JANUARY 29, 2010

Dear SMASHing Families,

Many thanks to Elaina, Dylan, and Todd for creating the 5 minute SMASH video that was screened at the Multicultural Pot Luck last night. Elaina applied her talents as a documentary filmmaker to weave together student and staff interviews and images of learning from all cores. Here are a few of the student quotes from the footage: “SMASH is so unique, I never want to leave.” “You choose your future here and go at your own rate.” “You must explain your strategy. Always explain your strategy with pictures, words, anything.” “Freedom with responsibility.” “SMASH is very special, you can learn stuff you haven’t learned before in life.” “I feel like the class is my family.”

It was a pleasure sharing delicious dishes, school reflections inspired by the SMASH film, and good family fun together.

Come join us for more family fun, or drop the kids off and have a date night, next Friday, February 5, 6:30-9:00 as we show “Night at the Museum” for Movie Fun Night. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend in the
meantime.

Jessica
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Free Movie for All
“Night at the Museum”
Friday, February 5, 6:30 - 9:00pm
Come as a Family - or for Parents who would like a night out,
Core 4 will provide childcare to school age kids for $10/child or $20/family.
Sign up in the SMASH office for childcare (310) 396-2640
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SMASH SCHOOL TOURS
MONDAYS 9:00-10:00am
February 1, 8 & 22 March 1, 8, 15 & 22
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Is your child going to start Kindergarten in September?
SMASH applications are due NO LATER THAN March 31.
Any sibling application for Kindergarten received after this date cannot be guaranteed a space.
Applications are available in the main office and online at www.smash.smmusd.org
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DEADLINE FOR JOG-A-THON T-SHIRT SPONSORS IS FEBRUARY 5
Sponsors make it possible for all students and teachers to take home a Jog-a-thon t-shirt.
Fill out the form in today’s letter and drop off in the SMASH office
(cash or check payable to SMASH PTSA).
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WEDNESDAY BAKE SALES - Healthy Treats & Fun Items Sales start at 2:30 pm (Muir dismissal)
CORE 1 February 10
CORE 2 February 3
CORE 3 February 24
CORE 4 February 17
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Tues, Feb 2 - 6:30-9:00pm - SMASH/Muir Auditorium - City Community Workshop - Ocean Park Blvd redesign
Fri, Feb 5 - Last day for SMASH Jog-a-thon Sponsors
Fri, Feb 5 - 6:30-9:00 pm - SMASH Auditorium - MOVIE FUN NIGHT!
Tue, Feb 9 - 6:30 - Winter Concert
Wed, Feb 10 - 6:30-8:00 pm - PTSA Mtg
Mon, Feb 15 - Presidents’ Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Wed, Feb 17 - 8:45am - Auditorium - Yosemite Assembly
Sun, Feb 21 - 3:00-6:00 pm - Cores 2 & 3 Art Gallery opens at the ReDiscover Center
Wed, Feb 24 - 5:00-6:00 pm - Site Council Mtg-Center for Nonviolent Education & Parenting Presentation
Fri, Mar 5 - SMASH Jog-a-thon
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Congratulations to Isabelle and Joe Alter (and big sister, Jessica) on the birth of their daughter, Emily
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City of Santa Monica Community Workshop
Ocean Park Boulevard (between Lincoln Blvd and Neilson Way
Tuesday, February 2 6:30-9:00pm John Muir/ SMASH Cafeteria
Join the City of Santa Monica for a Community Workshop to view the final concept design for the Ocean Park Blvd.
streetscape project. See how your input has come together to create a sustainable “Complete Green Street” model. At
this workshop the city will present the final concept design and solicit comments to shape subsequent phases of implementation; Review the approval process, and preview the project timeline; Answer questions about opportunities to stay involved. Please RSVP to ensure accurate refreshment count. Peter.james@smgov.net
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Santa Monica High School Theatre Presents:
The Tony Award Winning Musical "RENT"
Five Shows in Barnum Hall: Students $10 Adults $15
Friday 2/19 at 7:00pm; Saturday 2/20 at 7:00pm
Friday 2/26 at 7:00pm; Saturday 2/27 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Tickets:Samohitheatre.org 310 395-3204 Ext. 239
Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer-prize winning Broadway show may have been based on Puccini's opera La Bohème, but it's
as current as today's headlines. This no-holds-barred rock musical is a production you'll remember forever. Powerfully
moving. Joyously creative. Controversial. Courageous. Inspiring. Order your tickets now for the Santa Monica High
School Theatrical event of the year: RENT. No day but today. *Come see former SMASH student, Olivia Mugalian!
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THE AMAZING BONE
A Children’s Musical
Starring SMASH students Sadie Saltzman, Gabriel Schier and Zelda Saltzman
Directed by our own Kristy Pace and featuring set artwork by our Ingrid Herrador
The imagination is a funny thing in this musical adventure
based on the popular children’s book by William Steig
For ages 4 to 104. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am, January 30 - February 14 3 weekends only!
Morgan-Wixson Theater, 2627 Pico Blvd. Tickets: $6 for ages 12 and under; $8 for ages 13 and over.
For information and reservations go to www.PigAndBone.com.
Don’t miss this musical pig tale about friendship, imagination and funny hats!
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Ptsa news
Contribute to the family donation drive: ptsasmash.blogspot.com
*****
Save the Date
MOVIE NIGHT: 2/5/10
*****
Save the Date
JOGATHON: 3/5/10
*****
Save the Date
PTSA meeting: 2/10/10 6:30PM.
*****
WANTED
Board members and committee chairs for 2010/2011
Almost all board positions and many committee chairs are up for grabs.

Consider becoming an active member of the PTSA.
Contact your nominating committee:
Faye Jarow (fjarow@intelhc.com), April Motola (apnomo@earthlink.net) or
Tracy Saltzman (rhubarb1@earthlink.net)
*****
Thanks so much for a terrific Diversity Night!
*****
It’s here!!! It’s in the office!!!
SMASH Family Business and Talent Resource Directory
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Only 5 more weeks until the SMASHing
Jog-a-thon 2010

Volunteer! We still need volunteers to help with refreshments, lap
counting, etc. on the day of the event.

Sponsor! This is the last week for t-shirt sponsors (deadline is 2/5).
T-shirt sponsors make it possible for all students and teachers to take
home a Jog-a-thon t-shirt. Fill out the form below and drop off in the
office (cash or check payable to SMASH PTSA).

Save the date! Jog-a-thon ‘10 happens Friday, March 5th.
Come run with your child and/or cheer on the rest of the runners.

For questions or to volunteer:
Lillie Schlessinger (213)742-3394 lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com
Darlene Flanders (310)314-8716 darlene@quixo.com

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Sponsorship: Corporate ___$250 ___$200 ___$150
SMASHing ___$100 ___$50 ___$25

Name (as you would like it to appear on the t-shirt):________________________

Child’s name (so we know who you are!):________________________________

Size preference for complimentary t-shirt: ___XXL ___XL ___L ___M ___S (All sizes are adult sizes
since all students will already receive a complimentary t-shirt. If you specifically want your complimentary
t-shirt to be a child’s size, please note this.)


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CORE 1 NEWS
What’s Blooming in Core 1?

Have you noticed how beautiful the gardens are in the Small Yard? Thank you to Deb (Keira’s mom) for all your hard work and donations to make this happen. The children loved participating, and are eager to check to see what is growing and blooming on a daily basis! They love taking care of their very own garden.

Congratulations to Jessica, Joe, and Isabelle Alter for the new addition to their family. Their baby girl, Emily, was born this week.

Field Trip Reminder: Core 1 will be traveling to the Morgan-Wixson Theater on February 3 to see The Amazing Bone (the book is written by William Steig). The show is directed by our drama teacher, Kristy, and stars 3 SMASHing students. We will leave school around 10:00 and get back around 1:30.We will be traveling by Big Blue Bus and walking a few blocks, so the children need plenty of food (snack and lunch in one bag), water, and comfortable shoes. Your child must return a signed permission slip (included in last week’s Friday Folder) in order to attend. Suggested donation (to cover bus and theater ticket) is $10. We have received lots of permission slips, but less donations. Thank you so much for your support.

Birthday Bash Time Change: The Birthday Bash for January & February Babies has been moved to 12:30pm. It will still be on February 5. If you have a child participating, please bring in a healthy snack to share with 46 children on that day. There is a sign-up, and a child-created suggested list of snacks, in the Magic Garden.

GRAMMY® Children's Music Celebration On Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 12:00pm the GRAMMY Museum is pleased to announce the second annual GRAMMY Children's Music Celebration featuring the music of the 2009 GRAMMY Award nominees in the Children's Fields! The program will feature exciting musical performances as well as spirited passages from the nominees in the Children's Spoken Word field. This event is part of the Museum's monthly "Musical Explorations" series and is open to the public! Tickets are $10 and include admission to the Museum. To reserve your seat or for more information, please email family@grammymuseum.org. Greg and Steve will be there. You know their music from our Morning Meetings: Good Morning, The Months of the Year, and The Number Rock!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org



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CORE 2 NEWS

Dear Fantastic Core 2 Families and Friends,

It was another rainy week in Santa Monica. Fortunately, the rain did not interfere with our field trip plans. Core 2 enjoyed our walk to SAMOHI’s Barnum Hall to listen to the New West Symphony. Students learned about Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern periods.

Carrie, our amazing reading specialist, worked on literacy in Core 2. Students found 3 ways to sort words with the long and short a sounds. Students enjoyed the Word Study time and can’t wait to work with Carrie again. In Writers Workshop, students pasted flaps to their revised drafts. The flaps allow them to add information or voice to their stories without having to re-write it.

In Math, 2nd graders worked to solve problems involving the addition of money. One math group is curious to find the total value of the coins we have in the classroom. The 3rd graders were challenged to show ways to share 7 brownies with 4 people and explain their thinking.

In Art with Julianna, students collected and examined flowers with a magnifying glass. They noticed that land plants have reproductive parts that ocean plants do not. They drew shapes and recorded words to describe the flowers. Majken began her first of four science investigations. How many drops of water can a penny hold? Ask your child what he/she discovered. In Geography, students began a map of Who Stole My Sack of Potatoes? For homework that is attached, students will need to write their address and other important information. This information should be committed to memory. The homework is due by Wednesday,February 3.

On Friday, February 12, we will celebrate Core 2 Friendship Day. We will pass out cards or valentines before leaving for our field trip. We encourage students to make valentines for their own advisory group. On February 1 we will send home a list of the new advisory groups.

Each student needs to bring a 4x6 photograph of themselves and a person they love. The photographs will be cut for an art project with Avery’s Mary. Please bring it in as soon as possible.

We are running low on our supply of band-aids. Please consider donating some to our core.

Our next Stars of the Week presentation will be on Wednesday, February 3 beginning around 9:00. The Stars will be: Asher and Ava. Our community snack will be provided by the Stars of the Week.

On Monday, February 1 at 8:15 we will post the new advisory groups outside the Core 2 doors. This change gives us the opportunity to form new friendships and partnerships. We have the chance to work with people we may not have worked with before.

Dates to remember:
Monday, February 1-New advisory groups will be posted at 8:15 am
Friday, February 12 – Core 2 Friendship Day bring cards or valentines
Friday, February 12 -field trip to The Amazing Bone at the Morgan -Wixson Theater more info later
Have a great weekend!
Laura & Graciela
lsherman@smmusd.org
gbarba-castro@smmusd.org

Please read the following letter from Nurse Sandy regarding the chicken pox

CHICKPOX NOTICE

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of SMASH CORE 2 STUDENTS,

This letter is to inform you of the presence of CHICKENPOX in your child’s classroom. (S)he may have been exposed. Your cooperation is needed to prevent the spread of this communicable disease. The incubation period is 14-21 days. Please observe your child closely. Notify your school nurse and primary health provider immediately is you notice any symptoms of CHICKENPOX.

The first sign of uncomplicated CHICKPOX is usually a rash of itchy, pimple-like blisters, which later break and develop scabs. New crops of blisters appear for several days. Symptoms may appear before the rash breaks out: moderate fever, headache, not feeling well, or sore throat. The virus is communicable from a few days before symptoms appear until all scabs are dry (crusty).

If your child should get CHICKENPOX, (s)he will be excluded from school until all lesions are DRY/CRUSTED (usually a minimum of five (5) days, or until fully recovered. During this time the child should e kept isolated and not allowed to come in contact with others, especially AT RISK INDIVIDUALS (see Medical Warnings below).

MEDICAL WARNINGS
CHICKENPOX can be dangerous and a physician should be consulted IMMEDIATELY if any of the following AT RISK INDIVIDUALS are exposed in your home or elsewhere:
· Anyone who cannot fight off infections or whose immune system is considered to be weak or ineffective
· Adults who have not had CHICKENPOX, especially if pregnant
· Persons on certain drugs for the treatment of leukemia, asthma, or organ transplant

REYES SYNDROME ALERT
Research has shown an association between the development of Reye’s Syndrome and the use of aspirin for treating the symptoms of flu-like illnesses, CHICKENPOX, and colds. Medical personnel recommend aspirin and combination products containing aspirin NOT be given to children 18 years of age and under during these illnesses. Acetaminophen may be used.

Contact your physician IMMEDIATELY or take your child to the local emergency room if any of these symptoms occur:
· Continuous vomiting
· Personality change with slurred speech
· Inability to identify others
· Convulsions
· Unconsciousness

Sincerely,
Sandra Cano, RN, MN
School Nurse

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CORE 3 NEWS

The Arts are important to SMASH, which is why we invest time and money into our SMASHing Arts Program and Field Trips that help develop the students understanding, appreciation, and creation of various visual and performing arts. The Core 3 Team looks for Field Trip opportunities that support visual and performing arts, as well as ways to honor our student artists, performers, and musicians!

We have a few sessions left with our Visual Artist, Julianna. In our Art of Ecology unit, we have explored environmental/ repurposed-material artists Brian Jungen, Andy Goldsworthy, and Karl Blossfeldt to learn about organic shapes, kelp forest plants and animals, leaf classification, cells structures, and positive and negative space. As part of our grant
in partnership with the reDiscover center, we used recycled materials to create our art works. All of our work, along with work from Core 2, will be a part of an installation at our very own SMASHing Gallery Opening at the reDiscover Center on Sunday, February 21 from 3 – 6 pm. We look forward to sharing this special event with SMASh families and friends. Save the date!

Music: On Tuesday, Core 3 attended the New West Symphony Orchestra concert at SaMoHi's Barnum Hall, with Mozart as a special guest! They shared music from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. They also showcased a 16-year-old violinist who started practicing 30 minutes a day when he was young (hint, hint) and now practices 3 hours (!) a day. He told the kids he hopes to become a professional musician—he loves playing with different
orchestras around the world and playing baseball. We wonder if his story and performance inspired any of our budding musicians? Next month, we’re going to a concert at the Disney Concert Hall to hear the LA Philharmonic on February 23, with Beethoven as the featured composer. Through their program, we’ll also have an in-class lesson from
a visiting docent next week to prepare for the trip. Along with all these music performances, a record number of our 5th grade musicians auditioned for the district Honors Band/Orchestra/Choir and, along with our middle school musicians, will be a part of the Stairway of the Stars concert March 25 and 26 at 7pm. Save the date!

Drama/Dance: There’s a new performing arts venue in Santa Monica, The Broad Theater, and we are fortunate to be able to see the puppeteer master, Basil Twist, and his performance of the Stravinsky ballet, Petrushka. Check out our website (smash website, core 3, genie) to read a New York Times review of the show, where it was first performed at Lincoln Center. The ballet provides lots for us to talk about: from the artistry of creating/performing puppetry to the
ballet’s love triangle to the twin sisters who play the piano duet! Please fill out and return the permission slip (attached) by Wednesday, February 3. We have room for 8 chaperones. We will take the Big Blue Bus—we are asking for a $1.50 donation to cover each student’s bus fare-but extra is welcome. Check out The Amazing Bone at the Morgan-Wixson Theater, featuring 3 SMASHites, Sadie & Zelda Saltzman, and Gabrile Schier and SaMoHi’s production of RENT, featuring SMASH Alum Zac Geoffrey and Olivia Mugalian! (Date/Time details attached!)

Visual Arts: We looked at skateboarding in a whole new way after our visit to the California Heritage Museum to see the history of skateboarding exhibit and watching excerpts from the documentary “Dogtown and Z-Boys” last month. There is artistry in everything from the shape and design of the boards to the Zepher team’s signature surf-style. We’ve booked trips to the Skirball Cultural Center to participate in an Architecture program in March and to the Getty Villa in June. We know you’ll want to save those dates!

Thank you for your arts patronage, chaperoning, and support! Core 3 is a great age to explore different areas of the arts, so each child can think about what in this world they are interested in doing now and in the future!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO UPLOAD ANY CORE 3 PHOTOS TO OUR SHUTTERFLY ACCOUNT. It will make it easier for our yearbook committee and ensure that there are enough photos of our students. Go to Shutterfly: the login is geniesmash@gmail.com and the password is smash. THANKS!

Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
tmugalian@smmusd.org
ghwang@smmusd.org
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CORE 4 NEWS

REMINDER: SMASH Core 4 students WILL ATTEND SCHOOL on Monday, February 1.
This is a contract day for secondary school teachers (John Adams and Lincoln will be pupil free).
SMASH had their pupil free contract day on November 18.


Accelerated Learning Group
Rationale for the Program, Methods, and Pathways to Entry

This enrichment class within a science class will provide valuable learning opportunities to those students who have mastered basic academic work skills, consistently focus on quality learning adventures, and are ready to use their focus and skills in pursuit of learning adventures. In essence, this group will be composed of the students who consistently practice “freedom with responsibility” as evidenced by high quality timely turn- ins, an ability to read for learning, reasonable computation skills, excellent self-control, and proactive challenge seeking. People in this position have long been assigned duties as class tutors, team leaders, or teacher’s helper. These roles are valuable and will continue, to a limited degree, but are not the best possible pathway to realizing more academic achievement for every individual. Instead, this group will investigate and act on challenging real world problems like helping to establish marine protected areas, educating younger children about global climate change, or establishing a service project that benefits our community.

Methods and Goals
We will be using local organizations, communities and natural places as our context for learning. Methods will include service learning, structured web quests, online courses from SAMOHI or The UC system, and independent interest based research papers. Learning activities will feature quantitative and qualitative exercises that have been drawn from and aligned with the 8th and 9th grade science learning standards. When a student finishes early on any given day, Quickfire Challenges will always be available to take your child deeper into significant and fun topics in philosophy or science. Finally we will spend some time learning how to take traditional style tests. Think real world word problems from the ISEE, high school exit exam, or other high
stakes tests and you’ll have something of a picture of this part of the program. However, these problems will be based in their world and experience. Each child will use technology to extend their reach out of the classroom and will document their activities with a digital portfolio. Most of this will be accomplished during the scheduled classes as students complete already assigned learning activities; however, I will be holding lunchtime seminars as needed and this is also going to be the place for the much loved “alternative assignments.”

Pathways to Entry or How Does this Look, Sound, and Feel
Entry to program is open to any student willing to work hard, fast, and to their highest personal standard. It will look like a student finishing a learning task during a regular class, presenting high quality work, and having something personalized and exciting to do next. It will sound like a child responding with wonderment and awe as they look at Saturn’s rings on NASA’s image gallery. It will feel like a headlong rush into the next fun project. A parent will know that each student has an opportunity to be fully engaged, enthused about learning, and challenged.
Email me at: kholland@smmusd.org if you have questions.

Enjoy the weekend
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
Kelly: kkulsrud@smmusd.org
Bailey: baileyfield@mac.com