Dear SMASHing Families,
This week, SMASH hosted the Education in the Environment Kick off event. Secretary for Environmental Protection Linda Adams, Former State Senator/SMASH Parent Tom Hayden, Heal the Bay President Mark Gold, and Actor Ed Begley Jr held a press conference in our Cafeteria to announce that SMMUSD will begin implementing the State’s first in the nation environmental curriculum. Kudos to Kurt Holland and other former SMASH teachers who helped pilot this curriculum a few years ago thereby paving the way for the $50,000 grant to SMMUSD from Sempra Energy Foundation to support the use of this curriculum. Senator Fran Pavley who introduced the law sponsoring this curriculum in 2003 sent a video message to our SMMUSD teachers saying, “Today’s environmental issues are integrated into everyday life, and this curriculum gives us the opportunity to help shape our future leaders and educate them about preserving our environment through their everyday academics.” SMASH staff members will get training around integrating this curriculum into our Inquiry Science methods February 24. As we look to prepare our students for their future, Ed Begley Jr accurately identified that this curriculum is one support mechanism as our students learn to grapple with important issues such as safe drinking water, air quality, dependence on foreign oil, and build their overall environmental literacy.
Truly Yours,
Jessica
***********************
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 Auditorium
Reserve Free Tickets at: http://rtnsmashschool.eventbrite.com/
***********************
SPIRIT DAYS - Sponsored by SMASH Student Council
Friday, February 11
“PAST DAY”
(Dress as someone or something from the past!)
Wednesday, March 2
DR SEUSS & PAJAMA DAY (Cross Core Morning Meetings - in Community Groups)
***********************
SMASH John Muir
WINTER CONCERT
Tuesday, February 8
6:00 pm
4th Grade Violin, Viola, & Cello – Library
4th Grade Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, & Flute – Auditorium
7:00 pm
5th Grade Musicians – Auditorium
8:00 pm
Smash Middle School Musicians
Auditorium Students: Please arrive 15 minutes before your performance time
***********************
IS YOUR CHILD STARTING KINDERGARTEN IN SEPTEMBER?
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RETURNED BY MARCH 31 DEADLINE
Applications are in the main office.
*************************
WEDNESDAY BAKE SALE DATES
CORE 1: Feb 16, Mar 16, May 4
CORE 2: March 2, March 30, May 11
CORE 3: Feb 23, Apr 6, May 18
CORE 4: Feb 9, Mar 9, Apr 27, May 25
TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH (Set up at 1:30pm)
CORE 2: Mar 18; CORE 3: Apr 1; CORE 4: May 13
**************************
DATES TO REMEMBER
Mon, Feb 7 - 9:00-10:15am - SMASH Tour
Tues, Feb 8 - SMASH/John Muir Winter Concert - details in this Friday Letter
Wed, Feb 9, 6:00 pm - PTSA Mtg
Fri, Feb 11 - PAST DAY - details in this Friday Letter
Wed, Feb 16 - 5:30pm - Site Council
Wed, Feb 16 - 7:00pm - Race to Nowhere, SMASH Auditorium
Mon, Feb 28 - 9:00-10:15am - SMASH Tour
**********************
UCLA School of Dentistry’s Children’s Dental Access Program
FREE Screens, Cleanings, Sealants, X-Rays and Treatment - NO Insurance Needed Pregnant Women, Infants, Toddlers and Children under 17 years old
Saturday, February 5 8:30am - 3:00pm
300 E. Buckthorn Street, Inglewood Call 310-419-3000 for an appointment (Walk-ins Welcome)
**********************
FEBRUARY IS FITNESS TESTING MONTH
ONE MILE RUN FOR 2nd through 8th GRADE (SHUTTLE RUN 1st GRADE)
PUSH-UPS, SIT-UPS, TRUNK LIFT, SIT ‘N REACH
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS WEARING APPROPRIATE
SHOES AND CLOTHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS TESTING!
RUNNING DATES
CORE 1
1st Grade - Wednesday, February 23
2nd Grade - Wednesday, February 16
CORE 2
3rd & 4th Grades - Wednesday, February 16
CORE 3
Wednesday, February 16 and Thursday, February 17
CORE 4
7th Grade - Monday, February 28
8th Grade - Wednesday, February 28
**********************
This week, SMASH hosted the Education in the Environment Kick off event. Secretary for Environmental Protection Linda Adams, Former State Senator/SMASH Parent Tom Hayden, Heal the Bay President Mark Gold, and Actor Ed Begley Jr held a press conference in our Cafeteria to announce that SMMUSD will begin implementing the State’s first in the nation environmental curriculum. Kudos to Kurt Holland and other former SMASH teachers who helped pilot this curriculum a few years ago thereby paving the way for the $50,000 grant to SMMUSD from Sempra Energy Foundation to support the use of this curriculum. Senator Fran Pavley who introduced the law sponsoring this curriculum in 2003 sent a video message to our SMMUSD teachers saying, “Today’s environmental issues are integrated into everyday life, and this curriculum gives us the opportunity to help shape our future leaders and educate them about preserving our environment through their everyday academics.” SMASH staff members will get training around integrating this curriculum into our Inquiry Science methods February 24. As we look to prepare our students for their future, Ed Begley Jr accurately identified that this curriculum is one support mechanism as our students learn to grapple with important issues such as safe drinking water, air quality, dependence on foreign oil, and build their overall environmental literacy.
Truly Yours,
Jessica
***********************
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 Auditorium
Reserve Free Tickets at: http://rtnsmashschool.eventbrite.com/
***********************
SPIRIT DAYS - Sponsored by SMASH Student Council
Friday, February 11
“PAST DAY”
(Dress as someone or something from the past!)
Wednesday, March 2
DR SEUSS & PAJAMA DAY (Cross Core Morning Meetings - in Community Groups)
***********************
SMASH John Muir
WINTER CONCERT
Tuesday, February 8
6:00 pm
4th Grade Violin, Viola, & Cello – Library
4th Grade Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, & Flute – Auditorium
7:00 pm
5th Grade Musicians – Auditorium
8:00 pm
Smash Middle School Musicians
Auditorium Students: Please arrive 15 minutes before your performance time
***********************
IS YOUR CHILD STARTING KINDERGARTEN IN SEPTEMBER?
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RETURNED BY MARCH 31 DEADLINE
Applications are in the main office.
*************************
WEDNESDAY BAKE SALE DATES
CORE 1: Feb 16, Mar 16, May 4
CORE 2: March 2, March 30, May 11
CORE 3: Feb 23, Apr 6, May 18
CORE 4: Feb 9, Mar 9, Apr 27, May 25
TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH (Set up at 1:30pm)
CORE 2: Mar 18; CORE 3: Apr 1; CORE 4: May 13
**************************
DATES TO REMEMBER
Mon, Feb 7 - 9:00-10:15am - SMASH Tour
Tues, Feb 8 - SMASH/John Muir Winter Concert - details in this Friday Letter
Wed, Feb 9, 6:00 pm - PTSA Mtg
Fri, Feb 11 - PAST DAY - details in this Friday Letter
Wed, Feb 16 - 5:30pm - Site Council
Wed, Feb 16 - 7:00pm - Race to Nowhere, SMASH Auditorium
Mon, Feb 28 - 9:00-10:15am - SMASH Tour
**********************
UCLA School of Dentistry’s Children’s Dental Access Program
FREE Screens, Cleanings, Sealants, X-Rays and Treatment - NO Insurance Needed Pregnant Women, Infants, Toddlers and Children under 17 years old
Saturday, February 5 8:30am - 3:00pm
300 E. Buckthorn Street, Inglewood Call 310-419-3000 for an appointment (Walk-ins Welcome)
**********************
FEBRUARY IS FITNESS TESTING MONTH
ONE MILE RUN FOR 2nd through 8th GRADE (SHUTTLE RUN 1st GRADE)
PUSH-UPS, SIT-UPS, TRUNK LIFT, SIT ‘N REACH
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS WEARING APPROPRIATE
SHOES AND CLOTHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS TESTING!
RUNNING DATES
CORE 1
1st Grade - Wednesday, February 23
2nd Grade - Wednesday, February 16
CORE 2
3rd & 4th Grades - Wednesday, February 16
CORE 3
Wednesday, February 16 and Thursday, February 17
CORE 4
7th Grade - Monday, February 28
8th Grade - Wednesday, February 28
**********************
SMASH School Tours
Mondays 9:00 - 10:15am (Please Note Date Changes)
February 7 & 28 March 7 & 28 April 4 May 23
Deadline for Kindergarten applications is March 31. Deadline for grades 1-8 is May 31.
**********************
Mondays 9:00 - 10:15am (Please Note Date Changes)
February 7 & 28 March 7 & 28 April 4 May 23
Deadline for Kindergarten applications is March 31. Deadline for grades 1-8 is May 31.
**********************
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition - Recycle your bicycle – Donate your bike
As part of the County Cycling Collaborative, Jonathan Green, a.k.a. the Bike Wrangler, is collecting bikes to redistribute throughout LA County through a Bike Drive going through January 31, 2011! If you're interested in donating a bike, please contact Jonathan at jonathan@la-bike.org or 213-629-2142.
To learn more about the Bike Wrangler program, read Joe Linton's pieces on the LACBC blog and LA Streetsblog!
************************
As part of the County Cycling Collaborative, Jonathan Green, a.k.a. the Bike Wrangler, is collecting bikes to redistribute throughout LA County through a Bike Drive going through January 31, 2011! If you're interested in donating a bike, please contact Jonathan at jonathan@la-bike.org or 213-629-2142.
To learn more about the Bike Wrangler program, read Joe Linton's pieces on the LACBC blog and LA Streetsblog!
************************
SERIOUSLY FUNNY KIDS
Catch some of our SMASH kids on Lifetime Channel’s “Seriously Funny Kids” Tuesday nights at 9:00pm. Core 1 Emie was on this week and Core 2 Zelda will be on next Tuesday!
**********************
Santa Monica High School Choir Presents Santa Monica High School’s CAFÉ SAMO
Café Samo is a delightful, cabaret-style show produced annually by the Samohi Choir Program, featuring dozens of talented student performers who create and produce their own musical acts. This year there are three shows. Friday, February 4 @ 7:30 pm; Saturday, February 5 @ 4 pm and 7:30 pm Humanities Center Theater, 2nd floor, English Building (Santa Monica High School campus)$10 (Tickets sold at the door) Food, desserts and drinks are for sale before
shows and during intermission. http://www.samohichoir.org/
************************
Catch some of our SMASH kids on Lifetime Channel’s “Seriously Funny Kids” Tuesday nights at 9:00pm. Core 1 Emie was on this week and Core 2 Zelda will be on next Tuesday!
**********************
Santa Monica High School Choir Presents Santa Monica High School’s CAFÉ SAMO
Café Samo is a delightful, cabaret-style show produced annually by the Samohi Choir Program, featuring dozens of talented student performers who create and produce their own musical acts. This year there are three shows. Friday, February 4 @ 7:30 pm; Saturday, February 5 @ 4 pm and 7:30 pm Humanities Center Theater, 2nd floor, English Building (Santa Monica High School campus)$10 (Tickets sold at the door) Food, desserts and drinks are for sale before
shows and during intermission. http://www.samohichoir.org/
************************
FLYERS AVAILABLE IN THE SMASH MAIN OFFICE
Broadway Gymnastic School 2010-2011 Registration
Winter/Spring: 2-1-11 to 3-29-11 Spring: 4-5-11 to 6-14-11 Transportation provided
Broadway Gymnastic School 2010-2011 Registration
Winter/Spring: 2-1-11 to 3-29-11 Spring: 4-5-11 to 6-14-11 Transportation provided
Read by the Mile: Reading Marathon - Read Your Way Across LA!
Registration: February 1 to February 28 For students in grades 3 to 5
Put your reading skills to the test! Sign up and track your hours on a special reading log!
Read 26 hours. Complete by Sat, March 12 and receive an invitation to a special medal ceremony and program.
Questions? Call the Youth Services Department at 310-458-8621
**********************
Celebrate Chinese New Year - Year of the Rabbit
In Los Angeles' own Chinatown!
On February 2, begin the celebration with a Midnight Ceremony to usher in the New Year at Thien Hau Temple, then come for a weekend full of fun activities:
Feb 5: The 112th Annual Golden Dragon Parade
Feb 5 & 6: Lunar New Year Festival (2/5-2/6)
Entertainment and Cultural activities at Central and West Plazas
Feb 6: The Great Chinatown Hunt" with RaceLA
Feb 12 & 13: The 33rd Annual Firecracker 5K/10K Run/Walk
These events are located at Broadway and College St. in Los Angeles Chinatown and are free for all ages! For more information, visit www.ChinatownLA.com or call (213) 680-0243.
**********************
Calling All Artists
The Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corp. announced Thursday its latest edition of the annual Twilight Dance Series poster contest. The winning design will become the official poster for the 27th annual Twilight Dance Series, the pier’s free summer concerts. The poster will serve as the primary advertising piece for the annual event that attracts over 100,000 concert-goers each summer.
All entries are due on Friday, March 11 by 5 p.m. At that time, finalists will be selected and online voting will take place through April. Entries will be displayed in the pier’s Carousel Building from March 21 through April 17.
The winner will receive a $750 prize and a VIP package for the concert series. For details on how to submit, visit 2011 Summer Pier Concert Series Poster Contest http://www.santamonicapier.org/storage/pdf/20011contestrules.pdf
***********************
The Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corp. announced Thursday its latest edition of the annual Twilight Dance Series poster contest. The winning design will become the official poster for the 27th annual Twilight Dance Series, the pier’s free summer concerts. The poster will serve as the primary advertising piece for the annual event that attracts over 100,000 concert-goers each summer.
All entries are due on Friday, March 11 by 5 p.m. At that time, finalists will be selected and online voting will take place through April. Entries will be displayed in the pier’s Carousel Building from March 21 through April 17.
The winner will receive a $750 prize and a VIP package for the concert series. For details on how to submit, visit 2011 Summer Pier Concert Series Poster Contest http://www.santamonicapier.org/storage/pdf/20011contestrules.pdf
***********************
ptsa news
president’s message
president’s message
Dear SMASHing Parents,
The first meeting of the SuperSMASH organizing committee was held this morning. At the meeting we talked about the Core Art Projects, the Silent Auction, the Carnival, the refreshments, marketing and advertising, the music and everything else that goes into this great event.
As you know SuperSMASH is our summer festival and a great celebration
of our community. There will be food, activities, rides and games, and of course, our ever popular Silent and Live Auction. SuperSMASH is our main fundraiser. SMASH depends on the proceeds of that one Saturday to help us meet a major portion of our annual budget. And that one Saturday needs the entire SMASH family. We need people to help prepare the event, create and coordinate booths, run them, advertise and market the event ... and we also need someone to co-chair the event and eventually take over when our current chair moves on to high school. If you have any questions, contact me at 310-828-8421 or helgaschier@verizon.net
For the Jog-a-thon (scheduled for March 4), Core 2 moms Lillie and Darlene are still looking for volunteers and donations. Please contact events chairs Darlene Flanders [dflanders@quixo.com] and Lillie Schlessinger (lillie.Schlessinger@transamerica.com] and let them know if you or your company can donate or whether you can volunteer for the morning on Friday, March 4, to help assure this event runs smoothly.
Dan McGee
ptsa annual family investment drive
The SMASH Annual Family Investment Drive continues 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, there are still openings. Please contact Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com) at your earliest convenience and find out what upcoming events are still available.
SMASH ptsa nominating committee
If you have an interest in getting more involved in PTSA, our board has some openings. For next year, we need a new V.P. of Membership for the 2011-2012 school year. The V.P. of Membership is responsible for maintaining the PTSA membership list. The bulk of the position’s job duties are front-loaded at the beginning of the school year, and duties are minimal after November. Anyone interested in the position should contact our outgoing V.P.
of Membership, Catherine Lerer (clerer@mcgeelerer.com), and she can give you more info.
In addition, next year we are planning to create new position on the SMASH PTSA Board to handle money for the Core 3 & 4 trips. The PTSA is planning to have a separate account for money collected from the 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade parents to pay for their kids learning adventures including Astro Camp, Catalina Island and Yosemite National Park. If you are interested please Dan McGee (dmcgee@mcgeelerer.com).
SMASHing meetings
Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9 at 6pm. 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.
GREEN TIP FOR THE WEEK
Carpet/Textile Recycling: Replacing your carpet soon? Own an apartment complex or condo under renovation? Look out for the Carpet Recycling Event, February 26. Open to Santa Monica residents, apartment owners, and hotels! www.smgov.net/r3 for more info.
**********************
Only 4 more weeks until Jog-a-thon 2011
Friday, March 4
· GO GET THOSE PLEDGES! Ask your neighbors, call family and friends, pledge your whole Core (penny a lap anyone?), email those faraway relatives. Is your teacher or parent running? They can get pledges too! We have extra pledge packets in the office.
· VOLUNTEER! Are you handy with a paper cup, spray bottle or rubber band? If so, the Jog-a-thon needs you! We need parent volunteers to help hand out refreshments, count laps and cheer on our SMASH athletes.
SMASHing meetings
Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9 at 6pm. 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.
GREEN TIP FOR THE WEEK
Carpet/Textile Recycling: Replacing your carpet soon? Own an apartment complex or condo under renovation? Look out for the Carpet Recycling Event, February 26. Open to Santa Monica residents, apartment owners, and hotels! www.smgov.net/r3 for more info.
**********************
Only 4 more weeks until Jog-a-thon 2011
Friday, March 4
· GO GET THOSE PLEDGES! Ask your neighbors, call family and friends, pledge your whole Core (penny a lap anyone?), email those faraway relatives. Is your teacher or parent running? They can get pledges too! We have extra pledge packets in the office.
· VOLUNTEER! Are you handy with a paper cup, spray bottle or rubber band? If so, the Jog-a-thon needs you! We need parent volunteers to help hand out refreshments, count laps and cheer on our SMASH athletes.
Contact Lillie Schlessinger at 310-392-9446 or
lillie.schlessinger@transameri ca.com to volunteer.
You can volunteer or just come and cheer!
Pledge Packets are due back Thursday, March 3
**********************
SMASH
2525 5th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Jessica Rishe, Principal
Dear ____________________________
It’s that time of year again! My SMASHing Jog-a-thon ’11 will take place on March 4th. I will be participating by running laps for 20 minutes to help raise money for my school, Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH). Thanks to the support of family and friends like you, we raised over $16,000 last year that went directly to enriching our curriculum and experience at SMASH. I would be very happy to list you as one of my sponsors at this year’s event.
You can pledge one of two ways: Pledge a flat donation regardless of the number of laps I complete, or pledge a specified amount per lap (for example, 20 laps x $2.00 = $40.00 pledge total). SMASH does not have an official track so a “lap” tends to be about 1/8 of a mile (give or take).
Please make the check payable to SMASH PTSA and mail it to my house as soon as you can.
You can also pay by credit card at http://ptsasmash.blogspot.com/ (where it says “donate”). When reviewing your donation there will be a hyperlink that says “add special instructions to seller” and you can type in my name and the word “Jog-a-thon.” If you are making a per lap pledge I will contact you immediately following the event to inform you of the total.
Thanks in advance for being a part of this year’s Jog-a-thon, and for supporting my efforts in this fun-filled fundraiser!
Best Wishes,
**************************
CORE 1 NEWS
Dramatic News!!!!
Core 1 Workshop is proud to present "The Gods and Goddesses of Mount Olympus Project." The students worked with parent Maggie Sennish creating an improvisation they will present this Friday February 11th at 9:30 in the cafetorium to any interested Core 1 families. They performers would like to extend the invitation to their siblings in other cores.
Core 1 will be attending a performance of Pinkalicious: The Musical at the Morgan-Wixson Theater on Friday, February 18th. This musical is based on one of our favorite books, Pinkalicious, by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. The show is co-produced by SMASH parent Tracy Saltzman. If you are interested in chaperoning this event, please sign-up in Candis’ room.
Save the date! To culminate our 9 weeks of drama instruction with Kristy Pace, Core 1 will celebrate our learning and share videos of our plays on Wednesday, March 30th from 8:45-10:00. We are in the 3rd week of our 9-week session of exercising imagination and building drama skills or…drama-cising! The children participate in a holistic drama experience in which they act like a character. This week, some young actors participated in a baking contest. They negotiated ad compromised on recipes and jobs. They wrote colored and practiced 3-D baking. Bravo to the princess and all her bakers!
Romantic News
One of our favorite holidays, in honor of love and friendship, is coming soon! We will be celebrating Valentine's Day on Friday, February 11th. Each child may (but is not required to) bring Valentine cards to share. If your child chooses to bring cards, please remember 3 very important guidelines:1. There must be 23 cards (one for each child in his/her circle group).2. Please don’t address the cards to specific children. You’re welcome to write From: _______ or Love, ________, but please DO NOT write To: _________. This can get extremely confusing at our celebration….3. Please do not bring in candy for the kids. We are simply sharing words of love and kindness!
Other Announcements
*We are still collecting shoeboxes and lightweight boxes for our construction project. We also appreciate tape donations (used rolls are great, too!)
*If you have large appliance boxes please bring them to Core1. We will be using them to design sets for our plays.
*Please read the attached notice on head lice.
Have a WONDERFUL Weekend
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela, Jackie & Karin
cberens@smmusd.org
gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
**********************
CORE 2 NEWS
Advisory News: They’re getting to know, coming up with names for, and adjusting to the new Advisory Groups. We’re glad to have this opportunity to revisit CARES, set new guidelines, give students a fresh start with a “new” group, and ramp up classroom, personal, and homework responsibilities because we can tell they are a little rusty. (Spring Break is still pretty far away, but it feels like it’s right around the corner ;-) ***Family HW: Play a game together as a family. Hmmm…one of our math games, perhaps? Ask your child about Homework Club!!!
**********************
CORE 2 NEWS
Advisory News: They’re getting to know, coming up with names for, and adjusting to the new Advisory Groups. We’re glad to have this opportunity to revisit CARES, set new guidelines, give students a fresh start with a “new” group, and ramp up classroom, personal, and homework responsibilities because we can tell they are a little rusty. (Spring Break is still pretty far away, but it feels like it’s right around the corner ;-) ***Family HW: Play a game together as a family. Hmmm…one of our math games, perhaps? Ask your child about Homework Club!!!
Learning Walks: You may have noticed that both Tamara and Laura were out of the classroom this week. As part of a district-wide grant, we had the opportunity to do a school Learning Walk. Over the 2 days, we observed each classroom on campus to look for evidence of how students are using academic language in Science and Math to support and build upon their learning. We used those observations to grow ideas about how to improve in these (and all)
curricular areas. At SMASH, we love to reflect and learn together.
Valentine’s Day: If your child would like to give Valentine cards, please make sure they have one for each child in their advisory (optional – one for each child in Core 2). Your child should sign all the cards—PLEASE do not writethe recipients’ names on them. No candy, chocolate, or sweets, please. *** On F 2/11, we’ll be making ourmailboxes. On M 2/14, you may donate Valentine-themed snack—think pink! Our <3>
curricular areas. At SMASH, we love to reflect and learn together.
Valentine’s Day: If your child would like to give Valentine cards, please make sure they have one for each child in their advisory (optional – one for each child in Core 2). Your child should sign all the cards—PLEASE do not writethe recipients’ names on them. No candy, chocolate, or sweets, please. *** On F 2/11, we’ll be making ourmailboxes. On M 2/14, you may donate Valentine-themed snack—think pink! Our <3>
Theme: As promised, we launched a new Theme unit this week. In Science, Laura helped the kids chart what they already know about rocks and conduct a “hardness scale” experiment. Tamara introduced the big idea of the social studies unit--Why do people move?--and the students explored the textbooks to find out who, what, where, when, and how different people have moved throughout history.
Literacy:
RW: During Reading Buddies, the students have an opportunity to mentor younger readers—sharing their best wordsolving skills, reading comprehension strategies, and practicing reading aloud. We do Reading Buddies with Core 1 every Wednesday from 2:00 – 2:40. ***RW HW: Core 2 students—by now you should read 30 – 45 minutes each night. Just do it!
WW: The students revised and did a “quick publish” of their persuasive letters. (No editing--they proofread to check the letter format only.) Editing, rewriting, and mailing will be optional. Coming up, a new Literacy unit—reading biographies and writing autobiographies (just in time for the brand new Student Council Spirit Day: Past Day! WHO will you be on February 11?!) ***WW HW: Core 2 students—this week, make your own KWL chart about
Science or Social Studies. What do you already Know about rocks or why people move? What do you Want to know? This will help us plan what to Learn!
Math:
Laura’s 3rd graders are bringing home the math work that they have completed this year. They have 5 activities – Go Collecting, Close to 100, Capture on the 300 Chart, How Far From 100 and Magic 20. These activities will help your child practice and strengthen the basic facts we have been working on this year. ***3G HW, play a different activity each day—these facts should become second nature!
Tamara’s 4th graders continued the unit, Multiple Towers and Division Stories. This week we dove into the division portion of the unit. We started by playing games, making arrays/groups with our bodies, relating division to what we already know about multiplication, and solving real-life division situations. ***4G HW due F 2/11.
3G and 4G: the 100th Day of School is just around the corner. This year Core 2 will be sharing collections. Each child’s collection should include 100 items arranged so it can be counted quickly or with their “mind’s eye” (no groups of 1’s or 100), plus the math sentence that goes with it. (i.e. a button collection of 100 divided into groups of 4. 25 groups of 4 equal 100 or 25 x 4 = 100). ***Please allow your child to search and estimate items that might be around 100 and choose their own way to display/present their collection.
3G and 4G: the 100th Day of School is just around the corner. This year Core 2 will be sharing collections. Each child’s collection should include 100 items arranged so it can be counted quickly or with their “mind’s eye” (no groups of 1’s or 100), plus the math sentence that goes with it. (i.e. a button collection of 100 divided into groups of 4. 25 groups of 4 equal 100 or 25 x 4 = 100). ***Please allow your child to search and estimate items that might be around 100 and choose their own way to display/present their collection.
SMASHing Arts: This week the students learned how to observe and draw what they see. They used frames and different point’s of view to explore the still life, the shadows created by the objects, and create their drawing.
Dates to Remember:
Tuesday, February 8 – Winter Music Concert, 4 graders, 6:00pm
Friday, February 11 - Brand New Student Council Spirit Day: “Past Day” WHO will you be?!
Monday February 14 -Valentine’s Day Card Exchange, see info above
Wednesday, February 16 - 100th Day of School, see info above
Tamara, Laura, Jayme, Nadja, and Karin
Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org
Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
Jayme: j.wold@smmusd.org
***************************
CORE 3 NEWS
6th grade parents, please RSVP no later than Wed, 2/9 if you plan to attend the
Planned Parenthood Parent Evening on Wed, 2/23.
Ten people need to be in attendance to put on this informational meeting.
PP will start visits with our 6th graders on 2/25.
5th grade Parent Astrocamp meeting Wed 2/9, 6:00 in Darwin's room
Needed: cleaning spray or cleaning wipes!
Birthday Parties: It has come to our attention at various points throughout this year that small numbers of students are being left out of larger birthday parties. As parents we understand the need to keep the numbers from going too high - the costs can skyrocket! Not to mention your sanity. We also know that students are asked to not talk about the upcoming
parties at school, so as not to hurt feelings. This is a kind gesture. Unfortunately, it rarely works. As 11 and 12 year olds will do, students chat about the festivities at school, other children hear about it, and feelings get hurt. We would like to suggest that if you are planning on inviting more than 4 or 5 good friends to you child's party, that you invite everyone within a "natural grouping. " For example: all the 6th grade boys, all the 5th graders, all the Core 3 girls, etc.
We know that you do your best and these issues are always difficult. However, we witness firsthand the sadness andfrustration of the students who get left out and thank you for considering this suggestion.
6th Grade Math w/ Carrie: We continued our investigation of fractions this week and added looking at the equivalent decimals and percents. This can be a tricky thing for students to figure out so we are using lots of visuals (hundreds grids, thousands grids, and huge number lines). We looked for "benchmark" decimals and fractions to help us figure out if we are on track and students shared their ideas about how they think about decimals (some think about money and
some think about percents to help them visualize how much a decimal is worth).
6th Grade Math w/ Erin Shapes and Designs: Notice the name change? We have moved on from "Data About Us" to "Shapes and Designs," our Geometry unit. The students began the unit this week by brainstorming about what twodimensional shapes they see in real life. They then drew these shapes or cut other shapes from magazines and noted the characteristics and properties of each shape - sides/angles. Next week we will begin to explore polygons and symmetry.
5th gr Math w/ Genie: On Monday, we will be taking the addition and subtraction unit assessment and reflect on the unit. And then we will be moving to the very important fractions, percents and decimals unit called Name that Portion?. Be on the look out for the very handy and informative parent letters which give you ways to support your child at home as well as brush up on your own fraction, percents and decimal understanding.
Science: We continued our next unit by thinking about some of the Powerful Forces in Nature (volcanoes, hurricanes, tsunamis/tidal waves, avalanches, floods, fires, tornadoes, and earthquakes). The students completed "What we know" and "What we want to know" charts about each Powerful Force. They also gave their preferences for which type of force they would be most interested in studying in depth. Next week they will be assigned to teams to work on a project about their force. More details will be provided in next week's Friday Letter.
Social Studies and Geography: A few weeks ago we talked briefly about the use of Native American mascots and this week we delved further into the topic. The students looked at a political cartoon featuring mascots of different ethnic groups. What if a team was called the Cleveland Blacks? The Cleveland Jews? The Cleveland Latinos? Or the Cleveland Asians? What if these names accompanied a stereotypical image of said ethnicity? Would these be acceptable?
The students then learned about a brief history of Native American mascots and continued discussing the various issues that surround this debate: How do you think non-Indian people would react if their sports teams used religious symbolism relating to Judaism, Christianity, or Islam? Why do you think that Native Americans are the most used group of people in the United States that are portrayed as mascots? DO you believe that all Native American people disagree with the use of Native American mascots? Why or why not? We look forward to continuing with this issue next week.
In Geography, the good news - three Core 3 students know the location of all 50 United States and their capitals! Most other students know the location of many more states than they did in September and know more capital cities as well. That being said, we still have work to do. Students will continue to work on their US Capitals study project for one more week and we will have another quiz next Friday. The goal is improvement. I know they can do it!
Reading & Writing Workshop w/ Genie: We want our readers to keep reading nonfiction even though we are leaving the nonfiction unit. Your reader will now have an assigned nonfiction article to read which will be placed in their mailboxes every Friday and need to be read and marked up (ask your child what that means—we've been doing it a lot this past school year). The article needs to be read by the following Thurs for Reading Workshop four our nonfiction discussion. Feel free to ask your child for their nonfiction article to read so you can have a discussion with your child about it. Next week we will be reading our whole class novel, Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman. We will connect it to our trimester theme, Power, as we look at a community through different characters' perspectives and their connections through a common garden. In writing, we've begun our own museum brochure. We have been planning our museum's mission statement and galleries. It's still that informational writing with a main idea/purpose and supporting reasons guised as gallery paragraphs. Ask your writer what museum they are creating.
Homework:
6g Math - Assignment 18 due 2/7
Science - No homework this week
5g Math - Packet #17 is DUE 2/11 (and packet #16 is DUE today, 2/4)
Reading - Read every day for 30min—Log in pages/write at least 1 question or thought
Reading – Nonfiction Article "Inalienable Rights"—read and marked up by Thurs 2/10
Writing –collect at least 2 entries for the week—start gathering new personal narrative ideas—think about the short
stories we have read, "Little League" and "Popularity".
Genie, Carrie, Erin & Malaika
Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org
***************************
CORE 3 NEWS
6th grade parents, please RSVP no later than Wed, 2/9 if you plan to attend the
Planned Parenthood Parent Evening on Wed, 2/23.
Ten people need to be in attendance to put on this informational meeting.
PP will start visits with our 6th graders on 2/25.
5th grade Parent Astrocamp meeting Wed 2/9, 6:00 in Darwin's room
Needed: cleaning spray or cleaning wipes!
Birthday Parties: It has come to our attention at various points throughout this year that small numbers of students are being left out of larger birthday parties. As parents we understand the need to keep the numbers from going too high - the costs can skyrocket! Not to mention your sanity. We also know that students are asked to not talk about the upcoming
parties at school, so as not to hurt feelings. This is a kind gesture. Unfortunately, it rarely works. As 11 and 12 year olds will do, students chat about the festivities at school, other children hear about it, and feelings get hurt. We would like to suggest that if you are planning on inviting more than 4 or 5 good friends to you child's party, that you invite everyone within a "natural grouping. " For example: all the 6th grade boys, all the 5th graders, all the Core 3 girls, etc.
We know that you do your best and these issues are always difficult. However, we witness firsthand the sadness andfrustration of the students who get left out and thank you for considering this suggestion.
6th Grade Math w/ Carrie: We continued our investigation of fractions this week and added looking at the equivalent decimals and percents. This can be a tricky thing for students to figure out so we are using lots of visuals (hundreds grids, thousands grids, and huge number lines). We looked for "benchmark" decimals and fractions to help us figure out if we are on track and students shared their ideas about how they think about decimals (some think about money and
some think about percents to help them visualize how much a decimal is worth).
6th Grade Math w/ Erin Shapes and Designs: Notice the name change? We have moved on from "Data About Us" to "Shapes and Designs," our Geometry unit. The students began the unit this week by brainstorming about what twodimensional shapes they see in real life. They then drew these shapes or cut other shapes from magazines and noted the characteristics and properties of each shape - sides/angles. Next week we will begin to explore polygons and symmetry.
5th gr Math w/ Genie: On Monday, we will be taking the addition and subtraction unit assessment and reflect on the unit. And then we will be moving to the very important fractions, percents and decimals unit called Name that Portion?. Be on the look out for the very handy and informative parent letters which give you ways to support your child at home as well as brush up on your own fraction, percents and decimal understanding.
Science: We continued our next unit by thinking about some of the Powerful Forces in Nature (volcanoes, hurricanes, tsunamis/tidal waves, avalanches, floods, fires, tornadoes, and earthquakes). The students completed "What we know" and "What we want to know" charts about each Powerful Force. They also gave their preferences for which type of force they would be most interested in studying in depth. Next week they will be assigned to teams to work on a project about their force. More details will be provided in next week's Friday Letter.
Social Studies and Geography: A few weeks ago we talked briefly about the use of Native American mascots and this week we delved further into the topic. The students looked at a political cartoon featuring mascots of different ethnic groups. What if a team was called the Cleveland Blacks? The Cleveland Jews? The Cleveland Latinos? Or the Cleveland Asians? What if these names accompanied a stereotypical image of said ethnicity? Would these be acceptable?
The students then learned about a brief history of Native American mascots and continued discussing the various issues that surround this debate: How do you think non-Indian people would react if their sports teams used religious symbolism relating to Judaism, Christianity, or Islam? Why do you think that Native Americans are the most used group of people in the United States that are portrayed as mascots? DO you believe that all Native American people disagree with the use of Native American mascots? Why or why not? We look forward to continuing with this issue next week.
In Geography, the good news - three Core 3 students know the location of all 50 United States and their capitals! Most other students know the location of many more states than they did in September and know more capital cities as well. That being said, we still have work to do. Students will continue to work on their US Capitals study project for one more week and we will have another quiz next Friday. The goal is improvement. I know they can do it!
Reading & Writing Workshop w/ Genie: We want our readers to keep reading nonfiction even though we are leaving the nonfiction unit. Your reader will now have an assigned nonfiction article to read which will be placed in their mailboxes every Friday and need to be read and marked up (ask your child what that means—we've been doing it a lot this past school year). The article needs to be read by the following Thurs for Reading Workshop four our nonfiction discussion. Feel free to ask your child for their nonfiction article to read so you can have a discussion with your child about it. Next week we will be reading our whole class novel, Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman. We will connect it to our trimester theme, Power, as we look at a community through different characters' perspectives and their connections through a common garden. In writing, we've begun our own museum brochure. We have been planning our museum's mission statement and galleries. It's still that informational writing with a main idea/purpose and supporting reasons guised as gallery paragraphs. Ask your writer what museum they are creating.
Homework:
6g Math - Assignment 18 due 2/7
Science - No homework this week
5g Math - Packet #17 is DUE 2/11 (and packet #16 is DUE today, 2/4)
Reading - Read every day for 30min—Log in pages/write at least 1 question or thought
Reading – Nonfiction Article "Inalienable Rights"—read and marked up by Thurs 2/10
Writing –collect at least 2 entries for the week—start gathering new personal narrative ideas—think about the short
stories we have read, "Little League" and "Popularity".
Genie, Carrie, Erin & Malaika
Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org
Carrie: cferguson@smmusd.org
Erin: dodgers44@smmusd.org
***************************
CORE 4 NEWS
We are starting the service learning cycle for 7th grade. To Help I wanted to define the terms used to make evaluations and focus our efforts during service learning projects.
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CORE 4 NEWS
We are starting the service learning cycle for 7th grade. To Help I wanted to define the terms used to make evaluations and focus our efforts during service learning projects.
Service Learning Definitions and Requirements Explained
Service Learning = As conceived by Carrie and refined by Jessica and Kurt this means learning how to change the world one small local piece at a time. More formally: “Service learning meets a community need while equally meeting the student’s educational needs through active participation in meaningful work.” This learning takes place in a community setting, normally, but not always, outside the school site. A couple of examples: Working at the deli, making copies for a teacher, or redefining something one would have done anyway “in order to meet the requirement” are not service learning. Learning how to use tech tools to map safe routes to school and developing a program of ‘bus buddies,” walking leaders, and car pools that free students and their parents from the tyranny of the auto is service learning. Planting trees and learning about how this moderates accelerated climate change even as it improves our local quality of life is service learning. Acting as a coach/moderator during our lunch periods is an example of a service learning activity that could be performed right on school grounds under the right circumstances. We expect students to stretch themselves past their existing routines, activities, and preferences!
Community Service = Hours spent aiding the community in some important manner that does not include a learning component. 25 Hours required if this route is chosen for the fulfillment of the graduation requirement.
Service Learning Hours = 20 Total hours of effort will be performed between Sept, 9 and May, 2010. Kurt will arrange and lead the first ten hours as an example of how to do a service learning project.
SMASHing leadership tasks = Acting as peer mentors, aiding our staff as we clean our shared areas, acting as a CARES role model for our younger students all fall outside our understanding of service learning tasks. These are normal familial type things, not service learning. A fuzzy area exists depending on the degree of involvement displayed by individual students, however. For example, we would expect that all of our SMASHing seniors would step up and read with younger kids as a normal part of our cross core learning. This would not satisfy their service requirements. However, if an individual student learned effective tutoring techniques and dedicated her lunch times to helping others learn to read or understand math more effectively that would be valuable, indeed.
Fundraising Tasks = All students will be asked to help us raise funds for the 8th grade trips to Hess Kramer and Berkeley. Each individual will be encouraged to raise $300, if circumstances permit. I am hoping that all SMASHing seniors will babysit, wash cars, and work in order that everyone may join us on these trips regardless of family finances. Once again, if an individual student spends focused time in an organizing role, including scheduling people, managing the event, or earning a certification like FA and CPR, this would be considered service hours.
Student Action Groups = Organized groups of about three students who are expected to support one another through the rigors of a demanding service project.
Community Service = Hours spent aiding the community in some important manner that does not include a learning component. 25 Hours required if this route is chosen for the fulfillment of the graduation requirement.
Service Learning Hours = 20 Total hours of effort will be performed between Sept, 9 and May, 2010. Kurt will arrange and lead the first ten hours as an example of how to do a service learning project.
SMASHing leadership tasks = Acting as peer mentors, aiding our staff as we clean our shared areas, acting as a CARES role model for our younger students all fall outside our understanding of service learning tasks. These are normal familial type things, not service learning. A fuzzy area exists depending on the degree of involvement displayed by individual students, however. For example, we would expect that all of our SMASHing seniors would step up and read with younger kids as a normal part of our cross core learning. This would not satisfy their service requirements. However, if an individual student learned effective tutoring techniques and dedicated her lunch times to helping others learn to read or understand math more effectively that would be valuable, indeed.
Fundraising Tasks = All students will be asked to help us raise funds for the 8th grade trips to Hess Kramer and Berkeley. Each individual will be encouraged to raise $300, if circumstances permit. I am hoping that all SMASHing seniors will babysit, wash cars, and work in order that everyone may join us on these trips regardless of family finances. Once again, if an individual student spends focused time in an organizing role, including scheduling people, managing the event, or earning a certification like FA and CPR, this would be considered service hours.
Student Action Groups = Organized groups of about three students who are expected to support one another through the rigors of a demanding service project.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
Darwin: dmendinueto@smmusd.org
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
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