Please sign up in the SMASH office or call Wende or Janice at 310-396-2640 x 0
FOR SPRING CONFERENCES - WEEK OF MAY 7
****************
Dear
SMASHing Families,
Every year we receive submissions from our
SMASH alums now at Samohi seeking a $500 scholarship for college. The alums
write an essay about how they were influenced by their time at SMASH and submit
some artistic/creative
piece.
This year, we had three submissions. This
week, I share an excerpt from Taishi Masubuchi’s essay:
“Having three siblings going to SMASH, it
was automatically decided that I was going to SMASH too. Being at SMASH for
nine years made me be good friends with a small, tight community. The community
of SMASH is very influential. SMASH has influenced me to work with anyone… I
always recognize my close friends that I had at SMASH that are with me now at
Samohi. I was able to succeed during the rough eleventh grade second semester, having
straight A’s, because of the way I learned to cooperate with others at SMASH.”
Taishi went on to further build community
at Samohi as he participated in the water polo team, swim team, and the Japanese National Honors Society all four
years of his high school experience.
I enjoy learning about the ways our alums
take our initial SMASH exposure and grow into inspired young adults. I hope you too enjoy these three weeks of
reading our alumni reflections about their moments at SMASH.
Truly yours,
Jessica
****************
The$150
Amazon gift card for selling Education Foundation Golden Raffle Tickets goes to
ALANA
GINTER
Congratulations!
Please have your parent come to the SMASH office to pick up the gift card!
****************
The
8th graders are making a glass mosaic. They are looking for someone to donate a sheet of plywood
1/4"and a wood sealer. Also, has anyone found
Julianna’s black Cannon camera in a camera bag? If are able to donate the plywood or wood sealer, or if you have found
the camera please contact Julianna at taiga.ost@mac.com
****************
DATES TO REMEMBER
Mon, Apr 30 through Wed May 2 - CST
Testing - 2nd through 8th Grade
Tue, May 1 - 5:00 pm - Next year’s 5th
grade Parent Meeting - Astrocamp information meeting
Tue, May 1 - 6:00pm - Next year’s 6th
grade Parent Meeting - Catalina information meeting
Tue, May 1 - 7:00pm - Next year’s 7th
grade Parent Meeting - Yosemite information meeting
Wed, May 9 - Fri, May 11 - MINUMUM DAYS
1:30 DISMISSAL- K-6 grade Spring Conferences
Mon, May 21 - 9:00am - SMASH School Tour
Wed, May 23 - 5-6pm - Site Council Mtg
Mon, May 28 - Memorial Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Wed, May 30 - 8:30am - PTSA Mtg
Thurs, May 31 - Final day for SMASH
applications for grades 1-8
Thurs, May31 - 6:00-9:00pm - Spring Music
Concert
****************
LAST
DAY TO ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR A MEAL DEAL IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 17.
Reminder:
Negative balances must be paid in full in order to qualify for the Meal Deal.
Meal Deal
is 20 cafeteria lunches (not ala carte). Meal Deal credits cannot be used to
pay negative balance.
LAST
DAY FOR CAFETERIA LUNCH PAYMENTS BY CHECK IS FRIDAY, MAY 25
Food and
Nutrition Services will transfer meal credits or account cash between family
members only.
All
positive and negative cash & meal credit balances from the 2011-12 will
rollover to the 2012-13 school year.
****************
BENEFIT CONCERT WITH
ROBERT ANDERSON AND FRIENDS
Sunday, April 29 at
2:00- 3:30pm
First
Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica; 1220 2nd Street
Los
Angeles's leading alternative strings teachers, Robert Anderson and Jacob
Szekely, will perform a benefit concert for
Elemental Strings. The two are co-founders of String Project LA, southern
California's premiere creative strings program
that teaches students to play music of all styles, from jazz to hip hop, and
everything in between. Anderson and Szekely
will be joined by the other members of Uncle Daddy for a musical experience
that will surely delight you and expand
your ideas of what string playing can be.
Advanced
Tickets: $20 Adults, $10 Students Tickets and information at www.elementalstrings.com
****************
SMPD IS
TAKING BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Saturday,
April 28 from 10am to 2pm - SMPD at 333 Olympic Drive
The SMPD
and DEA will give the public the opportunity to dispose of their expired,
unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
Bring your medications for disposal to the front of the Santa Monica PD at 333
Olympic.
An
officer will be available at the curb to make it easier for you to just drive
up and drop off your prescription drugs. The
service is free, anonymous and no questions will be asked.
****************
MOM’S
DAY OUT - FRIDAY, MAY 11 - FREE!
The
weekend is here and you deserve a break! The UCLA Family Commons has just the
remedy - Mom’s Day Out. Swing by
The Commons and drop your children off anytime from open to close, and they can
take part in our Commons’ Kids” Club
for FREE! While the kids enjoy supervised free-play, amazing games &
activities, art projects and more,
you’ll get some free time for yourself! We’ll provide you with vouchers for
FREE cocktails to Border Grill along with
vouchers for FREE spa passes to Tikkun Spa. Take a few hours to relax and enjoy
yourself. Bring your girlfriends to let
them visit the Commons and then enjoy
Mom’s Day Out with you! Call us with any
questions or details.
THE
UCLA FAMILY COMMONS
1221 2nd
Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 T 310.395.5650
Mon-Fri
10am to 6:30pm; Sat 9am to 7pm (open after 3pm by appointment only); Sun 1pm to
7pm
****************
Kaiden
Krepela, from Core 3, is collecting the ring pull offs
of cartons (milk, juice)
for a project she is working on.Please
don't throw yours away and bring them to Core 3! Thanks!
****************
Police
K-9 Demonstration
May 12
- 2:00pm - Santa Monica College Stadium
Adults
$12; children $6; under 5 Free
Meet local
police department k-9 units and see amazing k-9 action!
www.lacpca.com.
310-390-2472
****************
Mimi
& Maggie Girls Clothing Sale - Clothing for Spirited Girls at Spirited
Prices
May 4,
1:30-3:30in Core 1
Most 75%+
Off Retail - 10% of proceeds go to SMASH! Cash or Add 5% for Credit Card Sales
****************
KID’S
CLOTHING SWAP
Saturday,
April 28 - 9:00am-noon - Douglas Park
For
details: contact Snow Hansen at snowwht@gmail.com
****************
ptsa
news
president’s message
Dear SMASHing Parents,
SuperSMASH, on May 19, 2012, is less than
four weeks away. Even though preparations are well underway, now is the time
for the SMASH community to step up and commit to make sure that this most
important fundraising event is a success. The Google Doc volunteer sign-up
sheet is up and we need every parent to sign-up. Though we have leads for all
the booths and activities, SuperSMASH cannot function without the
volunteer efforts of our whole community pitching in with at least two hours of
work at one of the booths, activities, or helping with set-up, clean-up and
auctions or other areas that needs volunteers to successfully run SuperSMASH.
This year there will be an on-line auction
along with the silent and live auctions. But, we still need more auction
donations because so far we are running behind and have fewer donations for the
silent auction than last year. Please don’t let up on efforts to procure more
auction donations. Time is running short.
Please remember that SuperSMASH is
our biggest fundraising event of the year. The money raised from this event is
very important to sustain the programs, staff and other things, that we are
fortunate to enjoy at SMASH. Even though there will be changes to the
fundraising by SMASH PTSA, nothing will change for this and the 2012-2013 school
year. Our SMASH community must still keep up our effort and volunteer spirit to
make sure that our SMASH kids have a great education.
Please note that candidates have been
nominated to for the 2012-2013 SMASH PTSA executive board the as follows:
Jamee Tenzer, President
David Saltzman ,Co-President & Exec.
V.P
Marni Ayers Brady, First V.P.
Ofer Grossman ,Treasurer
Zoe Shobaki, Recording Secretary
Andrea Kahn, Financial Secretary
Dave Sparling, Auditor
Dan McGee, Parliamentarian
Jeff Jarow, Leg. Rep.
The election for the 2012-2013 Executive
Board will take place on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 8:30 a.m., at the regularly
scheduled PTSA meeting. Should anyone be interested in being nominated and
contending for an executive board position, please contact a PTSA executive
board member.
Dan McGee
GREEN TIP FOR THE WEEK
Recycle Natural Corks at Whole Foods
Markets. Look for the
Cork ReHarvest dropbox or ask a Customer Rep for assistance. Cork ReHarvest is the
leading national recycling organization focused on recycling natural cork and educating the public about the vital
importance that the Mediterranean cork forests have to the world's ecological balance. Visit corkreharvest.org for more information.
****************
MAY 5
3RD SMASH/John Muir
Bike/Walk It Day
Leave your
car in the garage, in your driveway or on the street,
and hop on
your bike, the bus or your feet!
Bike it,
bus it or walk it to school,
and
everyone will know you’re cool.
Bring a
lock!
Leave
home early!
And
dude, wear a helmet!
Questions?
Contact Gabriel Schier (Core 4) at gbsicebat@gmail.com or 310-779-3165
****************
Signed
up yet?
S_perSMASH
needs U!
Saturday,
May 19
11:30AM to
5:30PM
Help
run or lead a Field Game
Assist
at an Activity Booth
‘Man’ a
Refreshment Stand
Watch
over the Silent Auction
Set up
and decorate
on Friday,
May 18, in the afternoon/evening
and/or on
Saturday, May 19, in the morning
Sign up
now!
Go online
(check for links in your e-mail in-box)
or contact
Helga at helgaschier@verizon.net
****************
3
more weeks to SuperSMASH Saturday May 19, 2012 11:30AM to 5:30PM
URGENT!
We need
MORE
DONATIONS
Go to your
favorite
stores •
restaurants • salons • businesses
and ask
for a donation to our Silent Auction.
Be a donor
yourself and offer your
services •
talents • goods • ideas
Ofer
Grossman at 310-367-7504 or omglaw@gmail.com
3 more
weeks to SuperSMASH Saturday May 19, 2012 11:30AM to 5:30PM
****************
3 more
weeks to SuperSMASH Saturday May 19, 2012 11:30AM to 5:30PM
Our Silent Auction is Online
Check
your e-mail in-box for the link!
3 more
weeks to SuperSMASH Saturday May 19, 2012 11:30AM to 5:30PM
****************
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 1 parent to serve a two-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 Thursday May 3
****************
SITE
COUNCIL STATEMENT OF INTEREST
Molly Lague
My name is Molly Lague, I am a mother of
three. My son will be a mentor and my daughter will be a partner in September (my little one will be a partner
in 2015 and is counting the days). I see our children everyday and they constantly amaze me with their
discoveries. I have been volunteering in the classroom as well as helping the
children get the small yard garden growing. Most
recently I have been coordinating the Super SMASH Art Auction Projects. All of these contributions are paid back
infinitely by the relationships I now have with our community of learners. I feel that my relationships will facilitate
my ability to serve on Site Council effectively.
****************
CORE 1
NEWS
SPRING CONFERENCES
Spring Conferences are a time to reflect on and celebrate
the changes we have observed in children this year. It is also a time to look
ahead to summer and fall and discuss ways for the adults to support the children
through these changes. We invite all Core 1 Parents to sign up for a conference
with their child’s Workshop Teacher (Candis-Partner, Chrysta-Bigs,
Graciela-Mentors).
The conference sign-ups are in the office with Janice. The
conferences will be for parents and teachers only. Each conference will
last 20 minutes, so we as that you help us prepare for each conference by completing
the Spring Conference Questionnaire and returning it to your child’s Workshop
Teacher as soon as possible. Spring Conferences will be Wednesday, May 9th through
Friday, May 11th starting at 1:30. Keep in mind that your child will be
dismissed early all three days and that you will need to make childcare arrangements
for those three days.
STATE TESTING UPDATE
Our 2nd graders are halfway done with State Testing. They
will continue testing next week on Monday and
Tuesday, and make-ups will be held on Wednesday and
Thursday if needed. We appreciate your efforts to
minimize distractions in the morning. We look forward to
resuming projects with all the Mentors (and with
Graciela) after testing.
TRIP TO THE FARMER’S MARKET
The Bigs had a great trip to the Farmers Market—despite the
threat of rain! Thanks to our chaperones for
making the trip safe and fun.
Partners will be going to the Farmers Market on May 16th. Please
let Candis know if you are available to
chaperone.
SMASH YEARBOOK PAGES
Mariam Berlak (Juliette) is in charge of creating our
yearbook pages this year. She has requested that all
families submit to her their 5 best pictures that represent
not just their own child, but the community and
energy of Core 1. One email with their five best would be
preferable and to send it to her labeled “Core 1
Yearbook Pictures” to mariamberlak@yahoo.com.
************************************************************************
Wishlist: Empty spray
bottles, Method anti-bacterial spray and wipes.
Have a GREAT weekend!
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela,
Jackie, and Nadja
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela:gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
Mimi
& Maggie Girls Clothing Sale
Clothing
for Spirited Girls at Spirited Prices
May 4,
1:30-3:30in Core 1
Most 75%+
Off Retail - 10% of proceeds go to SMASH!
Cash or
Add 5% for Credit Card Sales
****************
CORE
2 NEWS
IMPORTANT
PARENT MEETING FOR NEXT YEAR’S 5th GRADERS
TUESDAY,
MAY 1 - 5:00pm
ASTROCAMP
INFORMATION NIGHT
Taking
Flight and Defying Gravity
Core 2 started a new inquiry/investigation
project with Jayme this week. We are exploring concepts of flight,
aerodynamics (wind resistance & drag),
and glide. This week we each made several flying objects with paper, tape, glue, and straws to observe the effect of
weight and surface area on the speed, glide time/length, direction, and flips
or turns. As engineers, we had to make
adjustments to account for the conditions outside, including wind. Some of us were able to take advantage of a tail wind
and get our flying objects to go a lot farther! We will continue to explore these concepts and more in the coming
Monday afternoons. At home, try to make some more flying objects.
Challenge yourself to make one object for speed and
another for maximum glide. What are some differences between yourtwo objects?
To maximize our exploration, we will need
more of the following supplies:
Scratch paper
Newspapers
Scotch Tape
refills (we have the dispensers)
Masking Tape
Paper clips of
any size
Thin/light
string
Dates to Remember
Wednesdays, April 18, 25, May 2, and 9
8:45 – 10:15 – parent organized project for Super SMASH
Monday, April 23 – California Standardized
Testing begins
Friday, May 4 – All Core 2 girls empathy
curriculum begins for 4 Fridays
-
All
Core 2 boys on Field Trip to the Broad Theater, Being There,
taking
Big Blue Bus (purple permission slip
and white photo release form attached), 9:00-12:00, Parents Needed -- see
Laura
-
NO
3rd grade district music today
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, May 9,
10, 11 Family conferences -- sign up in Main Office
Monday, May 21 – All day trip to the
California Science Center/IMAX more info later
Special thank you to Lily's Jamee and Audrey's April for the
SMASHing new cushions for our outside reading nook. They are so cheerful!
Wish list: scratch paper, tissues, and scotch tape
refills (we have the holders)
Tamara,
Laura, Jayme, and Karin
****************
CORE
3 NEWS
ALL 6TH GRADE STUDENTS MUST BRING IN PROOF
OF THEIR Tdap IMMUNIZATION (WHOOPING COUGH/TETNUS) BY MAY 11. Students without
proof will not be allowed to start school next school year. Any previous waiver of immunizations does
not pertain to this Tdap. A parent must come to the office to sign a specific waiver. No exceptions. If you
need to check with nurse Sandy she is a scano@smmusd.org - Thanks!
SPRING FAMILY CONFERENCES MAY 7TH WEEK! Please sign up in the office with ONE teacher who will help your child share how they have progressed,
mastered, and are still growing.
TUESDAY, MAY 1, NEXT YEAR'S OVERNIGHT
TRIPS PARENT MEETING
in Genie's Room!
6pm for 5TH going to 6TH &
7pm for 6TH going to 7TH (5pm for 4TH going
to 5TH and 8pm for 7TH going to 8TH).Bring your checkbooks/credit cards to make
payments in full or deposits!
NEED CHAPERONES! ONLY HAVE 1 VOLUNTEER FOR
52 STUDENTS AND 2 TEACHERS.
Field Trip to the Broad Theater to see
"Being There" part of the National Geographic series! Please sign the district permission slip and the Broad
Theater Image permission slip before May 4.
Comedy & Improv DVD is now available!
Please have your child sign up for a DVD in class for a $15 donation!
6th gr
Math w/ Carrie: Our study
of decimals, percents and fractions was put on hold this week due to
standardized testing. We will return to it next week
(and, those students who wanted to retake their old assessment will be able to next week).
6th gr
Math w/ Erin: This week
we reviewed our 2-dimensional geometry unit and previewed 3-dimensional
geometry, some of which the students started with
Amanda before break. Next week we will delve further into 3-dimensional
geometry.
5th gr
Math w/ Genie: We were
busy taking the California State Test in English Language Arts, Math and
Science. We hope to get back into our routine next
week and finish up our short Growth Patterns (algebra) unit and move into our 2nd multiplication and division unit.
Science w/ Carrie: Our investigation of energy continued this
week with a closer look at circuits - series and parallel.
We also began our in-depth look at sources
of energy. Students are in expert teams looking at different sources of renewable
and non-renewable sources of energy including: oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear,
solar, wind, hydropower, biomass and geothermal. Ask your child which one they
are studying.
SS w/ Erin: This week we focused in on the basic
geography of Egypt. Where is Egypt on a map of Africa? Where is Egypt in relation to the Red Sea?
Mediterranean Sea? Where is the Nile? What is the Nile Delta? In the process of
filling in the map of Africa, students also
learned about the new country of South Sudan (which was not on the map that we used). For our non-fiction reading,
students read and discussed an article from the Los Angeles times about the
upcoming elections in Egypt. Students chimed in
their opinions about whether or not the United States should step in and "help" bring democracy to various
areas of the world. We talked about some instances in history when this has
occurred and how different folks will have
different opinions of whether these interventions were helpful. Next week we
will delve into our study of Ancient Egypt.
Students will be researching different aspects of life in ancient times to
create a group oral and written report. We will
also look at Arab stereotypes in the media.
RW/WW w/ Genie: We have found Lord of the Flies captivating
and challenging! The book was published in 1954 and has many interesting vocabulary and
ways of describing characters and scenes. We are quickly discovering how the group dynamics of the castaways are
forming. Ask your child about the book. We are moving along in our poetry unit and many are revising and editing and
publishing. We'll keep you posted on the celebration date!
Homework:
5G Math: Packet #28 due Friday, 5/4.
Writing: finish revising/editing their
poems using the Poetry Rubric and the art to go with the poetry theme.
Reading: read every day for 30-40 minutes!
Kaiden is collecting the rings that you
pop off of your milk and juice cartons when you first open them for a project
she is working on. Please save them and bring
them to Core 3! A great reusing of a trash item!
Have A Great Weekend - Remember to sign up
for conferences!
Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org;
Carrie: cferguson@smmusd.org;
Erin: ehaendel@smmusd.org
****************
CORE
4 NEWS
MONDAY we have a field
trip to the Museum of Tolerance to experience the interactive Tolerance
exhibit.It cost $13 for bus fare and entrance to the museum.
Please send the $13 and a BAG LUNCH with your child Monday ON
TIME as we will leave as close to 8:30 as possible. Good walking SHOES
too. If you would like to join us, I have paid for 4 additional parents.
Please email Bailey to let me know you can come! baileyfield@mac.com
****************
City of Santa Monica’s Community &
Cultural Services Department presents...
How Are
You
Active?
2012
poster design contest
Physical
activity is important to EVERYONE.
It keeps
us fit, healthy, and happy.
Active SANTA
MONICA
What’s
your favorite way to be active?
SHOW US!
Entry
Deadline: Monday, April 30
See other
side for rules & entry information.
ACTIVE
AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED AT
THE 2012
SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL
SATURDAY,
MAY 19
WHO? This poster contest is open to all students in grades K -
12 who live or attend school
in Santa Monica.
WHAT? Biking. Walking. Swimming. Soccer. Baseball. Basketball.
Surfing. Skateboarding. And more...
Show us what ACTIVE means to YOU!
WHY? For fame and glory, of course! Active Awards will be
given at the Santa Monica Festival
on May 19th.
Winning posters will be displayed. Grand prize winning designs will be turned
into t-shirts.
HOW? Include the following info on the back of your 11x17”
poster:
• Your name, school and grade
• Your mailing address, email address and
phone number
Posters may be dropped off at:
Santa Monica PAL
Attn: Karen Humphrey
1401 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica, CA
Posters MUST be received no later than April
30, 2012.
Please use 11x17” paper and bright colored
markers.
Entries will be judged according to age
group. Originality, creativity and artistic expression are key!
Only original artwork will be accepted.
Only one poster per student may be submitted. All entries will become
property of the City of Santa Monica.
Entries may not be returned. For more info on Active Santa Monica, like
ActiveSM on Facebook. Questions about the poster contest? Call 310-458-8310, or
email ccs@smgov.net.
***************
