It was another fruitful day of Arts Sharings and Core 4 overall learning celebration. With a lot of preparation and flexibility, many parents attended and ALL of the kids from all four cores got to see what the kids in other cores have been learning and doing!
A shout-out to the singers! Dian is a pro all the way! The singing was low key and moving .
The shadow-puppet plays were short, sweet, and fun to watch. Bravo, Core 2 writers, narrators, performers, and "Foley" group! All hail, Kristy, for her grace and "the-show-must-go-on" attitude!
The artwork was awe-inspiring. Thanks for letting us try the process, Core 1--and for explaining the process, Core 4! Julianna truly brings our kids' creative talents to a new level!
The Core 4 science inquiries, timelines, math thinking, and literature work was great--it helps us see what we are all working toward each and every day.
Thank you to everyone for making it happen! It’s been another wonderful, full, enriching year for the SMASHing Arts Program—thanks to all the students’ creative enthusiasm, parent support, teachers helping the program run smoothly, artist inspiration, and Marni’s magical touch.
If work, family commitments, or something else prevented you from being with us today, we will have work on display in the classrooms 6:00-6:30pm this Thursday, June 11 at Open House. Then we will all join our musicians in the Cafetorium at instrumental music concerts 6:30pm 4th graders, 7:30pm 5th graders and Core 4. See you there.
Jessica, Tamara, and The Arts Committee
President’s Note
It feels good to end the school year on a positive note. In a year of an economic crisis, the SMASH community pulled together and raised about $30,000 at SuperSMASH. This is MORE than we raised last year!
Thanks to every single one of you who pounded the pavement to get us donations. Thanks to every single one of you who came to bid on them. Thanks to every single one of you who came to eat, drink, play games and ride rides at the carnival. Thanks to every single one of you who invited family, friends and neighbors to join in. And of course, thanks again to every single one of you who volunteered.
We had hoped that together we could make SuperSMASH a success despite economic hardship. And we did!
Yet unfortunately this does not change the fact that next year significant changes lie ahead. As the school district must make difficult choices to make do with a significantly cut budget, PTAs across the district face reduced budgets as well. While we just made our budget this year, the years ahead are critical. SMASH PTSA may not be able to support the same programs and services, unless we diligently keep our expenses down and receive continued support from the entire parent population. SMASH needs all of us as volunteers and donors in the days, weeks, months and years to come. 100% participation in our family donation programs and fundraisers will be our most important goal in 2009/2010. Please help us achieve it.
For every single dollar truly counts and every effort truly makes a difference.
Best,
Helga Schier and David Saltzman
PTSA Co-Presidents
8th GRADE GRADUATION &
ALL-SCHOOL POTLUCK IS COMING!!!
THURSDAY, JUNE 18 — 10:00 AM
WE NEED EVERYONE’S HELP
TO FEED THE ENTIRE SCHOOL & THEIR FAMILIES!!!
We are having an all school potluck party after the 8th grade graduation.
If you are able to help please contact Janice in the main office,
310-396-2640, or jwold@smmusd.org
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP
Decorate Receive and Serve Food Clean-Up
DON’T BE SHY—DIG IN AND VOLUNTEER!
ALL SCHOOL POTLUCK
Please bring enough food to serve 15 people.
Food needs to be ready to serve with serving utensils and pre-cut
ALL SMASH FAMILIES (except 8th grade) if your last name begins with:
A-F: DESSERTS, including brownies, cookies, cupcakes
G-R: MAIN DISHES, Big hits are dinner pastas, buckets of chicken,
giant (cut) subs, pizza (prepaid & delivered by noon)
and anything homemade.
S-Z: SALADS, including potato, pasta, vegetable, green and fruit salads
Please deliver your items to the lunch bench area on Thursday morning before 9:30
To save disappointment and confusion, please label your dishes and utensils
and then check at the lunch benches following the party and take them home with you that day
Just send it to Janice in the main office.
Smash Middle School. – Media Center
STUDENTS: Please arrive 15 minutes before performance time and wear nice school clothes
CORE 1 NEWS
Open House
We hope you can attend the SMASH Open House on Thursday, June 11 at 6:00pm. This is your last chance to take a peak at all of the amazing things the children have been doing in Core 1 this year. There will also be a musical performance by our SMASHing musicians in the auditorium.
June-July-August Birthday Bash
It’s our final bash of the year!! We will be celebrating our summertime b’days (June, July, and August birthdays) on Friday, June 12th. The Birthday Circles will be from 11:30-12:00. Afterwards, the children will enjoy a picnic lunch outside, with a few birthday snacks to enjoy. Students can still bring their lunch from home or buy hot lunch. The food/drink sign up for June/July/August families is at the Home/School table. As always, family and friends are welcome!
Overdue Library Books
Some students still have SMASH library books checked out in their name. You will receive an overdue notice, but please talk to your child to see if he/she still has a book at home. Yearbooks will not be handed out to students who have not turned in/replaced/paid for all overdue books. (Yearbooks are $20 and orders can be placed in the main office with Janice or Wende. They will be distributed during the last week of school.) Thanks!
Core 1 Graduation Ceremony
Please join us on Thursday, June 19 from 9:00-9:20 for our Core 1 ‘Moving on Up’ Ceremony. We will be honoring the Bigs and wishing them well as they prepare to enter the world of Core 2. We will also be acknowledging the Partners as they become Bigs. Bring your cameras!
Dates to Remember:
Thursday, June 11th, 6:30-7:30pm—Open House
Friday, June 13th, 11:30-12:00 —June/July/August Birthday Bash
Monday, June 15th through Friday, June 20th—Minimum Days (1:30 dismissal)
Thursday, June 19th, 9:00-9:20am—Core 1 Graduation Ceremony in Core 1
Thursday, June 19th, 10:00am—8th Grade Graduation Ceremony in Auditorium
Friday, June 20th, All-School Beach Day; Last Day of School!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Chrysta, Candis, and Jackie
Candis: candis.berens@smmusd.org Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org
CORE 2 NEWS
Core 2 is publishing our friendly letters to incoming students. Here is what the Grass Stains have to say. Check back next week to read what the Chocolate Chipmunks wrote.
Ian: “In core 2 we have choice choices there are so many activity to do.”
Caleb: “ the Potato Parade is where you get to see people’s potatoes and they get to see yours.”
Nathan M.: “I want you to know how exciting core 2 is. I have three reasons my first reason is field trips. When we go to far away places we use a school bus or the Big Blue Bus.”
Bailey: “At working time, we have shoulder partner to help us when we’re stuck on our writing!”
Izzy: “W.W.(Writer’s Workshop) is awesome because you get to learn new thing’s while you write and when you learn you get Smart.”
Abbie: “One time we went to the Watts’ Towers. It was so beautiful and we had lots of fun.”
Olivia: “In core 2 we do nothing but fun.”
Owen: “A fun thing is community snack. It works, … like …the Star of the Week from both rooms brings a healthy snack for the whole core.”
Mina: “I can’t wait ‘ till you come to core 2. We do a lot of fun things.”
Clara: “In science you can learn about your bones.”
Ari: “ Core 2 is a cool class! Now let me tell you about some activities that we do, tie dye is one of them.”
C.J.: “During D.E.A.R. you can read any book you want with any one you want.”
Lydia: “ D.E.A.R. is the time where you can read any book from any basket.”
Zoey: There is cross core learning when Core 4 people come and read with us in groups.”
Esmé: “Finally, we have a potato parade.”
Iris: “ Tie dyeing the t-shirt is because when you go on a field trip you do not want to get lost!”
Mike: “In Choice Choice you get to do any game. You don’t get it if you have overdue work.”
Nathan G. :”Every day we do super fun things like Q.T. (Quiet Time) where you can read, write, draw or relax by yourself.”
Molly: “You can learn about Star of the Week. You get to bring 5 things. Some kids bring dolls or other favorite toys or books. “
Luke: “Tie dying shirts is so much fun. You make it then you wear it.”
Arts with Kristy: thanks for joining Core 2 in sharing their shadow puppet skits.
We took the Big Blue Bus to Santa Monica Playhouse to watch Cinderella on Thursday. Thanks to all the parents that went with us.
Upcoming dates and events:
Thursday, June 11 – Open House
Friday, June 12 – last 3rd grade District music, 1:00 parents invited to listen to them play their recorders.
Thursday, June 18 – 8th grade graduation, Potluck Lunch
Friday, June 19 – Beach Day, last day of school
Have a fantastic weekend,
Laura, Jayme, and Nadja
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org
Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org
CORE 3 NEWS
The end of the year is typically the time when students and teachers across the country reflect on the past school year. What was most memorable? What did I learn? What was my favorite book? How have I grown as a citizen? What am I still working on? At SMASH, reflection is a big part of how we assess our growth. We can reflect on an assignment, a lesson, a unit, a project, or the whole year. As teachers we are constantly reflecting at each stage to reflect on our goals and adjust our plans. Here is a snapshot of Core 3’s growth over the 2008-2009 school year:
We…
~Followed the school-wide Responsive Classroom Social Curriculum and used things like Morning Meeting to get to know each other better, improve social skills, and channel our energy in positive ways!
~We used CARES to create classroom guidelines--students really understand their role in citizenship (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-control) and are aware when they are practicing CARES and when they are not.
~Used Magic Circle and Magic Circle words when communicating with each other to honor our feelings and the feelings of others.
~Learned that talking and sharing with others grows our thinking.
~Used our theme of Human Needs/Human Rights as a place to relate our thinking and learning in our content area units (Water, California Native Americans, California Geography, and California Missions).
~Took field trips to the Santa Monica Aquarium, the SMURRF, Ballona Wetlands, Pilobolus Dance Theater, and the San Juan Capistrano Mission as a way to take ur learning outside of the classroom.
~Learned about numbers, place value, relationship among the operations, fractions (and how decimals and percents relate in 5th grade), 2-D and 3-D geometry, coordinates, measurements, and data.
~Published 5 pieces of writing in different genres while learning that writing is a process and there are different ways to organize our thinking for different types of writing—and that we can use those steps to do writing work across the curriculum.
~Read aloud and had book discussions around 4 rich chapter books, plus a core-wide book club book.
~Read lots of books and participated in book clubs with friends, teachers, and our families.
~Shared books with our Core 1 reading buddies.
~Experienced improv theater and how theater can build political and social awareness.
~Experienced that art can and did grow from every day useful items and that the craft can be taught to others.
~Learned about California through songs and its history with music.
~Began the process of inquiry and research and how questions lead to answers and answers lead to more questions.
~Discovered and practiced lots of ways of “knowing and showing” in all areas of the curriculum.
~Tried different healthy food choices at our Monday Community Snack days.
~Cooked peanut brittle and hummus as a core.
~Learned to play an instrument and grow as a musician or vocalist.
~We raised money for our classroom, our school, and our community.
~Shared lots of learning with the whole SMASH community during sharings, expos, poetry slams, publishing celebrations, assemblies, etc!
Thank you to all of you, families of Core 3, for all that you do in making the school year multi-layered and well-rounded! We could have done it without you!
Please check out Core 3’s blog on the SMASH website for some memorable photos and join us for Open House Thursday, June 11 from 6:00 – 6:30 in Core 3.
Have a great weekend!
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
mugalian@smmusd.org
Math 6/7:
What a powerful week we had not only as a Core 4 community but also as mathematicians! As we took a slight pause in our Rational Number unit to prepare for Wednesday’s Expo, the students used their comical, creative, and strong mathematical abilities to produce a meaningful method of sharing. We encouraged the mathematicians to take on the role of a teacher when thinking about the way they wanted to share all that they know about Rational Numbers. Several choices existed for the students to choose from. Some students selected Math Theater as a way to exhibit their understanding of the arithmetic operations for Rational numbers. Video-taped skits included the acting out of real-life situations to represent specific problems. We had dragons stealing unicorn pies, killer elephants eating the zoo employees, sea animals jumping out of the ocean, talking ATMs, and many more creative scenarios! As we shared these videos during the Expo, we all shared many moments of laughter! Other students took on this role of a teacher by demonstrating some of the math games we play in class as a way to master the taught skills. Through the student’s explicit instruction and explanation of their solving methods, many students from other Cores started to see how to work with rational numbers! Kudos to all the mathematicians for many proud and celebratory moments! We will build off this enthusiasm to continue delving into our Rational number unit.
Algebra:
The mathematicians are pushing their way through Chapter 6 this week. We are trying to balance fun and work as we take on this last chapter. This chapter focuses on System of Linear Functions, and it is a nice precursor to the upcoming material of their freshmen year.
FROM BAILEY:
Hello all Humanities,
We had a fabulous display of all our hard and creative work this spring on Wednesday's Expo. A HUGE SHOUT OUT of "Thank you!!!" to all the parents who helped with the delicious lunch. It was so wonderful to see the entire Core 4 sitting down calmly to a meal together. Their work will be on display from 6:00-6:30 June 11 before the musical performance by Core 3 and 4 for those of you who have not had the opportunity to see the fruits of all the labor.
The next week will be a bit calmer. Most students will work in class on creating their own Super Hero comics inspired and started at our trip to the Skirball. THREE other choices are 1) Finish missing work, 2) Read a book of choice or "Myth and Legends" and create a "story board", or 3) write a short story or poetry inspired by the poetry unit in January.
There will be DEAR time so all students should have a book to read of their choice with them at all times. A summer reading list for middle school will be out next week.
PS. If you shop at 3rd street Promenade Barnes and Nobles this Friday and Saturday and mention Will Rogers Elementary (my kid’s school) will get a percent of the sale to supply their library.
Reminders:
8th grade graduation is Thursday, June 18 at 10:00am with an all-school potluck to follow. Core 4 parents of 6th and 7th grade students are needed to help put together and coordinate this wonderful event. Please contact Janice in the office.
End of school All-School Beach Day is Friday June 19.
Monday June 15 through Friday June 19 are minimum days with 1:30 dismissal
Keep your eye open for a more detailed handout and permission slips next week:
Monday June 15 6/7 Field trip to the Santa Monica Superior Courthouse
Monday June 15 8th grade trip to SMC Pool and 8th grade sleep over
Wednesday June 17 6/7 trip to SMC Pool
Kurt: holland@smmusd.org Kelly:kelly.kulsrud@smmusd.org
Erin:erin.haendel@smmusd.org
Fri & Sat, June 5 & 6 - SMASH Camping Trip
Thurs, June 11 - 6:00 pm - Open House
Fri, June 12 - Last day to accept checks for payment of cafeteria lunches, after this date, cash only
Mon. June 15 through Fri., June 19 - Minimum days, 1:30 dismissal
Wed, June 17 - 5:00-9:00pm - El Torito fundraiser - flyers sent home today.
Thurs, June 18 - 10:00 am - 8th Grade Graduation and All School Potluck. See Flyer
Fri, June 19 - All School Beach Day. Last Day of School!
SMASH Site Council Minutes Wednesday, June 3, 2009
In Attendance: Laura Sherman, Jessica Rishe, Liz Grossman, Dan McGee, Nina, Tracy Saltzman
Absent: Malaika Boyer, Cesia Morataya, , Tamara Mugalian, Jayme Wold,, Sadie Saltzman, Gigi Lewis, Greta Schmittditel, Bennett Zemke, Gabe Schmittdiel, Eli Simmonds, Kelly Kulsrud, Candis Berens, Jackie Boyd, Naomi Miller-Altuner, Emma Green, Kezia Miller
Agenda Adopted: Moved by Dan McGee, Seconded by Liz Grossman Approved
Approve Minutes of last meeting
Moved by Dan McGee : Seconded by Liz Grossman Approved
Community Participation: None
Reports and Announcements (regular agenda items)
Structure of Site Council/Roberts Rules of Order briefly reviewed
Principal’s Report
Arts Sharing—across the school interaction, great showing of techniques and processes used in arts, helpful for parents to see learning in other cores
SuperSMASH-as a community event measured in smiles, food enjoyed, arts engaged in successful. Financially, made $30,000.
June 4 School Board Meeting: class size increases will be voted upon
Discussed future revenue sources and cuts to be considered.
Student Reports: Core 3 and 4 -None
Community Organization Reports
Student Council—crazy hair day coming up
Muir-SMASH peacemakers meeting
New Business: Proposed 09-10 dates. Motion that we accept the proposed dates for 09-10, confirming September 23. Moved by Tracy Saltzman. Seconded by Dan McGee. Approved.
Community Participation: Jila Interested to see how we can continue to bring in healthier foods for students to choose from. Concerned about junk foods students buy at mini-mart at corner 5th/Hollister.
Next meeting: September 23, 2009 5:00pm
Adjourn: Dan McGee motioned and Tracy Saltzman seconded.
$20.00 (IN COLOR!) See Janice or Wende in the office.
Thursday, June 18 10:00am Graduation Ceremony with Potluck to follow. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please see details in today's Friday Letter.
ARTS FOR ALL SURVEY!
Only 11 SMASH families have completed this survey! We feel it is important to have your voice heard. Please spend a few moments and go to www.smmusd.org and click on the Arts for All Parent Survey under What’s New At SMMUSD, or pick one up in the SMASH office. Thank you!!
BAKE SALE FOR HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
SMASH students Riain and Jack Gray will be having a bake sale after school on Wednesday, June 10. All proceeds will go to Heifer International
Come Out and Support SMASH’s Middle School Soccer Team
#1 SMASH Sting vs. #9 JAMS Galaxy Airport Park Game E– East Field Saturday, June 6 at 3:00pm
