FEBRUARY 19, 2010

Dear SMASHing Families,
Come see the Core 2 and Core 3 Art Exhibit: The Art of Ecology
This Sunday, February 21 from 3:00 to 6:00pm at
reDiscover Center
12958 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles
(approx 1/2 mile east of Costco)
The Art of Ecology…an interdisciplinary partnership between the SMASHing Arts Program and the reDiscover Center combining science, language arts and visual arts to compare marine and terrestrial plants.

Core 2 and Core 3 students engaged in dynamic exploration of relationships between elements of art, principles of design and the natural environment. Investigations introduced the world of plants and the role they play in shaping environments. Phases of inquiry included plant review, classification, examination of plant structure, environmental context and adaptation. On view, a retrospective of Core 2 and Core 3 student work featuring renderings of the plant world.
Hope to see you there,
Jessica
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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.
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SMASH SCHOOL TOURS
MONDAYS 9:00-10:00am
February 22 March 1, 8, 15 & 22
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CORRECTION
CONGRATULATIONS TO EMILY LEWIS, DESIGNER OF OUR 2010 JOG-A-THON T-SHIRT!

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SMASH Site Council Agenda
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 5:00 PM Core 2
Adopt Agenda
Approve minutes of last meeting
Community participation
Nonviolent Education and Parenting presentation, 45 minutes
Reports and Announcements (regular agenda items)
Principal’s Report
Student Reports
Community Organization Reports (to include but not limited to the following):
PTSA
Student Council
Other : 8th grade Safe Routes to Schools
Old Business
New Business
Community participation (if applicable)
Adjourn
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DONATIONS FOR HAITI
Dear SMASHing families,
Please donate for Haiti. These 10 items are what we are collecting:
25 or 50 pound bag of rice (Costco or Smart and Final)
Dry Beans
Milk Powder
Liquid Formula
Peanut Butter (in plastic jars)
Dried Meat
Spaghetti
Cooking Oil
Bleach Tablets
Multivitamins
There will be a box in the main office. Please drop off your donations by Wed, February 24.
Thank You,
Core 2 Hope for Haiti Project Group Written by Max Canny and Ava Wasson
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ptsa news
Dear SMASH community,
As many of you know, due to statewide budget cuts, SMMUSD will be about $10 million short this school year, and about $14 million in the next three years. Clearly such budget cuts will have a severe impact on our schools and our children. The Board of Education has authorized an emergency school funding measure (the “parcel tax”) that will be placed before voters on May 26, 2010 (mail-in ballot). At last week’s meeting, the SMASH PTSA unanimously passed a resolution to support this measure. The PTA Council (comprised of PTSA officers throughout the district) has asked all schools in the district to support the school funding measure campaign. Your PTSA has voted unanimously to support this campaign with a financial contribution in the maximum amount permissible by PTA bylaws. Yet the support must be twofold. The campaign will need volunteers. Please look for future information from SMASH PTSA, and/or go to the PTA Council’s website (http://smmpta.org/index.html) for more information. If there ever was a time to be active it is now! It is time to help protect our schools!
Thank you!
Helga Schier and David Saltzman,
CO-Presidents, SMASH PTSA
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Desperately Seeking
PTSA Board members and committee chairs for 2010/2011
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)

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SAVE THE DATE
JOGATHON: 3/5/10

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Next PTSA MEETING
Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 8:30AM

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Contribute to our FAMILY DONATION DRIVE: ptsasmash.blogspot.com

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THE JOG-A-THON NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!
Are you handy with a paper cup, spray bottle or rubber band? If so, the Jog-a-thon needs you! We need parent volunteers to help hand out refreshments, count laps and cheer on our SMASH athletes.
Contact Lillie Schlessinger at lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com
or 310-392-9446 to volunteer.
You can volunteer or just come and cheer!
ONLY 2 MORE WEEKS UNTIL THE JOG-A-THON
FRIDAY, MARCH 5TH

GO GET THOSE PLEDGES!
Ask your neighbors, call family and friends, pledge your whole Core (penny a lap anyone?), email those faraway relatives. Is your teacher or parent running? They can get pledges too! We have extra pledge packets in the office.
Pledge Packets are due Thursday, March 4th



MARCH 2010 LUNCH MENU
MONDAY , 3/1 CHICKEN PATTY ON WHOLE GRAIN BUN w/BAKED POTATO SMILES; FRUIT STRIP
TUESDAY, 3/2 SALAD BAR w/ZOO CREW CHICKEN NUGGETS; ABC CHEEZ ITS
WEDNESDAY, 3/3 FRENCH TOAST STICKS w/SAUSAGE PATTY; HASH BROWN;100%FRUIT JUICE
THURSDAY, 3/4 SALAD BAR w/CORN DOG;SUN CHIPS
FRIDAY, 3/5 THIN CRUST CHEESE OR PEPPERONI PIZZA w/FRESH GREEN SALAD; FRUIT

MONDAY 3/8 ALL BEEF HOT DOG ON WHOLE WHEAT BUN w/SEASONED BAKED POTATO WEDGES; BAKED VEGGIE BEANS; FRESH SEASONAL FRUIT
TUESDAY, 3/9 SALAD BAR w/SENOR FELIX BEAN &CHEESE BURRITO; STAR COOKIE
WEDNESDAY, 3/10 LOCO ROASTED CHICKEN; FRESH SALAD CUP; FLOUR TORTILLA; SALSA; FRUIT
THURSDAY, 3/11 SALAD BAR w/HONEY BBQ RIB B QUE SANDWICH ON WHOLE GRAIN BUN
FRIDAY, 3/12 CLASSIC WEDGE CHEESE OR PEPPERONI PIZZA w/CELERY STICKS & RANCH DRESSING; 100% FRUIT ICEE

MONDAY, 3/15 MESQUITE GRILLED BURGER ON WHOLE GRAIN BUN w/BAKED TATER TOTS; FRUIT
TUESDAY, 3/16 SALADBAR w/CHEESY GARLIC FLATBREAD
WEDNESDAY, 3/17 CHICKEN NUGGETS w/BAKED POTATO STARS; COOKIE; FRESH FRUIT
THURSDAY, 3/18 SALAD BAR w/TACO BAR; CINNAMON CHURRO
FRIDAY, 3/19 SLICE OF CHEESE OR PEPPERONI PIZZA w/3 WAY SALAD; FRUIT

MONDAY 3/22 BAKED CHICKEN w/CORN ON THE COB; BAKED VEGGIE BEANS; WHOLE WHEAT ROLL; FRUIT
TUESDAY, 3/23 SALAD BAR w/GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH; SUN CHIPS
WEDNESDAY, 3/24 ORANGE CHICKEN w/CHOW MEIN; STEAMED BROCCOLI; FORTUNE COOKIE; FRESH APPLE
THURSDAY, 3/25 BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS w/BAKED POTATO ROUNDABOUTS; 100% FRUIT STRIP
FRIDAY, 3/26 SICILIAN STYLE CHEESE OR PEPPERONI PIZZA w/FRESH BABY CARROTS; 100% FRUIT ICEE JUICEE

SECOND CHOICE VEGETARIAN MENU:
3/1-3/5 - Cheese Sticks w/Marinara Sauce
3/8-3/12 - Toasted Cheese Sandwich
3/15-3/19 - Bean Burrito
3/22-3/26 - Quesadilla
Students may choose the featured hot lunch, or salad bar, or the Vegetarian option.

BREAKFAST MENU
MONDAYS Waffle Sticks w/Sausage Patty; Applesauce
TUESDAYS Breakfast Burrito
WEDNESDAY Cheese Pizza Bagel; 4 oz Juice
THURSDAYS Biscuit w/sausage patty; Fruit
FRIDAYS Breakfast Rolls; Fruit


CORE 1 NEWS

Josh: “I hate hearing people argue. It makes me feel tingly inside and I feel sad.”

During the past 2 weeks, the Core 1 community has been focusing on our friendships, and looking carefully at how our actions can affect others. We have been looking more closely at our Core 1 CARES and what they look like in the classroom and on the playground. What does it mean to keep your hands, feet, and body to yourself? Touching gently and giving hugs are okay, they decided, but not kicking or dog pile or kissing. icky had the idea of carrying a copy of our rules in our pockets, and some of us have been trying this strategy a lot.

SAVE THE DATE: On Wednesday, February 24, family, friends, and the other SMASH Cores are elcome to visit our classroom to experience our child-created set, read our picture book (starring Core 1 cracters!), and see a video of our process in Core 1. Our Arts share will happen in three rotations, running approximately 30 minutes, starting around 9:20am.

We will also be selling DVDs and copies of the book we created around our experience for you to enjoy. (If you can’t make the share, this is also a great way to see what your child has been experiencing.) Extra order forms will go out in the 2/26 Friday Letter. Proceeds will go to support our upcoming SMASH Visual Arts Program.

Thank you to Elizabeth, Ricky’s mom, for arranging an awesome field trip to Fire Station 2 on Hollister Ave. Thank you to all of the parents who chaperoned this trip. It was fun to see and experience a real fire station, and then enjoy a beautiful day at the park. Please look at our blog www.smash.smmusd.org (click Core 1, then NEWS) to see photos and read reflections.

Wishlist: Core 1 is collecting CLEAN used/new socks. We will use the socks as erasers for our student white boards. The children often use these white boards during workshop to practice their reading/writing/ math while saving paper.

HAVE A FABULOUS 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,

Invite your family and friends to join us on Sunday, February 21 from 3 to 6 for our exhibit titled the Art of Ecology at reDiscover Center located at 12958 W. Washington Blvd. in Culver City. Please share the postcards with your family and friends.

Last week, we launched our units of study in reading and writing. We spent the week immersing ourselves in non-fiction works. This week, we discovered our non-fiction reading interests and prepared to form groups with other students who share similar interests. We brainstormed topics of expertise in preparation for writing a book to teach others about the subject.

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, we are inviting children to bring their favorite Dr. Seuss book from home. We will have a temporary book basket collection. The children will take their books home at the end of two weeks. Be sure that your name is in the book.

In Math, 2nd graders continued to challenge themselves to write incredible equations. Some equations show incredible number sense, they have several operations, numbers in the thousands, and evidence of decomposing numbers. The 3rd graders continued their work on fractions and figuring sums of equal shares. There were as many approaches as there were mathematicians.

Core 2 students are exploring new hair-dos. French braids and double braids have become very popular. Some students are interested in learning how to braid their own hair. We think this would be a great project to work on at home and to celebrate at school. Speaking of hair, head lice have continued to find their way to Core 2. We would like to request that families please check their children for lice, and let us know if you find it. They grow in a two-week cycle, so it is important to continue to check even after it was been treated.

Next week’s Stars of the Week are Clara and Malia.

Dates to remember:
Sunday, February 21 - the Art of Ecology, 3-6pm at reDiscover
Friday, February 26 - Birthday Bash for January, February and March

Have a great weekend!
Laura & Graciela
lsherman@smmusd.org
gbarba-castro@smmusd.org

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CORE 3 NEWS

Hans Christian Anderson said, "Where words fail, music speaks."

Music has provided people with another avenue to express their thoughts and feelings throughout history. It's considered one of the 'high art' forms, and yet the appeal of music is universal. As Core 3 learned last year, creativity is part of the self-actualization step in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Numerous studies show that listening to music and, especially, learning a musical instrument enhances learning potential in all areas.

Our District Music Program is nationally recognized and has been a crown in the jewel of this district for many, many years (This year marks the 61st annual Stairway-of-the-Stars concert!). We proudly offer instrumental music / choir instruction for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, plus the opportunity for our kids to stay for middle school music and continue their music education or audition and travel to JAMS for advanced middle-school music. Many districts offer a pull-out music program at the elementary level. Unfortunately, those programs continue the divide between the “haves” and the “have-nots” because renting an instrument and hiring a private teacher can be costly. Waiting to begin music in Middle-School is a difficult time to decide to start something new and potentially difficult. Our amazing music program enables students to learn the valuable habits of CARES--practicing a skill, self-discipline, persistence, and learning the responsibility of being an integral part of a group, as well as providing them with an opportunity to assert themselves to try out for the district-wide honors band, orchestra and choir. Those students who 'make-it' get the big band/orchestra/choir experience of a lifetime! The number of students from SMASH who have been a part of the Stairway- of-the-Stars concert has increased each year since 2003 (since the institution of music instruction for all 4th / 5thgraders). The Stairway-of-the-Stars concert is March 25 and 26 at 7pm at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Save the date!

To further enhance the students’ musical education, the district also provides the free New West Symphony concert each year, so the students can hear a professional orchestra. This year they focused their program on some of the Western Classical Periods of Music—Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern and introduced the students to Mozart! Other years, we’ve enjoyed a free Santa Monica Symphony concert for students.

Next week, 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--Please read, sign, and return the attached forms about this exciting field trip by Monday, February 22. A docent came to share a bit about Beethoven, the Disney Concert Hall, Frank Gehry, and the musicians and conductors of the LA Phil. In April, we will be going to Royce Hall at UCLA to see the UCLA Philharmonia, the student orchestra, for a concert featuring the work of Rachmaninoff.

We plan to continue to feed interested students with musical instruction and exploration outside of the classical realm within Projects with parents like Hillary Rollins sharing her knowledge of lyric writing, Steve Mugalian exploring percussion, and Jared Barkan teaching introduction to guitar. If you have a musical interest you’d like to explore with the kids, please let us know. And while we sure do miss singing with Dian, we are looking forward to working with her to prepare for the much-missed SMASHing Talent Show this spring!

Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to be part of our Projects times—please see Tamara or Genie if you have a hobby, passion, interest, or career you’d like to share with the kids on any upcoming Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11:30 – 12:30. See our email for more details.

Discuss the ways music is a part of your lives outside of school!

Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
tmugalian@smmusd.org;
ghwang@smmusd.org

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CORE 4 NEWS

Friends, Grandparents, Parent Partners and Others,

In science class we are deeply immersed in the messy business of the Student Interest Based Inquiry investigation (SIBI). The room is filled with writers drafting, super scientists practicing demonstrations of physical principles, and others sorting through data, or preparing presentation boards. A lot is happening here and that is just as it should be! Other then typing up info at home, please let me and my army of class coaches, tutors, and high school students be the ones to help them. Inquiry science is an art form weaving discipline, art and hard work together. Please drop around if you would like to see the mess as we make progress toward effective habits of mind and science competency.

While understanding the difficult economy, we need to make changes to our financing system for Core 4 trips. We will continue to take everyone who wishes to go despite individual financial circumstances. In the interest of honoring this tradition and making our contracts with the trip organizations secure, we are moving payment due dates up into the preceding school year. This should create a very easy process for everyone who knows that they will be attending SMASH in the next year. Latecomers will still be able to be accommodated as we will generate flexibility amongst our venders by making their lives very easy with stable numbers and upfront payments. Lastly, this will increase the available scholarship pool by making our recipients easier to discern and thus manageable. Let me know if you have questions or advice and look for payment deadlines and more information just after spring break.

Thank you for sharing these young stars with us. They outshine the night sky!

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
We have set up times for Planned Parenthood come to speak with our 8th grade students during their science class. These visits will be on March 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 25. There will be a parent meeting on Wed, March 3 at 6:00pm.
This session is for parents of 8th grade students, but all middle school parents are welcome to attend. We will be scheduling Planned Parenthood information meetings for 6th and 7th grade students at a later date.

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

DATES TO REMEMBER
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
Wed, Mar 3 - 8:45am - Auditorium - Yosemite Assembly - NEW DATE
Fri, Mar 5 - SMASH JOG-A-THON
Wed, Mar 10 - PTSA Mtg, 8:30 am
Mon, Mar 29 - Fri, Apr 9 - SPRING BREAK—SCHOOL CLOSED

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WEDNESDAY BAKE SALES - Healthy Treats & Fun Items Sales start at 2:30 pm (Muir dismissal)
CORE 1 March 10
CORE 2 March 3
CORE 3 February 24
CORE 4 February 17