JUNE 11, 2010

www.smash.smmusd.org June 11, 2010
LAST FRIDAY LETTER OF THE YEAR!
*******************
Dear SMASHing Families,
As I quoted Margaret Mead last night at the Open House/Arts Sharing:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.
Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
You have proven your commitment and thoughtfulness to enhancing SMASH over and over again this year by
offering your talents in the classroom, volunteering to help with events, and raising such wonderful children.

Thank you for the great financial contributions for the campaign to lower class sizes and/or fully restore music and
library programs. I truly appreciate your responsiveness to my request. Thank you for the “SMASHlike” qualities
that I find so beautiful (leaving the campus cleaner than when you arrived after an event, offering endless forms of
food/financial/words of appreciation for the staff, making sure all students get access to trips/resources, and so much
more).

Here’s fair warning: My declaration of intent for 2010-2011 is to get you all to make “meeting deadlines for paperwork and other requests for information” the next SMASHlike quality to add to that list.

Have a wonderful Summer adventure. Look for an email blast and an August mailing with staffing, class size,
program, calendar, and other updates.

Truly yours,
Jessica
*****************************
IMPORTANT DATES
Fri-Sat, Jun 11 &12 - SMASH Annual Camping Trip

Mon—Friday, June 14-18 - 1:30 Dismissal every day.
Playground Access closed at 3:45pm, Tues-Fri.
Please make arrangements to pick your child up on time.

Thurs, Jun 17, 10:00am - 8th grade Graduation and luncheon.
Cores 1 & 3 - Each family please bring a salad enough for 10 people (or small $ donation)
Cores 2 & 4 - Each family please bring a dessert enough for 10 people or small $ donation)

Fri, Jun 18 - All School Beach Day—See Rules in this Friday Letter
**********************
SMASH YEARBOOKS $20 Sign up in the office
**********************
THE SMASH PTSA HAS ATTACHED A LETTER AND ENVELOPE
FOR ANY FAMILIES WANTING TO CONTRIBUTE TO A STAFF END-OF-THE YEAR GIFT.
**********************
If your child has medicine left with Nurse Sandy, please come on Tues, Thurs or Friday and pick it up. She will have new medical authorization slips for you to take to your doctor for next school year
**********************
SMASH Beach Day
Please read carefully to insure your child has a safe and fun day:
• Cores will begin leaving SMASH for Life Guard Station #26 (at the end of Ocean Park Blvd.) around 8:45 a.m. We will leave the beach at 1:00 to return to school by 1:30.
• • Each child needs to come to school wearing sunscreen and a swimsuit under their clothing, with a backpack filled with food, water, a towel, sunscreen and a sweatshirt and/or a change of clothes. Please make sure your child's backpack and towel is labeled with their name! Wear good shoes for walking!
• • We encourage sand toys and other items that will help your child have lots of fun!
• Core 3 & Core 4 ONLY may bring Boogie Boards—NO SURFBOARDS.
• Core 4 students may go get food at Perrys with a partner (they MAY NOT bring Core 1, 2 or 3 siblings).
We are excited to continue this wonderful SMASH tradition and look forward to seeing everyone
ready to go at 8:30 on Friday morning! It’s a blast—so if you can come and spend some time with us,
please join us for the walk down or at any point during the day. If your child cannot go to the beach for any
reason, please let us know asap so that we can arrange for an alternative activity on campus.
• Students may not stay at the beach with anyone other than a parent without a written note! This will be strictly enforced!

SMASH Beach Day Guidelines
• • Students may not stay at the beach with anyone other than a parent without a written note or teacher
confirmation (in person or over the phone) with the student’s parents in advance!
• • Cores will begin leaving SMASH for Life Guard Station #26 (at the end of Ocean Park Blvd.) around 8:45 a.m. Stay together on the walk down to the beach.
• • Make a Core “camp” on the sand—sit together, please, and take care of your stuff!
• • No going in the water until the lifeguard tells us about water conditions and the boundaries.
• • In the water, stay between the cones and only go in as far as the lifeguard allows (knees, waist, and
chest). Swim with friends!
• • Go to the bathroom in pairs or groups—tell an adult before you go and tell that same adult when you return.
• • Play safely and respectfully respond to all/any adults.
• • We will begin to leave the beach at 12:30 to return to school by 1:30.
• • Follow these guidelines or get escorted back to school.

THANK YOU SMASH FAMILIES! - Our most successful Raffle Ever!
SuperSMASH 2010 Staff Raffle Winners
Principal for the Day 6/15: Devin Dempsy—C3
Janice for the Day 6/15: Jasper Baruth—C3
Wende for the Day 6/15: Jack Lichterman—C1

Messy Art and have Fruit Juice Snowcones with Jessica and Laura, 6/7:
Hannah Burns-C1; Rio Wagabaza-C1; Abigail Green-C2; Eleanor Winterer-C2; Lily Tenzer-C2;
Lucca Necci-C1; Bailey Flanders-C2; Alani Kanan; Jack Zemke-C1; Simeon Downing-C2;
Mica Nafshun-Bone-C4; Ricky Kramer-C1; Cooper Gorman-C1; Jack Lichterman-C1;
Caleb Downing-C2

Pizza & Movie w/ Janice & Jayme 6/11 5 – 8 pm
Sam Wittert—C3; Mika Wessel—C2; Willow Chen-McIntire—C2; Bailey Flanders—C2


Lunch & Movie w/ Coach Tony 6/15 TBD:
Kate Zemke—C3; Jason Chung—C3; Gabe Schmittdiel—C4

Hiking w/Candis & Jackie 6/15 2:45 – 4:30pm:
Keira Dempsy—C1; Ricky Kramer—C1; Eleanor Winterer—C2; Hayden Wetherell—C1; Theadora Leimone—C1; Nathan Meadows—C3; Rio Wagabaza—C1; Oisin Whitebloom—C1; Naomi Miller-Altuner—C3; Alie Lance—C2; Giulia Trevellin—C2; Joseph Fasano—C4;

Smoothies & Bagels w/ Chrysta & Graciella 6/14 8- 8:30 pm:
Rio Wagabaza—C1; Lucca Necci—C1; Alana Ginter—C1; Cooper Gorman—C1; Maya Furukawa—C2; Giulia Trevellin—C2; Cole Ginter—C2; Zelda Saltzman—C2; Audrey Burgomaster—C2; Lily Tenzer—C2

Sushi Making w/ Genie, Tamara, & Malaika 6/15 1:30 – 3:00pm:
Quinn Lichterman—C1; Rio Wagabaza—C1; Kate Zemke—C3; Abigail Green—C2; Aurora Delaney—C2; I Giulia Trevellin—C2; Emma Green—C3; Bennett Zemke—C4; Sam Witert—C3; Devin Dempsy—C3; Mica Nafshun-Bone—C4; Daniel Kanan—C3; Naomi Miller-Altuner—C3

Baking for Graduation w/Kelly & Genie 6/14 3:15 – 5:00pm:
Keira Dempsy—C;1 Abigail Green—C2; Lola Libby-Blesser—C4; Naomi Miller-Altuner—C3; Emma Green—C3
******************************
SuperSMASH Numbers
230 fish with a new home
10 new banners fluttering in the wind
54 slabs of baby back ribs and 27 chickens
over 700 waters and juices on over 500 pounds of ice
60 sliced lemons and 600 of them squeezed for gallons and gallons of lemonade
45 pizza pies
712 staff raffle tickets sold
100 yard signs all over the neighborhood
1 live auction
zero children lost in the caterpillar, but lots and lots of them going up and down the water
slide and in and out the obstacle course
608 auction items on the tables
20 Core Art Projects
96 Uglydolls, all gone
33 booths staffed for 7 long long hours by 141 volunteers
Yes, 141 of you showed up on campus last Saturday to make this day possible.
A million thanks to each and every single one of you because we raised over $40,000!
Amazing!
(Please remember to return any lawn signs.)
***********************

Core 1 Thanks You for a SMASHing Year!
Thank you so much for attending our Open House/Children’s ART Show last Wednesday night! Your children are true artists and have now experienced every aspect of the art show process. They have been involved in editing their artwork, creating an instillation, and (the hardest part) completing the work and calling it finished. The children want to keep working on their pieces, and we have ensured them that you will continue to support their artwork this summer. Have fun! Thank you, again, to Julianna and Marni, for their never-ending artistry, dedication and support
through this process. Thank you to all of you parents who have supported this work with your encouragement, assistance and financial backing. A special thank you to Elizabeth (Ricky) for volunteering during art this year, and Mimi (Jack & Quinn) for assisting with the de-install of Skyscraper City. And thank you to YOU for helping us to get their work home! Artists love having “Collectors”!

The Pirate & Fairy Books & DVDs are in! If you pre-ordered, you received your copies at the OPEN HOUSE ART SHARE or PARENT APPRECIATION TEA. Otherwise, we sent home your order in the Friday Folders. If you still would like to place an order, please check in with Chrysta to see if we still have extras. They are $12 for the book,
$12 for the DVD or $20 for both.

Our last SAVE THE DATES of 2009-2010!!

Monday-Friday, June 14-18 - 1:30 DISMISSAL. PLAYGROUND ACCESS TUES-FRI CLOSES AT 3:45

June 15–July and August Birthday Bash
June 17 –Graduation Day / All-School Luncheon -
Core 1 is being asked to bring a pot-luck salad (enough for 10 people) Or a small dollar donation

June 18–All-School Beach Day / Last Day of School - PLEASE READ BEACH DAY RULES

Please check your Friday Folder, the rest of the Friday Letter, and/or email on more information about these events.

Thank you for a TRULY WONDERFUL year!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie

Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
****************************
CORE 2 NEWS
Dear Core 2 Families,
This is the final Friday Letter of the school year. As we look back on 175 days of school we recognize the many gifts we’ve received from you this year. Your families --parents, grandparents, and siblings -- have supported
our hopes and dreams throughout the year. Thank you.
Moving Up Days On Tuesday and Friday of this week, we had a sneak peak at what next year might be like. The third graders went to Core 3 for morning meetings and the second graders shared their morning meeting with visiting first graders.
Open House Morning Meeting We had a great turn out for our Open House Morning Meeting. The children were so proud of their work this year. Thank you for carving out the time to visit with us and talk to the children about the
artifacts they added to their portfolios this year. If you took the portfolio home, please return it as soon as possible.
Arts Sharing Bravo! Bravo! Encore! Encore! Core 2 students were very proud of their artistic performance. Their videos were not only informative but they were entertaining, too.
Summer Reading Program On Thursday, we visited a presentation on the Santa Monica Public Libraries’ Summer Reading Program. This program motivates children to continue reading in the summer months to strengthen their reading muscles when they are not in school. Please visit your local library this summer.
Beach Day Information: Friday, June 18 is an all school SMASH Beach Day! Please read the following information very carefully. Core 2 will be leaving school for Life Guard station #26 (at the end of Ocean Park Blvd.) around 9:00. We will leave the beach at 12:30 and return to school by 1:30. We will need all the help we can get, so if you can come and spend some time with us during this wonderful learning experience please let Graciela or Laura know. Each child needs to come to school with a backpack filled with some food, a drink, a towel, sunscreen and a sweatshirt and/or a change of clothes. Please make sure your child's backpack is labeled with their name! We would like your child to put on sunscreen at home and to wear their bathing suit under their clothes and change after our day at the beach. We encourage sand toys and other beach items that will help your child have lots of fun, but please NO
boogie boards. We are excited to continue this wonderful SMASH tradition and we look forward to seeing everyone
ready to go Friday morning, June 18! If your child cannot go to the beach, please let us know so that we can arrange
for an alternative activity on campus.

Dates to remember:
Monday-Friday, June 14-18—1:30 Dismissal each day. Playground Access closes at 3:45 Tuesday-Friday

Wednesday, June 16 at 1:05 – Core 2 Play- The Clan Cats Collide based on the Warrior book series

Thursday, June 17 – 8th Grade Graduation and Lunch.
Core 2 is being asked to bring a pot-luck dessert (enough for 10 people)
Or a small dollar donation

Friday, June 18 – Beach Day, last day of school year

There are only 4 school days and 1 beach day left of school. We’re going to miss you.
Thank you for a wonderful year!
Laura (lsherman@smmusd.org) Graciela (gbarba-castro@smmusd.org)

***************************

CORE 3 NEWS
The end of the school year is the perfect time to reflect on our growth and challenges in learning.

We have spent some time reflecting on our social and academic learning in a variety of ways: celebrations, sharings, performances, teacher-made learning compilations, art projects, assessments, and conversations. Along with reflecting, comes planning. Our goal in all this reflecting and planning is to help kids take action to be the best students and people they can be. If it is our job to nurture their social, physical and academic growth in the school setting, then it is the parents’ job to nurture social, physical, and life-experience growth in the home and real-world setting.

Summer Homework: lessons in life. As parents, we are always thinking, “How can I best help my child grow and learn?” As teachers, we think about how to gradually build students’ competence and independence. This summer,
you can be your child's teacher in the everyday things they need to practice as part of their most important growth and learning: life experience. For example, imagine taking your child grocery shopping and the process you typically choose. Do you grocery shop alone because it's easier and faster or do you bring your child with you so they can watch you choose your groceries and pay for them? Do you explain what things you are choosing and why? Do you ask your child to choose some items to add to the cart? Could you let your child plan out a meal and have them get the items they need and then make sure they have everything? How about asking your child to grocery shopping for you?

As you plan and do the various things we all do day in and day out, ask yourself these questions (from the most adult involvement to the least adult involvement):
-Is this something I should just do quickly by myself or could I let my child to do it with me?
-Is this something I am could model or show them as they observe me?
-Is this something I could do while explaining my thinking out loud, so they see my decision-making process?
-Is this something we could do together while I coach my child through the rough bits?
-Is this something I should let my child do as I am watching in case they need help?
-Is this something I could ask/tell my child to do independently and I will check on them after they are done?
-Do I give my child jobs to do and then go back and redo it, undermining their sense of independence and competence?

The everyday things you do are very important learning lessons for your child. Don't do all of them alone. Get your child to get involved as you pay your electric bills and your gas bills and talk about why your electric bill goes higher in the summer, but your gas bill goes down. Share how to use a calculator and use the decimal point. Get your child involved in your exercise routine so they know that getting the blood pumping in our bodies keeps our muscles strong, especially the heart, and keeps the blood flowing through our veins. Watch a good movie together and talk about the foreshadowing that helped you make predictions, how it was like another movie, and what the message was.

Most of all, enjoy your summer and the extra family time it offers. And remember that in these “stay-cation” times, a book can take you to real places, as well as places in past, future, and fantasy worlds. Sign up for the summer reading program at the Santa Monica Library and do a family book club. So we hope there is lots of reading over the summer! And we want everyone to try to keep a summer writing journal. But our biggest wish for every student and family is lots and lots of memory-making and good times!!!

Dates to Remember:
1:30 dismissal all week next week.
Playground Access closes at 3:45 Tuesday through Friday. Please make sure your child is picked up on time.

8th grade graduation and all-school luncheon, Thursday, 6/17 - 10:00am
Core 3 families are being asked to bring a salad for 10 people for the all-school luncheon (or a small $ donation.)

Beach Day, Fri, 6/18 - PLEASE READ BEACH DAY RULES!

It was a GREAT year in Core 3—have great summer!!!
Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
tmugalian@smmusd.org ; ghwang@smmusd.org

**********************
CORE 4 NEWS
WET FRILET: Core Four waded into the murky and contentious world of California water politics and it was a splashy success. These students should be running the state! The day began with a bioregional convention during which each group educated parents, teachers, and other cores about one spectacular area of California using artifacts, computer atlases, and interpretive art. This expo was closely followed up upon by engaging multi-media presentations of each region’s proposal for managing water resources. To finish the morning we retired to the patio for a potluck with our entire middle school community. Emotions were running high and deep currents swirled around the delegate pool as the moment of decision arrived in our final debate! After much discussion, a final plan emphasizing conservation of water resources and thoughtful balancing of the many competing needs emerged. Our final bit of fun included water play on the yard and dessert for all. Parents! Ask your son or daughter to share what they learning during this integrated thematic unit, but be prepared to convert your pools to saltwater!

The Dream Team Changes Course: In the present climate of great economic change we all must decide how to navigate swiftly changing currents even as circumstances continuously alter and rate of flow intensifies around us. Clearly, the simultaneous departure of both Kelly and Bailey from core four will present its challenges; however and more importantly, it is equally true that our effective teamwork has developed a capacity to manage change, an inclination to collaborate, and tremendous resiliency amongst our learning communities’ biggest asset, the kids themselves. Our students are, in turn, supported by the finest set of parent partners we have ever worked with during our collective years of teaching. Knowing that these foundation assets remain wedded to SMASH is a great source of confidence for us looking forward. We thank you for the gift of time with your children and as you contemplate next year, remember Wendell Berry’s line about educational journeys: “it is the impeded stream that sings.”

Dates to Remember:
1:30 Dismissal for Monday through Friday of next week. Playground Access closed at 3:45 Tues-Fri.

8th Grade Graduation and All-School Luncheon - Thursday, 6/17 - Beginning 10:00am
Come and join this fantastic event. We are asking that families of 6th and 7th graders bring a dessert to share with approximately 10 people to this luncheon or a small dollar donation. 8th grade families are just to bring themselves and enjoy the day.

All-School Beach Day - Friday, 6/18
Please read the Beach Day Rules in this Friday Letter

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




SMASH CAMPING TRIP
AT DECKER CANYON CAMPGROUND IN MALIBU
JUNE 11 & 12
LET’S GET TOGETHER IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS!
WHERE: Decker Canyon Campground is located about 25 miles up the
coast from Santa Monica, on Decker Canyon Road off of PCH.
IT’S A BIG BEAUTIFUL SITE, AND WE’LL BE THE ONLY GROUP THERE!
WHAT TO BRING: *Tent, Bedding, Food, Supplies, etc. *Food should be stored in plastic
bins to keep safe from critters. *Bring charcoal if you plan to use the on-site grills, or camping
stoves if not. *Bring marshmallows & fixins for s’mores. *Instruments, games, sports gear,
hiking gear. *Sunscreen, bug repellent, first aid kit, flashlights, etc. *Bring beach gear if you
want hit the gorgeous nearby beach.
>> YES--THERE ARE REAL TOILETS AND FREE HOT-WATER SHOWERS <<
PRICE
Overnight Campers: $10 per person, per night
Daytime Campers: $8 per person, per day
Checks payable to SMASH PTSA, due by Thursday, June 10
Sign-up sheet in SMASH office
TIME
Check-in: anytime after 11:00am, Friday June 11
Check-out: by 2:00 pm, Sunday, June 13
FOR INSURANCE REASONS - NO DROP-OFFS ALLOWED
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR PARENT OR GUARDIAN
BE PREPARED FOR FUN, FUN, FUN !!!
Contact Dave Sparling (Olivia’s dad) with questions at
(310) 562-1501 or davesparling@gmail.com
This is a PTSA-sponsored event













GEAR UP FOR THE SMASH CAMPING TRIP!!
Wild camping: backpack-in expeditions favored by the seriously outdoorsy.
Mild camping: the cabin-style experience where you enjoy the outdoors
without leaving behind many of the creature comforts of home.
So where in this range is the SMASH Camping Trip at Decker Canyon?
Much closer to the mild side, for sure.
An easy drive up PCH, the facility offers full Women’s and Men’s bathrooms
with free hot-water showers,

built-in hibachis for grilling with charcoal, and is minutes away from conveniences like the Trancas
Canyon Market and cafes (yes, including Starbucks). Tents get pitched adjacent to the parking
area so there’s no long-distance lugging of gear from car to campsite.

What about activities? Hiking trails begin right at the campsite, and there are several secluded
beaches just a few minutes away by car. Campers generally bring games like horseshoes, badminton,
Frisbees, hacky sacks, etc.

Never set up a tent before? No problem. Many seasoned “camping families” are perennial attendees,
so there’ll be plenty of help available.

So come on out and enjoy a night or two “under the stars!” Still unsure? Then roll out with the family
for a daytrip to the campsite on Saturday the 12th—plenty to do!

The 2010 SMASH Camping Trip: one night, two nights, or daytrip—make some memories outside!
June 11 and 12 at Decker Canyon Campground in Malibu.

See detailed flyer elsewhere in this week’s Friday Letter for the full scoop. Or for more information
contact Dave Spar ling (Olivia’s dad) davesparling@gmail.com / 310-562-1501

“I’ve gone on the SMASH Camping Trip for the last four years—major thumbs up!
Check it out!” --Olivia Sparling, Core 3