Does your SMASH student have a
SIBLING READY TO START KINDERGARTEN IN SEPTEMBER?
Please come into the office and fill out an application as soon as possible!
DEADLINE for Kindergarten applications is MARCH 31.
Applications after that time will no longer be guaranteed a place in class.
Dear SMASHing Families,
“Studies show that practicing gratitude not only improves your outlook but can actually improve your health.” (December 2008 Yoga Journal) I am grateful to all the people who showed up in the partial rain ready to do hard labor to make our campus sparkling. Thank you to those who prepped the garden, scrubbed the bathrooms, freshened up the cafetorium, organized the computer lab, provided nourishment, and brought spirit to the day! Once again the collaborative energy and commitment to the campus is noted; this is a special community. Some of you may wonder what the agenda items are when I am called to the twice a month District Principals’ Meetings. The book study from this week’s meeting was Michael Fullan’s “The Six Secrets of Change: Secret Number Three.” It was a timely “secret” to review, one that is quite well known and embodied at SMASH weekly: “When peers interact purposefully, their expectations of one other create positive pressure to accomplish goals important to the group.” Last week, we met our goal of cleaning up the campus together and next week I look forward to achieving our goal of learning together about safety tips for parents on Wednesday, February 4, 6:30pm. See you there!
Truly Yours,
Jessica
*The Working Group is a group of 16 individuals (a mix of SMMUSD staff and parents) charged with analyzing information about the SMMUSD Special Education program and making recommendations designed to improve the overall culture in the District in connection with Special Education.
For further information please contact, Martha Duran-Contreras at (310) 450-8338
or duran-contreras@smmusd.org.
From SMMUSD Superintendent Tim Cuneo and PTA Council President Rebecca Kennerly
Come hear, see, and learn about SMMUSD’s Excellent Public Schools, from February 2.
SMMUSD is launching its second “Public Schools Week” beginning February 2. Our initial function is to formally detail “The State of our Schools” at a forum designed to detail how our schools are performing academically, financially and socially.
But Public Schools Weeks is about involving our community in Public Education. We want everyone in our community to visit our neighborhood Public Schools. Our school doors will be open throughout Santa Monica and Malibu and we want to actively encourage family members, neighbors, alumni, and the wider community to come inside and see us in action.
Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District has joined forces with the district’s Teachers Association, PTA Council, and CEPS (Community for Excellent Public Schools) to present Public Schools week.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
The lead off event for Public Schools Week kicks is the third ‘State of Our Schools: How Are We Doing?”, a public forum set for Monday, February 2 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Santa Monica Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. This education forum is free and open to all members of the public. Refreshments will be served in the library courtyard following the program.
The program will be presented in Malibu on Tuesday February 3 from 6.30- 9.00 p.m. at the Webster Elementary School Auditorium, 3602 Winter Canyon Road, Malibu. This forum on our public schools will discuss --
* The difference Public schools make in a community
* How Santa Monica-Malibu schools rate
* An analysis of student achievement
* The financial issues facing SMMUSD this year
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
From there we move to open schools throughout Santa Monica and Malibu for public visits. A full list of schools and times is attached. Open schoolhouse events will include a coffee with the principal with a short presentation about their school and a word from the PTA president at each school site.
We hope that community residents from throughout Santa Monica and Malibu will take advantage of this opportunity to hear from our principals, teachers, PTA leaders and students about the extraordinary educational opportunities that take place every day in our schools.
We look forward to seeing and talking about our schools with you during Public Schools Week.
Sincerely,
Tim Cuneo
Superintendent
Santa Monica Malibu
Rebecca Kennerly
Thursday, February 5, 10:00am
EDISON LANGUAGE ACADEMY (K-5) Ph. (310)828-0335 2425 Kansas Ave.,
Santa Monica 90404 Principal: Ms. Lori Orum Friday, February 6, 8:30 am
FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)828-2814 2400 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403
Principal: Ms. Tara Brown Thursday, February 19, 9:00am
GRANT ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)450-7651 2368 Pearl Street, Santa Monica 90405
Principal: Mr. Alan Friedenberg Tuesday, February 3, 9:00am
JOHN ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) Ph. (310)452-2326 2425 Sixteenth St., Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Ms. Martha Shaw Thursday, February 5, 9:00am
JOHN MUIR ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)399-7721 2526 Sixth St., Santa Monica 90405
Principal: Ms. Tristan Komlos, Wednesday, February 4, 10:00am
JUAN CABRILLO ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)457-0360 30237 Morning View Dr., Malibu 90265 Principal: Mr. Barry Yates Wednesday, February 4, 9am
LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) Ph. (310)393-9227 1501 California Ave., Santa Monica 90403 Principal: Ms. Suzanne Webb Thursday, February 5, 8:30am
MALIBU HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Ph. (310)457-6801 30215 Morning View Dr., Malibu 90265
Principal: Dr. Mark Kelly Friday, February 6, 10:00am
MALIBU MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) Thursday, February 5, 10:00am
McKINLEY ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)828-5011 2401 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90404 Principal Ms. Irene Gonzalez Wednesday, February 4, 9:00am
OLYMPIC HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Ph. (310)392-2494 721 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Ms. Janie Yuguchi Gates Friday, February 5, 10:00am
PT. DUME ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)457-9370 6955 Fernhill Drive, Malibu 90265
Principal: Ms. Chi Kim Friday, February 6, 8:30am
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)395-0941 801 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403 Principal: Ms. Natalie Burton Thursday, February 5, 10:00am
SANTA MONICA ALTERNATIVE (SMASH) (K-8) Ph. (310)396-2640 2525 Fifth Street, Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Ms. Jessica Rishe , Carrie Ferguson Wednesday, February 4, 9:00am
SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Ph. (310)395-3204 601 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Dr. Hugo Pedroza Tuesday, February 17, 10:30am
WEBSTER ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)456-6494 3602 Winter Canyon, Malibu 90265
Principal: Mr. Phil Cott Tuesday February 3, 9:00am
WILL ROGERS ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)452-2364 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Ms. Irma Lyons Wednesday, February 4, 9:00 am
Certified Child Safety Educator, Pattie Fitzgerald, will be presenting a 90 minute, informative workshop for parents and caregivers interested in learning how to effectively talk to their children about personal safety in an easy, non-fearful manner. Ms. Fitzgerald’s programs have been presented at several SMMUSD schools including: Grant, Roosevelt, Franklin, Webster, Pt. Dume, JAMS, and Lincoln Middle School.
· The ineffective reality about “stranger-danger”
· Protecting kids from people they: “know, don’t know, or know just a little bit”
· Establishing and modeling appropriate physical and personal boundaries
· Information on Megan’s Law in California
· The Super-Ten “Safe-Smarts” Rules for Kids and Grownups
· 10 Prevention Tips for every parent
· 10 Most Common Lures and Tricks
· 11 Red Flags and Warning Signs
· How to spot a “Tricky Person!”
· Recognizing “thumbs up & thumbs down” situations
What a Spirit Day! So many people came despite the rain. So much was accomplished despite the limited amount of time we had. We scrubbed, we sanded, we painted, and we raked and dug and planted… The results are amazing. And what’s best, we managed to get in a bit of socializing, too. Thanks so much to everyone from John Muir and SMASH who came out and helped our schools grow ever closer.
Helene Seisay (John Muir), Helga Schier (SMASH) and David Saltzman (SMASH)
SMASHing Committees
· DON’T FORGET: The Parent Ed Committee will host a joint SMASH/Muir Event on innovative and non-fearful Safety Training with Safely Ever After (www.safelyeverafter.com) NEXT WEEK on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 6:30PM. Food and Childcare will be provided. See the flyer in this week’s Friday Letter.
· Friday, February 13, 2009 is National Have Lunch with your Kids Day. The Health Committee invites you to participate in your child's school day by joining them and their friends for lunch. For more information, please see the note in this week’s Friday Letter.
· The Gardening Committee would like to thank everyone who came to help with the garden project last Saturday. All the effort and hard work paid off, and much more than anyone ever hoped was accomplished. Let’s hope that all of us, parents, teachers and especially students will see the garden as a learning opportunity. Let’s study soil, microbes, and worms. Let’s study the elements and minerals that make up the soil. Let’s learn how to test the soil as we add the recommended nutrients to improve conditions. Let’s dream big and make this a science project right on campus. Let’s grow foods and young minds..
SMASHing Fundraisers
· Make your Family Donation online. Go to http://ptsasmash.blogspot.com/ and give what you can! To pay by credit card, check or cash, or to establish a payment plan, see Janice in the office. SMASH depends on you! Thanks!
· Jogathon, Friday, February 27, 2009. T-shirt sponsorships due Monday, February 2! See the flyer in this Friday Letter!
SMASHing Alumni
· Terry Michaels, a SMASH graduate from 1977, has graciously offered to handle our alumni relations. Welcome aboard, Terry! Among other things Terry will host a Facebook network as a meeting place for past and present SMASHing students and parents. Until the network is up, please contact Terry at filmstudent9404@yahoo.com for more information.
SMASHing Meetings
· Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 5 at 6:30PM.
Volunteer! We still need volunteers to help with refreshments, lap counting, etc. on the day of the event.
Pledge! Pledge packets will go home next week so look for your child’s pledge packet and read the information that accompanies it. Help your child fill out the form and collect pledges. 100% of donations go right back to our classrooms.
Save the date! Jog-a-thon ‘09 happens Friday, February 27th. Come run with your child and/or cheer on the rest of the runners.
For questions or to volunteer:
Lillie Schlessinger (213)742-3394 lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com
Darlene Flanders (310)314-8716 darlene@quixo.com
Core 1’s first Writing Celebration will be on Friday, February 6, 9:00-9:30. The Bigs have written and published amazing “small moment” narratives during Writers’ Workshop. They will be sharing their stories in small groups on Friday, and we hope family and friends can join us. The Partners will also provide a supportive audience, especially since they will be celebrating their published stories in a couple of weeks.
Thanks to Eden (Amelia’s mom) for helping us jump-start our new community snack routine in Core 1. There has been enormous enthusiasm to encourage nutritious eating in our community. With your support, we hope to incorporate this more into our curriculum. Please refer to the handout in this week’s Friday Folder. Community Snack will not replace our regular snack time—so each child should continue to bring a small snack to school every day.
For more news and glimpses into the classroom, please visit Core 1 (click on News)
at www.smash.smmusd.org!
Have a great weekend!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: candis.berens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
Student-led conferences are coming in February. Your child’s conference will be with their original advisor from September. Each advisor will have a student-teacher conference in order to prepare the students for the family conference. Sign- up sheets will be in the main office beginning on Monday.
In Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop: We published our “How to Stories”. Each child will have the opportunity to act out another child’s directions. In reading, we continue practicing reading with emotion and identifying the characters’ feelings and making inferences.
Social Studies this week: In Government, we practiced our presentations (which will be held in Core 2). These presentations will be spread out across the first week in February. There will be 2 presentations per day at 9:00 am. Attached is the schedule. We know you might need to be at work during these times, but it would be smashing if you can come to see your child’s presentation. In Math, the 2nd graders worked on building buildings! They built and solved problems relating the amount of rooms per story and how many rooms altogether. Homework is due on Monday, 2/2. The 3rd graders continued their investigation of tetrominoes and area. Attached is homework that is due on Tuesday, February 3! They needed to use their previous knowledge about arrays, dimensions, and tetrominoes to get their answer.
Diana, the Spanish Teacher, is sending home a homework packet that is due on Thursday, February 5.
Helpful Things to Say When Your Child Asks for Help with Math Homework…
In order to help your child become a strong and flexible problem solver, we assign a variety of math activities as homework.
Often your child will receive homework that is directly connected to the TERC math curriculum. Games may also be assigned for homework. The TERC units use games as motivating ways to help children learn and master concepts. We play the games in school and expect you to play the games at home, too. Games are to be taken seriously! When your child asks you to play a math game, notice that your child has to remember and explain rules, create a strategy, and use math as well. Games challenge children’s minds.
We also assign open-ended problems (multi-step word problems) or performance tasks (“measure this…”, “collect data about that…”). We often give these problems to challenge your child to try to use all of her/his math knowledge to solve an unfamiliar problem. Sometimes children complain that “the teacher didn’t teach me how to do this kind” and the children are correct, in a way. We cannot ever teach your child how to do every kind of problem. Instead, we teach your child strategies to solve a wide variety of problems.
When your child asks you for help, try not to jump in with an answer. Instead, try helping your child get started by using these prompts.
1. Does this remind you of other problems?
2. What have you come up with so far?
3. Where do you think you should start?
4. What is the problem asking you to do?
5. Would drawing a picture or diagram help?
6. How can I help you (without giving you the solution)?
(resource: Schools and Families Creating a Math Partnership, TERC)
In Arts, for music this week the children had the wonderful experience of interacting with our guest songwriter, Will Ryan. Thanks Dian for arranging this real world experience. **Dian would like to have music from the countries of your family’s origins to have connections to the each student’s own culture. It can be on a separate CD or on the original CD. Our collection has begun, thanks to the families who already sent music.
Upcoming dates and events:
Wednesday, February 11 – 100th Day of School, activities to be held in our Core.
Friday, February 13 – Core 2’s Valentine Day Shower – see the attached pink flyer.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, February 18, 19, and 20: Student-Led conferences, 1:30 dismissal all days.
Tuesday, February 24 – field trip to Weather Station at UCLA, more info to follow
Friday, February 27 – Jog-a-thon, more info to follow. Start building your endurance!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org
Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
Around here, many of us are familiar with Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences and Piaget’s stages of child development, which inspired the work in Chip Wood’s Yardsticks (a resource used by teachers and parents alike). At SMASH we honor the idea that kids learn in different ways and at different rates. This is why we have mixed-age classrooms and narrative evaluations, rather than “grade-level” benchmarks. We also utilize Responsive Classroom techniques to balance the social curriculum with the academic classroom. How children learn and work together and within the school community is as important as what they learn. In addition, we know that brain research has shown that physical activity, social needs, and comfort/safety concerns all impact a child’s ability to learn and grow. Finally, we know that art education supports all of these beliefs.
So, how do we do it all, you may ask? In Core 3, we try to provide students with “multiple ways of knowing and showing.” This means that we use a variety of resources and materials to help kids access, practice, and use what they learn. We also allow kids to show us what they’ve learned in a variety of ways. We take a constructivist approach, allowing students to construct their own understanding at their own pace. We know that confusion, making mistakes, and “aha” moments are all integral to learning. We believe the most powerful understanding is developed over time when concepts are introduced and then revisited again and again over time. We do not expect mastery—we instead hope for increased understanding, confidence, and a willingness to apply their learning to different areas.
Informal, ongoing assessment during observations and student-teacher conversations is our most common form of assessment. We also recognize the importance of students’ ability to set and meet personal goals, so we typically have them reflect on their own progress. For most units, the students engage in answering questions, writing essays, and comparing their ideas with each other during group activities. We also use Academic Choice as a way to allow students to choose different ways to show something they have learned—in which case much of the assessment is done while the students are discussing their ideas and planning how they will show what they’ve learned. The final “product” in many of these assessments is often the least valuable tool for demonstrating how much a child may have learned.
Our hope is that through family conferences, narratives, publishing parties, expos, field trips, Friday Letters, unit reflections, and informal conversations with your child about homework or classroom assignments you will catch glimpses of the multiple ways your child knows and shows their reading, writing, math, science, history, art, and beyond.
We look forward to sharing more with you at February Family Conferences (2/18 – 2/20) with your child’s original advisor.
Thanks for supporting this amazing educational system!
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
mugalian@smmusd.org
genie.hwang@smmusd.org
Science Friday letter
6/7th Grade Ciencia: We are starting the Independent Investigations. These are longer, more complicated investigations that really challenge most 6/7th grade students; however, they are a lot of fun and more relevant to skill building then “canned labs.” The best part from a student’s perspective is that they get to choose the topic and have a great deal of choice about how to communicate their findings. Please ask to see the project description that runs to seven pages, sorry!
Most of our young student scientists need a great deal of help at home with a project of this magnitude and I would love to help you provide a portion of that support by helping you understand the intent and the methods of inquiry science. To that end I propose a casual meeting for parents of 6/7th graders only to be held at 18:00 on the 2nd of Feb. No requirement except a desire to help your child thrive.
KELLY
Math
6/7: You are So Square!
Yes, we sometimes hear this humorous comment lofted about in the middle school conversations (!), but in Math we are all starting to be “so square” as we take on our new unit: geometry. Over this past week, we have jumped into the unit by simply taking a look around at our own world and identifying the shapes that exist all around us. Not only did the students start to discover the shapes they see in their after school lives, but they had the opportunity to observe and distinguish shapes at our nearby park. As a result, the mathematicians compiled a list of observations, and then they began to classify their findings into categories they knew. For instance, they might have chosen the handicap painting in a parking lot spot and would then classify it as a square. These observations and classifying activities will help start and launch our discussions on shapes and their specific characteristics. Throughout the unit, we will use historic references to the Greek mathematicians who helped develop and “shape” these ideas, a tie into our Core 4 thematic unit. Even if you are “so square”, we would love for you to come in and join us as we delve into this unit! J
Algebra:
Over this past week, we started to put a close to Chapter 3. We will have our test at the end of next week. Please encourage your child to use their notes, the resources online, and their old homework to study for the test. Also, a study habit we have been working on involves asking clarifying questions. This will be strongly encouraged next week as the test inches closer.
On another note, as we have been working through each chapter, the students have been exposed to multi-step number story problems. Because these problems seem filled with information and confusing on the first read, we have looked at ways to successfully approach them. These methods should help ease their apprehension and build their confidence toward these types of problems. J
Writing Workshop news coming up in next week’s Friday Letter!
BAILEY
First, a huge "THANK YOU!" to the parents who accompanied us on this month's art field trips!
WALL WORKS at Santa Monica Museum in Bergamont Station is having a reception for the artist's and students' work today, Friday January 30 at 6pm. It is free and would be wonderful for your child to "tour" you through the exhibit. If you can not make this event, the exhibit and students' installation will be on display until May.
In Humanities, we are finally underway in our study of Ancient Greece starting with the geography of the region. Please discuss with your kids the similarities and differences of the Mediterranean climate with our own. We are reading a few myths as a class, then each student will pick one to read with a group and perform for the class. We will also be starting on individual research projects on Ancient Greek Intellectuals.
The 8th grade is now reading Siddhartha. If your child does not have their own book and reading journal please try to secure a copy of the book soon. They should read all of "Part 1" by Monday. We will try to visit a Buddhist center in the next few weeks. If you have resources, please contact me.
Thanks for all your support of the learning taking place in the young minds!
Kurt: holland@smmusd.org
Kelly: k.kulsrud@smmusd.org
Bailey: baileyfield@mac.com
PARENT TO PARENT Suggestions
a) Study Buddies: Find a focused after school friend to have over to the house to do homework together.
b) Tutoring: SMASH alum, high school Junior, Jonathan Caldwell will offer tutoring to those interested in hiring him after school. Watch for Friday Letter announcements.
c) Turning Service Into Fun: Join your child in completing his/her community service to make it a family contribution and family conversation.
d) Connecting to Samohi: In addition to the 3 Samohi visits that Kurt has arranged with a Samohi counselor, house principal, and campus guide, go on one of the general public Samohi tours to get familiar with the campus.
e) Child Swap: 8th grade project mentoring: Contact Kurt about coming in to mentor other people’s children Wednesday mornings 9:15-10:15 during the 8th grade project block called Organizing For Achievement.
f) Organize a Tuesday lunch study group (Kurt will make his room available if parents volunteer to be there or if students are interested in peer tutoring).
TEACHER TO PARENT Suggestions
Check in with your child twice a week, doing any of the following:
1) Progress Report Check (Are there missing or overdue assignments listed? Has “With Assistance” been marked two weeks in a row?)
2) Daily Notes Pages (Should be at least two of least from science weekly)
3) Photo web site of science labs and activities (Watch for Kurt to publish link in Friday Letter)
4) Planners (Kurt, Kelly, and Bailey are having students enter their due dates into their SMASH Planners)
5) Community Service Log (Ask to see what hours they have done thus far)
6) Ask questions about where they are at with their Independent Science Investigation
7) Are you seeing an average of 45 minutes per night of Algebra homework?
8) Visit the Humanities room to look at the binder example, journal example, butcher paper lists of what should be in the binder and journal)
9) Friday Letter (Discuss the week’s highlight’s and upcoming information together)
10) Backpack cleanout (Don’t be surprised to find completed work that your children forgot to hand in)
11) Ask questions about writing with Candis. What types of ideas are you exploring in your writer’s notebook?
SIBLING READY TO START KINDERGARTEN IN SEPTEMBER?
Please come into the office and fill out an application as soon as possible!
DEADLINE for Kindergarten applications is MARCH 31.
Applications after that time will no longer be guaranteed a place in class.
Dear SMASHing Families,
“Studies show that practicing gratitude not only improves your outlook but can actually improve your health.” (December 2008 Yoga Journal) I am grateful to all the people who showed up in the partial rain ready to do hard labor to make our campus sparkling. Thank you to those who prepped the garden, scrubbed the bathrooms, freshened up the cafetorium, organized the computer lab, provided nourishment, and brought spirit to the day! Once again the collaborative energy and commitment to the campus is noted; this is a special community. Some of you may wonder what the agenda items are when I am called to the twice a month District Principals’ Meetings. The book study from this week’s meeting was Michael Fullan’s “The Six Secrets of Change: Secret Number Three.” It was a timely “secret” to review, one that is quite well known and embodied at SMASH weekly: “When peers interact purposefully, their expectations of one other create positive pressure to accomplish goals important to the group.” Last week, we met our goal of cleaning up the campus together and next week I look forward to achieving our goal of learning together about safety tips for parents on Wednesday, February 4, 6:30pm. See you there!
Truly Yours,
Jessica
The Special Education Collaborative
Invites You To A
TOWN HALL MEETING
Invites You To A
TOWN HALL MEETING
Monday, February 9 6:15 pm – 8:00 pm
Santa Monica Main Library Multi-Purpose Room
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica Main Library Multi-Purpose Room
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Hear the Recommendations that the Working Group*
Has drafted for Superintendent Cuneo
And
Give us your valuable feedback!
We look forward to seeing you!
Has drafted for Superintendent Cuneo
And
Give us your valuable feedback!
We look forward to seeing you!
*The Working Group is a group of 16 individuals (a mix of SMMUSD staff and parents) charged with analyzing information about the SMMUSD Special Education program and making recommendations designed to improve the overall culture in the District in connection with Special Education.
For further information please contact, Martha Duran-Contreras at (310) 450-8338
or duran-contreras@smmusd.org.
From SMMUSD Superintendent Tim Cuneo and PTA Council President Rebecca Kennerly
SANTA MONICA MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT LAUNCHES
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Come hear, see, and learn about SMMUSD’s Excellent Public Schools, from February 2.
SMMUSD is launching its second “Public Schools Week” beginning February 2. Our initial function is to formally detail “The State of our Schools” at a forum designed to detail how our schools are performing academically, financially and socially.
But Public Schools Weeks is about involving our community in Public Education. We want everyone in our community to visit our neighborhood Public Schools. Our school doors will be open throughout Santa Monica and Malibu and we want to actively encourage family members, neighbors, alumni, and the wider community to come inside and see us in action.
Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District has joined forces with the district’s Teachers Association, PTA Council, and CEPS (Community for Excellent Public Schools) to present Public Schools week.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
The lead off event for Public Schools Week kicks is the third ‘State of Our Schools: How Are We Doing?”, a public forum set for Monday, February 2 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Santa Monica Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. This education forum is free and open to all members of the public. Refreshments will be served in the library courtyard following the program.
The program will be presented in Malibu on Tuesday February 3 from 6.30- 9.00 p.m. at the Webster Elementary School Auditorium, 3602 Winter Canyon Road, Malibu. This forum on our public schools will discuss --
* The difference Public schools make in a community
* How Santa Monica-Malibu schools rate
* An analysis of student achievement
* The financial issues facing SMMUSD this year
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
From there we move to open schools throughout Santa Monica and Malibu for public visits. A full list of schools and times is attached. Open schoolhouse events will include a coffee with the principal with a short presentation about their school and a word from the PTA president at each school site.
We hope that community residents from throughout Santa Monica and Malibu will take advantage of this opportunity to hear from our principals, teachers, PTA leaders and students about the extraordinary educational opportunities that take place every day in our schools.
We look forward to seeing and talking about our schools with you during Public Schools Week.
Sincerely,
Tim Cuneo
Superintendent
Santa Monica Malibu
Rebecca Kennerly
President
Unified School District Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAsOPEN SCHOOLHOUSE EVENTS
CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES & WASHINGTON WEST SCHOOL Ph. (310)399-5865 2802 Fourth Street Santa Monica 90405 Director: Ms. Judy Abdo Thursday, February 5, 10:00am
EDISON LANGUAGE ACADEMY (K-5) Ph. (310)828-0335 2425 Kansas Ave.,
Santa Monica 90404 Principal: Ms. Lori Orum Friday, February 6, 8:30 am
FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)828-2814 2400 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403
Principal: Ms. Tara Brown Thursday, February 19, 9:00am
GRANT ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)450-7651 2368 Pearl Street, Santa Monica 90405
Principal: Mr. Alan Friedenberg Tuesday, February 3, 9:00am
JOHN ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) Ph. (310)452-2326 2425 Sixteenth St., Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Ms. Martha Shaw Thursday, February 5, 9:00am
JOHN MUIR ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)399-7721 2526 Sixth St., Santa Monica 90405
Principal: Ms. Tristan Komlos, Wednesday, February 4, 10:00am
JUAN CABRILLO ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)457-0360 30237 Morning View Dr., Malibu 90265 Principal: Mr. Barry Yates Wednesday, February 4, 9am
LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) Ph. (310)393-9227 1501 California Ave., Santa Monica 90403 Principal: Ms. Suzanne Webb Thursday, February 5, 8:30am
MALIBU HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Ph. (310)457-6801 30215 Morning View Dr., Malibu 90265
Principal: Dr. Mark Kelly Friday, February 6, 10:00am
MALIBU MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) Thursday, February 5, 10:00am
McKINLEY ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)828-5011 2401 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90404 Principal Ms. Irene Gonzalez Wednesday, February 4, 9:00am
OLYMPIC HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Ph. (310)392-2494 721 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Ms. Janie Yuguchi Gates Friday, February 5, 10:00am
PT. DUME ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)457-9370 6955 Fernhill Drive, Malibu 90265
Principal: Ms. Chi Kim Friday, February 6, 8:30am
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)395-0941 801 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403 Principal: Ms. Natalie Burton Thursday, February 5, 10:00am
SANTA MONICA ALTERNATIVE (SMASH) (K-8) Ph. (310)396-2640 2525 Fifth Street, Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Ms. Jessica Rishe , Carrie Ferguson Wednesday, February 4, 9:00am
SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Ph. (310)395-3204 601 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Dr. Hugo Pedroza Tuesday, February 17, 10:30am
WEBSTER ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)456-6494 3602 Winter Canyon, Malibu 90265
Principal: Mr. Phil Cott Tuesday February 3, 9:00am
WILL ROGERS ELEMENTARY (K-5) Ph. (310)452-2364 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica 90405 Principal: Ms. Irma Lyons Wednesday, February 4, 9:00 am
The SMASH PTSA & JOHN MUIR PTA
INVITE ALL PARENTS TO ATTEND THIS SPECIAL
PARENT ED NIGHT
“AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION”
Keeping Our Children Safe
presented by Pattie Fitzgerald, founder, Safety Ever After, Inc.
INVITE ALL PARENTS TO ATTEND THIS SPECIAL
PARENT ED NIGHT
“AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION”
Keeping Our Children Safe
presented by Pattie Fitzgerald, founder, Safety Ever After, Inc.
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 200
Location: SMASH/Muir Cafetorium
Time: 6:30 PM Dinner
7:00 p.m. PresentationLocation: SMASH/Muir Cafetorium
Certified Child Safety Educator, Pattie Fitzgerald, will be presenting a 90 minute, informative workshop for parents and caregivers interested in learning how to effectively talk to their children about personal safety in an easy, non-fearful manner. Ms. Fitzgerald’s programs have been presented at several SMMUSD schools including: Grant, Roosevelt, Franklin, Webster, Pt. Dume, JAMS, and Lincoln Middle School.
· The ineffective reality about “stranger-danger”
· Protecting kids from people they: “know, don’t know, or know just a little bit”
· Establishing and modeling appropriate physical and personal boundaries
· Information on Megan’s Law in California
· The Super-Ten “Safe-Smarts” Rules for Kids and Grownups
· 10 Prevention Tips for every parent
· 10 Most Common Lures and Tricks
· 11 Red Flags and Warning Signs
· How to spot a “Tricky Person!”
· Recognizing “thumbs up & thumbs down” situations
This event is free to the Muir/SMASH Community.
The SMASH 8th Grade will be providing childcare for a nominal fee for school aged kids.
Please make your childcare reservation in the office.
The SMASH 8th Grade will be providing childcare for a nominal fee for school aged kids.
Please make your childcare reservation in the office.
PTSA news
Presidents’ NoteWhat a Spirit Day! So many people came despite the rain. So much was accomplished despite the limited amount of time we had. We scrubbed, we sanded, we painted, and we raked and dug and planted… The results are amazing. And what’s best, we managed to get in a bit of socializing, too. Thanks so much to everyone from John Muir and SMASH who came out and helped our schools grow ever closer.
Helene Seisay (John Muir), Helga Schier (SMASH) and David Saltzman (SMASH)
SMASHing Committees
· DON’T FORGET: The Parent Ed Committee will host a joint SMASH/Muir Event on innovative and non-fearful Safety Training with Safely Ever After (www.safelyeverafter.com) NEXT WEEK on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 6:30PM. Food and Childcare will be provided. See the flyer in this week’s Friday Letter.
· Friday, February 13, 2009 is National Have Lunch with your Kids Day. The Health Committee invites you to participate in your child's school day by joining them and their friends for lunch. For more information, please see the note in this week’s Friday Letter.
· The Gardening Committee would like to thank everyone who came to help with the garden project last Saturday. All the effort and hard work paid off, and much more than anyone ever hoped was accomplished. Let’s hope that all of us, parents, teachers and especially students will see the garden as a learning opportunity. Let’s study soil, microbes, and worms. Let’s study the elements and minerals that make up the soil. Let’s learn how to test the soil as we add the recommended nutrients to improve conditions. Let’s dream big and make this a science project right on campus. Let’s grow foods and young minds..
SMASHing Fundraisers
· Make your Family Donation online. Go to http://ptsasmash.blogspot.com/ and give what you can! To pay by credit card, check or cash, or to establish a payment plan, see Janice in the office. SMASH depends on you! Thanks!
· Jogathon, Friday, February 27, 2009. T-shirt sponsorships due Monday, February 2! See the flyer in this Friday Letter!
SMASHing Alumni
· Terry Michaels, a SMASH graduate from 1977, has graciously offered to handle our alumni relations. Welcome aboard, Terry! Among other things Terry will host a Facebook network as a meeting place for past and present SMASHing students and parents. Until the network is up, please contact Terry at filmstudent9404@yahoo.com for more information.
SMASHing Meetings
· Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 5 at 6:30PM.
Only 4 more weeks until the SMASHing
Jog-a-thon 2009
Jog-a-thon 2009
Volunteer! We still need volunteers to help with refreshments, lap counting, etc. on the day of the event.
Pledge! Pledge packets will go home next week so look for your child’s pledge packet and read the information that accompanies it. Help your child fill out the form and collect pledges. 100% of donations go right back to our classrooms.
Save the date! Jog-a-thon ‘09 happens Friday, February 27th. Come run with your child and/or cheer on the rest of the runners.
For questions or to volunteer:
Lillie Schlessinger (213)742-3394 lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com
Darlene Flanders (310)314-8716 darlene@quixo.com
Core 1 News
The Animal Habitat group called the LA Zoo and scheduled a trip to the LA Zoo. We want to see different animals and what they like and where they live. Tuesday, February 24 Core 1 is going to the LA Zoo from 9:00 to 1:00 . Bring a sack snack and lunch. It is $7 in all for each student. There will be a permission slip in the Friday Folder. We need 7 parents to come with us. You can sign up at the Home/School table. Written by - Zelda and Abigail (and Candis)Core 1’s first Writing Celebration will be on Friday, February 6, 9:00-9:30. The Bigs have written and published amazing “small moment” narratives during Writers’ Workshop. They will be sharing their stories in small groups on Friday, and we hope family and friends can join us. The Partners will also provide a supportive audience, especially since they will be celebrating their published stories in a couple of weeks.
Thanks to Eden (Amelia’s mom) for helping us jump-start our new community snack routine in Core 1. There has been enormous enthusiasm to encourage nutritious eating in our community. With your support, we hope to incorporate this more into our curriculum. Please refer to the handout in this week’s Friday Folder. Community Snack will not replace our regular snack time—so each child should continue to bring a small snack to school every day.
For more news and glimpses into the classroom, please visit Core 1 (click on News)
at www.smash.smmusd.org!
Have a great weekend!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: candis.berens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
CORE 2 NEWS
Dear Core 2 Community, January 30, 2009Student-led conferences are coming in February. Your child’s conference will be with their original advisor from September. Each advisor will have a student-teacher conference in order to prepare the students for the family conference. Sign- up sheets will be in the main office beginning on Monday.
In Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop: We published our “How to Stories”. Each child will have the opportunity to act out another child’s directions. In reading, we continue practicing reading with emotion and identifying the characters’ feelings and making inferences.
Social Studies this week: In Government, we practiced our presentations (which will be held in Core 2). These presentations will be spread out across the first week in February. There will be 2 presentations per day at 9:00 am. Attached is the schedule. We know you might need to be at work during these times, but it would be smashing if you can come to see your child’s presentation. In Math, the 2nd graders worked on building buildings! They built and solved problems relating the amount of rooms per story and how many rooms altogether. Homework is due on Monday, 2/2. The 3rd graders continued their investigation of tetrominoes and area. Attached is homework that is due on Tuesday, February 3! They needed to use their previous knowledge about arrays, dimensions, and tetrominoes to get their answer.
Diana, the Spanish Teacher, is sending home a homework packet that is due on Thursday, February 5.
Helpful Things to Say When Your Child Asks for Help with Math Homework…
In order to help your child become a strong and flexible problem solver, we assign a variety of math activities as homework.
Often your child will receive homework that is directly connected to the TERC math curriculum. Games may also be assigned for homework. The TERC units use games as motivating ways to help children learn and master concepts. We play the games in school and expect you to play the games at home, too. Games are to be taken seriously! When your child asks you to play a math game, notice that your child has to remember and explain rules, create a strategy, and use math as well. Games challenge children’s minds.
We also assign open-ended problems (multi-step word problems) or performance tasks (“measure this…”, “collect data about that…”). We often give these problems to challenge your child to try to use all of her/his math knowledge to solve an unfamiliar problem. Sometimes children complain that “the teacher didn’t teach me how to do this kind” and the children are correct, in a way. We cannot ever teach your child how to do every kind of problem. Instead, we teach your child strategies to solve a wide variety of problems.
When your child asks you for help, try not to jump in with an answer. Instead, try helping your child get started by using these prompts.
1. Does this remind you of other problems?
2. What have you come up with so far?
3. Where do you think you should start?
4. What is the problem asking you to do?
5. Would drawing a picture or diagram help?
6. How can I help you (without giving you the solution)?
(resource: Schools and Families Creating a Math Partnership, TERC)
In Arts, for music this week the children had the wonderful experience of interacting with our guest songwriter, Will Ryan. Thanks Dian for arranging this real world experience. **Dian would like to have music from the countries of your family’s origins to have connections to the each student’s own culture. It can be on a separate CD or on the original CD. Our collection has begun, thanks to the families who already sent music.
Upcoming dates and events:
Wednesday, February 11 – 100th Day of School, activities to be held in our Core.
Friday, February 13 – Core 2’s Valentine Day Shower – see the attached pink flyer.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, February 18, 19, and 20: Student-Led conferences, 1:30 dismissal all days.
Tuesday, February 24 – field trip to Weather Station at UCLA, more info to follow
Friday, February 27 – Jog-a-thon, more info to follow. Start building your endurance!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org
Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
Hello Core 3!
Around here, many of us are familiar with Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences and Piaget’s stages of child development, which inspired the work in Chip Wood’s Yardsticks (a resource used by teachers and parents alike). At SMASH we honor the idea that kids learn in different ways and at different rates. This is why we have mixed-age classrooms and narrative evaluations, rather than “grade-level” benchmarks. We also utilize Responsive Classroom techniques to balance the social curriculum with the academic classroom. How children learn and work together and within the school community is as important as what they learn. In addition, we know that brain research has shown that physical activity, social needs, and comfort/safety concerns all impact a child’s ability to learn and grow. Finally, we know that art education supports all of these beliefs.
So, how do we do it all, you may ask? In Core 3, we try to provide students with “multiple ways of knowing and showing.” This means that we use a variety of resources and materials to help kids access, practice, and use what they learn. We also allow kids to show us what they’ve learned in a variety of ways. We take a constructivist approach, allowing students to construct their own understanding at their own pace. We know that confusion, making mistakes, and “aha” moments are all integral to learning. We believe the most powerful understanding is developed over time when concepts are introduced and then revisited again and again over time. We do not expect mastery—we instead hope for increased understanding, confidence, and a willingness to apply their learning to different areas.
Informal, ongoing assessment during observations and student-teacher conversations is our most common form of assessment. We also recognize the importance of students’ ability to set and meet personal goals, so we typically have them reflect on their own progress. For most units, the students engage in answering questions, writing essays, and comparing their ideas with each other during group activities. We also use Academic Choice as a way to allow students to choose different ways to show something they have learned—in which case much of the assessment is done while the students are discussing their ideas and planning how they will show what they’ve learned. The final “product” in many of these assessments is often the least valuable tool for demonstrating how much a child may have learned.
Our hope is that through family conferences, narratives, publishing parties, expos, field trips, Friday Letters, unit reflections, and informal conversations with your child about homework or classroom assignments you will catch glimpses of the multiple ways your child knows and shows their reading, writing, math, science, history, art, and beyond.
We look forward to sharing more with you at February Family Conferences (2/18 – 2/20) with your child’s original advisor.
Thanks for supporting this amazing educational system!
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
mugalian@smmusd.org
genie.hwang@smmusd.org
CORE 4 NEWS
KURTScience Friday letter
6/7th Grade Ciencia: We are starting the Independent Investigations. These are longer, more complicated investigations that really challenge most 6/7th grade students; however, they are a lot of fun and more relevant to skill building then “canned labs.” The best part from a student’s perspective is that they get to choose the topic and have a great deal of choice about how to communicate their findings. Please ask to see the project description that runs to seven pages, sorry!
Most of our young student scientists need a great deal of help at home with a project of this magnitude and I would love to help you provide a portion of that support by helping you understand the intent and the methods of inquiry science. To that end I propose a casual meeting for parents of 6/7th graders only to be held at 18:00 on the 2nd of Feb. No requirement except a desire to help your child thrive.
KELLY
Math
6/7: You are So Square!
Yes, we sometimes hear this humorous comment lofted about in the middle school conversations (!), but in Math we are all starting to be “so square” as we take on our new unit: geometry. Over this past week, we have jumped into the unit by simply taking a look around at our own world and identifying the shapes that exist all around us. Not only did the students start to discover the shapes they see in their after school lives, but they had the opportunity to observe and distinguish shapes at our nearby park. As a result, the mathematicians compiled a list of observations, and then they began to classify their findings into categories they knew. For instance, they might have chosen the handicap painting in a parking lot spot and would then classify it as a square. These observations and classifying activities will help start and launch our discussions on shapes and their specific characteristics. Throughout the unit, we will use historic references to the Greek mathematicians who helped develop and “shape” these ideas, a tie into our Core 4 thematic unit. Even if you are “so square”, we would love for you to come in and join us as we delve into this unit! J
Algebra:
Over this past week, we started to put a close to Chapter 3. We will have our test at the end of next week. Please encourage your child to use their notes, the resources online, and their old homework to study for the test. Also, a study habit we have been working on involves asking clarifying questions. This will be strongly encouraged next week as the test inches closer.
On another note, as we have been working through each chapter, the students have been exposed to multi-step number story problems. Because these problems seem filled with information and confusing on the first read, we have looked at ways to successfully approach them. These methods should help ease their apprehension and build their confidence toward these types of problems. J
Writing Workshop news coming up in next week’s Friday Letter!
BAILEY
First, a huge "THANK YOU!" to the parents who accompanied us on this month's art field trips!
WALL WORKS at Santa Monica Museum in Bergamont Station is having a reception for the artist's and students' work today, Friday January 30 at 6pm. It is free and would be wonderful for your child to "tour" you through the exhibit. If you can not make this event, the exhibit and students' installation will be on display until May.
In Humanities, we are finally underway in our study of Ancient Greece starting with the geography of the region. Please discuss with your kids the similarities and differences of the Mediterranean climate with our own. We are reading a few myths as a class, then each student will pick one to read with a group and perform for the class. We will also be starting on individual research projects on Ancient Greek Intellectuals.
The 8th grade is now reading Siddhartha. If your child does not have their own book and reading journal please try to secure a copy of the book soon. They should read all of "Part 1" by Monday. We will try to visit a Buddhist center in the next few weeks. If you have resources, please contact me.
Thanks for all your support of the learning taking place in the young minds!
Kurt: holland@smmusd.org
Kelly: k.kulsrud@smmusd.org
Bailey: baileyfield@mac.com
January 28, 2009 8th Grade Meeting Recap
Constructing a Fine-mesh Safety Net
Constructing a Fine-mesh Safety Net
PARENT TO PARENT Suggestions
a) Study Buddies: Find a focused after school friend to have over to the house to do homework together.
b) Tutoring: SMASH alum, high school Junior, Jonathan Caldwell will offer tutoring to those interested in hiring him after school. Watch for Friday Letter announcements.
c) Turning Service Into Fun: Join your child in completing his/her community service to make it a family contribution and family conversation.
d) Connecting to Samohi: In addition to the 3 Samohi visits that Kurt has arranged with a Samohi counselor, house principal, and campus guide, go on one of the general public Samohi tours to get familiar with the campus.
e) Child Swap: 8th grade project mentoring: Contact Kurt about coming in to mentor other people’s children Wednesday mornings 9:15-10:15 during the 8th grade project block called Organizing For Achievement.
f) Organize a Tuesday lunch study group (Kurt will make his room available if parents volunteer to be there or if students are interested in peer tutoring).
TEACHER TO PARENT Suggestions
Check in with your child twice a week, doing any of the following:
1) Progress Report Check (Are there missing or overdue assignments listed? Has “With Assistance” been marked two weeks in a row?)
2) Daily Notes Pages (Should be at least two of least from science weekly)
3) Photo web site of science labs and activities (Watch for Kurt to publish link in Friday Letter)
4) Planners (Kurt, Kelly, and Bailey are having students enter their due dates into their SMASH Planners)
5) Community Service Log (Ask to see what hours they have done thus far)
6) Ask questions about where they are at with their Independent Science Investigation
7) Are you seeing an average of 45 minutes per night of Algebra homework?
8) Visit the Humanities room to look at the binder example, journal example, butcher paper lists of what should be in the binder and journal)
9) Friday Letter (Discuss the week’s highlight’s and upcoming information together)
10) Backpack cleanout (Don’t be surprised to find completed work that your children forgot to hand in)
11) Ask questions about writing with Candis. What types of ideas are you exploring in your writer’s notebook?
