Over the past
few weeks, I‘ve written about 1) the collaborative work we implement in SMASH
classrooms and 2) the social curriculum elements that build empathy and
pro-social behaviors in our children. This week, I‘d like to share a few ideas
about the ways persistence and sustained engagement is nurtured. Again, these
are thoughts I‘ve had after reading the book Quiet by Susan Cain.
FLOW:
―Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi says flow is an optimal state in which
you feel totally engaged in an activity…you‘re neither bored nor anxious…hours
pass without your noticing. The key to flow is to pursue an activity for
its own sake, not for the rewards it brings. “The fulfillment comes from
absorption in an activity outside yourself (pg
172).” As a staff, we engage in Friday afternoon “Inquiry” sessions reviewing
classroom footage, studying student work samples, and discussing our
noticings/wonderings/next steps for students. We are looking for the aptitudes,
struggles, interests, creativity, and joyfulness students exhibit through their
school experiences. Where do you notice your children pursuing their passions
with commitment to try, fail, revise, and be completely absorbed in the
experience?
PERSISTENCE:
―Persistence isn‘t very glamorous. If genius is one percent inspiration and
ninety nine percent perspiration, then as a culture we tend to
lionize the one percent. We love its flash and dazzle. But great power lies in
the other ninety-nine percent. “It‘s not that I‘m so smart, said Einstein, it‘s
that I stay with problems longer (pg 169).” SMASH teachers invite me in to take
observational notes during lessons. This week, I collected data such as:
minutes spent shopping for a Just Right Book then time spent exploring the
book, number and types of questions posed during student to student partner
talks, and strategies employed to solve a math problem. We use these pieces of
classroom data along with student quotes during the “Reflection/Share” portion
of each lesson to consider, in part, which students show endurance. We discuss
new ways of nurturing this quality in students. What do you notice about your
children‘s persistence?
Enthusiastically yours,
Jessica
*********************
**SMASH BASH Sign-Up Coffee**
September 27 at drop-off (8:00-9:00am)
and pick-up (1pm-2pm) in the Small Yard
The fun has
arrived! The 5th Annual SMASH BASH Catalogue went home
today – and sign up day is next Friday, September 27 at drop-off (8:00-9:00am)
and pick-up (1pm-2pm) in the Small Yard.
Remember –
this year we are ONLY announcing (and selling spots for) Fall and Winter
Bashes. After Winter Break, we will announce the Spring Bashes. Your SMASH Bash
catalogue lists all winter/fall family-hosted SMASH BASH parties and events.
Some events are for Families, some just for Kids, and some are just for you –
our SMASH Grownups who just might need a night (or day) out for some good
conversation and food. We have something for everyone! And ALL funds go
directly to our school!
SMASH BASH “spots” will be sold on a first come, first
serve basis at the SMASH BASH Sign Up Coffee.
Payment MUST be received when reserving your spot so
BE SURE TO BRING THOSE WALLETS!
We accept credit cards, cash or checks.
*********************
SMASH STUDENTS!
WE NEED YOUR ARTWORK FOR THIS YEAR’S
- SMASH TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
Bring your artwork to the main office no later than
1:30pm on Friday, September 27.
We will vote on the artwork on Monday, September 30
*********************
Dear
Smashers, We just have TWO weeks to go until the Santa Monica 5000, the 5k/10k run/walk on Sunday, October 6!
By now, you know what you need to do to support SMASH PE, but just in case, here‘s a little reminder:
1. Register to
run or walk at www.santamonica5000.com. $5 of every registration fee will go to
SMASH PE.
2. Get a
discount on your registration! Santa Monica 5000 will have a booth at the Buy
Local Expo on the Third Street Promenade this Saturday, Sept. 21 from 12pm
to 5pm. Their booth will be located between Santa Monica Blvd. and Arizona
Avenue in front of Skechers. They are offering a 10% discount on
registrations, so drop by and sign up!
The Santa
Monica 5000 is a wonderful community event and a great way to support PE at
SMASH! Hope to see you on October 6!
Jamee Tenzer & David Saltzman
SMASH Co-Presidents
*********************
SMASH COMEDY NIGHT
a PTSA "Adults Only"
Fundraiser
Sunday, November 17 at 7pm
Magicopolis on 4th St. in downtown
Santa Monica
SMASH Dad Jake
Johannsen is hosting this night of laughs - he has appeared on the David
Letterman Show 43 times (more than any other comedian!) and has done specials
for Showtime and HBO. Jake has put together a talented group of comedians and
magicians including Greg Fitzsimmons, Laurie Kilmartin, Owen Smith and Derek
Hughes. This promises to be a great night of fun and good times. Tickets are on sale for $40 - a bargain for this show. There is limited seating at Magicopolis and we expect a sell-out so get your tickets early.
PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS SOON! If we do not sell the tickets through our Smash Community we will be promoting the show on Jake's Podcast, in the Santa Monica Daily Press and with posters around town. This takes money and time and can be avoided if we sell the tickets within the next couple of weeks.
We encourage you to invite your friends from outside of our community. This promises to be one of the best nights of comedy that Santa Monica has ever seen.
Visit www.smashcomedynight.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets. Thanks for supporting SMASH!
Hope to see you there!
Nina Furukawa, SMASH Comedy Night Event Chair
nina@smdp.com 310-922-2060
*********************
DATES TO
REMEMBER
Fri, Sept 20
to Sun, Sept 22 - SMASH Family Camping at Camp Josepho
Wed, Sept 25 -
6:00-7:30pm - CORE 3 FORUM Thurs, Sept 26 - 8am - noon - Join Nina as she does the Santa Monica stairs for the SMASH Run Club fundraiser
Fri, Sept 27 - 8am to 9am and 1pm to 2pm - SMASH Bash Sale in Small Yard
Wed, Thurs, Fri, October 2, 3, & 4 - Conferences - 1:30 EARLY DISMISSAL
Sun, Oct 6 - Santa Monica 5000
Mon-Wed, Oct 7, 8, & 9 - Catalina Field Trip
Wed, Oct 9 - 3:00pm - Site Council Mtg.
Wed, Oct 9 - 6:00pm - SMASH PTSA Mtg.
Mon - Oct. 14 - School Picture Day
*********************
CORE 3 "RUN CLUB"
FUNDRAISER
Thursday, Sept. 26 from
8am - noon
Dear
Smashers:
I've been
challenged by my friend and sometimes workout partner Manuel Lozano, owner of
Green Brooms Music Academy, to do 50 sets of the Santa Monica stairs to mark my
50th birthday. I challenged him to "40 for his 40th" this past spring
and we were successful. We will be doing 50 on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 8am -
noon, on the wooden stairs east of 4th St. If you are not familiar with
"The Stairs," it is a popular public staircase used by many for
working out. I usually do 10 - 15 sets as my regular workout - 30 - 50 minutes.
I anticipate that 50 sets will take 3.5 - 4 hours.
If you would
like to join us and do 5, 10 or 50 sets or get a team together for a relay that
would be great!!! We will need some company:)
I've decided to make this a fundraiser for the Core 3 Run Club at SMASH. I started the Run Club, with great support from the teachers and other parents, last January to add more physical activity into the kids' week and to raise awareness of the benefits of more exercise (selfishly to get my daughter Maya moving more!). We ran twice a week and the feed-back was really good. We are planning to resume Run Club in late October. In addition to the physical activity we will incorporate math, geography and goals for running into the program. Last year we had two 8th graders who assisted as their "Exit Project" from SMASH and this year we have 7th and 8th graders who are interested in participating.
We do not have
any funds set aside for the Run Club and I would like to get Tank Tops or
T-Shirts, timing/distance equipment, and have a fund for race entry fees.
If you would
like to make a pledge per stair set ($1.00 per set, $.50 per set) or flat
donation please email me at nina@smdp.com and let me know. Any amount is
greatly appreciated. Then you can make your payment via Paypal to nina@smdp.com
(my account is listed under Nina Stewart, not Furukawa); or give me a check or
cash; or mail it to me at 612 Pacific St., #6, Santa Monica, 90405. If you want
to pay by credit card I believe I can send you an invoice from Paypal. Any funds that the Run Club does not use will
be donated to the SMASH P.E. department.
Nina
Furukawa
nina@smdp.com
310-922-2060 Join us on Facebook at Nina Furukawa 50 for 50 Stairathon
100 SMASH PTSA
memberships purchased so far.
If you haven't joined
yet, here's why you should:
·
Costs
only $9 per membership. · Each membership purchased gets you a copy of the SMASH Phone Book.
· Gets you more informed about what's going on at SMASH and district-wide.
· Leverages our volunteer power to benefit our kids and SMASH.
· Connect with other parents to share ideas and concerns.
· A strong PTSA improves our school's reputation in the community.
To join, fill
out the white PTSA envelope that came in your child‘s first day packet, or pick
up an envelope at the office. Insert a check for $9 per member, payable to
SMASH PTSA. Drop the envelope off at the office. Any questions, email Snow
Lam-Hansen (mother of Tia/Core 1 and Kim/Core 2) at snowwht@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Snow
Lam-Hansen Jamee Tenzer Jessica
Rishe PTSA Membership V.P. David Saltzman Principal
PTSA Co-Presidents
*******************
CORE 1 NEWS
Drama News
from Kristy Pace
Drama teacher,
Kristy Pace would like to welcome Core 1 to our first session of Smashing Arts
2013-14. This year we will be focusing on holding on to our stories, by
exploring the feelings and emotions attached to them in different ways. We will
explore three stories this session through feeling landscapes, costumes/props
&sets and acting. Each acting session will result in our own photo
"picture book" of the story. I am very excited to meet all of our new
friends and can't wait to explore drama with them. How can you help?
1) If you have not yet brought in 3 t-shirts
for your child to use for costumes, please consider donating $3 to cover the
cost of the balance of the shirts we have purchased for the class. We have used
1 t-shirt, so we will still need 2 t-shirts for each child.
2) If you have
any old white or pastel sheets, full size or larger, please consider donating
them to our set design supplies.
Thank you,
Kristy Pace Artistic Director Pocket Full of Tales Theatre Company
www.pocketfulloftales.com
Check out my new book "101 Things To Do With Your Kids At The Airport"
Materials
Please
continue to send your cardboard tubes from giftwrap, paper towel and toilet
paper rolls. They can be left in the Studio. Also, if you have any fake fur
fabric, other interesting fabric (shiny, soft, silky, and sparkly) and/or
clothes pins, we could use them for dramatic play. Lastly, we are low on
cleaning supplies, if you would like to fill our bottles with natural cleaner
or donate a bottle or two of Method cleaner to Core 1. Thank you so much!
New Guest
Teachers
Please welcome
Leah De Veyra, Brianna‘s mom, to school on Monday. She is a longtime SMASH sub
and will be teaching in the Sparkling Sea. Chrysta has jury duty…or if she does
not, will be on campus, but out of the classroom, assessing the first graders
that day. Also, we are excited to announce that Candis will be back to sub…just
for Core 1, half-days, for our monthly teacher planning meetings. We are so
excited for the children (and for us!).
Have a great weekend!
Graciela (gbarba-castro@smmusd.org) Chrysta
(cpowell@smmusd.org )
********************
CORE 2 NEWS
We have a
fun, busy, engaging year planned in Core 2. We look forward to your participation - volunteering
on field trips, lending a hand during art or special projects, leading an
activity of your own, helping to put together math games, etc. Our overarching
Theme this year is ENERGY. In Theme, we will explore science and social studies
topics. In Literacy workshop time, Tamara will focus on
nonfiction/informational reading and writing. Jayme (& Mimi) will be
leading fiction RW/WW units of study. To allow for maximum cross-curricular connections,
Tamara and Jayme will each teach an independent unit block for 4 – 6 weeks and
then switch groups. Here is our proposed general overview of the Reading,
Writing, and Theme units we have planned, with approximate dates. As with all
things SMASH, things are subject to change. Please let us know how/when you
would like to lend your support in any way, large or small.
Fall
|
Winter
|
Spring
|
||
September 9 - October 11
RW/WW: Group A & B -
Personal Narrative stories.
Reading Just Right books at school and at home.
Theme/Geography: Getting to know our selves, each other, and our
world.
|
January 6 -10
RW/WW: “Re-launch” workshop in new groups to reestablish
reading and writing habits, interests, and stamina.
Theme/Cultural Studies: New Year Resolutions – personal needs vs. whole
group goals.
|
RW/WW:
Group A – Poetry.
Group B – Independent
Research Projects.
Theme/Science:
Tamara – Producers,
Consumers, Decomposers.
Jayme – Natural Disasters
|
||
October 14 - November 15
RW/WW:
Tamara/Group A -
Personal Essays and Literary
Essays to express and support our opinions.
Jayme/Group B –
Realistic Fiction stories.
Theme/Science:
Tamara – Electricity &
Magnetism.
Jayme – Weather/Elements.
|
January 13 - February 14
RW/WW:
Tamara/Group A –
Expository/Informational
Writing
Mimi/Group B – Fantasy
stories.
Theme/Social Studies &
Science:
Tamara – USA~founding,
independence, and expansion.
Mimi – Health/Human Body.
|
May 12 – May 30
RW/WW: Group A – Poetry. Group B – Independent Research
Projects.
Theme/Science:
Tamara
– Producers, Consumers, Decomposers.
Jayme
– Natural Disasters
|
||
November 18 - December 20
RW/WW:
Tamara/Group B -
Personal Essays and Literary
Essays to express and support our opinions.
Jayme/Group A - Realistic
Fiction stories.
Theme/Science:
Tamara – Electricity &
Magnetism.
Jayme – Weather/Elements.
|
February 17 - March 21
RW/WW:
Tamara/Group B –
Expository/Informational
Writing
Mimi/Group A – Fantasy
stories.
Theme/Social Studies &
Science:
Tamara – USA~founding,
independence, and expansion.
Mimi – Health/Human Body
|
|||
March 24 - April 4
RW/WW: Group A & B –
Book Clubs and Free Choice
WW.
|
||||
It’s not too late to donate!!
********************
CORE 3 NEWS
Core 3 Forum, Wednesday,
September 25!
Thank you for rearranging your
schedule to help Pam in Core 4 make her forum and her knee surgery!
~We are asking for a $25 donation (or whatever you
can give at this time) for school and art supplies for the year from each
family. Thank you! This donation helps in making school fun!
~6th grade Catalina Overnight Field
Trip, Mon-Wed, Oct 7-9!
The remaining balances are due Sept 20! If you are not sure about your
payments, please email Genie: ghwang@smmusd.org
Field Trips:
Monday-9/23-Pepperdine University,
9/30-SM Public Library
Thanks
to Marsha (Dixie's mom), Liz (Shai's mom), Bianca (Malia's mom), Mary-Claire
(Sam's mom), Lael (Ava's mom) and John (Blaise's dad) for chaperoning on the
Opera field trip the Miles field trip.
We need more chaperones for the
Library on Monday 9/30! This is a safety
issue.
During math we have had a few conversations about math homework. The group is split pretty much 50/50 amongst who wants homework and who doesn't. To accommodate the desires of a number of the students, while still reflecting my philosophies regarding homework, students will be given a math assignment on Fridays to be completed by the next Friday. If students find themselves too busy doing other activities that are enriching and educational for their bodies and minds - sports, music, art, building a tree house, cooking, playing outside with friends, reading, writing, engaging with other people, etc. AND feel that they have a good understanding of the math we have learned in class, then it is fine if they don't have to complete the math homework. On the other hand, if students are confused about the math concepts, it's always good to have a little extra practice OR if they find themselves watching TV and playing video games all afternoon, then by all means complete the math work :)
5th gr Math with Genie: We continued looking at factors,
multiples, prime numbers, square numbers, etc through more number puzzles and
we practiced our multiplication and estimation skills with a new game called
multiplication compare.
5G math: packet #4. Due 9/27/13
6G math: sheet Due 9/27/13
RW: read every day for 30-40 minutes (around 100 pages a week)
Nonfiction reading sheet—complete front and back by Wednesday (10/2)
CORE 4 NEWS
We would like to thank everyone who came
to the Core 4 Forum last Wednesday. It
was a packed crowd and we had a great time sharing our plans for the year. Many
were absorbed and intrigued with the Thinking Tubes Activity as an example of
how it sets the stage for the idea of cognitive dissonance as a precursor to
learning. We discussed our plans for
each curricular area and revisited the world of the adolescence. We hope that the topics covered in the forum
will serve as a springboard for deeper conversations during the parent
conferences.
Reminders
1. If you did not get a chance to sign up for
parent conferences at the forum, the sign-up sheets are available in the office. Please sign up to meet with either Pam or
Darwin, but not both!
2. The Yosemite packet that was handed out
during the forum is due on October 14, earlier is always better.
3. If you are planning to send your child to
private school or a different public school other than SAMOHI for high school,
please bring it up during the conference.
4. Letter of Recommendations for private school
- Please get any letters to us as soon
as possible. We will write them between
now and Thanksgiving. After that, we
will be shifting our focus on writing
narratives.
5. We will be swimming every Friday until
December 6 (except October 25). Please
make sure to send your child with a towel, snack, water, and a bag to carry wet
clothes. Students should come to school
with their swim suit under their street clothes. If your child is recovering from an illness
and won’t be able to participate in swimming, please send a note to school.
6. The online math
textbook information:
website: my.hrw.com username: smashcore4 password: waves
Important Dates
Friday, September 27 -
All Core Swimming at the Santa Monica Swim CenterWednesday, October 2 - Minimum Day, 1:30 Dismissal
Thursday, October 3 - Minimum Day, 1:30 Dismissal
Friday, October 4 - All Core Swimming at the Santa Monica Swim Center
Save Middle School Volleyball and
Football!! - Sign up now! CREST
www.smgov.net/crest, 310-458-8540
********************
SANTA
MONICA 3RD ANNUAL BUY LOCAL
SATURDAY,
SEPTEMBER 21 - NOON to 5:00pm
3RD
STREET PROMENADE
65 local
restaurants, spas, hotels and nonprofit organizations have registered
tables for this event. The expo will feature two entertainment stages, one on
each end of the promenade. Santa Monica High School’s chamber orchestra will
perform at the “Play Local” stage, followed by a display from the New Roads
School’s robotics team. Throughout the day, seminars on healthy eating and
sustainable food will take place on the “Eat Local” stage, where chefs will
collaborate with the Farmers’ Market to give cooking demonstrations.
*******************
Great
American Deals is a member of the Buy Local Expo and Buy Local Week committee,
and is currently offering a FREE YOGURT CUP from Yogurtland (3rd St. Promenade
store) to Santa Monica locals.
*******************
JAMS Pathway “Let’s Get
Acquainted Family Potluck” for families of African-American students
John Adams Middle School
Cafeteria October 10 -
6:00-7:30pm
You are invited to come meet
other families from Grant, Edison, Rogers, Muir & Samohi Bring a dish,
beverage or desert and fellowship with
other involved parents while receiving information about the Annual JAMS
Pathway Karamu Community Celebration in
recognition of Kwanzaa and Class of 2014 Rites of Passage for Grades 5 and 8.
For information and to RSVP:
Donna McCoy, 310-452-2325 or dmccoy@smmusd.org
********************
ROAD WORK ON OCEAN PARK BLVD ON
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 8:00AM - 2:00PM
The scope of work that will be done is the following:
The scope of work that will be done is the following:
1. Raise a sewer maintenance hole on the north
side of Ocean Park Boulevard between Neilson Way and Main Street.
2. Repair a
5’x4’ cold patch area in the left turn lane (westbound), just north of Main
Street.
3. Repair two
4’x8’ areas, east bound lane, just east of Main St.
4. Repave
approx. 16’x35’ area. South east corner of OPB and 6th Street.
5. Repave
approx. 16’x45’ area. North Side of OPB and 5th Street (4th Street Ramp).
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call 310-458-8721 ext. 2620
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call 310-458-8721 ext. 2620
********************
Target wants to
donate to SMASH!
But, we need
your help.
Please visit the
Target page on Facebook and click on "Give with Target"
You can vote for SMASH once each day so vote early and often!
The offer ends on September 21!
You can vote for SMASH once each day so vote early and often!
The offer ends on September 21!
*******************
