The SMMUSD Wave- Aug. 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, and Community Members,

Welcome back! I hope you found time this summer to rest, recharge and enjoy special moments with family and friends.

Over the past two years, our District has been on a journey, first reflecting on ourselves as individuals, then strengthening our identity as a community. Now, we are stepping into our biggest challenge yet: disrupting systems that no longer serve all students. Disruption means asking bold questions, removing barriers, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

As we move into this school year, our work is grounded in the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, curiosity and empowerment. These values are more than words on a poster; they are the compass that guides how we teach, lead and support one another.

I invite you to read my full welcome back message for information regarding our staff convocation, cellphone policy, transitional kindergarten expansion, school safety, facilities, illness prevention and attendance, as well as staying connected and informed. https://bit.ly/WelcomeBack202526.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent

You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.

SMMUSD kicked off the 2025–26 school year with a powerful Convocation on Aug. 18, 2025, bringing together staff from across the district to unite under this year’s theme: Disrupting the System. Framed by a spirit of superhero energy, the event called on all of us to step up, challenge the status quo, and reimagine how we serve our students. This year, we’re deepening our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Seeing through the eyes of our students helps us understand what truly supports their growth and guides us in building a system that propels them forward.

As a team, we’re reflecting on the past and building a future where every decision centers on student growth and opportunity. Every child deserves a future full of possibilities.

Let’s make this school year one of courage, opportunity and purpose together.

Watch the social media here.

The District proudly celebrated on July 31, 2025, the completion of Santa Monica College (SMC) summer courses by 60 SMMUSD Young Collegians. Now in its 18th year, this powerful partnership between the District and SMC is offered mostly to first-generation college students. The goal of the program is to provide a meaningful opportunity to get a head start on their college journey by earning early college credits.

Participation in the Young Collegians Program is a rare honor extended to a select group of high school students across the District. This unique collaboration between the SMMUSD and SMC provides students with dedicated support from both college and District staff as they follow a structured academic path earning up to 14 college credits that also count toward their high school graduation requirements.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District invites parents and caregivers of teens (ages 12+) to join Parent Project, a free 10-week program designed to provide practical tools for managing challenging behaviors and strengthening family relationships. Sessions are held Mondays from 6:30–9 p.m., beginning Sept. 22, 2025, at the Michelle and Barack Obama Center for Inquiry and Exploration in Santa Monica. The program is offered in English and Spanish, with free dinner provided each week and free child care available for children ages 3–12. An orientation will be held Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the same location. Register by Oct. 1, 2025.

Sign up today: https://bit.ly/ParentProjectFall2025.

Schools across SMMUSD hosted Back to School Night! By coming together to share goals, expectations and resources, we strengthen the connections that help every student thrive. Back to School Night reflects our commitment to rethinking traditional systems so that all students are empowered to learn, grow and achieve.

Malibu Middle and High Schools welcomed students and families to “Get Your Stuff Day” held on Aug. 14, 2025. This annual event was a great opportunity for students to pick up class schedules, textbooks and other school materials, as well as purchase bus passes, take school photos and connect with friends and staff before the first day of school. Families and students also had the opportunity to tour the new Malibu High School facilities and learn more about Phase 2 of the Malibu Middle School campus plan. The District is looking forward to seeing the Malibu Manta Rays and Sharks dive into another fantastic year!

John Adams Middle School’s Dragon Day brought the campus to life with pep rallies, quad dancing, and activities that built school spirit. The day fostered curiosity, empowerment and a strong sense of belonging, especially for new 6th graders as they became part of the JAMS community.

To support student safety and improve traffic flow, please see updated procedures and map here.

Middle School: Drop-off and pick-up remain in the original middle school zone and football lot.

High School: Use the new driveway entrance on Morning View Dr., pass the bus turnaround and continue toward the guard shack, drop-off/pick-up zone is just beyond the guard shack near the new high school building. Please stay in your car and pull forward to keep traffic moving.

Parking:
• Staff parking is reserved.
• Visitor parking is clearly marked for families.
• Students with permits may park in the football lot.

Thank you for following these new procedures as we begin an exciting new chapter at Malibu High School!

Let’s celebrate! Malibu High School (MHS) will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its brand-new campus building on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at 4 p.m., on the MHS campus. This event celebrates the completion of the new state-of-the-art facility, designed to support student learning, collaboration and growth in a modern and inspiring environment.

Read more here.

Malibu schools and the SMMUSD have been actively enhancing campus safety, security and resiliency. In collaboration with key partners including the City of Malibu, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and experts in safety, Information Technology and environmental planning the District continues to make meaningful improvements across campuses.

Read about the key projects here.

As the 2025–26 school year begins, the District extends a heartfelt thanks to the community for its continued partnership, especially in the successful passage of Bond Measure QS (Santa Monica) and Bond Measure MM (Malibu) in November 2024. This support is helping reimagine and enhance learning environments across campuses.

With the funding from these measures, the SMMUSD launched into building and modernizing learning spaces that meet the needs of today’s students while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities. As promised during the bond campaigns, the next round of projects is well underway.

Read more here.

As the 2025–26 school year begins, students and staff at Malibu High School are stepping into a newly completed campus designed to inspire learning, collaboration and creativity. The state-of-the-art spaces are already buzzing with activity, providing modern classrooms, outdoor learning areas and innovative facilities that support the whole student experience.

Read more here.

Construction for the new STEM building at John Adams Middle School (JAMS) is officially underway. Thanks to the community’s support of Bond Measure QS, this exciting project is moving forward to transform STEM learning for JAMS students.

Abatement, demolition and site work began in June 2025, immediately after the school year ended. Early activities included mobilizing the site, setting up trailers and temporary fencing, salvaging reusable materials, and surveying for site layout and underground utilities. Hazardous materials were abated, and demolition of exterior hardscape and landscaping was completed.

Learn more here.

Construction for the modernized 500’s building for Lincoln Middle School is officially underway. Thanks to the community’s support of Bond Measure QS passed in November 2024, this exciting project is moving forward to transform the campus.

Prior to the start of construction, an introductory meeting was conducted with the District’s Division of State Architect field engineer. Project designers held an on-site review of the structural components.

Read more here.

The new early learning classroom building at Will Rogers' Learning Community is now open and ready to welcome students. Funded by Measure SMS, overwhelmingly approved by voters in November 2018, this project together with the new field, play yard and parking lot marks a major transformation of the Rogers’ campus, creating an enhanced learning environment for its students.

Learn more here.

Grant Elementary School is undergoing an exciting transformation with projects recently completed, currently underway and new ones just beginning. All of this work is made possible through funding from Bond Measure QS, approved by voters in November 2024.

The transitional kindergarten (TK) modernization project was completed in time for the 4-year-old students to start school in August 2025. The project took four regular classrooms and expanded them into three TK classrooms with teacher work areas and restrooms.

Learn more here.

Construction for the new classroom and administration building for McKinley Elementary School is nearing completion. Thanks to the community’s support of Bond Measure QS passed in November 2024, this exciting project is moving forward to transform the campus.

After more than a year delay to receive environmental clearance, the project is now in full swing with an anticipated opening in January 2026.

Learn more here.

The Malibu Education Foundation is proud to host its inaugural MEF Gala on October 4th at the New Malibu High School — a community celebration to raise critical funds for Malibu’s four public schools. From instructional aides and math tutors to arts and athletics, MEF helps bridge the funding gap to ensure every student has access to exceptional educational opportunities.

We invite our neighbors across Malibu and Santa Monica to join us in supporting this mission. Whether you attend the Gala, become a Founding Donor, or simply spread the word — your support makes a lasting impact.

Learn more, buy tickets, or get involved: www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org
Follow us @malibu.edfoundation

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