Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

The countdown is officially on—T minus four wakeups until summer break! And what a week it’s been. My heart is so full as I reflect on everything we’ve shared during these final days of an extraordinary school year.

We kicked off the week with a powerful reminder of what makes Malibu so special—our community. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house as we welcomed Malibu Elementary’s 4th and 5th grade students and families to our campus for the Spring Music Concert. For many students, it was their first time performing together, but you’d never know it! From strings and wind instruments to percussion and choir, our students amazed us with their talent and teamwork. It was a beautiful night of connection, celebration, and joy.

Our Class of 2025 also kicked off their promotion festivities with a surprise kidnap breakfast at Malibu Farm, followed by a walk and dance down the Malibu Pier. The energy, excitement, and big smiles made for an unforgettable morning. You can catch the highlights from this special moment in this week’s Weekly Spotlight.

In the midst of all the celebration, we were overjoyed to welcome back Yolii Hernandez, our Health Office Specialist, after some time away. Her warm smile and calming presence have been dearly missed, and it was heartwarming to see the students' excitement when she returned.

This week also gave us the chance to honor two of Webster’s most beloved staff members—Sheryl Murdock and Wei-Jin Conrad—at the SMMUSD Board of Education meeting as they prepare to retire.

✨ Sheryl Murdock began her journey at Webster as a devoted parent volunteer and grew into a cherished educator whose students flourished under her creative spirit and gentle guidance. From integrated lessons that blended reading, writing, art, and STEM, to unforgettable Halloween costumes and Talent Show routines, Sheryl gave 1000%—always with a smile. As she looks ahead to summer adventures in Croatia and time with her daughters, we know this isn’t goodbye. We’re confident she’ll find her way back to our classrooms as a beloved volunteer. Her heart, vision, and friendship have been a gift, and her legacy will ripple through our school for years to come.

🍜 Wei-Jin Conrad brought calm, care, and an unwavering work ethic to every task. From patiently supporting students to re-papering bulletin boards during summer school (always with a smile), she has made a lasting impact. Known for her foodie spirit and love of nature, Wei-Jin is excited to spend her retirement hiking, gardening, perfecting her mother’s bao recipe, and enjoying time with her two adopted kitties. Her quiet strength and nurturing presence have made Webster a better place, and she will be deeply missed.

The week culminated in a truly emotional moment for me: our Gratitude Breakfast and Honorary Service Awards Ceremony. I was completely surprised and deeply touched by the recognition. One of the greatest honors is serving this incredible school and community. Thank you for trusting me with your babies and for showing up in so many ways—for me, for each other, and most importantly, for our students. I truly don’t have the words to express what your love and support mean to me—but please know I feel deeply seen and profoundly grateful.

I can’t wait to close out the year next week by celebrating the promotion of the Class of 2025. What a year it’s been—we’ve been stretched, strengthened, and shaped by it all. As I like to say, the universe was leveling us up for what’s next. And now… we’re ready.

🔔 A Few Important Reminders

• Field Day Permission Slips: Must be returned for students to participate.

• School Portraits: Final chance to order—see details below.

As always, please reach out if you need anything.
Here’s to a joyful, heart-filled finish to an unforgettable year 🫶🏼

GO WHALES!

Carina Diana

Check out these wonderful moments featuring our incredible students, staff, and parents! If you have a photo that you’d like to share, please send it to Principal Diana—we’d love to include it on our social media or in upcoming newsletters.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our school community!

Our Spring Music Concert was truly a night to remember as we welcomed Malibu Elementary students and families to Webster to celebrate our 4th and 5th grade talented performers—coming together as one community under one roof.

There wasn’t an empty seat in the house as families packed the auditorium to cheer on our students. Despite never having rehearsed together before, our students delivered incredible performances! Under the guidance of Erin Tomita, our string musicians brought violins, cellos, and basses to life. Sean Sonderegger led our band students through spirited performances on wind instruments and percussion, and the evening ended on a high note with a joyful choir performance led by Stephen Raman (a.k.a. “Raman Noodle”).

Thank you to all the families who joined us to support our music program and cheer on our hardworking students. Your presence made the night even more special!

Our gratitude breakfast and Honorary Service Awards celebration was overflowing with emotion—and for good reason. With over 2,000 volunteer hours logged this year, it’s clear that Webster thrives because of the heart and hands of our incredible community. We laughed, we cried (a lot), and we felt all the feels together.

Special thanks to our amazing Room Parents, Event Chairs, and PTA Executive Board, and to the event organizers: Larisa Braun, Jen Engel, Saona Jackson, and Kyle Mlodnik.

We were honored to recognize the following individuals for their extraordinary service:

• Very Special Person Award: Sarah Ryan, Cara Weichnik, and the Webster Valet Crew

• Honorary Service Award: Kate Ward, Bobbi Thomason, Kasey Earnest

• Continuing Service Award: Elena Eggers, Lauren Ifft, and BGCM

• Outstanding Administrator Award: Carina Diana

• Outstanding Teacher Award: Wei-Jin Conrad and Maryam Behzadi

• Golden Oak Service Award: Tatiana Jacobs and Sheryl Murdock

To each and every one of you—THANK YOU!

We are so excited to celebrate our amazing 5th grade students as they get ready to soar into middle school! Our Promotion Ceremony will be a joyful sendoff full of music, memories, and a few magical moments.

📝 Promotion Ceremony RSVP
Please take a moment to complete the Promotion Ceremony RSVP Form to let us know how many guests will be attending and if anyone in your group requires ADA-accessible seating.

🎉 Promotion Day – Tuesday, June 10 – Details

• 8:30 AM – Side gate opens for family entry onto the upper field

  • Need mobility support? The drop-off lane in front of the school will be open to assist guests who are unable to walk long distances. Please be mindful and keep the lane moving.

• 9:00 AM – Side gate closes

  • After this time, all guests must check in through the main office to ensure a smooth ceremony.

🌟 Here’s what’s in store:

• “Walk of Honor” – Our graduates will make a grand entrance from the top of Webster, cheered on by students, staff, and families!

• SMC Musical Theater/Jazz Performance – A high-energy, West Side Story-themed number on the blacktop

• Promotion Ceremony – A heartfelt celebration of each student’s accomplishments

• Breakfast in Poets Park – Hosted with love by our incredible 4th grade families

• And yes… one more surprise is in the works 😉

📅 June 9 – Mandatory Promotion Rehearsal
All students must attend the full rehearsal to participate in the ceremony. Please plan accordingly.

📚 Library Books, Devices & Fines
All books, Chromebooks, and fines must be cleared before promotion day. Students with unresolved items will not receive their certificate.

We’re excited to share a few important updates about ongoing campus restoration and air quality efforts.

This week, two UCLA Environmental Science students installed three air quality sensors on campus—two outdoors near the playground and one indoors in our main office. These sensors are now actively collecting data on PM2.5 and PM10 (particulate matter). The team will return next week to remove the sensors and begin their analysis. We expect preliminary results within a week and more detailed metal testing results in about a month. We’ll share any important findings as soon as they’re available.

This work is part of a larger research effort led by UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health, aimed at helping wildfire-impacted communities better understand local air quality and potential health impacts. We’re grateful for this partnership and their commitment to public health. Special thanks to Chad Peters and Marni Kamins for their coordination in making this study possible.

We’re also excited to announce that Webster will be receiving a real-time Purple Air sensor later this summer, which will make our air quality data publicly accessible online.

And in great news—H Building is officially back in use! Restoration is now complete, and the classrooms are once again fully operational. Our school and district teams remain dedicated to ensuring a safe, healthy learning environment for everyone.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the A Brighter Future Starts Here campaign. Your generosity helps fund vital school staff, ensuring stability and meaningful support for students across all four Malibu public schools. Here’s how your support directly benefits our school:

• Webster Elementary School: MEF funds four instructional aides and our arts program.

The Malibu Education Foundation (MEF) ensures these positions are funded equitably and sustainably, in alignment with the district’s budget, policy, and staffing cycles.

💙 Learn more or donate at: www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org

Save the Date: MEF Gala
📍 New Malibu High School
🗓️ October 4, 2025
Join us for a festive evening celebrating community and supporting Malibu students.

Your child's school portrait proofs are now available!

TO VIEW AND ORDER:
📷 Click HERE: Trish Alison Photography
🔑 Enter YOUR CHILD'S LAST NAME as the "keyword" when prompted.

📢 IMPORTANT DETAILS

✨ Customizable Orders: Choose exactly what you want! Order single prints, digital downloads, print packages, or photo gifts. Options are listed on the left side of the ordering screen.
💻 Best Ordering Experience: Use a desktop rather than a phone for easier navigation.
🖼️ Photo Editing Available: Retouching options include teeth whitening, acne removal, and glare reduction (available at checkout).
💾 Digital Files: $39 per image or $46 for a retouched file (includes fine editing). Bulk discounts are available for 8 or 15 images.

📏 Customize Your Crop: Adjust the crop before finalizing your order.

For any ordering questions, please contact Trish Jochen directly at trishajochen@gmail.com. The school is unable to assist with portrait orders.

We’re excited to announce that the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is transitioning its communication system to Parent Square, powered by Aeries, starting January 1, 2025. This new platform will replace the current Finalsite (formerly Blackboard) Connect system.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• No Action Required: Parents, guardians, and staff do not need to take any steps to accept this change.
• Features: Parent Square provides emails, voice messages, text messages, teacher emails, and even social media posting options.
• Data Privacy: Parent Square is an Aeries partner, ensuring a smooth transition and secure handling of student information.
• Opting Out: We recommend not opting out of emails, as doing so will unsubscribe you from all communication, including vital updates from both the school and the District.

TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION:

• Download the Mobile App: Download the Parent Square app from your app store to stay connected and fully engage with the platform. The app allows you to customize preferences and manage notifications easily.
• Check Your Spam/Junk Folder: If you’re not receiving emails after January 1, 2025, check your spam or junk folder. If you still don’t see them, contact your school office to verify your contact information.
• Set Preferences: Through the Parent Square app, you can adjust how and when you receive messages to suit your needs.

If you have questions or comments about Parent Square, please submit them through Let’s Talk under "General Comments."

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu (BGCM) is proud to offer a fun, safe, and creative space for all Malibu youth to thrive. Through positive mentorship, life-skills development, and social-emotional support, BGCM is here for your family—every step of the way.

☀️ Camp Bu Summer Enrollment is LIVE!

Camp Bu runs June 23 – August 8, 2025, at Malibu Elementary (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM).

• TK Express (half-day): 8:30 AM–1:00 PM (Incoming TK)

• Full Day Camp: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (Incoming K–5th Grade)

Campers will dive into STEM projects, arts & crafts, cooking, gardening, wellness, kindness-based activities, and more! 🔗 Enroll now at bgcmalibu.org

🏊‍♀️ First-Ever Kids Triathlon – Zuma Beach!

BGCM is a proud charity partner of the Zuma Beach Triathlon on Saturday, Sept 13—featuring a Kids Triathlon for ages 9–14!
Young athletes can compete solo or alongside a parent on one of the top courses in the country.
🔗 Learn more and register: zumabeachtriathlon.org

💚 BGCM Wellness Center – Free Mental Health & Social Support

BGCM provides no-cost counseling and social support to youth and families, both in-person and remotely.

🔗 Request services or explore resources: bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center
📺 Missed a parent workshop? Watch recordings at bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center-resources

🍕 Pizza with a Purpose!

Visit Prince Street Pizza Malibu and try “Princey Pizza’s The Best,” created by BGCM’s own Nico (1st grade!) Topped with marinara, vegan cheese, peppers, olives, and honey drizzle—yum!
🧾 20% of proceeds benefit BGCM’s Disaster Relief & Community Recovery Services!

🆘 BGCM Disaster Relief & Recovery

In response to recent events, BGCM is providing immediate relief and long-term recovery including:

• After-School Care & Mentorship

• Crisis Counseling & Case Management

• School-Day Mental Health Services

• Supply Distribution & Housing Support

📍 Visit the BGCM Disaster Relief Center: 23357 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu (W-F, 10 AM–5 PM)
💌 Donate or learn more: bgcmalibu.org

Consistent attendance is crucial for your student's academic success. It ensures that every student stays on track with learning, builds positive relationships, and contributes to a robust school community. Strong attendance goes beyond just being present; it involves being actively engaged and involved in the educational process.

Encouraging Regular Attendance:

• Make Attendance a Priority: Ensure your student doesn't miss out on crucial learning opportunities.
• Set a Positive Example: Motivate consistent attendance with your involvement.
• Establish a Routine: Help your student set daily routines for a smooth transition to school.
• Open Communication: Reach out to us if there are challenges affecting your student’s attendance.
• Celebrate Success: Acknowledge and celebrate your student's attendance milestones.

Absence Reporting Procedures:

If your student is absent, please report the absence by emailing Vitty McClung at vmcclung@smmusd.org with your student's name, grade, date, and reason for the absence. Absences must be cleared within 5 days. For more detailed information, please review the SMMUSD attendance policies by clicking HERE.

Each new academic school year, all families are required to verify and update their student’s information, including emergency contact details, which are critical for effective communication during urgent situations. We recommend completing this process on a desktop or laptop computer for the best experience.

Please log in to your Aeries Parent Portal, or click the following direct link:

https://santamonicamalibu.aeries.net/

If you did not use the direct link above, please log in to your Aeries Parent Portal and select Student Info, then click on Data Confirmation to access the correct form.

If you have forgotten your Aeries Parent Portal credentials, please use the Forgot Password? link located at the bottom of the website.

Our Student Office Specialist, Vitty McClung, will be reaching out to families who have not yet completed this process to offer any needed assistance.

To enhance student safety, the bottom gate near the Boys & Girls Club will remain closed as we no longer have adult supervision available for that area. Moving forward, there will be one main point of entrance and exit to the campus for grades K-5, which will be the gate by the main office. This change will help us ensure a secure and supervised environment for all students.

As part of our commitment to safety and being good neighbors, we kindly ask that you use the designated pick-up and drop-off lane each day. Additionally, please refrain from using the Our Lady of Malibu (OLM) parking lots and only park in the Webster lot.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our school community!

We’re excited to announce our new Instagram account! Follow us @websterwhales for all the latest school news, events, and fun happenings around campus. Stay in the know and connect with our vibrant school community, one post at a time!.

Carina Diana, Principal

Webster Elementary School

3602 Winter Canyon Rd

Malibu, CA 90265

Email: cdiana@smmusd.org
Website: www.smmusd.org/webster
Phone: (310) 456-6494
Instagram: www.instagram.com/websterwhales
Twitter: @webstermalibu