SMASH PICTURE DAY - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
All students will be photographed for their student ID card (free of charge). Photo packages will be printed only for those paying on Picture Day. See Lifetouch information sent home with your child today. Individual retakes will be on Tuesday, November 10, but class photos will only be taken on October 7.
Please make checks or money orders payable to Lifetouch with your completed order form. If paying in cash, please bring the exact amount. We cannot make change.
All students will be photographed for their student ID card (free of charge). Photo packages will be printed only for those paying on Picture Day. See Lifetouch information sent home with your child today. Individual retakes will be on Tuesday, November 10, but class photos will only be taken on October 7.
Please make checks or money orders payable to Lifetouch with your completed order form. If paying in cash, please bring the exact amount. We cannot make change.
Dear SMASH Families,
“A child’s preferences can’t always be accommodated, but they can always be considered and they need never be dismissed out of hand.” (Alfie Kohn Unconditional Parenting p.119)
Alfie Kohn’s thoughts support my Principal’s process of reviewing student proposals, making it clear that we adults at SMASH take kids seriously by giving students more chances to give input to decisions and by imagining how things look from their point of view. Students periodically feel strongly about school rules or school plans for an event and write up proposals for alternatives. The two most recent proposals have been 1) to have visiting hours to the little yard to stay connected with younger friends and help model appropriate lunchtime play or 2) to have alternate Haunted House creation plans to maintain the 8th grade tradition of building it. Students stated their goals, suggested plans, listened to my still unaddressed concerns, and made adjusted proposals. They are satisfied and so am I.
Think about the ways your family’s guiding principles align with the following Alfie Kohn principles I try to follow when listening to student requests:
1. Be reflective
2. Consider long-term goals.
3. Talk less, ask more.
4. Keep ages in mind.
5. Attribute to children the best possible motive consistent with the facts.
6. Don’t be rigid.
7. Don’t be in a hurry.
Some of you have contacted me with discomfort around situations your own children are trying to negotiate with you (bedtime, morning, homework routines or dressing for school…). I am NOT perfect at practicing these above guidelines at SMASH nor with my sons Micah and Eli, but it always helps to be clear about what I’m striving for as a Principal and parent and to keep practicing. Here’s hoping you’ll commit to being an on-going practitioner with me.
Truly yours,
Jessica
REMINDER
All students MUST be off the school grounds 15 minutes after dismissal
(no later than 3:05 on regular days and 1:45 on minimum days and Fridays) unless enrolled in an afterschool program.
No student may wait in front of school after this time. K's need to be picked up each day at 1:30.
Playground Access closes at 5:00pm Monday-Thursday and 3:45 on minimum days and every Friday. Application forms for Playground access are available in the SMASH office
Let us know if you need a hard copy of the Friday Letter. E-mail Janice at jwold@smmusd.org with your e-mail address if you want the letter sent to you electronically.
Kids Dance Camp
The SAMOHI Songleading Team is holding a Kids Dance Camp THIS WEEKEND, at the Santa Monica High campus. If you have any children (or know of any) ages 3-12 that would like to come learn dance, SAMO cheers and participate in T-Shirt decorating to have a later performance at a home football game, please rsvp with me (Rebecca Hardt). Here is the information:
When: October 3rd & 4th 11am to 1pm
Where: Santa Monica High School's Dance Studio (Located upstairs in the South Gym)
Cost: $35 for both days (Checks can be made out to Santa Monica High School)
Performance will be at the SAMOHI football game October 16 during half time.
Rebecca Hardt Songleading Advisor 310 395-3204 x 498
SMASHing Holiday Singers Tuesdays, 3:00-3:30 (core 1) Oct 27—Dec 1 w/Dian Andrews
Come join ELEMENTAL STRINGS
Santa Monica’s premiere youth orchestra for elementary school-aged string players is ready for a new season.
Every Friday afternoon, Elemental Strings introduces young string players to their first orchestral experiences. Students receive instruction that develops music fundamentals and individual playing skills. The season consists of two orchestra concerts and an introductory unit in chamber music.
Elemental Strings welcomes all 4th and 5th grade students with at least one year of playing experience to audition, but priority admission will be given to 5th graders. Elemental Strings is a tuition-based program; financial aid is available.
Audition Information: Please prepare one or two scales and a short piece to play. There will also be sight-reading at the audition. When: Friday, October 2 Where: SAMOHI Orchestra Room Time: 4-6:00pm
For more info, please visit www.elementalstrings.com or email smelementalstrings@gmail.com
“WIZARD’S CRYSTAL” A Musical for Family Audiences
Wednesday, October 7, 2009; 7:00 - 8:30 pm, SMASH Auditorium
$9.00 per Adult, $6.00 per Child ALL ticket and food proceeds go to SMASH!
The chase is on! The Good Wizard Parrafin and the Evil Sorcerer Balderash race to find the lost magic crystal. The one to claim finder’s keepers will have the power to do anything they wish! Parrafin, who lost the crystal, would be able to make mountains grow, make an elephant fly, make time go backwards, or turn a rock into a jelly sandwich and eat it for lunch. Balderash, who claims the crystal belongs to him, wants it for his own evil purposes! Presented by Pocket Full of Tales Theatre Company Kristy Pace, Artistic Director
Rummage Sale
Is two weeks away!!
Saturday, October 17
Bring donations to the cafetorium
on Friday, October 16
(We also need hangers, bags, clothing racks)
Please help: post signs Thur. anytime
sort items Fri. 8:15 - 6:00 pm
set up Sat. 7:00 - 9:00 am
sell Sat. 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
clean up Sat. 1: 00 - 4:00 pm
Contact Tracy Story 310-453-4396
or tracymstory@hotmail.com
JOIN THE SMASH PTSA
Parent Teacher Student Association
WHO CAN JOIN THE SMASH PTSA?
Everyone in our community who cares about children and our public schools is invited to join the SMASH PTSA. Parents, students, teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, friends.
WHY JOIN THE SMASH PTSA?
Each PTSA member gets a copy of the all-important all-school SMASH Phone Book, containing contact information for all students and parents. It’ll be ready around Halloween-time.
At SMASH, the PTSA provides financial support for teachers’ aides, classroom supplies, field trips, music and art. Your membership dollars are needed to support and maybe even expand these programs.
State and National PTA volunteers advocate to support adequate funding for public schools and for laws to protect the health and welfare of children. The strength of the PTA is in numbers. When you join, you make a difference.
HOW DO YOU JOIN THE SMASH PTSA?
It costs only $8 per membership to join. Multiple memberships = multiple SMASH Phone Books, so there’s always one within arm’s reach. Fill out the PTSA envelope you received in the mail, or pick one up in the office. Enclose your check, payable to SMASH PTSA. Leave it at the office. You’re done!
Questions? Email Catherine Lerer (mother of Molly McGee/Core 2 & Sadie McGee/Core 1) at clerer@mcgeelerer.com.
Sincerely,
Catherine Lerer, PTSA Membership
Helga Schier & David Saltzman, PTSA Co-Presidents
Jessica Rishe, Principal
ptsa news
upcoming fundraisers
Don’t forget to contribute to the Family Donation Drive, our biggest and most important fundraiser. Check out the flyer in this Friday Letter.
Movie Fun Night, Friday, October 2, 6:30PM.
Our annual Rummage Sale and Car Wash, Saturday, 10/17, 9AM. Please check out the flyers in this Friday Letter and all around campus. For more information contact Tracy Story at tracymstory@hotmaoil.com
This year we’re adding a bakesale to the Rummage Sale early in the AM to please the crowds that are threatening to tear down the gate. If you’d like to help with that, contact Helga Schier at helgaschier@verizon.net
Drama Night, Wednesday, October 7, 7PM
Pocket Full of Tales Theatre Company presents Wizard's Crystal, a Musical for Family Audiences in the cafeteria.
The chase is on! The Good Wizard Parrafin and the Evil Sorcerer Balderdash race to find the lost magic crystal. The one to claim finder's keepers will have the power to do anything they wish! Parrafin, who lost the crystal, would be able to make mountains grow, make an elephant fly, make time go backwards, or turn a rock into a jelly sandwich and eat it for lunch. Balderdash, who claims the crystal belongs to him, wants it for his own evil purposes!
Come one, come all, because all proceeds go directly to SMASH! Check future flyers for more details.
SMASH Bash is here! A new and unique fundraiser consisting of events hosted by parents throughout the year, SMASH Bash is designed to be eclectic and meet different and differing tastes. Sign-up coffee to come in mid-October. Contact Marni Brady marni99@yahoo.com for more information.
Greenraising, our annual wrapping paper sale, will start shortly. It’s recycled wrapping paper, and so much more… choose from a catalogue full of environmentally friendly goods such as water bottles or lunch boxes. Watch for future fliers or contact Debbie Dempsey at 310-454-4428 or lantzdempsey@msn.com
SUPERINTENDENT CUNEO TO JOIN SMASH PTSA...
for our next meeting: Wednesday October 21, 6:30 PM
DON’T MISS IT! Superintendent Tim Cuneo will be joining us for an informative meeting. Come show your support for Smash and learn more about your school district. E-mail David at saltzmans@earthlink.net or Helga at helgaschier@verizon.net if you want to be added to the agenda.
COMMIT to your child’s SMASH education.
SMASH FAMILY DONATION
LOG ON AND GIVE INSTANTLY
ptsasmash.blogspot.com
GIVE WHAT YOU CAN
Recommended amount: $555 per student
NO AMOUNT TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL
Payment plans welcome
EVERY DONATION COUNTS
Our goal is 100% participation
Pay by check! Pay monthly! Pay by credit card! Pay online!
100% goes to SMASH
100% tax deductible
David at saltzmans@earthlink.net or Helga at helgaschier@verizon.net
SMASH PTSA presents the
SMASH Parent Business & Talent Resource Directory
Are you an insurance broker? Attorney? Web page designer? Caterer? Great cake decorator? Consultant? Dog sitter? Swim teacher? Do you own your own business or work for someone else? Are you a stay-at-home entrepreneur with a special skill? Tired of people asking what you do for a living?
♦ TELL THE SMASH COMMUNITY ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS OR TALENT ♦
The SMASH Parent Business & Talent Resource Directory is a listing of SMASH parent businesses, services and talents, and parents’ employers’ businesses. The purpose of the directory is to encourage and enable networking among SMASH parents and provide an easy way to learn of and patronize these resources. Any SMASH parent’s business, service, or talent, or a parent’s employer’s business, can be included in the directory – established enterprises, new businesses and home-based services are welcome! All SMASH families will receive a free copy of the Directory.
Suggested donation for each basic listing: $25. You can pay an additional amount to place an additional full page ad ($100), half-page ad ($75) or business card ad ($50). Funds raised support the SMASH PTSA, which provides financial support for teacher’s aides, classroom supplies, field trips, music, art, and more.
If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Lerer at 310-717-8057 or clerer@mcgeelerer.com or Jeff Jarow at 310-395-2663 or jeff@parcommerical.com
SMASH Parent Name(s):________________________________________________________
Name of Business:_____________________________Parent-Owned Business?______
Category: (painting, architecture):________________________________________________
Business Address:_____________________________________________________________
Website:______________________________________Phone:_________________________
Email:______________________________________________________________________
Description of business/services/talent: (not to exceed 50 words): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Besides the basic listing ($25 suggested donation), I want to place an additional ad in the
directory:____full page ($100) ____half-page ($75) _____business card ($50)
Return completed form and check, payable to SMASH PTSA, to SMASH office by 10/16/09.
If placing additional ad, email high resolution PDF/camera-ready artwork to nikki@peprinting.com by 10/16/09.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Fri. Oct 2 - 6:30 - 9:00pm - MOVIE NIGHT
Mon. Oct 5 - CREST Enrichment Classes begin
Wed. Oct 7 - SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
Wed. Oct 7 - 7:00 - 8:30pm - Wizard’s Crystal - SMASH auditorium
Mon-Wed Oct 12-14, 6th grade Catalina trip
Wed. Oct 14 - 8:45-9:15 am - Greenraising Assembly
Wed. Oct 14 - 5:00-6:00pm - Site Council Mtg
Sat. Oct 17 - 9:00am - 1:00pm RUMMAGE SALE
Wed. Oct 21 - 6:30pm - PTSA Mtg. Superintendent, Tim Cuneo to speak
Please note: March 23 is listed as minimum day—it is not.
March 24 &25 are minimum conference days.
WEDNESDAY BAKE SALES -
Healthy Treats & Fun ItemsSales start at 2:30 pm (Muir dismissal
CORE 1
October 7
December 2
CORE 2
November 4
January 6
CORE 3
October 28
December 16
CORE 4
October 14
December 9
CORE 1 NEWS
Core 1 is delving into our projects! Small groups include building an army base, book-making, caterpillar observations, and learning about Jackson Pollock’s art (we named it “splitter splatter” or “willy nilly” art). The children have been noticing how they have been working and learning from one another. Please go to http://www.smash.smmusd.org/ (click on Core1, click on News) to see more.
PARTNERS EXTENDED DAYS: Beginning TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, the Partners are invited to stay until 2:50 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is not mandatory, but something we would like to offer the Partners in order to deepen their workshop learning. If your child will NOT be staying until 2:50 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, please tell Candis or Chrysta. 1:30 pick-up will continue for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Birthday Bash: October birthdays will be celebrated on Friday, October 9 during lunch. Our ceremony will begin at 11:45, and we will eat our lunch and birthday snacks around 12:15. If your child is celebrating his/her birthday in October, food/drink sign-ups will be on the Home/School Table (in the Magic Garden). Please bring a small, healthy snack for 46 students. Suggestions are posted in the Magic Garden. Family and friends are welcome.
Library Visits : The children will begin visiting our school library every other Monday starting Monday, October 5. The children will be able to check-out a book on their second visit. Since checking-out & returning books requires extra responsibility, please let us know if you would like your child to keep his/her book at school.
Volunteer Opportunities: Thank you to 5 devoted moms: Grace, Molly, Dagmar, Leah, and Heather for waving their magic wands (we mean, working hard to sort and organize) to create an amazing art studio for the children.
Our next hope and dream is to fix-up our new woodworking patio. Needed: a couple of parents to sort through materials and tidy-up (this shouldn’t take too long).
We also need some new tools (we use real tools under close supervision): 1 15” Crosscut Saw, 2 Hand Drills (manual, not electric), 1 Coping Saw, and a Philips Screwdriver
Wish List (a few suggestions if you happen to be at the store):
Band-aids (latex-free preferred), ice packs, Woodworking Tools (see above)
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Chrysta, Candis, and Jackie
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cmailto:cwyse@smmusd.org
CORE 2 NEWS
Dear Core 2 Community, October 2, 2009
Our community building was focused around responsibility – how we do all the things that need to be done during our day, how others depend on us, and how we accept the consequences of our actions. We brainstormed how it would look in Core 2.
In Reading Workshop, the children “shopped” for new books and discussed our wonderings/unanswered questions. Each child may check out one book from the Core 2 Library/Media Center after we receive a permission slip signed be the child and parent. These forms were handed out at our Forum – if you need one please let your child’s advisor know.
In Writing Workshop, we have learned that writers have publishing deadlines and that not every piece of writing makes it through the writing process. Writers experienced the joy that comes with sharing our writing with others.
Math: The 2nd graders began solving math word problems. These problems joined two quantities. The mathematicians had three number choices ranging in difficulty; however, the bigger challenge is in explaining their process to other mathematicians.
The 3rd graders continued working on Things That Come In Groups by making skip counting charts to use as a resource during this unit.
Next week is our school picture day. So, our next Stars of the Week are on Wednesday, October 14. They will be: Morgan and Abbie Grossman.
We practiced “I” statements during Magic Circle reinforcing Assertiveness and Responsibility. I felt _______ when _______ and I need __________. (I felt frustrated when you hugged me after I said stop. I need more personal space.)
Thank you!
To Morgan’s family for the rug sweeper
To Riley’s John for taking home the tie dying and returning them washed and folded.
They look so colorful.
To all the families and volunteers who helped with the Core 2 Bake Sale
To all the families that came to our Forum and your continued involvement with your child(ren)’s learning. Please contact us if you were unable to attend our Forum.
To all the September birthday families for making our first Birthday Bash a success.
Dates to remember:
Wednesday, October 7 – school picture day – see attached flyer
Wednesday, October 21 – beginning of Fall Conferences, more info to come
Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
CORE 3 NEWS
Thank you to the Core 3 families who were able to make it to our Forum on Tuesday night--and to all who support and take care of our core and our school. We couldn’t do it with out you! If you weren’t able to be there, we’ve attached our agenda and a few handouts that we hope you will find helpful. As usual, we ran out of time for the Q & A, so we urge you to send any questions, comments, or concerns to Genie and Tamara. Also, keep reading the Friday Letter and checking those emails from Liz, our fearless Core Rep, for important and useful information about Core 3 and SMASH throughout the year. We are lucky to have such a committed community!
Reading Workshop, Reading Homework, and Read Aloud have been a big part of launching our new school year in Core 3. As you have probably noticed, your child is reading 20-40 minutes every day for homework (and if you haven’t noticed—consider yourself notified!). Reading a Just Right book every day is the most important practice needed to grow as a reader. SMASH is about developing children’s ability to find intrinsic value in their work--so, in reading, the goal is to grow up to be lifelong readers who love to read and are cognitive about their readerly lives and skills.
We’ve introduced Readers Notebooks, which the students will use to log their reading pages/times/dates, jot ideas about our read-aloud books and their independent reading books, and write reading response essays and practice literary analysis. Why log reading? The logs provide a way for teachers to see reading patterns and help students be responsible for and hold oneself accountable to the reading work. Having a teacher or parent sign the log does not necessarily support their independence and accountability. As teachers, we guide them and show them ways to be reflective, active readers who enjoy books. In school, your child also reads every day in their Just Right book, allowing us to work in small groups and one-on-one conferences to give individualized teaching (instead of a one lesson-fits-all model). The notebook is just a place for students to be aware of their reading habits, reflect on their reading lives, the books that they read, the books that are read aloud, and provide evidence which will enable us to push readers along in their customized teaching. Ask your child how he/she has been using their Readers Notebook.
We have started our first chapter book read aloud, Crash by Jerry Spinelli. It’s a well-written, entertaining book—full of dynamics and character development (and lots of opportunities to discuss CARES). Along with modeling good reading/thinking strategies, read aloud is an important part of our day so students can enjoy books, hear how a good book unfolds, hear how reading should sound in their heads, learn how to visualize the events of a book, and connect books to our society and our understanding of human relations.
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
Genie:ghwang@smmusd.org
CORE 4 NEWS
Interpreting Progress Reports
These weekly communications exist to keep you aware of the choices being made by our shared project, your child, and the natural consequences that attend their choices both positive and negative. Please review the reports weekly, sign them, and return to us on Monday. We keep these as a running record and will share them with you whenever you wish to see them and at conferences. Three distinct areas are evaluated weekly: Academics, CARES, and missing assignments. Often the reports are used as reflection tools meaning you will see both your child’s writing and the teacher’s comments on the report depending on the approach each teacher has taken.
Many people, both parents and students, interpret the academic evaluations as grades with independent being the consistent goal and somehow the “highest.” This interpretation is a mistake because we are willfully crafting a culture of continuous improvement with your children. The natural result of this constant striving is the development of new skills from whatever place we find ourselves and our classes. Thus, developing as a report is the most desirable news a parent could hear. Under most circumstances you will observe able children moving back and forth across the categories as we develop new challenges for them, practice skill sets, and review principal concepts. Should you observe that your child is consistently being marked independent or needs assistance (3+ times makes a pattern), you should contact their advisor to develop a plan for more assistance or more challenging assignments.
By contrast, the social curriculum supports the development of personal competence, thoughtful autonomy, and an ability to balance social impulses (FUN) with serious purposeful activities. In other words, self-control, self-starting, and personal responsibility! So….here you will be seeking reports of independent on a consistent basis. This being middle school you will also find variations from week to week, but patterns will emerge that you should cause you to start asking questions of your learners and their advisors.
The missing assignments section’s purpose is simplicity itself; the development of good high school work habits. Several reasons exist as to why we are distributing homework and placing significant emphasis upon it. A supporting purpose of the homework lies in the idea of practicing, extending, and securing the taught concepts of that day. Because the newly introduced skills consistently build on the prior day’s materials and concepts, it is critical that students have a solid grasp on them. Homework aids in this process. Students can quickly fall behind when they do not revisit important concepts regularly. Often, in-class activities depend on the previous day’s work, including homework. Another reason students are given homework is to help them develop a strong internal work ethic. By holding themselves accountable to understanding the taught information and to finishing a given task with high quality outside of class, it will develop the work habits that lead to success in secondary school classrooms. Kurt, Kelly and Bailey
HUMANITIES: We are starting book clubs. Every student should have received a book and a partner or two. We will be starting the clubs in pairs or threesomes. The theme of the book club is social issues, especially around friendship. We will develop strategies for reading, discussing books and having overarching essential questions. The CARES focus here will be connection and empathy to the characters in the book and with one's reading partners. Kids should read 20 minutes a night!
I have also started an introduction to anthropology and archaeology. Students will learn the universal elements of cultures and develop a fictitious culture, create artifacts and have another groups "discover" the unknown culture by interpreting the artifacts found at the excavation site. This will involve tremendous group work and individuals being accountable for their roles and responsibilities. (Also the case in the book groups so not to let a reading partner down)
Hence, I am focusing on cooperation, responsibility and assertion in these next few weeks.
WRITING WORKSHOP ( Blue) Students are deep into their personal narrative piece of writing. We are revising it with new strategies weekly. I expect the piece will go through 4-5 drafts! While this piece of writing is the focus, students should still be writing 3 additional 15 minutes entries a week. The focus is on personal narratives still and practicing and playing with new strategies, However, I do not want to thwart any inspired ideas of the authors, so 2 of the entries must be personal narrative. Of course they can write more that 15 minutes and more than 3 entries!!!!
In this Friday Letter there is a hand out about a DROP IN AFTER SCHOOL program held at Mount Olive on Wednesdays after school. I am running the program and will be there offering home work assistance, leading service projects and opportunities, teaching yoga, cooking a community meal and supervising the music composition units with outside teachers. There will also be safe and comfortable "hang-out time" See the flyer and email me with questions. Bailey
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
Kelly: kkulsrud@smmusd.org
Bailey: baileyfield@mac.com
