Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope the past two weeks brought rest and just what you needed to recharge. It was such a joy to see our students smiling faces back on campus, ready to jump right back into learning.

As I drove through Malibu Canyon this week, I was struck by the breathtaking display of spring color blanketing the hillsides. After such an extraordinary year, it’s a powerful reminder of nature’s resilience—and ours. We’re heading into a full and festive season here at Webster, with many exciting events on the horizon. I encourage you to join us in the fun, celebration, and community-building as we make the most of this final stretch of the school year.

In anticipation of Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to honor the true superheroes of our school: our teachers and staff. Words can’t express how grateful I am to work alongside such a dedicated, tireless, and selfless team. Their commitment to our students and community—especially in a year that tested us all—is nothing short of inspiring. I truly believe that together, we can do hard things… and this year, we’ve proven it.

🏆 Webster Wear Winner!
Congratulations to Ms. Cooper’s class for taking the win this week in our Webster Wear challenge—way to show that school spirit!

🔔 Important Reminders
✅ Yosemite Packet – Due Monday, April 28
✅ Yosemite Medication Consent Form (for overnight field trips) – Due Monday, April 28
✅ Yosemite Medication at School Authorization Form – Due Monday, April 28
✅ All Yosemite Medications – Must be turned in by Monday, April 28
📸 Webster School Portraits – Now available! See below for ordering details

📅 Save the Dates

📌 May 3: 🎶 Kidchella (3:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
📌 May 5–9: ⛺ Yosemite Outdoor Education Trip

📌 May 12–23: 🧠 Grade 3 CAASPP Testing Window
📌 May 12–30: 🧠 Grade 5 CAASPP and CAST Testing Window

📌 May 14–16: 🌌 AstroCamp Outdoor Education Trip
📌 May 17: SMMUSD Parent Academy (8 AM – 3 PM at Lincoln Middle School)
📌 May 19–30: 🧠 Grade 4 CAASPP Testing Window

📌 May 26: 🇺🇸 NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day
📌 May 29: 🎼 Spring Music Concert (6 PM – 8 PM)
📌 June 5: 🥞 5th Grade Breakfast – SHHH…it’s a surprise! (9 AM – 12 PM)
📌 June 6: Gratitude Breakfast & Honorary Service Awards
📌 June 9: 🎓 5th Grade Promotion Rehearsal (mandatory for all 5th grade students)
📌 June 10: 🎓 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony (9 AM)

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

Here’s to a joyful and strong finish to the school year 🫶🏼

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!

While campus was quiet, the restoration team was busy making progress behind the scenes. Here's the latest:

• Shed Cleanouts: The sheds behind classrooms were cleared and cleaned.

• H Building News: Rooms 1 and 2 officially have ceilings again! We’re now waiting on final approvals before moving everything back in and reopening these spaces.

• Electrical Repairs: The burned solar panel converter outside Room 20 has been removed — one more step forward in getting Webster fully restored.

Thank you for your continued patience and support as we bring our campus back to life, one project at a time!

Get ready to dance, jump, and get silly! The high-energy, interactive dance duo Koo Koo is coming to Webster for a special live assembly on May 1st at 8:45 AM in the Multi-Purpose Room!

You might know them from GoNoodle or YouTube—now our students will get to experience their colorful, sing-along show live! With fan favorites like “Get Yo Body Movin’,” “Pop See Ko,” “All I Eat is Pizza,” and “Dinosaur Stomp,” this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Parents and siblings are invited to join the fun! Please RSVP to websterptamalibu@gmail.com. Let’s get movin’, Webster!

Get ready for the ultimate end-of-year celebration—Webster Kidchella is happening on May 3rd from 3–10 PM right here at Webster Elementary! This exciting fundraising event will be packed with music, fun, food, games, and unforgettable memories.

🎟 Tickets are on sale now!
Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit our ticket page to grab yours before they sell out. And here’s a bonus: the first 150 tickets sold will receive an exclusive Webster Kidchella festival bracelet!

We’re getting excited for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Please have your student return their completed Yosemite packet to Ms. Johnson by Monday, April 28th. Below are the next steps to help ensure a smooth and successful experience for everyone:

🎒 Packing & Preparation

• Review the Packing List – Ensure your child has all necessary gear, including sturdy hiking shoes and warm layers. View the full packing list HERE.
• Break in Hiking Shoes – To prevent discomfort on long hikes, students should start wearing and breaking in their hiking boots now.

🩺 Health Forms & Medication

Please take a moment to carefully review the linked health guidelines and required medical forms:

• Webster Yosemite Health & Medication Guidelines – Includes illness prevention tips, medication procedures, and reminders from our Health Office team.

• Medication at School Authorization Form – Required for all medications (including over-the-counter items) being sent to camp. This form must be completed by your child’s healthcare provider and signed by you.

• Medication Consent Form for Overnight Field Trips: If your child may need Dramamine, Calamine, Hydrocortisone, and/or Bacitracin, a separate consent form is also available.

Key Reminders:

• Do not send any medications (including vitamins or OTC meds) in your child’s luggage or backpack.

• All medications must be turned in to the Webster Health Office by Monday, April 28, 2025.

• If your child already has medication on file, please contact the Health Office to confirm if anything additional is needed.

• Medications must be in their original packaging and placed in a clear Ziplock bag along with the completed authorization form.

Thank you for your attention to these important steps and for helping us prepare for a safe and memorable Yosemite experience!

We’re getting excited for this once-in-a-lifetime trip! Thank you to all the students who submitted their health forms this week. We’re currently reviewing them and will reach out to individual families if any follow-up is needed.

To help ensure a smooth and successful experience for all students, please review the important next steps below:

💰 Payments

We are in the process of reviewing payment records and will contact families directly with any outstanding items.

THANK YOU to everyone who has already submitted payment!

If you still need to submit payment, the total cost per participant is $590. Payments can be made via:

• 💵 Cash

• ✍️ Check (payable to Webster PTA)

• 📲 Zelle (send to websterptamalibu@gmail.com)

🎒 Packing & Preparation

• Review the Packing List - ensure your child is prepared with all essential gear—including a sleeping bag, sturdy hiking shoes, and warm clothing for high-altitude weather. View the full AstroCamp Packing List HERE.

• Break in Hiking Boots - students should wear their hiking boots ahead of time to break them in and avoid discomfort during hikes and physical activities.

🙋‍♂️ Chaperone Reminders

A big thank-you to our amazing parent volunteers! If you’ve been selected as a chaperone, please make sure you’ve completed the following:

• ✅ Cleared as a Level II Volunteer with SMMUSD
  ✅ Email the completed waiver form to Principal Diana
  ✅ Submit your payment

Parents and guardians—mark your calendars! The SMMUSD Parent Academy is happening on Saturday, May 17th from 8 AM to 3 PM at Lincoln Middle School. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of how to support your child’s educational journey.

Sessions include topics like:

• Project-Based Learning

• 504 Plans vs. IEPs

• Social-Emotional Learning Supports

• Aeries Technology Tools for Parents

• Family Communication Strategies

• Language & Literacy Resources

Enjoy a continental breakfast, keynote speaker, and your choice of informative sessions throughout the day.

👉 Register today: bit.ly/SMMParentAcademy

Your child's school portrait proofs are now available!

TO VIEW AND ORDER:
📷 Click HERE: Trish Alison Photography
🔑 Enter YOUR CHILD'S LAST NAME as the "keyword" when prompted.

📢 IMPORTANT DETAILS

✨ Customizable Orders: Choose exactly what you want! Order single prints, digital downloads, print packages, or photo gifts. Options are listed on the left side of the ordering screen.
💻 Best Ordering Experience: Use a desktop rather than a phone for easier navigation.
🖼️ Photo Editing Available: Retouching options include teeth whitening, acne removal, and glare reduction (available at checkout).
💾 Digital Files: $39 per image or $46 for a retouched file (includes fine editing). Bulk discounts are available for 8 or 15 images.

📏 Customize Your Crop: Adjust the crop before finalizing your order.

For any ordering questions, please contact Trish Jochen directly at trishajochen@gmail.com. The school is unable to assist with portrait orders.

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