SPRING BREAK
MONDAY, APRIL 6 - FRIDAY, APRIL 17 !
No Friday Letter on April 3.
SMASH ALL-SCHOOL BEACH DAY!!
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
See details and rules inside today’s Friday Letter
Dear SMASHing Families,
You are a deeply caring, highly reflective, fast mobilizing community.
Your attendance at the Arts Assembly/School Tour this week where School Board members Barry Snell and Ben Allen also attended was invaluable.
Here are our ESSENTIAL NEXT STEPS:
As a parent, student, or as a family, create your own letter using the Family Writing Possibilities below that you email to brd@smmusd.org and cc me at rishe@smmusd.org by Wednesday, April1st. Board members have shared that they have been positively influenced by letter writing campaigns just before Board meetings that focus on the sharing of personal stories related to agenda items. Your letters and a SMASH-clothed presence in the audience will be helpful at the Board meeting April 2.
Attend the PTSA meeting Wednesday, April 1st 6:30pm where Assistant Superintendent Mike Matthews will discuss potential budget impacts at SMASH (In order to clarify options related to SMASH sooner rather than later, he is joining us 4/1 instead of the 4/29 Site Council Meeting). This is a great opportunity to listen and to ask questions.
Attend the School Board meeting in SMASH Spirit Wear Thursday, April 2nd 6:00pm at District Office 1651 16th Street. (Please note the start time of the meeting changed from 5:30 to 6:00). This is a great chance to listen and show our attentiveness to District budget considerations.
I look forward to seeing many of you the next several evenings at Stairway of the Stars, Core 3 Book Club/Poetry Slam, PTSA Meeting, and Board Meeting.
Jessica
Family (Student and Adult) Writing Possibilities
How have choice-driven, project-based learning inspired you? Helped you learn to sustain effort over time?
Are you an alumni parent? Write about the power of having your child(ren) attend the school you graduated from or share a precious memory of the school
Do you actively participate as an adult facilitator or a student in the Gardening Committee? Write about “The Big Dig,” the inspiration to meet the Food and Nutrition Services and City challenge of growing enough organic vegetables to stock the salad bar, the joint school SMASH/Muir outdoor learning taking place
Attending the Reflective Parenting Family Services group? Tell about the mutually beneficial parenting ideas explored in these cross-school SMASH/Muir groups.
Were you a student or parent who worked on establishing any of these school-wide
Green Committee ideas at SMASH over the last few years: Tell about it!
~school-wide recycling
~composting/greenwaste in select classes
~corn-based paper products for events
~reduced trash lunches from home
~recycling lunch trays
~reduced water use
~reduced paper waste in classrooms
~switched from wrapping paper fundraiser to "greenraising" fundraiser
Are you a student or parent on the Health and Wellness Committee who has worked towards: Tell about it!
~healthier snacks in snack bar
~healthy options at bake sales, celebrations, and community events
~weekly healthy community snack
How have you or your child learned while serving the community? Singing at Saffron House, Invisible Theater Public Service Announcements, 8th grade projects, Heal the Bay Cleanup…
What are your Parent Education Ahas after attending events about Responsive Classroom, Literacy, Math, Safely Ever After…?
Was there a good experience during a Cross Core Learning/Multi-age interaction that you can write about?
SMASH is a school of choice. How has choosing to come to SMASH impacted your life?
Agenda for Thursday, April 2 School Board Meeting will be available online by Monday, March 30 at
https://email.smmusd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=823b4618017a400ab3d2fcb440738cf4&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.smmusd.org%2fboard%2findex.html
SMASH Beach Day--Friday, April 3!
Please read carefully to insure your child has a safe and fun day:
¨ We will be leaving SMASH for Life Guard Station #26 (at the end of Ocean Park Blvd.) around 8:45 a.m.
¨ We will leave the beach at 1:00 to return to school by 1:30.
¨ Each child needs to come to school wearing sunscreen and a swimsuit under their clothing, with a backpack filled with food, water, a towel, sunscreen and a sweatshirt and/or a change of clothes. Please make sure your child's backpack and towel is labeled with their name! Wear good shoes for walking!
¨ We encourage sand toys and other items that will help your child have lots of fun!
¨ Cores 3 & 4 may bring Boogie Boards—NO SURFBOARDS.
¨ ONLY CORE 4 may buy food at Perrys
(This will be in groups with a teacher - younger siblings may not go with the group)
We are excited to continue this wonderful SMASH tradition and look forward to seeing everyone ready to go at 8:30 on Friday morning! It’s a blast—so if you can come and spend some time with us, please join us for the walk down or at any point during the day. If your child cannot go to the beach for any reason, please let us know asap so that we can arrange for an alternative activity on campus.
¨ Students may not stay at the beach with anyone other than a parent without a written note! This will be strictly enforced!
PTSA news brief
President’s Note
Come and show your SMASHing support
SMASH is a thriving school. Therefore it has a safe place within the district. Nonetheless, outreach to the decision makers in Santa Monica is important.
Wednesday, April 1, 6:30PM SMASH LIBRARY
PTSA Meeting - Assistant Superintendent, Michael Matthews will speak with us.
Come and help us define a few talking points for meetings with school board members.
Thursday, April 2, 5:30PM
Open School Board Meeting SMMUSD District Office (1651 16th Street)
Come and show your SMASHing spirit to the entire board.
Wear your SMASH spirit gear.
Thanks! David Saltzman and Helga Schier
SMASHing Fundraisers
Save the Date: SMASH movie night, 4/24 and 5/15. Drop off your kids at SMASH for a movie and take a day off from parenting. Core 4 students will watch your kids. More info to come.
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!
Believe it or not, SuperSMASH is coming up! Mark your calendars: Saturday, May 30, 2009.
SMASHing Alumni
For more information on our upcoming alumni network, please contact Terry Michaels at filmstudent9404@yahoo.com.
SMASHing Meetings
Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30PM.
SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOLD FACILITIES POLICY FORUM
Tim Cuneo, Superintendent of Schools, announced that a forum to discuss the District’s proposed Facilities Policy will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 9:00am to 12:00pm in the John Adams Middle School Cafeteria. The purpose of the forum is to gather input from parents and other community members that will be used in the development of a new policy to govern the use of district facilities. The decision to convene this meeting was made in response to questions about the appropriate use of district facilities that emerged relative to a scheduled fundraising event for Edison School that featured comedian Carlos Mencia, which was ultimately cancelled.
The forum will include a panel discussion featuring several community leaders, who will share their perspectives on the topic, as well as opportunities for forum attendees to contribute to the discussion. The meeting is open to the public, and Superintendent Cuneo, on behalf of the district, invites parents and interested community members to participate in this even
SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
1651 16TH Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 ph: 310.450.8338; fax: 310.581.1138
Tim Cuneo 310.450.8338, ext. 241
The PTSA Budget Crisis: Another Note from your PTSA Presidents
Dear SMASH parents,
Last week we rang the alarm bell. Our fundraisers have not been as successful as we projected. We are in a budget crisis.
This IS reason for concern. But it is NOT reason for despair. SMASH PTSA has started taking measures to make up for our budget deficit. And these measures are working. In answer to our last appeal, we have received several family donations.
Thanks to everyone who has come through already. We are truly grateful for every contribution, no matter how big or how small. Not only are these contributions a big financial help, they are also a huge tribute to the SMASH spirit.
We are a strong community. Together we can do this.
Today we are asking you to help achieve our goal of 100% participation in the spring push for the Family Donation. If we give $75 per student, we can make up the Family Donation deficit. If we give $100, we can make up the Family Donation deficit AND the money we have not received in matching grants this year. If we give $125 per student, we can make up our budget deficit to date.
This is doable. While this budget crisis is real indeed, together we can and will get through it.
Please give what you can. No amount is too big or too small. But please, do give so that we can reach 100% participation.
Please ask grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends to give. 100% participation does not mean we have to stop there.
Your money goes directly to SMASH and impacts each and every student. It pays for the instructional aids in your child’s Core. It pays for the school-wide Arts and Spanish program. It pays for the copier and for Janice’s computer. It pays for many of the things we take for granted.
These things are vital. SMASH needs them. And $75 per student will help pay for them.
Please go to www.ptsasmash.blogspot.com and click on the donate button to instantly renew your commitment to SMASH.
Thank you!
David and Helga
David Saltzman (saltzmans@earthlink.net)
Helga Schier (helgaschier@verizon.net)
Co-Presidents SMASH PTSA
¡ Español Hoy !
marzo 2009
Hola familias. Greetings from the Spanish program here at SMASH. As many of you already know, our Spanish teacher Diana has returned home to Columbia for personal reasons, and will be with her family until after Spring break. Unfortunately, Core 2 and 3 will miss a month of Spanish classes due to the untimely circumstances. We will try to make up some classes in the last trimester as best we can. And, we are extremely grateful to Ingrid for stepping in to teach Core 4. Core 1 has continued unaffected with teacher Nina.
In the next couple weeks some classes will be exposed to a few of the traditions associated with Semana Santa (Holy Week), Mexico's second most important holiday season of the year, behind only Navidad. Popular with the whole country is the breaking of cascarones, colored egg shells filled with confetti, over the heads of friends and family. In many cities, important images are displayed, traditional altars are decorated at home and in the streets, and flower decorations and palms are found everywhere. Our classes will definitely celebrate with a fiesta!
For families wishing to continue enhancing students Spanish language skills this summer, Escuela Azul : A Spanish Summer Adventure Camp will be offered through the City of Santa Monica. Our Spanish teacher, Nina Baumgartner, is the creator and director of this camp. It has been ongoing for 10 years with tremendous success. Please check out http://www.recenroll.sngov.net/ for more information.
This month we have focused on words relating to a students day. Themes have included school classes, city places, and sports.
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
Sports/Los deportes: tennis/el tenís, soccer/el futból, football/el futból americano, golf/el golf, baseball/el beisból, basketball/el basquetból, volleyball/el voliból,
Classes/Los clases: English/inglés, math/matemáticas, art/arte, social studies/ciencias sociales, lunch/al almuerzo, technology/tecnología, Spanish/español, P.E./educación física, science/ciencias naturals
Ways to share the language:
*ask students how classes were today using Spanish words
*while driving name a city place in Spanish and see who can be the first to spot it
*play charades acting out different sports and guessing correctly in Spanish
Have a great Spring Break!
Paz,
Nina y Diana
SuperSMASH ‘09
WHEN?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
11:30AM TO 5:00PM
WHERE?
SMASH Campus
WHY?
It’s our # 1 FUN(D)RAISER
WHAT?
Games, Rides, Art Projects, Live Music, Food and Drink, Silent Auction
WHO?
Come one, come all… You, your friends, your family, your neighbors!
HOW U CAN HELP
We need volunteers NOW!
Carnival: game/ride planning
Silent Auction: data entry, donations
Food Court: menu preparation
Contact Helga Schier at 310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net
Got Time?
In light of our current budget crisis, we have to revitalize our fundraising efforts.
We have ideas for new fundraisers, and ideas to invigorate old ones.
We need your help to make these ideas fly.
Please contact
April Motola at 310-399-1746 or aprilmotola@me.com
Helga Schier at 310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net
Together we can do this!
CREST SPORTS and ENRICHMENT CLASSES
It’s time to SPRING into action with it the start of CREST Enrichment classes and Sports…register now for before- and/or after-school CREST spring programs or classes, including Childcare, Enrichment and Sports. The CREST Enrichment Spring 2009 Session begins March 30, 2009. The CREST Enrichment Program offers high quality classes at affordable prices right at your child’s school! Professional companies and instructors are hand-selected to give your child access to a wide range of interesting and fun classes not offered during the school day, including drama, guitar and voice, science, cooking, digital media and arts, foreign languages, dance, yoga and martial arts!
GENEROUS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE for all CREST programs is available on a sliding scale to qualifying low- to moderate-income families.
For more information check out the CREST website at https://email.smmusd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=c36b89b59a7c441586f439c86eff13be&URL=file%3a%2f%2f%2f%5c%5ccsmfs3%5cCommunity%2520and%2520Cultural%2520Services%5cHumanServices%5cShare%5cA%2520NEW%2520Share%2520Drive%5cNeighborhood%2520and%2520Parks%2520Initiatives%5cYouth%2520Office%5cEnrichment%5cEnrichment%252008-09%5cwww.CREST.SMGOV.NET or call the City of Santa Monica Youth Office at (310) 458-8540.
SMASH School Tours for 2009-2010 School Year
March 30, 9-10 (just added) 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)
What’s Swirling Around in Core 1
Julianna, our next artist-in-residence, introduced our visual arts study this week. The children explored the spiral shape by looking at shells, fingerprints, and photographs.
For example, after sitting in a spiral shape on the rug, this is what some of the children had to say:
Zelda and Milan - "It's a spiral!"
Nathan - "It's made out of people."
Lucca - "It's a swirl. It's curvy."
Jovana - "There's a circle on the outside and a circle on the inside."
Lucca - "But they're connected."
Clair - "It goes around and around and around until the circle gets too small."
Then the children chose different materials (modeling clay, newspaper reeds, 2-dimensional collages, and outside installations) to explore these concepts. These projects will continue every Wednesday with Julianna for the next eight weeks. Please take time to look at the photographs at smash.smmusd.org (click on Core 1, then News) to see the amazing work in action.
REMINDERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
•All Core 1 students now visit the library on Tuedays, to accommodate our new art program.
•If you do not want your family pass to the Skirball, please turn it back to Core 1 and we will give it to a SMASH family who would enjoy it (Thanks for the idea, Majken.)
•We will be mixing up circle groups after Spring Break to give the children one more opportunity to get to know each other, problem solve and work together before the end of the school year. Graded groups will stay the same for Reading Workhop, Writing Workshop and math (Candis with the Partners, Chrysta with the Bigs.)
•Friday, April 3 is All School Beach Day! Check the Friday folder for more information.
•Thank you for purchasing your copies of the “Foursome the Spider” DVD. The children are really fabulous in the movie. Please place all orders by MARCH 31. Only $7. We have already grossed over $150 for our arts program!
Have a WONDERFUL weekend!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: mailto:candisberens@smmusd.org Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
Dear Core 2 Community, March 27, 2009
Thank you to all the parents that stopped by to see the children’s All About Books. Each student was able to share their writing, talk about the challenges of writing, and where the writing process will take them next! We made a toast to each student’s hard work, focus, and success in writing. Cheers to you!
In preparation for our trip to UCLA’s Freud Playhouse to see Hoi Polloi: My Uncle Arly by Edward Lear (he wrote the famous Owl and the Pussycat poem), we learned about limericks using funny pictures and rhymes. Thank you to all the parents that went with us. We had a fantastic time!
Wow! Our year is speeding along. This is our last Friday Letter before Spring Break. There will be no formal reading homework page this week. We expect all children to still be reading at least 20 minutes a night!
Math: The 3rd graders have attached measuring homework that is due on Tuesday, March 31. On April 2, Thursday, they will receive a review packet to work on over Spring Break (unless they finish it that day). It is due on Tuesday, April 21.
The 2nd graders began to review what we have learned so far this year! The focus is on fractions of collections. For example, if there are 5 children in a group and 3 are wearing striped shirts, what fraction of the group is not wearing striped shirts? We use pictures and our mathematical thinking to solve the fraction puzzles.
Arts with Kristy: This week, half of the children had the opportunity to explore sounds, or “foley,” and write down what they used and what it sounds like in the real world. They closed their eyes and imagined what the sound would be. We discovered that using our fingernails on a tambourine sounds like sawing wood! Ask your child what else they discovered. The other half of the group made a shadow puppet, a character from their original story, and used a light box to “see” them. Ask your student about what happens to the puppets when they are close to and far away from the light and box. We will switch groups next week so that all Core 2 students have the opportunity to explore BOTH stations.
Thank you to Ari and family for donating corn-based spoons!
Reminder –
After Spring Break, Core 2 returns to our beginning Advisory groups,
the Grass Stains (Laura) and the Chocolate Chipmunks (Jayme).
Upcoming dates and events:
Tuesday, March 31- Jayme’s last day before Spring Break!
Wednesday, April 1 – Game Day (no fooling) bring your favorite non-electronic board game to school
Wednesday, April 1 – Friday, April 3 – Jayme is preparing for her wedding, Leah will be her sub
Friday, April 3- Beach Day! Last day before Spring Break! NO Friday papers!
Wednesday, April 22 – Walk to the Santa Monica Pier and Aquarium no permission slip needed. Students will need to bring a snack and lunch.
Have a super weekend and a restful, fun Spring Break!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
CORE 3 NEWS
MONDAY, APRIL 6 - FRIDAY, APRIL 17 !
No Friday Letter on April 3.
SMASH ALL-SCHOOL BEACH DAY!!
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
See details and rules inside today’s Friday Letter
Dear SMASHing Families,
You are a deeply caring, highly reflective, fast mobilizing community.
Your attendance at the Arts Assembly/School Tour this week where School Board members Barry Snell and Ben Allen also attended was invaluable.
Here are our ESSENTIAL NEXT STEPS:
As a parent, student, or as a family, create your own letter using the Family Writing Possibilities below that you email to brd@smmusd.org and cc me at rishe@smmusd.org by Wednesday, April1st. Board members have shared that they have been positively influenced by letter writing campaigns just before Board meetings that focus on the sharing of personal stories related to agenda items. Your letters and a SMASH-clothed presence in the audience will be helpful at the Board meeting April 2.
Attend the PTSA meeting Wednesday, April 1st 6:30pm where Assistant Superintendent Mike Matthews will discuss potential budget impacts at SMASH (In order to clarify options related to SMASH sooner rather than later, he is joining us 4/1 instead of the 4/29 Site Council Meeting). This is a great opportunity to listen and to ask questions.
Attend the School Board meeting in SMASH Spirit Wear Thursday, April 2nd 6:00pm at District Office 1651 16th Street. (Please note the start time of the meeting changed from 5:30 to 6:00). This is a great chance to listen and show our attentiveness to District budget considerations.
I look forward to seeing many of you the next several evenings at Stairway of the Stars, Core 3 Book Club/Poetry Slam, PTSA Meeting, and Board Meeting.
Jessica
Family (Student and Adult) Writing Possibilities
How have choice-driven, project-based learning inspired you? Helped you learn to sustain effort over time?
Are you an alumni parent? Write about the power of having your child(ren) attend the school you graduated from or share a precious memory of the school
Do you actively participate as an adult facilitator or a student in the Gardening Committee? Write about “The Big Dig,” the inspiration to meet the Food and Nutrition Services and City challenge of growing enough organic vegetables to stock the salad bar, the joint school SMASH/Muir outdoor learning taking place
Attending the Reflective Parenting Family Services group? Tell about the mutually beneficial parenting ideas explored in these cross-school SMASH/Muir groups.
Were you a student or parent who worked on establishing any of these school-wide
Green Committee ideas at SMASH over the last few years: Tell about it!
~school-wide recycling
~composting/greenwaste in select classes
~corn-based paper products for events
~reduced trash lunches from home
~recycling lunch trays
~reduced water use
~reduced paper waste in classrooms
~switched from wrapping paper fundraiser to "greenraising" fundraiser
Are you a student or parent on the Health and Wellness Committee who has worked towards: Tell about it!
~healthier snacks in snack bar
~healthy options at bake sales, celebrations, and community events
~weekly healthy community snack
How have you or your child learned while serving the community? Singing at Saffron House, Invisible Theater Public Service Announcements, 8th grade projects, Heal the Bay Cleanup…
What are your Parent Education Ahas after attending events about Responsive Classroom, Literacy, Math, Safely Ever After…?
Was there a good experience during a Cross Core Learning/Multi-age interaction that you can write about?
SMASH is a school of choice. How has choosing to come to SMASH impacted your life?
Agenda for Thursday, April 2 School Board Meeting will be available online by Monday, March 30 at
https://email.smmusd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=823b4618017a400ab3d2fcb440738cf4&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.smmusd.org%2fboard%2findex.html
SMASH Beach Day--Friday, April 3!
Please read carefully to insure your child has a safe and fun day:
¨ We will be leaving SMASH for Life Guard Station #26 (at the end of Ocean Park Blvd.) around 8:45 a.m.
¨ We will leave the beach at 1:00 to return to school by 1:30.
¨ Each child needs to come to school wearing sunscreen and a swimsuit under their clothing, with a backpack filled with food, water, a towel, sunscreen and a sweatshirt and/or a change of clothes. Please make sure your child's backpack and towel is labeled with their name! Wear good shoes for walking!
¨ We encourage sand toys and other items that will help your child have lots of fun!
¨ Cores 3 & 4 may bring Boogie Boards—NO SURFBOARDS.
¨ ONLY CORE 4 may buy food at Perrys
(This will be in groups with a teacher - younger siblings may not go with the group)
We are excited to continue this wonderful SMASH tradition and look forward to seeing everyone ready to go at 8:30 on Friday morning! It’s a blast—so if you can come and spend some time with us, please join us for the walk down or at any point during the day. If your child cannot go to the beach for any reason, please let us know asap so that we can arrange for an alternative activity on campus.
¨ Students may not stay at the beach with anyone other than a parent without a written note! This will be strictly enforced!
PTSA news brief
President’s Note
Come and show your SMASHing support
SMASH is a thriving school. Therefore it has a safe place within the district. Nonetheless, outreach to the decision makers in Santa Monica is important.
Wednesday, April 1, 6:30PM SMASH LIBRARY
PTSA Meeting - Assistant Superintendent, Michael Matthews will speak with us.
Come and help us define a few talking points for meetings with school board members.
Thursday, April 2, 5:30PM
Open School Board Meeting SMMUSD District Office (1651 16th Street)
Come and show your SMASHing spirit to the entire board.
Wear your SMASH spirit gear.
Thanks! David Saltzman and Helga Schier
SMASHing Fundraisers
Save the Date: SMASH movie night, 4/24 and 5/15. Drop off your kids at SMASH for a movie and take a day off from parenting. Core 4 students will watch your kids. More info to come.
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!
Believe it or not, SuperSMASH is coming up! Mark your calendars: Saturday, May 30, 2009.
SMASHing Alumni
For more information on our upcoming alumni network, please contact Terry Michaels at filmstudent9404@yahoo.com.
SMASHing Meetings
Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30PM.
SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOLD FACILITIES POLICY FORUM
Tim Cuneo, Superintendent of Schools, announced that a forum to discuss the District’s proposed Facilities Policy will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 9:00am to 12:00pm in the John Adams Middle School Cafeteria. The purpose of the forum is to gather input from parents and other community members that will be used in the development of a new policy to govern the use of district facilities. The decision to convene this meeting was made in response to questions about the appropriate use of district facilities that emerged relative to a scheduled fundraising event for Edison School that featured comedian Carlos Mencia, which was ultimately cancelled.
The forum will include a panel discussion featuring several community leaders, who will share their perspectives on the topic, as well as opportunities for forum attendees to contribute to the discussion. The meeting is open to the public, and Superintendent Cuneo, on behalf of the district, invites parents and interested community members to participate in this even
SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
1651 16TH Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 ph: 310.450.8338; fax: 310.581.1138
Tim Cuneo 310.450.8338, ext. 241
The PTSA Budget Crisis: Another Note from your PTSA Presidents
Dear SMASH parents,
Last week we rang the alarm bell. Our fundraisers have not been as successful as we projected. We are in a budget crisis.
This IS reason for concern. But it is NOT reason for despair. SMASH PTSA has started taking measures to make up for our budget deficit. And these measures are working. In answer to our last appeal, we have received several family donations.
Thanks to everyone who has come through already. We are truly grateful for every contribution, no matter how big or how small. Not only are these contributions a big financial help, they are also a huge tribute to the SMASH spirit.
We are a strong community. Together we can do this.
Today we are asking you to help achieve our goal of 100% participation in the spring push for the Family Donation. If we give $75 per student, we can make up the Family Donation deficit. If we give $100, we can make up the Family Donation deficit AND the money we have not received in matching grants this year. If we give $125 per student, we can make up our budget deficit to date.
This is doable. While this budget crisis is real indeed, together we can and will get through it.
Please give what you can. No amount is too big or too small. But please, do give so that we can reach 100% participation.
Please ask grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends to give. 100% participation does not mean we have to stop there.
Your money goes directly to SMASH and impacts each and every student. It pays for the instructional aids in your child’s Core. It pays for the school-wide Arts and Spanish program. It pays for the copier and for Janice’s computer. It pays for many of the things we take for granted.
These things are vital. SMASH needs them. And $75 per student will help pay for them.
Please go to www.ptsasmash.blogspot.com and click on the donate button to instantly renew your commitment to SMASH.
Thank you!
David and Helga
David Saltzman (saltzmans@earthlink.net)
Helga Schier (helgaschier@verizon.net)
Co-Presidents SMASH PTSA
¡ Español Hoy !
marzo 2009
Hola familias. Greetings from the Spanish program here at SMASH. As many of you already know, our Spanish teacher Diana has returned home to Columbia for personal reasons, and will be with her family until after Spring break. Unfortunately, Core 2 and 3 will miss a month of Spanish classes due to the untimely circumstances. We will try to make up some classes in the last trimester as best we can. And, we are extremely grateful to Ingrid for stepping in to teach Core 4. Core 1 has continued unaffected with teacher Nina.
In the next couple weeks some classes will be exposed to a few of the traditions associated with Semana Santa (Holy Week), Mexico's second most important holiday season of the year, behind only Navidad. Popular with the whole country is the breaking of cascarones, colored egg shells filled with confetti, over the heads of friends and family. In many cities, important images are displayed, traditional altars are decorated at home and in the streets, and flower decorations and palms are found everywhere. Our classes will definitely celebrate with a fiesta!
For families wishing to continue enhancing students Spanish language skills this summer, Escuela Azul : A Spanish Summer Adventure Camp will be offered through the City of Santa Monica. Our Spanish teacher, Nina Baumgartner, is the creator and director of this camp. It has been ongoing for 10 years with tremendous success. Please check out http://www.recenroll.sngov.net/ for more information.
This month we have focused on words relating to a students day. Themes have included school classes, city places, and sports.
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
Sports/Los deportes: tennis/el tenís, soccer/el futból, football/el futból americano, golf/el golf, baseball/el beisból, basketball/el basquetból, volleyball/el voliból,
Classes/Los clases: English/inglés, math/matemáticas, art/arte, social studies/ciencias sociales, lunch/al almuerzo, technology/tecnología, Spanish/español, P.E./educación física, science/ciencias naturals
Ways to share the language:
*ask students how classes were today using Spanish words
*while driving name a city place in Spanish and see who can be the first to spot it
*play charades acting out different sports and guessing correctly in Spanish
Have a great Spring Break!
Paz,
Nina y Diana
SuperSMASH ‘09
WHEN?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
11:30AM TO 5:00PM
WHERE?
SMASH Campus
WHY?
It’s our # 1 FUN(D)RAISER
WHAT?
Games, Rides, Art Projects, Live Music, Food and Drink, Silent Auction
WHO?
Come one, come all… You, your friends, your family, your neighbors!
HOW U CAN HELP
We need volunteers NOW!
Carnival: game/ride planning
Silent Auction: data entry, donations
Food Court: menu preparation
Contact Helga Schier at 310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net
Got Time?
In light of our current budget crisis, we have to revitalize our fundraising efforts.
We have ideas for new fundraisers, and ideas to invigorate old ones.
We need your help to make these ideas fly.
Please contact
April Motola at 310-399-1746 or aprilmotola@me.com
Helga Schier at 310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net
Together we can do this!
CREST SPORTS and ENRICHMENT CLASSES
It’s time to SPRING into action with it the start of CREST Enrichment classes and Sports…register now for before- and/or after-school CREST spring programs or classes, including Childcare, Enrichment and Sports. The CREST Enrichment Spring 2009 Session begins March 30, 2009. The CREST Enrichment Program offers high quality classes at affordable prices right at your child’s school! Professional companies and instructors are hand-selected to give your child access to a wide range of interesting and fun classes not offered during the school day, including drama, guitar and voice, science, cooking, digital media and arts, foreign languages, dance, yoga and martial arts!
GENEROUS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE for all CREST programs is available on a sliding scale to qualifying low- to moderate-income families.
For more information check out the CREST website at https://email.smmusd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=c36b89b59a7c441586f439c86eff13be&URL=file%3a%2f%2f%2f%5c%5ccsmfs3%5cCommunity%2520and%2520Cultural%2520Services%5cHumanServices%5cShare%5cA%2520NEW%2520Share%2520Drive%5cNeighborhood%2520and%2520Parks%2520Initiatives%5cYouth%2520Office%5cEnrichment%5cEnrichment%252008-09%5cwww.CREST.SMGOV.NET or call the City of Santa Monica Youth Office at (310) 458-8540.
SMASH School Tours for 2009-2010 School Year
March 30, 9-10 (just added) 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)
What’s Swirling Around in Core 1
Julianna, our next artist-in-residence, introduced our visual arts study this week. The children explored the spiral shape by looking at shells, fingerprints, and photographs.
For example, after sitting in a spiral shape on the rug, this is what some of the children had to say:
Zelda and Milan - "It's a spiral!"
Nathan - "It's made out of people."
Lucca - "It's a swirl. It's curvy."
Jovana - "There's a circle on the outside and a circle on the inside."
Lucca - "But they're connected."
Clair - "It goes around and around and around until the circle gets too small."
Then the children chose different materials (modeling clay, newspaper reeds, 2-dimensional collages, and outside installations) to explore these concepts. These projects will continue every Wednesday with Julianna for the next eight weeks. Please take time to look at the photographs at smash.smmusd.org (click on Core 1, then News) to see the amazing work in action.
REMINDERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
•All Core 1 students now visit the library on Tuedays, to accommodate our new art program.
•If you do not want your family pass to the Skirball, please turn it back to Core 1 and we will give it to a SMASH family who would enjoy it (Thanks for the idea, Majken.)
•We will be mixing up circle groups after Spring Break to give the children one more opportunity to get to know each other, problem solve and work together before the end of the school year. Graded groups will stay the same for Reading Workhop, Writing Workshop and math (Candis with the Partners, Chrysta with the Bigs.)
•Friday, April 3 is All School Beach Day! Check the Friday folder for more information.
•Thank you for purchasing your copies of the “Foursome the Spider” DVD. The children are really fabulous in the movie. Please place all orders by MARCH 31. Only $7. We have already grossed over $150 for our arts program!
Have a WONDERFUL weekend!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: mailto:candisberens@smmusd.org Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
Dear Core 2 Community, March 27, 2009
Thank you to all the parents that stopped by to see the children’s All About Books. Each student was able to share their writing, talk about the challenges of writing, and where the writing process will take them next! We made a toast to each student’s hard work, focus, and success in writing. Cheers to you!
In preparation for our trip to UCLA’s Freud Playhouse to see Hoi Polloi: My Uncle Arly by Edward Lear (he wrote the famous Owl and the Pussycat poem), we learned about limericks using funny pictures and rhymes. Thank you to all the parents that went with us. We had a fantastic time!
Wow! Our year is speeding along. This is our last Friday Letter before Spring Break. There will be no formal reading homework page this week. We expect all children to still be reading at least 20 minutes a night!
Math: The 3rd graders have attached measuring homework that is due on Tuesday, March 31. On April 2, Thursday, they will receive a review packet to work on over Spring Break (unless they finish it that day). It is due on Tuesday, April 21.
The 2nd graders began to review what we have learned so far this year! The focus is on fractions of collections. For example, if there are 5 children in a group and 3 are wearing striped shirts, what fraction of the group is not wearing striped shirts? We use pictures and our mathematical thinking to solve the fraction puzzles.
Arts with Kristy: This week, half of the children had the opportunity to explore sounds, or “foley,” and write down what they used and what it sounds like in the real world. They closed their eyes and imagined what the sound would be. We discovered that using our fingernails on a tambourine sounds like sawing wood! Ask your child what else they discovered. The other half of the group made a shadow puppet, a character from their original story, and used a light box to “see” them. Ask your student about what happens to the puppets when they are close to and far away from the light and box. We will switch groups next week so that all Core 2 students have the opportunity to explore BOTH stations.
Thank you to Ari and family for donating corn-based spoons!
Reminder –
After Spring Break, Core 2 returns to our beginning Advisory groups,
the Grass Stains (Laura) and the Chocolate Chipmunks (Jayme).
Upcoming dates and events:
Tuesday, March 31- Jayme’s last day before Spring Break!
Wednesday, April 1 – Game Day (no fooling) bring your favorite non-electronic board game to school
Wednesday, April 1 – Friday, April 3 – Jayme is preparing for her wedding, Leah will be her sub
Friday, April 3- Beach Day! Last day before Spring Break! NO Friday papers!
Wednesday, April 22 – Walk to the Santa Monica Pier and Aquarium no permission slip needed. Students will need to bring a snack and lunch.
Have a super weekend and a restful, fun Spring Break!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
CORE 3 NEWS
***The LAST Friday Letter before Spring Break***
(Look for a half sheet about Spring Break “homework” in your child’s planner next week)
Please join Core 3 for our Literacy Night/Book Club/Poetry Slam Tuesday, March 31, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Producer/director Tony Bill recently published a book Movie Speak: How to Talk Like You Belong on a Movie Set, defining everything from Buff and Puff to Walla. Every industry has its own vernacular and terminology to communicate clearly and sometimes cleverly. We educators also have our own lingo and we use it often when communicating with you about your children. Some of it is obvious, some of it you’ve figured out, and some of it you may still not know. Here’s Genie & Tamara’s Educator Speak: How to Talk Like You Belong in a School:
narratives: evaluations that include written explanations of student work, achievements, challenges, and behaviors
with assistance: a way to describe a learner who needs support to start, finish, or fully engage in their learning
developing: a way to describe a learner who is active in their learning, but has not achieved mastery
independent: a way to describe a learner who is active in their learning without help and has achieved mastery
mastery: understanding a fact, idea, or concept and being able to apply it to other areas of learning
transferable skills: learning skills like reading, writing, analyzing, problem solving that can be used for all learning
tools and techniques: the raw materials/supplies/formats and different ways/strategies to manipulate and apply them
scaffold: support learners with tools and/or steps that connect to previously learned ideas and lead into new learning
mini-lesson: a short, specific lesson so a teacher doesn’t stand in front of the class talking about too much for too long
decoding: using the letters/sounds to figure out written words individually
fluency: the ability to read words/sentences/paragraphs smoothly, with attention to punctuation and expression
inference: using subtle clues in a story to make assumptions about something that has happened/will happen
turn and talk: asking students to think about an idea and share it with people around them to deepen understanding
making connections: interpreting ideas, facts, and experiences and relating it to a different idea, fact, or experience
just right book: a book a student chooses to read independently (not too hard/not too easy) because she/he can read it fluently and with complete comprehension
nurturing: preplanning and playing with a writing idea before drafting begins
revision vs. editing: revising is changing ideas, adding details, removing unnecessary info on a draft to make it more interesting, while editing focuses on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and paragraphing in preparation to publish.
publishing: writing a draft that incorporates the revision and editing ideas—it is not necessarily perfect!
invented spelling: students applying what they know about letters, sounds, and words to spell words the best they can
conventional spelling: words spelled correctly
narrative writing: fiction & non-fiction writing that tells a story (personal narrative/small moment, fantasy, memoir)
non-narrative writing: non-fiction writing that doesn’t tell a story (essay, reading response, informational essay)
number sense: a basic understanding of the base-ten number system and the relationships between numbers and operations (adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing/parts of a whole)
strategies: a plan or method to complete or solve a problem in math or any other areas of learning
visualizing: making a picture or movie in your head from what you hear/read or picturing an object/structure or steps to solving a visual math puzzle or problem or picturing the character or setting in a book, etc.
content areas: science, social studies/history where the student is learning factual information along with learning how to think and learn in those domains
academic choice: a way for students to choose ways to learn new information or demonstrate something they’ve learned that emphasizes the process over the final product
process: the thinking and questioning and important confusion and “aha” moments that happen during learning
real-world learning: learning that applies to every day life or actually happens outside of class
theme: an umbrella idea that can encompass learning from many different disciplines
Magic Circle words: using “I” messages to resolve about conflicts—starting with something you like or acknowledge about the other person/people, then stating the “thing” you didn’t like, then saying what you need to happen.
whole child: keeping in mind that each child is an individual with strengths and weaknesses in all areas of academic, social, physical and creative growth
!!!See you at Beach Day, Friday, April 3!!!
mugalian@smmusd.org Tamara, Genie, and Malaika genie.hwang@smmusd.org
CORE 4 NEWS
(Look for a half sheet about Spring Break “homework” in your child’s planner next week)
Please join Core 3 for our Literacy Night/Book Club/Poetry Slam Tuesday, March 31, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Producer/director Tony Bill recently published a book Movie Speak: How to Talk Like You Belong on a Movie Set, defining everything from Buff and Puff to Walla. Every industry has its own vernacular and terminology to communicate clearly and sometimes cleverly. We educators also have our own lingo and we use it often when communicating with you about your children. Some of it is obvious, some of it you’ve figured out, and some of it you may still not know. Here’s Genie & Tamara’s Educator Speak: How to Talk Like You Belong in a School:
narratives: evaluations that include written explanations of student work, achievements, challenges, and behaviors
with assistance: a way to describe a learner who needs support to start, finish, or fully engage in their learning
developing: a way to describe a learner who is active in their learning, but has not achieved mastery
independent: a way to describe a learner who is active in their learning without help and has achieved mastery
mastery: understanding a fact, idea, or concept and being able to apply it to other areas of learning
transferable skills: learning skills like reading, writing, analyzing, problem solving that can be used for all learning
tools and techniques: the raw materials/supplies/formats and different ways/strategies to manipulate and apply them
scaffold: support learners with tools and/or steps that connect to previously learned ideas and lead into new learning
mini-lesson: a short, specific lesson so a teacher doesn’t stand in front of the class talking about too much for too long
decoding: using the letters/sounds to figure out written words individually
fluency: the ability to read words/sentences/paragraphs smoothly, with attention to punctuation and expression
inference: using subtle clues in a story to make assumptions about something that has happened/will happen
turn and talk: asking students to think about an idea and share it with people around them to deepen understanding
making connections: interpreting ideas, facts, and experiences and relating it to a different idea, fact, or experience
just right book: a book a student chooses to read independently (not too hard/not too easy) because she/he can read it fluently and with complete comprehension
nurturing: preplanning and playing with a writing idea before drafting begins
revision vs. editing: revising is changing ideas, adding details, removing unnecessary info on a draft to make it more interesting, while editing focuses on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and paragraphing in preparation to publish.
publishing: writing a draft that incorporates the revision and editing ideas—it is not necessarily perfect!
invented spelling: students applying what they know about letters, sounds, and words to spell words the best they can
conventional spelling: words spelled correctly
narrative writing: fiction & non-fiction writing that tells a story (personal narrative/small moment, fantasy, memoir)
non-narrative writing: non-fiction writing that doesn’t tell a story (essay, reading response, informational essay)
number sense: a basic understanding of the base-ten number system and the relationships between numbers and operations (adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing/parts of a whole)
strategies: a plan or method to complete or solve a problem in math or any other areas of learning
visualizing: making a picture or movie in your head from what you hear/read or picturing an object/structure or steps to solving a visual math puzzle or problem or picturing the character or setting in a book, etc.
content areas: science, social studies/history where the student is learning factual information along with learning how to think and learn in those domains
academic choice: a way for students to choose ways to learn new information or demonstrate something they’ve learned that emphasizes the process over the final product
process: the thinking and questioning and important confusion and “aha” moments that happen during learning
real-world learning: learning that applies to every day life or actually happens outside of class
theme: an umbrella idea that can encompass learning from many different disciplines
Magic Circle words: using “I” messages to resolve about conflicts—starting with something you like or acknowledge about the other person/people, then stating the “thing” you didn’t like, then saying what you need to happen.
whole child: keeping in mind that each child is an individual with strengths and weaknesses in all areas of academic, social, physical and creative growth
!!!See you at Beach Day, Friday, April 3!!!
mugalian@smmusd.org Tamara, Genie, and Malaika genie.hwang@smmusd.org
CORE 4 NEWS
KELLY:
6/7 Math: Adding to Our Tool Belt
In the last semester when studying data and statistics, the mathematicians discovered that they had many tools they could use when determining the average: mean, median, and mode. They explored each of these and became aware that sometimes each of these statistical measures is a better, more accurate fit for the given data. In the same way that we used tools in this data unit, tools have now been introduced in our geometric unit. The mathematicians used their understanding of a tool’s purpose from last unit and carried into this unit when introducing the protractor. Students first used their awareness of angle measures to make well-educated estimates of the angles’ measurements, and then they used the protractor as a way to determine a more accurate measure. We also ensured that the protractor is merely one tool to help with angle measures. The students also know geometric properties that can also serve as a tool to help them determine angle measurements. For instance, they know a right angle has to be 90 degrees and a straight line must be 180 degrees. These two concepts help aid angle measuring.
Algebra
This week the mathematicians deepened their understanding of Chapter 4 concepts as they prepared for their test. Chapter 4 test was on Friday. Please be on the lookout for their reflections on this Chapter as well as their graded tests, in which they will have the chance to do corrections. After Spring Break, our pace will increase to cover at least three chapters by the end of the year.
BAILEY:
Amazing!!! The Culminating event for the Ancient Greece unit is upon us! March 31, Tuesday is The Panathenea!!! It will be all day: 9;15- 2:50! We will call forth the Deities in the morning and then perform plays to honor Dionysus in the drama competition. After a delicious Greek luncheon we will honor Zeus and compete in the Olympics from 1-2;50. Come and cheer on your children, your favorite Greek God or Goddess or simply join us to feast at noon.Your children have been asked to come with a Greek costume: a CHITON, and bring some contribution to the Greek FEAST- FOOD, beverage, money- let me know what as soon as possible by email if your student has not already contacted me with a sheet of paper! Each student is responsible for some aspect of the day- performing in the play, chanting, cheering, creating parts of the altar making posters and banners to cheer for the athletes! Encourage them to be as creative and spirited as possible. Make Posters signs badges, buttons etc. HAVE FUN! All compete in at least one Olympic event.
Monday the students will have time to prepare in Humanities. They should come prepared to use time well by bringing supplies needed!Thanks for all your support and involvement! Have a nice weekend. hope to see many of you on Tuesday!
KURT:
SMASHing Steller Scientists: We have arrived at break point in the Independent Investigation. The analysis writing, graphing of results, and diagramming are not completed but we are taking a reflective pause to consider our efforts and to encourage the children to embrace the Greek celebration next week. Our last two days of work will be Wed and Thursday of next week. Then we have a science celebration just after spring break. Mark your calendar for Friday afternoon and evening April 24.between 4:00 to 6:30pm. I will be available to share your child’s work with you and explain our upcoming science projects. Drop around for a few minutes and support this huge effort on our scientists’ part.
This date coincides with a Core 4 fundraiser called movie night where you may drop your younger children at SMASH and competent Core 4 babysitters will care for them while I support the babysitters. You may also do this and see the work. Please join us one way or the other.
There is no assigned homework over spring break as this is a classroom project and the support systems are at school. Please enjoy this time with you family during California’s flowery springtime glory!
Kelly, Kurt & Bailey
Kelly: Kelly.kulsrud@smmusd.org
Kurt: Holland@smmusd.org
Bailey: baileyfield@aol.com
Fun Things to Do!
Sat, March 28 - 1-5pm Santa Monica Airport Avenue Art Walk FREE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Airport Avenue (between Bundy & 23rd Street) Come explore the SMC ceramics studio, works by SMC Arts Mentor Program students and many galleries, artists’ studios and theaters along Airport Ave. Festive afternoon with live music, readings, children’s theater, art sales, refreshments and more.www.smc.edu/eventsinfo or 310-434-3000.
Sat, March 28 - 10am-6pm Getty Center FREE; no reservations required. Discover the rich culture of Japan in this full-day interactive festival inspired by the exhibition Tales in Sprinkled Gold: Japanese Lacquer for European Collectors, on view March 3–May 24. Try your hand at art-making workshops, enjoy dance, taiko drumming, and craft demonstrations, and get carried away by our master storytellers. Including Golden Boxes with our own Marni Gittleman, 10am-5:50pm, museum courtyard.
Sat, March 28, Apr 4 & 11 - 11:00 am - The Knight Who Was Afraid of The Dark, (The Musical). Crown City Theatre; 11031 Camarillo St; N. Hollywood. 310-746-8846. Kids $6, Adults $9.
Sun, March 29 - 11:00-3:00 - Baseball Fun Day - Los Amigos Park (SMASH/Muir playground). Games and Booths and Pitch, Hit and Run competition. Major fundraiser for the baseball league.
WHO GOT THE iPOD SHUFFLE FOR SELLING
EDUCATION FOUNDATION GOLDEN RAFFLE TICKETS?
JOSEPH FASANO
CONGRATULATIONS!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sat, Mar 28 - 8:30 to 9:30 pm is Earth Hour!Tues, Mar 31 - deadline for K applications
Wed, Apr 1 - 6:30pm - PTSA Meeting—Media Center
With Asst. Superintendent, M. Matthews
Thur, Apr 2 - 5:30 pm - School Board Mtg
(1651 16th St) wear your SMASH shirts
Fri. Apr 3 - All SMASH Beach Day
Mon, Apr 6—Fri, Apr 17 - SPRING BREAK!
SAVE THE DATE
Fri, Apr. 24 & May 15 - SMASH movie nights
Fri, May 8 - Family Dance
Sat, May 30 - SUPERSMASH!
Fri & Sat, June 5 & 6 - SMASH Camping Trip
DEADLINE FOR KINDERGARTEN APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 31! NEXT TUESDAY!!
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE LOTTERY
Student Council is partnering with the City of Santa Monica Sustainable Works
upcoming events to support SMASH as a sustainable community
¨ Earth Day Poster Contest
¨ Earth Day “Zero Trash” lunch, Wed, Apr 22
¨ “Greenraising” Fundraising coming soon!
Saturday, March 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 pm is Earth Hour! For that hour, TURN OFF ALL YOUR LIGHTS!!! For the third year in a row, this event has been going on GLOBALY to provide awareness about climate change. Want to learn more?Visit https://email.smmusd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=884c66361d8f49bb853d95f8e5d9afb8&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.earthhour.org for more information.
Thank you for donating all of the books to the book drive!
They were very helpful to Montara Avenue Elementary and now they are there with them. Thanks, Marlowe
LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL PTSA
HOSTS AN EVENING WITH THE SM POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY OFFICER, SEAN STOCKWELL
MONDAY, MARCH 30 - 7:00 PM - LINCOLN AUDITIORIUM
Lincoln PTSA will facilitate a discussion with Officer Stockwell and Lincoln parents about recent events at Lincoln and educate parents on cyberbullying. He will be showing the SMPD and SMMUSD jointly-produced "Send or Delete".
A short film by SAMOHI students based on actual events at Lincoln dealing with cyberbullying that is part of Officer Stockwell's on-going Homebase discussions with students.
Wondering what to do in celebration of Earthday 2009!
The answer is…
Come to the green living workshop. You don’t want to miss the chance
to participate in this amazing seminar focused on sustainability. The workshop will
start on Tuesday, April 21and will meet in the Smash/John Muir Library
every Tuesday for 6 weeks from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.Nancy Barba, from Sustainable Works, will teach the program. Sustainable Works
is a non-profit environmental education organization whose mission is to foster a
culture of “green” consciousness.During the meetings the participants will learn to think and be “green,” change their everyday lifestyles to improve their quality of life,
and save money while saving resources.A new topic will be discussed every week. You will learn about water & energy use,
recycling and reducing waste, chemicals, minimizing transportation impacts, and
making better consumer choices when shopping.I t’s also a fantastic event to attend with your older children, if they are interested.It’s a suggested donation of $25 for the entire session, which covers all the supplies
you will receive during the workshop. There are many giveaways to get you started
on your journey into the world of sustainability.
Comprehensive Worksbook * Water Saving Tools * Energy Saving Light bulbs
Waste Saving Compost * Safer Chemical Products * Reusable Shopping Bags
Register by visiting the website: www.sustainableworks.eventbrite.com
If you have any questions call Gina Garcia at 310-392-9610.
Just do it!!!!! Catch the Wave of the Future and
Be Green!!!
Sustainableworks.org & the Smash Green Committee
THE GARDEN BIG DIG
The outdoor classroom is already with us. Presented by the children of SMASH and John Muir. The enthusiasm of digging in the dirt has turned into an exploration and unearthing of treasure, artifacts, and history. The treasure would be the kids adventure, the correlation to artifacts and history would be ours and theirs as our longer memories and greater access connect the dots. Lets use this "big dig" to teach archaeology, anthropology, history, geography, geology, earth science, soil and water science. Let's get a view of this small piece of earth in all its dimensions. A lens through time and space. To date, as we sift through our soil, we have discovered an abundance of stones, river or beach gravel, and few pieces of yellow painted stucco, the odd piece of asphalt, chunks of concrete, rusted nails, one horse shoe (by Daniel) which will be on exhibit in the bulletin board at the front office, and what appears to be the remains of horse manure. What a history this place has had! What an opportunity for parents and teachers to engage their students in projects that come from our own back yard. Right under our feet. Can you dig it?! We need parents, teachers, and students to sustain this effort. The number of kids who want to dig is only growing with each day we are out there. We could use a little help keeping some basic order and safety. Join Holly or me and a group of kids in the garden EVERY DAY NEXT WEEK from noon until 4pm, except Friday (Smash beach day). If you would like updates on garden activities, email me at iparefugee @yahoo.com and I'll put you on the list. The garden committee and all its friends welcome you to participate. This is a joint John Muir/Smash project. Starting where we are, teaching our children through our very own piece of earth can be a part our contribution toward an organic, sustainable, harmonious future for all.
Jeff Knight, the Wormman, Garden Committee
BAKE SALE - WEDNESDAYS HEALTHY TREATS AND FUN ITEMS
CORE 1
Apr 29
May 27
CORE 2
Apr 22
May 20
CORE 3
Apr 1
May 13
CORE 4
May 6
Jeff Knight, the Wormman, Garden Committee
BAKE SALE - WEDNESDAYS HEALTHY TREATS AND FUN ITEMS
CORE 1
Apr 29
May 27
CORE 2
Apr 22
May 20
CORE 3
Apr 1
May 13
CORE 4
May 6
