Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

The start of the school year has been filled with laughter, joy, and connection — a feeling that was present at both of our Back-to-School Nights this year.

A big thank you to our Grades 3–5 families for joining us this week. I so appreciate the thoughtfulness our teachers put into ensuring parents left with their questions answered and confidence about the year ahead 🩵

Another huge shout-out goes to our amazing PTA for hosting the Parent Playground before Back-to-School Night. Families signed up for Party Book events, picked up Webster Wear, and connected with our community partners, including the City of Malibu, Malibu Library, BGCM, MEF, and Malibu Unification efforts. We are excited to continue this tradition for years to come!

👏 WEBSTER WEAR 🐳
We’re excited to share that our inaugural Webster Wear winners for the 2025–26 school year are Mrs. Stark's classroom, with nearly 100% participation — way to go Room 8! Each Friday, classrooms join in a little friendly competition to see who can show the most school spirit by wearing Webster Wear. Parents, please help your child participate by sending them in their Webster Wear on Fridays so they can join the fun and show their Whale pride.

🔔 IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Picture Day – Monday, September 8: Individual and group photos will be taken on the same day this year, along with the 5th grade graduation photo. Please note that makeup group photos will not be available, so student attendance on picture day is essential. We look forward to seeing students dressed in their best!

• PTA General Meeting – Wednesday, September 10: Our first general meeting of the year will feature Deputy Carlos Vindell, Malibu’s new School Resource Officer, who will discuss our Emergency Standard Response Protocol and answer questions.

• Volunteer Training: If your Level 1 Volunteer training is expiring soon, our office staff will be reaching out so you can attend an upcoming session. If you recently attended training, expect an official clearance email from our staff soon. Thank you for your patience and support!

• Visitor Management: Our new visitor management system, Verkada, is now live in the main office. Whether you are a returning volunteer or new to the school, please bring your ID each time you check in. The system will scan your ID and issue a visitor pass to be worn while on campus.

📅 SAVE THE DATES

Wishing you a wonderful 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!

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Back-to-School Night! We shared important updates and reminders to help ensure a smooth and successful school year for everyone.

Key highlights included:

• Safety Updates: Use the pick-up/drop-off lane daily, avoid parking in staff spots or OLM lots, and remember there is one main entrance/exit to campus. Please bring your ID each time you check in with our new Verkada visitor management system. Volunteers must also complete the required training process.

• Absence Reporting: Please email webster_attendance@smmusd.org with your child’s name, grade, date, and reason for absence. You have five days to clear absences.

• Stay Informed: Read Whale Tales Weekly and download ParentSquare for important updates, weekly schedules, and upcoming events.

• Community Support: A warm welcome to Deputy Carlos Vindell, Malibu’s new School Resource Officer, and thanks to our partners including MEF, BGCM, the City of Malibu, and Malibu Library for their ongoing support.

  
  

👉 You can view the full Back to School Night Presentation by clicking the button below.

📅 Webster’s 2025–26 Community Calendar is also available digitally by clicking the button below. It will remain in the Helpful Links section below for the rest of the year.

This morning, our students took part in a Schoolwide Expectations Assembly where we discussed what it means to be a Webster Whale. Together, we reviewed how to learn, play, and grow in a way that builds a safe, respectful, and welcoming community for everyone.

At the heart of our expectations is The Webster Way — Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Resourceful. These values guide us in every part of the school day:

• Arrival & Dismissal – walking calmly, greeting others kindly, and thanking staff who keep us safe.

• In the Classroom – listening actively, trying our best, and helping classmates.

• On the Yard – including others, playing fairly, and freezing at the whistle.

• In the Bathroom – being quick, clean, and respectful.

• Solving Problems – using words, walking away when needed, apologizing, and telling an adult.

• Being an Upstander – speaking up if you see something wrong and making sure everyone feels they belong .

We also reminded students that when mistakes happen, we own it, make it right, and learn from it.

✨ How Families Can Help
We know that students grow best when school and home partner together. Please take a moment to talk about these expectations at home. Reinforcing these messages helps your child—and all of our Whales—develop the habits of kindness, responsibility, and respect that will serve them for life.

👉 You can view the full Schoolwide Expectations Presentation by clicking the button below.

Together, let’s make this year incredible as we dare, do, and discover!

We are excited to welcome Deputy Carlos Vindell from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as Malibu’s new School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2025–26 school year.

In June, the Malibu City Council unanimously approved reassigning a sheriff’s deputy to serve in this role, ensuring dedicated support for our schools. Most districts, including Santa Monica, rely on school resource officers from local law enforcement agencies to help strengthen campus safety. Having a dedicated SRO in Malibu will improve emergency response times and provide an extra layer of safety for our students and staff.

“We are thankful for our continued collaboration and partnership with the City of Malibu to assign a School Resource Officer to our Malibu schools, especially Malibu Middle/High Schools,” said Isaac Burgess, Executive Director of Malibu Pathways. “This is an important step toward enhancing safety and emergency preparedness for students and staff.”

Deputy Vindell visited Webster this week to introduce himself to students. He shared that you may see him on campus during recess and lunch as well as at morning drop-off. We’re excited for students and families to get to know him and build a positive connection as he supports our Whale community.

Webster is seeking two parent volunteers to serve on the SMMUSD Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) for the 2025–26 school year.

The LCAP is a critical document that outlines District goals, actions, and funding priorities. Parent voices are essential to this process, and Education Code requires that districts include parents and guardians in reviewing and commenting on the plan before it goes to the Board of Education.

The PAC must include parents of students who reflect the diversity of our schools, such as those eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, English learners, foster youth, students with disabilities, and other student groups.

Meeting Details:

• Format: Virtual meetings

• Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM

• Dates: September 12, November 14, January 29, March 5, May 14, and Tentatively June 12

If you are interested in representing Webster on this important committee, please contact Principal Carina Diana at cdiana@smmusd.org. Your voice matters, and we’d love to have Webster represented in this important work for our students’ future!

The Weekend Bag Program (WeB) provides SMMUSD students with free, nutritious, easy-to-prepare bags of food containing two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks for the weekends — when school meals are not available.

How It Works

• Weekend Bags are packed by volunteers with shelf-stable foods such as cereal, oatmeal, fruit cups, mac & cheese, canned veggies, snack bars, trail mix, pasta, rice & beans, and more.

• Menus are evaluated by a dietitian to meet federal school nutrition standards.

• Bags are opaque and discreet to ensure student privacy.

• Students pick them up on Fridays after school, usually from the office, and slip them into their backpacks.

Who Can Participate?
The program is open to all SMMUSD students. Student names are not shared with program volunteers to maintain confidentiality.

How to Enroll
Families who wish to participate should contact our Bilingual Community Liaison, Alex Aspron-Ladesich, at aaspron@smmusd.org or 310-457-6801 x74272 to fill out the opt-in form.

This program is a wonderful way to ensure that every Webster Whale has access to healthy meals over the weekend.

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 Carina Diana (cdiana@smmusd.org) and April Montes (amontes@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 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.

The Webster PTA is kicking off the new school year, and we’d love for you to join us! Membership is just $15 for the year, and anyone in our community — parents, teachers, grandparents, and even students — can become a member.

Why Join the PTA?

• ✅ Stay in the Know – Get firsthand updates about events, decisions, and policies.

• ✅ Have a Voice – Help shape what happens at Webster.

• ✅ Build Relationships – Connect with parents, teachers, and school leadership.

• ✅ Support Webster – PTA funds help provide aides, supplies, field trips, technology, and enrichment.

• ✅ Share Your Talents – From fundraising to photography, there are many ways to contribute.

• ✅ Make School Fun! – The PTA organizes some of Webster’s most-loved traditions like the Campout, Trunk-or-Treat, Talent Show, Jog-a-Thon, Field Day, and more.

💡 Worried about the time commitment? Don’t be! Whether you join a meeting, volunteer once, or take on a project, every bit of support makes a big difference.

Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet for our kids!

The Malibu Education Foundation (MEF) is hosting several exciting events this fall to raise critical funds for the staff and programs that support all Malibu schools. Mark your calendars and join the fun!

😂 Back to School Comedy Night
Thursday, September 11 | Dreamland
Get your laugh on for a great cause! Enjoy an evening of stand-up with Doug Benson, Eddie Ifft, Chris Fairbanks, and Lachlan Patterson.

• Doors open: 6:30 PM | Show starts: 8:00 PM
  🎟 Tickets & Tables

✨ MEF Gala
Saturday, October 4 | Malibu High School
An unforgettable evening under the stars with drinks, dinner, dancing, and giving back to the programs that power our schools.
🎟 Tickets & Tables

🏃‍♀️ Malibu Moves
Saturday, October 25 & Sunday, October 26 | Zuma Beach
All ages welcome! Run, walk, or volunteer at the Kids Run, Beer Garden (21+), or VIP Charity Lounge. A family-friendly event that helps MEF keep moving its mission forward.
👉 Register at malibumoves.com

🔅 Learn more & get involved: www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org

Let’s show up for our students—in style, with heart, and maybe a few laughs!

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!

Breakfast and lunch are free for all students this school year. However, we ask that every family complete the Online Meal Application for 2025–2026, even if your child does not plan to eat school meals. This form impacts funding and programs beyond meals, so widespread participation is essential.

How to Apply:

• Complete one application per household each school year.

• Apply online at www.smmusd.org/foodservices or drop off a completed application at your child’s school office or the District Office any time during the year.
  (Faxed or emailed copies will not be accepted.)

Important Reminders:

• Eligibility from last year expires Thursday, October 2, 2025.

• Processing can take up to 10 business days.

• If your application is not processed by the deadline and you have not received approval, your child must pay full price for meals.

• Incomplete applications will be returned.

• List all adults (employed or not) and all children in your household, including non-students.

• Do not attach income documentation unless specifically requested for verification.

• Sign, date, and include the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (or check the box if you do not have one).

📞 Questions or help? Contact Food & Nutrition Services at (310) 450-8338, ext. 70228.

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu is committed to supporting youth and families through academic, social, and wellness programs that build resilience and community. 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 both remotely and in-person for students and families.
👉 Learn more or request services here: bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center.

🌟 Disaster Recovery Services
Starting Wednesday, August 27th, the BGCM Disaster Recovery Center is supporting Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services by appointment only.
Support includes:

• One-on-one Care Coordinator guidance

• Personalized recovery planning

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

🏊🚴🏃 First-Ever Zuma Beach Kids Triathlon!

• Saturday, September 13th at Zuma Beach

• For ages 9–14 (three divisions available)

• Kids can even complete the course alongside a parent!
  👉 Learn more and register: zumabeachtriathlon.org.

🙌 Volunteers Needed!
BGCM is seeking volunteers to help at the Zuma Beach Triathlon the weekend of September 13–14. 👉 Sign up here: Volunteer Form.

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