Our SMASH community encourages students to proactively advocate for themselves in a respectful, informed way. Some recent examples include a Core 4 petition for iPod use during independent writing that cites the research studies showing benefits to adolescent focus and a Google document proposing new, more fair lunch bench clean up procedures. The excerpt below comes from a newspaper three students asked me to share in the Friday Letter in order to build more interest in a book they hope more will want to read (perhaps through our upcoming Book Fair 12/9-12/16) and to raise awareness of an upper school concern.
The School Chase Times:
To tell you all stuff that’s hip happening around the school for kids
Written by Asher, Shai, and Tali Chase
The new book of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series just came out on the 15th of November 2011. Cabin Fever is the name of the Smashing book. It is a book for the whole family to enjoy. It is written by Jeff Kinney.
Also, somebody keeps writing on the walls in the upstairs bathrooms. If you know something about the writing in the bathrooms, report to Core 3 classrooms and we’ll see what we can do.
As the “Occupy” movement is promoting societal talks about how to consider many different needs, I admire our SMASH students’ articulate, enthusiastic, increasingly organized group advocacy.
Looking forward to seeing many of you at the SMASH Holiday Boutique next Friday, Dec 9th 11:30-5:30pm!
Come enjoy the Middle School musicians at the Boutique:
12:30-1:00 - Strings
1:45 - 2:15 - Winds
2:30 - 3:00 - Choir
Jessica
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WESTSIDE FOOD BANK DONATION BARREL
IN THE SMASH OFFICE UNTIL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15
The following items are needed (no glass except for baby food)
Cans of: tuna, vegetables and soup; fruits and fruit juices; pork & beans; stews & other meats
Packaged food: pasta, lentils and beans; macaroni & cheese and packaged dinners; instant soup, hot and cold cereal; peanut butter and other nut butters; nutritional bars: protein, granola, energy or breakfast bars
Baby foods are urgently needed. Two thousand babies and toddlers are without adequate nutrition each day right here on the west side of Los Angeles.
Baby/Toddler needs:
Infant formula; jar foods-all flavors & stages; crackers, teething biscuits and cookies; raisins & fruit snacks; juices: jars, cans, pouches & boxes; infant & children’s cereals
Other items need at Westside Food Bank:
Socks - new or clean gently-used socks—any size. Blankets - new or clean gently-used
Travel size sundries are urgently needed: travel sized shampoo, hair conditioner, soap, bath & shower gel, toothpaste and toothbrush and towels (new or clean gently-used)
Westside Food Bank
1710 22nd St., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone:(310) 828-6016, Fax:(310) 828-2646
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Wed, Dec 7 - 5:00-6:00pm - Site Council Mtg.
- 6:00pm - PTSA Mtg
Thurs, Dec. 8 - All Day - SMASH fundraiser at ICE Santa Monica skating rink. Bring the flyer and SMASH receives 25% of the proceeds. Flyer available in the SMASH office and is being attached to today’s e-mailed Friday Letter.
Fri, Dec. 9 - 11:30-5:30 - SMASH Holiday Boutique & Art Affaire Sale - Something for everyone - unique handmade
items, food and fun activities.
Fri, Dec 9 - Fri, Dec 16 - SMASH Book Fair
Tues, Dec 13 - 6:00-7:30pm - Art Share (Cores 1, 2 & 3), Book Fair open
WED, Dec. 21 - TUES, Jan. 3 - WINTER BREAK - SCHOOL CLOSED
Thurs, Dec. 8 - All Day - SMASH fundraiser at ICE Santa Monica skating rink. Bring the flyer and SMASH receives 25% of the proceeds. Flyer available in the SMASH office and is being attached to today’s e-mailed Friday Letter.
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Don’t shop for the holidays until you’ve been to our annual
Holiday Boutique & Art Affaire
December 9, 11:30 – 5:30pm
We need parent volunteers** to help manage our food stands (Waffles, Chili) and activity booths (Candle-Making, Spin Art… NEW ideas always welcome). If you can help, please contact Helga Schier at helgaschier@verizon.net. PTSA receives 20% of vendor’s gross receipts. **If you want to help at the Core Art Tables, please contact Chrysta, Tamara or Genie.
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WESTSIDE BALLET'S "THE NUTCRACKER" ENCHANTS THIS DECEMBER
SMASH's Olivia Sparling performs the lead role of Clara in four of the eight scheduled performances.
Get in the holiday spirit with Westside Ballet's Winter 2011 performances of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. One of the most highly regarded productions of The Nutcracker in all of Los Angeles, this year's performances are being held over the first two weekends of December at the Wadsworth Theater in Westwood.
WHAT: The Nutcracker, produced by Westside Ballet
WHEN: 1PM and 5PM, December 3, 4, 10, 11
WHERE: Wadsworth Theater, Veterans Administration, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90073
COST: $25 per ticket if purchased at Westside Ballet, 1709 Stewart St., Santa Monica 90404 on 11/19 and 11/26 from 10AM-noon, or $30 per ticket plus fees via Ticketmaster.com
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America's Got Talent
will be coming to Anaheim on December 10 & 11th at the Anaheim Convention Center looking for talented students. If your child is interested in auditioning, please contact: America’s Got Talent Casting Coordinator Grace Kim at 818.794.7817 agtauditions.com http://agtauditions.com/
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The UCLA Family Commons & Parents Education League present
When Stress is Good for Children with Dr. Rebecca Eberlin, PhD.
Friday, December 2 - 10:00-11:30am
Sometimes stress helps children grow. If you protect your children from every hurt, problem and rejection, they can’t develop a sense of their own power. Learn the difference between “bad” stress that causes children harm-being bullied, for example—and “good stress that helps their long-term development. Call 310-395-5650 to reserve your space - $20 per person.
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LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE?
Bennett Zemke’s Boy Scout troop #2 has trees up to 11 feet tall, as well as wreaths and garlands. Located on Montana Ave between 15th & 16th Streets. The lot is open 9am-9pm, with local delivery available Bring the flyer with today’s Friday Letter for a 10% discount, or go to http://www.troop2bsa.org/2011TreeLotFlyer.pdf to print the flyer.
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SANTA MONICA SYMPHONY HOLIDAY CONCERT
Saturday, Dec 10 at 7:30pm - Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
Allen Robert Gross, Music Director & Conductor
FREE ADMISSION - Bring school-age children! www.smsymphony.org 310-395-6330
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WINTERLIT - HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS IN SANTA MONICA
Tuesday, December 20-27 - Chanukah Menorah Lighting at sundown
Nov 1—Dec 31 - Gift Your Schools. Shop & dine at Santa Monica Place and earn SMASH 5% donation. Just present your receipts at the Concierge on level 1. For details 310-260-8333.
Ice Skating - 5th & Arizona, November 11-January 16 - admission & skate rental $12
2 for 1 Tuesdays, Wacky Hat Wednesdays, After-Hours Broom Ball, Rock ‘N’ Skate Fridays, Costume Skate Sundays
Breakfast with Santa: RSVP at smpholiday.evenbrite.com
Sat, Dec 3 - 9:30-11:30 at The Market Place at Santa Monica Place
Sat, Dec 10 - 9:30-10 at Santa Monica Place Food Court
Pet Photos with Santa: Thurs, Dec 8 - 6-8pm - The Market Place at Santa Monica Place
For a list of all events visit WinterLit.com - SantaMonicaPlace.com - ICEatSantaMonica.com
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MAIN STREET CELEBRATIONS
Saturday, December 3
5:00pm - Time with Santa to take photos with kids. Free - bring your own camera.
6:00pm - Tree lighting with holiday songs by the Samohi Choir at the California Heritage Museum Lawn Ocean Park Blvd & Main St)
6:30pm Candlelight Walk to the Shopping Cart Tree at Edgemar courtyard with music by Off Their Jingle Bell Rockers. Santa will be on hand for more photos.
6:00-9:00pm - Participating Main Street merchants invite you to their special holiday parties complete with refreshments and music.
5:00pm Nov 25 until 9:00pm on Dec 3 - Vote for your favorite Main Street window and/or interior decorations. Your ballot doubles as a raffle entry for a chance from over 30 Main Street businesses.Ballots can be found a mainstreetsm.com
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CANDY CANE DRIVE
Sponsored by the Santa Monica Firefighters’ and Police Officers’ Associations Santa Claus is coming to your neighborhood, escorted by the Santa Monica Police in cars & Motorcycles. Listen for sirens and look for him on the bright red fire engine. Candy canes available for all
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
10:30-10:50am Douglas Park (California Ave & 25th St.)
11:00-11:15am - Christine Reed Park (California Ave & Lincoln Blvd)
11:25-11:50am - 3rd Street Promenade at Wilshire Blvd
1:15-1:30pm - Virginia Ave Park (2200 Virginia Ave)
1:45-2:00pm - Marine Park (Marine & 17th Sts)
2:15-2:30pm - Clover Park (Ocean Pk & 25th ST.
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SANTA MONICA PIER - 2011 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, December 17 11:00am - 5:00pm
11:00-3:00 - Santa Claus visits the Merry-G0-Round. FREE rides during his visit
2:30-5:00 - Holiday Caroling - Carolers stroll along the pier.
December 1-18 - Canned Food Drive supporting Upward Bound House. Drop off in the Merry-Go-Round building
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PAL 6th ANNUAL BEST GIFT EVER DRIVE - Now through December 13
Donate a new unwrapped gift, gift card or make a cash donation to any of the following locations and help youth ages 6 to 17 in the Santa Monica community experience the joy of the holiday season
GIFT DROP LOCATIONS
Santa Monica PAL at 1401 Olympic Blvd
Downtown Santa Monica Police Substation at 1433 2nd St
Santa Monica Place Concierge, 3rd & Broadway (Gifts only, no cash or gift cards at this site please)
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CAN WE TALK?
A community conversation with City Manager Rod Gould about neighborhood projects, the economy, and the future
...about how we are doing… How does the economy look from a local perspective. Rod will discuss our fiscal outlook
and talk about the city’s strategies for difficult times.
…and what are we doing?... What did we do last year? How will we build on that? Talk with Rod about what we
accomplished last year, upcoming City initiatives and outreach projects, and what is going on in your neighborhood.
Monday, Dec 12 - 7pm - Virginia Ave Park, Thelma Terry Community Rm, 2200 Virginia Ave
Wednesday, Jan 4 - 7pm - Montana Branch Library, Community Rm, 2401 Montana Ave
Wednesday, Jan 19 - 7pm - McKinley School, 2401 Santa Monica Blvd
All locations are wheelchair accessible. For additional disability-related accommodations or for more information about these meetings, please call 310-458-8281 or visit www.smgov.net/neighborhoods
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WINTER CHEER 2011 - Douglas Park Clubhouse
Baking Buddies -#1601.300- - Tues Dec 6, 13 & 20; 3:30-5:00pm 4-12 years
$6 materials fee due on first day of class. SM residents $45/non-residents $52
We will bake different creations in each class, going over different ingredients, measurements, cooking safety all in a
fun-filled class.
Holiday Arts & Crafts - #1601.301 - Thurs Dec 8, 15 & 22 - 3:30-5:00pm - 4-12 years old $6 materials fee payable to instructor on first day of class. SM residents $45/non-residents $52 Come share in the festive spirit as we make all sorts
of holiday crafts using a variety of mediums
Friday Night Stay and Play - #1601.302 - Friday, Dec 16; 5:30pm-8:30pm - 3-12 years old
SM residents $36/non-resident $41 Drop off your children on Friday night for some holiday cheer. We will sing songs, hear stories, decorate and have a great time. Children should bring a snack.
Teachers:Anna Flynn & Sarah Goldman
City of SM Community Classes - 310-458-2239 recenroll.smgov.net
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Santa Monica High School Winter Choral Concert: Motus Perpetuus VII
Thursday, December 15 at 7:00pm - SAMOHI Barnum Hall
$5 Students, $10 Adults - At the door
This annual concert of perpetual motion features all of the students in the Santa Monica High School Music Program. Choirs are strategically situated throughout Barnum Hall, with songs following each other without applause, from one piece to the next. From Gregorian Chants to the work of French composer Francis Poulenc, this year’s concert will intertwine one thousand years of choral music history as students traverse every area of Barnum Hall creating an exciting,
immersive experience that is a perennial favorite of concertgoers. The concert concludes with the traditional singing of The Hallelujah Chorus, for which audience alumni choristers are invited to the stage to join in.
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Freedom Riders: A Community Conversation on Democracy in Action
Wednesday, December 7 - 7:00-9:00 p.m. - The Broad Stage - 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica,
Join us for a Community Conversation featuring the award-winning film Freedom Riders by PBS American Experience. The program will include excerpts from the film and conversation led by former Justice Department civil rights attorney, author, and Facing History board member Gerald Stern. He will be joined by Freedom Rider Ernest “Rip” Patton Jr., who will share experiences as a participant in the Nashville Movement and the Freedom Rides.
Seating is limited. Visit facinghistory.org/communityconversations.
For info contact Jennifer Lenardson at 213-202-2811 x28 or Jennifer_Lenardson@facing.org.
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INTERCULTURAL DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
At its board meeting on November 17, the Board of Education reconstituted the Intercultural District Advisory Committee (DAC) and directed the superintendent’s office to solicit applications for community members to serve on the committee.
Applications to serve on this committee can be found in English and Spanish at http://www.smmusd.org/DAC/index.html or in the superintendent’s office (1651 16th Street, Santa Monica). The deadline to submit applications to the superintendent’s office is Tuesday, December 20, 2011. The goal is for the Board of Education to review the applications and appoint members to the committee at the January 19, 2012, board meeting.
Reconstituting the Intercultural DAC, which has a temporary name of the Intercultural Equity and Excellence DAC, is part of the school district’s response to the May 2011 racial incident that took place at Santa Monica High School.
The board charged the committee with the follow directives:
• Support the district’s work of closing the achievement gap by assisting in the identification and elimination of inequities in educational processes and outcomes of underserved students in district schools.
• Serve as a vehicle for parents, community, and students to communicate with the Board on matters related to the successful participation in the educational process of students and parents who come from diverse socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds or from the LGBTQ community.
• Provide a forum for the articulation of ideas and activities being implemented in the district, school sites, and the greater community that are successfully meeting the needs of our diverse student and parent population.
• Provide input on district and school site efforts to facilitate the building of bridges of understanding between diverse student and parent populations so that all groups feel connected to, and part of the school community.
• Work collaboratively with other advisory committees as appropriate.
Report to the Board annually on the scope of their work, and recommendations that are developed relative to their charge.
Additionally, the board provided staff with the following guidelines for the committee’s composition:
• In accordance with District guidelines, there shall be a minimum of seven and maximum of nineteen active members.
• Up to three positions will be held by site staff. The Superintendent or designee will work with site administrators to encourage district employees to apply to serve on the committee. The board will appoint employees to the committee taking into account school levels, experience and/or expertise, and diversity of geographic location.
Community organizations whose charges intersect directly with the core work of this advisory committee will be invited to designate a representative to serve. These organizations include, but are not limited to, the Santa Monica-Venice Branch of the NAACP, Virginia Ave. Park, and the Westside Chapter of the Association of Mexican-American Educators. The DAC will be governed by the guidelines prescribed in Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1220.
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SMASH Site Council Minutes Tuesday, October 4, 2011
In Attendance: Laura Sherman, Jessica Rishe, Nina Fresco, Malaika Boyer, Mimi Lichterman, Candis Berens, Elizabeth Kramer,
Toby Romero, Nathan Goldenberg, Aurora Delaney, Shaquil Johnson, Izzy Strick
Absent: Graciela Barba-Castro, Chrysta Wyse, Jackie Boyd
Agenda Amended with addition of “School Climate goal review” to School Improvement Plan New Business : Moved by Laura
Sherman. Seconded by Nina Fresco. Approved.
Agenda approval: Elizabeth Kramer moved. Toby Romero seconded. Agenda approved.
Approve Minutes of last meeting with one punctuation correction.
Moved by Mimi Lichterman : Seconded by Malaika Boyer. Approved
Community Participation: None
Reports and Announcements (regular agenda items)
Principal’s Report: Whole Child nutrition and fitness with A La Carte healthier choices, fewer Bake Sales since they are Fridays only not Wednesdays and Fridays,
Student Reports: Some students eat food with time still left before bell rings. Some girls want more time to eat and some boys want more time to play. There is trash left at the lunch benches that we need to clean up. It is hard if we are really hungry and need to go straight out to play. If a student has a lunch from home s/he can take a few bites to hold over before going onto the field but this won’t work if buying hot lunch.
Core 3: Memoir Writing Celebration was today. Do UCLA Royce Hall field trip every year. Catalina Trip for 6th graders is next week. Griffith Observatory field trip is coming up. We are taking JPL science field trip in November, which ties with our studies about the solar system. 5th graders will go to Astrocamp in February.
Middle School band musicians would like to be able to do choir too and want more playing time, less time talking and putting room back together. They don’t think it is fair winds get to work with String Project LA. Music Committee meeting with District schedulers, music teachers, and student musicians and parents will be happening this Fall. Community Organization Reports
PTSA Meeting: 60 people signed up each night of the SMASH Camping trip and we got to do Archery this year. Rummage Sale, Halloween Carnival, and SMASH Bash sign ups are coming up.
Student Council: Community Group Morning Meeting will happen this Fri, October 7th.
New Business:
School Climate Counseling Services Site Improvement Plan Goal: Improve school climate through a counseling program that meets school stakeholder social and emotional needs.
Performance gains expected for these Student Groups:
Students will use “CARES” more effectively (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, Self-control)
Means of evaluating progress toward this Goal:
OLWES survey results and SMMUSD Middle School survey
Middle School Initiative Student Survey Responses (SMASH Students)
N=70 6th/7th/8th graders April 2011
81.4% of middle school students say they can often or almost always manage stress at school.
81.4% of middle school students say they almost never or once in a while feel stress at school.
85.5% say they feel safe at school.
86.9% say they feel supported by classmates.
88.4% say students respect each other.
94.3% say teachers treat everyone fairly.
94.3% say they can go to at least one staff member on campus if they need help.
40.6$ say almost never see bullying. 43.5% say once in a while. 11.6% say often. 4.3% say almost always.
Questions: Is there a survey given to student and parent participants in the counseling groups? No but staff looks at patterns of office referrals. Will there be more staff “Creating Upstanders” training? Committee meets every other month and we will also do a parent event around February.
Old Business: None
Community Participation: Would a field trip to the LA County Fair be possible next year on a Wed TH or Fri?
Next meeting: Wednesday, December 7th 5:00pm. (1/4, 2/1, 3/7, 4/18, 5/23)
Adjourn: Malaika Boyer motioned and Elizabeth Kramer seconded. Adjourned.
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ptsa news
president’s message
We hope our entire SMASH community had an outstanding Thanksgiving and long holiday weekend. Our kids can now focus on finishing out the last three weeks of school in 2011, with outstanding effort before Winter Break, which is December 21st to January 3rd. If you haven’t starting making plans for your kids during Winter Break, now is the time to take action to line up trips, outings, parties, camps and other activities for the two weeks school will be closed.
As many parents already know, our students are creating art and other items to sell at the Holiday Boutique, which is scheduled for Friday, December 9th. Please calendar the date today, so you don’t miss out on the opportunity to purchase something made by your child and to purchase gifts for the upcoming holidays. The Holiday Boutique will be followed by the SMASH Bookfair which runs from December 9th to the 16th.
Our next PTSA meeting is on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:00 p.m. This is also the time of year that we need to find out who is interested, in taking over a position on the SMASH PTSA Executive Board for the 2012-2013 school year and being a leader in our PTSA mission during a very exciting time of change. As many have already heard, it appears that SMASH and all the schools in our district will be facing district-wide changes in regard to our fundraising efforts and how the money raised can be spent. While the exact format of these changes has not been determined, this is a great time to get more involved in your child’s future, to help lead the way into the next year school year and to be a voice in the process of helping to formulate the details for the new fundraising procedures.
Thanks,
Dan McGee
Thanks,
Dan McGee
SMASH green tips
• Green Up Your Holidays: Remember to take your reusable shopping bags when you go retail shopping for gifts. A good idea is to have a couple of bags, washed clean, dedicated to retail shopping so germs from groceries don't contaminate your gifts. Reuse things like leftover or old linens/scarves/clothes, newspaper, and shopping bags to wrap gifts. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
• GREENer Christmas Trees - delivered in a pot and picked up so you (or someone else) can use it again next year! Smash Families get a 5% discount on renting any Living Christmas Tree this year by using Code: SMASH2011 at check out. The company delivers and picks it up. All you have to do is say what size tree you want, and how long you'd like to rent it! At the end of the season, 10% off all these proceeds will be donated to SMASH as well! Go to:
www.livingchristmas.com Look for the Living Christmas Tree display and raffle at the Holiday Arts Boutique on 12/9!
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Sustainable Works Green Living Workshops 101
Would you like to educate and empower yourself with simple steps that save our environment and save you money but you can't commit to a 6 week Green Living Workshop? Then the 3 hour GLW 101 is for you.
The Green Living Workshop 101 is a condensed version of the 6 week Green Living Workshop which covers the following topics: Water Energy Waste Chemicals Transportation Shopping & Food
We will spend 3 hours learning about the main problems related to each of the above topics. We will then review the top 3 or 4 solutions for each topic which participants can implement very quickly and easily after completing the workshop. Sustainability tools will be raffled off to help participants carry out the solutions discussed during the workshop.
THIS IS THE LAST WORKSHOP BEING OFFERED IN 2011
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, 10:00am-1:00pm: Santa Monica Main Library – 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
For more information about Sustainable Works visit us at www.SustainableWorks.org
Sign up at: www.sustainableworks.eventbrite.com 310.458.8716 ext 4 info@sustainableworks.org
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CORE 1 NEWS
THIS IS THE LAST WORKSHOP BEING OFFERED IN 2011
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, 10:00am-1:00pm: Santa Monica Main Library – 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
For more information about Sustainable Works visit us at www.SustainableWorks.org
Sign up at: www.sustainableworks.eventbrite.com 310.458.8716 ext 4 info@sustainableworks.org
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CORE 1 NEWS
CHANGE OF CIRCLE GROUPS
As we mentioned in our last Friday Letter, the children in Core 1 will be changing Circle Groups in December. Every child will have the opportunity to experience and connect with a different Circle Group teacher. We will also be adjusting the mix of children to maximize on group dynamics and create new opportunities for the children.
As we mentioned in our last Friday Letter, the children in Core 1 will be changing Circle Groups in December. Every child will have the opportunity to experience and connect with a different Circle Group teacher. We will also be adjusting the mix of children to maximize on group dynamics and create new opportunities for the children.
Your child will know most of the children in his/her new group, and will have the opportunity to get to know a handful of new children as well. We will begin these new Circle Groups on Thursday, December 8th at Morning Meeting.
ART PROGRAM SHARE
This is an event you won’t want to miss!! On Tuesday, December 13th at 6pm your family and friends are invited to our ARTS PROGRAM SHARE!!
Core 1 will be sharing our study of PORTRAITS and COLLECTIONS in all 3 classrooms. Come see our paintings, drawings, photography, and assemblage representing ourselves and the world around us. You will be amazed at the depth and quality of our artists’ creations. Thank you to Marni and Julianna for your leadership in this study! During the next two weeks, we will be taking time to reflect on our study and assemble it for presentation. We would love PARENT VOLUNTEERS to help us prepare the artwork for presentation. We have so much to share!
ART PROGRAM SHARE
This is an event you won’t want to miss!! On Tuesday, December 13th at 6pm your family and friends are invited to our ARTS PROGRAM SHARE!!
Core 1 will be sharing our study of PORTRAITS and COLLECTIONS in all 3 classrooms. Come see our paintings, drawings, photography, and assemblage representing ourselves and the world around us. You will be amazed at the depth and quality of our artists’ creations. Thank you to Marni and Julianna for your leadership in this study! During the next two weeks, we will be taking time to reflect on our study and assemble it for presentation. We would love PARENT VOLUNTEERS to help us prepare the artwork for presentation. We have so much to share!
SILENT AUCTION ITEMS
In conjunction with our portrait study, Core 1 will collaboratively create stunning artwork, which will be auctioned off as a fundraiser. This project is still in-progress, so we dare not reveal too much. But be on the look-out for these one-of-a-kind pieces. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to our Winter/Spring Holistic Drama Study. More details regarding the silent auction coming soon!!
WISH LIST
Rakes, brooms, and latex-free band-aids
These are busy times for some families, and many children were TIRED this week. Hope you can find some time for your family to rest this weekend and return to your home routines and sleep schedules. These rhythms allow for maximum learning and enjoyment at school.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela, Jackie, and Nadja
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
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CORE 2 NEWS
Look for photos from Day of the Dead Altars in the e-mailed version of today's Friday Letter.
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CORE 3 NEWS
Tissues needed! Thanks for sending them in with your child!
Field trip coming up! We're going to the Griffith Park Observatory on Wednesday, 12/14. The bus will LEAVE at 8:00am so we can get there on time! A permission slip went home today. Please return it by next Friday, 12/9. We are asking for an $8 donation to help cover the cost of the charter bus. Packed lunches will be needed! We still need parent chaperones. Let Genie or Carrie know if you can join us!
Core 3 has been aware of vandalism/pranks to personal and public property. As a community we are concerned and have begun discussions around the moral and ethical issue of destruction—some that can be repaired and some that cannot. Why do some want to break their own pencil, write on or rip a Core 3 binder, write on bathroom walls, steal snack, or rip another community member's paper? Some ways to start talking about these issues at home are to ask "What if" scenarios. What if you could take $20 from your mom's purse and not get caught? What if you could run less in PE without Coach Tony knowing? What if you could write on the bathroom walls to say something and be anonymous? Why would someone do these things?
6th Grade Math with Carrie: We are deep in our study of fractions! This week we focused on finding equivalent fractions and determining where fractions fall on a number line. This will help us determine the how fractions compare to each other.
6th Grade Math with Erin "Data About Us": This week we started our 2 dimensional geometry unit. Students are familiarizing (or re-familiarizing) themselves with different types of angles and rules surrounding angle measurements.
5th grade Math Workshop with Genie: We have focused the last few weeks on different addition and subtraction strategies and practicing a lot of mental math. We've also talked about the importance of clear and concise notation so our work can be read and understood by our math community. And we dissected the US subtraction algorithm. We know it's an efficient strategy but it's important to look at the numbers we're working with first, because sometimes we can use our mental math faster than the multi-stepped stacking algorithm with all that borrowing and carrying! For example, 1,002 – 899, try solving it without paper.
Science with Carrie: Our astronomers and astrophysicists are hard at work learning about the wonders of the Universe. This week they decided what they were going to do for the written, visual, and oral portions of their presentations. Ask your child what they are doing. They also gave a list of supplies needed to complete their projects. Carrie will get the supplies (if they told me what they need). The presentations will be on Monday, December 19.
Social Studies and Geography with Erin: This week we began working on our final Civil Rights project. Students are working on showing what they've learned through essays, maps, posters, and songs - whichever way they felt they could best share their knowledge and understanding. Please make sure your child comes to school prepared with all their project making materials. If they bring their materials in a timely manner and use class time wisely, they should not have to finish the project for homework. Project is due Dec. 15th.
Reading and Writing Workshop with Genie: We have begun our Science Fiction Short Story unit by collecting possible ideas have chosen our main character, plot and setting! Remember to remind your child to read daily! The depth of life understanding is evident among our avid readers, because they have lived a thousand more lives than their own through the characters they live with in each book they read. If your child isn't an avid reader, what is a way you could encourage them to read?
Homework:
6G math: HW #4B. The odd problems are required, even problems are extra credit.
5G math: packet #13 due Friday, 12/9/11.
RW: READ, READ, READ! Make sure to log in finished books on the yellow card in class.
WW: work on Science Fiction Short Story.
SS: Please read the first four Chapters of Malcolm X, By Any Means Necessary.
You are invited to SMASH’s First D.A.R.E. Graduation on Tuesday, Dec 20 2-3pm - Auditorium Please come and support your child’s pledge to be drug free. (Students must wear their D.A.R.E. t-shirt)
Come enjoy the Middle School musicians at the Boutique:
12:30-1:00 - Strings; 1:45 - 2:15 - Winds; 2:30 - 3:00 – Choir
Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org
Carrie: cferguson@smmusd.org
Erin: ehaendel@smmusd.org
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CORE 4 NEWS
8th Grade Notes: These fine young scientists are rocking the house! We are four solid weeks ahead in academic learning and the quality of student work has improved significantly to near high school level. Needless to say, I am very impressed, excited, and gratified at the opportunities for deeper learning that these students are creating for all of us with consistently good choices. One clear, measurable signal of the group’s serious approach is that I am experiencing a 98% turn in rate for the first time in eight years of Novembers spent with 8th graders. This is profoundly good news, so please share with your 8th grader your pleasure at the group’s achievement. It also looks like we should start the Planned Parenthood/Risk unit just after the holiday break as opposed to waiting for spring.
Please advise me! We have an unprecedented opportunity to visit a lab at UCLA where live animal testing is being conducted. My personal feelings about this type of testing are deeply conflicted; however, as a science guide, I am attracted to the idea because it is a very real controversy and teachable moment. Naturally, the final decision about what your child is exposed to is yours, so lets have a conversation about this before I commit to anything beyond lessons on bioethics. The researcher is willing to join us here at SMASH to work through the issues with our learners. Let me know by email before Dec, 7th.
Parent Involvement is Critical: Research, our experience, and reports from returning students make clear that having parents around school is deeply valuable. Please find the time to visit us during the school day. Drop around whenever you find a moment. Unannounced visits are of particular value to our entire community. I am aware of how hard it is to find time in a busy life; however, middle school represents one of your best opportunities to influence your child’s life before adult influence wanes and peer groups take a primary steering role. Do this now! It’s important. If you need help fto comfortable drop-ins call any of the core four team and we will help. On the calendar are three opportunities to help kids become young adults. Fun too!
1. We are throwing a Caribbean Holiday Junk-a-roo, party time, on the 20th at 12:00. This event celebrates our humanities unit including history, geography, and philosophy of government activities. Please show how much you value this work by showing up.
2. Ice skating with core four on the 19th between 10 and 13:00
3. Field trips to the Skirball center, Museum of Tolerance, and a writing center are all coming up soon. Please find the time to join us. I assure you that it is worth your valuable time. We love sharing this adventure with our parent partners.
Come enjoy the Middle School musicians at the Boutique:
12:30-1:00 - Strings
1:45 - 2:15 - Winds
2:30 - 3:00 – Choir
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
Darwin: dmendinueto@smmusd.org
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