SMASH Student Council Presents:
WEAR YOUR PAJAMAS DAY
MONDAY, MARCH 1
Help celebrate Dr. Seuss Day and our love of books are reading!
Wear your PJs and bring a favorite book to read.
Please made sure to wear shoes appropriate for school and PE—no slippers!
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SMASH JOG-A-THON
FRIDAY, MARCH 5
PLEDGE PACKETS DUE BY THURSDAY, MARCH 4
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Dear SMASHing Families,
For those who were unable to attend Wednesday night, here are a few highlights from the Site Council presentation by the Nonviolent Education and Parenting Association (NAEP).
Who do we want our children to be? Adjectives shared at SMASH Site Council:
Ecologically sane, empathetic, kind, fun, compassionate, socially conscious…
We model as teachers and parents. “The children will become the kind of human they have experienced.” Ashley Montegue
For those who were unable to attend Wednesday night, here are a few highlights from the Site Council presentation by the Nonviolent Education and Parenting Association (NAEP).
Who do we want our children to be? Adjectives shared at SMASH Site Council:
Ecologically sane, empathetic, kind, fun, compassionate, socially conscious…
We model as teachers and parents. “The children will become the kind of human they have experienced.” Ashley Montegue
SMASH is part of a paradigm shift, changing societal ways of thinking about children. As Marshal
Rosenberg challenges us to do, “Treat children with dignity and respect.”
How many of us have witnessed or experienced ourselves the traditional societal ways of thinking about children that includes controlling behavior through fear or where the goal is obedience? “Do as I say not as I do.” “Children should be seen and not heard.” “Because I said so.”
As a community, we are committed to more progressive ways of thinking about children that includes strong relationships and connection. We look beyond the behavior to try and figure out what needs children are expressing.
Morning Meeting rituals, Magic Circle, Counseling Groups, Talking through conflicts with peers and SMASH adults, these are part of the overall effort to build Emotional Intelligence—where children recognize and articulate feelings in themselves and other people. Anger is an expression of unmet needs for: understanding, safety, or cooperation. As a community, we work to reframe anger and meet the underlying needs so children feel rested, happy, secure, understood, and connected to others.
NAEP recognizes that intention is important but not enough. It takes much adult training and practice to change the default reactions we’ve known and used for decades so that we can truly guide children to deep Emotional Intelligence. SMASH Site Council is considering offering a parent-staff training for 2010-2011. If the above ideas sound interesting to you and you would consider participating in this training, please email jrishe@smmusd.org so that we can gauge community interest.
Truly Yours,
Jessica
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NOTE from NURSE SANDY
NEEDED: Sandwich or snack size zip-top plastic bags
Your children use lots of ice for bumps, bruises and general ailments! Thanks!
NEEDED: Sandwich or snack size zip-top plastic bags
Your children use lots of ice for bumps, bruises and general ailments! Thanks!
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SANTA MONICA COLLEGE and SMMUSD Present
Matthew’s Legacy: The Struggle for Equality and Acceptance,
featuring Judy ShepardSANTA MONICA COLLEGE and SMMUSD Present
Matthew’s Legacy: The Struggle for Equality and Acceptance,
Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica
Monday, May 17 7:00 - 9:00pm
Join Facing History and Ourselves and the Allstate Foundation for a Community conversation with activist and author,Judy Shepard. In 1998, Shepard lost her son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Turning tragedy into a crusade for justice, and determined to prevent Matthew’s fate from befalling others, she established The Matthew Shepard Foundation. Shepard is the author of the New York Times best-selling book, The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed, a moving, intimate look at how her life, and the entire fight for equal rights, changed when her son was killed.
As part of the national series of Community Conversations this event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required , as seating is limited.
Presented in partnership with Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Santa Monica College and South Bay Human Relations Council.
To RSVP to this free event, please visit www.facinghistory.org/allstate
or call 213-202-2811
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SMASH SCHOOL TOURS
MONDAYS 9:00-10:00am March 1, 8, 15 & 22
Deadline for K applications is March 31
***********************************************SMASH SCHOOL TOURS
MONDAYS 9:00-10:00am March 1, 8, 15 & 22
Deadline for K applications is March 31
Free - Purim Carnivals - Saturday, February 28
11:30am-2:30pm - The Santa Monica Synagogue, 1448 18th St., 310.453.4276
3pm - The Shul on the Beach (Pacific Jewish Center)
505 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, 310.392.8749
The Jewish holiday Purim, commemorating the rescue of the Persian Jews from genocide, is an irreverent festival much beloved of kids, who get to dress up in costumes and enjoy goodies. Both of these Purim Carnivals promise games, music, crafts, and refreshments.
The SMASH Jog-a-thon is next
Friday, March 5th!
Only one more week to get pledges!
Pledge packets are due Thursday, March 4th.
The Jog-a-thon schedule is as follows:
9:00 – 9:35 Core 1 (Candis) and Core 3 (Tamara) Warm up and Run
9:40 - 10:15 Core 1 (Chrysta) and Core 3 (Genie) Warm up and Run
10:20 – 10:55 Core 2 (Laura) and Core 4 (Kurt) Warm up and Run
11:00 - 11:35 Core 2 (Graciela) and Core 4 (Kelly) Warm up and Run
Come and cheer for our amazing athletes!
Don’t miss out on this action-packed, fun-filled day at SMASH.
We still need volunteers to count laps and hand out water.
To volunteer, contact Lillie Schlessinger at 310-392-9446
or lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com.
Runners, please remember to apply sunscreen and wear athletic shoes!
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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. 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. SMASH PTSA has unanimously passed a resolution to support this measure. SMASH PTSA has made a financial contribution in the maximum amount permissible by our bylaws. Yet our 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
C0-Presidents, SMASH PTSA
*****
Phone Bank Volunteers
Needed to help support the parcel tax campaign
SMASH phone bank dates: 3/18, 4/15, 4/28
Mark your calendars!
Look for more information in fliers, e-mails or Friday papers, or contact
Helga Schier at helgaschier@verizon.net
*****
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)
*****
SAVE THE DATE
JOGATHON: 3/5/10
*****
Next PTSA MEETING
Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 8:30AM
*****
Contribute to our FAMILY DONATION DRIVE: ptsasmash.blogspot.com
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. 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. SMASH PTSA has unanimously passed a resolution to support this measure. SMASH PTSA has made a financial contribution in the maximum amount permissible by our bylaws. Yet our 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
C0-Presidents, SMASH PTSA
*****
Phone Bank Volunteers
Needed to help support the parcel tax campaign
SMASH phone bank dates: 3/18, 4/15, 4/28
Mark your calendars!
Look for more information in fliers, e-mails or Friday papers, or contact
Helga Schier at helgaschier@verizon.net
*****
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)
*****
SAVE THE DATE
JOGATHON: 3/5/10
*****
Next PTSA MEETING
Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 8:30AM
*****
Contribute to our FAMILY DONATION DRIVE: ptsasmash.blogspot.com
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CORE 1 NEWS
PAJAMA DAY is on MONDAY!!!
This Monday, March 1st the SMASHing Student Council is sponsoring PAJAMA DAY, in celebration
of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday (March 2nd). For this day, your child may:
1. Wear his/her pajamas to school – provided that they are weather appropriate
2. Bring a stuffed animal “lovie” to school
3. Bring a favorite book (with his/her name inside)
The Core 1 Student Council is organizing a special Reading Workshop for that day – involving reading favorite books to friends and lovies. If your child is not comfortable with Pajama Day, he/she may bring pajamas in a bag (just in case) or not wear them at all. Everyone will be included in some capacity, no matter what.
Please make sure your child wears sneakers, however, as we will still have plenty of time to play in the small yard and have P.E.
This Monday, March 1st the SMASHing Student Council is sponsoring PAJAMA DAY, in celebration
of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday (March 2nd). For this day, your child may:
1. Wear his/her pajamas to school – provided that they are weather appropriate
2. Bring a stuffed animal “lovie” to school
3. Bring a favorite book (with his/her name inside)
The Core 1 Student Council is organizing a special Reading Workshop for that day – involving reading favorite books to friends and lovies. If your child is not comfortable with Pajama Day, he/she may bring pajamas in a bag (just in case) or not wear them at all. Everyone will be included in some capacity, no matter what.
Please make sure your child wears sneakers, however, as we will still have plenty of time to play in the small yard and have P.E.
PIRATES & FAIRIES ADVENTURE BOOK & DVD!
Order your copy of the SMASH Core 1 Pirates & Fairy Adventure TODAY!!! Buy the book, and read the story that your children lived while acting as pirates and fairies! Buy the DVD and watch video clips and a slide show of the process your child went through during their extraordinary experience in holistic drama! Buy them both as a set and save money! Book ($12), DVD ($12), Book & DVD Set ($20). All proceeds go to our Core 1 Spring Visual Arts Program. There is an order form in your Friday Folder, and a copy of the book in Core 1.
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.
So many staplers…only ONE that works! When we participate in workshop-style teaching, we all use tools—one of which is a stapler. We have one working stapler left for both classes. They just don’t hold up. It is frustrating and slows down the flow of the room when one is needed. Making Friday Letter packets can also be a challenge. We have tried many types of staplers, but the only one that seems to hold up for us is the Swingline Optima PowerEase Stapler. We would love as many of these as possible.
HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND!!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
CORE 2 NEWS
Dear Fantastic Core 2 Families and Friends,
The Art of Ecology exhibit was a great success. Thank you to the families that attended. The children proudly explained their work to their guests.
We have continued studying non-fiction in Reading Workshop and Writing Workshop. Students
are beginning to form book clubs around a topic of interest. This week in writing, students tried out different strategies for gathering ideas about their non-fiction topics. Some of the strategies were brainstorming, braindumping,circle maps, topic charts, and classification (tree) maps. We haven’t committed to writing about a particular topic because it will take some time to “try on” the topic and make sure that “it fits.”
In Math, 2nd graders solved money problems (unfortunately not the State’s) using regrouping strategies. They also practice counting and writing money amounts.
The 3rd graders finished the Fair Share unit and will begin a new unit, Combining and Comparing, next week. See attached letter from Laura that explains this new unit.
Science with Majken has come to an end in Core 2, but not in the children’s mind. At the end of the water unit, they were left with discoveries like I didn’t know that water and oil don’t like to mix! and some lingering questions like Why does salt melt ice? Thank you Majken for provoking these thoughts about water.
Core 2 students are constantly improving their social skills. You may hear us reminding students to do first things first. This is a gentle reminder to begin interactions with a greeting, and then to follow-up with a request. “It’s like an Oreo cookie!” Lillian discovered this after a library visit. We started the visit by greeting the library, continued by requesting to check out books, and end the visit by thanking her. The Oreo cookie is a great analogy. Nico said, “You can’t have the filling alone! You need the cookies!” We are encouraging students to think about 3-part interactions in different situations throughout the day.
Lice continue to thrive in Core 2. Please check your children daily and let us know if you find anything suspicious. In the meantime, we are enjoying the creative hair-dos.
Next week’s Stars of the Week are Simeon and Zion.
Dates to remember:
Monday, March 1 – Celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday - PAJAMA DAY
Friday, March 5 – Jog-a-thon
Have a great weekend!
Laura & Graciela
CORE 3 NEWS
Reading. By now, our readerly routines should be firmly in place: read every day in school and at home and use our Reading Notebooks to jot down our thoughts, log our pages, and keep track of our own reading progress. You probably notice if your child is the kind of reader who likes to read before he or she goes to bed or enjoys a book while eating breakfast before school or sits in a favorite chair when they get home to get some reading in before dinner (or during
dinner!). You know if your child is the kind of reader who keeps their reading log up-to-date and can count the number of books (or even pages!) they have read this year. You know what kinds of books your child gets excited about and what books they covet from bookstore shelves or put on the waiting list at the public library. These habits build lifelong readers and learners. From a practical standpoint, just doing something a lot, makes you better at it.
4th and 5th grade is a magical time for students--they are cognizant of the world around them and recognize how symbols, themes, and the meaning behind the story are the big ideas we grapple with to make sense of life. And that books are a great place to analyze symbolism and messages. As teachers, we guide students as they begin to discuss literary elements that help them understand these big ideas during read alouds. In Book Clubs, they can continue to practice their analytical skills, building on each other’s ideas and challenging each other’s thoughts in small groups. We will begin with teacher-chosen books and groups to guide them through the process of planning out how much to read, how to be ready for your Book Club meeting, and how to have a rich discussion about a book. The students will eventually be able to form their own Book Clubs and choose their own books, while following the guidelines we practice with them. This is often an exciting time to push “volume” (reading A LOT) along with “thinking” (being a THOUGHTFUL reader), since Book Club members are responsible to others who are depending on them to do their reading homework and to be ready for the discussion. We know for adults in Book Clubs, sometimes it’s the only way we ever finish a book!
Some ways to start book discussions at home are to read a current chapter of the book your child is reading (even better--read the whole book!) and share what you think, "I think…" Your thought might be about a character; a connection to another book/movie/your own life/something you know about history or the world; or the writing craft itself. You could continue your thought with, "Because…" and cite specific examples from the story--even reading the part aloud. If you have read the whole book, you could start discussing the big ideas (themes/messages) of the book. For example, "I think The Year the Swallows Came Early is about forgiving others so you can move on and live your life because Groovy forgives her dad, even though he did something horrible to her, and Frankie also had to learn to forgive his mom
because it was making his stomach hurt all the time." You can easily do this same kind of book talk with short stories, picture books, poems, and even newspaper/online news articles. It's a great way for your child to get more practice with proficient readers and thinkers, like yourself, and practice formulating and supporting their thoughts for their own book club talks.
Talk to your child about their “Just Right” Independent Reading Book, as well as their Book Club Book or discuss any text you are reading or can read together. Remind them to log in their reading in their reading notebook, because it makes them accountable. Also talk to them about their Writing Notebook, which should be chock-full of writing (several of our students have started a 2nd notebook because they’ve been writing 4 times a week for homework all along). Right now their Writing Notebook should have lots of ideas and planning of their Fantasy Story. Ask them what's their fantasy story is about and what it’s really, really about (the message they want to get across to their readers).
As part of this Book Club unit, we hope someone in your child’s family will read one of our Family Book Club Books, Firegirl or Hate that Cat, from the Scholastic Book Club order. We have ordered extra copies of each book, so please come see us if you would like to borrow a book to be ready for our Family Book Club/Fantasy
Writing celebration on the evening of March 18th.
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
CORE 4 NEWS
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 Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00pm. This session is for parents of 8th grade students, but all middle school parents are welcome to attend. We willbe scheduling Planned Parenthood information meetings for 6th and 7th grade students at a later date.
SMASH JOG-A-THON - FRIDAY, MARCH 5Pledge packets due Thursday, March 4
WEAR YOUR PAJAMAS DAY - MONDAY, MARCH 1
Help celebrate Dr. Seuss Day and our love of books are reading! Wear your PJs and bring a favorite book to read. Wear shoes appropriate for school and PE—no slippers!
Taking a deeper plunge
As you know, throughout this year, the Core 4 team has introduced social and academic tools that support the needs of our adolescent students. Each of these tools has the hopes of creating an autonomous, competent, connected, and lighthearted individual. In this past week, we have delved into finding ways that take our understanding and learning to a deeper level of competency. One of these involves the act of inquiry. Many students have become comfortable with asking clarifying questions, ones that ensure understanding of the taught concept. We are now moving students to become more familiar with asking probing questions, ones that dig deeper to unveil more complex material. Our Advisory discussion centered around this idea all week. Prompts and question starters were created and given to help promote this process. Next week, we will focus on another way to deepen one’s understanding of the instructed material: making connections between the different information presented within each content area (Humanities, Math, Science, Literacy, etc.). Please tune into next week’s Friday letter to discover more about this skill.
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A word about Math…
There is truly only one word that can describe the work the mathematicians have delved into over the past few weeks: inspirational! In sixth and seventh grade, the mathematicians have diligently worked to understand the ins and outs of linear functions! Through various exploration activities, the students now know the derivation of slope and y-intercept as well as the relevance of linear equations in our everyday lives. One such activity to introduce the slope concept involved acting as an architect and building model staircases that would fit the request of a proposed business plan. Not only did the students have to create an accurate model that would fit the proposal, but they also had to create as well as deliver a sales pitch of their model to the class. We shared many insightful discussions and several laughs as each student added their personal touch to their design. I think we all would have been happy with their proposed designs! I encourage you to inquire about their creations.
The mathematicians’ discoveries and questions have driven our Pre-Algebra unit to take on complex material, hence my use of the opening describer, “inspirational”. This material will include exploring functions using both integers and rational numbers, positive and negative whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. I look forward to continue building on the gusto and excitement shown in the past few weeks of our Pre-Algebra unit.
Algebra students are working hard to represent all types of functions and number relationships. Quadratic relationships and scatter plot relationships have been the main focus. We are finishing up Chapter 4 with a test approaching on Tuesday.
Students have been offered to independently work through Chapter 7 at the same time as Chapter 4 with weekly check-ins of completed material. Chapter 7 is not a “must know” chapter for the upcoming Math courses but will benefit those that feel ready to take more on. Please continue to check in with your child by looking at their log and end ofChapter reflection sheets. Most importantly, come join us in our classrooms! Pull up a chair and sit alongside your child
to support and engage in the work they are successfully progressing through. We would love to
have you.
A final word…
Cheers to the amazing Arts share this week! Many months of work were put into the production: Gold E. Locks Takes the Stand, and all students demonstrated their impressive abilities to act as a witness, lawyer, judge, researcher, or evidence gatherer. As always, it brings such excitement and vigor to see the students take on this avenue and engage in this way. - Kelly
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
Kelly:kkulsrud@smmusd.org
Bailey: baileyfield@mac.com
DATES TO REMEMBER
Mon, Mar 1 - WEAR YOUR PJs & bring a book to school to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day
Wed, Mar 3 - 8:45am - Earth Day Assembly
Fri, Mar 5 - SMASH JOG-A-THONWed, Mar 10 - PTSA Mtg, 8:30 am
Wed, Mar 17 - 8:45am - Auditorium - Yosemite Assembly - PLEASE NOTE— NEW DATE CHANGEMon, Mar 29 - Fri, Apr 9 - SPRING BREAK—SCHOOL CLOSED
WEDNESDAY BAKE SALES - Healthy Treats & Fun Items Sales start at 2:30 pm
(Muir dismissal)
CORE 1- March 10; April 28
CORE 2- March 3; April 21
CORE 3- April 14; May 12
CORE 4-March 17; May 5
