Friday, May 25, 2012

Friday Letter 05-25-12


The SMASHing Friday Letter







MONDAY, MAY 28 - MEMORIAL DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
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Dear Core 2, 3, and 4 Families:
As we did last year, SMASH teachers of 3rd through 8th graders will be conducting a multiple-choice questionnaire provided through the Department of Mental Health. It is an anonymous survey. 
The questions address topics such as:
     How frequently are students acting aggressively or being the targets of aggressive behaviors?
     What types of negative behaviors are most common at SMASH? Where do these incidents occur?
     How often do students seek adult help in these situations?
     How responsive do students feel adults are in these situations?   
                      
SMASH submits the scantrons and receives a report of the overall findings to guide us as we consider next steps in furthering our physically and emotionally safe and nurturing environment.

We will administer this questionnaire Wednesday, May 30th. If you would like to opt your child out of this, please email jrishe@smmusd.org by 4:00pm Tuesday, May 29th.
Jessica
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SuperSMASH Numbers

41 pizza pies
165 fish with a new home
10 banners fluttering in the wind
400 waters over 480 pounds of ice
54 slabs of baby back ribs and 27 chickens, all gone
zero children stuck on the sticky wall, but lots and lots of them
going up and down the water slide and the climbing wall
4 kinds of races to choose from day in day out
90 yard signs all over the neighborhood
2 cars, one to smash and one to paint
7 Core Art Projects

28 booths and 1 auction staffed for 7 long ,long hours by 172 volunteers

Yes, 172 of you showed up on campus last Saturday to make this day possible.
A million thanks to each and every single one of you because we raised over $30,000!

Amazing!
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 DATES TO REMEMBER
Mon, May 28 - Memorial Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Tues, May 29 - 8:15am - Middle School Parent Mtg - if you want to help secure funding for instruments for next year
Tues, May 29 - SMASH at Ben & Jerry’s fundraiser. Flyers distributed today
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
Friday, June 1 - 9:15-9:45 Core 4 Quikscience Assembly
Friday, June 1 - 10:00am-9:00pm - O’Neill’s Santa Monica SMASH fundraiser - Flyers distributed today
Mon, June 6 - Field Day
Fri, June 15 - 3:30-6:00pm - Marine Park: Celebration for Laura & Jackie
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SMASH YEARBOOK - $20 EACH
Order yours NOW! Books will be distributed during the last week of school.
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ALL NEGATIVE LUNCH BALANCES MUST BE PAID BY FRIDAY, JUNE 15.
All Negative and positive cash balances as well as meal credits will roll over to the new school year.
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Are You on Facebook?
Well the SMASH Community is too! To receive reminders about school-related events and chat with other SMASH parents and Community Members about educational topics and news, join the "SMASH Family and Friends Facebook Group" today. The Facebook group is mostly for current SMASH parents - but any SMASH family members, parent-alumni, SMASH friends and SMASH supporters are welcome to join as well.

Remaining 2012 SMASH Bashes
There are still a few spots remaining for the final 4 fun family SMASH Bashes of the 2012 school year. Sign up quickly - as space is (very limited)!
· SMASH Music Bash - June 2, 2012 (5-7pm) $50/Family or $20/Person
(Hosted by Hayden, Fresco & Bone Families)
· Backyard Movie & S'More Cookout - June 9 - (6:30pm - ?) $30/Family or $10/Person
(HOSTED BY: Dempsey Family)
· Summer Volleyball Beach Bash - June 16 - $30/Family or $10/Person -
(Hosted by the Trevelin, Lovett and Brady Families)
Further details - and sign-up sheets - are available in the office. If you cannot make it to the office but wish to reserve a spot in one of these events, please email Marni Ayers Brady ASAP for a paypal link. Payment MUST BE RECEIVED TO RESERVE any SMASH Bash spots. REMINDER: SMASH Bash events are hosted by SMASH families. All proceeds collected to attend SMASH Bash events go directly to SMASH to pay for crucial student programs and supplies
Marni Ayers Brady, SMASH Bash Chair
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WHAT IS YOUR TEENAGER DOING THIS SUMMER?!?!
The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation is offering a Ceramics class through it’s ED AHEAD program. This is a UCOP approved course, students will receive 10 visual arts college prep credits with a passing grade. Art-making instills in us patience and creative thinking. Art education, specifically Ceramics, engages students in cognitive learning, psychomotor learning, and affective learning. Your student will learn and experiment with multiple techniques and concepts while gaining an understanding of a complicated process. Many students start the course claiming that they aren’t artistic, however, these same students leave the course with an interest or even passion for Ceramics and three-dimensional design. Ceramics is an excellent class for a student who has career interests in architecture, engineering, design, culinary arts or medicine. A limited number of scholarships are available for SMMUSD students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. June 25 – July 31, Monday- Friday, 8:00 am – 12:35 pm– Friday For information go to smmef.org
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 BEN & JERRY'S SMASH FUNDRAISER
TUESDAY, MAY 29
AND
O'NEILL'S SANTA MONICA SMASH FUNDRAISER
FRIDAY, JUNE 1 FROM 10AM TO 9PM

FLYERS WERE SENT HOME WITH EACH STUDENT ON FRIDAY, MAY 25.  ADDITIONAL FLIERS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE SMASH OFFICE
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 SMASH & John Muir Elementary
Spring Concert


Thursday, May 31, 2012
                                                               
                                                           6:00 pm

                                          4th Grade Musicians – Auditorium

                                                           7:00 pm

5th Grade Musicians – Auditorium

                                            8:00 pm

   Smash Middle School Musicians – Auditorium

Go to fullsize image
Mr. Anderson, Ms. Bersch, Ms. Cruz,
Mr. McKeown, Ms. Spike-Gravelle, Ms. Swift

ALSO
GRILLED CHEESE NIGHT 
 Enhance your listening experience
with a fresh grilled cheese sandwich
and a cup of homemade tomato soup

At the SMASH Spring Concert
May 31
5:30 - closing 
Funds support the SMASH Middle School Music Program
To volunteer: michelleburke4@gmail.com

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 SMASH MUSIC BASH
Saturday, June 2
5pm to . . . . .
730 Kensington Road, SM
$20/person, $50/family
bring an instrument
rsvp: 310-399-5036 or freddycan@freddycan.net

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SuperSMASH 2012
Raffle Winners!

· Sushi Making with Tamara, Genie, Malaika, and Carrie
Tuesday, May 22; 3-4:30pm
Winners: Marielle Rose, Violet, Ava Wasson, Abigail Green, Eleanor , Giulia, Riley, and Mackenzie

· Bowling with Kurt & Darwin
Thursday, May 24 from 3:00-5:30pm
Winners: Emie, Marielle, Luca Travellin, Elisa, Katell, Keera Levell-Guerrero, Kai, Lucca Necci, Sarah, Morgan,
Nick Martin-Borne, Nathan Martin-Bourne, Nola, Dixie, Hannah Burns, Camille, Kate, Riley, Reaph, Alex Masur

· Rockreation with Jessica, Laura, & Jackie
Tuesday, May 31 from 3:30-5:30pm
Winners: Marielle, Genevive, Alie, Nola, and Giulia

· Empanada and Banana Split Making at Genie's House with Genie & Erin
Thursday, May 31 from 3:15-5:00pm
Winners: Marielle, Abigail Green, Zelda, and Clara

· Principal for a Day
Friday, June 1 - all day
Winner: Sophia Burns

· Janice for a Day
Friday, June 1 - all day
Winner: Violet Varner

· Wende for a Day
Friday, June 1 - all day
Winner: Quillen Dominigue

· Jackie for a Day
Friday, June 1 - all day
Winner: Ocean Germann

· Coldstone Creamery and a Movie with Coach Tony
Friday, June 1 from 1:45-6:00pm
Winners: Andrew, Abigail Green, Violet, and Juliette

· Pizza Making, a Movie & “Pajama Party” with Tamara, Jayme, and Graciela
Friday, June 1 from 5:00-10:00pm
Winners: Jade, Liliana, Hannah Burns, RamRattan, Nalani, Nick Martin-Bourne, Eleanor, Giulia, Kaiden, and Willow

· Puppies & Picnic at Joslyn Park with Candis, Jayme & Graciela
Friday, June 8 from 2:30-4:00pm
Sadie Lovett, Alani, Tia, Kaila, Katell, Eliana, Keera Levell-Guerrero, Jade, Alie & Sarah Eiges

· Mulligan Family Fun Center with Coach Tony
Friday, June 8 from 1:45-6:00pm
Winners: Ian, Luca Travellin, Isabel Flanders

· Disneyland with Chrysta & Graciela
Date to be announced
Winner: Mariana Fickbolm
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Sustainable Works 1-Week Green Living Workshop
For the very first time, participants can complete the entire workshop in one week.

Session 1: Monday, June 18th 6:30-8:30pm
Energy & Transportation

Session 2: Wednesday, June 20th 6:30-8:30pm
Water & Shopping/Food

Session 3: Saturday, June 23rd 2-4pm
Waste & Chemicals

Santa Monica Main Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.

DELICIOUS FOOD & DRINK WILL BE PROVIDED FREE AT EACH MEETING!

Learn to:
•Reduce Energy & Water usage
•Save $ on Utilities
•Cut landfill Waste
•Reduce exposure to Toxic Chemical
Participants can now earn a special Completion Bag filled with eco-goodies if all workshop requirements are met!
The 1 week workshop is FREE.
Check out www.sustainableworks.eventbrite.com to sign up for an upcoming workshop

PLASTIC BAG BAN
In a landmark 13-1 vote this week, the Los Angeles City Council became the largest city in the nation to move forward with phasing out single-use bags at grocery stores, pharmacies, and retailers. The city will take a phased, three-step approach for to curb single-use bags. After an environmental review is completed and a final ordinance is adopted, the policy will take effect following a six-month transition period. After another six months, a 10-cent charge will then be placed on paper bags, followed by a report back to Council to evaluate an outright ban on single-use paper bags as well. With today’s vote, one in four Californians live in a city that has adopted a single-use bag ban policy.

SMASH green tip
Less Meat, Greener Planet: Choosing what to eat not only has nutritional consequences but ecological ones as well. In the US, waste from cattle, chickens and hogs has polluted 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated groundwater in 17 states. (Environmental Protection Agency) Also, compare how much water is required to produce the following kinds of food: Beef-12,000 gal./pound, Chicken-500 gal./pound,Potatoes-65 gal./pound, Rice-250-650 gallons/ pound. It might make you think twice the next time you are deciding between a beef, chicken, or veggie burrito!
Try going veggie one dinner a week.

SUMMER READING AT SANTA MONICA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Encourage your children to read this summer. Summer reading lists for grades 1 -12 can be found at http://www.smmusd.org/reading/. The Santa Monica Public library will have all these books available at their branches, and will also provide wonderful children's programs for summer reading with the theme “Dream Big – Read!” The library's theme for summer teen readers is "Own the Night."
A list of the library's summer programs for kids can be found here: http://smpl.org/uploadedFiles/Library/Kids_and_Parents/Programs_and_Events/SUMMER_2012%

NOTE FROM OUR LIBRAIAN, CLAIRE
The last week for classes to visit the library will be the week of May 28.
All books must be returned to the library by Friday, June 1.
Lost books must be paid for or replaced with a similar book.
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ptsa news
president’s message

Dear SMASHing Parents,
Congratulations to all for an outstanding SuperSMASH. We had 28 booths staffed for six long hours. 196 hours in a single day. And that’s not even counting the hours it took to set up and break down and tally the money we brought in. SuperSMASH is the smiles on children’s faces, and the many volunteers it took to put them there. The outstanding community and volunteer spirit of our SMASH family is once again incredible. Thanks to all who helped make this year’s SuperSMASH a rousing success.

The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, which Jessica and I have served the last few months, is moving towards final recommendations to Superintendent Sandra Lyon for implementation of the centralized fundraising plan passed by the Board of Education last November. Please be aware that many of our future fundraising efforts will be directed by and conducted in coordination with the Santa Malibu Education Foundation. Getting involved in the Ed Foundation’s efforts and helping to implement this plan is very important to SMASH and all the schools in our district. We still need one or more parents from SMASH to step-up and get involved in the Ed Foundation and help lead the efforts in this new era. If anyone is interested in getting involved or wants to learn more about the Ed Foundation, please contact Jessica or me to discuss your interests and get further information.
Dan McGee
SUMMER ADVENTURE FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT Make plans for middle school summer fun now! The Summer Adventure Middle School Program, co-sponsored by the SMMPTA Council and the Ed Foundation, is the perfect solution for middle school summer enrichment and fun. Students entering grades 6-9 will enjoy a wide variety of courses like Rock Climbing, Edible Science, Documentary Film Making, Public Speaking, and Introduction to Spanish, Volleyball, Computer Keyboarding, Middle School Masters, Jazz Ensemble, and more! For a full list of classes and registration material, just visit www.smmpta.org or smmef.org . Classes begin on June 25th and run through July 20th, from 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at Lincoln Middle School (no classes on July 4th.) For more information,
please email: summeradventure.lynn@gmail.com

EPIC ADVENTURE Explore. Perform. Inspire. Create. The Ed Foundation is also offering a summer camp-like afternoon program (EPIC Adventure), also at Lincoln. Information for the afternoon program/registration material is available at www.smmef.org. EPIC Adventure offers a variety of alternative arts and sports classes, including Screen Printing Outpost, Alternative Games, Mural Mania, The Art of Improvisation, Track & Field Fitness, College of Collage and Art in Nature. Join us for a new twist on the summer camp experience! EPIC Adventure immediately follows Summer Adventure at Lincoln Middle School.

URGENT for anyone interested in a fun and unique summer experience! EPIC Adventure, the middle school afternoon summer program, is experiencing low enrollment for the upcoming summer. As such, unless a substantial number of students apply for EPIC Adventure, we will have to cancel the program this summer.

 If you are interested in your student participating in EPIC Adventure at Lincoln Middle School from June 25 to July 20 but have not yet applied, you have until Wednesday, May 30th at 12:00pm to do so. If we do not have a large influx of student enrollment by Wednesday, we will notify all families currently enrolled and we will unfortunately have to cancel the program.

If you plan to apply, please go to www.smmef.org for the brochure or call 310-450-8338, x70396. This is one of the lowest priced programs around for summer and a great way to keep your middle school student active and engaged. This is not your average summer camp, but a fun new twist on the experience. It's also run by two of the coolest camp directors on the Westside! Read all about them in the brochure.

We are very hopeful that this program will run and hope you will be enrolling your student! Please contact Rachel Faulkner with any questions: rachel.faulkner@smmef.org or 310-450-8338, x70396.

SMASHing meetings
Our next PTSA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. If you have never attended a PTSA meeting, please stop by. For those who are regularly involved, we look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
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CORE 1 NEWS

We couldn’t have done it without you!
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers that accompanied us on our field trips this week. Not only did you help us ensure safety, but you also made sure that our experiences in the community were fun. Our final field trip will be Beach Day on the last day of school. Please save the date and plan to join us.

JUNE AND JULY BIRTHDAY BASH – Friday, June 8th 11:45-12:15
Families are invited to celebrate your child’s birthday with the entire Core 1 community! Expect an invitation next week, indicating the snack your child would like to share at the Bash. Please bring the snack on the morning of our celebration, and we will prepare it during projects. NOTE: August birthdays will be celebrated in September.

PROJECTS NIGHT – Wednesday, May 30th 6:00-7:00
Visit our classrooms in the evening to interact with materials and to learn more about our year-long project studies. The children will teach you about our inquiries and share our discoveries.

CORE 1 BBQ –
June 1st 11:00-1:00 – One of our favorite traditions! Please join us on the Small Yard to celebrate the end of the year at Core 1’s Pot-Luck Barbeque. The item we are requesting from your family is written on a half sheet included in this week’s Friday Papers. Thanks for contributing to the fun!

We will need grills and coolers! If you can bring your grill or cooler, please let us know. We’re also looking for cooks and servers!

Please note that in the past, we’ve been able to accommodate siblings from other cores. Unfortunately, since Core 1 has expanded, we will not be able to invite older siblings to join us. They will be participating in other end-of-the year celebrations with their peers. It will help if you talk about this as a family ahead of time, so that there isn’t any confusion during our celebrating!!

LIBRARY BOOKS – A message from Clair, our SMASHing Librarian
The last week for classes to visit the library will be the week of May 28. All books must be returned to the library by Friday, June 1. Lost books must be paid for or replaced with a similar book. Thanks for your help with this!

CORE 1 BOOKS- Please check your shelves at home and return books you have borrowed from the Core 1 Classroom Libraries. These books are usually not barcoded but marked with a sticker dot.

Candis, Chrysta, Graciela, Jackie, and Nadja
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CORE 2 NEWS
Core 2 Dates to Remember
Friday, May 25, 2012
Monday, May 28 – Memorial Day. School holiday

Wednesday, May 30 – Student Council meets at lunch

Thursday, May 31 – Last day to visit Media Center

Friday, June 1 – 8:45 Move Up Day #1
3rd grader sharing at District music, parents invited, 11:00 – 11:45

Friday, June 8 – 9:15 Community Group Morning Meeting

Monday, June 11 – Field Day w/ Community Groups

Wednesday, June 13 – 8:45 Move Up Day #2

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday – June 12, 13, 14, and 15, 1:30 dismissal

Thursday, June 14 – 8th Grade Graduation, 10:00

Friday, June 15 – Beach Day

Thoughts about Super SMASH:

I thought the Sticky Wall and a Day at the Races were really fun. (Sadie)

My favorite parts of Super SMASH were the Rock Climbing Wall and To-Die-For-Tie-Dye.

I made an awesome shirt that I wore on Monday. (Zelda)

I thought Super SMASH was the best ever. I liked the rock wall and the snow cones! (Ocean)

I liked the popcorn and the snow cones! (Jack L.)

We liked the Wheel of Fortune a lot! It is always good! (Quinn and Lucca)

We thought the Water Slide was great! We are going bowling together! (Morgan and Nick)

I thought the Rock Wall was a cool addition. The Sticky Wall was lots of fun! (Ava)

The Rock Climbing Wall was cool and different. It was interesting to be able to dunk the teachers. (Alie)

Wish List: tissue, scratch paper!

Tamara, Laura, Jayme, and Karin
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CORE 3 NEWS

Thanks to all the families who donated their efforts to SuperSMASH! Many of you spent lots of hours getting booths ready, gathering silent auction items, and spreading the word so the community could come enjoy our fantastic event! A special thanks to Erin McIntire for sewing all night Friday night and Saturday morning to put the finishing touches onto our amazing quilted teepee and John Varner for sawing and preparing the bamboo poles! The kids enjoyed sewing and watching the quilt grow! Principal Jessica was so excited to bid on our teepee and won! Thanks, Jessica! It was also great to see Core 3 families represented early in the morning at set up, sitting at booths all day, and staying until the end of a long day to clean up! SuperSMASH could always use more people to help clean up so please keep that in mind for next year and volunteer for the end of the day. More hands make a difference!

Cleopatra and Egyptian IMAX film field trip Tuesday, June 5th! Slips went out today with the Friday Letter! Please sign and mark your calendars so your child has a packed snack/lunch/water for the day. We are asking for a $5/ student donation for the transportation. The special exhibit entrance fee and movie ticket has been sponsored by a generous gift by the Doyle Family. Please contact Genie if you are interested in chaperoning. Author Steve Reifman, a fellow teacher from Roosevelt, will be coming to talk to Core 3 about being a writer and his latest book in his series, Chase Manning Mystery on Wed, May 30. Please check out his book at stevereifman.com so your child can be ready with questions during our author talk.

Dear Core 3 Families,
Your children may have already shared my news but I wanted to write to you myself as well. This year will be my last at SMASH. For those of you who have been here for a while, this may feel like déjà vu but this time its for real. I have been grappling with this decision for quite some time as you can imagine. When I decided to move several years ago it was an incredibly difficult decision but one that I knew would be a good move for my daughter and me. What I didnt expect was just how hard it would be to leave SMASH. Because of you I have extremely high expectations for where I work and the community I am a part of. I have learned how important it is to absolutely love what I do and that has kept me driving over an hour each way to come and be with your children. It is what I love . You have given me four extra years of SMASHness that I will take with me in my new endeavor.

I have been hired to be the 8th grade teacher at a small K-8 Waldorf inspired charter school called Journey. The similarities between SMASH and Journey are numerous and I feel that I bring with me all that I have learned from all of you to share with a different community. As I used to tell the SMASH graduates, You are always a part of SMASH and SMASH is always a part of you.That is true for me as well and I know I will be visiting frequently. You are welcome to come and visit me as well. Your children have already talked about setting up pen pals with my students and possible field trips (a trip to San Juan Mission anyone?). Im counting on that!

It is truly a pleasure and an honor to be part of such a wonderfully warm, caring, inspiring community. Im not good at goodbyes so I dont plan on saying it. I will be saying, See you soon,and making plans to get together.
Love,
Carrie

6th gr Math w/ Carrie: We are working on long division of decimals. For most children, long division requires a lot of practice so we've been working hard to make sure we get all of the steps.
6th gr Math w/ Erin: The students took an assessment to demonstrate their knowledge of area and perimeter.
5th gr Math w/ Genie: We’re still working on complex story problems where there is no one right answer. Do you have math problems in your life where you come up with a few possibilities to then decide on one? Share one of those situations with your child.
Science w/ Carrie: Our debaters are getting ready for their big debates next Thursday. The teams have found out whether they are "pro" or "con" for their energy source and are organizing their points. Ask your child what side they are on. You could practice the debates at home - your children are quite good arguers!
SS w/ Erin: Social Studies: The students continue to work hard on their Ancient Egypt projects. They will be presenting them in two weeks.
Homework:
6G Math: Multiplication of decimals sheet.
5G Math: Packet #32 due Friday, 6/1.
Reading: read every day for 30-40 minutes! What book is your child reading?

CORE 3 DATES TO REMEMBER:
· Thursday May 31, 6:00 Music Concert
· No siblings at the Core 1 BBQ, June 1, to honor Core 1’s request to limit bodies on the small yard.
· SMASH Field Day June 11
· Early 1:30 Dismissal 6/12, 6/13, 6/14, 6/15
· Graduation June 14
· Beach Day June 15

A parent night 6:30-8:00 on Tuesday, June 12 at the Santa Monica Aquarium!
Kurt will be sharing with incoming 6th and 7th grade parents about the Core 4 science curriculum
and the 6th and 7th grades Quick Science Afterschool Program.
Please rsvp to Genie and Kurt (ghwang@smmusd.org and kholland@smmusd.org).


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CORE 4 NEWS
Upcoming Events
May 29th - All San Francisco forms are due and Bag Check

May 30th - Final Day for 8th grade presentations.
7th grade to the Aquarium at 12pm Day 1

May 31st - 7th grade to the Aquarium at 12pm Day 2
Instrumental Music Concert 6pm
June 1st - Team Steelhead QuikScience Assembly 9:15am

June 4th to 8th - San Francisco Trip for 8th grade students

June 4th to 11th - Catalina Trip for Team Steelhead

June 11th - Field Day

June 12th - 1:30 Dismissal
Science Night at the Aquarium for incoming 6th and 7th grade parents 6:30-8:00pm

June 13th - 1:30 Dismissal

June 14th - 8th grade graduation
1:30 Dismissal

June 15th - Beach Day

Bailey:baileyfield@mac.com
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