May 5, 2014

Dear SMASHing Families,

Please note: Site Council this Wednesday, May 7th 3:15 in Chrysta’s room, Council members will be considering options for spending the ~$19,000 worth of “School Stretch Grants” that SMASH will receive through VSS (Vision for Student Success) for 2014-15.

If you have any ideas you wish to share, please either attend the meeting or get in touch with one of the Site Council parent members ahead of time to let us know your thoughts.

Current parent representatives are:
Amber Baker amberblaise@gmail.com
Molly Lague molly.media@verizon.net
Sabine Werk visionwerk@mac.com

Jessica

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SMASH Site Council Agenda

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014 at 3:15 PM

Adopt Agenda

Approve minutes of last meeting

Community participation:       

Reports and Announcements (regular agenda items)

Principal’s Report:

            Student Reports:

            Community Organization Reports (to include but not limited to the following):

                        PTSA: 

Student Council:

Old Business

New Business—

*Count ballots and confirm 1 new parent representative for 2014-15

*Consider options for ~$19,000 “School Stretch Grants” through VSS (Vision for Student Success) for 2014-15

Confirm meeting dates for 2014-15

Community participation (if applicable): none

Adjourn. 

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SMASH SITE ADVISORY COUNCIL

It’s time again to select a parent to represent you at the SMASH Council for next year. This group of parent, staff and students meet once a month. 

We will be electing 1 parent to serve a two-year term. Statements of interest are below.

My name is Ben Colvin, father to Ryan Colvin who is currently a Core 1 big, and I am a SMASH alumni from the last high school graduating class of 1986.  I hold an elementary multi-subject teaching credential, which allowed me to teach art for LAUSD for the past seven years.  I was born and raised in the Ocean Park area of Santa Monica. My time at SMASH taught me what it was like to be truly woven into the fabric of my community.  I owe a debt of gratitude to my SMASH family and am so happy to be back sharing the experience with my son.

VOTE FOR ONE REPRESENTATIVE

Ballots must be return no later than Monday, May 5 at 3:00pm

_________      Ben Colvin

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DATES TO REMEMBER

MAY

Mon, Tues, Wed, May 5, 6, 7 - Rosti Restaurant Night

Tues, May 6 - 6pm - Channel Island trip parent meeting

Wed, May 7 - 8:30am - PTSA Mtg

Wed, May 7 - 3:15pm - Site Council Mtg

Thurs, May 8 - Core 4 Parent Aquarium Night—CANCELLED

May 12 - Last day for prepayments for Meal Deal.

Tues, May 13 - 6pm - Middle School Choir , Band and Orchestra

Mon, May 19 - Last day for lunch payments by check.  Cash only after today.

SATURDAY - MAY 17 - SUPERSMASH

Mon, May 26 - Memorial Day - School Closed

Tues, May 27 - SMASH spring concert - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wed, May 28 - 6:00-7:30pm - Core 1 Parent Education night - Evening two

Wed, May 28, 29, 30 - 8th grade Channel Island trip

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SMASH MIDDLE SCHOOL

SPRING CONCERT

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

6 – 8pm 

                                          in the Cafeteria                                                  

We are looking forward to sharing this evening with you! 

Robert Anderson, Mike Hyziak, Mr. Muñoz, Mrs. Spike-Gravelle

Students: Must arrive at the time specified by their music teacher.  Please dress to the occasion.

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SMASH/JOHN MUIR ELEMENTARY

SPRING CONCERT

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

in the Cafeteria

4^th Grade – 6pm

5^th Grade – 7pm

                                                      

We are looking forward to sharing this evening with you!

Ms. Bersch, Ms. Cruz, Mr. Muñoz, Mrs. Quíroz, Mrs. Spike-Gravelle

Students: Please arrive 15 minutes before your concert and dress nicely

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The Getty Villa Family Day celebrating Heaven & Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections.

Immerse yourself in the soul & splendor of the mysterious Byzantine Empire in this interactive Family Day.

Be enveloped in the sounds of another world, explore rich iconography through hands-on workshops,

 and see the treasures of a cultural millennium that continue to inspire people around the world.

Date: Saturday, May 3

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admission is FREE, reservations required.

Call (310) 440-7300 or visit http://www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/villa_family_day.html

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Brush up your bike skills for Bike it Walk it Week!

There is a free Bike Skills Workshop at JAMS on Sat May 3 at 9:30. Bring your bike and helmet

and practice: basic bike maintenance, rules of the road, picking a good biking route, scanning, signaling and right and left turns, and where, how and why to ride on the roadway. SMMUSD students from 8-16 are welcome, along with parents or staff. RSVP to Alison@kendallplanning.com. Registration and release firms required (Bike Workshops) See you Saturday!

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Tidbits From SMASH PTSA

SUPERSMASH and SILENT AUCTION are happening NOW!

Now is the time to sign up for your volunteer spot during Supersmash/Silent Auction on 

Saturday, May 17th. need everyone to take at least one shift - that's just 1 or 2 hours - to make it a success! take a moment to look at your schedule and find a spot in between sports and other activities to share in the fun.

You can sign up online through the links listed below... take the time now, so we know we can count on you.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Silent Auction Chair: Sabine Werk visionwerk@mac.com

SuperSMASH Chair: Naren Desai narendesai@icloud.com

PTSA President: Tenzer jameetenzer@gmail.com

PTSA MEETING - Wednesday, May 7- 8:30am in the Library featuring a special guest; Josephine Moerschel from Elemental Strings and Band.

If you currently have a 2nd, 3rd or 4th Grader, this is your opportunity to get all your questions answered about the program for next year. Plus, we will receive updates on SuperSMASH, Smash Bashes and all the activities that PTSA is involved in. The meetings are no longer than one hour and packed with great information - so please come along before this school year ends!

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SuperSMASH 2014  NEEDS YOU!

Hello Smashing Families,

       Super Smash is only 3 Weeks Away and it is time for us to come together to make it another amazing and successful day for the kids, the school and for all of us who do so much for the place we love.

       We will need volunteers throughout the day at the various activities, game booths, slides / inflatables, food stations, ticket and prize tables, auction etc.   Please take a look at the google-doc sign up sheet and pick one of many great places to lend a hand.  Giving just a little of your time goes a long long way. 

        We need everyone’s continued efforts to solicit items for the silent auction and a team of people who can help distribute our wonderful fliers and post cards throughout our community (also a good time to get auction items!).  PLEASE HELP OUT WHERE YOU CAN AS IT MAKES THE DAY EVEN MORE SPECIAL KNOWING WE ALL DID THIS TOGETHER!

Here are the links to the GOOGLE-DOC sign up sheets.

2014 SuperSMASH - Campus Set-Up/Break-Down:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdDVCSm9lUTMyMzU2UGEzTld1OVB6bmc&usp=sharing

2014 SuperSMASH - Silent/Live Auction:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdFljcThHSXJQREl5LVVEQVZDN3o5UGc&usp=sharing

2014 SuperSMASH - Food Court Shifts:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdFB3a0xEc0ZiY2VYMHdFay1MQWo2OFE&usp=sharing

2014 SuperSMASH - Field Games & Rides:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdExldnRHT1A1VXpHWTlPa0JDVG04UUE&usp=sharing

2014 SuperSMASH - Arts & Activities:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdENkdWs2TmZ6MmxsaTBxZm9zTVIxUUE&usp=sharing

There are several areas we are looking for special assistance and long term training:

• Tie Dye Booth:  After 12 amazing years Mike Bone is looking to find someone to train and take over this booth that has provided SMASH wonderful memories and keepsakes. 
• Splash Attack:  Morgan Night is also looking to train someone to take over this extremely popular and fun water booth!
• Spin Art:  Our Alumni DJ Holly Adams will be at it one more time in between sets but we would love for someone to train under her expert guidance to learn the ropes to keep this great booth going.

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CORE 1 NEWS

Parents of Core 1,the YEARBOOK NEEDS YOUR PHOTOS NOW.

Please make a little time in the next few days to sendCore 1 Yearbook Committee,or Mariam,       your best pictures of the kids at SMASH or on SMASH field trips or at SMASH events.

Please send us your pictures immediately, in the way that is fastest for you:

• Via Dropbox (we will e-mail you the link) must either have Dropbox or install it (it's easy) we will e-mail you the link

• or send pictures by attachment to Amber Baker at Amberblaise@gmail.com. send emails to us withCore 1 Yearbook Photosthe subject line.

• or give your child's teacher a flash drive or cd which we can return to you later.

Dates to remember:

May Birthday Bash – May 2

Thurs, May 8 - Bike It Day

June Birthday Bash – May 9

Bigs’ Field Trip to Farmers Market- May 14

July Birthday Bash –May 16

SATURDAY - MAY 17 – SUPERSMASH

Mon, May 26 - Memorial Day—School Closed  

Mentors’ Field Trip to Farmers Market -  May 28

Wed, May 28 - 6:00-7:30pm - Core 1 Parent Education night - Evening two

Partners’ Field Trip to Farmers Market - June 4

WISH LISTwe can still use your CORKS, PAPER ROLLS, TAPE, & YARN.

PLEASE keep track of your child’s sweaters, jackets and sweatshirts. You can help by making sure their name is marked in their belongings. To better manage our overwhelming outerwear situations, unmarked items will be donated on Fridays.

Have a great weekend!

Graciela, Chrysta, Christian, and Nadja

Graciela gbarba-castro@smmusd.org

Chrysta cpowell@smmusd.org          

Christian ccarter@smmusd.org 

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CORE 2 NEWS

School has only been back in session for 2 weeks and it’s already time to switch teachers! 

On Tuesday afternoon, #Selfie will be heading to Tamara and The Cookie Monsters will be going to Jayme. 

There is a lot of KINDNESS in Core 2!

We are focusing on “Random Acts of Kindness” in class and at school.  Each student is an “Agent” whose mission is to deliver small acts of kindness to their “Target” over the course of 2 weeks.  These may include encouraging, positive notes, small treats (after they’ve checked with a teacher about allergies), drawings, origami, etc. that will brighten their Target’s day.  This is a secret project in that students are not to talk about each other’s Target.  We want to keep the mystery alive!  At the end of the 2 weeks, each Agent will reveal their identity to their Target.

What Random Acts of Kindness will you do?

Students are compiling lists of kind actions that we are doing throughout our day, in and out of school. 

So far #Selfie has completed the following acts:

*helped Dad clean up tools

*said hello to a stranger

*gave a compliment to Mom

*held the door for a stranger, friend, and family members

*said thank you

*helped Mom and Dad

*swept Coach’s office

*made Mom a bracelet

In small groups, Core 2 students will also be completing acts of kindness for other people on campus.  Some are working together to use posters as reminders to “Be Nice to Each Other!”  Others are making lemonade and treats to offer at Lunch.  Cards, bracelets, and origami pieces are all being created to bring some extra sunshine to the campus. 

The Cookie Monsters will begin this project next week, but they can get started now! 

Be kind to others. Brighten someone’s day.  Make a difference.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN CORE 2

Field Trips - Bring sack lunch, wear comfortable shoes

Monday, May 5                       Tanaka Farms

Friday, May 16                        Descanso Gardens

*Chaperones are welcomed and appreciated!  Please email Jayme to let us know if you can attend.

Have a lovely weekend!

Jayme, Tamara, &Malaika              

Jayme: jwoldflorian@smmusd.org               

Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org

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CORE 3 NEWS

Thanks to all who turned in their Overnight Field Trip forms/deposits by the May 2^nd due date!

Phone calls will be going out to families who have not turned them in.

Field Trips: Monday, May 12 to California Science Center where we will be participating in a roller coaster class and Wednesday, May 28 to Kidspace for a Physics class.

CHAPERONES NEEDED! Please email Genie or Erin if you can join us!

6th gr Math with Erin: This week we delved into our second unit on fractions, decimals, and percents. Students spent time playing a fraction card game and working on estimating the sums of various fractions. We thought about when you might want to underestimate (thinking about how much material you already have for a project) vs. overestimate (planning how much food you need for a party). Next week we will continue to think about how to add fractions and decimals and why this is important for real life.

5^th gr Math with Genie: We learned the power of 10 with decimals in multiplying and dividing fractions and use our fractional equivalent understanding to help guide us. We took an assessment on ordering decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals. We always need to continue with our practice so please play the games that went home today as homework with your child and include them on any problems you are solving with decimals. 

PLEASE PLAY THE GAMES WITH YOUR CHILD!

Science/Social Studies with Erin: We continued thinking about physics this week. Students completed their illustrated physics vocabulary cards and then put on small group skits to teach the class about the various terms. We also thought about Newton's 3 Laws and how they apply to real life. Students met with their new project groups and journaled about what they do well in groups and what they can work on. The group then set norms for the new project. Finally we    previewed a few paper roller coaster videos for the students to get inspiration. Next week we will start building!

Writing Workshop/Reading Workshop with Genie:  We chose, nurtured and drafted our song lyrics! We focused on the big idea, story, feeling and metaphors that will help get our point across in our song.  We looked at the basic structures of song lyrics as well.  We will revise and edit and plan on publishing our lyrics by May 9^th. Students do not need to write music to go with their lyrics but if they want to, they are welcome too. We will also not be reading these pieces out loud but will be sharing them in class where students can read all the pieces to themselves. We will be moving back to our science fiction pieces since we will get our computers back from being used for state testing. 

            We also started debates again basing them off of current events making them more research based debates rather than just personal topics.  A great family activity is to read a news article and then debate the two sides to the issue. We are still learning how to synthesize information we learn with what we already know and how to put together all the knowledge (old and new) into new thoughts, reasons and supports.

5th grade families, a letter went home with your child last week from Nurse Sandy. The 5th grade district body talk will take place Friday, May 9 at 9:15. The whole grade will see a video on basic body changes that happen during puberty. Then the boys will talk with Darwin and the girls with Nurse Sandy and Genie. If you have any questions please contact Nurse Sandy.

Homework:

5G math: packet due 5/9/14—cut out decimal cards and play the games!

Nonfiction sheet due Wednesday!

Reading 30 minutes every day! 

WW: collect 2 entries (full pages) in writing notebook each week.

Have a great weekend

Genie, Erin, and Laura

Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org                                                                                             Erin:ehaendel@smmusd.org

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CORE 4 NEWS

Humanities - We have started our background work for Red Scarf Girl. We finished an activity called “The Human Timeline” on the modern history of China and on the China’s cultural revolution. We had discussions on identity, cultural revolution, and universe of responsibility. We also ranked and began discussed universal themes and dilemmas that will emerge in Red Scarf Girl.

8th Grade - Bee Action Research Project: Research Writing Continues. 

7th Grade - The Giver/Divergent: Everyone finished reading their found poetry to the class. We also completed our discussions using a fishbowl protocol.

Science - We started our final unit on human body systems.  We focused on the muscular system this week.

Math - The Algebros are working on the Quadratic Functions unit. The Variables are working on the Exponential Functions.  The GUFs are working on the Functions unit. “The B.L. Broskis” and “The 42% Mathecols” are working on Data, Statistics, and Probability. “The Mathemagicians” are working on geometry.

Important Reminders for 8th Grade Parents

1.       The Channel Islands Trip is scheduled for May 28, 29, and 30.  We have fundraised most of the money. Please send in any outstanding jog-a-thon pledges.

2.    We will have a parent meeting about the Channel Island Trip at 6pm on Tuesday, May 6th.

Important Dates

May 6  - Parent Meeting for the 8th Grade Channel Islands Trip at 6pm

May 28, 29, & 30  - 8th Grade Channel Islands Trip

June 6  - 8th Grade Graduation

June 10  - Beach Day

Darwin Mendinueto - dmendinueto@smmusd.org                                          

Pam Dresher - pdresher@smmusd.org