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LAST CALL FOR JOGATHON PLEDGES! The SMASH community outdid itself this year and pledged $16,277. So far we have collected $15,200 which means we are still missing $1077 in pledges.
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Dear SMASHing Families,
Hopefully all of you who are Santa Monica residents have mailed your Measure A ballots by now. If not, don’t forget they need to be received (not postmarked) by May 25th.
Last week, you read Tate’s entry. This week, here is Laurel’s winning Samohi Senior Scholarship entry about how SMASH influenced her life. She attributes her drive to always understand why something works and to teach others to her experiences at SMASH.
In the next few weeks, I’ll share notes from the staff Learning Walks and Site Council Executive Functioning Skills presentation.
Truly yours,
Jessica
“Okay class, open your journals and begin writing quietly, please.” Students hear their teachers say things like this all the time, but parents rarely hear it from their four-year-old daughter like mine did. I would sit my ever-patient father in the living room as part of a class of eleven or twelve imaginary students, and class would commence with roll call. Even at age four I had the handouts, assignments, and lesson plans prepared to make our sessions productive. I roped my friends into playing school with me, too, but while they went on to pretending to be veterinarians or movie stars, I stayed fascinated with education. After logging countless hours in front of my pretend classes, I got the chance to teach thirty of my classmates at the ripe old age of 11.
In sixth grade, SMASH had to let go of the art teacher because of budget cuts. With all the confidence in the world, I offered to teach a class to fill the void. In retrospect, I am surprised the teacher I told my idea to did not laugh in my face. Instead, she asked me to write up a proposal for the class. I prepared a detailed plan for twelve hours of a class in making miniatures, and she approved it. At first, just about everyone in the class resented being taught by another student. The students were reluctant to participate, and one sour eight grader even rubbed paint into the carpet in hopes of getting me in trouble. I persisted, and quickly won them over (I think this moment came when they saw that I actually could help them make the fun things I had showed them before). I went on to teach three more successful six-week sessions that year. Only Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH) would let an 11 year old turn her dreams of teaching into a reality. SMASH offered me the rare opportunity to try out my chosen career.
On a more fundamental level, SMASH instilled in me a strong curiosity. It is this desire to understand the world around me that has fueled my success in high school. After learning something complicated, I’m always the first one to raise my hand and ask “Why?” I’ve come to expect the groans that inevitably follow this question. After our calculus teacher had taught us the chain rule for taking derivatives, most of my classmates were content to simply plug into the formula, but I needed to know why the formula works. The other students were set with the formula and ready to move on; they were frustrated that I was taking up class time with a question we would never be asked on a test.
I’m sure that my less curious classmates will go on to get a lot from their educations, but when I am a teacher I want to breed intellectual curiosity in all of my students. It would be a source of great happiness for me to do for kids in traditional schools what SMASH did for me.
-Laurel Ozersky
Please take a moment to read below and celebrate Kelly's next opportunity. I imagine this will raise anxietiesfor next year's Core 4 families, but remember that the last teacher transitions brought the incredible qualities of Kelly,Genie, Graciela, and Chrysta to the staff. Know that we are already preparing, that Kelly will have time to mentor the new partner in June and all of the curriculum she's designed and all of the extraordinary learning she has shared with our kids remain. - Jessica
Dear SMASH families,
In times of uncertainty, people have always told me,
“Everything happens for a ...reason!”
“Timing is... everything!”
“When one door closes, another door...opens!”
Their hands would fly up. Their voices would hold an overly enthusiastic tone. Their remarks and actions denoted the solving of the world's most unsolvable problems. As these interactions happened, my naive mind wouldquickly shrug off these, what I tagged as, "go-to" responses, the life clichés. I thought something more verbose, something more intricate had to elucidate life's uncertainties and complexities. Yet, in each moment I continue to encounter, be it small or grand, positive or negative, I find myself smirking. The realization emerges that these remarks hold a much grander relevance and truth than I had previously attributed. And as of late, these sayings hold truth with my recent SMASH life.
In the midst of the March layoffs and with the uncertain job security for my position in the fall, I sought out an“open door”: the opportunity of graduate studies at Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Originally, myapplications to Harvard and other graduate programs held as exploratory ones. Over the past three years at SMASH, the rich and forward-thinking present in every detail of the SMASH community made me yearn to delve deeper into educational studies. Simply put, you and your kids inspired me. Yet even with this gusto to continue my studies, I was not convinced that I could walk away from a community I cherished and one that holds as my "second family". Unfortunately, "timing is everything" and the March layoffs were disclosed, making my exploratory option of attending graduate school one of intense consideration. Because the deadline for responding to the Harvard Graduate School lies before the date of rehiring pink slipped SMMUSD teachers, it requires me to make a decision at this point in time. I have decided to embrace the Harvard opportunity to expand on all I have learned at SMASH and elsewhere as an educator. This fall I will begin my studies in the graduate program of Language and Literacy at Harvard University School of Education.
As I embark on this personal journey, SMASH will come with me. It is here that I discovered how an entirecommunity can embrace the communication of meaning and purpose to one another. Human intention and the modeling of how to lead a life filled with integrity were at the center of all the relationships grown here at SMASH. From the classroom setting to the Core 4 trips to the informal meetings on a surfboard, this was felt. Even in this emotional whirlwind of leaving, I know that these relationships built will be ones that will endure and progress in the future. In the same way, collaborating and exhibiting meaning hold at the forefront when looking ahead to Core 4's future. I look forward to working with the next Core 4 partner to share and build the program created currently in our Core.
Thank you for all that you have done to make this experience what it has been, and thank you for beginning and ending in meaning in all that you do.- Kelly
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Tues, May 4-14 - state testing for grades 2-8
Tues, May 4 - 6:00pm - Incoming 6th grade parent mtg in Core 4
Tues, May 4 - 7:15pm - Incoming 8th grade parent mtg in Core 4
Wed, May 5 - 6:00pm - Current 8th grade parent night with Samohi principal and counselor to determine 9th grade
schedules
Tues, May 11 - 6:00-8:00pm - SMASH BINGO night at Spitefire Grill
Wed, May 12 - SMASH Talent show - 6:00-7:30pm
Fri, May 14 - SMASH Movie Night—CANCELLED
June 1-8 - (NEW DATES) 8th grade presentations
SAVE THE DATE -
SMASH Family Dance - Friday, May 21, 5:30-7:30. Details to come
SMASH Annual Camping Trip - Friday and Saturday, June 11 & 12. Details to come!
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SMASH TALENT SHOW
WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 - 6:00-7:30PM
Talented Students Wanted! NO AUDITIONS (only 20 slots and a 3 MINUTE LIMIT!)
Performers must show up by 5:30 to prepare!
Call Dian Andrews (aka Diane Michelle) at (310)392-0600 to sign up.
PLEASE SIGN UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
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YEARBOOK PHOTOS NEEDED. Send to Barbara (barbar@earthlink.net) or Kjersti (kjersti@rtd-la.com)
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SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, MAY 8
CLOVER PARK - 11am-6:00pm
ENJOY eclectic music and colorful dance, EAT fresh and local food, SHOP for earth-friendly artistic wares and DISCOVER how to live in a greener, healthier and more sustainable way.
On the Ocean Stage: Elementary school youth orchestra (11:15am) and Santa Monica High Jazz Combo (12:10pm)
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“GO GREEN. RIDE BLUE. WHAT DOES SUSTAINABLE TRANSIT MEAN TO YOU?”
You are invited to Celebrate the City of Santa Monica’s
2010 EARTH DAY STUDENT POSTER CONTEST CELEBRATE
Thursday, May 13 3:30-5:30pm, Ceremony 4:15-4:45pm
Beach Park #1, 2600 Barnard Way (where Ocean Park meets the beach)
RSVP by Friday, April 30. e-mail postercelebrationrsvp@hotmail.com with your name and number in your party.
Questions? Contact Samantha Sommer at Samantha.sommer@sustainableworks.org or call 310-458-8716 x 1
CONGRAULATIONS TO SMASH’s GIULIA ‘S TREVELLIN For HONORABLE MENTION in the K-2 Category
Every student that participated in this year’s contest will have their artwork on display
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SMASH BAKE SALE
CORE 1 - May 26; CORE 2 - May 19; CORE 3 - May 12; CORE 4 - May 5
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Santa Monica College Music Department Spring 2010 Concert Series presents
WIND ENSEMBLE,
Kevin McKeown, Conductor
Sunday, May 2 at 4:00pm
SMC Performing Arts Center
Eli & Edythe Broad Stage; 11th and Santa Monica Blvd.
Admission $10, Kevin has offered us complimentary tickets (please e-mail him at mckeownk@uci.edu)
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"GO GREEN LUNCH BOX ORDERS are DUE by Monday, May 3!"
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Congratulations to Kiera Dempsey—Winner of an I-Pod from the Ed Foundation Raffle
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Join Us!
Our First Annual SMASH Bingo Night
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The SpitFire Grill at 3300 Airport Blvd, in the Santa Monica Airport
Bingo from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Food and drinks from 6:00 until closing
ALL AGES WELCOME!
PRIZES!
HAPPY HOUR PRICES!
10% of the proceeds from all food and drinks
will be donated to SMASH
RSVP requested but not required
elainaba@gmail.com
Volunteers needed too!
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SAVE THE DATE
SMASH FAMILY DANCE
ALL CORES - STUDENTS and their FAMILIES
FRIDAY, MAY 21 5:30-7:30pm
DETAILS TO COME!
50’s SOCK HOP - GAMES ! SNACKS ! LIVE MUSIC!
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ptsa news
…this just in…
MEASURE A BALLOTS ARRIVE THIS WEEK!
Ballots are being mailed to ALL registered voters this week. A few SMASH community members have already received their ballots, cast their votes, placed them in a stamped envelope and brought them to the nearest mailbox. This is an ALL-MAIL IN ELECTION, there are no polling places. SUPPORT MEASURE A AND MAIL your ballot as soon as you’ve received it. Thanks!
MEASURE A
Measure A is an all-mail-in ballot election that will raise 5.8 million dollars annually for Santa Monica/Malibu schools. To learn more about Measure A, go to http://www.savesantamonicamalibuschools.org/.
SMASHing Fundraisers
SMASH Bingo Night Tuesday, 5/11. Come join us for a game of Bingo and delicious food at the Spitfire Grill. See the flyer in this week’s Friday Letter.
SMASH movie night Friday, 5/14. CANCELLED.
SuperSMASH is coming up Saturday, 6/5. We need it to be a success, and to make it a success we need your help. Time to get donations! See the materials in this week’s Friday Letter (1. letter to SMASH parents, 2. donation request letter, 3. donation form 4. Donation Ideas 5. Save the Date). Volunteer to help prepare and run the Carnival (see the How U can Help flyer). Help publicize the event.
Our Family Donation Drive is about $12,000 short. We can get way closer to our goal. Donate online (http://ptsasmash.blogspot.com/) or drop off your check in the office. Every dollar counts. Seriously – every single one.
SMASHing Community Events
Talent Show Wednesday, May 12, 2010. See information in this Friday Letter.
SMASHing Measure A
Thanks to all those who showed up for a SMASH phone bank night. But it’s not over yet! PHONE BANKING continues, Monday through Thursday from 6:00 to 8:30PM at SMMCTA Headquarters 1508 18th Street (southwest corner of 18th and Broadway). Go any day and help make sure that our supporters mail in their ballots!
Are you looking to lose a few pounds/inches before summer? If so, PRECINCT WALK. What is a precinct walk? You meet at SMMCTA Headquarters 1508 18th Street (southwest corner of 18th and Broadway) and walk to houses/apartment buildings identified by the Measure A campaign and place an informational flyer at the door. Calorie burn range: 300-600 calories per hour. Exercise and help the campaign at the same time. Bring your kids. The next precinct walk is this coming weekend, Saturday 5/1 (10AM to 5 PM) and Sunday 5/2 (12PM to 5 PM). Sign up for a two-hour shift with
Helga Schier @helgaschier@verizon.net or go to www.savesantamonicamalibuschools.org
SMASHing Meetings
Next PTSA meeting Wednesday, 5/12, 8:30AM
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It’s high time to gear up!
SuperSMASH
Saturday June 5, 2010
11:30AM to 5:30PM
SuperSMASH means
Carnival Rides • Games • Live Music • Delicious Food
and an Amazing Silent Auction
All the proceeds from the auction will go directly to SMASH. And that means:
We need your help to make it a success!
Go to your favorite
stores • restaurants • salons • businesses
and ask for a donation to our Silent Auction.
Be a donor yourself and offer your
services • talents • goods • ideas
All donations are tax-deductible.
Go out and get as many donations as you can.
Donor Forms were sent home as attachments
Thanks!
Ofer Grossman at 310-367-7504 or omglaw@gmail.com
Helga Schier at 310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net
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ALL-MAIL BALLOT ELECTION
IN MAY TO SUPPORT
SANTA MONICA-MALIBU SCHOOLS*
Santa Monica and Malibu students receive an exceptional education that prepares them for the 21st Century and provides the skills needed for college and today’s careers.
State budget cuts impact the quality of our local schools. The State has cut an average of $10 million each year over the last two years from funds owed to Santa Monica and Malibu schools, resulting in extensive cuts to teachers, staff and programs. More State budget cuts are on the way. Additional local funding can prevent a serious decline in the quality of our local schools.
A local funding measure has been placed before voters to provide local funding that the State cannot take away.
This measure will provide funding to:
· Protect instruction in reading, writing, math and science
· Minimize teacher layoffs
· Keep class sizes as small as possible
· Help protect music and arts programs
· Keep school libraries open
· Minimize cuts to counselors, who help students stay on track and prepare for
college and careers All funds will remain in our local schools and cannot be taken away by the State. None of the funds can be spent on administrator salaries. An independent citizens’ oversight committee will ensure the funds are spent as promised.
Seniors age 65 or over can apply for an exemption.
* There will be no polling places open on Election Day. Your ballot has comei n the mail, even if you do not normally vote by absentee ballot.
All-Mail Ballot Election in May to
Support Santa Monica-Malibu Schools*
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CORE 1 NEWS
Things are taking SHAPE Core 1!!
“It’s hard to keep it in balance.” ~Mateo
Working with negative and positive space using cutting shapes from construction paper.
This week in ART we studied shape. The children had a choice of working with three difference materials: Paint (carving potatoes and stamping shapes onto fabric with Juliana); Collage (using organic and inorganic material and then photographing their creation with Candis); and 2D collage (studying shadows then creating negative and positive shapes using black and white construction paper with Chrysta). We look forward to next week!
Our WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY was great fun! Thank you to all of the families who came out to support us. Did you notice how CONFIDENT our singers, dancers and speakers were up on stage?! So did we! If you can’t get the songs “Victor Vito” or “Down Down Baby” out of your head, neither can we! They are both by The Laurie Berkner Band. www.laurieberkner.com
GO GREEN LUNCH BOX ORDERS are DUE by Monday, May 3!
You may have heard that MILAN and her parents, CATHY & TOM are moving to Minnesota next week. We will deeply miss them all! And will DEFINITELY stay in touch. May 6th will be Milan’s last day. We will say our good-byes and celebrate Milan at the end of the school day. (We love you all!)
THANK YOU for both your hard work at/for the BAKE SALE and the wonderful STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH you provided for us last Friday. We are so appreciative of all YOU do!!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
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CORE 2 NEWS
Dear Fabulous Core 2 Families and Friends,
In an effort to encourage Core 2 students to read the Friday Letter to their families, we will be presenting students with challenge questions that can only be answered by reading the Friday Letter. Please make some time this weekend to read the Friday Letter as a family. On Monday, we will ask Friday Letter trivia questions.
Project time is as exciting as can be! You’ve probably heard some excitement about a cat play. Core 2 is planning a play based on the book series Warrior. The children are writing a script for The Cat Clans Collide, brainstorming ideas for the set, searching for sound effects, and are thinking about make-up art. All children are invited to participate, either on stage or behind the scenes. A project group has formed to do handwork. Children are working on knitting hats and scarves. In addition to their individual projects, members of the handwork group are knitting tails for the cats and mice in the play. Candis is leading a woodworking group. They are building a miniature skateboarding park and planning a mini-skateboarding competition/exhibition. The metal and magnet building group has designed a marvelous town featuring a restaurant. They are ready to enjoy their creation!
This week in Reading Workshop, students kept a written record of their reading. They met in their book clubs to discuss their opinions about characters and found supporting evidence from the text. In Writing Workshop students revised their poems. Because a poem sends a big message in very few words, the poets picked their words carefully. They paid attention to the way the line breaks give a visual effect and influence a mood.
In Math this week, both the 2nd and 3rd graders used this time to do the practice STAR test and go over the answers together. Their practice test is attached. Testing begins Tuesday, May 4th.
Thank you for the paper towels and hand sanitizer. Our supply of small plates, small bowls, and napkins is running low. We have two birthday bashes and three weeks of community snack left. Please think of us next time you are out shopping.
Can you believe there are only 34 days left of school? Time flies when you are having fun!
Next week, the Stars of the Week will be Gala and Avery!
Dates to remember:
Tuesday, May 4 – STAR testing begins
Tuesday, May 11 –Bingo Night at the Spitfire Grill
Wednesday, May 12 –Talent Show
Friday, May 14 – Birthday Bash for April, May, and June Birthdays, see attached ½ sheet attached
Friday, May 21 – Poetry Celebration, 9 – 10 AM in Core 2
Friday, May 28 – Core 1 & Core 2 BBQ Save the date! We will be having our (almost) end of the year barbeque on Friday, May 28 at 11:00 (we're firing up the grills at 10:30) in the Small Yard. Cores 1 and 2 are joining together for this festive culminating celebration. We will be sending out food/drink/supply requests next week. We hope you can join us for this fun event! Please let us know if you can bring a grill!
Friday, June 4- 3rd Grade Music Presentation 11:15 in Core 2
Wednesday, June 9- Open House and Art Sharing
Friday, June 11 – July/August Birthday Bash
Thursday, June 17 – 8th grade Graduation and Pot Luck Lunch
Friday, June 18 – Beach Day, last day of school year
Laura (lsherman@smmusd.org)
Graciela (gbarba-castro@smmusd.org)
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CORE 3 NEWS
Dramatic Arts with Kristy began right after we returned from Spring Break. The students have had a few sessions with Kristy and have already dived right into the project. Kristy always hits the ground running with the kids, getting them immediately into the process! This year, we are studying the process of putting on a production. Students are doing everything: from Box Office, Advertising, and House Managers to Set, Props, and Technical Crews to Costume, Makeup, and Set Designers, along with being Actors and Directors. The students chose their jobs and are working in small groups to perform these tasks.
Group work always requires communication, cooperation, and compromise as they deal with opposing ideas. The actors prepared short memorized audition pieces to perform for the student directors, who used a system to rank and cast the performers. The Designers have been busy brainstorming about the setting, period, and the look of the show. Each small group is practicing the ebb and flow of collaboration—sharing ideas and questions: How do we as a Costume Team decide what colors actors should wear? What are the best ways to promote and publicize a play? How important is it to have a well-organized crew backstage? They are also stopping to reflect and compare ideas along the way: Do our ideas as a Set Design team match the Costume Teams? How is it going? What next steps do we need to take? Kristy is there to help guide the teams to cooperate and come to a consensus in the name of what is best for the production. This is all in the process of learning and working towards a common goal with a group. Ask your child what his/her role is and what part has been fun vs. what part has been challenging so far.
As their teachers, one of our jobs is to make it so that a student working in one area of our production will learn about and understand all the parts and people it takes to put on a play. We will help the kids share their roles and processes through reflection meetings. As thoughtful educators, we also understand that it is more valuable to learn about one or two things in depth, with time to practice and a forum for real-world, hands-on application of the learning. Through this project, we get to have both!
Save the Date:
The students voted on the plays: The Jackson 29 will be presenting Domingo Siete and
The Fluffy Flying Elephants will be presenting The Spellbook in the Forbidden Room.
Both plays will be showcased at our Arts Open House Night on Wednesday June 9.
With great publicity teams, we expect a sold out show!
Have a great weekend!
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
tmugalian@smmusd.org ; ghwang@smmusd.org
Dates to Remember:
May 4 - 6:00 pm - Incoming 6th grade parent night, in Core 4
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CORE 4 NEWS
Please see Kelly's letter to the community on the first page of this Friday Letter
Kudos to Kate, Rene, and Clint whose extracurricular activities, academic performance, and leadership interests made them qualified applicants to try out for Samohi’s ASB (the high school version of Student Council). While only one got selected, we are proud of all three for their efforts and successes. Special congratulations and best wishes for Kate as she will be our 9th grade ASB representative next year.
REMINDER:
Tues, May 4 - 6:00pm - Incoming 6th grade parent meeting in Core 4
Tues, May 4 - 7:15pm - Incoming 8th grade parent meeting in Core 4
8th GRADERS
Wed, May 5 - 6:00pm -Parent Night with Samohi principal & counselor to set 9th grade schedules in Core 4
Wed, May 19 (NEW DATE) - Yearbook pages are due to Jessica
June 1-8 - (NEW DATES) 8th grade project presentations. As your child for his/her scheduled time.
Kelly: kkulsrud@smmusd.org Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org Bailey:bailey.field@mac.com
