PBL Weekly Blast

Our PBL students jumped right back into the fun with a Bingo Scavenger Hunt, and they did not disappoint! Working in their community groups, students tapped into creativity, collaboration, and communication to bring their Bingo boards to life. The photo evidence submitted to document completed bingos was absolutely hilarious and demonstrated a sense of joy and community that defines the PBL Pathway

The community group with the most creative and unique images will be announced on Monday during advisory and an extra special treat awaits the winning team!

Think SMARTER, Not HARDER. During Flex-Time on Thursday, January 15th in E113 (Vikings Hub) to learn:

• Effective Time Management Skills
• Scheduling Strategies
• Improve Sleep Habits
• Manage Distractions

Email Nicole, nnicodemus@smmusd.org, if you are interested in attending. Space is limited.

*Generously sponsored by PTSA

The City is now accepting applications for the Renters’ Energy and Cooling/Heating (REACH) Program, a new initiative offering free electric home appliances to income-qualified renters in Santa Monica!

Appliance offerings include air purifiers, portable heat pump HVAC units which offer heating and cooling, and battery storage systems that can store electricity and discharge it as needed to power appliances. These are all compatible with standard electrical outlets and don’t require any construction. More info on the program can be found here and more info on the appliances offered can be found here.

To qualify for the REACH program, applicants must be renters in Santa Monica, meet the program’s income requirements, and be customers of Clean Power Alliance since funding is provided by the Clean Power Alliance Innovation Fund. Applications are accepted while funds last and awards will be made on a lottery basis beginning in January.

After a year of devastating wildfires, displacement, and mounting financial pressures across Los Angeles County, at the direction of the Board of Supervisors, DCBA announces the launch of the Emergency Rent Relief Program.

This program will provide over $23 million in rental and mortgage relief to eligible landlords and homeowners impacted by the Palisades, Eaton, and other wildfires, as well as households facing new financial challenges tied to federal actions. The funds will provide critical relief from rental debt for thousands of tenants.

You can review eligibility requirements, sign up for updates (including a direct link to the application portal once it opens) at lacountyrentrelief.com.

For Parents and Caregivers in English and Spanish from the Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI). See below:

• English TOOLKIT
• Spanish TOOLKIT

We are excited to announce that the 3rd Annual Gen Z Wellness Summit will be held on Sunday, March 8th at UCLA. For our special friends who attended and supported last year's summit, we are offering early registration for you and your students!

Get ready for a full day of inspiration, connection, and hands-on experiences! Featuring voices from our very own Teen Advisory Council. Explore workshops and activities that celebrate wellness, curiosity, and being your best self.

REGISTER HERE.

The Playa Vista Optimist Club is looking for student entries for the Optimist International 2025-2026 Essay Contest.The local award for the winning essay is $500 and the winner will then advance to the District Contest. The first place winner of the District Contest is then awarded a $2500 scholarship and a plaque which is presented at a special District Awards luncheon.

Topic: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”

When: Club Deadline January 26, 2026

Who: Youth under age 19 as of 10/1/2025 located in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean. There is no minimum age

*All essays are run through software to identify possible plagiarism or AI-generated compositions.

Click HERE for fillable contest application/entry form or contact us at playavistaoptimists@gmail.com for assistance.

District winners are awarded a plaque and a $2500 scholarship which will be presented at the District's 3rd Quarterly Meeting in May 2026. All scholarships are administered by Optimist International and funded by the Optimist International Foundation.

If you are interested or if you know of any students who may be interested in entering our Club’s Essay Contest, submit applications/entry forms along with a copy of your essay to playavistaoptimists@gmail.com.

For more information: contact Essay Contest Chair, Samia Boctor at (310) 210-3716.

The Los Angeles Pediatric Society (LAPS), a non-profit, would like to invite current 11th and 12 grade students interested in the medical field to apply for the Eve and Gene Black summer medical intern program. LAPS works with various hospitals for a limited number of students to experience the in-person program in the hospitals. We also have two 2-week online sessions in July from 10:00am-12:00pm Monday-Thursday where the students will get to meet and listen to a wide variety of medical professionals explain their careers and how they got to where they are now. There isn't a charge to apply for either of the programs.

Deadline to apply is Friday February 13, 2026 at midnight

Learn More HERE.

Camp Indigo - a summer day camp for transgender and non-binary kids - is opening a location in Long Beach, and we would love your help spreading the word far and wide.

Important Notes:

• We’re a camp for trans youth ages 5-17 (with separate programming for the teen cohort)

• We offer unlimited scholarships. There are no applications needed, just use the discount codes on the website

• Camp runs 9am - 3pm

• We anticipate hosting about 75 trans and non-binary youth at our Long Beach site

• We’re hiring! Applications open in January for PAID summer jobs

• Camp Indigo is trans-led, has been in operation for over a decade, and also runs programs in Oakland, Austin, Minneapolis, Boulder, and Columbus!

The application period for Camp Cinder 2026 is open from 12/01/2025 to 01/31/2026. Camp Cinder 2026, CAL FIRE’s free firefighting camp for young women, will take place from June 22nd to June 25th in Redding and June 29th to July 2nd in San Luis Obispo, California.

The mission of Camp Cinder is to provide young women a safe, dynamic, interactive and challenging environment to gain strength, knowledge, and confidence in their ability to excel in the profession of firefighting and beyond. Upon completing the camp, young women will leave with a sense of empowerment and the confidence that they can succeed in any career they choose.

For more info, click HERE.

Hazel Health provides free, school-based physical and mental health support for students. Through Hazel, students can quickly connect with licensed medical and mental-health providers by video during the school day, helping them access care, manage symptoms, or receive guidance without leaving campus. Families can sign up once, and students can use the service anytime they need support.

You can schedule your first visit by going to get started.hazel.co.

Through Hazel Health, your student can receive support for:

• Academic Stress: Balancing schoolwork and break activities

• Anxiety: Coping with uncertainty and changes

• Managing Emotions: Understanding and expressing feelings

• Relationship Challenges: Navigating friendships and family dynamics

Flyer - English | Spanish

Need help with your classes? Come to the library at lunch or after school! Monday through Friday Samohi Peer Tutoring offers tutoring to anyone from tutors who are current Samohi students. Tutoring is offered in all subjects and in all levels of courses. Follow the instagram @samohipeertutoring for more specific information(tutors, the subjects they tutor, what days they tutor).

Teachers are available to support students after school in the library!

Mondays- Spanish

Tuesdays- Research

Wednesday- English

Thursday- Chemistry

They are in the library Monday through Thursday 3:30-5 pm.

https://app.smore.com/n/a6pjmy-college-career-center-newsletter

THE COLLEGE and CAREER CENTER provides resources to all Samohi students as they plan for their post-Samohi plans. In addition to SchooLinks, college, career, military and gap year publications are available for student research. Secondary school reports, letters of recommendations, and testing materials are handled by the College/Career Counselors. The College Fair, Samohi Scholarship Program, SAT & ACT, FAFSA/CADAA, CSS Profiles and college, career and military representative visits are all part of the service.

Students are welcome to come in before school, during lunch and after school to research specific colleges and financial aid opportunities - but you need an appointment to meet with one of the College/Career Counselors. Please note that college/career planning meetings are reserved for Seniors only during the fall, and Seniors and Juniors during the spring. Seniors/Juniors, to schedule a meeting with your College/Career Counselor, please click on their "calendly" link to access his/her availability.

Scholarship Opportunities

• 2026 UCB Myasthenia Gravis Scholarship™ - due Jan. 31, 2026

• Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Program - due Mar. 1, 2026, 12pm EST

• Foundation for Fraternal Excellence Men's College Scholarship - due Apr. 1, 2026, 11:59pm EST

SAMOHI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

• We’re very fortunate to be supported by alumni, community members and other stakeholders who donate over $100,000 each year to our graduating Seniors.

• THIS IS THE LINK TO CLICK FOR APPLICATION

Ever want to act in a movie? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! On Monday please come to ex331 during lunch. The movie is an adventure detective film, and the script is already written. Throughout the semester we will be filming it! You don't need to prepare at all for auditions on Monday, just show up and see what roles you would like to try! Again, that's EX331 ON THIS COMING MONDAY DURING LUNCH!

Samohi Bands invites the Samohi community to their Winter Concert 2026 on Tuesday, January 13th at the newly refurbished Barnum Hall. Symphonic Band and Symphonic Winds will be joined by the Samohi Jazz Bands on their first concert of the year. Food will be available for purchase at 5:30 pm. Concert starts at 6:30 pm. For Ticket information please visit www.samohiband.org.

Clubs and Organizations

Hey club leaders and advisors! Thinking about starting a new club or keeping yours going this spring? Make sure you’re at our next ICC meeting on Thursday, 1/15 during lunch in the Pitch Space. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including how to start or renew your club, ways to fundraise, and what’s required to stay an active club this semester, including participation in our Club Showcase. This meeting is the key to setting your club up for a strong spring — don’t miss it.

College and Career

Happy 2026, Seniors! The Samohi Scholarship Program is now open and available to YOU Samohi Seniors only. To research the 50+ scholarships and apply, thoroughly read the email sent to you Monday, January 5, subject: Samohi Scholarship Program = FREE $$ FOR YOU! Details are also posted in SchooLinks and Google Classroom (scpclqs). The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 1, 2026. Questions/wonderings? Stop by the College/Career Center (B120) before school, lunch or after school.

Athletics

Girls Beach Volleyball Tryouts on Wednesday, January 14th 3:45pm at Ocean Park Beach Volleyball Courts.

Margaret’s Place in E117.

Email LDeSanto@smmusd.org with any questions!

To report a student’s absence, please send an email to:

AttendancePBL@smmusd.org

or call Crystal Griffis at 310.395.3204 ext. 71-177

Please include your student’s first and last names, student ID numbers, and the reason they are absent (illness, family matter, medical or dental appointment, etc.).

• Questions about attendance procedures, please go to our website: https://www.smmusd.org/domain/3026

Super Saturday is an opportunity for students to sign up and attend school Saturday mornings to help clear their absences. Students are expected to bring homework and Chromebook to complete their necessary assignments and/or study for classes. SIGN UP LINK