Dear SMASHing Families,
As you read Candis’ letter, I suspect
you’ll share my feelings of gratitude for all she has shared with us over the
years, sadness about saying goodbye to someone we care so deeply about, and
excitement for her on her next life adventure. Again, for those who are
wondering what this means for SMASH staffing for next year, please know Human
Resources is working with me (and all Principals) on school staffing, and as
soon as I know more, I will let you know. In the meantime, stay tuned for
details about how and when our community will celebrate with Candis.
Truly yours,
Jessica
*********************
“How lucky I am to have something that makes
saying good-bye so hard.”
- The
great poet and philosopher Winnie-the-Pooh (A.A.Milne)
Core 1 is a place of magic and joy. It’s a
place where you are challenged to imagine beyond your present state of being
– how to be a better person, how to make
our world a better place, how the impossible can become possible – if you’re creative
enough and work hard enough. It’s a place where everyone belongs and everyone
has talents and everyone matters. Every September, the older children make a
“treasure box” for a new kinder student, and we embrace one another as family.
My “treasure box” is my heart, and I have
been collecting memories in my “box” for the last 9 years. One year we became
“rock stars,” with our cardboard guitars. We became “fire dancers” and learned
the hula to celebrate Mana’s wedding. Then there was a battle between the
pirates and fairies. We've raised silkworms and hermit crabs, we adopted a
bunny named Velveteen, and learned that Franklin, our class turtle, actually
prefers to live in water. We built marble mazes that defied gravity and SMASH
CITY out of recyclable materials. But, most importantly, we made friendships –
based on sincerity, trust, and collaboration.
And so I can’t help but feel the deepest
appreciation for the SMASH community as I prepare to leave my career as a teacher
in June. It is impossible to capture all of the memories in my treasure box,
but if you’ve spent anytime in Core 1 with me, then you have some idea of the
joy and magic that you can find there every day.
While I may no longer be your teacher at
the end of this year, I will always remain your friend. I cherish my memories and
friendships – they are truly treasures. As I dare to imagine beyond my present
state of being, I look forward to sharing with you the new treasures I find and
new opportunities that come my way. I hope you will always do the same.
-Candis
*********************
THANK
YOU FOR A FANTASTIC TALENT SHOW!
As always
- we are amazed and delighted to watch our SMASH students share their talents.
Special
thanks to our MC Jake Johannsen; our sound engineers John Lusitana, Mickey
Milosevic and David Chertockand our
stage manager, Jeannine Renshaw. Their talents were greatly appreciated!
*********************
YEARBOOK
PHOTOS WANTED
Yearbook time is upon us and many of your
children's happy faces will not make it in if you don't send us your photos from
school events asap!
We can use any photos taken at school that
you have!
Please send your photo attachments to Lori
Nafshun at gettalife@earthlink.net - then do it again and again-it’s so easy!
-
Your
friends on the yearbook committee
*********************
DATES
TO REMEMBER
Fri, May 3 - 1:30-3:00pm - Cinco de Mayo
Festival
Wed, May 8 - 6:30-8:00PM - SMASH Parent Ed
Night: Transitioning to SAMOHI
Sat, May 18 - SuperSMASH!
Tue, May 21 - 6:00pm - Strings and Winds
Music Concert - 4th-8th grades
Wed, May 22 - 5:30pm - PTSA Executive Mtg
Mon, May 27 - Memorial Day - School Closed
Tues, May 28 - 5:30-7:30pm - JAMS
cafeteria. Superintendent presents Centralized Fundraising Conversations with SMASH, Grant, Edison & Rogers
parents.
Wed, May 29 - Restaurant Night TBA
May 30 - 6:00pm - Choir Concert - 4th-8th
grades
Fri, May 31 - 9:45am - Core 1 Assembly
Fri, May 31 - 3:00pm - Last day to turn in
SMASH application for 1st-8th grade lottery
Mon-Tues-Wed, Jun 3, 4 & 5 - 8th grade
San Diego trip
Tue-Wed-Thurs, Jun 4, 5 & 6 - 7th
grade Fulcrum Trip
Wed, Jun 5 - 6:30pm - PTSA Mtg
Mon, June 10 - 10:00am - SMASH 8th grade
graduation
Tues, June 11 - Last Day of School Beach
Day
Thur, Aug 22 - First day of school!
*********************
Upcoming
SMASH Bashes with Remaining Spots
The remaining 2013 SMASH Bash Events still
have some available spots left - but sign up quickly! (In the office, or by emailing Marni Ayers Brady at marniayers@gmail.com). REMINDER: These are family-hosted
events. All proceeds are donated to SMASH.
·
SMASH
Campus Pancake Breakfast
- May 1 (Wed) 7:45am-8:30 - SMASH Cafetorium: $7/person
(NO DROP OFFS - kids must attend WITH adults)
·
Mom's
Night Out - May 4 (Sat)
7pm-10ish - Tuckett & Kim Residence, Santa Monica: $25/person
(ADULTS ONLY)
·
Cinco
De Mayo SMASH Family Music BASH - May 5 (Sun) 4pm-7 - Fresco Residence, Santa Monica
$50/Family or $20/Person
·
Stand
UpPaddle Board Group Lesson
- May 10 (Fri) 9:30-11ish - Mother's Beach, Marina Del Rey: $60/person (ADULTS ONLY)
·
Mother's
Day Tea on a Roof Garden
- May 11 (Sat) 1pm-3:00 - Winterer/Taylor Residence: $25/Adult & $10/Child
·
Big
Draw Art Party with Juliana Ostrovsky - June 1 (Sat) 2pm-4:00 Dempsey Residence, Pacific Palisades: $25/Person
*********************
APPLICATIONS
FOR GRADES 1-8 are due NO LATER than May 31, 3pm
Applications
are in the SMASH office and online at www.smash.smmusd.org
*********************
3 more weeks to SuperSMASH
Saturday May 18
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
Contact Naren
Desai at 310-666-1680 or n.desai@bep-la.com
Please see the donation ideas listed on the next page
3 more weeks to SuperSMASH Saturday May 18, 2013 11:30AM to 5:30PM
*********************
SuperSMASH 2013
Silent
Auction Donation Ideas
Where do you go?
STORES • BOOKS • CLOTHING • TOYS • SHOES •
HOUSEWARES • LIQUOR • WINES • MUSIC VIDEO • ART SUPPLIES • ELECTRONICS •
STATIONERY • KIDS CLASSES • CAMPS • BIRTHDAY PARTY • HOTELS • RESTAURANTS •
BEAUTY • REPAIR SHOP • SALONS • GYMS • SPAS • COUNTRY CLUBS • SUPERMARKETS • DRY
CLEANER
Who do you know?
CHEFS • CATERERS • PARTY ENTERTAINERS •
PHOTOGRAPHERS • ARTISTS •BOAT/ PLANE OWNERS • VACATION HOME/ TIMESHARE OWNERS
•CASTING AGENTS • WALK ONS/CAMEOS • STUDIO TOURS •SPORTS/ TV/ MOVIE MEMORABILIA
• BUILDERS • LANDSCAPERS • GARDENERS •MASSAGE THERAPISTS • DERMATOLOGISTS •
BEAUTICIANS •NUTRITIONISTS • HEALERS • ACUPUNCTURISTS • YOGA TEACHERS •CLEANING
SERVICES • WINDOW WASHERS • DOG WALKERS •COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS •PERSONAL ORGANIZERS
•SWIM/TENNIS/GOLF PRO'S • PERSONAL TRAINERS • TICKETS TO: MUSEUMS/THEME PARKS/
CONCERTS/ MOVIES/ THEATERS •TICKETS TO: SPORTS/MOVIE PREMIERES/ AWARD SHOWS
What do
you do?
COMPUTER LESSONS • VIDEOS/ DVDS/ CDS/
SOFTWARE •PHOTOGRAPHY • VIDEOGRAPHY • COMPUTER GRAPHICS • WEB DESIGN •HOLIDAY
CARDs • STATIONERY • HOLIDAY DECORATING BABYSITTING • COOKING • BAKING • DOG
WALKING • MEDICINE • HOMEOPATHY • NUTRITION •LEGAL SERVICES • ACCOUNTING •
ESTATE PLANNING •ORGANIZATION • FILING • EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS •JEWELER • FLORAL
DESIGN • INTERIOR DESIGN • ARCHITECTURE •GENERAL CONTRACTING • HANDYPERSON •
PAINTING •PARTY PLANNER • ENTERTAINMENT
(musician, puppet shows, magic) •SPORTS • COACHING • SAILING • GOLF • TENNIS •
DANCING • AEROBICS
Please
drop off your donations at the SMASH office
*********************
SMASH RAFFLE!
Would your child like to be "Principal For The
Day" or attend a Lego Party at Jessica's house?
Here's your chance!
SuperSMASH Staff Raffle Tickets go on sale Friday after
dismissal on the small yard
on April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17 and on May 18 at
SuperSMASH
Here are the confirmed Staff Raffle Events
Principal for a Day
Janice for a Day
Wende for a Day
Lego Party at Jessica's House
Co-ed "Slumber" Party with Taco Bar, Homemade Ice
Cream, and a Movie with Core 2 teachers,
Tamara & Jayme. At Tamara's House (for Cores 1, 2,
& 3)
Picnic in the Park with Core 1 teachers, Candis, Chrysta
& Graciela.
Pizza making, Ice Cream Sundaes, and a Movie with Core 3
teachers, Genie, Erin & Mimi. At Genie's
House. Winners will be able to bring 1 friend of their
choice
"Movie-Iron Man 3 and Candy Store with Coach Tony
& Malaika. Six lucky raffle winners will go on the Santa Monica Bus to 3rd St Promenade....students need
money for movie snacks. "
"Johnny Rockets - milk shake, Movie (decide by the
group), and Candy Store with Coach Tony! Coach will take four lucky raffle winners on the SM Blue Bus to
the Johnny Rockets (3rd St Promenade) for milk shakes, candy store for one choice, and a movie decide
by the group. Students need money for movie snacks and food.
*********************
Dear SMMUSD Families,
You are invited to attend a fantastic
community lecture with Paul Tough, author of the bestseller: How Children Succeed.
This event from the SMC School of Public Policy is co-sponsored by the Santa
Monica-Malibu PTA Council; it is sure to be an educational and
interesting evening. Free parking is available at SMC across the street. I hope
you can join us!
Warmly,
Patti Braun, President, Santa Monica-Malibu
PTA Council
*********************
Steve & Kate’s Camp
At Roosevelt Elementary
June 17—Aug 9
Customizable Enrollment.
You are free to attend any number of days, anytime from 7:30am to 6:00pm
by purchasing memberships
or daily pass packages. For information: www.steveandkat.com/activities
*********************
Benefitting
the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation 10th Anniversary
FOR THE
ARTS BENEFIT CONCERT
May 18
- SOLD OUT - MAY 17 ADDED!
May 17
date added doors open 6:00pm, Show at 7:00pm
Santa
Monica High School, Barnum Hall
Proceeds
support the arts in SMMUSD schools
Jackson
Browne, Gary Wright and Venice perform in an intimate venue.
Student
musicians play and sing backup; it’s a concert unlike any you’ve seen before.
It’s
inspiring and incredible...and benefits arts education!
*********************
2nd Annual
Give Hugs Comedy
FILM FESTIVAL
Electric
Lodge - Venice
Saturday,
April 27
Kids -
3:30pm - $5
Teens -
5:00pm - $7
Adults -
7:00pm - $10
www.givehugs.org/
310-424-272-7133
CORE
2’s SMUPPETS FILM WILL BE SHOWN!
********************
SAMOHI
BAND EVENT
SMASH
students will be admitted FREE!
Silent
Movies with live pipe organ!
April 27 -
7:00pm
Barnum
Hall at Santa Monica high school
Buster
Keaton in Sherlock, Jr plus The Cook with Roscoe Arbuckle and Luke the Dog
Parking in
the Civic Center parking structure on 4th Street
*********************
Downtown
Santa Monica SPRING JUBILEE
Sat
& Sun, May 4-5 - Celebrates BritWeek
Celebrate
the first every BritWeek. 3rd Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place will
transform into a one-of-a-kind spring
festival featuring activities including hands-on demonstrations, live music,
children’s activities and more.DowntownSM.com/Spring-Jubilee
*********************
Prescription
Drug Drop-Off
April
27 - 10am-2pm
SM
Police Dept at 333 Olympic Drive
Bring your
expired, unused/unwanted prescription medications for disposal to the front of
the Santa Monica Police Dept. An
officer will be available at the curb to make it easier for you to just drive
up and drop them off. The service is free,
anonymous and no questions will be asked.
*********************
Puppets to invade Santa
Monica with The Million Puppet March
Sunday, April 28 - 3rd
Street Promenade
10:00 am - 12:30pm -
FREE
Los Angeles Puppet Fest’s
puppet parade and celebration. For information: www.lapuppetfest
*********************
The Los
Angeles Children’s Film Festival
April
26– May 5
Aero
Theatre
1328
Montana Ave at 14th St, Santa Monica
Tickets
at Fandango.com (zip code 90403)
For
info americancinematheque.com. To read kid film critic reviews:
la.mommyoppins.com/lacffcritics
*********************
CORE
1 NEWS
Thank you to all of the parents who attended your Parent Conference.
It was a pleasure to sit down with each family to examine the children’s growth
and have dialogue about any concerns or questions. We made plans for the summer
and discussed possibilities for next year. We look forward to finishing up our conferences
in the next couple of weeks.
During the month of May, the teachers will be writing the
children’s final narratives, which will be
mailed to your homes in June.
Mentors to the Farmers Market
The Core 1 Mentors will be going to the Farmers Market at
the Promenade on Wednesday, May 1. They will take the Big Blue Bus around 9am and return around 1:00.
The children will need to bring a snack, lunch, and good walking shoes. Please
make sure your child’s yellow permission slip is signed and returned as soon as
possible. If you’re available to chaperone, please sign-up on our Google doc or
email Graciela at gbarba-castro@smmusd.org.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
A Muir/SMASH Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place next
Friday after our 1:30 dismissal. We hope you can join us in our celebration.
This week, in Graciela’s project group, the children learned about Cinco de
Mayo. Then they learned to dance “La Raspa,” a traditional Mexican dance and
“El Mariachi Loco,” a contemporary Mexican dance.
PLEASE REFER TO OUR GOOGLE
CALENDAR WITH CURRENT UPDATES
https://www.google.com/calendar/render?gsessionid=ewUDkGI14mKgdhWdM7dMmg\
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela,
Nadja & Laura
Candis: cberens@smmsud.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
*********************
CORE
2 NEWS
***Please
return your plastic Friday Folders each week—it makes our jobs much, much
easier***
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the
parents and students who have made (and will continue to make ;-) conferences such a powerful experience. We hope our Spring Family Conference format
gave you a more complete vision of your child’s life, interests, and strengths
in Core 2. Supporting a variety of learning styles, and creating opportunities
for multiple ways of knowing (the ways we take in, learn, and process
information) and multiple ways of showing (how we demonstrate our understanding
of what we’ve learned) is at the heart of our teaching.
In Advisory, we will be a flippin’ and a
floppin’ in the afternoons. The No Names (Tamara’s Advisory) will be doing perspective art
with Jayme and the Mr. Peeps (Jayme’s Advisory) will be doing symmetry art with
Tamara. The No Names would like to extend a special invitation for all Core
2 families to come check out their new room design that they brainstormed,
plotted, voted on, and created ALL BY THEMSELVES. Check it out!
In Theme, we are starting a new Thematic
Unit, which will encompass reading, writing, art, science, and social studies. The kids will be exploring a variety of
communities whose lives have been intertwined with California history over time (Native Americans, Gold Rush
49’ers, African-Americans, Migrant Farm Workers, etc.).
In Science, Jayme will be helping the kids explore the
natural resources that these groups used to meet their needs and/or what drew
these people to California. We will also examine how each of these groups impacted
their environments.
In Social Studies, Tamara will be guiding the students
through an exploration of the social, political, economical, and cultural
experiences of these communities.
In Reading Workshop, we will be starting
Historical Fiction Book Clubs. This will mean that reading homework will be critical to the
success of your child’s group. Please support your child’s efforts to keep up
with his/her reading and help them bring their historical fiction book back and
forth to and from school each day!
*RW HW ~ Read for 30 - 45 minutes at home
every day!
In Writing Workshop, we will be writing
historical fiction stories. The students will learn how historical fiction utilizes elements
such as journals, letters, newspaper articles, actual events, etc. to make
their stories feel “real” and how to do the research it takes to make their
stories as authentic as possible.
*WW HW ~ Do research, take notes, come up
with ideas to add to and support your historical fiction story.
In Math, the 4th graders are working on 2-D
geometry: polygons, angles, fractions, and symmetry. The 3rd graders are also
learning about fractions. Please read the parent letters included with your
child’s homework packets at the beginning of each unit for more
information.
*Math HW ~ Math packets due every Friday.
As always, “Start with what you know, do what you can, bring it in for help.”
Studies have shown that additional time spent practicing math outside of school
improves math skills!
**Look for an email with exciting details
about the 2nd Annual Give Hugs Comedy Film Festival and Core 2**
Have a
restful, relaxing, fun, and healthy weekend!!!
Tamara,
Jayme, and Nadja
Jayme: jwoldflorian@smmusd.org
Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org
*********************
CORE
3 NEWS
The Australian circus troupe, Circa: 31
Acts in 30 Minutes, was a trio of acrobats who shared their flexibility, human strength,
and humor. And then we got to tour Senior Art Thesis at the Pepperdine Art
Museum guided by the artists themselves, which inspired many students!
Thanks to our chaperones, Lisa Wessel, Sandy Eiges, Cris Ackel, and Liz Grossman!
~Monday, April 29, Getty Villa,
Mythology and Art. Museum is free to class trips but the bus costs each
student $7, so please bring in your money if you
haven't already! We have permission slips!
BRING LUNCH/WATER/SNACK! Thanks to the parents who signed up to go
on this trip!
Grades of Green at Santa Monica City
Council Meeting:
Our Core 3 Grades of Green team gave a
wonderful and educational presentation to a packed house at the Santa Monica
City Council meeting on Tuesday. Each student spoke eloquently about their
participation in this committee and what they have learned about
environmentalism and about greening our school. The students demonstrated what confident
and informed speakers they have become. Great job! And a big thank you to
parents for bringing your children to the meeting!
WANTED: PENCILS AND SINK SCRUBBERS AND
ABRASIVE CLEANER
Upcoming
SMASH BASHES: 4/4 evening
Mom's Night Out, $25, Hosted by Helen Kim and Genie 4/5 4-7pm, Cinco De Mayo Feast and music
jam session, $20/person or $50/family, Hosted by Fresco Family
6G Math with Mimi: This week, we took a quiz on our decimal
unit thus far. We reviewed it and moved on to the next section. The next math
section helps us see how we can relate multiplication of decimals with what we
already know about multiplying fractions. For example, 0.3 x 2.3 is the same as
x . We can also make an estimation by thinking about one third of .
6G Math with Erin: Another short week on our Data unit this
week talking about how to gather and graph data in anticipation of our data
math project. Monday we were on a field trip and Wednesday we had Planned
Parenthood. So lots of learning going on - just not specifically data this
week!
5G Math with Genie: With the field trip and the 2nd part of the State Science Test, we only had math a few times this week
but started back into the groove of decimals and how to add, subtract, multiply
and divide and connecting the Power of 10 and place value to our decimal
understanding.
Science with Mimi: Serving size was the topic of discussion
this week. We looked at various food labels and discussed whether serving sizes
on labels are too small, just right, or too large. We talked about the idea
that realistic serving sizes are different for different people depending on
food preferences and choices that parents make for their children. Ask your
student about how food companies decide on the serving sizes on food labels.
Social Studies with Erin: Ancient Rome! With just six weeks left of
school we are diving into our Ancient Rome unit. On Wednesday students worked
in groups to brainstorm what they thought of when they thought of Ancient Rome.
Among their thoughts: gladiators, the Coliseum, gods, war, Roman numerals,
architecture, columns, food, clothing, Nero, the fall of Rome, and many others.
Following that activity we watched two short film clips about life in Ancient
Rome. One was a short cartoon about the life of a Roman teenager. From this the
students learned that half of all Romans died before reaching adulthood, teens
were betrothed at a young age, and many other tidbits about daily life. In the
other clip, students got to see what today's ruins would have looked like in
320 CE, as we took a look at Rome from above. On Friday students shared their
ideas about what they would like to delve into further.
Reading and Writing Workshop with Genie: In Wonder by R.J. Palacio, we are
learning a bit more about the protagonist, August, and how he manages to live
in a world where he feels everyone is staring or talking about him because he
has a face that looks different than others. He has things he can't control
like having to eat with his front teeth because even though he had surgery on
his cleft palate, he still has a hole in his mouth and has to eat that way which
can make others uncomfortable. We are all interested to see what is going to
happen next. Please continue to encourage your child to read 30 minutes every
day! We recently took inventory of how many pages we should have read so far
this year and we estimate 2800 pages. There is a correlation between your
child's thinking and reflecting as a person and with the amount of pages read
in a year. The more pages read by a reader, the more experiences and relationships
with people and places happen to that reader.
Homework:
5G math: Packet #31 Due 5/3/13
Read and Write every day! This never stops
being 'homework'!
*********************
CORE
4 NEWS
Aquarium Trip
During Monday’s trip to the aquarium, the
seventh grade class began with observing and touching the animals in the touch tanks. After the students finished
enjoying themselves with the large variety of aquatic species, they were
brought into the classroom to learn about
Taxonomy. Taxonomy is a tool used to classify different animals, plants, or
objects by arranging them into different groups by
their characteristic and physical features otherwise known as, K.P.C.O.F.G.S. (Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Species). Once educated on the subject at hand the students got into groups of two and were handed a piece of
paper with ten animals listed on it. The students were instructed to go around the aquarium and write two different
physical characteristics about the animals listed. Then we created a chart to
show how they segregated one animal from the
other. After a quick review on what the young adults learned during their visit to the aquarium they gathered their things
and headed out the door only to find that they would be back the next day for another interesting and joyful lesson.
Written by
Zoe and Lucie
On Tuesday, the 7th graders went to the
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and got to touch lots of sea life. In the aquarium there were touch tanks where some species
of marine creatures like Sea Stars and Sea Anemones were sitting. We got to touch them and experience what they are
like and what they do. Then after about 15 minutes of hanging out with the animals, we went into the classroom and
had our minds blown. Nick and Amanda, our teachers at the aquarium, taught us about many different things. Nick did a
presentation about Pacific Salmon species and how he studied them over the years. And he also explained that they
were being overfished, and it really opened up our eyes and made us more
conscious about the world and what we eat. Later in the day Amanda brought her
pet Pink-toed Tarantula named Chewy. Some people were amazed, and other people
were disgusted. Chewy was small and very cute (some people said) and had cute little legs. She told us a little
bit about Chewy and also mentioned that there is such a thing as spider abuse. Finally we had to leave, so we washed our
hands and sadly walked out the door. But it was an awesome experience.
And that’s all folks!
April 29th - May 10 Safe Routes To School
Program
May 18 Super SMASH!!!!!!!
May 20 - 24 8th Grade Presentations
May 27 No School - Memorial Day Holiday
June 3 - 5 8th Grade Graduation Trip to San
Diego
June 4 - 6 7th Grade Fulcrum Trip
June 10 8th Grade Graduation, Early
Dismissal
June 11 beach day, Early Dismissal, Last
Day of School
Darwin Mendinueto - dmendinueto@smmusd.org
Kurt Holland - kholland@smmusd.org
