At 10 am on Thursday, November 13, students, staff and parent volunteers joined the over 5,000,000 people in The Great Southern California Shake Out, the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history.
We conducted the drill over the P.A. system. The school was given step-by-step instructions on the duck, cover, and hold portion of the drill, and the simulation lasted 65 seconds. The all-clear signal was given, and every class was instructed to evacuate the buildings. It took the entire school approximately 5 minutes to evacuate classrooms, assemble in the designated meeting spot (playground field), account for all students and staff, and prepare the Search and Rescue Teams during our drill.
It was an outstanding display of emergency preparedness by all members of our school community. Thank you for praising your child for a job well done!
If this were a real emergency situation, and not a drill, specific stations would be set for such things as first aid, student assembly area, parent pick up, and communications. It is critical that you know your child’s safety is our number one priority. The school will remain open until every last student is picked up safely from our campus.
Please be aware that your child will only be released to a parent or other individual that is listed on your child’s emergency card. The school will NOT release your child to a friend or neighbor who is NOT designated on the emergency card. Please be sure to update the emergency card so that you have those individuals you grant permission to sign out your child in case of an emergency. If you need to make changes, you must do so in person at the school office. We will not make changes via phone, email or hand-written note.
To help your family prepare for an earthquake or other emergency, please visit www.daretoprepare.org. This website has detailed information on the seven steps to preparedness. #1 Identify & fix hazards in your home. #2. Create a disaster plan. #3 Prepare disaster supply kits (for home, car & place of work). #4. Identify and fix your home’s weaknesses. #5. Drop, cover and hold on. #6 Check for injuries and damage. #7. When safe, continue to follow your disaster plan. As we prepare as a family, as a school, and as a community, we can prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
Yours truly,
Jessica
PHOTO MAKE-UP DAY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULE TO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
If you are unhappy with the photo you receive, please send the complete package with your child on Monday for a re-take. They will not re-take without this package. Order forms for make-ups are available in the SMASH office. Order forms and payment must be presented when photo is taken. Call Janice or Wende with any questions. 310-396-2640
PTSA news
SMASHing Fundraisers· Save the date: SMASHing Holiday Fair, Friday December 5, 2008, 11AM to 5PM. Please contact Birte Reimer at reimer.birte@gmail.com if you can help and/or if you just want to find out more.
· Save the date: Scholastic Book Fair, Monday, December 8 through Friday, December 12. We’ll have a preview during the Holiday Boutique on December 5 from 1PM to 4PM. For more information and regular opening hours, check out the website at http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/smash. Please also watch for upcoming book reports written by SMASH students, as well as posters and future flyers. If you can help, contact Ofer Grossman at omglaw@gmail.com.
· Remember our biggest fundraiser of the entire year: Family Donations? It is now possible to contribute to SMASH online. Just go to http://ptsasmash.blogspot.com/ Pease give what you can! If you’d like to establish a payment plan, payment forms are available in the office. SMASH depends on you! Thanks!
· Ever go shopping? Of course you do. Please check out escrip and the many community partners programs from Target, Ralphs, Albertsons and other stores. Don’t miss these easy opportunities to support SMASH while you shop what you’d shop anyway! Just check out the SMASH website at www.smash.smmusd.org and click on “Support SMASH” for more information.
SMASHing Activities
· SMASH/Muir Spirit Day, Saturday, January 24, 2009. Let’s clean up and perhaps paint the shared spaces on campus: the cafeteria, the stage, the outside bathrooms and whatever else needs beautifying. We need volunteers and donations (paint, cleaning supplies). Please contact SMASH parent Helga at helgaschier@verizon.net or Muir parent Helene Seisay at heleneseisay@yahoo.com. Watch for future flyers.
SMASHing Committees
· Save the date for our second Parent Ed Morning on Tuesday, November 18, 8:15AM to 9:15AM.
SMASHing Meetings
· Our next PTSA meeting is on Thursday, December 4 at 6:30M. Let us know (helgaschier@verizon.net or saltzmans@earthlink.net) if you have issues, questions, concerns, ideas... we’ll put them on the agenda. Come check it out!
Make your
SMASH FAMILY DONATION today!
SMASH FAMILY DONATION today!
Help us reach our goal of 100% participation.
COMMIT to your child’s SMASH experience.
Log on and give instantly: ptsasmash.blogspot.com
-100% goes to SMASH
-100% tax deductible
-Contributions due by December 31, 2008
In these economic times, the best investment is your
children’s future!
Our GOAL is 100% PARTICIPATION.
Recommended $557.89 per student donation.
-GIVE WHAT YOU CAN.
-NO AMOUNT TOO SMALL.
-PAYMENT PLANS WELCOME
-EVERY DONATION COUNTS
Pay monthly! Pay by check! Pay by credit card!
Fill out the form online: ptsasmash.blogspot.com
arrange a payment plan and turn in to the office with
your check (made out to SMASH PTSA) or credit card info.
For more info contact
David at saltzmans@earthlink.net or Helga at helgaschier@verizon.net
Teach Your Children
The True Meaning of Thanksgiving
The True Meaning of Thanksgiving
Make it a Family Activity to
Help Feed Local Families in Need
Help Feed Local Families in Need
Here’s How YOU CAN HELP:
Create one or more food baskets for a family of four.
Use a laundry basket (available at the 99 cent store) or similar sized box. Include items like instant mashed potatoes, dressing, canned yams and cranberries, canned vegetables and fruits and canned meats or fish; dried milk, rice, beans, cereal, peanut butter and jelly, instant coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, non-diary creamer and sugar. Also appreciated are grocery store gift certificates to purchase a turkey ($15) and encouraging notes. Get creative!
Please deliver all baskets to the SMASH office on Friday, November 21
More Ways to HELP:
Offer to drive food baskets to One Voice and/or St. Joseph’s. We will need some car space and you strong arms to drop them off at their destinations.
Donate non-perishable food items. Can’t make a basket? Or want to do a basket PLUS? You can also donate individual food items. We can create some “community” baskets by combining the donations.
Donate Cash to help buy turkey gift certificates for any baskets donated without them.
Last year the SMASH community fed 28 families for Thanksgiving!!
Let’s Feed At Least 30 Local Families This Year.
Please help us reach this goal by participating in whatever way you can.
Thank you!
For information contact Lynn Dickinson at ldickinson@roadrunner.com or 310-264-9703
From the GARDEN CREW Holly, Jeff, and, Walker
We are all part of the great cycle of nature. An easy concept to forget in the daily rush. But one that is essential to our existence. To know how nature works and how we fit into it is a basic knowledge that can benefit all children.
The garden crew does not claim to have all or even a small part of the answers but we have a teaching goal. We would like to see the students of SMASH exposed to the growing cycle by introducing them to the many elements of the garden. With our help, they can learn how seeds germinate, how plants grow, what it means to have healthy soil, what critters (OK, organisms) help create that soil. They can participate in recycling kitchen and yard waste (from home possibly) and that uneaten apple from lunch by composting it in our worm bins. They can begin to think about where our water comes from and how we can find ways to save more of it and even find ways to purify what has been contaminated.
Number 1.
We need VOLUNTEERS TO TEACH. AND TO LEARN along with the rest of us. We need parents or even upper core students who are willing to spend a little time with a small group of students to work in the garden or to pick a subject relating to the garden or sustainability in general. We want to schedule whatever time you may have on a regular basis or not so regular, during or after school hours. You don't have to be a master gardener to do this. Just an interest in seeing your children get their hands into some real good dirt and touching and caring for real live plants. We have some resource material and we can get more. Maybe you have books on gardening, ecology, or conservation that would be useful to start a library.
Number 2.
We want to EXPAND THE GARDEN AREA to give more kids a chance to actually plant something. There is grant money that can go toward improvements in how we interact with our learners and for the construction of new planting beds and arbors and catching water from our roofs. Some of this money needs to be used by January, so we don't have a lot of time to get our plans together. We are looking for input into planning this next phase of the garden plot. WE ESPECIALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STUDENTS GET INVOLVED IN THIS PLANNING PHASE. After all the garden is for them. In this we need the encouragement of teachers and parents. This new area, adjacent to the existing garden, will be shared with John Muir giving us a chance to make a Green connection with John Muir students, staff, and parents. There are some mighty fine looking empty decks up on the second level of our campus. More place to grow?
Two parts: 1) Plug into the classroom with your favorite subject relating to gardening and work in the garden with a group of kids. 2) Help us design the new garden plot.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE OUR GARDEN A REALLY NICE PLACE TO LEARN AND TO JUST BE !
So, pitch in, bring your books, your shovels, and your enthusiasm, with the future of your children in mind. Let's grow food together !
The garden crew can usually be found Thursdays after school let out at the gardens. Sometimes I am there by 1:30 for John Muir kids who come to the garden. Come talk to us and lets see what we can do together. We will have sign-up sheets in the office and will try to have a welcome table out on Thursday and Friday after school.
You can call me, Jeff Knight at 310-266-3645 or email at iparefugee@yahoo.com or contact Holly Wright at holly_wright@verizon.net
"The nurturing of kids interest around organics, sustainability, and the benefits of being outdoors caring for nature are hugely important." Jessica Rishe, SMASH principal
"The rule of no realm is mine, but all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail in my task if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I too am a steward. Did you not know?" J.R.R. Tolkein
"No ray of sunshine is ever lost. But the green which it awakens into existence needs time to sprout. And it is not always granted for the sower to see the harvest. All work that is worth anything is done in faith." Albert Schweitzer
CORE 1 NEWS
Core 1 CELEBRATES their AccomplishmentsThis week we have had reason to CELBRATE in Core 1! The Partners celebrated their work in literacy and math around storytelling and bookmaking. The Bigs celebrated their work published from their Launching the Writing Workshop unit of study. Both groups shared what they learned with their classmates and "toasted" to their accomplishments. We started with smaller celebrations this time, and look forward to some larger community celebrations in the future.
Reminders & Announcements:
Chrysta was out of the classroom today, on an Educator's Tour at the Growing Place
Please check the cubby area for any work or clothing that can go home. (It's getting messy!)
Singing at Ocean House: Our music teacher, Dian, has been teaching us a number of fun songs, and it's time to share them with our community. On Wednesday, December 10, we will be singing for the residents of the Ocean House (a retirement home near-by). We will be leaving SMASH around 9:30, eating snack at the beach, singing at Ocean House (around 11:00), then returning for lunch by 12:20. This is a long walk for many of the children, and the more helpers we have, the better. This is also a great chance to hear the children sing. If you’re available to chaperone, please sign-up at the Home/School table. Thank you…
Please join Chrysta at the November 18 Parent Ed morning around Reading, 8:15a.m.-9:15a.m.
November 19 is a Pupil Free Day. The Staff will be observing at "Our Community School"
The first SMASH student council meeting is during lunch on November 20. All interested and committed Bigs, are welcome to participate.
Wish List: If you happen to be at Staples, we need Staples brand "One Touch" staplers.
HAVE A WONDERFUL & RESTFUL WEEKEND!!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: candis.berens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
CORE 2 NEWS
In Reader’s Workshop, each student wrote a list of the Just Right books and are looking for clues to figure out plot or setting. In Writer’s Workshop, the students looked at their circle chart (graphic organizer) to see if they included numerous details.In Computer Lab the students learned to cut and paste. Ask your child to show you how to see the sites that they looked at this week. Hints: it is a link from the SMASH website. It has to do with typing and our government.
In Math, the 2nd graders match coins with coupons and worked on strategies to figure out addition and subtraction problems. The 2nd graders have homework that is due on Tuesday, November 18. The 3rd graders used their arrays to play Multiplication Pairs. Next week the 3rd graders will be bringing home two activities to play using their knowledge of arrays.
Wanted a parent/parents to work with us calling to arrange field trips. See Laura ASAP.
Thank you to Owen and Susan, who cut out fabric for our SMASHing figure sculptures. A huge thank you to Lydia’s Morgan for helping in Art with Ingrid this week. We love this additional help, so remember it is on Wednesday from 10:30 -12:20.
Upcoming dates and events:
Tuesday, November 18 – Make-up School Picture Day
Wednesday, November 19 – Pupil Free Day
Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 – Thanksgiving
Have a glorious weekend!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org
Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
CORE 3 NEWS
***Tuesday 11/18, 8:15 – 9:15, Our Parent Education Morning Meeting will focus on the teaching of reading in Cores 1 – 4 at SMASH. Here is some info on how Core 3 focuses on reading***Most educators think about Reading in two ways: learning how to read and reading to learn. Traditional reading education puts an emphasis on phonics instruction, so students can decode the black marks on the white page (letters/words), which is why phonics books often don’t make sense as stories. You could learn to read a new language or a page of gibberish in the same way. What phonics lacks is an important part of reading--making basic meaning (comprehension). These books don’t give the reader an opportunity to ask “Why?” or make a connection and think, “That’s happened to me.” or “I’ve seen that in another book.” Another focus tends to be on basic comprehension—with concrete/finite answers to questions such as, “What color was her hood?” “Who was in the woods?” or “Where did the story take place?” One reason we read other people’s fictional ideas is to help us grow our own ideas and make connections and change the way we think about the world around us, so it’s important to teach reading strategies to support this deep thinking from the very beginning, alongside phonics and other sound reading skills.
In Core 3, our primary goal is to teach students ways to think about how they read, what they read, and why they read, as well as to learn to love reading by allowing them to read books they choose and actually want to read. We practice thinking deeply about books as we read aloud to them, when they read together, and hope that they will do it in their minds while they are reading independently. They reread; predict; ask themselves questions; infer (guessing what is happening by the clues dropped by the author); retell; make connections to themselves/other texts/the world; and their ideas grow into theories that they can justify through discussion, then prove by referencing the story. Many of our students have said, “I do these without even thinking about it.” Being aware of what kind of reader you are and the strategies you use helps you transfer those skills to other parts of your life. To do this well, a student must be reading effortlessly in a Just Right Book. All readers come across a more challenging text throughout our lives. How do we tackle them? Do we ignore our confusion? Give it to someone else to make sense of it for us (lawyers and accountants)? Do we give ourselves extra time to read it slowly, rereading sentences often, noticing the vocabulary we don’t understand and using the context to figure it out or looking up the word in a dictionary, stopping and recapping what we do understand, asking ourselves questions about the parts that are confusing? Or do we discuss it with others to collectively understand it?
Reading every day is important to growing as a reader so we can practice and use the reading strategies we’ve learned. If your child’s reading log shows he or she can read 10-20 pages in 30 minutes, then they should be finishing a 200 page book in less than 2 weeks. Regularity and volume is important to a growing reader. We want Core 3 readers to read what they want to read, so they can be interested in and think about what they are reading. We want them to think about their reading, so they can transfer those strategies and be analytical thinkers. And we want them to read a lot!
Share your “Readerly” life and what strategies you use as a reader with your child! Come to our Parent Education Morning to see how this reading philosophy looks across the cores and to get more in depth information.
See you there!
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
mugalian@smmusd.org
genie.hwang@smm
CORE 4 NEWS
Humanities:We were fortunate to have two informative visits from Planned Parenthood this week. On Monday Planned Parenthood discussed abstinence and how it is the only 100% effective way to prevent STD's and pregnancy. Students brainstormed about what other activities one could do with a boy/girlfriend if they want to choose abstinence (bowling, holding hands, having a picnic, etc.). Students also engaged in role plays, thinking about different ways that they could say 'no' to someone who is pressuring them into something they don't want to do. On Wednesday Planned Parenthood presented a lesson on relationship violence. Students were presented with a variety of scenarios and had to decide whether the scenario represented a healthy, neutral, or unhealthy relationship. Example: A boy/girlfriend buys you a cell phone and calls to check up on you every few hours. The students are very engaged and are learning a lot about keeping themselves both healthy and informed. Please take some time to discuss these topics with your children as they are eager to learn more.
An Informative Note about Progress Reports and Homework:
The weekly progress report includes a list of incomplete, missing, and low-quality assignments, an evaluation on your child’s work ethic in each Core 4 class as well as an evaluation of their performance relative to the social curriculum, CARES. Each Friday your child will receive this report. After discussing this report with your child, we would appreciate your signature, and it should be returned to their advisory teacher on Monday. This serves as a vital communication tool between school and home, and we appreciate your support in using this as a beneficial way to hold your child accountable to their best work in all areas at school.
One aspect of this report that plays a key role in your child’s progress towards future academic achievement is completing the assigned homework. Several reasons exist as to why we are distributing homework and placing a significant emphasis upon it. A main purpose of the homework lies in the idea of practicing, extending, and securing the taught concepts of that day. Because the newly introduced skills consistently build on the prior day’s materials and concepts, it is critical that students have a solid grasp on them. Homework aids in this process. Students can quickly fall behind when they do not revisit important concepts regularly. Often, in-class activities depend on the previous day’s work, including homework. Another reason students are given homework is to help them develop a strong internal work ethic. By holding themselves accountable to understanding the taught information and to finishing a given task with high quality outside of class, it will enhance their work habits and lead to success within the classroom. Promoting time management skills serves as a final reason for providing homework.
Given the expectations that assigned homework and classroom tasks are to be complete by the beginning of the next class day, consequences will accumulate and erode student’s academic success. Thank you for your support as we continue to evolve these accountability procedures.
Thanks for your support!
Kelly’s e-mail: kelly.kulsrud @smmusd.org
Kurt’s e-mail: holland@smmusd.org
Erin’s e-mail: erin.haendel@smmusd.org
DATES TO REMEMBER
Lifetouch Photo Make-up Tues, Nov. 18 (NEW DATE) If you missed original date or for retakes. You MUST bring original package back for retakeParent Ed. Mtg Tues, Nov 18 8:15 am in the Media Center (note new location)
Teacher Contract Day Wed, Nov. 19 SCHOOL CLOSED.
SMASH and all district elementary schools.
High School is in session
Minimum Day Wed, Nov. 26 1:30 DISMISSAL
Thanksgiving Holiday Thurs, Fri, Nov. 27 & 28 SCHOOL CLOSED
BAKE SALE - WEDNESDAYS HEALTHY TREATS AND FUN ITEMS
DECEMBER
Core 1 - Dec. 3
Core 4 - Dec. 10
Core 3-Dec. 17
JANUARY
Core 2 - Jan 14
Core 1 - Jan 21
Core 4 - Jan 28
SMASHing HOLIDAY SINGERS
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 3:00-3:30 in Core 1
Main Street Farmer's Market Performance
Sunday, December. 7
SMASHing HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE IS COMING!!
Friday, December 5 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Our 1st Holiday Boutique ! Any parents who want to sell craft, art, handmade items? We are asking that 25% of sales is donated to SMASH. Contact Birte at reimer.birte@gmail.com.
SMASH ARTS Program still needs donations
Clean white t-shirts (sm, med, lrg), colored lightweight fabrics and small handheld instruments.
Donation box in the office. Thank you!
SMASH School Tours for 2009-2010 School Year
All tours are adults only except for May 13, 7:00 pm middle school tour
January 14, from 9-10 am
February 4 & 18, 9-10 am
March 25, 9-10 am Last Tour Before Kindergarten Lottery
(K application deadline 03-31-09)
May 13, 9-10 am
May 13, 7:00 pm for middle school students.
Students entering 6th, 7th & 8th grade may attend with parent.
May 27, 9-10 am - Last Tour Before 1st-8th Grade Lottery
(1st-8th application deadline 05-31-09)
Applications will be available in January online, at tours and in the main office.
Dear SMASHing families
For our 8th grade project we will be transporting school supplies to underprivileged kids in Mexico. These kids are just like us, except they need school supplies. This can create great opportunities for them. We need your help to get these supplies. Please bring in used/new school supplies to the office where there is a blue bucket labeled school supplies waiting for you. We know we can count on you!
Thanks, Siena Landay and Poppy Denyer
SMASH School Tours for 2009-2010 School Year
January 14, from 9-10 am
February 4 & 18, 9-10 am
March 25, 9-10 am Last Tour Before Kindergarten Lottery
(K application deadline 03-31-09)
May 13, 9-10 am
May 13, 7:00 pm for middle school students.
Students entering 6th, 7th & 8th grade may attend with parent.
May 27, 9-10 am - Last Tour Before 1st-8th Grade Lottery
(1st-8th application deadline 05-31-09)
Applications will be available in January online, at tours and in the main office.
Eloise Rollins-Fife, Core 3 is a member of The West Los Angeles Children’s Choir – a multi-cultural group of singing youngsters under the baton of Barbara Silberg, aka “Mrs. Music” (see MrsMusic.net for more info) This group was lucky enough to sing at a fund raiser for Hillary Clinton as well as on a campaign commercial for Barack Obama.
Now they are trying to get chosen to go to Washington and sing at the inauguration festivities! Ms. Silberg has written a beautiful song using the text of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty and they hope to contribute this to the historical event. She is also working on a second song – a setting of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech.
We are asking for your help. It’s easy and only takes a minute. There is a form available where you can fill out your name and address (everyone in your family can fill one out!) Then FAX it to Senator Dianne Feinstein. Her office is responsible for recommending performers for the inauguration. We need to get at least 1000 FAXES to her office to make an impression. And I say… “Yes We Can!”
To obtain a form, contact Hillary Rollins at hdrollins@verizon.net. Thank you for your time and effort!
GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK
DID YOU KNOW … Vinyl shower curtains are made of PVC, which cannot be recycled and which off-gasses harmful, hormone-disrupting chemicals into the home for the entire life of the product? Consider switching to polyester or nylon, as these do a great job keeping water in the shower, last for years, and can be tossed in the washer when needed. Better yet, go “all-natural” with cotton, hemp, bamboo, or canvas.Got a Green Tip or Question? Send it to: marni99@yahoo.com
