Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

What a joyful start to the school year! Thank you for bringing such energy and positivity from day one — it has truly set the tone for a fantastic year ahead. A very warm welcome to our new students and families; it has been a joy meeting our newest Webster Whales and seeing them begin to find their place in our community.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our amazing staff, dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and, of course, our fantastic students for making the first week such a success. I look forward to partnering with each of you as we work together to help our students grow not only as learners, but also as kind and responsible individuals.

Next week, we have a special opportunity for our TK–2 families during Back-to-School Night. I encourage you to attend so you can connect with your child’s teacher and learn more about the routines, expectations, and classroom experiences that will shape this school year.

🔔 IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Visitor Management: Our new visitor management platform, Verkada, is now up and running 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 that must be worn while on campus.

• Student Safety: Please ensure your child wears closed-toe shoes to school. With so much running, climbing, and active play throughout the day, this helps keep everyone safe and prevents injuries.

📅 SAVE THE DATES

We’re heading into a hot weekend! Please take care, stay hydrated, and keep cool!

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!

We are excited to invite you to our TK–2 Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, August 26th! This adult-only evening begins at 5:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) with brief presentations from Principal Diana, followed by introductions from our dedicated teachers, PTA, Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, and the Malibu Education Foundation.

The main focus of the night is for you to connect with your child’s teacher and learn about the routines, expectations, and plans that will make this school year amazing. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse into your child’s daily experience and see how we can partner to support their success.

✨ New this year — Parent Playground!
Come an hour early for our Parent Playground, starting at 4:30 PM. Parents (no kids, please!) can connect with other families, buy Webster wear, learn about the Party Book, ask PTA questions, and enjoy food, drinks, and games sponsored by the PTA.

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.

We are pleased to share that following extensive environmental assessments and cleaning after last year’s wildfires, Webster Elementary has been cleared for safe use and was ready to welcome students and staff back this week.

Independent experts conducted thorough inspections, sampling, and cleaning protocols to ensure our campus is safe. Key steps included:

• Professional cleaning and air-quality testing by certified environmental health firms.

• Deep cleaning of all classrooms and common areas, including HVAC system maintenance and filter replacement.

• Additional clearance investigations this summer, confirming no smoke odors, clean indoor surfaces, and no lead hazards above action levels.

• Ongoing enhanced cleaning practices, especially at entry points, to maintain safety.

While no further action is required at this time, the District will continue to monitor and follow best practices to maintain a healthy learning environment.

👉 You can read the full memo and detailed findings by clicking the button below.

We are thrilled to share that Webster’s library is beginning to transform, thanks to a generous $15,000 donation from the City of Malibu Library Subcommittee. In partnership with our Elementary Library Coordinator, Peri Monte, we have started making upgrades to create a more inviting and inspiring space for our students.

One of the first additions is a beautiful new statement seating piece, giving students a cozy spot to gather, read, and share stories together. This is just the beginning — we are excited to continue working with the Subcommittee on additional upgrades that will enrich our library and enhance the joy of reading for our Webster Whales.

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.

This year, I'm encouraging all families to contribute to both the PTA and the Malibu Education Foundation (MEF). Each plays a vital role in enriching your child’s education.

While PTA supports important school-specific needs like field trips, assemblies, classroom supplies, and enrichment, MEF is the only organization that can fund staff through the school district across all four Malibu schools. Here at Webster, this includes funding for our instructional aides and art teacher.

Your gift to MEF directly supports instructional aides, visual arts teachers, math tutors, athletic coaches, and other staff who are shaping your child’s daily school experience across the full TK–12 pathway.

A $750 per-student donation to MEF is the suggested amount — but every gift matters.

👉 Learn more and donate at www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org

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 provides local families and community members with a safe, nurturing environment where children can take part in developmental programs, build positive relationships, and feel supported and accepted. Our Clubhouses offer fun and educational activities, social-emotional learning experiences, and so much more.

Visit bgcmalibu.org to learn more and enroll today!

🚴‍♂️🏊‍♀️🏃 First-Ever Kids Triathlon at the Zuma Beach Triathlon
A unique chance for kids ages 9–14 to be introduced to the sport of triathlon on one of the best courses in the country on Saturday, September 13th! Young athletes can even complete the course alongside a parent. Three divisions are available. Learn more and register at zumabeachtriathlon.org. The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu is proud to be an official charity partner of the Zuma Beach Triathlon.

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