On-campus organizations that support our school
Advocates for Language Learning at El Marino (ALLEM) Advocates for Language Learning El Marino are a group unique to our school. They raise funds to provide target language-speaking providers in every classroom. They do this through their pledge drive, community night fundraisers, and after-school cultural classes. They also sponsor cultural events throughout the school year in order to further enrich students’ language immersion experiences. Meetings are bi-monthly; all are welcome to attend.
English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) The English Learner Advisory Committee advises the principal and staff about programs and services for students learning English. Parents of students learning English have the right to elect the members of the committee. Meetings are conducted in English, Spanish and Japanese. ELAC is not a fundraising organization. All parents are welcome to attend.
El Marino Parent Teacher Association (EMPTA) The PTA at El Marino is a unit belonging to the California PTA whose overall goal is to "positively impact the lives of all children and families." Anyone can join the PTA. We encourage all students, parents, extended family members, and community members to join. Becoming a member DOES NOT mean that you have to attend meetings or are obligated to volunteer. Becoming a member DOES mean that our students will have further access to valuable enrichment and programs that add to the overall fulfilling experience at El Marino Language School. All parents are welcome to attend.
School Site Council (SSC) The School Site Council is the school governance body, which allocates supplemental school funds. The Council is responsible for developing the school plan and for allocating funds in ways that further the goals articulated in the plan. The Council reviews the school instructional program and analyzes test data. Supplemental state funds pay for teacher attendance at professional conferences, translations, supplementary materials, parent education, and the salaries of instructional aides who work with students who need extra help.
The Council consists of the principal, elected teacher representatives, elected parent representatives and an elected representative from the non-teaching staff. However, all parents are welcome to attend the meetings. The School Site Council is not a fundraising organization. All parents are welcome to attend.
A- Z Volunteer Opportunities
(If interested, contact [email protected])
Backpacks for Kids
Here in the Culver City Unified School District, you will find that “success for all takes us all!” The Backpack Program was designed to fill a desperate need for our school children and families at all CCUSD schools that might not have enough to eat over the weekend. Sponsored by the Culver City Council of PTA, each school site is in charge of providing one part of a balanced diet for meals that go home to needy families in an unmarked backpack on Friday afternoon. This program requires delivery of our school’s food contribution to the middle school and returning to El Marino with filled backpacks. It’s an easy and highly rewarding commitment. Drive-up and drop off and/or pickup.
Crazy Hat Bingo (ALLEM - all proceeds raised support the adjuncts)
Just as you would imagine! Bring your crazy hat and play a few rounds of bingo!! Fun family event. Help is always welcome.
Book Fair Committee If you love everything about books and want others to share your enthusiasm, then the Book Fair is the place for you. We run our Book Fair twice a year, in the fall and in the spring. We need an army of parent volunteers to help kids write down wish lists of books they might like to buy and operate the cash register. No experience is necessary, we’ll train you! Everyone looks forward to the Book Fair!
Kinder Welcome Program Want to help welcome new families at El Marino? The El Marino Kinder Welcome Committee would like to help make their transition a little easier. The goal of the program is to give families a connection to El Marino, and for Families to help navigate the changes involved with starting at a new school.
Career Day
El Marino PTA is interested in organizing a Career Day for all students. To be able to provide opportunities for students to meet and ask questions of parents, or others in the community from all the variety of career opportunities. We also seek presenters that could speak in the target language, as they could also share the opportunities of being bilingual or multilingual in any particular career.
Drop Zone Committee Running late? Use the Drop Zone! We need volunteers! The Drop Zone is located at the intersection of Coolidge and Diller Avenues. Dedicated volunteers are there daily to assist children in grades 1-5 safely out of their car and directly onto the school grounds. With our system, we can unload 6 cars at a time so parents can quickly and safely exit the area. Many of us would be late without them! Come join our team, it’s so easy!
El Marino PTA Outreach Committee aka "EMC2"
(El Marino Community Cares) hosts various drives throughout the school year. We also provide opportunities for students to create cards or postcards during lunchtime for different purposes, i.e., Veterans, CCPD, etc.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee is dedicated to influencing positive and equitable educational experiences for students at El Marino. Our goal is to create experiences and provide critical feedback to school-wide and district-wide policy which supports the emotional health and development of students who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and other underrepresented populations as they strive to navigate the surrounding school community. As an immersion school with two target languages, our population consists of students whose households encompass two or more cultures often within southern California, the United States, or across the globe, bringing a unique mixture of cultural experiences to our campus. With these experiences, we hope to enlighten the school community on issues that influence the school's efforts toward creating a more unified student body who are stewards of equity and inclusion. Please see our section listed on the right for more information.
Glitter Ball (all proceeds raised support the adjuncts)
The biggest, glow, dance party of the year. The Glitter Ball is the ultimate family party at El Marino! So much fun for the kids. 3 chairs needed for this event, many volunteers are helpful for the night of, but you will be there anyway dancing! Planning begins mid January.
Green 5 Committee The Green5 program is an initiative of the Environmental Sustainability Committee that is part of all CCUSD schools. This program has been instrumental in getting rid of styrofoam lunch trays, getting hydration stations installed, getting solar at the HS/MS, improving recycling on campuses, and implementing composting on campuses. There is still a lot more that can be done. Please join the GREEN 5 Committee and help bring about even more environmentally sustainable changes through CCUSD. This committee is in need of a committee chair!
El Marino Garden Committee Do you love to teach? Do you love to garden? Inspiring children and adults to adopt healthy eating habits are what the Growing Great program is all about. In the program, children learn where our food comes from, and appreciate that food serves a purpose in our overall health and has an impact on our longevity and well-being. We are looking for long-term energetic and enthusiastic parents who share our passion for this wonderful program.
Fall Festival Committee (postponed)
Do you absolutely love Halloween and all things Autumn? If so, come join the committee in preparing for one of our most thrilling events of the year. Help transform our playground area into a family carnival that all enjoy, be a part of the fast action at the pumpkin derby competition, or organize some creepy treats to eat. We need many hands to help run this highly fun and successful event!
Hospitality Committee
Our Hospitality Team might have the most fun on campus since they get to plan all of the parties! If you love to use your creativity to entertain, then they could use your help. Duties might include set up, decorating, food tasting, and the humble acceptance of applause for a wonderful party.
Jogathon
This is one of our most fun and most successful fundraisers for the PTA! Come help cheer on the students as they run to earn money for our school. Volunteer duties include assembling the event instruction handouts, handing out water, tallying #’s of laps run, and collecting money.
Popsicle Committee
Are you looking for an easy way to help that requires very little time? Popsicle sales are the perfect fit for you! Enjoy seeing smiles all around from happy kids and adults. Who doesn’t love a popsicle?
Science Committee Are you an engineer, chemist, physicist, astronomer, geologist, paleontologist, marine biologist, botanist, tinkerer, or home scientist? Our students would love to talk to you and see what you do! As a volunteer, you could help organize or arrange for presenters and set up pre-assembled small experiments for our wildly popular Science Fair. Your interest today may inspire future scientists tomorrow!
Silent Auction (ALLEM - all proceeds raised support the adjuncts)
This takes place typically on Open House night. This is a big event that can be subdivided and needs lots of help. Starts up mid-October.
Special Education Committee
Provides resources and support to all El Marino families in regard to special education and an inclusive classroom. Do you know what is an Individualized Education Plan or Program (IEP), 504, or inclusive classrooms? All families are encouraged to learn and participate in this committee. The focus of this committee is inclusivity.
Spirit Wear Committee
Get some school spirit and join our Spiritwear Team. Easily one of the most popular tables at our events, no one can resist our stylish school apparel. Sign up to help with sales at an event!
Walk ‘N’ Roll Committee
We participate in CCUSD Safe Routes to School program, committing one Friday morning a month to get our kids, parents, and staff walking, biking, or scooting to school. Our own CC Police help make the route safe. We would love for you to join our safety team to help lead our kids to school. Groups leave from two locations, the US Bank building at Sepulveda and Sawtelle and the La Ballona Bridge near the bike path at Sawtelle and Culver Drive. The classroom with the most participation wins the Silver Sneaker Award!
Yearbook Committee
The yearbook is an all-year-round project. Generally, it is due at the end of March or a week before the Spring break. Therefore, January to March is the busiest time for the Yearbook Committee. The printed books will arrive the Friday before the last week of school. On that Monday morning of the last week of school, the yearbook staff will get together and sort and deliver the books to each classroom to the students. Then we sell the remaining books at the cactus garden every day of that week. We have several projects that come together to make this book so there are many opportunities for volunteering.