Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

Very opposite to last week’s chilly weather, we experienced unusually high temperatures — I hope you’re all staying cool during this warm spell.

The highlight of my week was undoubtedly our incredible Webster Talent Show. From the morning assembly to the evening performance, I was filled with pride watching our students take the stage and grow in confidence — even within the span of a few hours! Their bravery, creativity, and mutual support made the show an unforgettable celebration of the heart and spirit of our school.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing parent organizers — Nikki White, Lauren Buckman, and Sam Carpenter — for dedicating their time, energy, and care to guiding our students and producing such a joyful and heartwarming performance. Thank you also to Phil Buckman, our in-house photographer and videographer, for beautifully capturing every moment so we can all relive the magic.
👉 If you missed the show or want to watch it again, check out the video below!

Special appreciation to BGCM, who choreographed a high-energy hip hop routine with club members and helped supervise our backstage greenroom. And a huge round of applause to our fabulous student support crew:

• 🎤 MCs Ryker and Paisley, who kept the show moving with energy and style

• 🎭 Backstage Crew Brody, Easton, Eleanor, and Jazzy, who ensured every act was stage-ready when the curtain opened

With 24 acts and nearly 50 student performers from TK through 5th grade — including singers, dancers, gymnasts, magicians, actors, and musicians — this show was a beautiful display of student voice, creativity, and courage.

This week also brought a high-energy kickoff in our Tech for Tomorrow program, where students returned to the computer lab to begin a new coding unit through Code.org. They learned to program robots and even held friendly class competitions to see which robot could reach the finish line first — a great way to blend teamwork, logic, and problem-solving.

I also want to take a moment to reinforce our expectations around appropriate footwear at school. For safety reasons:

• No cleats, sandals, slippers, or non-athletic shoes during PE

• Students may not go barefoot at any time

Students who arrive without proper footwear will be unable to participate in PE or recess activities that day. I would truly appreciate your help in reinforcing these expectations at home so we can keep everyone safe and active on campus.

Finally, on behalf of the Botswana School Project, we are kindly requesting donations of six gently used large suitcases to help transport books (including those from our Sustainable Book Fair!) and supplies to our partner schools in Botswana. If you have one to donate — or know someone who might — please drop it off in the front office by March 10th. Your generosity will make a global impact.

WEBSTER WEAR 🐳

Congratulations to Ms. Stark's class for keeping the Webster Wear crown in second grade with a three-week winning streak 🐳💙

🔔 Important Reminders

• AstroCamp Outdoor Education Form: 4th grade families — please complete the AstroCamp Outdoor Education Trip Form by Thursday, March 5 at 3:00 PM to confirm participation, indicate financial needs, and express interest in chaperoning. Your timely response helps us ensure an equitable and exciting experience for all!

• Return Status Form: Please complete the Return Status Form by Friday, March 6 to let us know if your child will be returning to Webster next school year. One form per child (Preschool–4th grade).

• New Whale Families (2026–27): Please help us spread the word about Webster! Encourage prospective families to sign up for a tour on our website or click HERE.

• Botswana School Project Bake Sale: Join us on Tuesday, March 10th for a special bake sale during both lunches and after school (2:45 PM pickup). Help raise funds to send books, supplies, and soccer balls to partner schools in Botswana — and possibly adopt endangered animals from our PBL study! Cupcakes ($2) and friendship bracelets ($5) will be available.

• Math Club Field Day: Our annual event is coming up on Friday, March 13 — a morning full of math challenges, games, and fun (plus pizza!). Volunteers and donations needed.

• Pepperdine Science Night: Join us on March 17 from 6:00–7:30 PM for a fun, hands-on evening of science with Pepperdine biology and chemistry students! See below for full details.

• 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

📌 March 10: Botswana School Project Bake Sale (During Pick Up @ 2:45 PM)

📌 March 11: Cohort 6 Learning Rounds (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

📌 March 13: Math Field Day (4th and 5th grade Math Club students ONLY)

📌 March 17: Pepperdine Science Night | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

📌 March 19: SMC World Dance Performance (4th grade | 1:45 PM)

📌 March 20: Jog-a-Thon

📌 March 26: Open House

📌 March 27: Best on the Beach Assembly (MPR | 8:30 AM)

Wishing everyone a restful weekend!

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!

Our annual Webster Talent Show lit up the stage with heart, courage, and incredible creativity! With 24 acts and over 50 student performers from TK through 5th grade, it was an unforgettable evening of singing, dancing, musical theater, original songs, magic, gymnastics, and more.

We are so proud of every student who participated — from solo singers and gymnasts to group dancers, hula hoopers, and even a magician and martial artist. Each performer shared not just their talent, but their heart. The energy was electric as students cheered each other on and truly embodied the Webster spirit of support and kindness.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible parent organizers — Nikki White, Lauren Buckman, and Sam Carpenter — for their tireless dedication and encouragement in helping students prepare for their big moment. This event wouldn’t be possible without your creativity, time, and love. We're also so grateful to Phil Buckman, our in-house photographer and videographer, for capturing every shining moment. If you missed the show (or just want to relive the magic), be sure to check out the Talent Show video linked above! Special thanks to BGCM, who choreographed a high-energy hip hop routine with club members and helped supervise the greenroom to keep everything running smoothly during the evening show.

👏 Huge round of applause to our amazing student support team:

• 🎤 MCs Ryker and Paisley — who kept the show moving with energy and style
• 🎭 Backstage Crew Brody, Easton, Eleanor, and Jazzy — our fantastic 5th graders who made sure every act was stage-ready when the curtain opened

This show was a beautiful display of courage, creativity, and connection. We can’t wait for next year! 💫

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we need your help confirming student enrollment for 2026-2027. Please complete the Return Status form (click HERE) by Friday, March 6, 2026.

✅ One form per student currently enrolled in Preschool through 4th grade
🗓 First day of school: Thursday, August 20, 2026

Your timely response helps us plan for staffing and class placements. We appreciate your partnership in preparing for a great year ahead!

Can you believe it’s already time to start planning for next fall? Whether you’re a returning family or new to Webster, here’s everything you need to know to secure your spot.

📌 Important for Current Families

If you have a younger sibling ready to join Webster in Fall 2026, you must complete a new enrollment — even if an older sibling already attends. Don’t delay! Early enrollment helps ensure your family stays together at Webster.

📅 Key Dates & Deadlines

✅ January 26, 2026 – AERIES Online Enrollment is now open!

👉 SMMUSD Enrollment Portal

You’ll need to upload:

• Immunization records

• Parent/guardian photo ID

• Proof of residency

• Birth certificate

Once completed, please email Stephanie Martinez (s.martinez@smmusd.org) so we can guide you through next steps.

📍February 16 – March 16 – Intradistrict Permit Window

• For students who live within SMMUSD boundaries but want to attend a school other than their assigned one

• Enroll at your assigned (home) school first

• Then apply for an intradistrict permit to attend Webster

• Apply for Intra-District Permit

📍May 15 – June 30 – Interdistrict Permit Window

• For students who live outside of SMMUSD but would like to attend Webster

• Requires a release permit from your home district

📌 Returning Interdistrict Families
Already at Webster on an interdistrict permit?
Be sure to submit your Verification of Continuing Enrollment by June 1, 2026 to remain with us next year.
👉 Click HERE to submit your Verification of Continuing Enrollment Form

📩 Permit Questions?

Please direct all permit-related questions to: permits@smmusd.org

Let’s work together to get those applications in early and secure your place in the Whale Pod 🐳 for 2026–27. Help spread the word to friends, neighbors, and anyone interested in joining the Webster family!

Mr. K will be hosting our Math Club Field Day on Friday, March 13 for current 4th and 5th grade Math Club participants. This beloved end-of-year tradition is packed with brain-teasing math challenges, fun games, and community building — plus breakfast treats and a pizza lunch!

Event Schedule

• 8:30–8:45 AM: Breakfast

• 8:45–11:30 AM: Olympian Math Challenge activities

• 11:30 AM: Group photo & pizza lunch

We are also looking for parent volunteers to help with setup, activities, lunch, and cleanup, as well as optional $25 donations (Zelle: websterptamalibu@gmail.com or cash/check to Webster PTA) to support Math Club T-shirts. Families are welcome to volunteer for any portion of the morning, and we’re also seeking a 4th grade parent co-chair to help lead next year’s event.

👉 Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044DACA62AA5FF2-61681081-math

This event wraps up Math Club for the year and is always a student favorite — thank you for supporting our young mathematicians!

We’re thrilled to welcome Pepperdine science students back to Webster for our annual Science Night on March 17, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 PM! Join us for an evening packed with hands-on activities, fascinating biology demos, and plenty of scientific fun.

Get ready to:

• Explore glowing bacteria and squid teamwork

• Discover food chains in the Santa Monica Mountains

• Learn how pollution affects our environment — and how we can help

• Test hypotheses (float or sink?)

• And of course… make SLIME with the Pepperdine Chemistry Club! 🧪

We hope to see you there for an evening that’s educational, engaging, and all about the joy of science!

Get ready to run, cheer, and show your school spirit — the Webster Jog-a-thon is happening on Friday, March 20th!

👉 Register now: websterjogathon.pledgestar.com

This is our second-biggest fundraiser of the year, supporting incredible programs like Media Literacy, STEM Engineering, field trips, school assemblies, gardening, and more!

Why Participate?
The Jog-a-thon isn’t just about raising money — it’s a chance to:

• Get active and have fun with friends

• Show your Webster pride

• Make a real impact on our school community

🏅 Prizes & Incentives

• Register and invite 3 donors: Receive exclusive Jog-a-thon 2026 merchandise!

• Top Fundraiser: Be Principal for a Day + lunch with Principal Diana and a friend (your choice of Irv’s, Bui Sushi, or Howdy’s)!

• 2nd Place: Win a drone with a camera

• 3rd Place: Score Sky Zone passes for you and two friends

• School Goal: Raise $60,000! When we hit $30,000, Kona Ice Truck comes for all! 🍧

• Class Prizes:

• First class to hit 100% participation gets a popsicle party

Shout out to current leader Ms. Harris’s class!

• Class that raises the most money wins Chick-fil-A lunch + popsicle party

Current front-runners: Ms. Harris’s class and Ms. Stark’s class, who keep trading the top spot!

🙋‍♀️ Volunteer Sign-Up Coming Soon!
Save the date if you’d like to help out — we’ll need lots of hands on deck!

💌 Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Sponsorships start at $500 — a great way for local businesses and families to support this high-energy community event.

Interested? Contact Emily Gardner at emily.jp.gardner@gmail.com

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.

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.

Support looks different for every family — and every bit counts.
Each dollar you give helps fund the people and programs that make Malibu public schools exceptional: from classroom aides and arts instruction to academic support and athletics

.

While the community ask is $750 per student, every contribution, at any level, makes a meaningful impact.

Your generosity directly benefits all four Malibu schools and enhances the work of each school’s PTA — ensuring every student receives the enriching education they deserve.

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 exceptional customer service and impactful after-school programs, BGCM focuses on academic success, character development, and health and wellness—catering to the unique needs of Malibu’s youth and strengthening our school community.

📚 Academic Year Enrollment

BGCM Academic Year Enrollment is live and open to grades TK–5th! BGCM is committed to providing a curriculum full of fun, educational, and social experiences.

• Programs include: Kindness Is Free, Manners Matter, social-emotional wellness, STEM-based projects, arts & crafts, cooking/gardening, and more!
• 👉 Click here to learn more and enroll at bgcmalibu.org

📝 Homework Help

Looking for extra academic support for your child? BGCM provides homework help for all subjects and grade levels on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:00–5:00 PM. This support helps students stay on track, build confidence, and develop strong study habits.

🛹 New! Johnny Strange Legacy Inspire Skate Program

Join us for action-packed skateboarding sessions designed to build skills, confidence, and community through athletics, education, and creative skate activities! Skaters are encouraged to bring their own boards, helmets, and safety gear. Equipment is available to borrow if needed.

👉 Click here to enroll and view the flyer for more details!

Who: Available to 3rd–5th grade students
Skill Levels:

• Novice: Still building balance and board awareness; comfortable riding forward.

• Intermediate: Able to coast, turn, and push; ready for basic obstacles.

📆 Dates: Mondays — March 2, 9, 16, 23
🕒 Times:

• Novice: 3:30–4:30 PM

• Intermediate: 4:30–5:30 PM

📍 Location: BGCM Teen Center (30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu, CA 90265)
💲 Cost: $100 per 4-week session

💛 Wellness Center & Social Support

BGCM’s Wellness Center provides no-cost mental health counseling and social support services to our school community.

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

🌟 Disaster Recovery Services

The BGCM Disaster Recovery Center, in partnership with the Malibu Community Long Term Recovery Group (MCLTRG), continues to support Franklin and Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services. Families who qualify can receive support including:

• Personalized recovery planning to identify urgent and long-term needs

• Resource connection to access available support based on qualifying criteria

• Advocacy to strengthen community-wide recovery efforts and increase financial resources

👉 To be connected with a Care Coordinator, please email drc@bgcmalibu.org

The City of Malibu is offering a new season of fun and creative afterschool enrichment programs for students in grades TK–5 — and we’re excited to share these spring opportunities with our Webster families! Students can keep learning, growing, and moving with engaging, hands-on programs that spark curiosity and creativity, including:

• 🎨 Eco-Art Adventures – blend creativity with environmental awareness through nature-inspired art
• 🎭 Improv Acting – build confidence, expression, and imagination through fun theater games
• ⚽ Soccer – develop coordination, sportsmanship, and skills through active play
• 🧘 Art & Yoga Workshop – enjoy a calming and creative experience in this one-day session

Programs run April–May and meet after school from 3:00–4:00 PM (or until 4:30 PM for the yoga workshop). Each class is designed to foster 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

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