyone who keeps it running: the many parent volunteers, led by Speech & Debate Booster Club President Drea Bernardi, the team at Panther Partners, especially Danielle Weiner and Kindra Kelly-Scumpia, CCMS Admin, especially Tiffany Mathiesen, and the support of CCEF.
| | Learn More About How the College Connect App Can Help Students Get College Ready | | |
CCUSD is proud to partner with College Connect by Siembra, a free, bilingual mobile application designed to connect high school students, parents, and college admissions teams into a single platform beginning in the 9th grade.
The College Connect team continues to build a virtual community to support students and families. Besides our app College Connect by Siembra, the team provides resources and virtual sessions based on the needs of CCUSD students and families.
The approach is not a one-size-fits-all and can include all of the following and more:
- College and Career exploration
- Scholarship awareness
- FAFSA & other financial aid support
- Targeted nudges to increase test scores or attendance
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) or Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) exposure
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Campus visit opportunities with College Connect's university partners
To learn more, please check out the latest College Connect newsletter, available in both ENGLISH and SPANISH.
| | Thinking About Teaching Next Year? Earn A Master's Degree and Credential in One Year | | |
Start your teaching career in Culver City with the Alder WIDE Teacher Residency!
The Alder WIDE Teacher Residency offers an opportunity to earn a master’s degree and teaching credential in just one year while gaining hands-on experience through a year-long apprenticeship with a mentor teacher.
Residents receive substantial financial support, including a $30,000 living stipend, potential grant and scholarship funding, and access to federal financial aid. Residents accepted into the program in Culver City also receive priority hiring consideration for a full-time position with Culver City Unified School District.
The program is currently accepting applications for several credential areas, including Multiple Subject Dual Immersion/Bilingual, Math, Science, Multiple Subject and Special Education.
Priority application deadline: October 9, 2026
Learn more and start your application at aldergse.edu/apply.
For more information, contact Dala Alvarez at Dalvarez@aldergse.edu.
| | Celebrate Disability Awareness Month With Your Own CCUSD Inclusion Apparel | | |
October is Disability Awareness Month!
This month, we celebrate the many strengths, talents, contributions, and experiences of people with disabilities while promoting greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion throughout our community.
Inclusive practices matter because everyone deserves to feel valued, respected, welcomed, and included. When we create schools and communities where everyone can participate, build friendships, learn from one another, and contribute in meaningful ways, we create a stronger community for all. Most importantly, we want everyone in our district to remember one simple but powerful message: EVERYONE BELONGS!
To help spread this important message, CCPTA's Disability Awareness Month Pop-Up Shop is now open! Pick up a shirt, sweatshirt, or other item and proudly wear it around our schools and community as a reminder that inclusion and belonging are for everyone. Get yours today and help us spread the word: EVERYONE IN OUR DISTRICT BELONGS!
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¡Octubre es el Mes de Concienciación sobre la Discapacidad! Este mes, celebramos las muchas fortalezas, talentos, contribuciones y experiencias de las personas con discapacidad mientras promovemos una mayor comprensión, aceptación e inclusión en toda nuestra comunidad.
Las prácticas inclusivas importan porque todos merecen sentirse valorados, respetados, bienvenidos e incluidos. Cuando creamos escuelas y comunidades donde todos puedan participar, hacer amistades, aprender unos de otros y contribuir de maneras significativas, creamos una comunidad más fuerte para todos. Lo más importante es que queremos que todos en nuestro distrito recuerden un mensaje simple pero poderoso: ¡TODOS PERTENECEN!
Para ayudarnos a difundir este mensaje tan importante, ¡nuestra Tienda Emergente del Mes de Concienciación sobre la Discapacidad ya está abierta! Consigue una camiseta, sudadera u otro artículo y póntelo con orgullo en nuestras escuelas y comunidad como recordatorio de que la inclusión y el sentido de pertenencia son para todos. Consigue el tuyo hoy y ayúdanos a correr la voz: ¡TODOS EN NUESTRO DISTRITO PERTENECEN!
| | Get Ready for International Walk to School Day on October 7 | Please Be Aware: Elenda Street Will Be Closed for This Event | | Check Out These Two Great New Classes Available ay Culver City Adult School | | Check Out Our #CulverPride | | | | |
