Smash Friday Letter

Dear SMASHing Families,
For those who are unaware, SMMUSD is engaged in a multi-year Middle School Initiative. A team of parents, teachers, staff and administrators have created a survey to get additional middle school (student, parent, and staff) input about our District’s 4 middle schools. The questions address areas aligned to our philosophy in the SMASH community and it is a wonderful opportunity to create discussions about practices and priorities amongst the middle and perhaps even the high school campuses in the District.

Families were asked to comment on their child's middle school experience as it relates to:

1) Physical, social and emotional health such as sleep habits, nutrition, and physical activity level.
2) Safety such as implementation of a fair discipline policy, encouragement of parent advocacy for their children at school, respectful treatment of families.

3) Student and family engagement such as providing children with positive feedback or providing information about school events.

4) Support from the school such as having at least one teacher or staff member who knows a child well, teachers or administrators notifying parents if there is a problem, having access to teachers.

5) Academic challenge such as meaningful feedback regarding work or high expectations for students.

When I receive aggregated results, I will share a few points of interest with you. In the meantime, just wanted to keep you tuned in to this triangulated means (surveys of students, parents, staff) our greater community is using to examine learning environments for our children as they grow into adolescents.
Jessica
************************
SuperSMASH Auction, Carnival and Raffle
Look in today’s Friday Letter to see what’s in this year’s raffle -
PLUS check out ways that you can volunteer to help make SuperSMASH a success!
Raffle ticket sales start today in the small yard and will continue on Wednesdays at the bake sale and Friday afternoons in the small yard.
Please note that some of the raffle events will happen before SuperSMASH - so don’t wait!
************************
IS YOUR CHILD GOING TO RETURN TO SMASH IN SEPTEMBER?
Please fill in the form sent home today and return to the SMASH office no later than May 20.
Thanks!
************************
WEDNESDAY BAKE SALE DATES CORE 2: May 11; CORE 3: May 18 ; CORE 4: May 25
TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH CORE 4: May 13
************************
DATES TO REMEMBER
May 2-11 - California State Star Testing, grades 2-8
Fri, Sat, Sun, May 6-8 - SMASH Camping Trip
Wed, May 11, 8:30am - SMASH PTSA Meeting
Fri, May 13 - Movie Fun Night - CANCELLED
Wed, May 18 - 6:00pm - Open House
Mon, May 23 - 9-10:15am - Last SMASH school tour
Wed, May 25 - 5-6:00pm - Site Council Mtg
Fri, May 27 - Furlough Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Mon, May 30 - Memorial Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Wed, Jun 1 - 6pm - PTSA Mtg
Fri, June 3 - Arts & Letters Sale
Sat, Jun 11 - SuperSMASH Carnival & Auction
************************
Kristy Pace, our own artist in residence, went to puppet school and now she’d like to invite you to an all new show!
The Puppet Jukebox
Celebrating music, WITH PUPPETS!
THE BEST PART is the matinee performance is adapted just for families,
so all of her young friends can come out to see it too. (Evening performances have adult content)
Shows are May 26, 27 & 28 with the children’s matinee on May 28.
For tickets (adults $15 and children $7) go to http://www.puppetschool.com/pj/
************************
Come to Children’s Book World and hear
Max Kornell read his new book, Bear with Me
Saturday, May 7 at 10:30am
Looking for something fun to do this Saturday? Erin's (Core 3 teacher) husband and future SMASH parent, will be doing a reading and signing of his new children's book, Bear With Me, at Children's Book World, 10580 1/2 W. Pico
Blvd., 90064, this Saturday, May 7th at 10:30 am.
He will also be visiting the SMASH classrooms later in May for a book talk. Hope to see you there!
************************
NOTE FROM NURSE SANDY
ALL STUDENTS entering 7th through 12 grades in the 2011-2012 school year in California must be immunized with pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine booster called Tdap.
Please bring in proof of this vaccine into our office anytime before the end of this school year, or before the 1st day of school (August 30). Janice will be in the office to accept these records for 2 weeks before school begins. A flyer with further information is being sent home today.
************************
SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, MAY 7 - 11AM - 6PM - CLOVER PARK - 2600 OCEAN PARK BLVD
FREE ADMISSION - FREE PARTKING - FREE BIKE VALET
Commemorating its twentieth year, the Santa Monica Festival has evolved into a celebration of the unique intersection of art and the environment. Festival-goers can celebrate Mother Earth and all moms this Mother’s Day weekend with an eclectic mix of live music and dance, DIY art workshops utilizing recycled and repurposed materials, guilt-free shopping from vendor featuring earth-friendly artistic wares and local resources offered by a variety of City and local
nonprofit organizations. For information go to www. smgov.net/festival or call 310-458-8350
************************
Coach Ron Guercio, who works in CREST playground access is ill and will be out for the next few weeks. We wish him well and hope to see him back here soon!
************************
IS YOUR CHILD RETURNING TO SMASH NEXT YEAR?
We are in the process of making plans for next year’s enrollment. It is important for us to know if you are planning on returning to SMASH so that we can provide other children the opportunity to enroll.

If you are planning to attend another school in the district, you must complete and submit an
Intradistrict Open Enrollment Application to the district’s Student Permit Office. Applications are available in the SMASH main office.

Please fill in this form and return to the main office by May 20.

_____ YES, we will be returning

_____ NO, we will not be returning

If no, please let us know the reason and where your child will be attending so that we can
transfer school records. Thanks.

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________


Child’s Name ________________________________________

Current Grade __________

__________________________________
Parent or Guardian Signature

************************
Coming Soon . . . SuperSMASH Raffle
This year we are raffling off some fantastic events hosted by our SMASHING staff. Most of the events will take place after SuperSMASH, but three of them will take place before the big day. These early events are:
· UCLA baseball game on Friday, May 20 with Genie and Erin
· Dodgers vs Rockies baseball game on Tuesday, May 31 with Kurt and Candis
· Sleepover Party at SMASH on June 9 with Jayme, Erin and Tamara.

What do you need to do? First, mark your calendars now so your child will be able to participate if he/she is a lucky winner. Next, purchase your raffle tickets. Ticket sales will begin this Friday, May 6 in the small yard and will be available on Wednesdays at bake sale and Fridays after school in the small yard up until the event. The drawing for the UCLA Baseball Game will take place on Wednesday, May 18 at the close of our school Open House!

Below is a summary of all the SuperSMASH Raffle Events so you know what to look forward to.
If you have any questions, please contact Grace Akazawa at graceakazawa@hotmail.com or Andrea Kahn at trevellin@adelphia.net

Pre SuperSMASH Events
UCLA Bruin Baseball Game (Erin & Genie) 5/20 - Winners will be selected on May 18
LA Dodger Game (Candis & Kurt) 5/31
Sleepover at SMASH (Jayme, Erin and Tamara) - 6/9

Post SuperSMASH Events -
Raffle winners will be selected at the close of SuperSMASH on 6/11
Rockreation (Jessica) 6/15
Principal for a Day 6/17
Janice for a Day 6/17
Wende for a Day 6/17
Mulligan Family Fun Center (Coach Tony) 6/17
Fancy Dinner (Genie & Erin) 6/17
Hiking (Jackie & Candis) 6/17
Art & Crafts & Snacks (Tamara & Laura) 6/20
Movies and Lunch at In & Out Burger in Marina Del Rey (Coach Tony) 6/22
Disneyland with Chrysta & Graciela - TBD summer day
************************
SANTA MONICA 5th ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
The Ocean Park Association needs your help to make our 5th Annual Santa Monica Fourth of July Parade a success. Our theme this year is: “July 4th at the Beach!” Our terrific Santa Monica Ocean Lifeguards will be honored as Grand Marshals.

The parade will begin at 9:30 AM and proceed down the entire length of Main Street. Volunteers will be asked to show up earlier that morning to help out. We had a fantastic group of volunteers last year and we need even more of you this year. Please join us!

We need volunteers to; check-in participants, assist with staging the parade, photograph, lend a hand with last minute “float” decorations, help safely guide the parade down Main Street, supervise barricades at intersections along the route, and help with this years after party. If you would like to participate this year, send a quick email to volunteer@opa-sm.org. We will contact you to match you with a parade volunteer job. For more information about the parade go to
www.opa-sm.org.
Thank you for supporting OPA and your community. Stay tuned for our kick-off party-more to follow. - Katherine Gray, Parade Volunteer Coordinator
************************
FREE RAIN BARRELS!*
*City of Santa Monica Rebate covers the $100 cost
SATURDAY, MAY 14 - 10AM-Noon
Pickup: Parking Lot 5, East of 1744 Pearl Street, Santa Monica
You MUST RESERVE your Rain Barrel in advance at:
www.rainbarrelsintl.com under the EVENTS tab
Payment due upon delivery
Check payable to:Community Partners FBO Partners FBO Sustainable Works
************************
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS - WEDNESDAYS AT 7:OOPM
On the Dining Deck at Santa Monica Place Details at santamonicaplace.com
May 4: The Breakfast Club; May 11: West Side Story, May 18: Goldfinger
************************
Fliers available in SMASH Office
· YWCA Children's’ Summer Classes -
· Santa Monica Swim Center SUMMER 2011—www.smgov.net/swim or 310-458-8700
Registration for summer classes begins May 11 or Santa Monica residents and May 18 for non-residents Online registration is available: request an account and receive account confirmation at RecEnroll.smgov.net.
************************
Community Presentation of Plans for Rejuvenation of the Ballona Wetlands
Tuesday, May 10, 7:00-8:30pm
Community Room, Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
For further information, contact Kathy Knight at 310-613-1175
************************
8th Annual AltBuild Expo & Conference
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium - FREE
Friday & Saturday, May 6 & 7 10am-5pm
Presented by the City of Santa Monica. One of the most established and vital Green Building events in the country. Saturday will have speakers and programs for professionals and the public. Exhibits include green building and design materials, energy efficiency, water conservation, landscape, waste management, and more. There will be hands-on demonstrations, rebate center and free expert consultations. www.altbuildexpo.com
************************
SuperSMASH ‘11
Saturday, June 11, 2010, 11:30AM to 5:30PM
Amidst a recession and budget cuts, we really need SuperSMASH to be a success.
Signed up yet?
Any help is appreciated!
We need you. Really.

Get donations for the Silent Auction.

Volunteer to coordinate/lead a booth.

Volunteer to run a booth for a shift or two.

Volunteer to help set up the Silent Auction or the Carnival.
_______________________________________
Sign up now!
_______________________________________
Helga Schier at helgaschier@verizon.net or go online

Set-up and Breakdown:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?
key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdHFWQl8wemFIYk5IX1hzZFFRbTUwSHc&hl=en&authkey=CP_wkOML

SMASHing Car:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?
key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdExzY1lWZHNLUTlwLWdZeTZYeHlmVlE&hl=en&authkey=CI2luf8C

Food Court:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?
key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdGg1VzZkd1pmRHhEbS1yY0NjY3pMR0E&hl=en&authkey=COKP494G#gid=6
Field Games:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?
key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdEk1NUM0b09KenVlc1JhU05KNVA3SFE&hl=en&authkey=CJnU6pYI#gid=6
Art Court:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?
key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdDBMMVdXZVFwSzNnMV9xV1lMT3RaeGc&hl=en&authkey=CPLvydQP#gid=6
Silent/Live Auction:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?
key=0AiamPMbeg_6rdG04azNDS2NjMXRiQXZuWllkR3VjZUE&hl=en&authkey=COCwq94O#gid=6
************************
Introducing the first every SMASH Arts & Letters Sale
Friday, June 3, 7:00-10:00pm
1627 Montana Ave, Santa Monica
Enjoy a fun-filled, "grownups-only" night of aesthetics, expression and comunity. The SMASH Arts & Letters Sale features original postcard-sized art to be sold for $40 on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are encouraged to trust instinct to guide their selection as artist identities are revealed only upon purchase.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Solicit Art:
Everyone knows someone! Please ask all the creative people in your life to contribute a piece (artists, musicians, designers, actors, etc.)
More art cards (and pre-addressed envelopes) are available in the office.
All art cards must be submitted by May 27
100% of all proceeds go toward underfunded SMASH programs.

ATTEND THE EVENT
Starting at 7pm, mingle while perusing the art and jotting down the pieces you're interested in acquiring. At 8pm the exciting check-out process begins.
You may discover a new artist that night, or you may end up with art made by someone famous. It's a mystery! Either way, you'll go home with art you love.
Get a sitter and bring friends!
Light refreshments provided.
For more information please visit www.smashartsale.com or email infor@smashartsale.com

************************
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SMASH SITE ADVISORY COUNCIL
It’s time again to think ahead and select the parents to represent you at the SMASH Council for next year. This group of parent, staff and students meet once a month to:

A. To establish and oversee the use of the School Improvement (SI) funds as provided in Section 52012 of the California Education Code.

B. To oversee and assist in the development of the annual School Improvement Plan (SIP). The SC shall Identify areas of need and goals for improvement as mandated by California Ed Code 52014: “Each plan shall be based on an assessment of school capability to meet the educational needs of each pupil, specify improvement objectives, and indicate steps necessary to achieve those objections including intended outcomes.”

C. To maintain periodic analysis of implementation and effectiveness of the SIP. The SC shall analyze and draft an SIP ANALYSIS based on the actual outcomes of the improvement plan on reports from the SMASH community. The SIP ANALYSIS shall be utilized in development of subsequent School Improvement Plans. California Ed Code 52021 states the SC, “...shall have ongoing responsibility to review with the principal, teachers, other school personnel and pupils the implementation of the school improvement program and to assess periodically the effectiveness of such program.”

D. To provide a forum for all SMASH constituents to communicate their concerns related to the
development of the annual School Improvement Plan including areas of need, goals for improvement, outcomes and effectiveness of School Improvement Plans.

E. To communicate the actions and goals of the SC to the entire SMASH community.

F. To ensure that the annual School Improvement Plan supports the goals, philosophy and vision of SMASH as established in the school handbook.

We will be electing 2 parents to serve a one-year term. Statements of interest must be 50 words or less. Please bring your statement of interest or e-mail to Janice at jwold@smmusd.org by 4pm on Friday, May 6. These statements will be published in the following week’s Friday Letter. ************************
Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District
Division of Health Services
NEW IMMUNIZATION LAW

Students in 7th through 12 grade are required to have proof of a Tdap (Pertussis or whooping cough) immunization in order to attend class this September 2011.
Student’s MUST provide proof of immunization received after their 7th birthday before
he/she will be allowed to attend class.

A STUDENT WILL NOT GET A SCHEDULE OF CLASSES UNLESS DOCUMENTATION OF IMMUNIZATION IS PROVIDED! NO SHOT = NO SCHOOL
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Attach a copy of the official shot record or have your doctor complete this form.

Date:_________________

Student Name:_________________________________________

Date of Birth:____________________

Date Tdap booster was given:_________________

Physician’s Signature_____________________________________


Physician’s address & stamp_____________________________________________


MUST BE RETURNED TO SCHOOL NURSE BY August 26, 2011
Please turn in before end of June if possible! Nurse Sandy will forward current 8th grade records to high school.
************************

Resources for Tdap Vaccine
If you do not have health insurance, you may be eligible for free immunizations at:
Venice Family Clinic Various locations 310-392-8636
Call for appointment

Westside Family Health Center 1711 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica 310-450-2191
Walk-in Immunization Hours: Mon, Tues, Fri and the 1st Sat of each month 9:30-2:00;
Wed 2:00-6:00; Thurs 9:30-noon

If you have health insurance or want to pay cash, you can call your doctor or go to a local pharmacy that offers the vaccine:
Rite-Aid Pharmacy ; 1808 Wilshire Blvd, SM 310-829-3951 $57.99
Walk-in Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-11pm; Sat-Sun 8am-8pm
Rite-Aid Pharmacy 2412 Pico Blvd, SM 310-450-7624 $57.99
Call for hours

Most major pharmacies will have this vaccine. Please call your favorite store for details
************************
CORE 1 NEWS

A NOTE ABOUT READING
As teachers we question whether it is helpful to refer to reading as homework. We know that children need to read and need to be read to regularly to nurture their love of reading and to develop their skills. We suggest guidelines to families (e.g. read at least 20 minutes a night) as a way to insure that all children spend time reading, but we wonder if this is even helpful. In his article How to Create Nonreaders: Reflections on Motivation, Learning, and Sharing Power progressive educator Alfie Kohn warns us that our efforts to motivate reading can have the opposite effect. This article was published in the English Journal and can be viewed at www.alfiekohn.org/articles. So what do we say to children when it’s time for them to read (besides “It’s your homework”)?

“It’s time to read. That’s what our family does every night.”

“I’ve picked out a book I love. I can’t wait to share it with you later tonight.”

“Where is that book you checked out from the library? It’s time for us to read it.”

“After we finish our dinner, we are going to read the next chapter in our book. What do you think will happen?”

“This morning you asked me a question about volcanoes. Let’s look for a book that might answer your question.”

Let’s help our children receive the message that reading is a habit, not an assignment.

STAR TESTING CONTINUES – Standardized testing will continue on Monday, May 9 followed by make-up tests. While some of the second graders are testing, the rest of Core 1 will continue their project work. Please be sure that your child is well-rested, well-fed, and ready to focus!

May 18 – SMASH OPEN HOUSE – FAMILIES WELCOME
Core 1 will be sharing our PROJECTS work, including our naturalist study, our building study, and our water study. Come see slide shows of our explorations, videos of our theory-making, interactive stations to facilitate questions/ideas, and the group projects we’ve worked on over time.

Core 1 BBQ
Save the date! We will be having our (almost) end of the year barbeque on Friday, May 20 at 11:00 (we're firing up the grills at 10:30) in the Small Yard. All Core 1 families are welcome to come to this festive culminating celebration. Clean-up will begin around 1:00. Please look at the enclosed food/drink request to know how you can contribute to our potluck. We also need volunteers for grills and ice chests. Please let us know if you can help!

UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS
MAY 13 9:15 – 1:00 – All Core FIELD TRIP to SMURRF (Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility) – located next to the Santa Monica Pier. Please return your permission slips.

May 25 Santa Monica Farmers Market- More information will follow.

June 2 Tanaka Farms- More information will follow.

Have a great weekend!
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela & Jackie
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
************************
CORE 2 NEWS
Advisory News: This week Tamara and Laura were consumed by CST testing. As more and more SMASH students participate in CST testing, we feel obligated to put a bit more time into “test prep” each year. As you know, the tests are designed to measure the students’ knowledge of the California State Standards. A closer look at the test questions shows us that some of the questions do ask students to transfer what they have learned from our work in Core 2 to a
new situation; other questions are about information we haven’t covered yet or didn’t cover this year; a few questions ask the kids to use common sense, and a lot of the questions have more than one correct answer—asking the student to choose the best possible choice. We try to help the kids understand what the test is designed to measure (how well we have taught/they have learned the State Standards), encourage the kids to do their best—reminding them that not
knowing the answer just means we haven’t taught it/they haven’t learned it yet. It is not a measurement of their intelligence or abilities or whether or not SMASH is a good school. ***Family HW: Whether or not your child participated in CST testing, take time to discuss your child’s feelings about the test and their performance on it (and be prepared that your child may have different feelings, just as you and your partner may have different opinions, just as each teacher at SMASH has different perspectives...)

Theme/Geography: This week, the children continued to work on their individual Atlases. Ask your child what land, water, and political features of various continents/oceans they found most interesting.
Literacy: RW: We continued to read Fairy Tales/Folk Tales/Myths/Legends/Fables/Pourquoi Stories in class.
***RW HW: Core 2 Students—In addition to reading a Just Right Independent Reading Book each night at home, please look for Fairy Tales/Folk Tales/Myths/Legends/Fables/Pourquoi Stories at home and bring them in to read and share in class.
WW: This week, the students filled out a Folk Tales “facts” worksheet to help them start brainstorming and planning their own original story. ***WW HW: Core 2 Students—retell one of your favorite Fairy Tales/Folk Tales/ Myths/Legends/Fables/Pourquoi Stories, but add a twist—change a character, change the setting, add a twist to the plot, or tell the story from a different point-of-view.
Math: Laura’s 3rd graders continued their exploration of arrays and multiplication. Ask your child what are dimensions, product, and factors. ***3G HW array work pages and activity. Homework due F, 5/13
Tamara’s 4th graders learned and practiced the standard algorithms for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The test included a lot of algebra (!), so we discussed ways to approach algebra. ***4G HW will provide additional guidance and practice of the standard algorithms.

Music with Dian: The kids enjoyed practicing “Tin Pan Alley” songs from the 1920’s & 1930’s. We will be singing the songs for the residents at Saffran House on Thursday, May 19. You are welcome to join us for this mid-morning walking field trip.

Super SMASH Art Project with Bianca began this Wednesday. Next week it will be Friday between 10:30 – 12:30. Shhh…it’s a secret!!!

Dates to Remember:
Monday, May 2 – Friday, May 20: STAR Testing and make-up days—please get plenty of rest, arrive on time, and do your best if you are taking the test. 4th graders are done, 3rd graders have a couple more days, non-testers will do reading and writing.

Wednesday, May 18 – Open House Math Night! Come learn all about our math curriculum and the SMASH math philosophy!

Thursday, May 19 – singing at Saffran House w/ Dian

Friday, May 27 – Furlough Day, NO school

Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day, NO school

***Wish List – Pillow covers or new cushions for our patio furniture & large bottle of hand sanitizer refill***

Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org
Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
Jayme: j.wold@smmusd.org

************************
CORE 3 NEWS
In your child's backpack is a photo, video, and student work release form for a friend and colleague's organization, Growing Educators—as well as the District's release form—who would like to film a well working Reading and Writing Workshop. If it is ok for your child to be included, please sign both sheets and return the permission slips next week. Thanks!

6th gr Math w/ Carrie: Due to testing, we were only able to meet once this week. We focused on fine-tuning our skills with multiplying fractions of mixed numbers. We are getting much better at it! Next week we will work on dividing fractions.

6th gr Math w/ Erin: We only had one day of math this week due to testing. We covered circles: how to find the circumference (perimeter), radius, and diameter. Students are still working on learning the formulas.

5th gr Math w/ Genie: Short a few math sessions this week but we did look at how big a hundredth, a thousandth, and a ten thousandth really is and compared decimals to each other. Ask your child how much money .001 and .0001 really is. What is the smallest decimal you encounter in your everyday life?

Science: Our budding medical students are deep in their books, studying for their "Board Exams" that will take place on May 16. They are working on making 3D models and 2D diagrams of parts or all of their particular body systems to help them learn more about their particular specialty. Carrie HIGHLY recommends that, if students are going to use the internet as a source, that they go to trusted sites like discoveryeducation.com and kidshealth.org. Discovery Education has fabulous virtual labs, videos, and readings at the appropriate level for our students. They should go to the Middle School Science tab, and then the Life Science tab, to find the human body systems. All of the systems have great resources there! A big thank you to Sam's Elaine for coming in and talking with the Orange Group about her work as a Radiographer. Even without the visuals, we learned a ton! Hopefully, everything will work next week so we can really see the cool things she does in her work!

Social Studies/Geography: We talked about—Osama bin Laden. Many of the students were eager to talk about their feelings and questions regarding the death of Osama bin Laden. We started the class by doing some journaling in response to the questions: "How do you feel about the death of OBL? How do you feel about people partying/ celebrating in the streets over his death? Do you believe the world is a safer place now? After the students took some time to write, I read aloud some excerpts from an article by Tim Wise. This article discusses some of the issues we were journaling about. After listening to the article, students gathered in a circle to share their sentiments and questions while we passed a talking stick (well, actually a marker). Our students are so eager to learn about the world, current events, and relationships between
groups of people. We also delved further into our immigration unit this week. On Thurs we covered European (immigration by choice) and African (forced immigration) experiences from the early 1600's to 1800's. Students thought about the different push and pull factors and what different groups have in common with each other. They also received their trimester project assignment--and immigrant interview and map project. Please ask your child to show you the detailed assignment sheet.

Reading Workshop: In our mini-inquiry study, we are taking a few moments to look up questions like: "How many weeks are in a year?"; "Where does poetry originally come from?"; "What is the immune system?"; and "Who is Pushkin? (from our Read Aloud, Letters from Rifka)." We're trying to make sense of what we read on the internet which is real-life reading
and we really have to use our reading strategies: skim, navigate, as well as stop and ask 'is this what we are looking for?'. See if there are any mini-inquiries you have and ask your child to find the short answer on the internet.
Writing Workshop: We have drafted our poems after much collecting and nurturing. The poets are still working on using class time well so they have less homework, understanding their own process of writing, and how grammar is used in poetry. We will share our poetry process (published or not) at Open House, Wed 5/18.

Homework:
6g Math: # 20 is due 5/9. This was started in class on Mon and some students completed it so they do not have homework. Check with your child to see if they completed it.
5g Math: Packet #27 is DUE FRI 5/13
Science: Optional - work on your medical specialty. Researching and taking notes on the parts, functions, related ailments and treatments for your system. You can also work on the model or diagram. "Board Exams" will be on Monday, May 16!
SS/Geo: Conduct your Immigrant Interview - Notes due Thursday, May 12th
All materials for Immigrant Map Project must be in class - Due Friday, May 13th
Reading: Read "Immigration" Wikipedia handout, marked up by 5/11 (note the Wed. date). Writing: work on finishing their poetry drafts and revise using their rubric.

All students in grades 6, 7 & 8 were given information regarding the new required Tdap vaccination. Please look for it.

Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org;
Carrie: cferguson@smmusd.org;
Erin: ehaendel@smmusd.org

************************
CORE 4 NEWS
Core Four News: The joys of teaching middle school are many, but the joyful heart of the matter remains the marvelous children you have sent our way. Thank you from the bottom of our collective souls for your parenting efforts. We have deeply interesting jobs as a result of your heartfelt efforts.
Some general news first: Rosita, baby Drake, and Darwin continue to thrive. I have met with Darwin and he explained the birthing process in detail leaving me breathless in admiration for all of you who have actually borne children or raised them. Darwin will be returning after two more weeks to many celebrations of his contributions and connection to our students.

In other news, we have started our SUPER SMASHing projects under the direction of Kathleen and Birte. The kids are excited about the art project and we are all looking forward to the finely crafted images of these intelligent, able, and good-looking kids! A final note, is that the spring swimming program is up and running with predictably fun, splashy, and wet results. Please join us on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon around 13:40 for a lovely interlude at the Santa Monica pool. Students are dismissed directly from the pool, so parents of swimmers should plan for this reality.

Fresh Peeps To Be Notes: Our beloved former 8th graders are now known as the “Fresh-Peeps To Be.” They are ready and raring to head for SAMO, Pali, New Roads, Windward and even to Sweden for high school. We are awaiting word from SAMO for our personalized tour and intro dates. Most dates are currently captive to the testing that is occurring throughout the district. Many of our young adults are relishing the experience of parenting while others are finding the Egg Baby Project burdensome. However they are responding, take the opportunity to talk to them about important matters in sexuality, parenting, and risk taking. In essence, the project is meant to provide opportunity for these age appropriate conversations.

SIBI News: “New 8th Graders, now known as SMASHing Seniors have crafted testable questions, are carefully defining variables, and will be asking for your help in gathering materials next week. These thought experiments all precede what should be an exciting final round of hands on activities to commence after testing concludes. I am hearing plans to experiment on everything from make up to rocket fuel. In other news, we will be holding an incoming 8th grade parent meeting just after Darwin returns. Please, plan to attend this important parent support meeting. Parenting 8th graders is fascinating, challenging, and fun if one prepares for the experience. Come find out how many classes of SMASHIng seniors have found their way though the challenges and into their preferred high school.

All students in grades 6, 7 & 8 were given information regarding the new required Tdap vaccination. Please look for it.

WHAT IS YOUR TEENAGER DOING THIS SUMMER?!?!
The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation is offering a Ceramics class through it’s ED AHEAD program. This is a UCOP approved course, students will receive 10 visual arts college prep credits with a passing grade. Art-making instills in us patience and creative thinking. Art education, specifically Ceramics, engages students in cognitive learning, psychomotor learning, and affective learning. Your student will learn and experiment with multiple techniques and concepts while gaining an understanding of a complicated process. Many students start the course claiming that they aren’t artistic, however, these same students leave the course
with an interest or even passion for Ceramics and three-dimensional design. Ceramics is an excellent class for a student who has career interests in architecture, engineering, design, culinary arts or medicine.
A limited number of scholarships are available for SMMUSD students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. June 29 – August 12; 8:00 am – 12:35 pm, Tuesday – Friday. Contact your student’s counselor or check out smmef.org for more information, the deadline is approaching!

Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org

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