Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

This week truly tugged at the heart and was filled with so many moments of pure joy and adorableness. I found myself tearing up more than once—especially during the Holiday Show—as I took in just how special these moments were for our students, staff, and families. These are the memories that stay with us.

Earlier in the week, our 4th grade students shared their learning during their music informance, giving families a meaningful glimpse into the rehearsal process and the growth students have made in band, strings, and choir. Their confidence, focus, and teamwork were on full display, and it was wonderful to celebrate their progress together.

The return of Webster’s Holiday Show after a one-year hiatus was truly everything and more. The room was standing-room only as students filled the space with music, joy, and heart. After four weeks of dedicated preparation with Ms. Lonnie Martinez, supported through Prop 28 funding, students brought the program to life in the most magical way. We are incredibly grateful for Ms. Lonnie’s creativity, dedication, and unique flair.

A huge shoutout to our amazing student MCs, Ryker Cohen and Aurora Flores, whose leadership, confidence, and humor guided us through the program while sharing the history behind the music. Congratulations as well to our brave soloists—Callie Schilling, Leta Alterman, and Evee Stiemsma—whose beautiful voices were absolutely magical and brought tears to many in the room.

Adding to the season’s magic, Holiday Spirit Week filled our campus with color, laughter, and joy—from candy canes and cozy pajamas to festive sweaters and holiday gear galore. We also couldn’t end the week without celebrating Room 8’s Winter Holiday Show, where our 2nd graders took the stage with confidence and heart. Under the direction of Mrs. Amy Stark, students shared a thoughtful and inclusive production that celebrated winter traditions through humor, music, and teamwork. We are so proud of their courage and grateful to the families who came out to cheer them on.

Thank you as well for the incredible kindness and generosity shown through your thoughtful gifts this week. As we close the chapter on 2025, I am deeply grateful for our teachers and staff, whose unwavering commitment to students shines every single day. I am equally thankful for our families who walk alongside us. This past year was defined by resilience and community. The universe certainly threw the kitchen sink at us—but each time, we came back stronger. We truly embodied together we can.

I hope this winter break offers you time to pause, rest, recharge, and reconnect with the people who matter most. Do whatever brings you joy. As we turn the page to 2026, I’m wishing you a new year filled with abundance, peace, and possibility.

The first day of instruction for elementary students is Monday, January 5, 2026.

🔔 Important Reminders

• Malibu Middle School Transition: 5th grade families are encouraged to attend upcoming MMS transition events.
• Pod Power Problems: This week’s family math challenge is live — have fun solving together!
• Visitor Management: Please bring your ID to check in and remember to sign out when you leave campus.

📅 Save the Dates

📌 December 22 - January 2: Winter Break

📌 January 5: Elementary Schools Return from Winter Break

📌 January 9: PTA Movie Night @ Malibu Pacific Church

📌 January 19: No School (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observance)

📌 January 22: TK / Kinder Round-Up

📌 February 5 - 6: Talent Show Auditions

📌 February 9 & 19: Talent Show Rehearsals

📌 February 11: MMS Parent Event & School Tour (9:30 AM)

📌 February 11 - 13: Sustainable Book Fair

📌 February 16: No School (President's Day Observance)

📌 February 25: Talent Show FINAL Dress Rehearsal

📌 February 27: Talent Show

📌 February 28: Winter Report Cards

Wishing you all a wonderful winter break and holiday season!

GO WHALES!!

Warmly,
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 upcoming newsletters.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our school community!

After a one-year hiatus, Webster’s Holiday Show returned — and it was everything and more. The MPR was standing room only as our students lit up the stage. Our students worked incredibly hard alongside Ms. Lonnie Martinez, who we were able to bring on through Prop 28 funding, and her impact was felt in every moment of the performance. Over four weeks of preparation, she brought her unique flair, dedication, and passion for music to life, helping students shine and making the show extra special. We are deeply grateful for her work with our Whales.

From TK through 5th grade, each group shared festive favorites that spanned cultures and generations, including Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dreidel, Feliz Navidad, Oh Hanukkah, When You Wish Upon a Star, Jingle Bell Rock, Mele Kalikimaka, Pure Imagination, White Christmas, and Happy Christmas. The show culminated in powerful moments of unity with Let There Be Peace and a joyful sing-along of Give Peace a Chance.

A special shoutout to our phenomenal student MCs, Ryker Cohen and Aurora Flores, whose leadership skills were on full display. They guided us through the program with confidence, shared the history behind the music, and sprinkled in some perfectly timed humor that brought smiles throughout the room.

We also celebrate the bravery and beautiful voices of our soloists Callie Schilling, Leta Alterman, and Evee Stiemsma. Their performances were truly magical and brought tears to many eyes in the audience.

It was a heart-filled morning, rich with music, meaning, and community — a beautiful way to share the magic of the season together 🎶✨

We are incredibly proud of our Room 8 second graders for bravely stepping onto the stage and performing The Winter Holiday Show in front of the entire school! Under the thoughtful direction of Amy Stark, students practiced and rehearsed diligently for their big moment, bringing to life a cast of goofy, lovable animals who helped tell the story. The play beautifully celebrates winter traditions by exploring Christmas, Hanukkah, and other seasonal celebrations through an inclusive, playful lens.

From a latke-loving bear to beavers sneaking off with Christmas trees, a squirrel dreaming of pulling Santa’s sleigh, Superbadgers, and some delightfully shady skunks, the show blended traditional songs with original, animal-themed holiday tunes. Beyond the fun, the production strengthened reading, vocabulary, performance, music, collaboration, and social skills—while building class camaraderie and confidence.

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who filled the room with support and encouragement. Bravo, Room 8! ❄️🎭✨

Holiday Spirit Week was full of joy and laughter, from start to finish✨

Our Student Leadership Committee kicked things off by handing out candy canes, and it was so fun seeing our Whales dressed in red and white for Minty Monday.

Totally Cozy Tuesday was a crowd favorite — from holiday jammies to snuggly onesies, students and staff fully embraced the hygge vibes and loved the extra cozy start to the day.

Midweek, Winter Wonderland Concert Day truly stole our hearts. Dressed in their holiday finest, students filled the room with voices loud and clear, spreading smiles, cheers, and a beautiful reminder of the little joys that make this season so special.

The cheer continued with Theme Sweater Thursday, as students brought over-the-top holiday spirit to campus — from cat trees and cool Santas to funny phrases and cozy knits, the hallways were extra bright and festive.

We capped off the week with Holiday Palooza, where students showed off their favorite holiday gear — fun hats, crazy socks, sweaters, and spirited accessories — the perfect way to celebrate a joyful week together.

A huge thank you to Courtney and Taylor Walling for creating the fabulous collages that captured the fun and let us relive the spirit all week long ✨

Planning a magical holiday outing? If you’re visiting Holiday Road this season, you can support Webster at the same time — at no extra cost! When you purchase your tickets using Webster’s exclusive link below, 10% of all sales will be donated directly back to our school.

🔗 Webster Fundraiser Link:
https://www.tixr.com/pr/Webster/g/holidayroadusa

Holiday Road is an immersive holiday experience filled with Santa & Mrs. Claus, larger-than-life holiday displays, light tunnels and thousands of twinkling lights, candy canes, festive scenes, and more holiday cheer than you can imagine.

📍 King Gillette Ranch, Calabasas
📅 November 29 – December 28

If you, your friends, family, or neighbors plan to attend, please share our Webster link so your visit helps raise funds for our school. Every ticket purchased through the link supports Webster — without costing attendees anything extra!

Let’s spread some holiday magic and support our Whales! 🐳💙

Save the date for a fun, family-friendly night out! Webster families are invited to a special screening of Zootopia 2 on Friday, January 9, 2026. This free event is hosted by Malibu Pacific Church and sponsored by the Webster PTA—a perfect way to kick off 2026 together.

🍽 Dinner: Chick-fil-A at 5:00 PM
🎥 Movie: Starts at 6:00 PM

Bring the whole family, come early for dinner, and enjoy an evening of laughter, community, and movie magic. We can’t wait to see you there! 🐳✨

Parents of incoming 6th graders are invited to a special “5th to 6th” Parent Event hosted by Malibu Middle School. This informative morning is designed to help families better understand the transition to middle school and what life looks like as an MMS student.

📅 Wednesday, February 11
📍 Malibu Middle School — Parent Conference Room

What to Expect:

• 9:30 AM Presentation with Principal Schellenberg, Counselor Whitehouse, and additional MMS staff, sharing insights on academics, student support, and the middle school experience

• 10:30 AM School Tour led by MMS ASB students, offering a student perspective on campus life

This is a great opportunity to ask questions, hear directly from school leadership, and help your child feel confident and excited about the transition ahead. We hope to see our 5th grade families there as you prepare for this exciting next chapter!

Beginning November 3, 2025, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will implement a new “Away for the Day” policy to support student learning, focus, and well-being. This means that during the school day, students must keep all personal mobile communication devices turned off and put away.

• 📵 Elementary (K–5): Devices must be turned off and stored in backpacks.

• 📵 Middle School (6–8): Devices must be turned off and placed in secure pouches.

• 📵 High School (9–12): Devices must be turned off during instructional time, with limited exceptions (e.g., emergencies, medical needs, or with staff permission).

This districtwide effort is designed to minimize distractions, protect student privacy, and create more connected learning environments for all students.

Parents and guardians can now access their child’s CAASPP, ELPAC, and Star Renaissance score reports directly through the Aeries Parent Portal. Please note that hard copy reports are not mailed home.

✅ How to Access

• Parent Portal Login

• Step-by-Step Guide: Locating Test Scores in Aeries

🎥 Helpful Videos:

• How Parents Access the Portal

These resources walk you through exactly how to view your child’s score reports, so you’ll always have the latest information on their progress.

As we prepare for an exciting new school year, all families are required to verify and update their student’s information through the AERIES Data Confirmation process. This ensures we have the most accurate and up-to-date records for your child.

We recommend completing this process on a desktop or laptop computer for the best experience.

How to Complete Data Confirmation

1. Log in to your Aeries Parent Portal using the link below:
   🔗 AERIES Parent Portal

2. If you do not use the direct link above, log in to your Aeries Parent Portal, select Student Info, and click Data Confirmation to access the form.

3. If you have forgotten your login credentials, click “Forgot Password?” at the bottom of the login screen.

For Prospective or New Families

If you are new to Webster or have not yet enrolled your child, please complete AERIES Online Enrollment as soon as possible to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

🔗SMMUSD Online Enrollment

You will be asked to upload:

• Immunization records

• Parent/guardian photo ID

• Proof of residency

• Birth certificate

Once complete, please email April Montes (amontes@smmusd.org) and Stephanie Martinez (s.martinez@smmusd.org) so we can guide you through the next steps.

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 April Montes at amontes@smmusd.org and Stephanie Martinez (s.martinez@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.

Every dollar given funds the people and programs that make Malibu public schools thrive — from classroom aides and arts programs to athletics and academic support. Our community ask is $750 per student, but every contribution, at any level, makes a meaningful difference.

Your generosity helps fund essential programs across all four Malibu schools and complements the important work of each school’s PTA.

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu is committed to youth and community resilience by providing a supportive and inclusive environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Through after-school programs, social-emotional learning, and wellness services, BGCM helps ensure every child feels safe, supported, and connected. Here’s what’s happening:

📚 Academic Year Enrollment is LIVE!

• Dates: August 21 – June 11

• Grades: TK–5th

• Programs include: Kindness Is Free, Manners Matter, social-emotional wellness, STEM projects, arts & crafts, cooking/gardening, and more!
  👉 Enroll today at bgcmalibu.org.

💛 Wellness Center & Social Support
BGCM provides no-cost mental health counseling and social support services to students and families in our school community. Services are available both in-person and remotely, ensuring accessible support for anyone who needs it.

• 👉 Learn more: BGCM Wellness Center
• 📧 Request services: wellnessinfo@bgcmalibu.org
• 📞 Call: 310-457-0360 ext. 60146

🌟 Disaster Recovery Services
The BGCM Disaster Recovery Center continues to support Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services by appointment only. Our Care Coordination Team is here to partner with families every step of the way to ensure no one navigates this journey alone.

Support includes:

• One-on-one guidance: You’ll be paired with a dedicated Care Coordinator.

• Personalized recovery planning: Together, we’ll identify what you need most now and in the future.

• Resource connection: We’ll help you access the latest available support.

• Advocacy: We’re here to make sure you’re supported at every stage.

• 👉 To schedule, email drc@bgcmalibu.org (expect a response within 2–5 business days).

The City of Malibu is offering a variety of fun, hands-on winter afterschool enrichment programs for students in grades TK–5 and we’re excited to share these opportunities with our Webster families! Students can stay active, curious, and creative with engaging programs that blend learning, movement, and exploration, including:

• Ultimate Sports ⚽ – build teamwork, skills, and confidence through active play

• Save Our Oceans 🌊 – explore ocean conservation and environmental stewardship

• Wildlife Biology 🦋 – discover animals, habitats, and the natural world

Programs run January–March, meet after school (3:00–4:00 PM), and are designed to support enrichment in a fun, supportive environment.

🎨 Special Event: Pokémon Art Academy Workshop
Students won’t want to miss this creative workshop where they’ll learn to draw favorite Pokémon characters like Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, while creating Poké Balls, trading cards, Shrinky Dinks, and more using watercolor, clay, and pastels.

• 📍 Webster Elementary

• 🗓 Wednesday, March 25

• 🕒 3:00–4:30 PM

• 💲 $25 per workshop (FREE for BGCM members)

📌 Registration & Info
All programs are run by the City of Malibu and require advance registration.
👉 Register at MalibuCity.org/Register
📞 Questions? Call 310-317-1364

Registration is now open for Malibu Little League Spring 2026 Baseball! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to build skills, teamwork, and confidence in a fun, structured environment. The season runs from late February through early June, with games primarily at Bluffs Park and practices beginning in mid-February.

👉 Register here: https://www.malibulittleleague.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2769357

To help spread the word, students will be going home with flyers when we return to school in January. Spots are limited, so be sure to check out the details and register early if your child is interested!

To enhance student safety, all K–5 students will enter and exit through one main gate — located by the main office. This will help us maintain 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.

• Avoid using the Our Lady of Malibu (OLM) parking lots.

• Park only in the Webster lot.

Thank you for helping us ensure smooth arrivals and dismissals each day. Creating a safe and positive learning environment is our top priority — and it starts with all of us working together. We truly appreciate your support!

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