PBL Weekly Blast

PBL Sophomores went to see Table 17 at the Geffen Playhouse, a raucous romantic comedy in which the cast interacts with the audience. Thanks to lead actor Biko Eisen-Martin for hanging out after the show for a chat and a pic.

• Monday, 12/15 - 10th grade POLs
• Tuesday, 12/16 - 9th grade Service Learning Exhibitions
• Wednesday, 12/17 - 11th and 12th grade POLs
• Friday, 12/19 - Community Day: Gingerbread Challenge + 🥧
• 12/20 - 1/5/2026 - Winterbreak/ No school

Parents/Guardians -

We invite parents and caregivers to join us as panel members for our upcoming Presentations of Learning. POLs/Exhibitions are a meaningful and authentic opportunity for students to share their thinking, growth, and real-world work. As a panel member, you will listen to student presentations, ask thoughtful questions, and offer constructive feedback. Panelists are asked to remain for the full duration of the assigned time block to ensure continuity and consistency for all students. If you are available and plan to attend, an RSVP is required to be permitted onto the Samohi campus.

9th Grade – Group Exhibitions of Learning, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 9-10:40am
Students present their semester-long Community Impact projects, reflecting on their process, learning, and final product or solution.

10th Grade – Individual Presentations, Monday, Dec. 15, 11:20 - 12:48pm
Students deliver a 20-minute presentation highlighting evidence of learning, reflection and growth, and real-world engagement aligned to their Independent Learning Plans (ILPs).

11th Grade – Dilemma Presentations, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 10:15 - 11:44am
Students give individual presentations sharing their project ideas, progress, and a current dilemma. Panel members review progress and provide constructive feedback.

12th Grade – Senior Thesis Pitches, Wednesday, Dec 17, 9-10am
Students pitch their year-long project ideas, focusing on community impact and sustainability. Panel members assess progress and the validity of each proposal.

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well as we head into the holiday season. As a group, we’d like to put together a holiday gift for our wonderful teachers to show our appreciation for all they do.

In addition to the teacher gift, we’d also like to collect funds to provide lunch for both the students and staff on the last day before winter break. This has been a fun tradition in past years, and we’d love to continue it.

If you’d like to contribute to either or both, any amount is welcome. Please send your contribution by December 16th using Venmo to Claire Bidwell- Smith (@clairebidwellsmith) or PayPal to me, @MichonHerman. If you'd like to contribute in another way, please reach out! Once everything is collected, we’ll put together a gift from the whole class.

Thank you so much for helping us make the teachers feel appreciated. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Warmly,

Michon Herman

Parent of Class of 2025 and 2027

For Parents and Caregivers in English and Spanish from the Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI). See below:

• English TOOLKIT
• Spanish TOOLKIT

The application period for Camp Cinder 2026 is open from 12/01/2025 to 01/31/2026. Camp Cinder 2026, CAL FIRE’s free firefighting camp for young women, will take place from June 22nd to June 25th in Redding and June 29th to July 2nd in San Luis Obispo, California.

The mission of Camp Cinder is to provide young women a safe, dynamic, interactive and challenging environment to gain strength, knowledge, and confidence in their ability to excel in the profession of firefighting and beyond. Upon completing the camp, young women will leave with a sense of empowerment and the confidence that they can succeed in any career they choose.

For more info, click HERE.

The American Water Works Association is offering scholarships to help future water leaders launch their careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This is your chance to make a lasting impact in critical fields such as civil engineering and environmental science.

If you would like to make a schedule change for next semester, please complete the attached form and return to your advisor.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Requests are not guaranteed. They will be fulfilled depending on course availability/capacity and Advisor/Admin approval.

Reasons to make a schedule change:

1. Changing levels of a course such as moving from Honors/AP to P

2. Made a sports team

3. Have a class in my schedule that I no longer need

Reasons that schedule changes will NOT be approved.

1. Teacher change

2. I don’t like my elective class (elective classes are yearlong and we can’t change you at the semester)

Schedule Change Deadlines:

January 16, 2026

Please note, options for schedule changes are VERY limited. Due to class availability, please be aware you may need to change periods and teachers if your request is approved.

Click here to download the form!

Hazel Health provides free, school-based physical and mental health support for students. Through Hazel, students can quickly connect with licensed medical and mental-health providers by video during the school day, helping them access care, manage symptoms, or receive guidance without leaving campus. Families can sign up once, and students can use the service anytime they need support.

This year, Hazel will be available for at-home visits throughout winter break, Monday - Friday, ensuring that all students get the care they deserve.

You can schedule your first visit by going to get started.hazel.co.

Through Hazel Health, your student can receive support for:

• Academic Stress: Balancing schoolwork and break activities

• Anxiety: Coping with uncertainty and changes

• Managing Emotions: Understanding and expressing feelings

• Relationship Challenges: Navigating friendships and family dynamics

Flyer - English | Spanish

Need help with your classes? Come to the library at lunch or after school! Monday through Friday Samohi Peer Tutoring offers tutoring to anyone from tutors who are current Samohi students. Tutoring is offered in all subjects and in all levels of courses. Follow the instagram @samohipeertutoring for more specific information(tutors, the subjects they tutor, what days they tutor).

Teachers are available to support students after school in the library!

Mondays- Spanish

Tuesdays- Research

Wednesday- English

Thursday- Chemistry

They are in the library Monday through Thursday 3:30-5 pm.

Attention Vikings, please join us during lunch on Monday, December 15th for our final Wellness Fair of 2025. Check out the booths and fun items to replenish yourself during finals week!

The Sunlit Magazine is now accepting submissions for our upcoming issue. This years’ theme is perspectives, how you see the world, what has shaped you, and how these emotions can inspire a piece of literary work! We take a wide variety of creative work such as poetry, short stories, photography, artwork, and more! Submissions will need to be sent via email to samoliterarymagazine@gmail.com .

Also, if you’re interested in becoming an editor for the magazine, stop by i202 on Tuesdays at lunch!

Margaret’s Place is back in E117 this school year! See below for the latest info on how students can get involved in individual or group counseling, Peer Leadership Club, or other activities at Margaret’s Place—plus, resources for parents and caregivers:

• Fall newsletter for Parents from Margaret’s place

• Fall newsletter for Students from Margaret’s place

• FOR FRESHMEN PARENTS: Video on Supporting Youth’s to High School

Email LDeSanto@smmusd.org with any questions!

LINK

Students can go to the PBL House office (B111) to get a new TAP card and eligibility code.

1. Pick up a Work Permit Application in the College/Career Center (B120) or PBL Office (B111) before school, lunch, or after school ONLY

2. Complete sections one and two of your Work Permit Application and return to Ms. Griffis in the PBL Office (B111) before school, lunch or after school ONLY

Keep in mind processing may take up to one week; please plan accordingly. Remember, if you are under 18 years old, a work permit is required in order for you to work. If you have questions, stop by the College/Career Center (B120)

To report a student’s absence, please send an email to:

AttendancePBL@smmusd.org

or call Crystal Griffis at 310.395.3204 ext. 71-177

Please include your student’s first and last names, student ID numbers, and the reason they are absent (illness, family matter, medical or dental appointment, etc.).

• Questions about attendance procedures, please go to our website: https://www.smmusd.org/domain/3026

Super Saturday is an opportunity for students to sign up and attend school Saturday mornings to help clear their absences. Students are expected to bring homework and Chromebook to complete their necessary assignments and/or study for classes. SIGN UP LINK