Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

🎉 Look at us—open for five straight days in a row! That calls for a celebration!

A warm welcome to all our new students and families! We are thrilled to have you as part of the Webster community. A big Webster Wear shout-out to Ms. London for showing her school spirit this week as well!

🍦 Supporting Local Businesses

A huge thank you to Malibu Yogurt and Ice Cream for their generosity in providing every student and staff member with a $10 gift card! We encourage families to stop by, enjoy a treat, and support this wonderful local business.

Our Webster staff is incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from our community, including a recent gathering at Taverna Tony, made possible by their generosity. Let’s continue to support the local businesses that have shown up for us!

📚 Instructional Time Recovery Survey

To help students recover lost instructional time, SMMUSD is offering two optional programs. Please take a moment to fill out the survey linked below to indicate your preference and assist with planning.

💡 Learning Continues

We understand that unexpected closures can be challenging, but learning will continue both synchronously and asynchronously as needed. If closures occur, teachers will host Zoom sessions focused on:
✅ Social-emotional learning
✅ Grade-level instruction in English & Math
✅ Engaging activities to keep students connected

⚡ Keeping Webster Connected

Webster is now officially equipped with Starlink internet to ensure communication and connectivity during power outages. Additionally, a battery backup system has been installed to keep Starlink and the main office powered when needed.

🌬️ Classroom Air Quality

We want to reassure families that every Webster classroom has its own HVAC system equipped with MERV-13 air filters. These systems run continuously throughout the school day to maintain clean air quality.

📅 Save the Date!

📌 February 17 – Presidents Day Holiday (No School)
📌 February 20 – 🎓 TK/K Roundup (9 AM - 11 AM)
📌 February 26-28 – 📚 Webster Community Library
📌 March 7 – 🏔️ Yosemite Info Session (8:45 AM)
📌 March 28 – 🎭 Talent Show (6 PM - 8 PM)
📌 April 1 – 🔬 Pepperdine Science Night (6 PM - 7:30 PM)
📌 April 3 – 🏫 Open House (Time TBD)

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support in any way.

Together, we will get through this 🫶🏼

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!

We recognize the significant impact the recent wildfires have had on our community and schools, including the loss of instructional time for many students. To help support learning recovery, we are offering two optional programs for students. Families may choose one of the two options below to best support their child's academic needs.

Option 1: Online Tutoring (February – March)

📚 One-on-one online tutoring through 310TUTORS, fully funded by the District Office
📅 Available February 17 – March 28, 2025
⏳ Up to 3 hours per week, scheduled directly with the tutoring provider
📍 Flexible after-school sessions to fit your family’s schedule

Option 2: Summer School (June – July)

📅 June 23 – July 18, 2025 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
🏫 19-day program with engaging curriculum, including:

• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Morning Meetings
• Social-justice interactive read-alouds
• English Language Development & collaborative math games
• Project-Based Learning (PBL) activities

📌 Summer school is dependent on a sufficient number of students enrolling.

If you are interested in either of these options, please complete the online request form by Monday, February 10, 2025 using this link: https://bit.ly/MalibuSurveyEng

As our 5th grade students prepare for the exciting transition to middle school, MMS has planned several fantastic events to help both parents and students feel informed and welcomed!

📢 Parent Information Event – Wednesday, February 19th @ 9:30 AM
Parents of incoming 6th graders are invited to MMS for a special presentation with Principal Schellenberg, Counselor Whitehouse, and other key staff. Following the presentation, take a guided school tour with MMS ASB students at 10:30 AM to learn more about campus life.

👥 MMS Visit to Webster 5th Grade Classrooms – Thursday, February 21st @ 9:00 AM
MMS representatives will visit our 5th-grade classrooms to speak with students about what to expect in middle school, answer questions, and get them excited for this next step!

🏫 5th Grade Field Trip to MMS – Wednesday, March 5th
Our 5th graders will get a firsthand look at their future school! Buses will pick students up at 9:30 AM for an exciting morning at MMS, including fun activities, lunch, and a school tour. Students will return to Webster at 12:15 PM.

We encourage all families to take advantage of these opportunities to get to know MMS and feel prepared for the transition to 6th grade. We’re excited to see our students take this next big step!

The countdown is on for our 5th Grade Yosemite Outdoor Education Experience, an unforgettable adventure that students will cherish for years to come! We want every 5th grader to be part of this incredible journey, filled with exploration, learning, and lifelong memories.

📌 Important! To help us plan effectively, we need all families to complete the Yosemite Outdoor Education Trip Form by 3:00 PM on Friday, February 14.

✅ This form helps us:

• Confirm student participation
• Assess financial commitments and fundraising needs
• Gather chaperone interest

Your timely response is essential in finalizing trip logistics and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to attend. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

This year, we’ve reimagined our Sustainable Book Fair and are thrilled to introduce the Webster Community Library, coming February 24 (Preview Day) & February 26-28 (Open to All Students)!

Books have the power to inspire, educate, and bring comfort. Our Webster Community Library event will bring our school families and the Malibu community together through the magic of books, helping to rebuild home libraries for families displaced by the Franklin and Palisades fires while also giving every Webster student the opportunity to expand their personal book collections—for free! On the final day, we’ll open the event to the broader Malibu community, ensuring everyone impacted has access to books they love. ALL BOOKS WILL BE FREE FOR EVERYONE!

How You Can Help!

To make this event a huge success, we need your help! We are collecting:
✅ Gently used books for elementary-aged children and adults (including cookbooks)
✅ Puzzles (must include all pieces)
✅ Board games (must include all pieces and instructions)

📅 Donation Drop-Off: February 10-21
📍 Where: Morning drop-off or the designated box in the front office

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to give back! Encourage them to donate books they’ve outgrown, knowing their stories will now bring joy to younger students and classmates who lost their collections.

Volunteer Opportunities

We need volunteers to help with book sorting, organizing, promotion, and event staffing.

🔗 SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE!
(Scroll down and click the “Community Library” tab to sign up!)

Our beloved Talent Show is returning on Friday, March 28 with two exciting performances:

🌟 Morning Show: 8:45 AM (for students)
🌟 Evening Show: 6:00 PM (for families & community)

This special event is all about celebrating courage, creativity, and community—not competition. Whether it’s singing, dancing, acting, comedy, or even behind-the-scenes stage crew, we encourage all students to participate in a way that makes them shine!

📌 Important Dates & Information:
✅ Entry Forms Due: Friday, February 28 (extra forms available in the office)
✅ Auditions (attend one):

• Tuesday, March 4 @ 3:00 PM
• Friday, March 7 @ 1:30 PM

✅ Mandatory Rehearsals:

• Friday, March 14 @ 1:30 PM
• Friday, March 21 @ 1:30 PM
• Wednesday, March 26 @ 3:00 PM (Dress Rehearsal)

🎨 Calling All Artists! Show off your creativity by designing the Talent Show Program Cover! Submit your drawing to Principal Diana by Wednesday, March 12 for a chance to have your artwork featured.

We can’t wait to see our Webster stars take the stage and spread joy throughout our community 🌟

Get ready for an exciting evening of hands-on science exploration! On April 1 from 6:00-7:30 PM, Assistant Professor of Biology Krista Lucas and 40 of her Pepperdine students will once again bring the wonder of science to Webster!

These future scientists have developed engaging, grade-appropriate lab experiences for our families, covering topics like Natural Selection, The Immune System, Reptile & Amphibian Adaptations, Food Chains, and even SLIME! They’ve put their creativity to the test to create interactive, fun-filled learning experiences for students of all ages.

Families will rotate between classrooms to explore different experiments, and all friends and family are welcome to join in on the fun!

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."

In the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, the BGCM is providing critical disaster relief services to support families, students, and community members. BGCM aims to be a lifeline to the Malibu community. These free resources are available to anyone impacted—please don’t hesitate to reach out, visit, and share with those in need!

🌟 BGCM Disaster Relief Center

📍 23357 Pacific Coast Hwy
🕙 Wed-Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM | Sat: 11 AM – 4 PM

At the BGCM Disaster Relief Center, those affected by the Palisades Fire can access emergency grants support, essential supplies, mental health services, and resource connections.

💰 BGCM Emergency Relief Fund is made possible by generous donations. This fund provides direct support to families and individuals in greatest need. BGCM is prioritizing those most affected by the fire—please reach out if you or someone you know needs assistance.

🧘‍♀️ Mental Health & Wellness Support

The BGCM Wellness Center continues to offer free mental health and social support services for families, students, seniors, and the local workforce.

📞 Contact for mental health support: 310-457-6801 ext. 74141
📧 Email: wellnessinfo@bgcmalibu.org

🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness Workshops – Every Thursday starting 2/6
📍 BGCM Disaster Relief Center | 12:30 – 1:30 PM
(For adults 18+, no RSVP needed)

A free, drop-in workshop to help navigate stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

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