Smash Friday Letter

GO GET THOSE PLEDGES!
ONLY 2 MORE WEEKS UNTIL
THE JOG-A-THON FRIDAY, MARCH 9
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.
Pledge Packets are due Thursday, March 8
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SMASH TALENT SHOW IS COMING! - Tuesday, March 13 at 6:00pm
Know a song, a dance, a skit, or even a couple of good jokes?
The 1st 20 students who respond with their detailed plan will be in the talent show.
All Acts are limited to 3 minutes or less. Any music used needs to be on a cd or ipod
E-mail your performance idea and the names of the students performing to Janice at jwold@smmusd.org
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. SEUSS!
Friday, March 3 is pajama day - Wear your pj’s to school
Students must be able to participate in all school activities in the clothes they wear to school.
Slippers are not a good idea for playing in the yard. Sponsored by SMASH Student Council
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ED FOUNDATION “GOLDEN TICKETS”
A FLYER AND 2 PACKS OF TICKETS WENT HOME WITH EVERY STUDENT TODAY
ADDITIONAL PACKS OF TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SMASH OFFICE
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Fri, Mar 2 - Pajama Day
Tues, Mar 6 - California state writing tests for 4th & 7th grades
Fri, Mar 9 - SMASH Jog-a-Thon. Sign up now to volunteer at lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com
Tue, Mar 13 - 6:00pm - SMASH Talent Show - e-mail Janice to sign up at jwold@smmusd.org
Fri, Mar 16 - 9:15am - Astrocamp assembly
Fri, Mar 30 - Last day to apply for SMASH for September (ALL siblings MUST have their applications in)
Sat, May 19 - SuperSMASH. Sign up now to volunteer at helgaschier@verizon.net or dmcgee@mcgeelerer.com)
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Have you ever been to Solla Sallew? If you’ve been
there, you’ll know what to do. Because there, they
always wear pajamas to school!

If you wear your pajamas you will be cool.
You will be as cool as a fish in a pool.
So wear your own cozy pajamas.
Don’t wear your brother’s, your sister’s,
your papa’s or mama’s.
You’re probably wondering,
when’s the big day?

Pajama Day will be on
March 2nd--hooray!

Wearing pajamas is a very fun way, to
celebrate Dr. Seuss’ b-day!
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Summer Adventure for Elementary School
June 25 - July 20; 8:30-12:30 daily
Roosevelt Elementary School - 801 Montana Avenue
$420 for full morning program; childcare available for additional fee - scholarships available
Brochures & Registration Forms available on March 26 and online at www.smmpta.org or www.smmef.org
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Join us for a FREE* Sustainable Works Green Living Workshop.
* The 6-week workshop is FREE for Santa Monica residents/suggested $25 donation.
Cost of 6 week Workshop series for non-Santa Monica residents $50
We will be offering 6-Week and 1 day demonstration workshops as well as daytime and evening workshops:
Our traditional 6 week workshop, which is an Action Oriented 1½ hour series covers:
Water • Energy • Waste • Chemicals • Transportation • Shopping/Food issues and solutions
Our Single, topic specific demonstration workshops:
Energy
We will spend 1/2 hour learning about the main problems related to Energy. We will then take 30 minutes to review Energy solutions which participants can implement very quickly and easily after completing the workshop. For the last 30 minutes, Jake Hakimi, from Alcon Lighting, will discuss and demonstrate LED lightbulbs. He will have samples to demonstrate and will talk about the LED replacement for each type of incandescent. He will also discuss cost and energy savings. Sustainability tools related to energy will be raffled off to help participants carry out the solutions discussed during the workshop.
Shopping & Food
Join Sustainable Works & Gourmandise chef & co-owner Clemence Gossett at the SM Farmer’s Market as we shop for sustainably produced foods. Then head to the Gourmandise School to learn about the environmental problems related to Shopping & Food and receive impactful solutions to these problems. We will finish the morning with a wonderful dish prepared by Clemence.
One lucky participant will win a L.O.V.E. (Los Angeles Organic Vegetable Express) produce box.

SPRING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE!
Energy Demonstration Workshop
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 7-8:30pm: Santa Monica Main Library – 601 Santa Monica Blvd. SM 90401
6-Week Workshops
Starting Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 7-8:30pm: Santa Monica Main Library – 601 Santa Monica Blvd. SM 90401
Starting Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 7-8:30pm: Santa Monica Main Library – 601 Santa Monica Blvd. SM 90401
Shopping & Food Demonstration Workshop
Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 9-11:30am: Downtown Santa Monica Farmer’s Market – 3rd & Arizona SM 90401 Then,
The Gourmandise School – 395 Santa Monica Place SM 90401
Sign up at: www.sustainableworks.eventbrite.com 310.458.8716 ext 4 info@sustainableworks.org
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PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF OUR NEIGHBORS!
We have received requests from neighbors on 5th and 6th Streets that parents NOT honk their horns from the street to get their child’s attention. There is parking available in the school lots after 4pm . Thank you.
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SAMOHI Theatre Presents
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC March 1-10
Barnum Hall at Santa Monica High School
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:00pm ; Saturday Matinee, March 3 at 2:00pm
Tickets available at samohitheatre.org or 310-395-3204 x 71239 - Adults $15 - Students $10
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CHARITY BASEBALL GAME - SAMOHI vs. SANTA MONICA POLICE OFFICERS
Saturday, March 10 at 11am at SAMOHI Baseball Field (500 Olympic Blvd)
Admission Free - Proceeds from food sales will be donated to the SAMOHI baseball team
For more information contact Office Amiache at 424-200-0682
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Child Safety Seats – Which Seat to Use?
When you pack your family into the car to head to the beach, the park, or the market, the most important thing you can do for your children is make sure they are properly secured in their seat belts.
Safe adult drivers and passengers begin as safe child passengers. Teach your kids safe habits at an early age so that they will use them for life!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the following for children’s car seats
• Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, and choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time.
• Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.
• To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
• Infants up until age 2 have special guidelines for safety and should be using a rear-facing infant seat or a rear facing convertible seat when being secured in the backseat of the vehicle. Harness straps should be snug and taut and should be placed in the lower slots at or below shoulder level. The top of the harness clip should be at armpit level and the child safety seat should be installed at no greater than a 45-degree angle.
• The switch to a forward-facing car seat can be made when toddlers are 2 years of age. Harness straps should be secured snugly in the appropriate reinforced slots at or above shoulder level, and harness clips should be fastened at armpit level.
• Children age 8 or older may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits properly with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a booster or car seat.
• Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12 where they are away from active air bags. Air bags are constructed for the safety of adults, and the force of their deployment may seriously injure a young child.

The Santa Monica Police Department performs free child car seat inspections for residents. Please call 310-434-2627 to schedule an appointment.
For more information about our community e-mail subscriber list, please contact us by e-mail: community.relations@smgov.net or, by telephone at (310) 458-8474.
SMAlerts.net: Sign Up Stay Informed at www.smalerts.net
SANTA MONICA POLICE DEPARTMENT - Timothy J. Jackman, Chief of Police
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CREST SPRING ENRICHMENT CLASSES - REGISTER NOW!
8-Class Session starts April 16.
See the e-mail version of this week’s Friday Letter or CREST website (crest.smgov.net) for class descriptions and more information. Sign-up online at recenroll.smgov.net. drop off, mail in, or fax the registration form.
Youth Office at Reed Park; 1133 7th St; Santa Monica, CA 90403. Office hours Monday-Friday 9am-6pm Phone: 310-458-8540; fax 310-451-3569
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The Santa Monica Synagogue Street Fair and Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 4 (rain date, March 11) 11am-3pm
Free Admission. Open to All.
Games, Music, Inflatable Jumper & Caterpillar, Purim Costume Contest & Parade, Food, Silent Auction, Crafts. Santa Monica Synagogue. 1448 18th Street. 310-453-4276. www.thesms.org
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Pet Emergency Preparedness Fair at Clover Park
Saturday, February 25 - 9am-3pm
Free micro-chipping & registration, low cost vaccinations, animal adoptions,
training demonstrations, pet contests & prizes, people & pet emergency preparedness supplies
For more information go to www.smgov.net/oem
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ptsa news
president’s message
Dear SMASHing Parents,
As many of you already know, the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation (Ed Foundation) will take the lead with respect to the centralized fundraising plan, which will be implemented sometime in 2013-2014. This week, however, the Ed Foundation is mailing to all parents in the district a flyer announcing the Dollar a Day Campaign, which asks each parent in the district to give $1/day for each child in a SMMUSD school, or a minimum of $365/child, as a direct donation to the Ed Foundation. The Dollar a Day Campaign is the kick-off to a new era in our district.
Though the Ed Foundation has had for many years an annual giving/donation drive, they are now beginning a transition to build a program of centralized, long term, sustainable fundraising for the benefit of the entire district, to assure that current and future obligations are met, and to provide permanent support for arts, academics and athletics. In the Summer of 2010, many of you will remember the phenomenal success of the Ed Foundation’s Save Our Schools (SOS) campaign, which raised more than $1,500,000 dollars in response to the board’s decision to cut staff. The community effort and spirit at that time was an outstanding demonstration of the caring of our community to support our schools. Now is the time to capture that spirit in this new era.
Unfortunately, with recent news reports of impending cuts by the board, the angst that many of us felt in 2010, when some district staff received pink slips, may be returning. While no final decision will be made by the board until June 2012, now is the time to begin the transition, to gear up for centralized fundraising, to take action and get prepared for the future. Your check will go to continue your support of our district, build for the future financial well being of
SMMUSD, and to strengthen the ability to offset cuts in staff or services, should the need arise.
Dan McGee
ptsa annual family investment drive
The SMASH Annual Family Investment Drive continues throughout the year. Have you made a commitment? Even though there will be changes to the fundraising by SMASH PTSA, nothing will change for this and the 2012-2013 school year. Therefore, we must keep up our efforts to make sure that our SMASH kids have a great education. From teacher assistant salaries to underwriting the office copy machine to field trips, PTSA literally keeps the school moving.
Your generosity is appreciated and makes a difference. This year we are aiming for 100% parent participation and your donation brings us closer to our goal. If you have any questions, contact Marni Ayers Brady (marniayers@gmail.com).
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.

GREEN TIP FOR THE WEEK
Doggie Bag it the Green Way: Bring your own containers to restaurants instead of using single use take out containers/ doggie bags. Products like Tupperware's Flatouts offer great convenience. If you must use a single use container, make sure you use one that can be recycled. ********************
The UCLA Commons 2nd Anniversary Party
Wednesday, February 29, 4-6pm
Join the celebration of growth, learning & building healthier families
Star in your own action photo flip book, Join in the dojo dance party,
Experience the glow-in-the dark spectacular and Enjoy treats & beverages
RSVP to info@uclacommons.com
1221 2nd Street, Santa Monica - 310-395-5650
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CORE 1 NEWS

MATH MORNING
Thank you to those of you who attended our Math Morning. We hope you had as much fun as we did! Try these questioning strategies when working on story problems at home.

Sharing Strategies - Multiple Ways of Thinking
A huge part of our learning is when we share our strategies at the end. While some children are eager just to give an answer, our sharings emphasize a child’s process or a way of representing. It’s also important for children to see that one story can be solved in a variety of ways.

One child may share how he/she used cubes to work out the story. Another child may show how he/ she organized marks on a white board. We look at other children’s thinking to help inform us of what we could try next time.

While drawing and writing are great ways to represent thinking, they are often the hardest way to represent. Having the LANGUAGE to describe the process is essential, and what we emphasize most at this stage of learning. Here are some questions to encourage children to develop this language:
What is happening in the story?
What numbers are you working with?
What did you do first? Then what did you do?
What does the question ask?
Are you going to end up with more or less?
How do you know _______________?

GUIDING TRANSITIONAL WRITERS
Bigs’ and Mentors’ parents are invited to attend a dialogue on supporting young writers in the Transitional Stage on Wednesday February 29 from 3:15-4:00 p.m. in the Golden Galaxy. We will discuss ways to continue encouraging independence while supporting a young writer’s interest in conventional or “book” writing. RSVP to Graciela by Monday.

WINTER WISH LIST: Please check the hooks outside for jackets and sweatshirts that have been left behind. Bake sale and birthday bash dishes are also outside of Candis’ & Chrysta’s door. We could also use more Kleenex and pump soap. Thank you!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela, Nadja, and Jackie
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
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CORE 2 NEWS

Core 2 Dates to Remember
Friday, March 2 – Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Student Council sponsored Pajama Day
Tuesday, March 6 - California state writing test for 4th grade students (75 min)
Friday, March 9 – SMASHing Jog-a-thon--get those pledges!!!
Friday, March 16 – Core 2 Potato Parade, more info in the coming weeks
Monday, March 26 – Symphonic Adventure at Samo High – walking field trip
Wednesday, March 28 – Open House, 6 – 8 pm--Arts with Julianna sharing
Friday, March 30 – Beach Day
Monday, April 2 – Sunday, April 15 – Spring Break starts
Monday, April 16 – return to SMASH

In Art with Julianna we have been exploring different ways to create objects with clay – pinch pots, and slab shapes. We have Art every Wed, 8:30 – 10:15, and would love to have parent helpers. If you could come in for ALL or JUST PART (at the beginning or end) one of these sessions please let us know ASAP!
2/27 – Art
3/07 – Art
3/14 – Art
3/21 – Art
***Wednesday, March 28 – Arts sharing 6 – 8 pm

Wish list: scratch paper, tissues, scotch tape refills (we have the holders), pink pearl erasers, hand sanitizer pumps and large refill bottle

Tamara, Laura, Jayme, and Karin

Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org
Jayme: j.wold@smmusd.org
Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
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CORE 3 NEWS

Please look for the DARE parent survey in your child's backpack and fill it out and return it on Tuesday! We received 1 completed parent survey—please fill them out and return them.

Friday, March 2, Dr. Seuss PJ Day! And Core 3 Bake Sale!

6th gr Math w/ Carrie: This week we did a little skill practice before we launch into the next unit on fractions/ decimals/percents. We played several different games (Fraction War, Sweet 16, Multiplication Snap) and worked on other skills like long division.

Science w/ Carrie: Our biome/ecosystem research is well underway! Encourage your child to do some research at home - or at least talk with you about the biome/ecosystem they have chosen. One of the key questions we have been talking about is, "What issues are affecting your biome/ecosystem and what is or can be done about it?" See if you can get anything out of your child at the dinner table!

SS w/ Amanda: The City States have been busy playing games and learning about Ancient Greek life.

RW/WW w/ Genie: The 6th graders had an opportunity to get more reading time in class, confer with Genie about their reading, and some finished their first newspaper issues which were due last Friday. All writers need to be ready to draft their new news article and column idea next week.

This is the collective letter Blue Advisory wrote to the Santa Monica Daily Press after their visit:

Dear Ross, Kevin, Ashley and Darren,
We appreciated your time and for giving us a tour of your newspaper. Your presentation was very inspiring and informational. We really enjoyed it and had great time and learned a lot.
Thank you for showing us how to get a good story for example going to public meetings, getting opinions off the street, and talking to publicists. Another thing we learned was thinking about why we are writing an article, will other people care about this or just me, and what questions are we answering.
We will apply what we learned to our own newspapers.
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Blue Advisory, Core 3

SuperSMASH Core 3 Art Auction Piece: If you have any SMASH t-shirts you would like to donate for our Art Auction project, please start bringing them to Genie.

Visual Art Project Pieces: Our art installation has come down in Core 3. The pieces are larger than backpacks so if you'd like to preserve your child's art, please stop by Genie's room to collect the drawing. They are so amazing, I'm sure many of you will frame the pieces for your homes.

Homework:
6GMath: Children choose a skill to practice: multiplication, division, fractions so they all have a different sheet. It is due next Thursday.
5G Math: Math Packet #21 will be given out on Monday and due on Fri, March 2nd.
Writing: Collect 3 entries in their notebook (3 full pages)—notebooks should be getting filled.
Reading: read every day for 30-40 minutes!

Genie, Carrie, Amanda & Malaika
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CORE 4 NEWS

DATES TO REMEMBER
Fri, Mar 2 - Pajama Day
Tues, Mar 6 - California state writing tests for 4th & 7th grades
Fri, Mar 9 - SMASH Jog-a-Thon. Sign up now to volunteer
Tue, Mar 13 - 6:00pm - SMASH Talent Show - e-mail Janice to sign up at jwold@smmusd.org
Fri, Mar 16 - 9:15am - Astrocamp assembly
Fri, Mar 30 - Last day to apply for SMASH for September
(ALL siblings MUST have their applications in)
Sat, May 19 - SuperSMASH. Sign up now to volunteer