September 12, 2008
Dear SMASH Families,
“My 13 year old daughter packed up all of her toys this summer for a garage sale without looking back.” “My 6 year old has reached a new level of competitiveness.” “My child says he hates me.” Can you relate to any of these parent reflections shared during the Parent Education Morning on Tuesday? Over 30 parents explored common developmental characteristics for children ages 4 through 14. Using the Morning Meeting structure (Greeting, Sharing, Activity, Morning Message) and resource pamphlets from Responsive Classroom, the foundation for the SMASH social and academic curriculum, parents learned about how teachers consider these characteristics when designing classroom instruction and thought about this information in terms of their own parenting as well.
Per Responsive Classroom author Chip Wood, “All children go through developmental stages as they grow up. These stages of development are fairly predictable in children within any given culture. Children go through these stages at different rates. Children don’t change suddenly on their birthday. Understanding developmental stages can help you support your child’s learning at home and in school.”
Some Understandings Shared:
“12 year olds are typically enthusiastic about school work. 13 year olds often are tentative, worried and unwilling to take risks. 14 year olds complain about school work saying they are bored but usually meaning they do not understand or that academic focus is nerdy and uncool. This information guided the SMASH staff to create the 8th grade academic rotation in the middle school a few years ago, and we have seen great success in this new schedule.”
“7 year olds work best with one friend or alone. 8 year olds work best in cooperative groups. 9 year olds work well in groups but use lots of arguing. Teachers are sure to do things in multiple ways (groups, partners, individual work) so that different groupings maximize different students’ participation/engagement over time.”
“A 5 year old won’t see a whole sentence on the board, just one word of it. That would be a reason we see the Core 1 Morning Message is a picture with one word on it like the birthday cake that said Decorate.”
“Thanks to other parents, SMASH staff, and artists who mentor my 13 year old who is described here as resisting own parent mentoring but open to other adult’s guidance.”
One parent summed up her positive experience at the meeting by saying, “This is important cross-Core parent interaction.” We hope you will be able to join us for the next Parent Education Morning November 18th.
Upcoming September Events are listed on the Dates to Remember Page.
Please make sure to read the Friday Letter each week. The Friday Letter is available online at smash.smmusd.org and out of care for our environment as well as the school paper/copy budget, we send one copy home per household via the youngest sibling. We also urge you to let the Core teachers know that you do NOT need to receive paper copies, that you commit to checking online each week.
Truly Yours,
Jessica
rishe@smmusd.org
DATES TO REMEMBER
Event Date Details
Core 2 Forum Wed, Sept 17
6:00-7:00 pm This is the night when teachers meet with parents to explain the curriculum for the year.
Core 3 Forum Thurs, Sept. 18
6:00-7:00pm This is the night when teachers meet with parents to explain the curriculum for the year.
Heal the Bay CleanUp Day Sat, Sept. 20
9am to noon Meet in the cafetorium. Joint John Muir/SMASH event
Core 1 Forum Tues, Sept 23
6:00-7:00pm This is the night when teachers meet with parents to explain the curriculum for the year.
Core 4 Forum Wed, Sept. 24
7:00-8:00pm This is the night when teachers meet with parents to explain the curriculum for the year.
Local Holiday Tuesday, Sept 30 NO SCHOOL
SMASH Picture Day Wed, Oct. 1
8:30 am Flyers in next week's Friday Letter. Students must prepay for photo. All students will receive a free student ID card
Bake Sale - Wednesdays
Healthy treats and fun items
See PTSA letter for details
Sept 17
Sept 24
Oct 8
Oct 15 Core 4
Core 3
Core 2
Core 1
SMASH and John Muir Elementary Join Forces
for Coastal Cleanup Day on September 20th!
Santa Monica's Heal the Bay (www.healthebay.org) is the proud organizer of the L.A. County portion of the nationwide Coastal Cleanup Day. Over the years, volunteers participating in these events have removed 1,000,000 lbs. of trash from our beaches and along inland creeks and waterways. Annually in L.A., 10,000+ volunteers hit the beaches and inland sites to make our shared environment a better and cleaner place!
The 2007 event in LA saw a whopping 73,772 lbs. of trash and 5,512 lbs. of recyclables collected by 11,020 volunteers countywide.
This year, SMASH and John Muir Elementary are excited to be part of this massive effort. On Saturday, September 20 from 9am to Noon, volunteers from both schools will grab trash bags and gloves and fan out in the neighborhood around the campus, collecting trash and recyclables that'd otherwise end up in Santa Monica Bay.
So come on out and spend a couple hours benefiting both the Bay and our shared campus environment and surroundings. For more info or to register as a volunteer please visit www.healthebay.org/CCD or email Dave Sparling (davesparling@gmail.com) or Gina Garcia (ginagplus2@msn.com). The SMASH and John Muir Elementary Green Committees hope to see you there!
Parking Tips: Avoid Tickets and Towing
1) The East side of 5th Street from Ocean Park to the Core 1 classrooms is a drop off only no parking area. Police officers have informed us that those who have been parking there these first two weeks of school should expect to start receiving parking tickets starting next week. We need this area to be a moving, drop off area so that we do not back up along Ocean Park and create a traffic hazard.
2) The front parking lot is for John Muir and SMASH STAFF only. We are lucky to have so many special programs on campus such as counseling, arts, or foreign language, but we do not have enough spaces for all of our certificated and classified staff members from the two schools when families park in the lot. We love having family members involved on campus but remind you to park on the streets please.
3) There is street parking for families along Hollister (east-west street on the north side of campus) and along 6th Street. Of course, we always encourage parking-friendly and earth-friendly options such as carpooling, biking, and walking.
SMASH Picture Day!
Wednesday, October 1
Flyers to go out next week. Students must pay for photos in advance
JOIN THE SMASH PTSA
Parent Teacher Student Association
Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year. It’s time to support SMASH by joining your PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association). Each member of your family is not only welcome, but encouraged to join.
What does PTSA do? To paraphrase the website: It’s the largest nonprofit child advocacy association in the nation. National PTSA protects the interests of children and provides a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child. It’s responsible for reduced class size, school lunch programs, after-school care and child safety. They even provide insurance coverage for our PTSA events. And District PTSA recently went to Sacramento to support school-funding as California budget cuts continued.
At our school, SMASH PTSA fundraisers provide financial support for teachers’ aides, classroom supplies, field trips, music, art and much more. This fundraising helps us continue and hopefully, expand the activities and programs SMASH PTSA pays for.
By joining the PTSA you add to our size. And our size can influence the making of laws, policies and practices in education or legislative. The strength of the PTSA is in numbers. When you join, you make a difference.
Writing a check for $8 a person takes very little effort, but accomplishes so very much. Remember, anyone can join – teachers, parents, kids, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends.
As a PTSA member, you can participate in your child’s education by voting at meetings on important issues. Membership also gets you the all-important, all-school SMASH Directory (there’s no way you can remember every parent of every kid in your Core without this). Renew each year to get the current copy.
Please join by filling out the envelope attached to the Friday Letter, enclose cash or check (payable to SMASH PTSA) and return it to the office. Extra envelopes are there too. Any questions, email Susan Alinsangan (Owen Doyle’s mom, Core 2) at hellosusan@mac.com.
Sincerely,
Susan Alinsangan Helga Schier & David Saltzman Jessica Rishe
PTSA Membership PTSA Co-Presidents Principal
Dear SMASH Family!
Welcome back to a new school year. This upcoming year promises to bring countless educational experiences for our children, and many after-school events to celebrate our community of students, teachers, staff and parents. We are excited to welcome Principal Jessica to our community.
SMASH is a unique school, yet it is still a public school, and, as such, our PTSA must pay for a number of important, essential school support items that, sadly, are not provided for by federal or state funding. The big-ticket items we pay for are:
Teacher's Aides $ 26,000
Artists in Residence 35,000
Foreign Language Program 20,000
Classroom & Miscellaneous Supplies 10,000
Equipment/Maintenance (copy machine, et al) 10,000
Field Trips 5,000
Total $106,000
And these are just the big-ticket items. With SMASH enrollment at about 190 students, we need at least $557.89 per student to provide what we believe we can all agree are just the basics of a well-rounded education.
Throughout the year, we hold a number of fundraisers, including the Rummage Sale in October, the Book Fair in December, the Jog-a-thon in February and SuperSMASH in May. These events help raise the funds necessary to sustain our Arts Program, grow our Spanish Program, and enhance our Technology Program. But, by far and away, our most important fundraiser is the Family Donation Pledge Drive. This fundraiser traditionally accounts for over a third of funds we raise throughout the year. Without a successful Family Donation Pledge Drive, we cannot sustain the services and educational opportunities we provided last year.
Not every member of the SMASH community can afford to make a donation of $557.89 per child. But, we are asking that you take a moment to reflect upon the truly unique educational experiences SMASH provides our children, and that each of you make whatever donation you can. Please do not wait; we must make commitments to the school district (with respect to paying for TA’s and items such as the copy machine), to the artists in residence and the Spanish teachers. If we do not have sufficient funds to make these commitments, we will have to curtail or even cut programs and benefits from our budget.
Asking for money is never easy. So please, take a moment to make a donation now. And, if your circumstances permit, make other donations throughout the school year. You can make your donation by check or by credit card. Just see Janice in the office. You can also make your donation by paypal. We will e-mail the account information in the weeks to come.
We are grateful and thank you in advance for your support. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Receipts, for tax purposes, are available in the office.
Sincerely,
Helga Schier and David Saltzman
SMASH PTSA
ptsa BOARD and COMMITTEES
Welcome to a new school year. The SMASH PTSA is comprised of volunteer parents, teachers and students working together to expand our children's educational opportunities. PTSA activities include fundraising, parent education, promoting intercultural understanding, and community building. Everyone is encouraged to join. Membership forms are included in this Friday Letter.
We encourage your participation in the many events sponsored by PTSA that help raise funds and help build and strengthen our community. Being an active member of PTSA provides a unique opportunity to help shape your child’s experiences at school. Here’s a list of PTSA board members and committee chairs. Please don’t hesitate to contact any and all of us. We truly welcome your ideas and involvement.
PTSA BOARD
Co-Presidents: David Saltzman (saltzmans@earthlink.net); Helga Schier (helgascher@verizon.net)
Co-Vice Presidents: Ross Furukawa (ross@smdp.com); Jeff Jarow (jeff@parcommercial.com)
VP Membership: Susan Alinsangan (hellosusan@mac.com)
Treasurer: Mimi Ison (mimimi@verizon.net)
Auditor: John Smith (john.smith7@mac.com
Recording Secretary: Andrea Morgan (mchun@aol.com)
Financial Secretary: Faye Jarow (fjarow@intelhc.com)
VP Fundraising: OPEN
Parliamentarian: Ofer Grossman (omglaw@gmail.com)
Historian: Lori Nafshun (gettalife@earthlink.net)
PTSA COMMITTEES
Parent Ed Committee: Ken Downing (ken@downingla.com)
Legislative Committee: Gina Garcia (ginagplus2@msn.com)
Green Committee: Gina Garcia (ginagplus2@msn.com)
Core Representative Coordinator: Tracy Saltzman (rhubarb1@earthlink.net)
Hospitality: Cyndra Lopez-Mercier (yogavibes@aol.com)
Database: Tracy Saltzman (rhubarb1@earthlink.net)
Foreign Language Chairs: Helga Schier (helgaschier@verizon.net); Andrea Kahn (trevellin@adelphia.net)
Diversity Chair: Elaina Archer (ebarcher@hotmail.com)
Rummage Sale: Tracy Story (tracymstory@hotmail.com)
Pumpkin Sale: Lori Nafshun (gettalife@earthlink.net)
Book Fair: Ofer Grossman (omglaw@gmail.com)
Art Fair: Tamara Mugalian (mugalian@smmusd.org)
Holiday Boutique: OPEN
Jogathon: Lillie Schlessinger (lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com); Darlene Flanders (darlene@quixo.com)
SuperSMASH: Helga Schier (helgaschier@verizon.net); Ofer Grossman (omglaw@gmail.com
ptsa news
president’s note
Dear SMASHing Parents,
Welcome to 2008/2009! So much has happened in those first two weeks of school. It was nice to catch up with everyone at our Welcome Back Coffee on the first school day. Our first PTSA meeting of the year was extremely well attended (thanks so much for getting involved!) and created so much excitement for the new school year and the programs we support. One of these programs, Parent Ed, already had its roaring start. The first Parent Ed Morning this past Tuesday was a huge success… we all went home with a better idea of the most important pillars of Responsive Classroom. Thanks so much to Principal Jessica, Parent Ed Chair Ken Downing and Principal Carrie for sharing some of the contents of their summer workshop with us. Yes, Carrie spent her first day back at school, and it was great to see how seamlessly our two principals work together. This will be a successful school year. Last night’s Back to School Night brought together old and new staff members, parents and students to chat about plans for the new year. Thanks so much to all of you who volunteered to help on a PTSA committee or at a fundraiser. If you haven’t yet signed up, rest assured it’s never ever too late. We welcome and encourage everybody’s help, questions, concerns and ideas. We’ve listed the names and contact information of our board members and committee chairs in this Friday Letter. Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us! Our doors are wide open!
Best,
David Saltzman and Helga Schier
upcoming fundraisers
Our annual Family Donation Drive is our biggest and most important fundraiser of the year. Without your contribution, many PTSA sponsored programs such as the Arts Program and the Foreign Language Program cannot continue. Please give whatever you can, and give as soon as possible, so we can make our commitments for the school year. Please check for further information in the Family Donation Letter attached. Thanks!
Our annual wrapping paper sale has received a sustainable face lift. We’ll do Greenraising this year. It’s recycled wrapping paper, and so much more… choose from a catalogue full of environmentally friendly goods such as bottles or lunch boxes. Watch for future fliers or contact Debbie Dempsey at 310-454-4428 or lantzdempsey@msn.com
Our weekly Core Fundraisers, also known as bakesales, are back by popular demand. Actually, they’re back because they proved so successful: We raised close to $6000 last year! Please check out the schedule in future Friday Letters. Each Core is welcome to sell baked goods, popcorn, SMASHing t-shirts and sweatshirts, pencils and spin art. You can find these supplies in the popcorn room, cleaned and labeled. Please use them! If we’re running low on supplies, tell your Core Rep. If you have ideas for other items to sell, contact your Core Rep, too. Thanks!
SMASHing meetings
Our next PTSA meeting is on Thursday, October 2 at 6:30PM. Let us know if you have issues you’d like to discuss, questions to ask, concerns to raise, ideas to bring to life. We need your thoughts, your ideas, your voice. Come check it out.
CORE 1 NEWS
Welcome to Core 1!!
Core 1 is becoming more familiar with the routines and materials in the classroom so we can be independent and creative thinkers. We have also been focusing on our community so we can support one another in our endeavors and every day living.
Circle Groups: The children are quickly getting comfortable with their new circle groups. Chrysta’s group has named themselves The Diving Shark Stars, and Candis’ group is The Flittering Butterflies.
Reminders: All kindergarteners should be picked up in the Peaceful Room at 1:30. This helps keep everyone safe and organized. This is also where they get picked up for aftercare and classes. We try not to disturb the Bigs, who are staying for the afternoon.
If you’ve made arrangements for your child to go home with someone else, please make sure you send us a note. Or you can post your note on the bulletin board next to the Core 1 office door.
All students need a change of clothes (in a bag with his/her name) in case of spills, slips, or occasional accidents. Please continue to check your child’s bag, for they will need to be replenished when they are used.
Core 1 Forum: Save the date: Tuesday, September 23rd from 6:00 – 7:00pm. This is a great night for parents to learn more about the Core 1 curriculum and about what we do on a daily basis. This will also be an opportunity to sign up for a volunteer job or for a time to help in the classroom. Childcare will be available.
Birthday Bash: September birthdays will be celebrated on Friday, September 19 during lunch. Our ceremony will begin at 11:45, and we will eat our lunch and birthday snacks around 12:00. If your child is celebrating his/her birthday in September, food/drink sign-ups will be on the Home/School Table (in the Magic Garden). Please bring a small, healthy snack for 40 students. Suggestions will be posted near the Home/School Table. Family and friends are welcome.
Thank you to all of the families for donating supplies and money for classroom materials. We hope to “spoil” the children with these high-quality and creative resources to enhance their learning.
Wish List (a few suggestions if you happen to be at the store): plastic spoons, q-tips, sponges
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!! Chrysta, Candis, and Jackie
Candis: candisberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
CORE 2 NEWS
Dear Core 2 community,
Our first 2 weeks went well as we continue to build our new Core 2 community.
We will begin a visual arts rotation with Ingrid and are accepting voluntary donations of money to buy supplies to support her curriculum. Any questions see Laura or Jayme.
This week in core 2 –
Laura’s Advisory group is called The Grass Stains and Jayme’s Advisory is called The Chocolate Chipmunks.
Friday, September 12 – District music began for our 3rd graders
Upcoming dates and events:
Wednesday, September 17 – Core 2 begins Computer Lab
Wednesday, September 17 -- Core 2 Forum, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Parents come and learn about this year’s curriculum, all the new and improved ideas we have based on current research. Children get to stay with a childcare person (they would be so bored).
Friday, September 19 – first community snack
Saturday, September 20 – SMASH/Muir Beach Clean up day
Monday, September 22 – Spanish begins
Wednesday, September 24 – Visual Arts with Ingrid begins in Core 2
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org
Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
CORE 3 NEWS
Welcome Back Core 3 Families!
The Friday Letter is the place to find out (almost) everything you need to know about Core 3 each week. We hope that you will make it a habit to read and share this letter with your child over the weekend. (And we’ll promise to keep it short(ish), informative, and fun(ny)!)
The purposes of the Friday Letter are:
- to update you on important Core 3 and SMASH events
- to fill you on our academic and social upcoming curriculum activities
- to restate deadlines and due dates that should be recorded in your child’s planner
- to explain special homework assignments
- to announce field trips and special activities when we need your help
- to list wish-list items for our classroom
- to give shout-outs and thank yous
- to give you lots of little tidbits you can use as conversation starters about school
On that note…
Our focus in the first few weeks of school has been/will be on community building, getting to know each other, assessing where we are and what we know--and where we would like to go, and establishing classroom guidelines and routines. The students have started Morning Meetings, articulating their Hopes and Dreams began daily reading and reading homework, math and math homework, and started decorating their writing notebooks.
Advisories have been getting to know each other in advisory groups, as well as in large group and grade level groups. Remember, advisory is just one small part of our day—the students work in a variety of groups in different curricular areas throughout the day with Genie and Tamara.
Daily Reading Homework has been a huge success. The students should read every night for 30 – 40 minutes and are required to log their reading pages and time in their reading log sheet attached to their planners. It is important for students to read every day for fun, to learn, and for practice. Keep up the good work!
Homework and reminders will be written in the planners during daily planner updates. The students are excited to have a planner and learn how to use them as an effective organizational tool.
We hope you found the letter in the first day packet useful/informative. If you need another copy, just ask Tamara or Genie. We know you still have lots of questions: What is Magic Circle? What is community snack? What’s the deal with homework? How can I help? What is the daily schedule? These questions, and more, will be answered at the Core 3 Forum on Thursday, September 18 from 6:00 – 7:00. See you there!
Thank you again to all of the families and students who brought in supplies (and for your understanding with the multiple supplies lists). Things are off the a great start—with kids arriving on time and ready (eager!) to begin Morning Meeting each day at 8:30. Core 3 rocks!
One 1/2 size cello - nearly new - for sale Kellie Jean (Gigi’s mom) 310-450-6769
Dates to Remember:
Thursday, 9/18 – Core 3 Forum 6:00 – 7:00
Spanish and Arts start the week of the 9/22
No school 9/30
Have a great weekend
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
Mugalian@smmusd.org Genie.Hwang@smmusd.org
CORE 4 NEWS
Los Compadres (Kelly’s advisory):
Here it finally is…the first official sharing of the happenings in our advisory! Over these past two weeks, we have experienced many successes within our group. As you can see, one of our first successes was determining an advisory name. After multiple suggestions and a team vote, we agreed to this unprecedented name. We are truly living up to our name by taking on our responsibilities and holding ourselves accountable to the discussed expectations exactly as los compadres would!
Having fun, becoming comfortable with our peers, and understanding the expectations of this new academic year have held as the main focal points of these past two weeks. We have greeted our friends each morning, shared exciting stories, and partaken in challenging games. Another focus we have had involves making declarations and goals for this upcoming year. Through independently writing and the sharing of stories, as individuals, we grasped ideas of accomplishments we can and will do this year! The group changed their thinking from “if I could, I would” to “I can, and I will”. These declarations will be posted in our room throughout the year as a reminder that each day in our work we are on a road to reach these goals. Come in and take a peek to see all the “places” we will go this year!
Sweating the Small Stuff! : Math
Over these past couple of weeks, the students have started to believe and assume their roles as strong and capable mathematicians. In many instances, we think, “don’t sweat the small stuff”, but in these first few weeks our motto changed to “sweat the small stuff”. The small stuff includes the multiple routines and procedures that take place within the Math class. We have taken numerous opportunities to discuss each routine and procedure for the class. This helps to ensure a smooth transition to Math and to set up for a successful year. Next week, we will invest time into thinking about our goals as mathematicians and begin to crack into this year’s math curriculum. To determine their goals, they will encourage the students to think about concepts they want to learn more about, skills they want to improve, and most importantly their math attitudes.
Next week…Writing Workshop details!
Look for Catalina Trip details in today’s Friday Letter!
One 1/2 size cello - nearly new - for sale Kellie Jean (Gigi’s mom) 310-450-6769
Have a great weekend!
Kelly, Kurt and Erin
Kelly: kelly.kulsrud@smmusd.org Kurt: holland@smmusd.org Erin: erin.haendel@smmusd.org
Core 4 Catalina Trip Information
Next week we shall be sending you a large impressive package of forms about this exciting trip, but for now I wanted to provide some basic details. The trip is both a celebration of our social curriculum and a fantastic introduction to our environmental science strand. We hope that all core four students will be able to join us.
Dates: Oct 13-15
Cost: $300. (There are a variety of ways to pay and partial scholarships may be available. Talk to Kurt or Jessica.
Payment or partial payment ($100.) and payment plans are due Wed, Sept 24. Please note, that this money is being sent on to the camp almost immediately and refunds become impossible. Checks should be made out to SMASH PTSA.
Chaperones: A large number of parents have already contacted me about chaperoning the trip. This makes for a “golden problem” in that spaces are very limited at the camp and the trip requires very particular skill sets be available to insure the children’s safety. In other words, not everybody who wants to join us can do so every year. I will be sorting this out after we have the paper and financial process going forward. Thanks for your patience. Email or drop by if you need me.
Transportation: SMASHing parents will be driving our happy campers to the ferry terminal in Long Beach. Please check to see if you can help us! Coordination of the carpools begins next week.
Please ask your child for your Science Parent Letter, sent home early this week and again this Friday, and the Hopes and Dreams assignment for you within it. I love reading about your children, they are inspirational!
Please Return by 9/15
Our child_______________________ will___will not ___ be joining Core 4 on the Catalina trip.
We will help provide funding for the scholarship fund in the cash amount of_____________. (Thanks for even thinking about it!)
I______________________can drive a group of happy campers to Long Beach on October 13 ____, or back on to SMASH on October 15_____.
Parents’ Name and contact info:_________________________________
__________________________________
___________________________________
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am pleased to announce that I will be teaching strings at SMASH Middle School next year! My friend and colleague, Allen Loyd, will be leading the SMASH Middle School wind class. We are both excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in developing the music program here at SMASH Middle School. Together we will collaborate and brainstorm ways to make the Middle School music program as high-quality and unique as the student body here at SMASH! Many of you have approached me already with questions about the opportunities that will be available at the middle school level for students who are interested in continuing their studies. I am so glad to hear from families and students who are interested in continuing on their musical journey! This enthusiasm speaks for the members of the SMASH community and their value of the arts. Here are some plans we had in mind to create a fantastic musical experience for our serious, developing musicians at SMASH:
Ø We will be teaching methodical curriculums that will build on the knowledge students have accumulated so far. The curriculum will include consistent reinforcement of good instrument technique and more advanced reading skills. It will be supplemented with high-quality music literature where instruments will be playing independent parts.
Ø We will provide students with a personalized, and individualized educational experience. Each student will be able to bring his or her strengths to the group, while still being able to improve in the areas where it is needed.
Ø We will prepare students to perform in the annual Stairway of the Stars concert in the spring semester.
Music class started at SMASH on September 9. However, it is not too late for students to join! Students will have until September 16 to decide if the new music program at SMASH Middle School is something they’d like try out.
Please note per The Core 4 team: The Core 4 schedule is designed so that music students miss a minimal amount of academic studies. Music is Thursday afternoons during P.E. and Tuesday mornings during 40 minutes of Rotation 1. (Students see the Rotation 1 teacher 4 times per week). If your son or daughter is interested, please complete the attached form and have him or her bring it to music class on Tuesday, September 16.
Sincerely,
Katie Cavallaro
kathryn.cavallaro@smmsud.org
Forms were sent home with every Core 4 student on Friday, Sept 12.
