JOG-A-THON PLEDGE ENVELOPES WERE
SENT HOME WITH EACH STUDENT TODAY
ADDITIONAL ENVELOPES ARE IN THE MAIN OFFICE
PLEDGES ARE DUE IN 3 WEEKS!!
Dear SMASHing Families,
We all owe a shout out to Nadja, our Core 2 Instructional Assistant, for making me aware of the Peet’s Coffee & Tea donation program. The employees at the Montana Avenue Peet’s store recognized and chose our SMASH proposal for their holiday contributions to the community. The SMASHing Arts Program received a $1200 check this week. Thank you Nadja and your fellow “Peetniks” for your financial and energetic support.
Do you talk to your child about how to recognize a potentially dangerous action or situation? Does your child “check first and get permission before” changing plans or accepting something someone offers? Do you help your child listen to his/her “uh-oh feeling” and inner voice? Wednesday night, 55 SMASH and Muir families joined together to develop more “safe smarts” for our children. Thanks to PTSA Parent Education coordinators Ken Downing and Lori Nafshun and the wonderful 8th grade babysitters, we had an informative 90 minute seminar presented by Pattie Fitzgerald, member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners. If you attended, be sure to share one of the “Super Ten Safe-Smarts Rules For Kids and Grownups” with a friend, and if you did not attend, ask around for helpful parenting tips about getting kids to set good physical, personal and relationship boundaries. One straight forward way to begin: make sure your child has memorized your cell phone number in case s/he is lost or out in public and needs to get a hold of you.
If you want to learn more, go to www.safelyeverafter.com
Truly Yours,
Jessica
Friday, February 20. Each conference day will be 1:30 dismissal. (Core 4 has various dates)
Sign up sheets are in the main office. Please stop by or call Janice or Wende to schedule your appointment
· VOLUNTEER! Are you handy with a paper cup, spray bottle or rubber band? If so, the Jog-a-thon needs you! We need parent volunteers to help hand out refreshments, count laps and cheer on our SMASH athletes.
The winning design becomes the primary communications piece for the 25th Annual Twilight Dance Series, used in display advertising, posters, flyers, banners and more.
This year is particularly special with it not only being the 25th year of the series but also the pier's centennial anniversary. Artists are encouraged to keep these milestones in mind while creating their entries, PRC officials said.
The artist who creates the winning design will receive $750 and their design becomes a collector's item and keepsake from the series. The winner will also receive a VIP package for the summer including a backstage pass to the series.
All designs will be displayed on the pier from March 20 through April 10.
All entries are due on March 6. This year's winner will be chosen via a secure Internet poll on www.santamonicapier.org. Visitors to the site will only be able to vote one time, for one poster. Voting will take place throughout mid-March and early April.
Contest rules, design specifications and entry forms are available at www.santamonicapier.org. A gallery of past posters is also available for reflection and inspiration. Entries are due at the pier's offices. More information is available by calling (310) 458-8901.
Getting your directories is a self-serve, honor system. If you’ve already joined SMASH PTSA, go to the front office and in the box of directories is a list of members. Cross off each member in your family and take one copy per member.
And I noticed that on said list, there are many good souls who are PTSA paid members and haven’t had a chance to get their directories. Your support deserves more than just good karma. So pick up your directory and add to your life a green so bright, it cannot be found in nature. Which makes it easy to find at home. If you’re having a hard time getting to the office, just send me an email. I can grab your copies and figure out a way to get them to you.
Procrastination is part of your genetic makeup? Join now by filling out a PTSA envelope. They’re in the front office at the bottom of the document stand. Write a check to SMASH PTSA ($8 per member) and give it to Janice. Write each member name on the bottom of the list with a check mark to show you got your directories. Offer good while supplies last.
But don’t forget the other reason to join. PTSA is the largest nonprofit child advocacy association in the nation…well, you know the rest since this is the 7th membership letter this school year, and hopefully the last.
And I get to stop writing, in good conscience, once the directories are gone. So join if you haven’t, pick up your directories if you have, email me if you can’t. hellosusan@mac.com.
Sincerely,
Susan Alinsangan, PTSA Membership
Helga Schier & David Saltzman, PTSA Co-Presidents
Jessica Rishe, Principal
Please join the Planning and Community Development Department (PCD) at an informational meeting on the Exposition Light Rail Project coming to Santa Monica. The light rail line will increase mobility in our community, and support the community’s Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE). It is crucial that the light rail line serves Santa Monica in the best way possible. Attend the meeting to learn more about the details proposed by the Exposition Construction Authority (the EXPO Authority).
The City and PCD is hosting this meeting to help residents and members of the business community understand this complex project, with a focus on segments in Santa Monica. Presentations will be given by City staff and the EXPO Authority’s project director. We hope you will attend.
OTHER UPCOMING DATES
FEBRUARY 10: Santa Monica City Council study session on the Exposition Light Rail Project.
MARCH 3: Council recommendations to the Authority and Metro. You are invited to attend the City Council meetings to provide additional input to the Council.
JANUARY 28 MARCH 13: Public Comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). After the public comment period, the Authority will select the preferred route. The Authority is accepting written comments and testimony at hearings on February 18, 23 and 24,
View the DRAFT Environmental Impact Report
at http://www.buildexpo.or/phase2_overview.php.
Big Blue Bus lines #1,2,3,5,7,9 & 10. Secured bike parking provided.
Free auto parking at the Civic Center lot.
For questions or comments, please contact
Kyle Ferstead at (310) 458-8341 or email at kyle.ferstead@smgov.net.
No RSVP is required.
Running Start is accepting applications for their 2009 Young Woman's Political Leadership Retreat. Please encourage any high school girls you know to apply!!!
WHAT: Running Start encourages high school girls from across the country to channel their leadership into politics. Participants will meet extraordinary women leaders of diverse backgrounds and learn the importance of having more women in political leadership and running for office. EVEN if the girls are not interested in politics, this is a great program way for them to build self-esteem, practice public speaking and learn to collaborate with other young women.
WHO: Open to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school
WHERE: American University, Washington D.C.
WHEN: July 15-19, 2009 (no applications will be accepted after February 16, 2009)
COST: The program is entirely FREE of charge, and travel scholarships are available.
APPLY ONLINE: http://www.runningstartonline.org/leadership-program/index.php
Approve minutes of last meeting
Community Participation
Reports and Announcements (regular agenda items)
Principal’s Report
Students Reports
Community Organization Reports (to include but not limited to the following):
PTSA
Student Council
Other
Old Business
New Business
· By-laws
· Site
Council Elections
Community Participation (if applicable)
Adjourn
· Don’t forget, next 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.
· February is Foreign Language month. This is a great opportunity to check in with your children and see what they are up to in their Spanish lessons. Check the February Friday Letters for the Spanish newsletter, ideas for Spanish language activities you could do at home and more.
· Thanks so much for a fantastic Parent Ed Event! The food was great, the talk informative, and the questions enlightening. Thanks to all those who helped make it happen
SMASHing Fundraisers
· Get ready to run. Only three more weeks to the Jogathon on Friday, February 27, 2009. See the flyer in this Friday Letter!
· 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!
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 filmstdent9404@yahoo.com for more information.
SMASHing Meetings
· Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 8:15AM.
Welcome back and Feliz Año Nuevo. We would like to take a momento to say a big gracias to all the classroom teachers who are helping to bring español into the classroom as much as possible every day. Los estudiantes are benefiting greatly from this effort. We, Spanish teachers, have begun attending one morning meeting a month to further integrate Spanish into the daily routine at SMASH. This month students enjoyed tasting and learning the ingredients of traditional sweet Mexican empanadas and pan de bonos from Columbia. We look forward to joining in on these monthly gatherings.
February is Discover Languages Month. Discover Languages is a national campaign designed to raise awareness about the importance of learning languages and understanding cultures in the lives of all Americans. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) organizes national events and media coverage on language learning and Discover Languages. We are so lucky to be a part of this movement, promoting language education in our school and community! Everything you need to help you celebrate languages is available at DiscoverLanguages.org.
Core 1 has been exploring vocabulary to describe the community around them, including transportation and city places. They have also enjoyed singing many songs in Spanish and using percussion instruments to accent the music. We will move into classroom words and recreation activities this month, sharing how we like to spend free time.
Core 2/3 are still busy with adjectives, describing emotions, feelings and physical appearance. Working in groups students have mini conversations describing people close to them in the community, including family, friends, and animals. In the coming weeks students will work with the “to be “ verb in conjunction with who, what, where, when, why, how sentence structure.
Core 4 has been working with numbers to tell time and use time to describe their typical day. Also, using numbers when practicing conversations in a role play store setting situation, shopping for clothes and find out the price of items. In the weeks ahead Core 4 will immerse themselves in the present tense, developing the ability to describe actions.
The end of the month will culminate in discovering and celebrating Carnaval, a week long Carnival or Mardi Gras. All over the country of México people celebrate with feasting, parades, costumes, the wearing of masks, fiestas y música. We will have fun exposing students to some of these fun cultural traditions.
Paz,
Nina & Diana
Two of the most anticipated days in the lives of 5-7 year olds are coming up next week!
100th Day of School! It’s almost here! The 100th day is next week on Wednesday, February 11th. To celebrate, we are asking the kids to bring in a collection of 100 things from home to count on that day. Some ideas: beans, buttons, coins, Cheerios (or other cereal), uncooked macaroni, beads, paper clips, Legos…anything they can bring in for the day to count. Please label the container/bag of items with your child's name so we can keep track of the collections. Don't worry, if you can't find anything, we'll have plenty of things to choose from here at school. Talk to your kids about how they might group the items in their collection to make their counting easier (by 1s? 5s? 10s? 20s?). They can bring their collections in on Monday!
Valentine's Day:
One of our favorite holidays, in honor of love and friendship, is coming soon!
We will be celebrating Friday, February 13.
Each child may (but is not required to) bring Valentine cards to share.
If your child chooses to bring cards, please remember 3 very important guidelines:
1. There must be 20 cards (one for each child in his/her circle group).
2. Please do not address the cards to specific children. You’re welcome to write From: _______ or Love, ________, but please DO NOT write To: _________. This can get extremely confusing at our celebration….
3. Please do not bring in candy for the kids. We are simply sharing words of love and kindness!
Reminders, Announcements & Thank You’s:
We hope you are noticing the many positive changes happening in our community since our visit to Evergreen. One of which is community snack. This week we have been ironing out the kinks and receiving positive feedback, and constructive ideas about the process. The benefits are clear! Our students (especially the Partners) are more focused on their learning. We also have an even stronger sense of community as our children work together to prepare snack for, and receive snack from, their friends. Students are learning to and make healthy choices right for them, and are learning to listen to their bodies. An important note is that we are all learning that “healthy eating” means different things to different families, and we respect this. Please let us know if your family is avoiding certain food groups, and we will be sure to help your child navigate through their many choices. Thank you to those who have already done so, and we have taken note of this. Children are faced with these decisions daily (with or without community snack) and it is our hope that this process will eventually help them to make healthy choices independently. Thank you so much for your support of this very special endeavor!
February 24: Field Trip to the LA Zoo, 9am-1pm (Please bring in your slips, $7, and remember a sack snack and lunch)…Our Skirball Museum Field Trip is just around the corner on March 3 (pending available bus transportation). More info to follow!
For more news and glimpses into the classroom, please visit Core 1 (click on News)
at www.smash.smmusd.org
Love always,
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
In Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop: We are working on writing an All About Book. They are thinking about the large “watermelon” ideas and “planting the seeds” of each chapter title and topic. In RW, students are working on Inference skills. They are taking clues from the story and combining it with what they already know to infer information about characters’ feelings. Clues+ What you Know= Inference
In Government, the children “practiced” their presentations this week. We will be video taping all the presentations next week and will let you know when the tape is complete. The students have done an amazing job at teaching us about various Government roles.
In Math, the 2nd graders studied quadrilaterals and making rectangles. They realized that rectangles are the same size, or congruent, even if they look different. We also began investigating halves. They have homework that is due Monday, February 9. The 3rd graders are finishing up the unit Flips, Turns, and Area next week.
In Arts, for music this week the children listened to music from Ireland, Australia, Jamaica, and Mongolia and drew their impressions of the music. Thanks Charles! **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 in.
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 in last week’s papers
Monday, February 16 – school holiday
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, February 18, 19, and 20: Student-Led conferences,
1:30 dismissal all days. Sign up in the office.
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!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org
Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
SENT HOME WITH EACH STUDENT TODAY
ADDITIONAL ENVELOPES ARE IN THE MAIN OFFICE
PLEDGES ARE DUE IN 3 WEEKS!!
Dear SMASHing Families,
We all owe a shout out to Nadja, our Core 2 Instructional Assistant, for making me aware of the Peet’s Coffee & Tea donation program. The employees at the Montana Avenue Peet’s store recognized and chose our SMASH proposal for their holiday contributions to the community. The SMASHing Arts Program received a $1200 check this week. Thank you Nadja and your fellow “Peetniks” for your financial and energetic support.
Do you talk to your child about how to recognize a potentially dangerous action or situation? Does your child “check first and get permission before” changing plans or accepting something someone offers? Do you help your child listen to his/her “uh-oh feeling” and inner voice? Wednesday night, 55 SMASH and Muir families joined together to develop more “safe smarts” for our children. Thanks to PTSA Parent Education coordinators Ken Downing and Lori Nafshun and the wonderful 8th grade babysitters, we had an informative 90 minute seminar presented by Pattie Fitzgerald, member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners. If you attended, be sure to share one of the “Super Ten Safe-Smarts Rules For Kids and Grownups” with a friend, and if you did not attend, ask around for helpful parenting tips about getting kids to set good physical, personal and relationship boundaries. One straight forward way to begin: make sure your child has memorized your cell phone number in case s/he is lost or out in public and needs to get a hold of you.
If you want to learn more, go to www.safelyeverafter.com
Truly Yours,
Jessica
CONFERENCE TIME!
Student led conferences will be Wednesday, February 18; Thursday, February 19 and Friday, February 20. Each conference day will be 1:30 dismissal. (Core 4 has various dates)
Sign up sheets are in the main office. Please stop by or call Janice or Wende to schedule your appointment
Only 3 more weeks until Jog-a-thon 2009
Friday, February 27
· GO GET THOSE PLEDGES! Ask your neighbors, call family and friends, pledge your whole Core (penny a lap anyone?), email those faraway relatives. Is your teacher or parent running? They can get pledges too! We have extra pledge packets in the office.Friday, February 27
Contact Lillie Schlessinger at 310-392-9446 or
lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com to volunteer.
You can volunteer or just come and cheer!
Pledge Packets are due Thursday, February 26
lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com to volunteer.
You can volunteer or just come and cheer!
Pledge Packets are due Thursday, February 26
ANNUAL POSTER CONTEST
The Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corp. once again invites talented student, amateur and professional designers to submit entries for its annual poster contest.The winning design becomes the primary communications piece for the 25th Annual Twilight Dance Series, used in display advertising, posters, flyers, banners and more.
This year is particularly special with it not only being the 25th year of the series but also the pier's centennial anniversary. Artists are encouraged to keep these milestones in mind while creating their entries, PRC officials said.
The artist who creates the winning design will receive $750 and their design becomes a collector's item and keepsake from the series. The winner will also receive a VIP package for the summer including a backstage pass to the series.
All designs will be displayed on the pier from March 20 through April 10.
All entries are due on March 6. This year's winner will be chosen via a secure Internet poll on www.santamonicapier.org. Visitors to the site will only be able to vote one time, for one poster. Voting will take place throughout mid-March and early April.
Contest rules, design specifications and entry forms are available at www.santamonicapier.org. A gallery of past posters is also available for reflection and inspiration. Entries are due at the pier's offices. More information is available by calling (310) 458-8901.
JOIN THE SMASH PTSA
Parent Teacher Student Association
We’re down to the last box of the much coveted, fluorescent green, all-school SMASH Directory. And when they’re gone, they’re gone. Don’t be one of those sad, sad people at Kinkos copying a borrowed directory, wrestling with paper trays and wondering about the benefits of single versus double-sided copying. All, while sporting a handsome paper cut.Parent Teacher Student Association
Getting your directories is a self-serve, honor system. If you’ve already joined SMASH PTSA, go to the front office and in the box of directories is a list of members. Cross off each member in your family and take one copy per member.
And I noticed that on said list, there are many good souls who are PTSA paid members and haven’t had a chance to get their directories. Your support deserves more than just good karma. So pick up your directory and add to your life a green so bright, it cannot be found in nature. Which makes it easy to find at home. If you’re having a hard time getting to the office, just send me an email. I can grab your copies and figure out a way to get them to you.
Procrastination is part of your genetic makeup? Join now by filling out a PTSA envelope. They’re in the front office at the bottom of the document stand. Write a check to SMASH PTSA ($8 per member) and give it to Janice. Write each member name on the bottom of the list with a check mark to show you got your directories. Offer good while supplies last.
But don’t forget the other reason to join. PTSA is the largest nonprofit child advocacy association in the nation…well, you know the rest since this is the 7th membership letter this school year, and hopefully the last.
And I get to stop writing, in good conscience, once the directories are gone. So join if you haven’t, pick up your directories if you have, email me if you can’t. hellosusan@mac.com.
Sincerely,
Susan Alinsangan, PTSA Membership
Helga Schier & David Saltzman, PTSA Co-Presidents
Jessica Rishe, Principal
SMASH & JOHN MUIR
WINTER CONCERT
Thursday, February 12, 2009
WINTER CONCERT
Thursday, February 12, 2009
7:00 pm
4th Grade Viola, Violin – Auditorium
4th Grade Cello – Room 655
4th Grade Flute – Library
4th Grade Trumpet, Trombone – Bungalow C
4th Grade Clarinet – SMASH Computer Room
4th Grade Viola, Violin – Auditorium
4th Grade Cello – Room 655
4th Grade Flute – Library
4th Grade Trumpet, Trombone – Bungalow C
4th Grade Clarinet – SMASH Computer Room
7:45 pm
5th Grade Choir/Band/Strings – Auditorium
Smash M.S. Winds/Strings – Room 655
5th Grade Choir/Band/Strings – Auditorium
Smash M.S. Winds/Strings – Room 655
We are looking forward to sharing this evening with you!
Ms. Bersch, Ms. Cavallaro, Mrs. Spike-Gravelle, Mr. Loyd, Mr. McKeown
Students: Please arrive 15 minutes before your performance time and wear nice school clothes.
Ms. Bersch, Ms. Cavallaro, Mrs. Spike-Gravelle, Mr. Loyd, Mr. McKeown
Students: Please arrive 15 minutes before your performance time and wear nice school clothes.
COMMUNITY MEETING
EXPOSITION LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
EXPOSITION LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
WHAT: Informational Meeting on EXPO in Santa Monica
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 7pm-9pm
WHERE: Civic Auditorium, East Wing, 1885 Main St.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 7pm-9pm
WHERE: Civic Auditorium, East Wing, 1885 Main St.
Please join the Planning and Community Development Department (PCD) at an informational meeting on the Exposition Light Rail Project coming to Santa Monica. The light rail line will increase mobility in our community, and support the community’s Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE). It is crucial that the light rail line serves Santa Monica in the best way possible. Attend the meeting to learn more about the details proposed by the Exposition Construction Authority (the EXPO Authority).
The City and PCD is hosting this meeting to help residents and members of the business community understand this complex project, with a focus on segments in Santa Monica. Presentations will be given by City staff and the EXPO Authority’s project director. We hope you will attend.
OTHER UPCOMING DATES
FEBRUARY 10: Santa Monica City Council study session on the Exposition Light Rail Project.
MARCH 3: Council recommendations to the Authority and Metro. You are invited to attend the City Council meetings to provide additional input to the Council.
JANUARY 28 MARCH 13: Public Comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). After the public comment period, the Authority will select the preferred route. The Authority is accepting written comments and testimony at hearings on February 18, 23 and 24,
View the DRAFT Environmental Impact Report
at http://www.buildexpo.or/phase2_overview.php.
Big Blue Bus lines #1,2,3,5,7,9 & 10. Secured bike parking provided.
Free auto parking at the Civic Center lot.
For questions or comments, please contact
Kyle Ferstead at (310) 458-8341 or email at kyle.ferstead@smgov.net.
No RSVP is required.
RUNNING START - A great opportunity for our girls!
Let's start them young. This program also builds self-esteem...they do not need to be interested in politics to be chosen to attend!Running Start is accepting applications for their 2009 Young Woman's Political Leadership Retreat. Please encourage any high school girls you know to apply!!!
WHAT: Running Start encourages high school girls from across the country to channel their leadership into politics. Participants will meet extraordinary women leaders of diverse backgrounds and learn the importance of having more women in political leadership and running for office. EVEN if the girls are not interested in politics, this is a great program way for them to build self-esteem, practice public speaking and learn to collaborate with other young women.
WHO: Open to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school
WHERE: American University, Washington D.C.
WHEN: July 15-19, 2009 (no applications will be accepted after February 16, 2009)
COST: The program is entirely FREE of charge, and travel scholarships are available.
APPLY ONLINE: http://www.runningstartonline.org/leadership-program/index.php
SMASH Site Council Agenda
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 6:00 pm Core 2
Welcome Core 4 students
Adopt AgendaWednesday, February 11, 2009 6:00 pm Core 2
Welcome Core 4 students
Approve minutes of last meeting
Community Participation
Reports and Announcements (regular agenda items)
Principal’s Report
Students Reports
Community Organization Reports (to include but not limited to the following):
PTSA
Student Council
Other
Old Business
New Business
· By-laws
· Site
Council Elections Community Participation (if applicable)
Adjourn
PTSA news
SMASHing Committees· Don’t forget, next 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.
· February is Foreign Language month. This is a great opportunity to check in with your children and see what they are up to in their Spanish lessons. Check the February Friday Letters for the Spanish newsletter, ideas for Spanish language activities you could do at home and more.
· Thanks so much for a fantastic Parent Ed Event! The food was great, the talk informative, and the questions enlightening. Thanks to all those who helped make it happen
SMASHing Fundraisers
· Get ready to run. Only three more weeks to the Jogathon on Friday, February 27, 2009. See the flyer in this Friday Letter!
· 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!
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 filmstdent9404@yahoo.com for more information.
SMASHing Meetings
· Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 8:15AM.
¡ Español Hoy !
Hola familias.Welcome back and Feliz Año Nuevo. We would like to take a momento to say a big gracias to all the classroom teachers who are helping to bring español into the classroom as much as possible every day. Los estudiantes are benefiting greatly from this effort. We, Spanish teachers, have begun attending one morning meeting a month to further integrate Spanish into the daily routine at SMASH. This month students enjoyed tasting and learning the ingredients of traditional sweet Mexican empanadas and pan de bonos from Columbia. We look forward to joining in on these monthly gatherings.
February is Discover Languages Month. Discover Languages is a national campaign designed to raise awareness about the importance of learning languages and understanding cultures in the lives of all Americans. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) organizes national events and media coverage on language learning and Discover Languages. We are so lucky to be a part of this movement, promoting language education in our school and community! Everything you need to help you celebrate languages is available at DiscoverLanguages.org.
Core 1 has been exploring vocabulary to describe the community around them, including transportation and city places. They have also enjoyed singing many songs in Spanish and using percussion instruments to accent the music. We will move into classroom words and recreation activities this month, sharing how we like to spend free time.
Core 2/3 are still busy with adjectives, describing emotions, feelings and physical appearance. Working in groups students have mini conversations describing people close to them in the community, including family, friends, and animals. In the coming weeks students will work with the “to be “ verb in conjunction with who, what, where, when, why, how sentence structure.
Core 4 has been working with numbers to tell time and use time to describe their typical day. Also, using numbers when practicing conversations in a role play store setting situation, shopping for clothes and find out the price of items. In the weeks ahead Core 4 will immerse themselves in the present tense, developing the ability to describe actions.
The end of the month will culminate in discovering and celebrating Carnaval, a week long Carnival or Mardi Gras. All over the country of México people celebrate with feasting, parades, costumes, the wearing of masks, fiestas y música. We will have fun exposing students to some of these fun cultural traditions.
Paz,
Nina & Diana
LOVE FROM CORE 1
Two of the most anticipated days in the lives of 5-7 year olds are coming up next week!100th Day of School! It’s almost here! The 100th day is next week on Wednesday, February 11th. To celebrate, we are asking the kids to bring in a collection of 100 things from home to count on that day. Some ideas: beans, buttons, coins, Cheerios (or other cereal), uncooked macaroni, beads, paper clips, Legos…anything they can bring in for the day to count. Please label the container/bag of items with your child's name so we can keep track of the collections. Don't worry, if you can't find anything, we'll have plenty of things to choose from here at school. Talk to your kids about how they might group the items in their collection to make their counting easier (by 1s? 5s? 10s? 20s?). They can bring their collections in on Monday!
Valentine's Day:
One of our favorite holidays, in honor of love and friendship, is coming soon!
We will be celebrating Friday, February 13.
Each child may (but is not required to) bring Valentine cards to share.
If your child chooses to bring cards, please remember 3 very important guidelines:
1. There must be 20 cards (one for each child in his/her circle group).
2. Please do not address the cards to specific children. You’re welcome to write From: _______ or Love, ________, but please DO NOT write To: _________. This can get extremely confusing at our celebration….
3. Please do not bring in candy for the kids. We are simply sharing words of love and kindness!
Reminders, Announcements & Thank You’s:
We hope you are noticing the many positive changes happening in our community since our visit to Evergreen. One of which is community snack. This week we have been ironing out the kinks and receiving positive feedback, and constructive ideas about the process. The benefits are clear! Our students (especially the Partners) are more focused on their learning. We also have an even stronger sense of community as our children work together to prepare snack for, and receive snack from, their friends. Students are learning to and make healthy choices right for them, and are learning to listen to their bodies. An important note is that we are all learning that “healthy eating” means different things to different families, and we respect this. Please let us know if your family is avoiding certain food groups, and we will be sure to help your child navigate through their many choices. Thank you to those who have already done so, and we have taken note of this. Children are faced with these decisions daily (with or without community snack) and it is our hope that this process will eventually help them to make healthy choices independently. Thank you so much for your support of this very special endeavor!
February 24: Field Trip to the LA Zoo, 9am-1pm (Please bring in your slips, $7, and remember a sack snack and lunch)…Our Skirball Museum Field Trip is just around the corner on March 3 (pending available bus transportation). More info to follow!
For more news and glimpses into the classroom, please visit Core 1 (click on News)
at www.smash.smmusd.org
Love always,
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
CORE 2 NEWS
Student-led conferences are coming in February 18, 19 and 20. 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 are in the main office. In Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop: We are working on writing an All About Book. They are thinking about the large “watermelon” ideas and “planting the seeds” of each chapter title and topic. In RW, students are working on Inference skills. They are taking clues from the story and combining it with what they already know to infer information about characters’ feelings. Clues+ What you Know= Inference
In Government, the children “practiced” their presentations this week. We will be video taping all the presentations next week and will let you know when the tape is complete. The students have done an amazing job at teaching us about various Government roles.
In Math, the 2nd graders studied quadrilaterals and making rectangles. They realized that rectangles are the same size, or congruent, even if they look different. We also began investigating halves. They have homework that is due Monday, February 9. The 3rd graders are finishing up the unit Flips, Turns, and Area next week.
In Arts, for music this week the children listened to music from Ireland, Australia, Jamaica, and Mongolia and drew their impressions of the music. Thanks Charles! **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 in.
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 in last week’s papers
Monday, February 16 – school holiday
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, February 18, 19, and 20: Student-Led conferences,
1:30 dismissal all days. Sign up in the office.
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!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org
Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
CORE 3 NEWS
Reading Workshop is going strong! We have a very dedicated group of readers in Core 3, who utilize reading time in school every day! We are transitioning our reading log procedure from using the reading log sheet to having students log their reading in their Reading Notebook. This notebook should start traveling with them from school to home and back as a place to write down what, when, and how much they read each day. It’s also a great place to write down any question or idea they may have about their books. We are also using this notebook as a place to try out informal reading responses and take notes during independent reading and read alouds in class.
Even though Reading Workshop is going strong, we want to remind our reading community that it’s still important to keep up with daily reading at home and make sure we plan time to read outside of school. We also believe it’s important to finish a book before moving on to another book in general. Sometimes a book is not “just right” and needs to be abandoned, but if you notice a trend with your child rarely finishing a book, talk to your child about what kinds of books they would rather read. For some readers, all books are amazing and can’t be put down, for others, there are only specific types or genre of books that pique their interest and gets them excited about reading. Think about what kind of readers live in your house and share ways to find titles that interest all the different readers. Talk about it over dinner or in the car. Talking to your child about what they are reading is a valuable way to contribute to their readerly lives.
There are several ways that we promote, teach, practice, and assess reading in Core 3. Tamara, Genie, and Malaika confer with individual students informally and meet with small and large groups to listen to readers, model reading strategies, and give reading response prompts. These are just some of the ways we push all readers to read more, think more, and share more through conversation and reading responses.
Core 3 book clubs are right around the corner. We invite parents to come be a part of our your child’s book club. We’re also planning an all-core book club night. We’ll keep you posted about book ideas when we send home the next scholastic book order. Details to follow.
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
mugalian@smmusd.org
genie.hwang@smmusd.org
Even though Reading Workshop is going strong, we want to remind our reading community that it’s still important to keep up with daily reading at home and make sure we plan time to read outside of school. We also believe it’s important to finish a book before moving on to another book in general. Sometimes a book is not “just right” and needs to be abandoned, but if you notice a trend with your child rarely finishing a book, talk to your child about what kinds of books they would rather read. For some readers, all books are amazing and can’t be put down, for others, there are only specific types or genre of books that pique their interest and gets them excited about reading. Think about what kind of readers live in your house and share ways to find titles that interest all the different readers. Talk about it over dinner or in the car. Talking to your child about what they are reading is a valuable way to contribute to their readerly lives.
There are several ways that we promote, teach, practice, and assess reading in Core 3. Tamara, Genie, and Malaika confer with individual students informally and meet with small and large groups to listen to readers, model reading strategies, and give reading response prompts. These are just some of the ways we push all readers to read more, think more, and share more through conversation and reading responses.
Core 3 book clubs are right around the corner. We invite parents to come be a part of our your child’s book club. We’re also planning an all-core book club night. We’ll keep you posted about book ideas when we send home the next scholastic book order. Details to follow.
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
mugalian@smmusd.org
genie.hwang@smmusd.org
CORE 4 NEWS
KURT-
Super Secret Lined Paper Advisory: Goal setting conferences are starting and are formally scheduled for Feb .9 & 10 and Feb. 18, 19 & 20. I have scheduled a variety of earlier and later times over these days to provide options that work for you. Call Janice or Wende or come into the office to sign up. If none of these times work, e-mail me and we will arrange a time.
A great way to start the goal setting conversation with your child is by asking “What do you need in these next few months?” The openness of the question is intentional in the sense that we are including their whole life in our discussion, not just academics. Equally important is for you to ask yourself the same question with an emphasis on conceptually crossing academic, social and any other boundaries you encounter: What does your child need in these months leading to June? I will be asking the same question from my perspective within the partnership and we will use these to focus our discussion. From these three varied perspectives we will forge what I think of as the “critical contract.”
Ciencia and Trips: We had an exceptional experience at the Santa Monica Aquarium this week with great wildlife sightings, significant work on water quality chemistry and a close look, using digital microscopy, at plankton. In class we are running mini-labs illustrating how to design experiments. Please inquire after your child’s “testable question” and ask, “How are going to measure your variables?” The intent of our efforts is to help our student scientists develop specific definitions of the variables and practical means of measuring them. Stay in touch! Don’t let this project make you crazy! And drop around to see what’s happening.
KELLY-
Math
6/7: Sorting Things Out
Over this past week, we continued to focus on the idea that mathematicians act as careful classifiers. The students began to engage in several experiences with 2-dimensional shapes. In these situations, they started to identify common shapes, to notice the likenesses and differences among shapes, and to see the properties that different shapes have. As they determined specific classifications and sorted their shapes, they consistently had to prove why they made their decisions and categories. This idea will lead them to the “proof process” associated with geometry. With continued exposure, the mathematicians will use these properties to further define and understand their geometric world. We will continue to delve into this skill next week.
Algebra:
Due to the sixth and seventh grade trips to the Aquarium, the eighth grade group engaged in extra Algebraic work. They demonstrated a solid work ethic and stamina as we worked through the hardest material of the chapter: Solving Absolute Value Inequalities! Our Chapter 3 test was today, Friday, and this means that they will again have the chance to do test corrections next week. As a reminder, by thoroughly completing the test corrections and chapter reflection sheet, the students are able to earn half of their missed test points. Please encourage them to engage in this process to not only benefit them in an improved test score but to also clear up confusions and mistakes.
Kelly’s Advisory, Los Compadres: A Note about Conferences
Because I will be attending a literacy institute at Columbia University in New York City the week of conferences, my schedule has shifted for these meetings. They will be before and after school during the week of February 23. Please sign-up in the main office for one of these time slots. I look forward to talking with each of you about all the successes and growth that each of our compadres have made!
BAILEY-
We realize that it is cold and flu season and the mornings are dark, but please, attendance is paramount for students to engage in learning at SMASH. Late arrivals also impact the community by slowing the start of the day and making the morning meeting disjointed. Please help students get to school and all classes throughout the day on time.
Humanities: This week we studied the connection between Greek geography and its culture. Next week we will continue with mythology and explore the specific cultures of Athens and Sparta.
Please try to see "Eye of the Needle, Eye of the Heart" and the Wall Works installation the green and blue groups worked on in the next month at Santa Monica Museum. It is open most weekday afternoons and Saturdays.
Literature: The 8th grade had a wonderful visit from Dean Ichiyanagi who spoke to us about the history and practice of Buddhism. Also a "Thank you" to all the parents who have donated socks, pens and tissues to the classroom.
Namaste, Bailey
Kurt: holland@smmusd.org
Kelly:kelly.kulsrud@smmusd.org
Bailey: baileyfield@mac.com
Wed, Feb 11 - Site Council Mtg - in Core 2 - 6:00 pm
Thurs, Feb 12 - Reflective Parenting Group - 8:30 am
Thurs, Feb 12 - Instrumental Music Performances - 7:00 and 7:45 pm
Fri, Feb 13 - 12:20-12:55 National Have Lunch with your Kids Day (Or please come any day this week)
Mon, Feb 16 - Presidents’ Day—SCHOOL CLOSED
Wed, Thurs, Friday, Feb. 18, 19 & 20 - Student Led Conferences, 1:30 Dismissal. Sign up in main office.
Fri, Feb 27 - Jogathon!
SAVE THE DATE - MAY 8 FAMILY DANCE
11:00am-4:00pm - AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART FESTIVAL.
Music, dance, crafts, food and more.
Star Eco Station, 10101 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City 310-842-8060 FREE
SMASH School Tours for 2009-2010 School Year
February 18 & 25, 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)
Super Secret Lined Paper Advisory: Goal setting conferences are starting and are formally scheduled for Feb .9 & 10 and Feb. 18, 19 & 20. I have scheduled a variety of earlier and later times over these days to provide options that work for you. Call Janice or Wende or come into the office to sign up. If none of these times work, e-mail me and we will arrange a time.
A great way to start the goal setting conversation with your child is by asking “What do you need in these next few months?” The openness of the question is intentional in the sense that we are including their whole life in our discussion, not just academics. Equally important is for you to ask yourself the same question with an emphasis on conceptually crossing academic, social and any other boundaries you encounter: What does your child need in these months leading to June? I will be asking the same question from my perspective within the partnership and we will use these to focus our discussion. From these three varied perspectives we will forge what I think of as the “critical contract.”
Ciencia and Trips: We had an exceptional experience at the Santa Monica Aquarium this week with great wildlife sightings, significant work on water quality chemistry and a close look, using digital microscopy, at plankton. In class we are running mini-labs illustrating how to design experiments. Please inquire after your child’s “testable question” and ask, “How are going to measure your variables?” The intent of our efforts is to help our student scientists develop specific definitions of the variables and practical means of measuring them. Stay in touch! Don’t let this project make you crazy! And drop around to see what’s happening.
KELLY-
Math
6/7: Sorting Things Out
Over this past week, we continued to focus on the idea that mathematicians act as careful classifiers. The students began to engage in several experiences with 2-dimensional shapes. In these situations, they started to identify common shapes, to notice the likenesses and differences among shapes, and to see the properties that different shapes have. As they determined specific classifications and sorted their shapes, they consistently had to prove why they made their decisions and categories. This idea will lead them to the “proof process” associated with geometry. With continued exposure, the mathematicians will use these properties to further define and understand their geometric world. We will continue to delve into this skill next week.
Algebra:
Due to the sixth and seventh grade trips to the Aquarium, the eighth grade group engaged in extra Algebraic work. They demonstrated a solid work ethic and stamina as we worked through the hardest material of the chapter: Solving Absolute Value Inequalities! Our Chapter 3 test was today, Friday, and this means that they will again have the chance to do test corrections next week. As a reminder, by thoroughly completing the test corrections and chapter reflection sheet, the students are able to earn half of their missed test points. Please encourage them to engage in this process to not only benefit them in an improved test score but to also clear up confusions and mistakes.
Kelly’s Advisory, Los Compadres: A Note about Conferences
Because I will be attending a literacy institute at Columbia University in New York City the week of conferences, my schedule has shifted for these meetings. They will be before and after school during the week of February 23. Please sign-up in the main office for one of these time slots. I look forward to talking with each of you about all the successes and growth that each of our compadres have made!
BAILEY-
We realize that it is cold and flu season and the mornings are dark, but please, attendance is paramount for students to engage in learning at SMASH. Late arrivals also impact the community by slowing the start of the day and making the morning meeting disjointed. Please help students get to school and all classes throughout the day on time.
Humanities: This week we studied the connection between Greek geography and its culture. Next week we will continue with mythology and explore the specific cultures of Athens and Sparta.
Please try to see "Eye of the Needle, Eye of the Heart" and the Wall Works installation the green and blue groups worked on in the next month at Santa Monica Museum. It is open most weekday afternoons and Saturdays.
Literature: The 8th grade had a wonderful visit from Dean Ichiyanagi who spoke to us about the history and practice of Buddhism. Also a "Thank you" to all the parents who have donated socks, pens and tissues to the classroom.
Namaste, Bailey
Kurt: holland@smmusd.org
Kelly:kelly.kulsrud@smmusd.org
Bailey: baileyfield@mac.com
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wed, Feb 11 - Yosemite Trip Assembly - 8:45 amWed, Feb 11 - Site Council Mtg - in Core 2 - 6:00 pm
Thurs, Feb 12 - Reflective Parenting Group - 8:30 am
Thurs, Feb 12 - Instrumental Music Performances - 7:00 and 7:45 pm
Fri, Feb 13 - 12:20-12:55 National Have Lunch with your Kids Day (Or please come any day this week)
Mon, Feb 16 - Presidents’ Day—SCHOOL CLOSED
Wed, Thurs, Friday, Feb. 18, 19 & 20 - Student Led Conferences, 1:30 Dismissal. Sign up in main office.
Fri, Feb 27 - Jogathon!
SAVE THE DATE - MAY 8 FAMILY DANCE
THINGS TO DO AROUND TOWN—SATURDAY, FEB. 7
10:00am-4:00pm - LUNAR NEW YEAR. From kung fu demos to Asian cuisine, celebrate the Lunar New Year and Asian culture. Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr, LA 323-644-4200 Adults $12, Children 2-12 $711:00am-4:00pm - AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART FESTIVAL.
Music, dance, crafts, food and more.
Star Eco Station, 10101 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City 310-842-8060 FREE
SMASH School Tours for 2009-2010 School Year
February 18 & 25, 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)
