Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

💖 Happy Valentine’s Day! 💖

I hope today has been filled with love, kindness, and moments of joy for each of you. Through every challenge, we continue to show resilience, strength, and support for one another. This past week has been another test, with mudslides, evacuation orders, and hazardous road conditions adding extra stress. Please know that I’ve been thinking of you all and hoping for your safety and well-being.

A special shoutout to our Webster Road Warriors—the teachers, staff, and families who brave the difficult roads to ensure our students continue to learn, grow, and thrive. Each day is a new adventure, but we see you, we appreciate you, and we are so grateful for you!

This week, I was also lucky enough to receive a "heart attack" on my door—adorable notes from Ms. Harris’ students that filled my heart with joy. These small moments of kindness remind me just how special our school truly is. Thank you for the love 💕

📅 Important Reminders

🚫 No School – Monday, February 17 (Presidents Day)
📸 Picture Day – Tuesday, February 18 (Individual Student Portraits)
📸 Picture Day – Wednesday, February 19 (Group Student Portraits)

📢 Spread the Word!
We’re excited to welcome new families to our TK/K Roundup on February 20 from 9 AM - 11 AM! Please share this opportunity with anyone interested in joining our Webster family. Let’s continue to build a community where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired. A flyer is posted on our IG and X (formerly Twitter).

💡 Learning Continued

This week brought unexpected challenges with school closures due to weather conditions, but our students quickly adapted, embracing remote learning from home. Teachers hosted live Zoom sessions to keep students engaged and connected, focusing on:
✅ Social-emotional learning to support well-being
✅ Grade-level instruction in English & Math
✅ Interactive activities that fostered collaboration
✅ PE sessions to keep kids active and moving

In addition to live sessions, students also worked on asynchronous activities using the "just in case" packets that were sent home or posted online. No matter where we are, Webster remains a special place for learning and connection.

📝 Your Voice Matters!

Parents and staff—please take a few minutes to complete the Culture and Climate Survey (info below). Your feedback helps us continue improving our school experience for all students.

📅 Save the Date!

📌 February 26-28 – 📚 Webster Community Library
📌 March 7 – 🏔️ Yosemite Info Session (8:45 AM)
📌 March 14 – Math Field Day (Math Club Members Only: 9 AM - 12 PM)
📌 March 21 – 🏃‍♂️ Jog-a-Thon (Time TBD)
📌 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!

SMMUSD is dedicated to creating a positive and supportive school environment for all students, staff, and families. To gain deeper insight into our schools' needs and experiences, we have partnered with Hanover Research to conduct a Culture & Climate Survey.

This brief survey provides an opportunity for 4th-grade students, parents, guardians, and staff to share their perspectives on school culture, climate, and areas for growth. Your feedback will play a key role in shaping decisions at both the school and district levels.

Hanover Research is an independent research firm, ensuring that all responses remain completely confidential. Data will only be reported in grouped or de-identified form, so we encourage you to be open and candid in your responses.

📅 Survey Deadline: Friday, February 28, 2025
📌 Take the survey here: Survey Link

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 – Friday 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!

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