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www.smash.smmusd.org
September 21, 2012
SCHOOL
CLOSED
WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 26 - LOCAL HOLIDAY
***************
Dear SMASHing Families,
The November 6th election is quickly approaching which means candidate debates are
happening. Want to hear your local Board of Education or City Council
candidates share their answers to complex community questions?
The Santa Monica Mirror’s “Hometown Forum”
is Wednesday, October 10, 2012 6:30-8:00pm at the Main Library 601 Santa Monica
Boulevard.
The 15 Santa Monica City Council
candidates who will answer questions submitted by local business associations
are: Ted Winterer, John Cyrus Smith, Jerry
Rubin, Steve Duron, Frank Gruber, Gleam Olivia Davis, Shari Davis, Roberto Gomez, Robert Seldon, Terry O’Day, Tony
Vazquez, Terence Later, Jonathan Mann, Richard McKinnon, and Armen Melkonians. Ask SMASH Dad Ted Winterer if
you want to know more about the content covered at this event.
The Santa Monica Daily Press (SMDP) hosts
“Squirm Night” Monday, October 15, 2012 6pm at the Main Library at 601 Santa
Monica Boulevard.
City Council and Board of Education
candidates will answer questions the city faces posed by SMDP staff and
audience members. Free admission, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages included.
Ask SMASH parents Nina and Ross Furukawa if you want to know more about this
event.
If you still need to register to vote, go
to www.lavote.net before the October 22, 2012 deadline.
Truly yours,
Jessica
***************
DATES TO REMEMBER
Fri-Sun, Sept 21-23 - SMASH family camping
trip
Tues, Sept 25 - 6:00pm - Paquito
Mas/Veggie Grill Restaurant Night - flyers in this Friday Letter
Wed, Sept 26 - Local Holiday - SCHOOL
CLOSED
Fri, Sept 28 - 1:30-2:00pm - POP SALE!
Popcorn and 100% juice pops. Proceeds go to 8th grade trips.
Wed & Thurs, Oct 3 & 4 -
Conferences - MINIMUM DAY - 1:30PM DISMISSAL
Wed, Oct 3 - BIKE IT DAY - details to
follow
Fri, Oct 5 - Conferences. Conference
sign-up in SMASH office. Core 4: email Kurt or Darwin directly
Fri, Oct 5 - 1:30pm - SMASH Bash sign ups
in the small yard
Fri, Oct 5 - 7:30pm - The music of the
Beatles at Barnum Hall, SAMOHI www.brownpapertickets.com/event/272587
Sun, Oct 7 - Santa Monica 5000 Run/Walk to
benefit SMMUSD Ed Foundation. www.SantaMonica5000.com
Note - Oct 8 - Columbus Day is NOT a
school holiday
Mon-Wed, Oct 8-10 - 6th grade Catalina
Trip
Wed, Oct 10 - 3:30pm - Site Council
Fri, Oct 12 - SMASH Picture Day
SAVE THE DATE
Sat, Nov 17 - 7:00-10:00pm - SMASH Arts
& Letters Sale. A fun-filled, “grownups-only” evening of art,
friendship, and fundraising. Details in this Friday Letter.
***************
SMASH PTSA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hello
Smash Community,
It's us again, your friendly PTSA
presidents. You probably heard our spiel at the core forums where we encouraged
you to sign up and volunteer this year. Consider the way AYSO requires every
parent to volunteer -- either you step up or your kid doesn't get to play
soccer -- it's that simple. They have a good point. Volunteering is not just
vital for the school to function; it is the heart of how SMASH operates. You've
heard this before, but it's true -- the more you put into it, the more the
children will get out of it.
Thank you if you've already filled out the
online volunteer form. If not please check out our spiffy new online form and make sure to sign-up for at least one
thing today -- whether it's volunteering at the book fair or offering up yourexpertise. We even made a simple tiny url
to help you get there: http://tinyurl.com/SMASHVOLUNTEER
UPCOMING PTSA EVENTS
SMASH BASH SIGN-UPS - Friday, October 5,
1:30PM in the SMALL YARD
One of the our favorite fundraisers, Smash
Bash kicks off with the annual sign-ups on October 5th. This great series of unique events is not just a fundraiser,
it's a great community builder. For more information or to host a Smash Bash, please contact: marniayers@gmail.com
RUMMAGE SALE - Saturday October 20
It's time to clean out your garage, closet
or book shelf and donate your things to the annual Super Smash Rummage Sale. Bring your stuff on Friday and buy
other people's stuff on Saturday. Here's another great volunteer opportunity. For any questions or to pitch in please
contact: Kelly Lance at kebolance@yahoo.com
GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK
Turn Off Your Engine and Save Gas: For
every two minutes a car is idling, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to go about one mile. Research
indicates that the average person idles their car five to 10 minutes a day. The recommendation is: If you are going to be
parked for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine. Ten seconds of idlingcan use more fuel than turning off the
engine and restarting it. www.consumerenergycenter.org
Have a great weekend,
Jamee Tenzer and David Saltzman
**************
DROP OFF
UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Saturday,
September 29, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Santa
Monica Police Dept - 333 Olympic Drive
An office
will be available at curbside for drop offs
The SMPD
and DEA will be collecting expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
This
service is free and anonymous. During the previous four take-back events, over
774 tons of medications were
collected
nationwide, of which more than 58 thousand pounds were collected in greater Los
Angeles.
***************
DO YOU
WANT TO PERFORM WITH THE SAMOHI CHEERLEADERS?
Sign up
for the Samohi Cheer Camp and perform at a game!
All
performers ages 6-12 are welcome!
Learn
stunts, cheers, dances motions and jumps!
When is the camp?
Samohi Cheer Camp will be held on 10/14
from 11:30-3:00 in the dance studio above the south gym at Santa Monica
high school.
How much does it cost?
$40.00 Cost includes a 4 hour cheer/dance
camp, a Samohi cheer camp T-shirt and ribbon!
When do we perform?
Halftime of the Samohi vs. Culver City
Football game on 10/19 at 7:45 PM.
How do I sign up?
Email Mrs. Meadors at ameadors@smmusd.org for reservations by 10/07/12.
CORE 1
NEWS
Projects: Creating a Supportive Climate
for Artist
This week in Chrysta’s projects group, all
the children learned or reviewed the 5 Basic Elements of Shape: Dot, Circle, Straight Line, Curved Line and Angle Line.
All objects, letters and numbers are made out of these 5 elements. When we become
confident in our ability to recognize and replicate these elements in our daily
writing work, we learn that we can create, draw and write anything we want to
represent. One way we can support children through this process is through our
talk. Try to talk in a non-judgemental way when speaking to children about their
work. Your use of language is as important to the process as any technical
information you impart. If we truly want children to believe there is no right
or wrong way to draw, then we have to back up our assertions with non-judgemental language. Take note of the following words and begin to listen to how you use
them when you communicate: Words that inspire competition: Good, Bad, Better, Best. Words that instill
frustration or fear of failure: Right, Wrong, Cheat, Mistake, Easy, Hard
Replacing these words with ones that are
more neutral is a place to start. As long as you use the above words, children won’t trust your insistence that they can
do no wrong, and they will continue to be competitive and insecure about their artwork. Here are some suggestions:
- Talk about how two drawings are different from each other, rather than describing either one in terms of good, bad or better.
- Point out how you can personally like one drawing better than another, without that actually making it a better drawing.
- Talk about learning to appreciate difference.
When you hear children talking about
making a mistake, take the time to address that comment. Mention that a visit to
art galleries or museums makes us realize there is no right or wrong way to
create art; artists have very different ways of interpreting the same thing.
Remind them that if there is not a right and wrong, there can be no mistake.
When you encounter resistance because children think something is too hard,
find a way to help them get past the block. Explain that as they begin to see
that everything is composed of the 5 elements of shape, they will discover that
nothing is harder to draw than something else, it will just take more or less
time depending on the complexity and detail of the subject.
When you realize that you can take all the
time you want to finish a project, you no longer have to avoid things you want to draw but fear are too difficult.
(From Drawing with Children by Mona
Brookes)
Please
sign-up for Parent-Teacher Conferences in the SMASH Office.
Childcare
is available on Wednesday & Thursday until 3:30pm on the Small Yard.
WISH LIST: We are in need of Band-aids
(latex-free) & hand sanitizer. Thank you!
HAVE A
GREAT WEEKEND!!
Candis,
Chrysta, Graciela, Nadja & Laura
Candis: cberens@smmsud.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
***************
CORE
2 NEWS
Real World Learning: Today we took a walk to see the Space Shuttle
soar overhead and next Friday, September 28 we have an awesome Field Trip to
the historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater. We love field trips in Core 2!
Jayme and Tamara could list all the reasons why, but the kids say it best.
Read on…
Core 2 Kids Corner ~ Thoughts about Field
Trips by The Deep Fried Kids-on-a-Stick:
Books and Cookies: Hi. This is the SMASH paper. I will talk
about Books and Cookies -- Oh, by the way, it’s a library with cookies and we
went there for a field trip. So, Books and Cookies was really cool. ~Charlie. You might ask, “Why would
Diana Ross’s daughter own a small business on Main Street?” Well, I can answer
that. Because she wanted to make a nice place where kids can
buy books and eat cookies with an additional café. This time, Chudney Ross (owner) introduced her new book Lone
Bean to the world. Lucky for us, we got to go there, hear about the book, her
story, eat cookies, and buy her book. It was a short walk, but enough time to
talk to friends and have fun! ~Lilly. Last week we went to a store called Books
and Cookies. We heard about an author’s book and then got cookies. It was very
fun. On this field trip we walked. It was educational because we learned about
the writers process. ~Phoebe. Every year I’m always excited about field
trips because we get to do some fun things, like going to cool places and some
learning, like going out to see the world. One of my favorite field trips is
the Zoo! I like it because I get to see lots of rare animals. I had a fun time at
Books and Cookies. Chudney is the person who owns Books and Cookies who wrote a book that just got published
called Lone Bean which is a very, very good book. (I can’t wait to finish it!) ~Shira.
One Friday we went to Books and Cookies. I think Core 1 should go. ~Kim. I liked the field trip because we got books and a cookie. It was a lot of
fun ~Sophia. We went to Books and
Cookies. We went to see an author and her name is Chudney Ross and her book is
called Lone Bean and some of us brought money and some of us got it. It was fun!!! ~Lauren. I went to Books and Cookies I think it was fun because
field trips are fun when we get souvenirs. ~ When we went to Books and Cookies I
wondered what the book was about and I like cookies. I had a good time at Books and Cookies. I hope we go again
soon. I hope to go on more field trips to learn and have fun. ~Oisin.
Field Trips: I hope we go on lots of field trips. I
hope everyone has fun and no one gets hurt. ~Kaleb. I like them because it’s fun to learn new things and it’s
important to listen. ~Jovana. I
think field trips are important. They are helpful to students because they teach us
lessons that relate to subjects. ~Josh.
I think field trips are good because people can learn, we get exercise, and we
get to know the community and we get to go places. ~Emily. I think that field trips are cool because they’re fun, good
for you when we walk, and you get to meet people! ~Dixie. I wish we could go to a museum because I haven’t been to
one. In the future? ~Mateo. I wish
we could go to the LA County Fair because it’s fun. We could take the bus. Core
1 and Core 2 could go. ~Olin. Field
trips are fun. We go on them a lot. There is a lot to see. ~Mari. Every year I always want to go on
field trips because they’re always fun. I like to see different stores, shows,
and a lot of other places. One of my favorite field trips is going to a farm. ~Eliana. I like Legoland. ~Samy. Field trips are FUN because we
get special privileges. I love field trips! ~Lola K. When I went to Books and Cookies I thought it was fun! I
think Field Trips are fun because you get to go to cool places! I want to go to
Camp Josepho! ~Sam.
Camp Josepho: Hi People! I am Lola Joseph and I hope
that we can go to Camp Josepho because we get to do archery, you know, with a
bow and arrow and we go hiking and a bunch of stuff. So that’s all I have to
say. Bye community! ~Lola J. I want
to have a field trip where we go camping. Field Trips are fun because you get
to go to cool places! We should go to Camp Josepho again. ~Quinn. Last year Core 2 went on an overnight field trip to Camp
Josepho. I really liked it because it was the first time that lower school kids
got to go on a sleepaway trip. I would like Core 2 to do more stuff like that.
~Lucca.
Parent Volunteers: All of you guys were probably wondering
who goes on field trips with us? Well, guess who…YOU!!! You guys are the people who make
the field trips happen so keep coming on them. Thank you. ~Sadie. Field trips are fun, great, awesome, cool, the
best, and educational, but I’m only going to write about field trips being…FUN …and
about who should go on them. So, anyway, I think some parents should go on field
trips. Please keep coming on the field trips, you make them come alive! ~Emie
*C2 HW:
RW~ Read for 20 - 30 minutes daily. WW~ Write for fun! Math~ Packet due F 9/28*
Wish list: scratch paper, tissues, indoor plants,
environmentally friendly Lysol and Febreeze, large refill bottle of hand sanitizer.
Please sign up outside of Tamara’s room. Thanks for all the donations to—We
couldn’t do it without you!
Fall Family Conferences! Sign up in the
office! Jayme for 3rd grade students - Tamara for 4th grader students
Make
the most of your weekend!
Tamara,
Jayme, and Karin
Jayme: jwoldflorian@smmusd.org - new email
address! Tamara: tmugalian @smmusd.org
***************
CORE
3 NEWS
Fall Family Conferences! Sign up in the
office! Please choose one teacher for your conference. Please note if your child
is in Catalina those dates are not good for a conference since your child will
be sharing their goals.
Field Trip to Homeboy Industries on Mon,
9/24. After our guided
tour students will have the opportunity to visit the Homeboy Bakery to buy a treat or snack. It
is a great chance for the students to further support the efforts of Homeboy Industries to provide job training to
young people in need. If your student would like to buy something, please send along a few dollars for them to get a
snack. Walking Field Trip to Broad on Fri 9/28. Remember to send your child with
snack/water/ packed lunch for both trips! Thanks!
Visual Arts Parent Volunteers to help cut
foam for the puppets needed ASAP! Juliana can work with you on a Mon or Tues in the Surf Shack. 9/24, 9/25,
10/1, 10/2, 10/8, 10/9 are possible dates. Sewers welcome on Weds we would love another volunteering adult
11:00-12:30 and 1:30-3:00. If you would like to donate specific supplies here
are some we need: socks, mittens, gloves, sleeves, stuffing, cushion foam,
broom just for the art room.
6th Grade
Math with Mimi: We
reviewed our first unit with some practice. Next Tuesday's End of Unit
Assessment will be very similar to this last
Tuesday's practice sheet. Students
also completed a self-assessment of their mathematical learning. Please play card
games, board games, or math puzzles like Sudoku or Yubotu as HW.
6th Grade Math with Erin: We began our section of our 2-D geometry
unit - Angles. Students brainstormed about angle measurements that they see in real
life - a pizza wedge, the opening of a door, the branches of a tree. Students then reviewed the idea of a right angle
and estimated angle measurements for smaller and larger angles.
5th grade
Math Workshop with Genie: We
have studied different strategies for double-digit by double-digit multiplication
including the US algorithm and noticed the algorithm starts with the smallest
part first. For ex. 29 x 36 the algorithm starts with 9x6 while many of our
mathematicians start with 20x30 starting with a number much closer to the
answer. We also started more challenging number puzzles looking at factors,
multiples, prime and square #'s.
Science with Mimi: Students worked on detailed diagrams of
their body systems in small groups. They also planned out 3D models of their system with
diagrams and material lists in their small groups. We are emphasizing
creativity and resourcefulness. Please help your student gather materials for
their models. Think FREE! Each group will also receive a small amount of Model
Magic Clay. We will work on them next week in class. Encourage your student to
continue researching diseases/treatments concerning their body system. Taking
quizzes on kids websites may also be a fun at-home activity.
Social Studies and Geography with Erin: We spent this week preparing for our Mon field
trip to Homeboy Industries. On Wed I read aloud the preface to Father Gregory
Boyle's, "Tattoos On the Heart." Students learned about the history and
purpose behind Homeboy Industries. Students then brainstormed about why young
people would join a gang in the first place. Some ideas: no good after school
programs, family (role models) in gangs already, sad/bad home life, revenge, violence
in the home, not good job options, wanting to be cool (fit in), etc. On Fri
students watched clips from a documentary on Homeboy Industries which included
interviews with former gang members and incarcerated youth who now work for
Homeboy. The students are really looking forward to an informative and
interesting trip. In Geography students continued working hard on our North
America wall map. We WILL have it done by October!!
Reading and Writing Workshop with Genie: Tues 25th Writing
Celebration: Blue-11:30-12:30 and Orange-2:00-3:00. Please come join us if you
can and bring your memoir to share with your child or have your child bring
your memoir with them. They spent the week publishing and looking at spelling
strategies and writing neatly. Jack and Lily is getting interesting too
as we focus on characters' actions and how that informs us on who the
characters are and what kind of character/people they are. We discussed how our
own actions, good or bad, set us up for others to form their thoughts about us.
Homework:
5G math: packet #5. Due 9/28/12
RW: read every day for 30-40 minutes (around 100 pages a week)
WW: finish published piece or write some ideas in your writing
notebook for next unit, personal essay
Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org
Erin: ehaendel@smmusd.org
Mimi: mimilichterman@yahoo.com
***************
CORE
4 NEWS
8th grade
In 8th science we are doing BTPs, which is a project on
whatever science related project. For example, you
can do it on a type of animal or fish. The requirements for
the BTP are that you have to have a 5 paragraph
paper, a presentation either digital or on a board, and a
visual aid like a model.
In Algebra we had a test on chapter 2 or 3 on Wednesday.
7th Grade
In 7th grade Math we’ve been focusing on reviewing
fractions and decimals in chapter two. We’ve had lots of class time with our
support groups and time to be independent. We’ve been getting a lot of work
done. In
science we’ve been getting used to cornell note taking and
getting in the routine of silent transitions. We’ve
been really enjoying our time at the Santa Monica Pool on
Fridays. It’s a great way to practice teamwork when we walk to the pool and
back. It’s a fun way to get exercise while enjoying being in the fresh Santa
Monica breeze!
Humanities Reading and Writing Workshop
In humanities reading we are reading out of the history
books and we are making a project about it for the
events leading up to the Declaration of Independence. In
writing workshop we have partners, one seventh
grader and one eighth grader, and we are debating for one
hundred dollars.
Parent Conference
7th grade parent conferences will begin next week. If you
have not signed up for a time, please contact Kurt
or Darwin. Plan on having a conference with only one of
them this fall.
Written by Daniel Kanan and Lydia Night
Kurt Holland
Darwin Mendinueto
***************
SMASH Arts & Letters Sale
SAVE THE DATE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 - 7:00-10:00pm
Enjoy a fun-filled, “grownups-only” evening of art, friendship, and fundraising. The SMASH Arts & Letters Sale features original postcard-sized art, each to be sold for $40 on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are encouraged to trust instinct to guide their selection: each 4" x 6" work is signed on the back as artist identities are revealed only after purchase.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
SOLICIT ART
- Everyone knows someone! Please ask all the creative people in your life to contribute a piece (artists, designers, musicians, actors, etc.)
- More art cards (and pre-addressed envelopes) are available in the office, or by emailing info@smashartsale.com.
- We request to receive donations by October 19th. This year’s proceeds will support elementary visual arts through the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation.
ATTEND THE EVENT
- Starting at 7pm, mingle while viewing the art and jotting down the pieces you’re interested in acquiring. At 8pm the exciting check-out process begins.
- You may discover a new artist that night, or you may end up with art made by someone famous. It’s a mystery! Either way, you’ll go home with art you love.
- Get a sitter and bring friends! Refreshments provided.
Tickets available soon.
For more information please visit www.smashartsale.com or email info@smashartsale.com
***************
SMASH FAMILY
2012 fundraisers
Tuesday, September 25
The original Poquito Mas Baja Taco Stand
2025 Wilshire Blvd (at 20th Street)
from 11am to closing
You must bring the flyer (available in e-mail version of the Friday Letter at in the SMASH office)
and
Veggie Grill
2025 Wilshire Blvd
11:00am - 10:00pm
Present the flyer or mention the fundraiser and 50% of your food and beverage purchases
will be donated to donated to SMASH
***************
The Music of
THE BEATLES
at Barnum
Santa Monica High School
601 Pico Blvd
Performed by Samohi students and parents
Friday, October 5 - 7:30pm
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/272587
Friday, October 5 - 7:30pm
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/272587
