Martin Luther King, Jr Day
JANUARY 17 - SCHOOL CLOSED
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Dear SMASHing Families,
Get your taste buds ready for the delicious Multicultural Pot Luck this coming Wednesday, January 19. I look forward to sharing a specialty dish from my own Russian Jewish background and to enjoying the wonderful variety of nationality dishes you’ll be bringing. I truly appreciate the way SMASH is full of friendly conversationalist families who enjoy each other’s company, and I know what a great turnout we get at this event.
It is very dark around campus at night and in order to keep everyone safe and supervised, families need to follow these guidelines for the evening:
Dinner and Visiting 6-7pm in the Cafeteria. Front office and lunch area bathrooms will be open. Lunch bench area is open to students who are with their adults. The yards and other areas of campus are closed. Parents, please remind your children to stay in designated areas.
The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe Family Book Club 7-7:30pm in the Classrooms. Staff members and Student Council members will be leading a book talk/activity in the classrooms. Please no food or drink in the classrooms.
We hope to have interaction with families from across the school. We will be meeting in 3 rooms (each room with a couple of staff and Student Council members facilitating) and families may select which room to attend : Graciela’s, Tamara’s or Genie’s .
If you are not taking part in the Family Book Club 7-7:30, please help our dedicated Multicultural Potluck Chairs Elaina Archer and Charmine Johnson clean up in the Cafeteria or stay together as a family mingling at the lunch benches.
Thank you in advance for following these guidelines to make this a delicious, fun, SAFE, interactive evening for all.
Jessica
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SMASH PTSA Presents
Parent Ed Night Screening of the critically acclaimed
Race to Nowhere
By Director, Vicki Abeles
Wednesday February 16 at 7:00pm
SMASH/JOHN MUIR CAFETORIUM
Reserve Free Tickets at: http://rtnsmashschool.eventbrite.com
For all parents and Core 4 Students
Race To Nowhere Film Synopsis: A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children’s lives. Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace; students are disengaged; stress-related illness and depression are rampant; and many young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired. Race to Nowhere is a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of
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WEDNESDAY BAKE
CORE 1: Feb 16 CORE 2: Jan 26 CORE 3: Feb 2 CORE 4: Feb 9,
TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH (Set up at 1:30pm) CORE 1: Feb 4
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Mon, Jan 17 - Martin Luther King, jr Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Wed, Jan 19 - 8:30am - PTSA Mtg
Wed, Jan 19 - 6:00-7:30p -
Mon, Jan 24 - 9:00am - SMASH school tour
UPCOMING:
Wed, Feb 16 - 7:00pm - Race to Nowhere, SMASH Auditorium - details in this letter
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REFLECTIVE PARENTING WORKSHOPS
By FAMILY SERVICE OF
This innovative 10 week workshop series provides parents with a reflective parenting model, which views all children’s behavior as meaningful communication that can be understood. This reflective capacity lies at the heart of sensitive, effective parenting, which research has demonstrated is an important way to help parents strengthen relationships with their children.
The goals of the workshop
Increase confidence in parenting
New ways to think about your child or adolescent’s behavior
More manageable & effective interventions for difficult behavior
Pre-school to 11 years old:
10 weeks, beginning February 9
Wednesdays 6:30-8:00pm
Cost: $200/individual, $350/couple (sliding scalre is available)
To register, please contact: Annie Wilson,
Teens ages 12-17:
10 weeks, beginning February 8
Tuesdays 7:00-8:30pm
Cost: $200/individual, $350/couple (sliding scale is available)
To register, please contact: Annie Wilson, LCSW or Teri Jensen, MFT trainee at 310-451-9747
For more information go to: www.reflectiveparentingprogram.org
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SMMUSD Extends Deadline for Financial Oversight Committee Applications
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has extended the due date for applications to its Financial Oversight Committee (FOC). All applications are now due by January 28, 2011. There are currently four vacancies on the FOC. The district is seeking qualified candidates who will bring a depth of business and/or financial expertise to the committee.
The application form is available through the Superintendent’s Office or via the website: http://www.smmusd.org/fiscal/financialDAC.html. They can be mailed to the district office (
FOC meetings are currently scheduled once a month at the District Office at 7:00 p.m. in the Testing Room.
Following is the schedule of meetings (subject to change) remaining for the 2010-11 year:
Tuesdays: Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 5, May 17, May 31, Jun 2 Please note: This is a Joint Meeting with the Board of Education during the regular Board Meeting - SMMUSD District Office Board Room, 1651 16th St., Santa Monica.
SMMUSD:
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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DAY - ACTIVITIES
At
The Beach House Pool Will Be Open 11 am - 3 pm
Passes $10 adult / $4 kids / $5 seniors / $24 family Parking $3/hr or $7/day
Pool passes go on sale at 10:30 am. All members of your party must be present to obtain a pool pass.
Pool passes not available for advance purchase. If you have not been to our historic pool before,
please see our website for more information. Back on the Beach Cafe will be open from 8 am to 4 pm.
Take out food and Beach Rentals will be available from the Cafe.
Also open - Marion Davies Guest House 11am - 2 pm - Docent-led
Event House Gallery "Oceans Four - Mixing Media" Exhibit 10 am - 4 pm
annenbergbeachhouse.com 310.458.4904
Sat, Jan 15 - 9-noon - MLK Kidz Party & Virginia Avenue Park - Kidz Zone; 2200 Virginia Ave, SM
Sat, Jan 15 - 1 - 5pm - Peace In - Westside Teens - The Talking Stick,
Sun, Jan 16 - 3:30 - 5th Annual Commemorative Concert - The
SGI-USA Auditorium,
Mon, Jan 17 - 9am - 26th Annual Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
SGI Auditorium,
A Multi-ethnic, interfaith program including inspirational readings, speakers, musical performance and scholarship presentations
Mon, Jan 17 - 10:30 - noon - Community Involvement Fair, 606 Wilshire Blvd, SM
The fair will offer refreshments, informational displays by a variety of community organizations and an opportunity to mingle and network
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THINGS TO DO
Saturday Morning Mash-Ups @ The Broad - Classic children's’ concerts turned into a multi-media mix of spoken word artists, virtuoso musicians & interactive surprises. Feb 12, Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf; Mar 12, Britten, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Tickets start at $20. 310-434-3200 or thebroadstage.com
Santa Monica Morgan-Wixson Theatre PINKALICIOUS, The Musical Sat & Sun at 11:00am Feb 5 - Feb 20
Featuring our own Sadie & Zelda Saltzman
SAMOHI BANDS UNITE! -
All five of
The finale will feature a rare combination of all five large ensembles: the Samohi Wind Ensemble, Symphonic
Winds, Concert Band, Concert Winds, and Viking Marching Band. For more information, call (310) 817-3070.
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online registration is now open at http://www.santamonicagirlssoftball.org - Click "Registration."
Fee for 6U is $80. 8U & Older is $135. Sibling discount and partial scholarships are available. Walk-in Registration available at Memorial Park on January 22 from 10am-4pm. Team formation is mid-January 2011. Clinics and games begin in Feb 26 through May 7, 2011. Come play with your friends from SMASH! Hope to see you on the field!
SNACK ATTACK - Ages 8-17. Santa Monica Family YMCA. 6 classes per session. Beginning Jan 14. Kids will learn basic cooking skills, as well as knowledge of what healthy eating should be. Members $40; Non-Members $60 To Register; Contact Valerie Page 310-393-2721x138, e-mail at Valerie@ymcasm.org. Applications in SMASH office.
STATE OF THE CITY 2011 - Santa Monica: Passport to Success
Thursday, January 27 -7:30am-Continental breakfast; 8-10am-Program
The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street at Santa Monica Blvd
Tickets available at SMChamber.com. $40/Chamber Mbrs, $50/Non-Members; $10 Seniors & Students
Get a preview of the landscape-changing year to come.
SMASH Jog-a-thon FAQs
Question: When is the Jog-a-thon?
Answer: Friday, March 4th from approximately 8:30 to 11:30 am. (An exact schedule will be printed in a Friday Letter before the event.)
Question: What happens at the Jog-a-thon?
Answer: SMASH students (and many teachers, parents, siblings and friends) run or walk laps to raise money for our school. Each student will be given a pledge packet a few weeks before the event and encouraged to get family, friends and neighbors to make a financial pledge for each lap run.
Question: How long is a lap and how many minutes will the students run?
Answer: Since SMASH’s field doesn’t have an official track, a ‘lap’ is as long as we say it is. We mark out a course on the day of the event and children run the course for 20 minutes (separated into different groups to avoid a Pamplona
Question: How many laps will my child run?
Answer: It depends. A fast runner might complete as many as 60 laps & a good walker might complete 20.
Question: Are parents welcome?
Answer: YES! Parents are needed now as volunteers and are always encouraged to join in as runners or spectators. There will be music and refreshments for the kids and it is a great way to spend some time exercising with your child.
Question: What do volunteers do?
Answer: Volunteers help before, during and after the event and handle everything from setting up the course, to serving food/water to students, to counting laps and tallying pledges.
Question: How does my child submit a design for the t-shirt competition?
Answer: Simply have him/her draw the design (black/white or color) on an 8 ½ by 11 piece of white paper. Include his/her name on the back and turn it into the office by January 21st.
Question: What about t-shirt sponsorship?
Answer: T-shirt sponsors are very important. They pay for the cost of the t-shirts so that all students/teachers get a free Jog-a-thon shirt. Corporate sponsors donate $150, $200 or $250 and SMASHing sponsors donate $25, $50 or $100. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. As a token of appreciation for their support, the t-shirt sponsor’s name will adorn the back of the shirt.*
Question: How can I find out more? How do I volunteer?
Answer: Contact Lillie Schlessinger, lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com or Darlene Flanders, dflanders@quixo.com
*Please use the form below for making t-shirt donations and return to the office with your cash or check made payable to SMASH PTSA by no later than January 31st.
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Sponsorship: Corporate ___$250 ___$200 ___$150
SMASHing ___$100 ___$50 ___$25
Name (as you would like it to appear on the t-shirt):________________________
Child’s name (so we know who you are!):________________________________
Size preference for complimentary t-shirt: ___XXL ___XL ___L ___M ___S (All sizes are adult sizes since all students will already receive a complimentary t-shirt. If you specifically want your complimentary t-shirt to be a child’s size, please note this.)
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ptsa news
president’s message
Dear SMASHing Parents,
As we approach the long weekend, it is time to reflect on the meaning of this important holiday. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America
We should all take pride in the multi-cultural heritage and diversity of our country.
Dan McGee
ptsa annual family investment drive
The SMASH Annual Family Investment Drive will continue throughout the year. Have you made a commitment? We are striving for 100% participation. If you have any questions, contact Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com) or Helga Schier (helgaschier@verizon.net)
SMASH bash
If you have not been able to enjoy a SMASH bash event, please consider attending an event in the new year. Please contact Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com) at your earliest convenience and find out what upcoming events are still available.
SMASH camping/cabin trip
If you have not signed-up for the SMASH camping trip on May 6th, 7th, 8th at Camp Josepho
SMASHing meetings
Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. If you have never attended a PTSA meeting, please stop by. For those who are regularly involved, we look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, January 19, 2010, Multicultural Potluck, SMASH/Muir Cafeteria, 6 -7:30 pm.
GREEN TIP FOR THE WEEK
Hazardous Waste Door-to-Door Collection Pilot Program: Beginning Feb.1st, SM residents may have household hazardous waste material collected from their home. Residents must call 1 (800) HHW-PKUP (1.800.449.7587), Mon.-Fri., 8AM-5PM; or e-mail hotline@curbsideinc.com to reserve a collection time and date. A collection kit with instructions will be mailed to you. Then simply prepare the materials for collection and have it ready for the specified pick up. Go to http://www.smgov.net/Departments/OSE/categories/hazMat.aspx for detailed information.
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Westside Food Bank
SMASH collected 193 pounds of food during the holiday season for the Westside Food. At a time when many on the Westside have suffered from the slowing economy or from layoffs, food contributions have given the WSFB vital support in providing food for local people in need. Continued support is needed.
Westside Food Bank 1710 22nd Street Santa Monica , CA 90404
Fed Tax ID #95-3685875
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REMINDERS
Monday, Jan 17 - School Closed, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Read or watch The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe as a family, or independently at home in preparation for our All-school Book Club Talk on Wednesday, January 19. Multicultural Potluck 6:00 - 7:00 SMASH Cafetorium. Book Talks 7:00 - 7:30 in selected classrooms. We hope you’ll join the fun!
CORE 1 NEWS
Our field trips are next week!! We will be going to the
This week we talked a lot about waste, recycling, and terracycling – and why it’s important to minimize our trash. We studied the trash at school and investigated the trash system at SMASH. Ask your child about landfills and recycling – then make or review your trash plan at home. What happens to your trash? Is there a new way you could reduce your trash?
Thank you to all of the families who attended our Family Math Celebration. We continue to collect your feedback to guide further family events in the future.
The next Birthday Bash for January birthdays will be January 28th at 11:45. Please sign-up to bring a healthy snack in Candis’ room. Family and friends are welcome.
Next Week Family Event: Hope to see you at the Multicultural Potluck on Wednesday night. Potluck will be 6:00-7:00, then we will divide into our bookclubs to talk about the school-wide book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
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
Advisory News: This week we talked about the expression “Fake it til you make it” and the power of positive thinking. Studies have shown that smiling and laughing can actually make you feel happier, just as pretending to like something (and therefore putting time and effort into it) can actually improve your enjoyment of certain activities. Most importantly, believing that you can get better at something or overcome something is an integral part of setting attainable goals. ***Family HW: Talk as a family about the power of positive thinking, visualizing your goals and successes, and being the pilot of your own destiny.
Literacy:
RW: We began our new read aloud, Because of Winn-
WW: The students finished publishing their Realistic Fiction stories this week, and will be celebrating, sharing, and reflecting on these stories next week. We will be doing some non-narrative essay writing next. ***WW HW: Core 2 students—What is your favorite thing about Because of Winn-Dixie so far? How does the author make us fall in love with Winn-Dixie so quickly? What connections do you have with the story? Why do you think Opal wanted to take Winn-Dixie home—do you think Winn-Dixie needs Opal or Opal really needs Winn-Dixie? Why do you think that?
Math:
Laura’s 3rd graders spent the week estimating the sums of 2- and 3-digit numbers using their knowledge of place value and known combinations. ***3G Math HW is attached along with an article from TERC about mathematics. HW due F 1/21.
Tamara’s 4th graders continued the unit, Multiple Towers and Division Stories. This week they made large arrays for 1- and 2-digit multiplication combinations and then thought about the smaller arrays (easier problems) that would fit inside. They are learning to choose logical, efficient numbers to work with--like 2, 5, or 10--when they break apart large numbers to solve problems. ***4G Math HW: Please read and keep the letter from the TERC website. HW due F 1/14.
SMASHing Arts: No Arts this week. ***Arts HW: please bring in an object that we can use for art (you won’t get it back). An old shoe, tea kettle, book, stuffed animal, cup, hat, small stool, knick-knack, toy, etc.
SMASHing Core 2 Parent Volunteers: Last trimester, we loved having parents in the classroom teaching us about succulents and apples, helping us make beautiful ornaments, sharing stories and eating latkes, and joining us on field trips. We’d like to continue sharing our learning experiences with you and make time for creativity, exploration, and fun. Come in while they’re still young and cute (and they still want you in the classroom ;-)
***Fridays 11:30 – 12:30 we will be rotating art, cooking, community walks, and games—and we’d love for you to join us! If you have an art activity, a favorite recipe, a special skill/talent/hobby, or want to explore Santa Monica with us, PLEASE let Tamara or Laura know and we’ll put you on the schedule***
Dates to Remember:
Monday, January 17 – Martin Luther King Jr.
Wednesday, January 19 – All School Family Book Club/Multicultural Potluck dinner, 6:00 – 7:30
Thursday, January 20 – Field Trip: Santa Monica Playhouse 8:45 -12:30, sign/return attached permission slip
Friday, February 4 – Field Trip: UCLA, Lula Washington Dance Troupe – more info next week
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
Lots of news and announcements so please read carefully! Have a great 3-day weekend!
Getty Villa field trip, Mon, 24 - please return slips & $3 bus donation. We would love a few more chaperones!
Needed: cleaning spray or cleaning wipes! Thanks!
Please return the 5th Grade AstroCamp permission slips and $320.00 check to SMASH PTSA ASAP!
Considering Reflective Parenting Adolescents classes?
10-week workshop begins on Tuesday, Feb 8 - 7-8:30pm! Interested? Let us know!
We are fortunate to have Planned Parenthood coming to SMASH again this year to do a six-session program with our 6th graders. The student sessions with start on Fri, Feb 25. To explain the details of the program and to answer any of your questions, Planned Parenthood has offered to send their parent educator to SMASH Wed., Feb 23 at 6:00pm. Jessica and Erin will also be available at this evening meeting. Please RSVP via email by Feb 7 if you will be coming to this information session. Planned Parenthood needs to have at least 10 parents in attendance to make their travel and time commitment. Thanks!
6th gr Math w/ Carrie: This week we continued our study of fractions by focusing on using "benchmarks" to estimate the size of fractions and to compare fractions, develop strategies for finding fractions between any two given fractions, and to understand the underlying structure of fractions greater than one. On Tuesday we will have a quiz to see how well we are understanding this unit thus far.
6th gr Math w/
5th gr Math w/ Genie: We continued in our unit focusing on subtracting/adding large numbers. We have used adding up to landmark numbers and using place value to help us. Some of your children are gravitating to the
Leadership/Science: We continued to building on our teamwork skills this week by engaging in an "Intergalactic Rocketball Strike." Students were divided into different teams (Managers, Coaches, Star Players, and Spectators) to bring their concerns to the floor to resolve this strike. This required us to further our development of communication and negotiation skills and we were quite successful in coming to a compromise. All of this team building will be put to use in the coming weeks and months. Next Tuesday there will be a science quiz show where students will be working with a team to show what they learned in the fall about elements, compounds, and mixtures. Please encourage your child to study for the quiz show so they can make a "powerful" contribution to their team. They are using the answers they found from the Chapter 3 work in the science text and the packet about elements and compounds. Children should have both of them in their binders/backpacks to study with.
Social Studies & Geography w/ Erin: On Wed. we spent some time writing about and discussing the tragedy that occurred last weekend in
