This coming Thursday, October 20th is California’s Great Shakeout. We will have a full-scale earthquake drill, complete with mock injuries that our search and rescue teams will find and first aid team will care for. The front gates will be locked at 10:20am until this drill is complete.
We have a detailed plan to keep all of our students, staff, and visiting adults safe in the event of an emergency. We have monthly fire drills, twice yearly “lock down” and earthquake “drop and cover” drills. In the case of an actual earthquake, all children will duck and cover in the classroom and then assemble on the field with their teachers until the emergency is declared over or until released to an adult. In the case of a true emergency, you or someone on your child’s emergency card should pick up the children at the “reunion gate” on the Fifth Street side of campus just North of the trash bins. Records will be kept on all children released to adults. In case of campus damage near the Fifth Street gate, alternative staging areas may be designated to provide safe shelter to our students so be prepared to 1) Look for “SMASH Reunion Gate” signs hanging on the perimeter fence to designate another pick up area, 2) Receive an email blast if we have Internet function that gives you more detailed information.
What can you do? 1) Talk to your child about your family plan for an emergency. 2) Keep the office emergency cards updated with approved people who can pick up your child. 3) It is also recommended that you tune your radio to KWFB (AM980) or KRSF (FM 103.1) for news reports that may have additional information during an actual emergency. 4) If your child requires medication, please contact Nurse Sandy to be sure we have an adequate supply.
We are ready in case of a true emergency. We have adequate food, water, and shelter to keep our students stay safe for an extended period of time. Our faculty and staff will take good care of our students until you are able to come to campus.
Jessica
PICTURE DAY - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18
All students will be photographed for their class & school ID (no charge for ID photo).
If ordering a photo package - please make sure your child has their flyer and payment.
Late orders cannot be accepted. Exact payment required - no change available.
Payment may be made by cash, check or money order (made out to Lifetouch).
To pay by credit card, go to mylifetouch.com.
Be sure to put your payment code on the flyer when you return it on picture day.
The least expensive package is Pkg E for $19 - this includes a class photo
Pkg B for $33 includes a class photo and a CD of the individual photo
Lifetouch Flyers/Order Forms have been sent home with each student today.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tues, Oct 18 - Lifetouch School Picture Day - Flyers will be sent home with each student today.Visit Lifetouch.com for clothing suggestions, online payment details & more.
Thu, Oct 20 “Great Shakeout” Full scale earthquake drill
Fri, Oct 21 - Catalina Assembly Rescheduled for November
Sat, Oct 22 - RUMMAGE SALE
Mon-Wed, Oct 24-26 8th grade trip to Hess Kramer
Mon, Oct 24 School Tour
Sun-Tues, Oct 30 to Nov 8 - SMASH hosts visiting principals from China
Fri, Oct 28- SMASH & John Muir Halloween Carnival
Wed, Nov 2 - 8:30am PTSA Mtg
THIS WEEKEND!!! Kid's Clothing Swap
DATE: Saturday, October 15 TIME: 9 - 12pm
PLACE: Douglas Park in Santa Monica; Chelsea Avenue (Between Wilshire and California)
We will be set up on the NW side of the park. (Close to the playground.)
WHAT: bring your old baby/kid clothes/toys etc - put them in the pile according to size and
take out what you need from the next size up! Kids welcome, if you promise to watch them.
****NOTE CHANGE for this year: Bring a bag of stuff and take a bag of stuff.
Thiseveryone to get a fair amount of treasures in exchange for what they bring. Thanks!
We need as many parents as possible so please spread the word to your other friends. If you belong to a list, please post the information. All items left at the end of the swap will be donated to charity. Any questions, please contact Snow atsnowwht@gmail.com.
SEUSSICAL!
November 12-December 17
Performances: Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm (no performance Dec 11)
Welcome to the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss! Join us for the adventures of Horton the Elephant, along with a host of characters from Dr. Seuss.
$15 reserved seats at www.morgan-wixson.org or 310-828-7519
Morgan-Wixson Theatre; 2627 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica
SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, October 28, 2011
1:30PM to 3:30PM
SMASH/MUIR HALOWEEN CARNIVAL
Free Family Fun!
241 SMASH PTSA memberships purchased so far.
If you haven't joined yet, here's why you should:
Costs only $8 per membership.
Each membership purchased gets you a copy of the SMASH Phone Book.
Gets you more informed about what's going on at SMASH and district-wide.
Leverages our volunteer power to benefit our kids and SMASH.
Connect with other parents to share ideas and concerns.
A strong PTSA improves our school's reputation in the community.
To join, fill out the white PTSA envelope that came in your child’s first day packet, or pick up an envelope at the office. Insert a check for $8 per member, payable to SMASH PTSA. Drop the envelope off at the office. Any questions, email Snow Lam-Hansen (mother of Kim and Tia Hansen/Core 1) at snowwht@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Snow Lam-Hansen, Membership VP
Dan McGee, PTSA President
Jessica Rishe, Principal
Don’t you just wish you had less stuff?
Well, the SMASH Rummage Sale is here to help!
Why not clean out the closets and start collecting gently used items to donate on Friday, October 21? The rummage sale is on Saturday, October 22
A few reminders as you sort;
Please make sure all items are clean and in good condition.
To help us organize, we would appreciate you using the following guidelines:
clothing: no holes or stains; no undergarments
electronics, bikes, etc.: tested; working condition
toys, games, puzzles: no missing or broken parts; please tape boxes closed
household items; excellent condition only, no over-used plastic ware
shoes:Please make sure there are two and tie them together if possible
baby items: no car seats or boosters and please only clean strollers & high chairs
Please do not mix items together (a blender, hat and board game in one box)Put similar items together in a labeled bag or box (i.e. ‘women’s shoes,’ ‘boys’ clothes,’ ‘kitchen,’ ‘dvds,’ etc.)
Thank you for bringing your contributions and for lending your support!
Questions? Please contact us:: kebolance@yahoo.com or Jamee:jameetenzer@gmail.com
ptsa news
president’s message
Dear SMASHing Parents,
At the PTSA meeting Wednesday evening, a discussion was held about "The Story of Stuff." This
short animated documentary is about the lifecycle of material goods that is critical of excessive consumerism and promotes sustainability. This documentary has been used in elementary schools, arts programs, economic classes as well as places of worship and corporate sustainability trainings. By February 2009, it had been seen in 228 countries and territories. According to the Los Angeles Times as of July 2010, the film had been translated into 15 languages and had been viewed by over 12 million people. If nothing else, this video promotes self examination and raises questions about the role we play in the consumption cycle and invites us to consider what we can do about it. If you could not make the meeting or haven't had a chance to check out this very interesting video, you can find it at storyofstuff.com or on YouTube.
The next major fundraiser at SMASH is the Rummage Sale on Saturday, October 22, 2011. If you can help, even if only for a short time, we need volunteers to help sort and arrange donated items on Friday and to help on Saturday to a make sure this year’s rummage sale is a success. Please contact Jamee Tenzer (tenzer@lifeworks4coaching.com) or Kelly Lance (kebolance@yahoo.com) to volunteer for the Rummage Sale.
Thanks,
Dan McGee
ptsa annual family investment drive
·Public school is free – a great education is not. Hence the SMASH Annual Family Investment Drive is the single most important fundraiser of the year. Your contribution pays for classroom teaching assistants, reading and math specialists, the SMASH fine arts program, science equipment, technology upgrades, professional development and so much more. Please make your tax deductible contribution or commitment by October 1, 2011. We suggest an investment of $575/student, but no amount is too much or too little. We are aiming for 100% participation, so give what you can and give as soon as possible. Please check your first day packet for our Annual Family Investment Letter, the form and envelope. If you have any questions, contact
Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com) or Helga Schier (helgaschier@verizon.net).
ptsa membership
·Don’t forget to turn in your completed PTSA membership envelope and check ($8 per membership, payable to SMASH PTSA). Membership buys you the invaluable SMASH Directory, which is your portal to the SMASH community.
SMASHbash sign-up
·If you missed SMASHbash sign-up last Friday October 7, don’t fear, you can still sign-up. There are still events with space. Please contact Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com) at your earliest convenience and let her know what events you want to attend. Don’t miss out on your chance to participate .
SMASH green tip
·Green Roadside Assistance:Try an eco-friendly auto club. Unlike AAA, Better World Club supports consumer rights, alternative transportation and a cleaner environment.BWC offers competitive rates to AAA as well as bicycle roadside service, insurance and discounts on hybrid rentals and eco-lodging.New members with hybrids or biodiesel vehicles receive a 15% discount.
·A great way to reduce your carbon footprint is to use less STUFF. Santa Monica just stopped one-timeuse tissue plastic bags being used in the city. Fantastic Move! You can take it one step further..... if you keep your own to-go containers in your bag, then when you're eating out, you can use them for any left-overs you might want to take home. And that will be one less one-time-use container to be disposed of.
IN HOPES OF GETTING EVERYONE IN
A GOULISH MOOD . . . . . . . WE NEED YOUR HELP CREATING A HALLOWEEN SCENE.
WE WILL BE DECORATING THE CAMPUS WITH SCARECROWS CREATED BY THE STUDENTS FOR OUR FIRST EVER SCARECROW RAFFLE!
HOW TO ENTER:
· MAKE A SCARECROW - SPOOKY, CUTE, SILLY OR JUST PLAIN SMASHING.
· CREATE YOUR SCARECROW ON YOUR OWN, WITH YOUR FAMILY, OR
IN A GROUP FROM SCHOOL. YOU CAN GIVE YOUR SCARECROW A
NAME OR TITLE. (The SMASH rummage sale is bound to have loads of
scary supplies. You could also use recyclables) .
· Drop it off Monday morning, October 24 & fill out a raffle form
THE SCARECROWS WILL DECORATE CAMPUS ON OCTOBER 24
WE WILL CALL OUT RAFFLE WINNERS AT THE HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL ON OCTOBER 29 AND EACH NAME PICKED WILL RECEIVE A PRIZE!
PLEASE - NO REAL PUMPKIN HEADS. THEY WILL GET STINKY AND ATTRACT UNWANTED CREATURES! NO ELECTRICAL OR BATTERY OPERATED GIZMOS!
CORE 1 NEWS
Things are Heating Up in Core 1!
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE) GUIDELINES
~Please be sure your child is wearing shoes suitable for running on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Save the Crocs, flip flops, sandals and Ugg boots for Fridays. This guideline is to keep your child safe from injury on the PE yard and to inspire physical activity during this time of exercise. Think about the shoes you like to wear when walking or running for exercise. Who wants to run in flip flops or hot Ugg boots when running on the grass?
~PE is a “have to.” All students participate in PE unless they have a note from home, requesting otherwise.
Thank you for your help, promoting healthy living for all our Core 1 children.
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEER DISCUSSION GROUP
Are you interested in knowing more about being a classroom volunteer? Candis will lead a discussion group meeting where you can share your questions and your experiences
Please join us on Wednesday, October 19 from 1:45pm-2:15
The Partner children will be supervised out on the yard.
TREASURE BOXES
During the past 2 weeks, the Bigs and Mentors have been secretly creating treasure boxes, which they delivered to their Partners on Friday. The Partners came to the end of their grand adventure, where they discovered a treasure box in a magical fire. Maya opened the box with the key, and inside they discovered important objects to help them keep the peace and love strong in their village. Here is an excerpt from the story:
“This,” said the wizard as he held up the glass. “This is a heart for the love that we share to take care of our friends… and family… and the world.”
“This is a pencil for drawing pictures and writing down words… so you can write the stories we love and share all that you learn.”
“This doll is a friend - for we accomplish much greater things when we work together.”
“And this ugly rock is a geode. It may look like a plain rock, but it actually holds a crystal inside. Let it remind us that we all have beauty and goodness inside us.”
“Take this box,” the wizard finished, “and keep it forever. And the things inside it will remind you that the peace and friendship and love lie within you forever.”
We hope your child can find a special spot at home for his/her box… and perhaps continue to collect special treasures in the years to come.
Wishlist: Have a baby at home who eats baby food from a jar?? We would LOVE to collect the small jars for all kinds of activities. Please wash and collect them, and we’ll put them to great use!
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
PICTURE DAY - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18
All students will be photographed for their class & school ID.
If ordering photos - please make sure your child has their flyer and payment.
Late orders cannot be accepted. Exact payment required - no change available.
CORE 2 NEWS
Announcements
Camp Josepho – Details about our trip next week!
Dates to Remember:
Friday, October 14 – Core 2 Bake Sale
Monday, October 17 –last third grade dance; join us for a “demonstration” at 9:15
Tuesday, October 18 – Picture Day
Friday, October 28 – Halloween Carnival, 1:30 – 3:30
Friday, November 11 – Veteran’s Day, NO school
Wednesday, November 17 – Pupil Free Day
Wish list:
Kitchen timer, digital cameras (they can be gently used), scratch paper (copy/letter size), clock for Tamara,
Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org
Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
PICTURE DAY - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18
All students will be photographed for their class & school ID.
If ordering photos - please make sure your child has their flyer and payment.
Late orders cannot be accepted. Exact payment required - no change available.
CORE 3 NEWS
Thank you families for making time for family conferences! We enjoyed meeting about your child and listening to the goals they set for themselves.
6th Grade Math with Carrie: "Math this week was counting fish in Catalina!"
6th Grade Math with Erin "Data About Us": A short math week due to Catalina. Students continued finishing up previous assignments including coordinate graphs and reviewing what we have learned in Data About Us thus far.
5th grade Math Workshop with Genie: We continued to look at division problems through the game division compare (play with your child as part of their homework), story problems, and cluster problems. We took the end of the unit assessment and reflected on our growth in this area of math. And now we have already moved onto 3D geometry looking at volume and of course, length, width and height. Please look on our website for parent letters (homework section) that will inform you on the unit goals and concepts.
Science with Carrie: The 5th graders continued their planet expert work.Next Monday will be the last class day to work on the planets before the presentations on Tuesday!
Social Studies and Geography with Erin: On Wednesday the 5th graders familiarized themselves with the United States map. How many states did you know before the exercise? How many do you know now? On Thursday we learned about how segregation in schools still exists. Why is this? Discuss with your child.
Reading and Writing Workshop with Genie: We are busy filling in pages in our notebooks as we begin our Personal Essay unit. Writing homework continues—2 full pages in your writing notebook by next Friday (4 if this week's homework didn't get completed). Start talking to your child about ideas they have, opinions they think, and experiences that provide statements in their lives. For example, "Being an older sibling requires a lot of patience."; "Saying sorry can be a challenge."; "People cope with stress in different ways."; "Friends can bring lots of happiness to your life." Think of movies and books that give you big messages in your life and share them with your child. Fifth graders were busy this week learning about commas, semicolons, colons,
typing home row, and cursive. Ask them what they remember.
Homework:
6G math: Assignment #16 is due 10/17
5G math: packet #6. Due 10/21/11. Don't stop working on your multiplication/division facts!
RW: Read every day! Be ready for your book club talk!
WW: Collect 2 new entries (15 minutes of writing or 1 full page entry) at home by Fri 10/21.
PICTURE DAY - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 All students will be photographed for their class & school ID.If ordering photos - please make sure your child has their flyer and payment.Late orders cannot be accepted. Exact payment required - no change available.
Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org
Carrie: cferguson@smmusd.org
Erin: ehaendel@smmusd.org
CORE 4 NEWS
Drama Teacher Kristy Pace Invites Core 4 Parents’ Help on Oct 19, Oct 26, Nov 9, Nov 23, and Nov30
Kristy would love to have FOUR core 4 parents volunteer to be with us in class from 10:55am-12:25pm and 1:10pm-2:35pm, as adult supervisors during filming. These adults would allow us to have four groups out filming and leave Kristy free to travel between the groups to assist them, answer their questions and give recommendations and filming tips. If you are interested/available, please email kvpsummer@yahoo.com
PICTURE DAY - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18
All students will be photographed for their class & school ID.
If ordering photos - please make sure your child has their flyer and payment.
Late orders cannot be accepted. Exact payment required - no change available
8th GRADERS
Sign up in the office for helping with Haunted House
