PBL Weekly Blast

Students -

Just when you thought you had the PBL block schedule all figured out… we’re changing it up again!

This week is all about the Let’s Play! Design Challenge. We will be giving you time to dream big, build bold, and test out your game designs. You’ll be working in mixed-grade teams (based on your survey matches) to bring your ideas to life. We are excited about the group pairings and can’t wait to see the awesome creativity, collaboration, and fun you bring to the challenge.

Game on!

Our PBL students kicked off the school year with an exciting first Leaving to Learn (L2L) at the Santa Monica Pier and along the 3rd Street Promenade on Tuesday, August 26th. They immersed themselves in the world of games—taking on carnival challenges, competing in life-size chess and Connect Four, and explored board games in at the bookstore.

This week, students will continue their Leaving to Learn experience journey with a visit to Otis College of Arts and Design, where they will tour the college campus and sit in on a Game Design class. This special opportunity not only deepens their exploration of the Let’s Play! design challenge, but also inspires students to begin considering their future including college and careers in creative fields.

Parents - please make sure to sign the permission slip form that was provided to your child last week.

Schedule Changes

The last day for students to add or drop a class with only advisor approval is Friday, September 5th. Please see Nicole in B111A if you desire to switch electives.

TAP Cards

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is pleased to announce that the District has enrolled in year four of Los Angeles Metro’s GoPass program, which provides free public transit rides and Transit Assistance Program (TAP) cards to all kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The initiative promotes accessibility and encourages the use of public transportation.

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

To reactivate your existing TAP card, please submit the following form to receive a new eligibility code: REACTIVATE YOUR TAP CARD HERE.

ASB CARD

Take advantage of purchasing an ASB card. For $75, you can get free admission to football and basketball games (not during playoffs), up to 3 free I.D. replacement, a reduced price for your tickets for formals, homecomings, and prom, reduced price for school plays and band concerts, reduced price for your yearbook, and local business benefits like Donut King, Little Bean Coffee, Pita House, Samo’s Oaxaca,and Sylvan Learning. Saving you over $250!!!

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

Fill out the Free/Reduced Meal Application by Thursday, October 2 to ensure that Samohi receives its Title 1 funding (see SMDP article). This application also entitles qualifying students to discounted rates on prom tickets, AP exam registration, and more. Breakfast and lunch are provided free to ALL students in the district, but families still need to complete the application!

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home

Margaret’s Place

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!

SAMOHI Teen Clinic

In AD 103- Across the hall from the nurse’s office, Open on Tuesday from 1 to 3:45 pm and on Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:45 am!

• Immunizations

• Physicals

• Medical Care

• And so much more

PSAT

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a practice version of the SAT that helps students prepare for college entrance exams. It also qualifies juniors for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test measures skills in reading, writing, and math and provides valuable feedback on areas to strengthen before taking the SAT.

All 9th-11th graders will automatically take the practice exam in the fall.

Accommodations are available to students with documented disabilities to ensure they have equitable access to the test. If your student requires accommodations, it is crucial to submit a request as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review and approval by the College Board.

Click here to see the flyers!

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.).

• Students who become ill at school need to go to the nurse’s office to be released from school

• If a students leaves at lunch, we MUST have an email from you IN THE MORNING, asking for an early dismissal pass…if we receive an email AFTER they have already left, the absence will not be excused

• Students can pick up their early leave pass from the PBL house office after the 1st period of the day

• These passes CANNOT be delivered to their class

• When students leave early for a doctor’s appointment, they must bring a note back from the doctor so we can clear their absence…if we don’t receive a note, it is marked as a cut.

• All absences must be cleared in 3 days…please email the PBL house office if your child is out sick…after 3 days, it is an unexcused absence

• After a student has had 5 full day absences in the school year for illness, any further absence for illness must be verified by a physician

• Attendance for athletic participation is cleared through the athletics office

• This can take a few days to be corrected. Thank you for your patience.

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

To help keep our campus safe and enjoyable for all, the following areas will be closed during lunch: the Greek, the patio area behind Vikes Inn and the administration building, the section along the Gold Gym west of Exploration known as Achievement Avenue, and all outside stairwells. Eating inside the school buildings, especially Discovery and Exploration, is not permitted unless you are directly supervised by a teacher inside their classroom.

Opportunities

Vikings, want to try out for the Mock Trial team? Come by the courtroom, EX311, and pick up an informational packet from Ms. Boyd. Tryouts will be September 3rd or 4th from 5:30-7:30

Do you want to help end the cycle of violence in relationships and your community? Join Margaret’s Place Peer Leadership Club, where you can help spread awareness about topics like dating red flags, domestic violence, consent, and more! Attend our lunchtime info session to learn more on

Wednesday, September 3—we’ll have donuts! Get an application at Margaret’s Place in room E117 or talk to Ms. Lara if you have questions.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Hi Vikings, Are you interested in leading a club? You have 1 week left to apply and become a club! You will need to secure a teacher as your advisor. For more information, go to our Clubs page on the Samohi ASB website. The Club Charter deadline is next Friday, September 5th and ALL clubs – new and renewing - must apply. https://forms.gle/5zrPGWrqAHGKzqTj8

Interested in science? Join Samohi's Science Olympiad Team! Our first meeting is Thursday, September 4th in i223. For more information, join our Remind @samosci.

Join Samohi Mathletes! Mathletes is a club that travels to participate in Southern California based math competitions. Tryouts will be held in the library conference room on September 3-5. Join the remind @samohima for more information

Spirit and Activities

Hey Vikings - Happy Friday! Let’s bring some extra spirit to campus! We’re inviting everyone to dress up and show off their Samohi pride every week with:

• Blue and Gold gear
• Sports attire (jerseys, team shirts, etc.)
• School-related gear (club shirts, event tees, or anything that reps our Viking spirit!)

This will be happening every Friday — it’s the perfect chance to add some energy to the week and show that school spirit is for everyone. Let’s turn the halls into a sea of blue and gold!

College & Career Center

All Work Permits that were issued during the summer must be renewed as they expire 8/28/2025. To request a Work Permit Renewal:

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)