May 16, 2008

THE SMASHING FRIDAY LETTER
May 16, 2008

Dear SMASH Community,

It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce Jessica Rishe as SMASH's new principal. Some of you may remember Jessica from her teaching days at SMASH. Jessica did her student teaching here and then taught in Core 1 from 1995 to 2000. Since then she has been a Beginning Teacher Support Provider in the district and has been the Assistant Principal at McKinley Elementary school for the past two years. Jessica has a strong background in Alternative Education and brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the position. I could not think of a better person to lead SMASH in the next stage of its journey.

We will be arranging times for Jessica to come and meet with staff, parents and students so that we can facilitate a smooth transition before the end of the year. - Carrie

Remember those Golden Raffle Tickets?

The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation is pleased to announce that $30,000 in Academic Enrichment Grants (AEG’s) has been awarded for the 2008-2009 school year. Funded by our annual raffle, this grant program provides for special programs, equipment and materials not covered by District or State funding. This year, twenty-eight grants were awarded to teachers throughout our District.
Congratulations to Genie Hwang! She received a grant for ELMO Digital Document Cameras.

NOT RETURNING TO SMASH NEXT YEAR?
AN INTRA DISTRICT ENROLLMENT FORM IS NOW MANDITORY

If your child will be attending another elementary or middle school in the Santa Monica-Malibu School District, you must submit an intra district form BEFORE May 31, 2008 to
the District’s Student Permit Office. Forms are available in the SMASH main office.
This change for the 2008-2009 school year is due to Assembly Bill AB1114, which offers
open enrollment for students residing within the District.

To receive the Friday Letter by e-mail, contact Carrie at cferguson@smmusd.org

DATES TO REMEMBER

Sun, May 18 - Family Picnic on the Green - 11 am—2 pm, 2030 Ocean Avenue
Wed, May 21 - SMASH school tour - 10 am
Sat, May 24 - LIVE DRAW - 7-10pm, DCA Fine Art, 3107 Pico Blvd
Mon, May 26 - Memorial Day - School Closed
Tue, May 27 - Site Council Mtg. 6:30pm
Wed, May 28 - Police Activity League Youth Center (PAL) Open House 6-8pm (310) 458-8988
Thur, May 29 - 5:30 pm - Next year’s middle school music program information mtg. DATE CHANGE
Sat, May 31 - Benefit for the Arts Concert, 8:00 pm - Barnum Hall, SAMOHI
Sat, May 31 - SuperSMASH Carnival and Silent Auction

HEALTHY BAKE SALE WEDNESDAYS!

May: Core 3 - May 21 Core 4 - May 28 June: Core 1 - June 4 Core 2 - June 11

Just a reminder—no donuts, frosted cupcakes, candy, or any high sugar treats.
Bake Sale Set up is between 2:15-2:30 –Start popcorn by 2:15
(start popcorn at 2:15 or earlier in time for John Muir dismissal.).

8 Artists, 3 Models, 1 Incredible Scene!
Support SMASH by attending the most exciting art event of the season
Hosted by SMASH parent and DCA Fin Art proprietor Delia Cabral (Core 3’s Liam Peterson)
World Famous Live Art Event

LIVE DRAW!

Saturday, May 24 7-10 pm
Advanced tickets $45
Watch 8 artists in action. Buy art right off the pad.
Fine Wine by Tisza Wine Co. and creative tapas Grooves by DJ S.I.M.O.
DCA Fine Art, 3107 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica
Tickets: www.dcafineart.com Information: 310-828-4751
*Partial proceeds donated to SMASH

For The Arts BENEFIT CONCERT! May 31, 2008
Jackson Browne, Venice and Special Guests
Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School
Doors 6:30pm Show: 8:00pm
Purchase tickets: www.smmef.org - $50, $100, $175, $250 Call 310-396-4557 to order $1000 VIP Tickets
$900 is tax-deductible - pre-show dinner, seating in first 5 rows center, parking on campus and after-party.

Street Improvement Project Construction Notice - Week of May 19

Grinding, paving or slurry sealing of the street. The streets around school are subject to partial closing during this work phase. Signs will be posted in advance stating parking limitations for areas under construction. Cars and any other vehicles should not be parked at the posted areas during posted hours. During the posted construction period, the City’s Parking Enforcement Division will exempt street sweeping restrictions for a one-block radius to mitigate the impact on available street parking. Work will not necessitate long-term closure of any driveways, but you may experience temporary delays in accessing driveways at certain times. Specific warning signs will be posted if it becomes necessary to disrupt driveway access for an extended period. Work durations will be subject to weather conditions and other unforeseen delays.


John Muir Scholastic Book Fair
Friday, May 16 through Friday, May 23

Last Day for District Music for this School Year
3rd grade ends: June 6 Cores 3 & 4 ends: June 12

CANDIDATES FOR SITE COUNCIL—2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR
Daniel McGee Kezia Miller
Ballots will be sent home with the May 23 Friday Letter and are due by 1:30 on Friday, May 30. No late ballots will be accepted. Representatives will be announced in the June 6 Friday Letter.

Signed up yet?
SuperSMASH needs you!
Saturday, May 31

Help run a Game
Assist at an Art Booth
‘Man’ a Refreshment Stand
Watch over the Silent Auction

Bring in a cake for the Cakewalk
on Saturday, May 31, by 10AM.

Bring in a casserole for the Casserole Corner
on Saturday, May 31, by 10AM.

Set up and decorate
on Friday, May 30, in the afternoon/evening
and/or on Saturday, May 31, in the morning.

Hand out postcards
to family and friends, in your neighborhood, at your children’s sports events.

Post posters
any time any place where children and their parents will see it.

Get donations
We’ve got a great catalogue already, but there are never too many donations. Go out here, and get more!!!

Sign up!
Helga Schier at 310-828-8421 or e-mail helgaschier@verizon.net
Make a commitment NOW!


SuperSMASH ‘08
is just 2 weeks away!

Got Donations?
Please bring your fabulous donations in ASAP!
Donation forms available in the office

Got Canopies?
Please let us know if you have a canopy we could use.
Carrie at cferguson@smmusd.org

Got Time?
Please volunteer. SuperSMASH needs you!
Helga at 310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net

Dear Families and Friends,

My name is Jila Tayefehnowrooz, Core 4 Parsa’s mother. To help with SuperSMASH Silent Auction we would like to create multicultural baskets from each Core.
To do this we need collaboration of the entire community. We need each family to bring in an item that they feel represents their culture. For example, a spice, a book of tales from your country, a cd, recipe, video with subtitles, a travel book . . .there are many ideas. You may say that you have no culture—well, we are all from somewhere. Maybe you identify more with a region of the United States. How about a gift certificate for a dinner if you are from the Midwest, or movie coupons, beach towel if you are from California, or taffy from Oregon, seafood cookbook, etc.
There will be a box in each Core. Please put your items in these boxes with your name and the culture it represents.
Please contact me at 310-417-8000 if you have any questions.
Let’s all use our imagination and create something really special to celebrate our differences!

Thank you! Gracias! Merci! Arigatou! Grazie! Motashakarm!



Dear SMASH Community,

Jayme Wold (Core 2) and Tamara Mugalian (Core 3) are going to the highly regarded Writing Workshop Summer Institute at Teachers College through Columbia University this summer. They will be in New York City from (roughly) Saturday, June 28 - Saturday, July 12. As housing through Columbia is limited and hotels are costly--they are hoping to find an extended-stay situation or, better yet, a groovy little sublet with a couple of beds and a small kitchen. Tamara used to live in NYC, so they are comfortable staying in the city or in Queens, Brooklyn (although that would be a schlep!), etc and utilizing public transportation.

Please put the word out to all your connections in NYC and let us know if you have any tips or prospects.

Thanks!

Got 2 Bucks?

Here’s your chance to win a fantastic
Veloworx BIKE

Buy one (or two or three…) raffle ticket(s) for only $2/each and perhaps
you’ll win a Phat Cycles SeaBreeze Cruiser
(valued at $200; exchangeable for store credit only)

Raffle opens Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Raffle closes at SuperSMASH, Saturday, May 31, 2008

Purchase your tickets at Wednesday’s bake sale or in the office.

&------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please fill out the form below and hand it in with your
$2 for one (1) raffle ticket towards a chance to win the
Veloworx Phat Cycles SeaBreeze Cruiser.
The purchase of multiple tickets is gently encouraged.
Additional forms are available in the office.


Name ______________________________________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________________________

Telephone____________________________________________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________


ptsa news
president’s note
Dear SMASH Parents,
Check out that catalogue! This year’s SuperSMASH Silent Auction offers something for everyone. Thanks to each and everyone of you who helped collect these fabulous items!
Please consider donating your time. Check out the call for volunteers and sign up!

And finally, don’t forget to spread the word. Going to the store? Pick up a few posters from the office and ask the store to display it. Going to your child’s sporting event over the weekend? Pick up a few postcards fro the office and hand them out to their teammates. Got family and friends nearby? Call them, and invite them to come to SuperSMASH. Got neighbors? Give them one of the postcards you received with this Friday Letter. Got colleagues? Send them an e-mail with the flier you’ll get with this week’s link to the electronic Friday Letter.
SuperSMASH is only TWO WEEKS AWAY. Let’s rally together and make this a success.
Ofer Grossman
SMASHing fundraisers
2 more weeks to SuperSMASH on Saturday, May 31, 2008. We need your help to make it a success. Although the catalogue is closed, we are still accepting donations. New donations will be listed in an updated catalogue. Thanks! Please also check out this week’s call for volunteers. Contact Helga at 310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net. Thanks!
SMASHing events
In support of SMASH, DCA Fine Arts presents
Live Draw! Eight Artists. Three Models. One incredible scene.
May 24th, 7 - 10 pm
DCA Fine Art, 3107 Pico

Enjoy a London DJ, Tisza (Hungarian boutique wines), Bonaventure Brewing Company Golden Ale, and tapas! Check out the flier attached!
Tickets are $45 pre-sale or $55 at the door. Buy tickets online: www.dcafineart.com
John Muir/SMASHing workshops
The “Green Living” workshop started last Monday, May 12, without ANY SMASH representation. There’s still a chance to show SMASH wants to go green. Come on Monday, May 19 at 6PM and learn great things about green living. Parent/children participants are welcome. Questions? Contact SMASH parent Gina Garcia at ginagplus2@msn.com. Thanks!
SMASHing meetings
NEW DATE for our next PTSA meeting: Thursday, June 5, at 6:00PM. Come meet the new board! We need your support! Be there!

CORE 2 NEWS

Cores 1&2 BBQ

Don’t forget! We will be having our (almost) end of the year barbeque this Friday, May 23 at 11:00
(we're firing up the grills at 10:30) in the Small Yard). We hope you can join us for this fun event! Please deliver your assigned food item on the day of the BBQ.
Seating is limited in the small yard, so picnic blankets are great!
WE NEED GRILLS!!
We have very few volunteers for grills, so please let us know if you have one we can borrow. Thanks!

Core 1 Play

Come see Core 1 in our first theatrical production of the year. We will be performing our versions of Charlie the Caterpillar on Wednesday, May 28 9:00 – 10:15. Both circle groups will take turns performing in the Core 1 classroom. Come see our budding stars! Thanks to Kristy, our drama teacher, who has worked extra hard to help us get ready. Don't forget your camera! (If anyone plans to make a DVD, please let us know. We’d love to watch our performance on TV!!)

Meeting Our Pen Pals
Our pen pals from Our Community School will be visiting us at SMASH on Friday, May 30. It will be so much fun meeting our “mystery friends” after all of this time. After a quick Morning Meeting with them in our classroom, we will venture to the beach for a time at the park. All students will need snacks and lunches, which we will be eating at the park. We hope to have many chaperones for this fun event, so please sign-up in the Peaceful Room if you are available.

Summer Reading – Library Trip
It’s time to get ready for your summer reading! With so much time away from school, it is essential that you continue nurturing your child’s reading muscles throughout the summer. The Santa Monica Public Library has a great program to help you motivate and monitor your reading. Core 1 will be visiting the Santa Monica Main Library on June 6. We will be leaving by Big Blue Bus around 9am and returning in time for lunch. All students will need to bring their snack. We also need chaperones for this event. Please sign-up in the Peaceful Room.

Thank You!
We appreciate all of the parents who chaperoned our walk to the park on Friday. It was a beautiful day and we all had loads of fun!

The Peaceful Room has become a huge Lost and Found!
There are tons of sweaters, hats, and sweatshirts that we’ve found around Core 1.
There are plates and bowls from bake sales and other events. Please stop by to see what belongs to you.
All remaining items will be donated to Goodwill at the end of May.


Wish List: Thank you for your donations! We could still use extra snacks.


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Mana, Candis, and Jackie

Candis: candis.berens@smmusd.org Mana: mhale@smmusd.org




May 16, 2008

To Core 1 Parents,

A case of Molluscum Contagiosm has been reported in your child’s classroom. Molluscum Contagiosm is a viral skin infection that causes either single or multiple raised, pearl-like bumps on the skin. Common locations are on the face, trunk and limbs of children. It is contagious through direct contact with the infected person. If your child develops any unusual skin irritation, rash, bumps or blisters that do not disappear in a few days, contact a health care provider. The condition is self-limiting, so treatment is not always necessary. Molluscum Contagiosum usually disappears spontaneously over a period of months to years in healthy individuals. If diagnosed with this, it is important to keep the bumps clean and covered with clothing or a bandage so that others do not touch the bumps and become infected.

Frequent hand washing is important for all our students and especially for children with Molluscum. We will do all that we can to insure your children are not exposed unnecessarily at school. For more information, please refer to the following CDC website: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/molluscum/faq/everyone.htm

If you have any questions, please contact the school health office.

Sandra Cano, RN
School Nurse
sandra.cano@smmusd.org

CORE 2 NEWS

Dear Core 2 Community, May 16, 2008

Save the date! We will be having our (almost) end of the year barbeque next Friday, May 23rd at 11:00 (we're firing up the grills at 10:30) in the Small Yard. Cores 1 and 2 are joining together for this festive culminating celebration. We sent out food/drink/supply requests last week. We hope you can join us for this fun event! (We need grills! We have very few volunteers for grills, so please let us know if you have one we can borrow. Thanks!)

Our next field trip is Tuesday, May 20. We will be taking the Big Blue Bus to Santa Monica Playhouse. Each child will provide their own snack and we will be back at SMASH for lunch. We need parent volunteers. Sign up sheet is outside of Core 2. Please fill out the permission slip and return ASAP.

In Science the students began Invention #3. Attached is a copy of your child’s Intend to Invent that includes supplies that they need to bring from home.
The guidelines for this final invention are:
q Identify a problem and think of a solution
q Invention to be “built” at school, no larger than a desk top
q Individual work
q Supplies need to be recycled or reused. Supplies can be brought in from home -- see attached Intend to Invent paper
q The invention does not need to work. It is a model/prototype.
We need the following supplies (as close to dimensions as possible, please) donated by Monday, May 19:
q Silver paint, non toxic -- enough to cover a file size box
q 2 golf balls
q 8 2” wheels
q 4 3” wheels
q 4 5” wheels
q 2 4” by _” sticks (dowels)
q 1 11” by 1” stick (dowels)
q 6 empty spools of thread
q 4” by 3” plastic jar
q Metal pieces, 2” x 1cm, 3 x 1cm, 4” x 1cm
q 6 3” magnets
q Small kitchen sponge (not a scrubby)
q Mylar paper with sticky back
q 2 bouncy balls (different colors)
q Assorted sizes of cardboard
q 5 Bendy straws
q 5 Regular straws
q 1 ft. thin wire
q 2 1’ x 2” plastic tubes

Dates to remember:
Tuesday, May 20 -- Santa Monica Playhouse, Way We Goooo… see main part of letter for info
Friday, May 23 -- Annual Core 1/Core 2 BBQ
Monday, May 26 -- School Holiday, Memorial Day
Thursday, June 12 -- Invention Convention -- more info in future letters

Jayme Laura and Nadja

Jayme:jayme.wold@smmusd.org Laura: sherman@smmusd.org

CORE 3 NEWS

Our Music with Dian sharing/performance is on Wednesday, May 21--8:45 at the SMASH Assembly and 11:00 at the Ocean House. Some of our musicians are accompanying the vocalists on various instruments. This performance is not to be missed!

District Instrumental Music starts up again next week! Don’t forget your instruments on Tuesday!

Guest writer--Ron Schlessinger, the LACMA field trip, Moving-Up Day (the 5th graders went to Core 4 and the 3rd graders came to Core 3 for Morning Meeting!), the Double-feature Movie Party, Kurt and Nurse Sandy’s “talk” with the 5th graders, and Student Council’s Crazy Hair Day all in one week! Throw in a fire drill for good measure! Ahhh, the things we do in the name of hands-on, community-building, real-world connecting, multiple-intelligence respecting social/academic/physical education! It’s good to be at SMASH.

We had a wonderful trip to LACMA, and our students were able to participate, share, and synthesize their knowledge about the elements of art and various artists--impressing the docents! They learned about different kinds of art: how pieces often tell stories from mythology or the bible, how movement can be shown using diagonal lines, and how different time periods/cultures created different kinds of art. Thanks to the parents who were able to join us and all who donated money for the bus.

In Reading Workshop, both groups are working with their book clubs to plan and present an Academic Choice activity to share a summary of their book with the class. Ask your child about his/her responsibility.

In Writing Workshop, we began choosing and planning our ideas for our feature articles. The writers had to choose a topic and come up with an angle sentence, section topics, and begin thinking about how to gather their information. They learned they know a lot about their topics and they can use second hand sources to get more information. They can also interview experts or a regular person/observer. I.W.P.s were due Monday, May 12th--the students shared, celebrated, and reflected on their independent writing together. Please check with your child to make sure they turned their’s in!

Fourth grade mathematicians worked on fractions with statistics learning that if 7/24 of the class is wearing shorts, then the familiar fraction is about 1/3 or 1/4 and even learning that saying, “a little more than 1/4 or a little less than 1/3” can give a clearer picture. These are authentic ways of understanding reducing fractions without just learning an algorithmic process with no context. They are also making the connections between the importance of knowing factors, multiples, division, multiplication--and fractions. Fifth grade mathematicians continued the mini-unit on Algebra. They practiced using the order of operations by doing multi-step problems the wrong way (left to right) and comparing the process (it gets confusing) and the answers after doing it the correct way. They also practiced balancing algebraic equations two ways: trial and error (plugging in different numbers) and isolating the variable. Ask your child about “Sometimes you don’t know what you need to know til you realize you need to know it!” Homework! Fridays! Do it! Thanks!

In Social Studies/Science we made a list of things we already knew about the Lewis and Clark expedition and a list of things we are wondering about Lewis and Clark. The students used a variety of resources to find the answers to their questions. There was palpable excitement in the air as they went online, compared information, looked at maps, and made connections with other things they have learned in this unit so far!

SuperSMASH is coming up! Each core is creating a multicultural basket for the silent auction. Please add an item of cultural/regional significance for your family to Core 3’s basket with your name and info on it--Thanks! Contact Dylan’s Elaina for more info.

Core 3 & 4 Community Snack next Friday! We are going to get the kids together for a community snack next Friday so they can mingle, compare notes, and play while Core 1 & 2 have their BBQ.

Next year’s middle school music program information mtg. DATE CHANGE Thur, May 29 - 5:30 pm

Five Weeks!!! (Are we counting the days yet?!)

Tamara, Genie, Malaika, and Ingrid
Mugalian@smmusd.org Genie.Hwang@smmusd.org

CORE 4 NEWS

El Charrrombly Advisory: Things are moving fast around here with end of the year projects, 8th grade trips and planning for next year. On Wednesday we hosted a “Moving on Up” day helped the 5th graders understand the challenges and joys of core four. It is interesting to see how various groups and individuals have evolved within SMASH’s culture. If you are still looking for the perfect summer activity for your child, send me an email. I have many interesting camps and programs for you to consider. I look forward to seeing you at our learning celebration and expo at 11:00 on May 21.

Ciencia: We are wrapping up phase one of the rocket unit with 6/7th graders and are looking forward to sharing our knowledge about WW II, projectile motion, and rockets during our learning celebration/expo at 11:00 on Wednesday. Please join us! Our subsequent rocketry related efforts will be directed towards redesigning, improved engineering, and better construction of the rockets, so they will be able to carry an Egg-O-Naut into the atmosphere and back to the surface without creating a real mess. 8th graders will finish our study of biology with visits from Planned Parenthood (If you do not want your child attending this, please return the form I provided your child), an Egg Baby Activity, and a variety of biology teaching presentations.

6/7 Math: Figuring Out Formulas: Over this past week, we delved deep into branching our work with algebraic expressions to looking at formulas. In two lengthy discussions, we looked at the differences and similarities between a formula and an algebraic expression. Key points of this conversation include: a formula is an algebraic expression specific to finding quantities (such as measurements or count, the units of these quantities must be consistent (i.e. all measurements in centimeters not both centimeters and millimeters), and evaluating formulas involves plugging in the given values of the variables to find the unknown quantity. Next week we will build on this discussion as we look into specific formulas involving rate.

Next week also marks the important date of our Core 4 Expo. On Wednesday, May 21, from 11:00 to 12:00, the students of Core 4 will share the work they have been doing in each of the subject areas. Several of their showings will emphasize the theme of World War II. The mathematicians will spend a part of their math time preparing for this Expo. I look forward to seeing you there as the students present the successes they have had over this past trimester.

Flying Hippos on Broadway? As you know throughout this last trimester, the Flying Hippos (Kelly’s advisory) have taken on various songs from Broadway musicals to perform as their Drama part of the Arts curriculum. The performers chose songs from Peter Pan, Hair, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show to perform. Over these past few weeks, they have been working hard to pin down the words and choreographed dance moves for each of these chosen songs. This week the Hippos took on another song from the musical High School Musical where they each took on a character’s part. The pieces are coming together, and we look forward to seeing you at our June 4th Assembly performance!

8th graders: Wow - what a great trip to Malibu! Thank you to all of the kids for making my last trip such a special one. You are all amazing! Thank you to Ingrid and Russell for joining us and to all of our drivers.
Exit projects should all be in my hands at this point and we're gearing up for the presentations and graduation. Mark the date - graduation is June 19 at 10 am.

Algebra: No algebra this week because of the trip. Corrections for the Chapter 10 test are due on Tuesday.

Planned Parenthood Talk with 8th Graders: Planned Parenthood will be meeting with 8th graders on Thursday, May 22 and Friday May 23 from 8:30 to 10:15. If you do not wish your child to attend, please contact their advisory teacher.
Kurt, Kelly, Erin, Carrie, Ingrid & Karin

Kelly: kkulsrud@aol.com Kurt: holland@ Carrie: cferguson@ Erin: erin.haendel@ smmusd.org
Dear 8th Grade SMASH Families,

Welcome to the SAMOHI Orchestra Program!

We would like to invite you to the following upcoming events so that you can experience the outstanding Santa Monica High School Orchestra Program first hand:

1) Tuesday, May 27, 2008 – Please join us for the 2008 Orchestra Pops Concert at 7:00 p.m. in Barnum Hall on the Samohi Campus. 8th grade students are free (bring your student I.D.)

2) Monday, June 2, 2008 – Please join us to welcome you at the Orchestra Parents Association (OPA) meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Samohi Orchestra Room.

The Samohi Orchestra Program Information Packet for 2008-2009 can be found here - http://www.samohi.smmusd.org/orchestra/SamohiOrchestraWELCOME.doc. It provides details about Samohi Orchestra classes, audition information, important dates and general information, along with the Samohi Orchestra 8th grade invitation and RSVP - http://www.samohi.smmusd.org/orchestra/SamohiOrchestrainvitation.doc.

We welcome your questions. Please e—mail us at orchestraparents@aol.com, and for more information visit our website at www.Samohiorchestras.org

Joni Swenson, Director of Orchestras
Jason Aiello, Orchestra, Piano and Guitar Teacher
Samohi Orchestra Parents Association (OPA)