OCTOBER 22, 2010

Dear SMASHing Families,
With 11 days before the November 2nd election, I want to share with you key information I’ve received from Ocean Park Association (OPA), Superintendent Tim Cuneo, and the Proposition YY office.
On November 2nd, “California voters will choose a new governor and representatives for U.S., state and local government offices. You will be asked to vote YES or NO on 9 proposed state and 3 local measures affecting laws and taxes. Santa Monica voters have an unprecedented opportunity to change the majority of the City Council as well as elect members to the School Board and Rent Control Board. Voter choices will shape how we and our children live and work in Santa Monica for the foreseeable future.” (from OPA)
What you can do to make a difference in the election outcome:
1) Get informed on the candidates and issues.
“California’s new state budget has been adopted. The end result for SMMUSD is a $12.8 million reduction in funds owed to Santa Monica and Malibu schools, setting the stage for more painful budget cuts in the coming years, according to a financial review by SMMUSD… The state is the largest source of funding for local school districts such as SMMUSD…Said SMMUSD Superintendent Tim Cuneo, “Without a new source of revenue, we will have to make millions in additional cuts next year and be forced to lay-off additional teachers and staff at all of our
schools. With these cuts, class sizes will increase in all grades and we won’t be able to provide all of the critical programs for students that we have in the past.” The City of Santa Monica has placed Measures Y and YY on the local November ballot with the School Board’s endorsement. Measure Y would generate an estimated $12 million annually and Measure YY would mandate that half of that money, approximately $6 million, be provided to SMMUSD schools.” (from Superintendent Tim Cuneo)
Here are some nonpartisan sites for election resources:
· The League of Women Voters Santa Monica web site www.lwvsantamonica.org/elections.html/ has pros and cons on statewide and local ballot issues, a link to "Smart Voter" candidate information, and a link to www.LAvote.net which has information about voting and voter registration.
· CityTV launched www.smvote.org as a centralized resource for Santa Monica election information and voters can access the information on CityTV cable channel 16 or cable channel 77.
· The City Clerk also has contact and website information for candidates for City Council, Rent Control Board, and Board of Education under the heading "Qualified Candidates."
http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/Election2010/ English/English%20index.htm
· The Santa Monica Daily Press and Neighborhood Groups "Squirm Night" candidate forum from October 4th is posted at www.Youtube.com/SMDailypress
Also, at www.smdp.com you can type "Meet the City Council Ccandidates" or "Meet the Board of Education Candidates" in the "Site Search" window and find individual articles on each candidate.
· The Santa Monica Mirror has election information at www.smmirror.com
· The Santa Monica Dispatch at www.santamonicadispatch.com is another source of information
· The LookOut News has "Election 2010 - Candidate Profiles" posted at www.surfsantamonica.com
2) Support the candidates and issues of your choice with money, help canvassing, phone calling, and talking to your friends and neighbors about your choices and why you think they make sense:
Community Walk for Y and YY
Saturday, October 23 10am-3pm Meet at McKinley Elementary or Yes on Y and YY Office 3000 Ocean Park Blvd
Sunday, October 24 10am-3pm Meet at SMASH
Saturday, October 30 10am-3pm Meet at Grant Elementary or Franklin Elementary
Be sure to Vote, Tuesday November 2!
Jessica
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Our annual
SMASH/MUIR HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
Friday, October 29 - 1:30-3:30pm
needs your help!
DONATE $$$ TOWARD FOOD AND DRINK !
Look for envelopes in your child’s classroom or in the office
Drop off donations AT THE LATEST on Friday, 10/29 by 8:30AM.
· DONATE EXTRA $$$ TOWARD SMALL PRIZES!
Please donate extra $$$ for small prizes. Our resident witch (she’s waiting in front of
the office) will also gladly take donations of small NEW toys.
· VOLUNTEER!
Decorating the campus, go shopping,
set up the buffet, serve food and drinks, clean up.
Please contact Helen (310-279-3671 or helenhkim2002@yahoo.com)
or Helga (310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net)
In the name of all our little and not so little witches and goblins: Thanks!
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SMASH/JOHN MUIR HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
Friday, October 29 - 1:30 to 3:30 pm
All students, parents and siblings are welcome to our Carnival. We would like to remind everyone that children are allowed to wear costumes to school as long as they follow these guidelines:
· All costumes must be appropriate for school (your child must be able to do all of the school activities in whatever they are wearing.
· NO MASKS - we need to see their faces
· NO WEAPONS of any kind (including canes, pitchfork, any kind of stick or pole, etc.)
· NO CANDY
PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT CARNIVAL RULES:
· Children must be picked up from the Carnival NO LATER than 3:30 pm
· Core 1 students need to be picked up from class and supervised by an adult at Carnival
· School rules regarding costumes, masks, weapons and candy still apply.
· NO PLAYGROUND ACCESS.
· All CREST enrichment classes will be held.
· CREST and CREST Childcare are NOT attending the Carnival. If you plan to have your child attend, please make arrangements in advance with their CREST instructor. The SMASH office cannot make any decisions regarding CREST arrangements.
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EARLY BIRD Entry $5.00 (8:00am to 9:00am)
FREE Admission 9:00am to 1:00pm
If you feel like stopping by to volunteer
during the sale from 8:00am to 1:00pm or
for clean up from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, please do!
All help is appreciated
Please contact
Jamee Tenzer 310/720-7363 jamee@jameetenzer.com or
Kelly Lance at 310/463-5344 kebolance@yahoo.com,
with any questions.
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Don’t forget to come to
the SMASH
Rummage Sale
tomorrow,
Saturday, October 23!
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HOLIDAY SINGERS! Wednesdays, 3:00 - 3:30pm
Dian Andrews will once again offer free Holiday Singing sessions
All ages are encouraged to join. Meet in Core 1
Performance at Main Street Farmer's Market, Sunday, December 5 at 8:30am
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Sat, Oct 23 - 9:00am - 1:00pm RUMMAGE SALE
Sun, Oct 24 - 11am-1pm - reDiscover Center - THE BIG DRAW LA
ReDISCOVER DRAWING with JULIANNA OSTROVSKY
Sun, Oct 24 - 11-am-4pm - SMASH/John Muir PRECINCT WALK
Fri, Oct 29 - SMASH-JOHN MUIR HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
No Playground Access during carnival
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WEDNESDAY BAKE SALE DATES
CORE 1: Dec 1
CORE 2: Oct 27
CORE 3: Nov 3
CORE 4: Nov 10
TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH
CORE 2: Nov 5
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THINGS TO DO
Fri, Oct 29 - Last Friday, Main Street Merchants stay open late with special events. Visit mainstreet.com
Sun, Oct 24 - reDiscover Center, 12958 W. Washington Blvd, LA - D.I.Y. Halloween Costumes. Call or email to reserve your space 310-393-3636 or www.rediscovercenter.org
Now - Oct 31 (Thursdays-Sundays) - LA Haunted Hayride. Ride down a dark wooded trail with scary scenes, ghost stories around the campfire & a haunted carnival. Griffith Park 877-342-6618; losangeleshauntedhayride.com
Now through Nov 7 - Spider Pavilion! Walk through the enclosed habitat to see hundreds of free-roaming arachnids.
Natural History Museum, LA 213-763-3558; nhm.org
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SAVE THE DATE!
SMASH DAY at CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
Wednesday, November 10 - All Day
210 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica
DETAILS TO COME
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SMASH BASH AND SMASH CAMPING SIGN-UPS ARE IN THE OFFICE
Sign up for the SMASH Camping / Cabin Trip in the office
by DECEMBER 3rd, the price goes up $10 per family after winter break."
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BEETHOVEN 5th - FREE ADMISSION
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Saturday, October 30
Santa Monica Symphony, Allen Robert Gross, Music Director & Conductor
Music students are invited to the Civic Auditorium dress rehearsal, School-age children especially welcome.
www.symphony.org
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Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Meeting the Middle School Challenge: A Whole Child Approach
Presented by Dr. Deborah Wortham, ASCD Faculty
Former teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent
Saturday, October 23, 2010
8:30am –11:30am SMMUSD middle school Staff, Parents and Community
12:30am –3:30am Working Session with middle school Leadership Teams
Location: Professional Development and Leadership Center (PDLC); 2802 4th St. (4th & Raymond)
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WESTSIDE FOOD BANK 20th Annual Hunger Walk
Step up to the Plate for a Hunger Free Community!
Sunday November 7 Check-in 12:00-1:15; Walk Begins at 1:30
Westside Food Bank invites students, their families, friends, associations and clubs to join in for our20th annual Hunger Walk. This FREE event is the kickoff to our holiday food drive and helps to raise awareness about the issue of local hunger. Since nearly half of Westside Food Bank’s food goes to local children in need, we want students to learn more about hunger and nutrition, and enjoy a fun filled day of entertainment, education, raffle prizes, games, snacks and of course exercise! Choose from 3K or 5K walk route along Beach Front Walk No streets to cross. Participation is free and there is no fundraising requirement.
Where: 2600 Barnard Way, Santa Monica Beach Park 1, Ocean Park Blvd. Walk is along Beach Front Walk
How: Register online at www.westsidefoodbankca.org or call to have a paper form mailed to you.
Cost: Free! No registration fee, no minimum fundraising amount
Contact: Genevieve Riutort Genevieve@westsidefoodbankca.org or 310-828-6016 x 18
Please Bring: Non-perishable food such as peanut butter, tuna, cereal, baby food, juices, chunky soups, stews, pasta,canned vegetables and fruits
Community services hours are available
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PALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
Sunday, October 31, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
BARKER HANGER 3021 Airport Avenue
For Youth and their Families
Costume Contest Begins at 6:00pm; Games, Funhouse, Picture Booth
FREE ENTRANCE
For more information please call 310-458-8988 PAL ( Police Activities League)
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THE SALVATION ARMY
CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE
FOOD & TOYS (gifts for children ages 17 and under)
TO HOUSEHOLDS THAT QUALIFY
You must bring the following documents:
Picture ID
Gas, Electric or Telephone Bill
Birth Certificates for All Children
Proof of income (paystub)
Dates you may apply: November 1, 2 or 4 from 9:00am to 11:30am
They will be servicing the following zip codes
90025, 90064, 90066,
90263, 90264, 90265, 90272, 90291, 90292, 90293, 90294, 90295, 90296,
90401, 90402, 90403, 90404, 90405, 90406, 90407, 90408, 90409, 90410, 90411
Please call with any questions: 310-451-1358 x 117
The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps
1533 4th Street; Santa Monica, CA 90401
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CommUNITY Walk
Unite for Props Y + YY
Join teachers, parents, administrators, and community leaders for Yes on Y+YY
Saturday Oct. 23, Sunday Oct. 24 or Saturday, Oct. 30
10am-3pm
SATURDAY OCTOBER 23
Yes on Y+YY Office (3000 Ocean Park Blvd.)
McKinley Elementary
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
SMASH/John Muir Elementary
Roosevelt Elementary
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30
Grant Elementary
Franklin Elementary
R.S.V.P. (310) 210-3187
More Info: www.yesonyandyysantamonica.com
Talk to Voters to SAVE OUR SCHOOLS
Come anytime between 10 am and 3 pm and walk when it fits your schedule.
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JOIN THE SMASH PTSA
Parent Teacher Student Association
Arriving very soon ~
SMASH Phone Book & Business Directory
Your golden ticket to a copy of the SMASH Phone Book & Business Directory is a SMASH PTSA membership. If you haven’t already joined, it’s not too late. Pick up a PTSA envelope at the office and submit your check ($8 per membership), payable to SMASH PTSA. You get one Phone Book & Business Directory for each membership you purchase. Multiple memberships = multiple copies of the directory = one will always be at hand.
5 More Great Reasons to Join the SMASH PTSA
1. Be in the know. The PTSA helps you keep up with what’s happening at SMASH. You’ll find out what you can do to make a difference for your child and to make SMASH an even better place.
2. Make connections. Whether you attend PTSA meetings and events or just link in via e-mails, through the PTSA you’ll connect with others who share your concern for our kids and their education. The PTSA is a way to meet other SMASH parents and build relationships.
3. Hone your skills. In the PTSA, you’ll have the opportunity to use what you know, try new things, and develop your skills.
4. Speak up. The PTSA is a forum for exchanging ideas. Your membership can be a means to effectively suggest changes and to be involved in making them happen.
5. Be a role model for your child. Through your involvement in PTSA, not only will you help your child and all children receive a better education but you’ll show your child how much you value education. You also will teach your child about giving back to the community.
Questions? Email Catherine Lerer (mother of Molly McGee/Core 2 and Sadie McGee/Core 1) at clerer@mcgeelerer.com.
Sincerely,
Catherine Lerer, PTSA Membership V.P.
Daniel McGee, PTSA
Jessica Rishe, President Principal
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ptsa news
president’s message
Dear SMASHing Parents,
This just in from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District: California’s new state budget has been adopted. The end result for SMMUSD is a $12.8 million reduction in funds owed to Santa Monica and Malibu schools, setting the stage for more painful budget cuts in the coming years, according to a financial review by SMMUSD. The budget crisis in Sacramento has already forced SMMUSD to shorten the 2010-11 school year, cut teaching positions, increase class size,
and lay-off non-teaching staff. Unfortunately, the new budget makes budget shortfalls likely in future years as well. The state is the largest source of funding for local school districts such as SMMUSD. Passage of Propositions Y + YY is more critical than ever. Every parent of a child in Santa Monica and Malibu Schools should do everything possible to participate in the efforts to get Props Y + YY passed. In addition to phone banking (which will continue seven days a week until the election), making donations of money to the Yes on Props Y + YY campaign, this weekend will be the first community walks to get the word out of the importance of voting for Props Y + YY. The community walks are scheduled for: Saturday, October 23rd, at Prop. Y + YY headquarters (3000 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 3005) and McKinley Elementary; Sunday, October 24th, at SMASH/Muir and Roosevelt Elementary; and Saturday, October 30th, at Grant Elementary & Franklin Elementary. See the attached flyer in the Friday letter for
more information. All of the Community Walks are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Every SMASH family needs to participate in the Community Walks for Props Y + YY. Please walk with your family or team up with another family, with your kids, and participate in this important election. Those of you who volunteered for Measure A know that it was a rewarding experience for parents and kids alike. All SMASH families should do something to help pass Props Y + YY.
If you don’t have a Props Y + YY lawn sign, do not delay. Law signs are available at the Props Y + YY headquarters at 3000 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 3005. Stop by today. In addition, for more fun please find attached to the Friday Letter a pumpkin carving flyer and Y + YY stencil. Please use it to carve the Y + YY message on your pumpkins for Halloween.
We have less than 12 days until the election. We need to do everything we can to assure that we maintain the quality of our children’s education.
Thanks,
Dan McGee

Props Y + YY
community walks
· Community walks throughout the voter precincts of Santa Monica are scheduled for October 23rd (Prop. Y + YY headquarters & McKinley), October 24th (Roosevelt & SMASH/Muir) and October 30th (Grant & Franklin). Team up with another family and demonstrate to your kids the importance of getting involved. phone bank
· STOP what you are doing now and give two hours of your time over the week to help pass Y + YY. Several thousand calls still need to be made to voters. Phone banking hours are 7 days a week, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It’s OK to bring your kids. Even if you can only spare 15 minutes at a time, please participate.
· The campaign office space (which was donated) and parking are located at 3000 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 3005, Santa Monica (behind the Wells Fargo Bank). Parking is validated.
ptsa annual family investment drive
· The SMASH Annual Family Investment Drive For those families who have made investments or commitments, thank you, thank you, thank you. If you haven’t made a commitment for your Annual Investment, we ask that you please make a commitment today, for whatever amount your family can afford. Donations can be made by check, Paypal or credit card. Annual Family Investment (AFI) envelopes are available in the office. Your investment helps pay for classroom teaching assistants, reading and math specialists, the SMASH fine arts program, science
equipment, technology upgrades, professional development and so much more. If you have any questions, contact Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com) or Helga Schier (helgaschier@verizon.net)
SMASH Rummage Sale/Car Wash
· Volunteers are still needed for the SMASH Rummage Sale and Car Wash, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 23, 2010. On Friday, October 22nd, volunteers are needed to sort and display the sale items. Volunteers will be needed on Saturday during the sale and car wash and to help transport unsold items. Please contact Jamee Tenzer (tenzer@lifeworks4coaching.com) or Kelly Lance (kebolance@yahoo.com) to volunteer for the Rummage Sale and John Zemke (zemkejohn@gmail.com) to help with the car wash. If you have a truck or a van, please contact Nina Furukawa (nina@smdp.com) to volunteer to cart stuff away starting at 2:00 p.m.
SMASH bash
· If you missed the sign-up to attend a SMASH Bash event, please note that many events still have openings. Please contact Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com) at your earliest convenience and let her know what event you would like to attend. If you didn’t have a chance to experience a SMASH Bash last year, don’t miss out this year!
SMASHing meetings
· Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10, 2010, at 8:30 am., in the music room to the left of the cafeteria.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Saturday, October 23rd, SMASH Rummage Sale/Car Wash
Saturday, October 23rd, Community Walk for Props Y + YY. Meet at McKinley Elementary or at Props Y + YY headquarter (3000 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 3005), 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 24th, Community Walk for Props Y + YY. Meet at SMASH/Muir Cafeteria or Roosevelt Elementary, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday October 29th, SMASH/Muir Halloween Carnival, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Free family fun!
Saturday, October 30th, Community Walk for Props Y + YY. Meet at Grant Elementary or Franklin Elementary,10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 10th, 8:30 am. PTSA meeting in the music room.
GREEN TIP FOR THE WEEK
Recycle Your Athletic Shoes: Take your unwearable athletic shoes to recycle at the Santa Monica Place Nike store. Nike turns them in to multipurpose sports courts.
Terracycle Update: We are now accepting all tortilla/tostada packaging! For more info, email Mimi at mimilichterman@ yahoo.com
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Give our kids a real treat—let’s fund their schools!
decorate your pumpkins with Ys
Remind friends & neighbors to
VOTE YES ON Y AND YY
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CORE 1 NEWS
Halloween in Core 1
We will be celebrating Halloween on Friday, October 29.
Here are some helpful hints and fun events happening that day:
1. Costumes – The children may wear their costumes to school as long as they do NOT wear masks or bring weapons of any kind. Costume pieces that can be easily lost or destroyed are discouraged, too, since it will be a long day. Their costumes also need to allow them to participate in regular classroom activities. Costumes are by no means mandatory, and the children are also welcome not to wear costumes at all.
2. To share our festive spirit, Core 1 will be going on a Halloween Community Walk 9:00 – 10:00 on October 29. We will parade down Main Street and return to school in time for snack. Chaperones are needed and sign-ups are in the Magic Garden room.
3. The SMASH/MUIR Halloween Carnival will begin following our all-school 1:30 dismissal. Parents should pick up their children in the small yard, if you’re planning to attend the carnival afterward.
Please do not send in candy to distribute to the children before, during, or after Halloween. There will be PLENTY of treats everywhere, and we hope to encourage healthy eating at school. Thank you!
Other Important Dates and Reminders:
Monday, October 25 – All Kindergarten and New Students to SMASH will get their vision and hearing tested by Sandy, our school nurse.
Tuesday, October 26 – Partners’ Community Walk to Main Street 10:30-12:00. With our clipboards and pencils in hand, we will be looking for letters in our neighborhood. MANY parents are welcome. The children like to be able to stop and record their findings. The more adult who come, the more we can accommodate the children. Let Candis know if you are able to come.
Wednesday ART Rotations
Core 1 continues our ART study on Wednesday mornings with the help of our artist-in-residence, Julianna. With the ReDiscover Center in Culver City, we have received a grant to encourage us to use the world around us to inspire us as artists. Julianna and Graciela’s rotations have been using paint, pastels, crayons, and pencils to look at lines in the landscape and in the gardens/structures around school. Chrysta and Candis have been looking at natural objects (from the ocean and our new succulent garden in front of the school) to create three-dimensional sculptures out of clay and other natural materials, with a focus on texture and perspective. All of the children are working on on-going projects as they rotate through our groups. Julianna and our artist consultant, Marni, meet with the teachers every Wednesday to help us design and further our art studies.
Soon, through cross-core morning meetings, we will begin collaborating with the Core 4 students, making connections with their afternoon art studies with Julianna. We will also be planning a walk to the beach to see some of the art structures in our community. Anxious to see the depth of our observations and complexity of technique that our artists are developing? Many of our art projects will be on display at the Holiday Boutique in December. Stay tuned for more information soon!
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
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CORE 2 NEWS
Advisory News: This week our Leadership focus was on the “C” in CARES, cooperation. One main focus was to listen to signals and respond quickly to all directions from any adult—important skills in a busy week of getting our pictures taken, going on our first field trip, and participating in a state-wide earthquake drill. Ask your child how and when they use their cooperation outside of the Core 2 classroom.
***Family HW: Practice cooperation at home by playing a game together.
Literacy: We love books and we love reading in Core 2! This week we discovered that we learn about our characters by what they think, feel, say and do in books. We are bringing our writing up to that same level. The students worked with peers to revise their stories by looking for places where they could show the reader what they are thinking or feeling instead of simply telling them. Next, we will edit and publish our stories. Ask your child to give you an example of
“showing, not telling.”
***RW HW: Core 2 students, continue reading for at least 30 minutes at home each day (independent reading, reading aloud to a family member, and listening to a read aloud all count).
***WW HW: Core 2 students, write a thank you note to the Morgan-Wixson Theatre to thank them for a great field trip or to Zelda and Kristy to give them a shout out for a great show or to the Big Blue Bus to tell them how easy and fun it is to ride the bus for our field trips (and that you think class groups should get a discount!).
Math: Laura’s 3rd graders began to explore the activity, Collect $2.00. 3G Math HW is to revisit Capture 5, last week’s HW, in order to do the two pages of HW this week. Tamara’s 4th graders learned the difference between factors and multiples and played the game Multiple Turn Over. 4G Math HW this week is to practice using the factors of 100 to identify the factors of multiples of 100.
Word Work/Theme: This week Jayme joined us while we worked on spelling, reading strategies, and writing mechanics in small groups. In Theme, we worked with Jayme to explore non-fiction books about plants. We learned how to use nonfiction features to help us find information for research

Field Trip: thanks to all the parents who went with us to see our Zelda in “If you Take a Mouse to School”. Yes, we were a little damp, but it was worth the experience of taking public transportation and seeing a live performance. Your voluntary donations helped to pay for the Big Blue Bus and our tickets to the play! We look forward to a year filled with interesting experiences outside of the classroom. If you have a tip, idea, or “in” anywhere you think might work for Core 2, let us know.
Dates to Remember:
Saturday, October 23 – SMASHing Rummage Sale and Car Wash, 9:00 – 1:00
Friday, October 29 – SMASH/Muir Halloween Carnival, 1:30 – 3:30
Thursday, November 11 – Veteran’s Day, no school
Friday, November 12 – Furlough Day, no school
Tuesday, November 16 – Make up picture day
Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26 – Thanksgiving Holiday
Stay Dry!
Tamara, Laura, Jayme, Nadja, and Karin
Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org
Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
Jayme: j.wold@smmusd.org
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CORE 3 NEWS
Field Trip to the California Science Center visiting the Human Body Exhibit Monday 11/1! Trip slips went out today along with a $5.00 donation request. WE NEED YOU to chaperone! Please let us know if you can join us on this fun trip. We'd like small groups so the kids can experience as much of the Center as possible. Thanks!
Art w/ Kristy: The artists have mapped out their scripts, planned their sets on paper, and now are creating their scale model with graph paper. Our scale is 1 inch graph paper = 1 foot. There is a lot of math because kids are measuring using inches. So how many feet is 60 inches if that is the length of my table? Then how many 1 inch graph paper matches that to scale? There is some dividing or skip counting by 12. If you see a map or model to scale in the world, point it out and see the scaled relationship.
6th gr Math w/ Carrie: This week we looked more closely at Greatest Common Factors and Least Common Multiples by creating Venn Diagrams. The students are getting a better grasp of factoring and looking at the relationships between numbers and their factors and multiples. They completed a "check up" on Tuesday to see what they have a strong understanding of and what they still need to work on. We will be looking at the results of that next week.
6th gr Math w/ Erin: We continued our study of mean, median, and mode in 6th grade math this week. Working in groups, students used index cards to order a set of data, then added or subtracted index cards to see how the median and mode change using differing data. We also discussed and planned for our real-world data gathering at the SMASH snack bar. Next week students will begin voluntarily using their snack times to record what other SMASH students are buying at the snack bar. We are gathering and recording this data so that we can display it for the other Cores and start a dialogue about what sorts of healthy and unhealthy foods we are consuming as a student body.
5th gr Math w/ Genie: We are in our Academic Choice Math Workshop. Each mathematician has a choice over a few days to play the game Multiplication Compare focusing on multiplying larger numbers that are multiples of 10 (400x90), work on multiplication clusters (How does 42x20 help you solve 42x19?), and story problems with large numbers. We also began timed tests on our multiplication combinations. As a group, they did great! Keep up the practice!
Science w/ Carrie: This week we did some background research on elements, atoms, molecules and mixtures. We will conduct a new experiment next Monday to figure out which solutions are acids and which are bases. On Tuesday we will continue to try to put the pieces of the puzzle together to figure out what is happening in our experiments.
Theme w/ Carrie and Genie: Our houses are starting to get walls! Next week we will continue to work on walls and we will figure out the square footage of our homes and start thinking about how much each home would cost to build. The Orange Advisory got to take a community walk around campus looking at different architectural styles. Some students
had a natural knack for identifying styles and even noticing combinations like, "That looks like a bungalow that was turned into a Queen Anne." The Blue Advisory will take their community walk on Monday.
Social Studies & Geography w/ Erin: This week in Social Studies, students continued their study of identity and communities. On Wednesday students completed their identity masks. Thursday we had a chance to do a "gallery walk" and look at other students masks and Biopoems. As students reflected on each others work, they took notes on what parts of their identities are the same and different from each other. We then made a whole class identity chart and discussed whether we think our class is a community or not. On Friday we continued our discussion by delving into the definition of community. Students then participated in a "Four Corners" discussion where they went to one of four corners of the room depending on whether they strongly agreed, agreed, strongly disagreed, or disagreed, with different statements about communities. In Geography this week students worked in groups to put together our wall size map of North America. Each student was given a few pieces of the map and used their atlas to put in major cities, landforms, etc. We also worked on the United States map as an intro activity. I remind the students that learning states is a personal challenge - don't try to compare
yourself to others - just hope to learn at least 1 new state a week.
Reading & Writing Workshop w/ Genie: As writers, we have started the process on our personal essay. They have noticed that a personal essay has quite a bit of narrative (story) in it. As readers, we finished our shared text, "First Crossing" and had a great discussion about questions we can answer and the questions that will never be answered. We also started our new unit, Myths, Fairytales, and Fables. Don't forget to remind your readers, to READ EVERYDAY!
Homework:
Carrie's 6g Math - Question Bank #1-11 DUE MON, 10/25
5g Math - Packet #7 is DUE FRI, 10/29 (all others are overdue and need to be turned in)
Social Studies - Please bring in artifacts that represent our community of Los Angeles or Santa Monica. Examples: postcards, newspaper articles, photos, souvenirs, etc. DUE WED 10/27
6th Grade Math (Data About Us) - Complete pages about 26 and 27.
Reading - Read every day for 30min—Log in pages/write at least 1 question every day
Writing - Collecting ideas every day in notebook (1pg or 10min.)
Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org
Carrie: cferguson@smmusd.org
Erin: dodgers44@hotmail.com
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CORE 4 NEWS
Bacon Bits and Hozers: You would need to move fast to catch up with core four of late. We are field tripping, public speaking, learning and having fun! A highlight this week was the trip to San Diego for a public hearing and speaking opportunity on the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Your kids were able to observe and participate in the messy business of allocating resources, debating science, and creating a new series of “no-take” marine parks that will insure the viability of marine ecosystems for their own future. You have much to be proud of…
I have included here an email from Dana, Heal the Bay staff scientist, summarizing the response to our kids efforts---
Hi Kurt,
Your students were very patient, intelligent, and enthusiastic yesterday! I’m glad it all worked out and that the long drive there was worth it. They did a great job adapting their speaking points to address others’ comments – I was really impressed. Thanks to your students’ support, conservation interests wowed the Commission yesterday with around 600 people in attendance supporting science-based MPAs – 90 of which came from the LA area!
After the comment period, the Fish and Game Commission decided to stay on track and move forward to the final South Coast MPA adoption hearing in December without making any changes to the Integrated Preferred Alternative. This means that December on 15th & 16th they will consider adopting a fully protective marine reserve at Point Dume, a marine reserve and partial take marine conservation area at Abalone Cove and Pt Vicente on PV, and for Catalina a partial take marine conservation area at Farnsworth Banks, and marine reserve at Long Point and Wrigley.
Here are some press articles about the meeting:
CA Majority Rept:
http://www.camajorityreport.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&aid=4561&ptid=9
North County Times: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_9d98c284-fcf4-59d2-b9b2-979fe9222ff1.html
Great job!
Dana

Everyone who participated earned ten hour of community service credit and should be sure to have their log signed within one week of the service to avoid losing this time credit. This procedure is in place to nudge children into a habit of following through and reflecting upon events.
Random Notes: We have completed our goal setting conferences and are moving towards the first projects of the year while finishing our focus on the social curriculum. In all classes we have been reviewing past learning, developing existing skill sets, and evaluating habits of work. Things are looking good for most of our students even as we navigate the inevitable bumps of middle school life. Our new Weekly Learning Reports are serving as valuable learning reviews and we are working to streamline the process of creating them for you. Please, let us know how they work for you. The intent of the reports is to provide parents the information they need to
have deeper conversations with normally vague middle school students. Please review these reports, sign the science notebook, and stay in touch! Thanks for the gift of working with these young people.
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
Darwin: dmendinueto@smmusd.org