September 17, 2010
WELCOME (or welcome back) TO SMASH!
Dear SMASH Families,
Welcome to the first Friday Letter of the school year. This is a reliable tool for us to communicate with you and I hope you will continue the habit of reading it each week with your family. It is filled with important information about your child’s life at school and the many community events that take place both at SMASH and in our greater community.
The beginning of this year has been focused on building community both inside and outside of our school walls. Within each core, children and adults are establishing a culture of quality; quality relationships and quality work. Core members are getting to know each other and learning to work together effectively. The attention to developing a strong community extends beyond the children and staff to include family members and members of our greater community and is vital to our success.
We are starting the year with a very clean and organized school thanks to the support of many families and all staff. Wait until you see the items Holly Adams found for the Rummage Sale in October while completely cleaning out the staff workroom. Effusive thanks to ALL of you who organized SOS events, hosted Core mixers, and volunteered for classroom set up projects.
We want you to continue to be active in our journey and learn along with us. There are numerous opportunities for you to become involved:
· Come to your Core Forum to hear the curriculum overview from the teachers and sign up for many volunteer opportunities. Core Forums are great times to find a way to become involved in the school. Childcare will be provided for these forums in Jayme’s room #415. Suggested donation is $5 per child.
· Core 1 (K-1-2) Tuesday, September 21 6-8pm
· Core 2 (3-4) Thursday, September 23 6-8pm
· Core 3 (5-6) Wednesday, September 29 6-8pm
· Core 4 (7-8) Tuesday, September 28 6-8pm
· Attend the first PTSA meeting of the year Wednesday, September 22 at 8:30am
Participate in a Responsive Classroom workshop for Parents Only (No Students) Saturday, October 2 9:30-12:30 in the Cafetorium. Topics include: Reinforcing, Reminding, and Redirecting Language, Logical Consequences, and Problem-solving Conferences. Our children benefit from continuity between home and school. Attend this workshop to explore the language and approaches staff use in the social curriculum at school and see what transfers to your homes. In order for us to prepare sufficient materials,
RSVP by September 27 to jrishe@smmusd.org or sign up with Janice in the front office.
I am continually amazed by the many ways we all work together, families and staff, and the degree to which our entire community benefits. I look forward to seeing all of you at these events in the next two weeks.
Truly yours,
Jessica
This is the last paper version of the Friday Letter unless you make a specific request. All others will receive the Letter by e-mail or through our website at http://www.smash.smmusd.org/ Sign up for e-mail or paper versions of the Friday Letter at your Core Forum.
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Tue, Sept 21 - 6:00-8:00pm - Core 1 (grades K-1-2) Forum
Wed, Sept 22 - 8:30am - PTSA Meeting
Thur, Sept 23 - 6:00-8:00pm - Core 2 (grades 3-4 ) Forum (in classroom)
Sat, Sept 25 - Heal the Bay Coastal Cleanup
Tue, Sept 28 - 6:00-8:00pm - Core 4 (grades 7-8) Forum (in classroom)
Wed, Sept 29 - 6:00-8:00pm - Core 3(grades 5-6) Forum (in classroom)
Childcare for forums in rm 415. Suggested donation $5 per child.
FREE THINGS TO DO
Fri, Sept 17 - 7:00pm - Movie By The Sea, at the Santa Monica Pier
The Sponge Bob Squarepants Movie. Bring a chairs and blankets.
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VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME AT SMASH?
Nurse Sandy will give TB tests to volunteers Monday September 20 and 27 at 8:30. Volunteers must return to the office the following Wednesday morning to have the test read. This is for parents who have a regular volunteer time.
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It’s Time for the Core 3 Mixer!!!
Sunday, September 19
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
1115 Hill Street
Graciously hosted by The Family of Sammy Grossman
Pot Luck On-Line Sign Up:
https://spreadsheets5.google.com/ccc?key=tEEw9Xj6g0954tM29HjGyiQ&ui=2 - gid=0
kjersti@rtd-la.com or smashmom@me.com
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Change of Date!!! Core 4 Mixer!!!
Sunday, September 26
4:00 p.m.
521 Strand Street
Graciously hosted by Gabriella Toro and Julian Sears
Pot Luck On-Line Sign Up:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?
key=0AvfOozrUrQcFdDVIV0xqNTBEMWZRV3UyWjJQNHVLemc&hl=en&authkey=CMmpwckC - gid=0
RSVP: smashmom@me.com
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RACE TO NOWHERE
A documentary film about the negative effects of high stakes testing.
Santa Monica High School , 601 Pico Blvd
Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 7:00pm
85 minutes long, suggested PG 13
Go to http://www.racetonowhere.com/ for information, to view a trailer and to purchase tickets
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CORE 1 NEWS
Welcome to Core 1!!
Core 1 is becoming more familiar with the routines and materials in the classroom so we can be independentand creative thinkers. We have also been focusing on our community so we can support one another in ourendeavors and every day living. We also started ART this week, with our artist in residence, Julianna! Checkout our blog at http://core1smash.blogspot.com/ for an inside look at what is going on in Core 1.
Circle Groups: The children are quickly getting comfortable with their new circle groups. Graciela’s grouphas named themselves The Sparkling Stars, Chrysta’s group is The Crazy Chipmunks, and Candis’ group isThe Sliding Penguins.
Reminders & Announcements:•All kindergarteners should be picked up in the small yard at 1:30. Thishelps keep everyone safe and organized. This is also where they get picked up for aftercare and classes.We try not to disturb the Bigs and Mentors, who are staying for the afternoon.
•If you’ve made arrangements for your child to go home with someone else, make sure you send us a note.Or you can post your note on the bulletin board in Candis’ room titled “Family Notes”.
•All students need a change of clothes (in a bag with his/her name) in case of spills, slips, or occasional accidents.Please continue to check your child’s bag, for these bags will need to be replenished when they are used.
•There is no Library for Partners & Bigs this Monday due to a district librarians’ meeting.
•Friday Folders are returned every Monday.
Core 1 Forum: Save the date: Tuesday, September 21 from 6:00 – 8:00pm. This is a great night for parentsto learn more about the Core 1 curriculum and about what we do on a daily basis. This will also be an opportunity to sign up for a volunteer job, make a donation to the classroom community, or for a time to help in the classroom. Childcare will be provided by a handful of 8th graders and your donations support special Core 4 trips.
Birthday Bash: September birthdays will be celebrated on Friday, September 24 during lunch. Our ceremony will begin at 11:45, & we will eat our lunch & birthday snacks around 12:10. On Friday morning, each birthday child will make a “birthday charm” out of wire that will be displayed in Core 1 for the year. If your child is celebrating his/her birthday in September, food/drink sign-ups will be on the Home/School Table (in the Magic Garden). Please bring a small, healthy snack for 73 students. Suggestions will be posted near the Home/School Table. Family & friends are welcome!
Thank you to all of the families for donating supplies to our classroom community! At our Core 1 Forumwill let you know what we still need to help our year continue to run smoothly.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela, Jackie and Karin
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
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CORE 2 NEWS
Theme: Our theme this trimester is Building – starting with building our Core 2 community of friends,classmates, readers, writers, mathematicians, artists, actors, musicians, athletes, etc.
Advisory News: We voted on Advisory group names--Laura’s Advisory is the Crazy SMASHers. Tamara’sAdvisory is the Ham and Cheese Sandwiches. We are just settling into our routines after the first “regular”week of school, starting with our Responsive Classroom social curriculum. This week our focus was on the“C” in CARES, Cooperation. We have been reading about, discussing, and practicing cooperation as individuals,partners, table teams, and a whole group. Ask your child how and when they cooperate in Core 2.Notice and discuss a time when your family uses cooperation at home this weekend.
Literacy: Our academic focus this week was on Reading Workshop. We discussed how to keep our classroomlibrary book baskets organized, practiced choosing and reading Just Right books, listened to multipleread alouds, talked and wrote about our connections with books, told stories, brought in favorite books torecommend to our classmates, learned good reading strategies, and practiced independent reading, free reading(D.E.A.R.--Drop Everything And Read), and partner reading. We also started formal DevelopmentalReading Assessments. Reading Homework: All Core 2 students should be reading for at least 15 minutesat home each day (independent reading, reading aloud to a family member, and listening to a readaloud all count for reading homework). Great readers read every day!
Math: We’re establishing our math structures and routines. We’ve started gathering formal and informalassessments of the Core 2 mathematicians. Laura’s 3rd graders started with skip counting by 2’s 5’s and 10’sand identifying all the different groupings of 100. Tamara’s 4th graders explored different ways to make 10and how 10’s help you work with 5’s, 20’s, 100’s, and 1,000’s. They also demonstrated their skip-countingprowess with 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s—so we’re tackling the tricky 3’s, 4’s, and 6’s. Ask your child to show youtheir ability to skip count up to/close to 100 by different numbers. Which ones are easy and which onesdo they need to practice? Skip-counting is a critical foundation for multiplication!
Drama with Kristy: Theater Arts with Kristy began this week! Each Advisory Group will be learning aboutPlayback Theater. This week they built “machines” that represented a feeling. Ask your child to make amini-machine for you.
District music: 3rd graders had their first District Music class today (Friday). The 4th graders meet onTuesdays and Thursdays for their District Instrumental Music. Please make sure your 4th grade musicianarrives at school with plenty of time to check in with their advisor and make it to their music class by8:30 sharp! We want to support the program our community worked so hard to preserve this year.
Media Center: The Crazy SMASHers visited the Media Center this week. The Ham and Cheese Sandwicheswill be going next week. Children will be allowed to check out 2 books and bring them home.
P.E.: Core 2 has P.E. with Coach Tony every day except Friday. We love Coach Tony! Core 2
Forum: our Forum is Thursday, September 23, 6pm – 8pm. This is an evening where we willmeet and mingle with Core 2 families, discuss our curriculum in depth, address your questions, andhear from our PTSA. Childcare will be supervised by Malaika, our Core 3 and Break/Lunchtime aide,and Core 4 students. Your voluntary donations will benefit our Upper School class trips.
Dates to Remember:
Thursday, September 23, -- Core 2 Forum, 6-8pm in Core 2
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, October 6, 7, 8 – 1:30 dismissal, Fall Conferences, more info to come
Tuesday, October 19 – Picture Day, more info to come
Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org
Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
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Happy 2nd Friday, Core 3 Families! Thanks for all your back-to-school support!
6th Grade Math with Carrie: The 6th grade mathematicians are off to a quick start. Last week the students completed an assessment to see how much they remember and what they need to work on. They also completed a self-assessment about math. Both of these will be used to help us set goals for this trimester and this year. We have been doing a lot of problem solving – ask them about the goose/corn/dog problem - and we started our first unit called Prime Numbers. This week we learned a new game - the Factor Game. Ask them to teach you how to play. The students were given Homework on Tuesday that is due on Monday the 20th. The "must do" of the homework are problems 1-4, and they "can do" problems 5-7.
6th Grade Math with Erin "Data About Us": This week the 6th graders began the "Data About Us" unit. In this unit students will become familiar with data investigations, line plots, bar graphs, coordinate graphs, mean, median, mode, range, categorical data, numerical data, and many more statistical tools. Students will complete a final project showing data about the "typical" 6th grade student. This week students learned about bar graphs and made their own graphs.
5th grade Math Workshop with Genie: A letter about the math in our first unit was sent home last Friday along with the math homework which is due today. If you haven't seen the letter, be sure to ask your child. We have started exploring concepts about numbers. Ask your child about factors, multiples, product, arrays, prime number, and square number. We have been playing number puzzle games with clues and will continue with more complex puzzles
Leadership and Science with Carrie: We have been doing a lot of leadership so far that has moved into our sciencetime. Science will start next week. In Leadership we have played several games that have helped us talk about what it means to be a leader and has helped us with our teamwork and communication skills. Ask your child about the Mine Field and Warp Speed (group juggle). We are working on laying the foundation for a strong community in Core 3 that will help us reach our "Hopes and Dreams" for the year.
Social Studies and Geography with Erin: This week we started our Social Studies unit around our Fall theme - building. For the first few months of school we will be talking and learning about communities - how they are built, how function, and how various people and groups within them relate to one another. First subject - identity! On Wednesday, students read a short excerpt from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. We discussed what one could learn about the main character's identity from the passage. Students went on to create an identity chart for the character, and on Friday, for themselves. In Geography, we opened the year by previewing our atlases and looking for new and interesting facts to tell the class. Students also worked in pairs to figure out a "map scrap." In the coming weeks students will be making world maps based on what they know (not looking at the atlas) and then creating a large map of North America for our classroom wall.
Reading and Writing Workshop with Genie: We have been getting back into our Readerly Lives, setting up our reading logs and noticing interesting words we may look up in the dictionary. It is very important that your child read a book every day at home for 30-40 minutes. The reading material should be 'just right'—not hard or easy. They should read it fluently with very little stumbling, less than 5 stumbles on a page. Read a page with your child and talk to them about what happened on that page. Your thoughts are valuable to helping your child deepen their understanding. If your child does not bring a 'just right' book of their choice, I will choose a book for them. In Writing Workshop, we have been personalizing our notebooks because these will be our major tool for collecting ideas. We will be carrying these notebooks everywhere to capture a dream, an observation, a memory, or anything that interests us. Our first unit is Personal Narrative. If you are interested, please start gathering ideas and writing your own personal narrative—a true story—about your child. It would be wonderful to share your writing and a memory with your child at our Writing Celebration in about a month. More details to come.
6th Grade 3-Day Catalina Field Trip with Kurt, 10/11-10/13 Catalina Island Marine Institute at Toyon Bay,www.guideddiscoveries.org, studying Marine Biology and Island EcologyPlease contact Genie or Kurt, kholland@smmusd.org, asap if you are interested in having your 6th grader attend but did not make this past Wed. meeting.
Art supplies needed: ~card board (at least 2'x2') any square or rectangle shape to be used for the base for our stage diagrams ~magazines and furniture catalogs to be cut up
Core 3 Supplies: ~6 Composition notebooks (if you have not gotten them yet) ~$6.00 for Seedfolks book for Reading Workshop ~Breaking Through and The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez for Social Studies
CORE 3 MIXER-SUNDAY, SEPT 19 2: 00-5:00pm. Grossman’s home 1115 Hill Street kjersti@rtd-la.com orsmashmom@me.com Sign-up: https://spreadsheets5.google.com/ccc?key=tEEw9Xj6g0954tM29HjGyiQ&ui=2 - gid=0
Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org
Carrie: cferguson@smmusd.org
Erin: ehaendel@smmusd.org
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CORE 4 NEWS
Parent Partners,
Welcome back to middle school! The recent reorganization creates a clear and productive focus on the developmental needs of young adolescents. As you probably know, people this age crave autonomy, competence, and fun while still needing clear boundaries, consistent routines, and stable relationships with caring adults. SMASH’s emphasis on the year long social curriculum, CARES, and our consistent leadership training seeks to provide this constellation of benefits even as we move deeply into secondary school academics via reading to learn and carefully planned direct instruction.
Our engaging project based approach continues to emphasize quality learning, personalized skill development, and effective habits of mind over quantity of facts memorized. In essence, it is a research supported depth over breath approach that fosters effective, life long learners. However, we are idealistic pragmatists and know that our beloved SMASHites will be entering high schools that range from traditional to progressive or private. With this in mind, we shall continue our longstanding practice of insuring that students have the content knowledge they need for high school success, whatever the environment! Both the life science and algebra classes are taught in a more traditional fashion, with SMASHing values intact, to insure that students have experience with this approach while still in the loving and understanding classrooms of SMASH.
Frequent high quality communication is of particular importance in high demand middle school environments.Please stay in close touch by dropping in during Tuesday and Thursday academic choice time (like study hall), by scheduling appointments for in-depth conversations, or by saying brief hellos when you drop off your child. Encourage personal responsibility and avoid the confusion caused by triangle conversations by having face to face three way conversations that include both your child and an advisor; parents, teachers, and students can positively resolve middle school matters by following this practice consistently.
Learning in High Demand Middle School Environments
As the work-load mounts, and family life is stressed, a few questions stir the land. “How may I employ the systems atSMASH to insure that my child thrives?” or “How do I help my student learn in science/math/humanities?” To help answer these inquiries, we have prepared an achievement primer…
Achieving In Middle School: A Primer for Secondary School
· Encourage students to complete projects independently. We are trying to develop competent and autonomous students not further dependency. Really this is critical! Guide them, help them, inspire them, collaborate with them, but don’t do the work for them!
· Embrace failure as part of the learning process. Creating emotional resiliency and fostering habits of persistence require the occasional “crash and burn;” meanwhile, we will insure that they have a “soft landing.”
· Encourage them to ask clarifying questions during class! This critical skill is central to achievement in high demand secondary school and college environments. The average listener retains less then 15% of what is said in class. By comparison, the average frequent questioner retains over 50% of the verbal material. Ask them if they are asking questions in a persistent manner.
· Remind them that they are organized into work support groups of three to four learners precisely to cover them in the event of absences, brain fades or confusion. Students should be turning to these helpers by phone or email to clarifyroutine academic matters.
· Ask them to describe how they are using their classroom and academic choice time. Students have two hours of studyhall per week to ask clarifying questions, seek personalized instruction from teachers, and solve scheduling problems.Many of the most effective students finish all of their assigned review tasks during these periods as a result of focused,diligent effort; others socialize and give themselves homework. Please ask them how they are using this time.
· Do they visit with the teachers after school or at lunch? Are they using email to stay in touch? Teacher help is alwaysavailable by dropping around for short questions and by appointment, if needed.
· We have peer tutoring available from highly effective former students from SMASH who will help current studentsnavigate the demands of middle school science, algebra and math.
· We encourage questions by email and have the email posted in the room most days of the week.
To conclude, SMASH’s middle school is a high demand/high support environment and a no excuse zone! We have every possible support in place to help young adolescents learn and achieve goals. Encourage them to use these systems consistently and we will find ourselves frolicking in the sylvan fields of joyful learning all year long. Please, email us if you have brief questions or drop around during academic choice time on Tuesday and Thursdays.
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
Darwin: dmendinueto@smmusd.org
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Check out the latest update on the Ocean Park Blvd. Green Street Project:
Monday, September 20, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
SMASH/John Muir Auditorium- a light supper will be served
View the latest work products for the Ocean Park Boulevard project, and learn about how the character, functionality
and sustainability of the street will be improved to serve the neighborhood.
At this workshop we will:
· Present recently completed work products such as the Schematic Design and Civil Survey
· Review tree selection and public art component
· Answer questions about opportunities to stay involved
RSVP encouraged (so we know how much food to have) but not essential: peter.james@smgov.net
Presented by OPA, and the City Planning Department
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CREST ENRICHMENT CLASSES
Muir/SMASH Elementary School
SEPTEMBER 27—NOVEMBER 15
Mondays
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45; YogaBuddies Jr; YogaBuddies; 4505.327
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45; Creative Dramatics; A Creative Space; 4505.301
1st-5th; 2:55-3:55; Yoga for Kids;YogaBuddies; 4505.358
1st-5th; 3:05-4:05; Musical Theatre: “The Nightmare Before Christmas”; A Creative Space; 4505.330
Tuesday
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45; Ceramics; Creative Fire; 4505.307
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45 QuickStart Tennis; Tennis Patrons of Santa Monica; 4505.322
1st-5th; 2:55-3:55; Ceramics Creative Fire 4505.337
1st-5th; 3:05-4:05; Time for Tennis; Tennis Patrons of SM; 4505.353
Wednesday
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45; Spanish ; Berlitz; 4505.305
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45; Tiny Tiger Kicks; USSD; 4505.325
1st-5th; 2:55-3:55; Spanish; Berlitz; 4505.335
1st-5th; 3:05-4:05; Dragon Kicks; USSD; 4505.352
Thursday
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45; Pre-School of Rock ; Bennett Stein; 4505.304
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45; ABC’s of Photography; Prima Photography Studio; 4505.319
1st-5th; 1:45-2:45; Rock Star Guitar; Bennett Stein; 4505.333
1st-5th; 3:05-4:05; Learning to See with Photography; Prima Photography Studio; 4505.347
Friday
Kindergarten; 1:45-2:45; It’s All About Science; Mad Science; 4505.314
1st-5th ; 1:45-2:45; What’s Growing On?; Kitchen Kid; 4505.343
1st-5th ; 2:55-3:55; It’s All About Science; Mad Science; 4505.344
Keep investing where it matters most!Register your child now for before- and/or after-school CREST Enrichment classes. Fall classes begin September 27, 2010. CREST Enrichment offers high quality classes at affordable prices right at your child’s school!Professional companies and instructors are hand-selected to provide your child with access to a wide range of interesting and fun classes not offered during the school day including drumming, art, theatre, foreign languages, cooking, photography and dance!
GENEROUS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE for all CREST programs is available on a sliding scale to qualifying low- to moderate-income families.
For more information, check out the CREST website at www.CREST.SMGOV.NET or call the City of Santa Monica Youth Office at (310) 458-8540. CREST Office: 1133 7th Street, Santa Monica: Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm Applications are being sent home with this Friday Letter
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SMASH PTSA 2010-2011
Board
¨ Dan McGee (president); 310-993-0707; dmcgee@mcgeelerer.com
¨ Andrea Kahn (vice president, book fair); 310-383-3345; trevellin@adelphia.net
¨ Dave Sparling (treasurer); 310-562-1501; davesparling@gmail.com
¨ April Motola (financial secretary); 310-621-2188; aprilmotola@me.com
¨ Faye Jarow (auditor); 310-850-1214; fjarow@intelhc.com
¨ Elizabeth Kramer (recording sec, yearbook); 310-433-5612; elizabethrita@gmail.com
¨ Marni Brady (vp fundraising, smash bash); 310-460-8128; marni99@yahoo.com
¨ Catherine Lerer (vp membership, directory; ) 310-717-8057; clerer@mcgeelerer.com
¨ Andrea Morgan (parliamentarian, smash gear); 310-570-0087; mchun@aol.com
¨ Jessica Rishe (principal); 310-396-2640; jrishe@smmusd.org
Commitee Chairs
¨ Charmine Johnson (diversity); 323-573-9384; carevillage@sbcglobal.net
¨ David Saltzman (parent ed, past president); 310-613-4742; saltzmans@earthlink.net
¨ Elaine Archer (diversity); 310-383-7003; elainaba@gmail.com
¨ Helga Schier (annual family investment, past president); 310-828-8421; helgaschier@verizon.net
¨ Holly Wright (legislative chair and garden); 310-428-4033; holly.wright@verizon.net
¨ Kjersti Thorsen (yearbook); 310-650-0340; kjersti@rtd-la.com
¨ Tracy Saltzman (database, core rep lead); 310-989-7075; rhubarb1@earthlink.net
Event Chairs
¨ Jamee Tenzer (rummage sale); 310-471-2213; tenzer@lifeworks4ucoaching.com
¨ Kelly Lance (rummage sale); 310-463-5344; kebolance@yahoo.com
¨ John Zemke (car wash); 310-804-7716; zemkejohn@gmail.com
¨ Ofer Grossman (book fair, silent auction); 310-367-7504; omglaw@gmail.com
¨ Birte Reimer (holiday boutique); 310-808-3310; reimer.birte@gmail.com
¨ Tamara Mugalian (holiday boutique); 310-396-2640; tmugalian@smmusd.org
¨ Lillie Schlessinger (jogathon); 310-428-7386; lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com
¨ Darlene Flanders (jogathon, dinners out); 310-428-0227; darlene@quixo.com
¨ Lori Nafshun (movie night, past board); 310-804-5997; gettalife@earthlink.net
¨ Susan Alinsangan (smash gear); 310-392-7705; hellosusan@mac.com
¨ Jeff Jarow (business directory, past board); 310-850-3233; jeff@parcommercial.com
¨ Helga Schier (supersmash/searching for successor); 310-828-8421; helgaschier@verizon.net
Open: Hospitality, Halloween
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president’s message
Dear SMASHing Parents,
The SMASH PTSA welcomes our entire SMASH family to the new school year. At SMASH, we are blessed with a rich tradition of parents, teachers and students working together to insure that our students receive an outstanding education.
We are still dealing with the loss of Measure A, which would have helped offset the substantial loss of state funding that has drastically affected not only the Santa Monica Malibu School District but all California public schools. Fortunately, we have a really incredible community of parents in our district, who worked hard with the Save our Schools (“SOS”) campaign and Project Lemonade, to help raise over $1.5 million, which was used by the district to hire back laid off teachers and other staff. But, the SOS campaign was only a short term effort and provided funds for this school year only. The SOS campaign was not a permanent solution to the ongoing fiscal crisis in education, and we cannot rely upon the State of California, whose budget remains unpassed.
A long term solution to the fiscal crisis is needed. In July, the Santa Monica City Council voted to place Proposition Y, a local funding measure, on the November ballot along with Proposition YY, an advisory measure, which will help replace some of the lost funding for Santa Monica public schools. Just as we all geared up to support the SOS campaign, we now need to gear up to support Propositions Y & YY, which must pass to assure that we have new City funding to our schools. Please read the attached letter explaining these propositions and plan to attend the first PTSA meeting of the new school year, on September 22nd, at 8:30 a.m. to learn more about Props. Y & YY and to find out what you can do to help make sure these propositions pass.
Thanks,
Dan McGee
prop Y & YY phone bank
· SMASH’s turn to phone bank at the “Yes on Y & YY” campaign headquarters is Wednesday, September 22nd. Two shifts of 20 each volunteers needed from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. or 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Campaign headquarters are located at 3000 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 3005, 310-562-6003. To sign up to volunteer, email Helga Schier at helgaschier@ verizon.net or Dan McGee at dmcgee@mcgeelerer.com.
ptsa annual family investment drive
· Public school is free – a great education is not. Hence the SMASH Annual Family Investment Drive is the single most important fundraiser of the year. Your contribution pays for classroom teaching assistants, reading and math specialists, the SMASH fine arts program, science equipment, technology upgrades, professional development and so much more. Please make your tax deductible contribution by October 1, 2010. We suggest an investment of $575/student, but no amount is too much or too little. We are aiming for 100% participation, so give what you can and give as soon as possible. Please check your first day packet for our Annual Family Investment Letter, the form and envelope. If you have any questions, contact Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com) or Helga Schier (helgaschier@verizon.net)
ptsa membership
· Don’t forget to turn in your completed PTSA membership envelope and check ($8 per membership, payable to SMASH PTSA).
SMASH business directory
· Support our SMASH Business Directory by placing an ad for your business, your employer’s business, or soliciting an ad placement from a local business. Attached to this Friday Letter are two registration forms. One is for businesses owned by SMASH parents or where SMASH parents work, the other is for businesses not connected to SMASH. Make sure you use the right one! Deadline to turn in registration form and check is October 1st.
SMASHing meetings
· Our first PTSA meeting of the new school year is on Wednesday September 22, at 8:30 am. PTSA meetings are held once a month and alternate each month between morning and evening meetings to accommodate all schedules. We need your voice, your support, and your involvement. Look for flyers posted around campus announcing the location. Be there!
SMASH PTSA CONTACT INFORMATION ATTACHED TO FRIDAY LETTER
·
Santa Monica-Malibu
Council of PTAs
Advocating for the Health, Education
And Welfare of All Children
The Facts About Santa Monica Ballot Propositions Y and YY
What are these two local ballot propositions? Prop Y, a local funding measure, and Prop YY, an advisory measure, are City of Santa Monica propositions on the upcoming November 2nd ballot. These measures are critical to protecting our public schools, public safety and great community services.
What will Prop Y do? Prop Y will generate approximately $12 million annually in new revenue for the City – and will fund new City contributions to our local public schools. It will also protect the exceptional level of public safety services on which we depend. 100% of the money collected through Prop Y will stay in Santa Monica. It is our money for our community – money that Sacramento cannot touch.
What will Prop YY do? Prop YY specifies how voters want the revenue from Prop Y to be spent. It says: 50% of the Prop Y revenues shall go to neighborhood public schools – helping to offset severe educational funding cuts from Sacramento– and 50% will be dedicated to protecting vital services, such as 9-1-1 emergency response, and police and fire protection.
Why does Santa Monica need Prop Y? While the City of Santa Monica has earned the highest national rating for prudent fiscal management, this is no longer enough. Over the past six years, Sacramento has slashed funding to the City of Santa Monica by over $40 million, and to our neighborhood schools by $30 million more. After these huge cuts from Sacramento, our local schools were forced to eliminate more than 62 teaching and staff positions, increase class size, and slash music and core academic programs. While the Save Our Schools campaign helped cushion the blow somewhat for this school year only, we must defend our schools in the long term. Unless Prop Y passes, the cuts will continue for years on end and are likely to get worse. Santa Monica’s Police Department and other essential programs also have been hit hard. Further cuts to the services that protect our safety and our quality of life – such as firefighters and paramedics, libraries, gang prevention, water and air clean-up programs, and youth and senior services – are anticipated. Prop Y is the only way to protect us from the Sacramento money grab: it generates a new revenue source to gives us local control over money that is generated locally.
Do both propositions need to pass? Yes – by 50% plus one.
How will schools and public safety be impacted if Prop Y fails? As we learned this past year, our excellent teachers and many academic services that are essential for a quality education are at stake. So are school security officers and custodians who keep our children safe and classrooms clean and healthy. Response times for paramedic and 9-1-1 emergency services could become longer. Programs that keep gangs and drugs out of Santa Monica could be eliminated.
Can we be sure that Prop Y revenue will be spent to protect our schools? Prop YY specifies that 50% of the new revenues generated by Prop Y shall go to our public schools.
Who will pay for Prop Y? Everyone will pay for Prop Y—from residents of Santa Monica and Malibu to tourists from all over the globe. In fact, under Prop Y, half the funds raised will come from visitors, tourists, and others who shop, dine and work in Santa Monica.
How much will Prop Y cost? Prop Y will cost about the same as one latte a month.
What purchases are exempt from Prop Y? Rent, groceries, gas, prescriptions, medical care or equipment, any purchases made with food stamps, utilities, and all services (e.g., dry cleaning, veterinary care, construction and repair services, etc.) are all exempt from Prop Y.
For more information about Props Y and YY, go to: http://www.smmpta.org/
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Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
1651 Sixteenth Street - Santa Monica - California 90404-3891 - (310) 450-8338 http://www.smmusd.org/
Educational Services – Visual & Performing Arts Department • 310 450-8338 x70287 and x70338
Dear Parents:
There are three Elementary Music “Back to School” nights. Parents should attend one of the three evenings to meet with the music teachers and to get information about this year’s instrumental music program. Your child who will be participating in the music program is encouraged to attend this event as well. For your convenience, we have invited some music stores to these meetings to be available for parents who would like to purchase or rent an instrument.
The informational portion of the evening will begin promptly at the start time for each site to introduce the music teachers, discuss expectations and go over vital information regarding music supplies and equipment specifications.
Please choose one of the meeting dates and locations:
Monday, September 20; 6-8pm;
John Adams Middle School Cafeteria
2425 - 16th Street; Santa Monica, 90405
Tuesday, September 21; 6-8pm
Lincoln Middle School Auditorium
1501 California Avenue; Santa Monica, 90403
Wednesday, September 22; 6-8pm
Cabrillo Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room
30237 Morning View Drive; Malibu, 90265
INSTRUMENTS SUPPLIES
ALL INSTRUMENTS Soft cleaning cloth, name tag or luggage tag on outside of case, and music stand.
Violin Violin rosin, shoulder pad Music Teachers must determine the appropriate
Viola Viola rosin, shoulder pad size instrument before rental or purchase for
Cello Cello rosin, end pin rest violin, viola, cello
Flute Cleaning rod and rag
Clarinet Cork grease, 6 reeds (#1 1/2 or #2) and mouthpiece brush, cleaning swab. Neck strap is beneficial
Trumpet (cornet) Valve oil, small tube of slide lubricant and mouthpiece brush
Trombone Slide-O-Mix, or small jar of slide lubricant and mouthpiece brush
Thank you for allowing us to provide music education for your child. We look forward to meeting you.
Instructors: Kirsten Bersch, Deborah Cha, Deanna France, Susan Justin, Bonnie Lockrem, Allen Loyd, Kevin McKeown, Steven Ravaglioli, Jessi Spike-Gravelle and Bruce Tellier
This event is mainly for instrumental students and their parents. The music teachers have been distributing the letters to the students this week. The parents and their child can attend one of the three nights to rent, purchase and get information about the music program. The choir parents are invited to the informational portion of the event which is the first 30 minutes if they are interested to meet the music teacher and hear the expectation of the music program.
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JOIN SMASH PTSA
Parent Teacher Student Association
Have you joined the SMASH PTSA yet? Complete the white PTSA membership envelope that came home with your child in the First Day Packet. Drop the completed envelope and check (payable to SMASH PTSA) at the office. Extra envelopes are there too.
It costs only $8 per membership to join. We recommend that you purchase a membership for every member of your family. 4 family members ® 4 memberships ® 4 SMASH Phone Books ® $32.
Don’t be afraid that if you become a member, something will be expected of you. While we welcome anyone who wants to volunteer or come to meetings, we don't require our members to volunteer or attend meetings. Your membership simply shows that you support what we are doing for the teachers, the kids and the school.The extent of your commitment to us is your $8 dues. When you join, WE make a commitment to YOU.
And if you do want to get more involved, awesome! Baby steps are fine. You’re welcome to come to one ofour monthly meetings and just listen. Get to know who’s working on what. Maybe find something you’reinterested in and get involved. Your involvement in PTSA will build skills in leadership, communication andadvocacy.
Any questions, email Catherine Lerer (mother of Molly McGee/Core 2 and Sadie McGee/Core 1) atclerer@mcgeelerer.com.
Sincerely,
Catherine Lerer, PTSA Membership V.P.
Daniel McGee, PTSA President
Jessica Rishe, Principal
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Don’t you just wish you had less stuff?
Well, the SMASH rummage sale committee is here to help!
As you kick off the school year, why not
clean out the closets and start collecting (gently used) items to donate?
The rummage sale is on Saturday, October 23.
A few reminders as you sort;
Please make sure all items are clean and in good condition,
clothing: no holes or stains; no undergarments,
electronics, bikes, etc.: tested; working condition,
toys, games, puzzles: no missing or broken parts; please tape boxes closed,
household items: excellent condition only, no over-used plastic ware,
shoes: Please make sure there are two and tie them together if possible,
baby items: no car seats or boosters and please only clean strollers & high chairs
Please do not mix items together (a blender, hat and board game in one box) Put similar items together in a labeled bag or box (i.e.‘women’s shoes,’ ‘boys’ clothes,’ ‘kitchen,’ ‘dvds,’ )
For more info contact Jamee Tenzer at tenzer@lifeworks4ucoaching.com or Kelly Lance at kebolance@yahoo.com.
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(For non-SMASH businesses)
SMASH Business Directory
♦ SUPPORT THE SMASH COMMUNITY & LET IT SUPPORT YOU ♦
Dear Santa Monica Business Community Member,
For the 2010 - 2011 school year, SMASH (Santa Monica Alternative School House) a public,
kindergarten to 8th grade school, is inviting local businesses to place a full page ad in our SMASH
Phone Book and Business Directory.
What is the directory? The SMASH Phone Book and Business Directory contains students’ contact information and ads from selected local businesses. The directory is distributed to every SMASH family. Most families have multiple copies (home, work, car).
Why should you place an ad?
First - This is a rare opportunity to target a unique group of local, community-minded consumers. Hundreds of local families will see your ad, repeatedly, all school-year long. Your ad will generate tremendous goodwill amongst families who will be eager to support your business in appreciation of your support for their children’s school.
Second - You will be helping a Santa Monica public school at a time when your help is desperately needed. $7.1 million has been cut from the school district budget. Your donation will provide financial support for SMASH classroom supplies, teacher aides, music and art programs, and more.
Cost for an ad? $300 for a full page black & white ad. Because SMASH is a nonprofit, donations
are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
How to submit listing? Send completed registration form and check (or pay online) to SMASH by
10/1/10.
Questions? Contact Catherine Lerer at 310-717-8057 or clerer@mcgeelerer.com
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(For non-SMASH businesses)
SMASH Business Directory Registration Form
By 10/1/10, return this form and a check (or pay online) to the address listed below.
Contact person:________________________________________________________________
Company name________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
Telephone :_____________________________ Fax:__________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________
Cost: $300
Total enclosed: __________ (Make check payable to SMASH PTSA)
Total paid online: ____________(Go to: www.ptsasmash.blogspot.com/, click on the DONATE TOSMASH link on the left. In the paypal “Purpose” box, enter “SMASH Business Directory”)
Please check one:
___ I emailed my already-created-ad to nikki@peprinting.com
Specs for ads:
Full page: 4.5 wide by 7.5 tall
Send a pdf, 300 dpi or greater
Black and white
___ Create the ad for me. I emailed my copy and logo to nikki@peprinting.com
___ Create the ad for me, using the this description of my business:_________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Santa Monica Alternative School House
2525 5th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310-396-2640 Fax: 310-452-4353
SMASH is a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID#:95-4439445)
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(For SMASH family businesses)
SMASH Business Directory
Are you an acupuncturist? Contractor? Graphic designer?
Is your child a dog-walker or animal-sitter?
Own your own business or work for someone else?
Are you a stay-at-home entrepreneur with a special skill?
Tired of people asking what you do for a living?
♦ SUPPORT THE SMASH COMMUNITY & LET IT SUPPORT YOU ♦
What is it? The SMASH Business Directory is a listing of SMASH family businesses, services, talents, and parents’ employers’ businesses. This year, we’re inviting ad placements from local businesses, and we’re combining the directory with the SMASH Phone Book. The Phone Book/Business Directory will only be distributed to SMASH families.
What’s the purpose? Encourage and enable networking among SMASH families by providing an easy way to learn of and patronize our community’s resources. A great way to advertise what you do. All SMASH PTSA members will receive a copy of the Directory. Most importantly, it’s a school fundraiser.
Who can submit listing? SMASH family members and local businesses.
What type of businesses can be listed? Businesses, services, or talents. Established enterprises,
new businesses and home-based services are welcome.
Cost to list? Suggested donation for each basic listing: $25.
In addition to basic listing: to place a full page ad, add $100
to place a half page ad, add $75
to place a business card ad, add $50
Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. SMASH is a 501 c (3) nonprofit
organization (Tax ID#:95-4439445)
Where does my money go? Funds raised support the SMASH PTSA, which provides financial support for SMASH teachers’ aides, classroom supplies, field trips, music, art, and more.
How submit listing? Return completed registration form and check, payable to SMASH PTSA, to SMASH office by 10/1/10. Or use Paypal. If placing additional full page, half page or business card ad, email it to Nikki von Riesen at nikki@peprinting.com by 10/1/10. Or email the copy and logo to Nikki, and SMASH dad Ross Furukawa has graciously offered to build the ad for you.
Questions? Contact Catherine Lerer at 310-717-8057, clerer@mcgeelerer.com
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(For SMASH family businesses)
SMASH Business Directory Registration Form
By 10/1/10, return this form to office with check (or pay online).
SMASH Parent Name(s):________________________________________________
Name of Business:_____________________________________________________________
Category: (painting, architecture, etc.):_______________________________________
Business Address:_____________________________________________________________
Website:_____________________________________Phone:_________________________Email:________________________
Name(s) & Core(s) of your SMASH child(ren)____________________________________
Description of business/services/talent: (not to exceed 50 words) What you put is exactly what will be entered in your basic listing:
____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Please check one: I am purchasing a Email full page, ½ page or business card ad to
___ Basic listing ($25 suggested donation) nikki@peprinting.com by 10/1/10. Or email copy
___ Basic listing + full page ad ($25 + $100) and logo to Nikki and we will build the ad for you.
___ Basic listing + half-page ($25 + $75)
___ Basic listing + business card ($25 + $50) Specs for ads:
· Full page: 4.5 wide by 7.5 tall
· Half page is: 4.5 wide by 3.25 tall
· Send a pdf, 300 dpi or greater
· Black and white
Total enclosed: __________ (Make check payable to SMASH PTSA)
Total paid online: ____________(Go to: www.ptsasmash.blogspot.com/, click on the DONATE
TO SMASH link on the left. In the paypal “Purpose” box, enter “SMASH Business Directory”)
Sample Basic Listing:
Real Estate
Ted Winterer
Ted Winterer – Real Estate Consultant 310-963-9414
tedwinterer@gmail.com Eleanor Winterer/Core 2
Recent trends in our local real estate
market have created both challenges and opportunities. Give me a call and we can discuss how to best achieve your goals.
