The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. SEUSS!
SMASH PAJAMA DAY - MONDAY, MARCH 2
SMASH PAJAMA DAY - MONDAY, MARCH 2
In honor of Dr. Seuss and National Read Across America Day
wear your Pajamas and bring a lovie and your favorite book to share!
Remember to wear appropriate shoes to school—NO slippers
Remember to wear appropriate shoes to school—NO slippers
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It's not. - The Lorax
EDUCATION FOUNDATION “GOLDEN TICKET” RAFFLE IS BACK!
March 2 through March 27
Look for your packets in this Friday Letter
After you sell a packet - bring back the stubs with the completed form for a chance to win an I-Pod!
March 2 through March 27
Look for your packets in this Friday Letter
Raffle prizes include: $2,000 cash scholarship, MacBook laptop and iPod Touch & $100 in iTunes.
Winners will be announced at Stairway to the Stars concert on March 27 at the Santa Monica Civic Center.
Raffle proceeds go to grants for Santa Monica-Malibu district teachers for class enrichment.
Dear SMASHing Families,
Loud shout outs to Lillie Schlessinger and Darlene Flanders for pulling together volunteers and sponsors to make hundreds of SMASH kids, teachers, and parents have loads of fun running and cheering. Lots of Jogathon tales to share over the dinner tables this weekend!
As I visited classrooms after being hired last Spring, the first questions students asked me were, “Will you run in the Jogathon with us?” “Will you keep the birthday treasure box?”’ “Will you let us walk to Main Street to buy coffee?” “Will you wear whacky hair and pajamas on student council days?” I am pleased to announce that with the exception of coffee buying, I will have fulfilled their wishes by Monday when I arrive in pajamas for a literature-rich, stylishly fun Dr. Seuss day. “So you see! There’s no end to the things you might know, depending how far beyond Zebra you go!” (On Beyond Zebra! By Dr Seuss)
Truly Yours,
Jessica
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.
NOTES FROM . . . . . . . NURSE SANDY
RECALL CONCERN: PEANUTS & PEANUT PRODUCTS
Peanuts have recently been contaminated with salmonella during processing. Salmonella is a bacteria that can affect the stomach and cause diarrhea. Beware of common products that may contain peanuts. Not only are there obvious products, such as peanut butter and peanut-products that need to be disposed of, but there are other common brands and products recalled of which you may be unaware. Please check your pantry and discard these items.
They include: Crackers (Keebler, Little Debbie), Donuts (KMart bakery), dressings, Fruit & Vegetable products (Trader Joe’s), Ice Cream Products (Carnival, Hershey’s), Cookies (Keebler, Archer Food), Brownies (Annie B’s), Cakes & Pies (Food4Less), Candy (Harry & David, Whole Foods Market), Pre-Packaged Meals (Trader Joe’s, Ethnic Gourmet), Pet Food (Happy Trails), Snack Mixes (Bear Naked), Snack Bars (Clif Bar, Health Valley, Kashi TLC, Luna Bar, Lara Bar, Nutrisystem, Special K Protein, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods)
For a complete and updated list of food products that have been recalled, visit the Food and Drug Administration website: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyp.html#recalls. Or 1-800-232-4636
· The Jogathon is today, Friday, February 27, 2009. Go SMASH!!!
· 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 Committees
· 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.
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 Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30PM.
Here are some bonus activities to bring Spanish into the home more during Foreign Language month…
Vocabulario para praticar en la casa:
City/La ciudad: school/la escuela, church/la iglesia, beach/la playa, library/la biblioeca, shop/la tienda, park/el parque, airport/el aeropuerto, movies/el cine, restaurant/el restaurante, supermarket/el supermercado
Animals/Los animales: turtle/la tortuga, butterfly/la mariposa, dog/el perro, cat/el gato, lion/el león, fish/el pez, horse/el caballo, monkey/el mono, snake/la serpiente, elephant/el elefante
Family/La familia: mother/la madre, father/el padre, sister/la hermana, brother/el hermano, grandmother/la abuela, grandfather/el abuelo, aunt/la tía, uncle/el tío, cousin(m.)/el primo, cousin(f.)/la prima, son/el hijo, daughter/la hija.
Ways to share the language at home:
*while driving name a city place in Spanish and see who can be the first to spot it
*say a family members name and have children tell you if that person is an abuela or tía or hermano…
*play hangman: using any of these new vocabulary words
Word Scramble: Together try to unscramble these animal words
1. enirsepet
2. rpsamaio
3. ragutut
4. aallboc
5. taelefne
Read together:
Hola. Me llamo Pablo. Mi mamá se llama Paloma. Mi papá se llama Paco. Me gusta el color azul. No me gusta el color rojo. Me gusta la pera. No me gusta la piña. Adios.
Friday, March 6 9:00 – 11:30 Core 1 is going to the Venice Beach Park. The Graffiti group (and anyone else who is interested) will be visiting the Graffiti Wall to gather new insights and conversations. Then they will join the rest of us at the park for a little fun and snack. We would love as many parent helpers as we can get, so please sign up by the Home/School table if you can come!
Thank you to all of the parents who chaperoned our “amazing,” “tiring,” and “not long enough” field trip to the zoo. The children’s excitement was evident as they ran from animal to animal – sharing their observations and discoveries. While they were there, the children were asked to look carefully at the animals as well as their homes, to determine if the animal was “happy.” Here were a few reflections:
Clair about the Chimpanzees: “They have an awesome home. There are lots of trees. One’s eating a carrot. They’re almost like people.”
Max about the Double Wattled Cassowary: “We don’t like it’s home. There’s not enough space.”
Oisin about the Otters: “They have a cool home. They have a deck and a bunkbed.”
Gala: “I think the small animals are happier. They have more room.”
Malia: “The seals are happy. They’re waving to us!”
The March Community Snack calendar is included in this week’s Friday Folder. If you have any conflicts, questions, or concerns, please let us know. Check out our classroom blog for more.
Last Call for Permission Slips and $10 donations for our SKIRBALL MUSEUM FIELD TRIP!
Mark your calendar! Important March Dates:
Monday, March 2 – Pajama Day
Tuesday, March 3 – Skirball Museum Field Trip
Friday, March 6 – Venice Beach Field Trip
Friday, March 13 – Field Trip to UCLA to see Dan Zanes (permission slip in next week’s letter)
Wednesday, March 18 – Core 1 Movie Premier 8:30 – 9:15 am at SMASH
Candis: candis.berens@smmusd.org Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
Yeah! Jog-a-thon! We exercised our bodies today and now you can exercise your mind. The children worked on the following Mind Exercise. What strategies would you use?
Complete this Magic Square so that it contains all of the number from 6 to 30. The sum of each line, column, and each of the two diagonals should be 90.
In Math, the 2nd graders began exploring thirds and ways to prove it. The 3rd graders have attached homework.
We will celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday in style…PJ style!
While our clothes will be comfy, our shoes need to be sturdy because we still have P.E.
On Thursday, March 5, from 1:30-2:30 pm, it would be great to have parents come in to teach or assist in making this special art project. Please let me know if you are available. Thanks! J
**Correction for last week’s nutritional information: 4 grams of sugar is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of sugar. Thank you to the parents who noticed our mistake.
Upcoming dates and events:
Mon, March 2 – Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Pajama Day.
Thurs, March 5 – paper crane making, see note from Jayme above, 1:30 – 2:30
Fri, March 6 – January, February, & March Birthday Bash, 11:30, see attached if your child is a celebrant.
Wedn, March 11 – Arts sharing with Dian
Thurs, March 12 – Jayme’s Advisory, the Oompa Loompas, to City Hall, more info next week
Tues, March 17 – Core 2’s Annual Potato Day Parade, 10:30
Wed, March 18 – Arts with Kristy begins
Thurs, March 19 – Laura’s Advisory, the Pancakes, to City Hall, more info next week
Tues, March 24 – All About Books publishing celebration, 9:15 in core 2, more info next week.
The Jog-a-thon was a FUN-raiser for the whole SMASH community! Thanks to all who helped plan, promote, prep, pledge, and poured their hearts into running! Student Council asked students, “Why do you run?” Ask your child why they ran—for SMASHing Arts, for technology, for field trips, for Spanish, for books, for Malaika…
And thanks to all who ordered books and are planning to be a part of our Core 3 Family Book Club Night on Tuesday, March 31! We’ll order a few more copies of the book club book, if you want to borrow a copy to read, come see a Core 3 teacher! You can still order books online until tomorrow at noon!
The STAR writing test for 4th graders will be administered Tuesday, 3/3 next week—come see us if you have any questions or concerns.
As we reflected on our Water Unit, we were amazed at how many different ways there are to “know and show” information—and all the learning that occurred around how water is a part of our lives and that as scientists and social scientists, we need to study many facets of a topic to understand it. We have started our next unit, California Geography/Geology and Native Americans. Using our theme, Human Needs, to bridge the connection between Water and our new unit, the students are learning how geography affects the way people meet their needs. Native people relied on their immediate surroundings in terms of weather and natural resources (as did Brian, the protagonist in Hatchet). We also started to look at the questions: Where did tribes settle? How did they travel? What did they eat? How did they shelter/protect themselves? And once they met their basic needs, how did their culture (art, religion, rights of passage) develop? Using the internet and the textbooks to research these questions, we started to make connections between different California tribes and the regions where they lived. Ultimately, as historians and scientists, we are trying to better understand our own time and place by making connections with the past--looking to the historical past and the physical reality. We learn the about the topic of California because we live here, but our unit goal is actually to learn how to learn. By learning how to make connections, categorize, compare, contrast, make models, question, test theories, and research, we can understand the tools of learning and apply them to any other academic topic we want to learn about. As an interactive way to think about a topographical map of California, the students recreated our state’s regions with supplies from the classroom like markers, baskets, pillows, chairs, etc. Check out our website for photos.
***Core 3 needs composition notebooks (the black and white marble kind are least inexpensive). It is the time of year when students fill up their writing notebooks and need to start a new one. It’s a good thing! We’d also love some decent quality watercolor paper for illustrating our poetry. Thanks!***
Super Secret Lined Paper Advisory: Goal setting conferences are coming to an end. Thank you parent partners! Your making the time to come to school and reinforce the learning partnership has enormous positive influence on your child’s achievement levels and motivation. In addition, it is marvelously inspiring to me to witness the depth of effort you put into parenting our beloved SMASHites. What joy you have produced.
If you missed the conference dates, please email me and let me know what works for you. I can join you at lunch or dinner, on Main Street or school, early or late, just contact me and we shall figure it out.
Please let me know how the new conference format worked for you. I really enjoyed hearing and reading the letters that were exchanged between parents and children about “what matters most.” Everyone had highly individualized takes on this question ranging from pragmatic to mystical, not surprising given this community! We will be following up at school on these productive conversations by forging what I think of as the “critical contract.” This written agreement will include positive action steps, specific working goals, and an agreement about how to measure progress towards “what matters most.”
Ciencia and Trips: We are deep into the background research and experimental design phase of our Independent Investigations. Next week the room comes alive as our scientists begin experimenting, observing, or modeling the mysteries of subjects as varied as go-cart wheels to nuclear bombs. Don’t worry, we will be very careful! The next two weeks are amongst the best of times to visit and see SMASHing science at its messy finest.
FROM KELLY:
6/7 Math: Collecting and Growing
Over the past week, the mathematicians have taken time to ground their geometry study in its origins. They are realizing that it didn’t just fall upon us, but rather many reasons led the Greeks to study it starting in 300 B.C. In the same way as plants collect the water from rainfalls to help them grow into beautiful vegetation, we as mathematicians have been doing something similar with collecting facts and ideas about these origins. We have been acting as collectors of information and then using that information to grow our knowledge from our initial ideas. Specifically, students have collected information from readings, pictures, and partner conversations. Many strategies were taught to push and grow their ideas from these sources. The mathematicians are now enabled to see the transference between Greek history that they are studying in Humanities with our mathematical work in geometry, a powerful skill to possess
Los Compadres Take on Conferences
In our advisory, the Compadres have been taking time to prepare for their student-led conference. A handout was sent home in the middle of the week explaining the process of the conference. It specifically aimed toward clarifying the student role and parent’s role for this conference. One important part of these conferences includes the letter writing from both the student and parent on “What Matters Most?” The students have created their letter in class, and as a Core 4 team, we have asked parents to bring in a similar letter written to their child thinking about “what matters most”. We look forward to using these letters as a place to start our conversation. Please schedule a conference with Janice for next week, and bring your letter with you to the conference. I look forward to sharing the growth and successes of your child with you at this time!
A NOTE ABOUT PROGRESS REPORTS FROM KURT AND KELLY:
Several insightful parent questions prompt us to explain what the academic progress report evaluations mean in science and math. Developing is the most desirable evaluation with reference to academics because that is what we do during inquiry science and math, we continuously develop student scientists and mathematicians relative to their individual potential ability; they are not being measured against a “norm.” Independent means that they may not be optimizing their individual capacity for more challenging or interesting work, but are fully competent with their current “challenge level.” Too many independent evaluations suggest the need for alternative learning plans, contacting us, and working together to develop more challenging investigations. Needs Assistance means that a learner consistently needs the aid of a class coach, peer tutor or adult to perform inquiry math and science.
Drop by anytime and send us questions if need be. We all love having parents around. OK, maybe just we do, but the research and our experience suggests that having a parent drop around for casual visits is powerful and has long lasting positive impacts on achievement.
FROM BAILEY:
Thank you to BLASE advisees parents and guardians who took time to come in a meet with me. I feel the conferences were very productive, and I will work hard to help all involved follow up on the goals set. I feel I really got to know each student so much better in the process. I am really enjoying working with everyone. PLEASE, if you have not yet scheduled a conference do not hesitate to contact me or Janice.
8th Grad Literature: We finished Siddhartha and will culminate the book with a trip to a Buddhist center on Monday. PLEASE SEND IN THE PERMISSION SLIPS ON MONDAY or your child will stay behind to read and do research. We will read Oedipus in class an anyone who wants to get any version of the Illiad or Odyssey are welcome to read beyond the requirement. Greek myths or plays are also appropriate.
Ancient Greek Humanities: This coming week students will choose an Ancient Greek intellectual or artist to research and present in a creative presentation to the class. They will be given the week of the 16th. Students will have 2 weeks for this project. Expect some time outside of class essential- perhaps a visit to a public library. More to come. Ask your child for the project requirements next week.
Mon, Mar. 2 - Pajama Day! Wear PJ’s, bring your favorite book and a lovie.
Mar 2-27 - Ed Foundation Raffle ticket sale
Wed, Mar 11 - 6:30 pm - PTSA meeting
SAVE THE DATE - MAY 8 FAMILY DANCE
SMASH Camping Trip - First weekend in June - Save the Date!
These foods either have very thin skins, are heavily sprayed with insecticides or contain residual amounts of hormones and antibiotics: strawberries, cow's milk, grapes, apples, peaches, sweet bell peppers, celery and beef.
The following fruits and vegetables tend to have lower levels of pesticides or have thick skins that can be removed before eating: asparagus, avocados, mangoes, bananas, kiwi, cabbage, broccoli, onions, papaya and pineapple.
BAKE SALE - WEDNESDAYS HEALTHY TREATS AND FUN ITEMS
Mar 4
Apr 1
CORE 4
Mar 25
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.
NOTES FROM . . . . . . . NURSE SANDY
RECALL CONCERN: PEANUTS & PEANUT PRODUCTS
Peanuts have recently been contaminated with salmonella during processing. Salmonella is a bacteria that can affect the stomach and cause diarrhea. Beware of common products that may contain peanuts. Not only are there obvious products, such as peanut butter and peanut-products that need to be disposed of, but there are other common brands and products recalled of which you may be unaware. Please check your pantry and discard these items.
They include: Crackers (Keebler, Little Debbie), Donuts (KMart bakery), dressings, Fruit & Vegetable products (Trader Joe’s), Ice Cream Products (Carnival, Hershey’s), Cookies (Keebler, Archer Food), Brownies (Annie B’s), Cakes & Pies (Food4Less), Candy (Harry & David, Whole Foods Market), Pre-Packaged Meals (Trader Joe’s, Ethnic Gourmet), Pet Food (Happy Trails), Snack Mixes (Bear Naked), Snack Bars (Clif Bar, Health Valley, Kashi TLC, Luna Bar, Lara Bar, Nutrisystem, Special K Protein, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods)
For a complete and updated list of food products that have been recalled, visit the Food and Drug Administration website: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyp.html#recalls. Or 1-800-232-4636
PTSA news
SMASHing Fundraisers
· The Jogathon is today, Friday, February 27, 2009. Go SMASH!!!
· 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 Committees
· 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.
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 Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30PM.
Here are some bonus activities to bring Spanish into the home more during Foreign Language month…
Vocabulario para praticar en la casa:
City/La ciudad: school/la escuela, church/la iglesia, beach/la playa, library/la biblioeca, shop/la tienda, park/el parque, airport/el aeropuerto, movies/el cine, restaurant/el restaurante, supermarket/el supermercado
Animals/Los animales: turtle/la tortuga, butterfly/la mariposa, dog/el perro, cat/el gato, lion/el león, fish/el pez, horse/el caballo, monkey/el mono, snake/la serpiente, elephant/el elefante
Family/La familia: mother/la madre, father/el padre, sister/la hermana, brother/el hermano, grandmother/la abuela, grandfather/el abuelo, aunt/la tía, uncle/el tío, cousin(m.)/el primo, cousin(f.)/la prima, son/el hijo, daughter/la hija.
Ways to share the language at home:
*while driving name a city place in Spanish and see who can be the first to spot it
*say a family members name and have children tell you if that person is an abuela or tía or hermano…
*play hangman: using any of these new vocabulary words
Word Scramble: Together try to unscramble these animal words
1. enirsepet
2. rpsamaio
3. ragutut
4. aallboc
5. taelefne
Read together:
Hola. Me llamo Pablo. Mi mamá se llama Paloma. Mi papá se llama Paco. Me gusta el color azul. No me gusta el color rojo. Me gusta la pera. No me gusta la piña. Adios.
Book Drive - March 9-19
My name is Marlowe Leal. I am having a book drive For my 8th grade project. The books that SMASH collects will be donated to a school that does not have enough reading material. I would like to try to make a difference and help kids get more access to books. Please bring your new or used books to the SMASH office from March 9-19. I will collect the books and deliver them with an organization called Access Books to montara avenue elementary school on Saturday March 21st. If you would like to come help or have any questions please email me at mylittletermite@aol.com. Donated books should be for elementary school aged students.
CORE 1 NEWS
Monday, March 2 is our school-wide Pajama Day as we celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday! Core 1 students are invited (but definitely NOT required) to wear their pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal on Monday. All pajamas need to be weather appropriate. Also, Core 1 will still have PE on Monday, so your child will need shoes for running and playing.
Friday, March 6 9:00 – 11:30 Core 1 is going to the Venice Beach Park. The Graffiti group (and anyone else who is interested) will be visiting the Graffiti Wall to gather new insights and conversations. Then they will join the rest of us at the park for a little fun and snack. We would love as many parent helpers as we can get, so please sign up by the Home/School table if you can come!
Thank you to all of the parents who chaperoned our “amazing,” “tiring,” and “not long enough” field trip to the zoo. The children’s excitement was evident as they ran from animal to animal – sharing their observations and discoveries. While they were there, the children were asked to look carefully at the animals as well as their homes, to determine if the animal was “happy.” Here were a few reflections:
Clair about the Chimpanzees: “They have an awesome home. There are lots of trees. One’s eating a carrot. They’re almost like people.”
Max about the Double Wattled Cassowary: “We don’t like it’s home. There’s not enough space.”
Oisin about the Otters: “They have a cool home. They have a deck and a bunkbed.”
Gala: “I think the small animals are happier. They have more room.”
Malia: “The seals are happy. They’re waving to us!”
The March Community Snack calendar is included in this week’s Friday Folder. If you have any conflicts, questions, or concerns, please let us know. Check out our classroom blog for more.
Last Call for Permission Slips and $10 donations for our SKIRBALL MUSEUM FIELD TRIP!
Mark your calendar! Important March Dates:
Monday, March 2 – Pajama Day
Tuesday, March 3 – Skirball Museum Field Trip
Friday, March 6 – Venice Beach Field Trip
Friday, March 13 – Field Trip to UCLA to see Dan Zanes (permission slip in next week’s letter)
Wednesday, March 18 – Core 1 Movie Premier 8:30 – 9:15 am at SMASH
Have a SUPER weekend!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: candis.berens@smmusd.org Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
CORE 2 NEWS
Shalom Core 2 Community,
Yeah! Jog-a-thon! We exercised our bodies today and now you can exercise your mind. The children worked on the following Mind Exercise. What strategies would you use?
Complete this Magic Square so that it contains all of the number from 6 to 30. The sum of each line, column, and each of the two diagonals should be 90.
| 30 | | 18 | | | | 90 |
| | 13 | 7 | 26 | | 19 | | 90 |
| | | | 14 | | | | 90 |
| | | | | 16 | | | 90 |
| | 17 | 11 | | 29 | 23 | | 90 |
| 90 | | 90 | | | | | |
| | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | |
In Math, the 2nd graders began exploring thirds and ways to prove it. The 3rd graders have attached homework.
Pajama Day is coming!
On Monday, wear your pajamas! Bring lovies and a favorite book to share!
We will celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday in style…PJ style!
While our clothes will be comfy, our shoes need to be sturdy because we still have P.E.
A Special Note From Jayme
I would love to include our students in creating decorations for my upcoming wedding. It would be very meaningful to me to have the Core 2 students be a part of this celebration. I was planning on having the students make orange and white paper cranes and stringing them together. Their creations would then decorate both the ceremony and reception sites.
On Thursday, March 5, from 1:30-2:30 pm, it would be great to have parents come in to teach or assist in making this special art project. Please let me know if you are available. Thanks! J
**Correction for last week’s nutritional information: 4 grams of sugar is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of sugar. Thank you to the parents who noticed our mistake.
Upcoming dates and events:
Mon, March 2 – Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Pajama Day.
Thurs, March 5 – paper crane making, see note from Jayme above, 1:30 – 2:30
Fri, March 6 – January, February, & March Birthday Bash, 11:30, see attached if your child is a celebrant.
Wedn, March 11 – Arts sharing with Dian
Thurs, March 12 – Jayme’s Advisory, the Oompa Loompas, to City Hall, more info next week
Tues, March 17 – Core 2’s Annual Potato Day Parade, 10:30
Wed, March 18 – Arts with Kristy begins
Thurs, March 19 – Laura’s Advisory, the Pancakes, to City Hall, more info next week
Tues, March 24 – All About Books publishing celebration, 9:15 in core 2, more info next week.
Have a SMASHing and restful weekend!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
CORE 3 NEWS
SMASH PAJAMA DAY - MONDAY, MARCH 2 In honor of Dr. Seuss and National Read Across America Day wear your Pajamas and bring a lovie (optional) and your favorite book to share! Remember to wear appropriate shoes to school—NO slippers
The Jog-a-thon was a FUN-raiser for the whole SMASH community! Thanks to all who helped plan, promote, prep, pledge, and poured their hearts into running! Student Council asked students, “Why do you run?” Ask your child why they ran—for SMASHing Arts, for technology, for field trips, for Spanish, for books, for Malaika…
And thanks to all who ordered books and are planning to be a part of our Core 3 Family Book Club Night on Tuesday, March 31! We’ll order a few more copies of the book club book, if you want to borrow a copy to read, come see a Core 3 teacher! You can still order books online until tomorrow at noon!
The STAR writing test for 4th graders will be administered Tuesday, 3/3 next week—come see us if you have any questions or concerns.
As we reflected on our Water Unit, we were amazed at how many different ways there are to “know and show” information—and all the learning that occurred around how water is a part of our lives and that as scientists and social scientists, we need to study many facets of a topic to understand it. We have started our next unit, California Geography/Geology and Native Americans. Using our theme, Human Needs, to bridge the connection between Water and our new unit, the students are learning how geography affects the way people meet their needs. Native people relied on their immediate surroundings in terms of weather and natural resources (as did Brian, the protagonist in Hatchet). We also started to look at the questions: Where did tribes settle? How did they travel? What did they eat? How did they shelter/protect themselves? And once they met their basic needs, how did their culture (art, religion, rights of passage) develop? Using the internet and the textbooks to research these questions, we started to make connections between different California tribes and the regions where they lived. Ultimately, as historians and scientists, we are trying to better understand our own time and place by making connections with the past--looking to the historical past and the physical reality. We learn the about the topic of California because we live here, but our unit goal is actually to learn how to learn. By learning how to make connections, categorize, compare, contrast, make models, question, test theories, and research, we can understand the tools of learning and apply them to any other academic topic we want to learn about. As an interactive way to think about a topographical map of California, the students recreated our state’s regions with supplies from the classroom like markers, baskets, pillows, chairs, etc. Check out our website for photos.
***Core 3 needs composition notebooks (the black and white marble kind are least inexpensive). It is the time of year when students fill up their writing notebooks and need to start a new one. It’s a good thing! We’d also love some decent quality watercolor paper for illustrating our poetry. Thanks!***
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
mugalian@smmusd.org genie.hwang@smmusd.org
CORE 4 NEWS
FROM KURT:
Monday, March 2 is SMASH PAJAMA DAY!
Please wear appropriate shoes - NO SLIPPERS
Please wear appropriate shoes - NO SLIPPERS
Super Secret Lined Paper Advisory: Goal setting conferences are coming to an end. Thank you parent partners! Your making the time to come to school and reinforce the learning partnership has enormous positive influence on your child’s achievement levels and motivation. In addition, it is marvelously inspiring to me to witness the depth of effort you put into parenting our beloved SMASHites. What joy you have produced.
If you missed the conference dates, please email me and let me know what works for you. I can join you at lunch or dinner, on Main Street or school, early or late, just contact me and we shall figure it out.
Please let me know how the new conference format worked for you. I really enjoyed hearing and reading the letters that were exchanged between parents and children about “what matters most.” Everyone had highly individualized takes on this question ranging from pragmatic to mystical, not surprising given this community! We will be following up at school on these productive conversations by forging what I think of as the “critical contract.” This written agreement will include positive action steps, specific working goals, and an agreement about how to measure progress towards “what matters most.”
Ciencia and Trips: We are deep into the background research and experimental design phase of our Independent Investigations. Next week the room comes alive as our scientists begin experimenting, observing, or modeling the mysteries of subjects as varied as go-cart wheels to nuclear bombs. Don’t worry, we will be very careful! The next two weeks are amongst the best of times to visit and see SMASHing science at its messy finest.
FROM KELLY:
6/7 Math: Collecting and Growing
Over the past week, the mathematicians have taken time to ground their geometry study in its origins. They are realizing that it didn’t just fall upon us, but rather many reasons led the Greeks to study it starting in 300 B.C. In the same way as plants collect the water from rainfalls to help them grow into beautiful vegetation, we as mathematicians have been doing something similar with collecting facts and ideas about these origins. We have been acting as collectors of information and then using that information to grow our knowledge from our initial ideas. Specifically, students have collected information from readings, pictures, and partner conversations. Many strategies were taught to push and grow their ideas from these sources. The mathematicians are now enabled to see the transference between Greek history that they are studying in Humanities with our mathematical work in geometry, a powerful skill to possess
Los Compadres Take on Conferences
In our advisory, the Compadres have been taking time to prepare for their student-led conference. A handout was sent home in the middle of the week explaining the process of the conference. It specifically aimed toward clarifying the student role and parent’s role for this conference. One important part of these conferences includes the letter writing from both the student and parent on “What Matters Most?” The students have created their letter in class, and as a Core 4 team, we have asked parents to bring in a similar letter written to their child thinking about “what matters most”. We look forward to using these letters as a place to start our conversation. Please schedule a conference with Janice for next week, and bring your letter with you to the conference. I look forward to sharing the growth and successes of your child with you at this time!
A NOTE ABOUT PROGRESS REPORTS FROM KURT AND KELLY:
Several insightful parent questions prompt us to explain what the academic progress report evaluations mean in science and math. Developing is the most desirable evaluation with reference to academics because that is what we do during inquiry science and math, we continuously develop student scientists and mathematicians relative to their individual potential ability; they are not being measured against a “norm.” Independent means that they may not be optimizing their individual capacity for more challenging or interesting work, but are fully competent with their current “challenge level.” Too many independent evaluations suggest the need for alternative learning plans, contacting us, and working together to develop more challenging investigations. Needs Assistance means that a learner consistently needs the aid of a class coach, peer tutor or adult to perform inquiry math and science.
Drop by anytime and send us questions if need be. We all love having parents around. OK, maybe just we do, but the research and our experience suggests that having a parent drop around for casual visits is powerful and has long lasting positive impacts on achievement.
FROM BAILEY:
Thank you to BLASE advisees parents and guardians who took time to come in a meet with me. I feel the conferences were very productive, and I will work hard to help all involved follow up on the goals set. I feel I really got to know each student so much better in the process. I am really enjoying working with everyone. PLEASE, if you have not yet scheduled a conference do not hesitate to contact me or Janice.
8th Grad Literature: We finished Siddhartha and will culminate the book with a trip to a Buddhist center on Monday. PLEASE SEND IN THE PERMISSION SLIPS ON MONDAY or your child will stay behind to read and do research. We will read Oedipus in class an anyone who wants to get any version of the Illiad or Odyssey are welcome to read beyond the requirement. Greek myths or plays are also appropriate.
Ancient Greek Humanities: This coming week students will choose an Ancient Greek intellectual or artist to research and present in a creative presentation to the class. They will be given the week of the 16th. Students will have 2 weeks for this project. Expect some time outside of class essential- perhaps a visit to a public library. More to come. Ask your child for the project requirements next week.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Fri, Feb 27 - 7:00 pm, SAMOHI Masterworks Choral Concert, Barnum Hall
Mon, Mar. 2 - Pajama Day! Wear PJ’s, bring your favorite book and a lovie.
Mar 2-27 - Ed Foundation Raffle ticket sale
Wed, Mar 11 - 6:30 pm - PTSA meeting
SAVE THE DATE - MAY 8 FAMILY DANCE
SMASH Camping Trip - First weekend in June - Save the Date!
100% ORGANIC?
If you want to avoid pesticides, synthetic chemicals, additives and hormones in your diet, many families choose to buy organic foods. Even if you can't buy 100% organic, you may still want to buy organic versions of the foods that often have higher levels of residues from pesticides, chemicals and synthetic fertilizers.
These foods either have very thin skins, are heavily sprayed with insecticides or contain residual amounts of hormones and antibiotics: strawberries, cow's milk, grapes, apples, peaches, sweet bell peppers, celery and beef.
The following fruits and vegetables tend to have lower levels of pesticides or have thick skins that can be removed before eating: asparagus, avocados, mangoes, bananas, kiwi, cabbage, broccoli, onions, papaya and pineapple.
BAKE SALE - WEDNESDAYS HEALTHY TREATS AND FUN ITEMS
CORE 1
Mar 18
Apr 29
CORE 2
Mar 11
Apr 22
CORE 3
Mar 18
Apr 29
CORE 2
Mar 11
Apr 22
Mar 4
Apr 1
CORE 4
Mar 25
