Last Friday Letter of 2012!
December 14, 2012
Dear SMASHing Families,
Please add your SMASH voices to the District homework conversation and participate in the Homework Survey. It took me three minutes to complete mine as Micah and Eli’s mom.
Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L6SMCX9 for the English version
and https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VL8HFZN for the Spanish version.
The district-wide results of the survey (by school level) will be posted on the district website after January 25, 2013. SMASH results will be shared at the February 13, 2013 Site Council meeting with minutes posted in the Friday Letter. December 2011, there were 92 SMASH responses to the SMMUSD Homework Survey. 81.3% said your child spends “about the right amount of time” doing homework. 69.2% said your child occasionally or never needs help completing homework independently. 30.8% said your child usually or always needs help
At SMASH we believe, homework should never be a source of family stress. Please respond to the survey so that we may see if this goal of low intensity homework is being achieved. If homework ever becomes a source of contention between you and your child, please contact your teacher so we can create a smoother homework agreement with your family.
Thanks for taking 3 minutes to give your thoughts about the type and amount of homework your kids experience at SMASH.
Jessica
*****************
ICE at SANTA MONICA
Tickets still available - $20 each
To be used the same as cash at ICE Santa Monica Skating Rink
for skate rentals and at the concession stand.
SMASH receives $8 for each ticket sold.
Tickets are good until January 21, 2013
Purchase in the SMASH office
*****************
DATES TO REMEMBERWed, Dec 19 - 8:30am - PTSA Mtg
Wed, Dec 19 - 3:30pm - Site Council Mtg
Fri, Dec 21 - Teacher Appreciation Lunch - Core 1
Monday, Dec 24 - Friday, Jan 4 - WINTER BREAK!
ALL SMASH STUDENTS RETURN
ON MONDAY, JANUARY 7
(JAMS, Lincoln & SAMOHI return on Tuesday-SMASH returns Monday)
Mon, Jan 14 - 9am - SMASH school tour
Wed, Jan 16 - 3:30pm - Site Council Mtg
Wed, Jan 16 - 6:30pm - PTSA Mtg
*****************
Additions/Corrections to SMASH Directory
Asher, Shai & Tali Chase
1508 12th Street #1 (NOT #7)
Santa Monica, CA 90401
*****************
Holiday ART for Kids
Winter ART Camp
Dec 26, 27, 28; and Jan 2, 3, 4; Wed - Friday, 9am - 3pm, $200 for 3 days or $90/day
Jan 7 - 11; Monday - Friday, 9am- 3pm, $350/wk or $90/day
All classes will be held in Westchester, CA
Winter Art Camp includes Painting, Drawing & Sculpture!!!
Email for an Application Form at "LaArts@gmail.com" Karen Sochar - 310.829.ARTS/2787
*****************
PTSA MEMBER PERKS
- PTSA members enjoy holiday discounts from T-Mobile.Receive special deals on phones and devices and an additional 14% off all lines of service on eligible monthly recurring charges with waived activation fees for each new line of service ($35 savings per line). To access the PTA Ordering Portal go to http://www.t-mobileadvantagedirect.com/?cid=D70894A7-933C-4F28-B390-9FE24C7CA5B8
- Cozy up to savings on software and technology products
JourneyEd offers PTA members thousands of market-leading software and technology products, including those published by Microsoft and Adobe, at discounts of up to 85 percent off retail prices, PLUS additional special discounts for PTA members. Go to http://www.capta.org/sections/membership/perks.cfm. JourneyEd is a proud sponsor of the “Teachers-Making a Difference” program (http://www.capta.org/sections/awards/teachers.cfm)
*****************
DRAMA TEACHER, KRISTY PACE, will be offering
A 4 day MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP in Culver City on January 1-4.
A musical theatre winter “stock” production class” taught by Kristy Pace
We will create a musical for performance on Friday, January 4 from 9am to 2.pm. Show on Friday at 1pm
At reDiscover, 12948 Washington Blvd
$200/per child
For information and to register, e-mail Kristy at kvpsummer@yahoo.com
*****************
MUIR/SMASH JUNIOR GREAT BOOKS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
We need volunteers to help run our Junior Great Books program!
JGB is a nationally-recognized program for student book clubs, drawing on a diverse set of stories from all over the world to provoke student-led discussions of literature and life. Last year we ran four exceptional sessions for John Muir's 1st-3rd grades. This year we are partnering with SMASH to make new friends and share great books, and hopefully to expand to more grades!We will run 6 week sessions from January to February, in parallel with the CREST Enrichment winter schedule, starting the week of January 14. You can run your weekly one-hour session on whatever days / times are convenient for you, we will work with your schedule.
Leading a session is immensely rewarding and fun -- the children will amaze you with their ideas!
Please contact peterjkovac@yahoo.com if you are interested in volunteering. No experience necessary. Sign-ups for your kids will occur in late November.
*****************
Fundraiser weekend for SMASH
@ STREETCRAFTLA
Saturday and Sunday, Dec 15 & 16.
20% of every purchase from the Main Street shop goes to SMASH!
Just use code SMASH at checkout!
Original Gifts, Apparel, Accessories by LA Street Artists!
Streetcraft LA is a social venture, incubated by SBCC, that partners with local artists to make original apparel, furniture and accessories. All revenue generated is reinvested in Streetcraft artists and the program
2009 Main Street - Dogtown streetcraftLA.com twitter.com/streetcraftLA facebook.com/streetcraftLA
*****************
YWCA/Santa Monica Children’s Classes
Winter Session begins January 10
2019 14th Street; Santa Monica 310-452-3881
*****************
UCLA Family Commons Winter Camp
January 2, 3 & 4 - 9am - 3pm with free extended care until 4pm
Ages 5-7 and 8-12, free lunch and drink provided daily
Space Limited - Call to register 310-395-5650
*****************
WHERE IS YOUR FAMILY FROM?
If you have artifacts, maps, coins, photos, costumes, food, music, or yourself
we would like you to share with us for
MULTICULTURAL NIGHT
Please contact Lori Nafshun: gettalife@gmail.com
*****************
CORE 1 NEWS
Dramatic Arts -
We had a fantastic time sharing your drama work with the whole SMASH community. We had approximately 200 visitors who engaged in conversations about face painting, mask making, hat and crown making, and costume design with us. We visited Core 3 and had conversations with puppet-makers and puppeteers about the characters they created, and we were visited by big and small puppets created by Core 2 students. We are currently accepting orders for printed photographs, and because of your requests, we will be creating a video of the plays that you can order after Winter Break.
Community Group Morning Meeting -
SMASH held their second Cross Core Community Group Morning Meeting today. Community Group meetings are SMASH’s way of giving children an opportunity to spend time in multi-age groups. The meetings are intended to be fun and to help children feel a sense of belonging to the larger school community.
Meetings are planned by Student Council.
Some questions you could ask your child about Community Group Morning Meeting are:
Who is your community group morning meeting leader?
Where is your meeting?
Who are some older students you know in your community group?
How did you greet your people in your community group?
What game did you play in your meeting?
Projects-
The children continue to observe the natural world, explore with paper, and create characters with puppets and dolls. This week the children inspired to make paper dolls after enjoying the book Fanny by Holly Hobbie. In this story, a girl makes her own doll after she begs her mom to buy her the doll of her dreams, but her mom says NO. Some children would like to make fabric dolls. We would love to have fabric, yarn, buttons, thread, rick-rack,trim, tacky glue, embroidery needles, and hoops that you don’t need.
Wish List- (a few suggestions if you happen to be at the store):
Band-Aids (latex-free)
Hand sanitizer
Cleaning Spray (child-friendly)
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela, Nadja & Laura
SMASH students return to school on Monday, January 7
(NOT Tuesday like the secondary schools in the district).
Candis: cberens@smmsud.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
*****************
CORE 2 NEWSCan you feel it in the air? WINTER BREAK, we’re almost there!
With only 1-week left of school in 2012, we still have a lot going on!
Math Morning: Monday, December 17 from 8:30-9:30am. Please join us to learn more about the amazing
mathematical thinking that is happening in Core 2. Be ready to listen and learn from students as we all explore
math activities together. After the math activities, the teachers have planned a 15-minute Q&A session for
parents while the students head off to PE.
Friday, December 21 from 8:45am-12:30pm. CHAPERONES are greatly appreciated for our field trip to the
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Can you think of a better way to spend the last day?! Please email Tamara or
Jayme to sign up for the trip.
*Students need to wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing, bring a
snack and water bottle, and be ready to investigate water pollution.
In Writing, Core 2 is working our way through a Realistic Fiction writing piece. We are focusing on taking our
character through a problem and solution. Students are writing about kids that have trouble with friends,
families going through changes, and making plans to get a gift or pet they really want. This is a short writing
unit and we will be sharing within our own Core, students reading to students, on Thursday, December 20. Two
weeks is a long (and fun) time away from school. Core 2 will not be sending any homework, yet students should
continue to practice their skills while on Break.
Reading- Continue reading Just Right, Old Favorites, and Adventure Books. This is a great time to share your
books with family and friends that you may visit during break.
Writing- This is a perfect time to use those “real world” writing skills! You can write thank-you notes, holiday
cards, or letters to friends and family.
Math- Students can play a few math games with family and friends, measure ingredients for a new recipe, or
figure out how many hours/minutes you have away from school! ;-)
We are mixing it up here in Core 2! After the Break, we come back to NEW ADVISORIES! On the first day
back, January 7, students can check the list in their old advisory room to find out where they should go.
Good-byes are always bittersweet. We sadly say good-bye to our dear friend, Phoebe, as she returns to
Roosevelt Elementary. We wish her well and hope to stay in touch with our new friend and SMASH
community member.
Looking for the perfect gift for the holidays? You’re in luck!
Core 2 still has some amazing duct tape creations for sale! Stop by Jayme’s room to do a little shopping.
Upcoming Events
FIELD TRIPS
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Friday, December 21-8:45-12:30
Walt Disney Concert Hall Tuesday, February 5
Shane’s Inspiration Play Date Monday, February 11
Temescal Canyon Thursday, February 21-Friday, February 22
Have a wonderful, restful, and fun-filled vacation.
May your new year be filled with happiness and love!
Tamara, Jayme, & Nadja
Jayme: jwoldflorian@smmusd.org Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
Reminder: Winter Break is December 24 through January 4.
SMASH students return to school on Monday, January 7
*****************
CORE 3 NEWS
· If you missed the Visual Arts Share, ask your child to see their MBC page—I posted pictures from the day's art share.
· Monday, 12/17, California Science Center-thanks to parents who are chaperoning! Please sign permission
slips and help by donating to the $10 total cost ($7.00 for an unchartered bus and $3.00 for the Endeavor
Exhibit fee). Bring Snack/Water/Lunch please! We also do not want students to bring money for the gift shop for
this visit.
· Latest News Re: 5th Grade Ballroom Dance Friday, 12/21 from 10:00-11:30. SMASH 5th graders will not be
competing but going to participate as part of the audience with the 6th graders. SMASH will have our own Ballroom
Dance Presentation Wednesday, 12/19, from 2:10-3:00 and would LOVE and APPRECIATE parents to come be our
audience in the Cafetorium that day!
· Tues, 12/18—5th grade body talk with Nurse Sandy-an email was sent out earlier this week.
6th Grade Math with Mimi: This week, we continued practicing the math skills we have been working on during this
unit. On Thurs, we took an end of unit math assessment. Next week, we will fill out a self-assessment to end our unit.
6th Grade Math with Erin: This week we did reviewed concepts of area and perimeter as we continued working on our
dream rooms. Some questions to ponder: Can shapes with the same area have different perimeters? What about vice
versa? Most students are almost done with their final floor plans and will now begin shopping within their $25,000 budget
to outfit their rooms. Students must record each "purchase" and buy flooring (wood, bamboo, carpet, etc.) while
calculating the price per square yard. The final step will be construction the model rooms.
5th grade Math Workshop with Genie: We have started our unit on fractions and their relationship to percents. We
have discussed where in the world we see fractions and how we use them.
Science with Mimi: Students completed research within their Clinic groups and began sharing their findings and
suggested treatments for their patients. Learning about our patients' problems and treatment options helps us to understand
the things we all need to do to stay healthy. Ask your student about some specific ways to prevent disease and stay
healthy. We will continue sharing next week and end our unit with a self-assessment.
Social Studies with Erin: Students continue to work hard on their Social Studies "issues" projects. Many groups have
participated in volunteer work or have made plans to do so. This week one of the groups doing a research/action project
on veterans decorated holiday trees to bring to VA hospitals. One of our animal rights groups is trying to connect an
animal rescue organization with the head of the John Muir Flea Market to secure a space to hold animal adoptions. The
groups studying homelessness have made connections to both OPCC and Upward Bound House. Many exciting things
are happening as students continue to learn about how these issues affect our community and what they can do to help.
Reading & Writing Workshop with Genie: We have been working on deepening our thinking to help our book talks be
more meaningful. We know using post-its can help track our thinking, which helps conversations to grow. We also
inventoried/ estimated how many pages we have read this year. If we have been in school for about 16 weeks and should
read about 100p/week, students should be at about 1600 pages. I say over 1000 is a good place to be and having read
under a 1000 pages should raise your eyebrows. We know reading volume does deeply affect a reader’s ability to grow
into a reader capable of the required reading in middle school/high school. Ask your child how many pages they have read
thus far this school year.
In writing we have begun drafting! Since we have 1 computer for every 2 students, we are learning to draft on the
computer and on paper (yellow paper in our class to differ from published white paper) and learning to combine the 2
mediums as we begin our drafting, revising, editing process. Parents are welcome to scribe or type and to give 1 or 2
teaching points at a sitting - for example, "As a reader, I'm wondering how this character is feeling, can we show it by
having him pace back and forth?" and "Wait, you paused when you were telling me this part. Seems like a period is
necessary." Or whatever 2 seem most important—sometimes it's hard to decide what is necessary and just because you
taught it once doesn't mean they will remember it the next time. That is the learning process. It's also fine to let your kid
be totally independent at home by just reminding them they have work to do.
Homework:
5G math: packet #16. Due 12/21/12
RW: read every day for 30-40 minutes (100 pages a week). This can include their book club reading!
WW: write 3 pages in your writing notebook per week or work on your fantasy short story draft!
This is the last Friday Letter of the year - Enjoy your Holidays!
ghwang@smmusd.org ehaendel@smmusd.org mimilichterman@yahoo.com
Reminder: Winter Break is December 24 through January 4.
SMASH students return to school on Monday, January 7
CORE 4 NEWS
This week we wrapped up our drama class with Kristy. We spent 10 weeks developing skills we can use in
everyday life. The plays taught us skills like stage directions, active listening, public speaking/voice projection,
the effects of body language, and memorization. The eighth graders had a fantastic time working on these
projects.
This past Wednesday was our last drama class with Kristy and the class time was spent performing the plays.
During the performances, we learned the importance of memorizing lines, body language, active listening, and
public/loud speaking. The plays are affected greatly by these things. We learned that even if you skip a scene,
just keep on going with the play. Overall, working on these plays was really fun and we would like to thank
Kristy for a wonderful experience at SMASH this year and all the other years she has been a drama teacher at
this school. We also want to thank Kristy because spending time with us has changed the way we work, not
only in drama, but with everyday life! We learned a lot over the years and we are sad to not have anymore
classes with her because we will be moving on to high school!
Written by Kayla Palleiko and Reaph Whitebloom
Reminder: Winter Break is December 24 through January 4.
SMASH students return to school on Monday, January 7
(NOT Tuesday like the secondary schools in the district).
Darwin Mendinueto - dmendinueto@smmusd.org
Kurt Holland - kholland@smmusd.org
