The SMMUSD Wave- July 2026

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, and Community Members,

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer and finding time to relax, recharge and spend time with those who matter most. As summer begins to wind down, excitement is building across the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District as we prepare to welcome students back for the first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 20.

While some of our campuses may have less activity during the summer months, there has been no shortage of preparation. Teachers, administrators and support staff have been working throughout the summer to ensure our schools are ready to welcome every student into an environment where they feel supported, valued and ready to learn.

The start of a new school year is always filled with possibility. It is a chance to discover new interests, strengthen friendships, overcome challenges and celebrate achievements, both big and small. Together, we remain committed to creating learning environments where every student feels a sense of belonging, is encouraged to embrace curiosity, and is empowered to reach their full potential.

As we prepare for the year ahead, I encourage families to stay connected by reviewing back-to-school information from your school site and ensuring your contact information is current, so you receive important District and school updates throughout the year.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for the trust you place in our schools. It is a privilege to serve this remarkable community, and I look forward to welcoming our students and staff back for what promises to be another outstanding year of learning and growth.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent

You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton is featured alongside fellow superintendents from across Los Angeles County in the 2026-2027 School News Roll Call Superintendent Edition. The annual publication highlights school districts throughout the county and provides district leaders an opportunity to share messages celebrating their schools, students and communities.

Read more here: https://schoolnewsrollcall.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LACounty_2026-2027.pdf,

Malibu Elementary School students and families participated in the Waves 4 Water Read-a-Thon, combining a love of reading with an opportunity to help provide clean, safe drinking water to communities in need. Through the month-long fundraiser, families could sponsor their child's reading by pledging donations based on the number of pages, minutes or books read.

The Read-a-Thon reinforced the values of literacy, empathy and service, demonstrating how small actions can make a meaningful impact around the world. Thank you to everyone who supported this inspiring effort and helped make a difference.

John Adams Middle School students recently joined more than 200 students from across Los Angeles County at the Teach Democracy Civic Action Project Expo, where they presented research and solutions addressing real-world issues impacting their communities. Student projects explored topics including juvenile vaping, immigration, eating disorders and body image, and civic engagement, highlighting months of research, collaboration and public speaking.

The Civic Action Project empowers students to investigate community issues, analyze public policy and develop meaningful solutions while strengthening their civic knowledge and leadership skills. Later this week, all 250 eighth-grade students at John Adams will present their own civic action projects during the school's on-campus symposium, demonstrating the impact of civic learning in action.

Read the full article in the Santa Monica Daily Press: https://www.smdp.com/jams-students-fight-the-civics-education-crisis-at-regional-expo/.

SMMUSD students, families, and staff joined the Santa Monica community for this year’s Fourth of July Parade. It was a fun and festive way to celebrate together and show unity in one of the city’s most cherished traditions. See photos from the parade in the Santa Monica Daily Press.

Incoming fourth grader Mark Popovic at McKinley Elementary was so inspired by the construction happening on campus that he recreated the entire school as a LEGO set, capturing its buildings and details brick by brick. Mark’s creative masterpiece celebrates his connection to McKinley and shows how curiosity, innovation, and school spirit can shine at any age.

Exciting progress is underway at Lincoln Middle School! The Legacy Building is nearing completion, bringing the school one step closer to welcoming students into a new space where they will learn, grow and create lasting memories.

Check out Lincoln Middle School's Instagram account for the full update.

Your Support Starts Now

Arts classes, instructional assistants, athletic programs, academic enrichment. These are the experiences that make Santa Monica public schools exceptional, and they are made possible by families like yours.

This year, the Santa Monica Education Foundation has set an ambitious Annual Fund goal of $2 million, including $100,000 each for middle school and high school competitive teams. Your gift helps us get there.

The Annual Fund is now open for the 2026-27 school year. Our suggested gift is $900 per child, but every amount makes a difference, and the more families who participate, the more students benefit.

Make your back-to-school gift at smedfoundation.org/annual-fund.

Malibu Education Foundation: Fall 2026 Preview

Malibu Education Foundation has been hard at work over the summer and is excited to enter Year 3 with new programs, new partnerships, and a full calendar of community events.

This fall, MEF will introduce expanded academic support for Malibu Middle School and Malibu High School students, made possible in part by a wildfire recovery grant from the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation and pending grant support from LA County. Details will be shared with school communities as programs launch this fall.

Mark your calendars for MEF's signature events of the year: the second Annual MEF Gala on Oct. 17, 2026, at Malibu High School, Malibu Moves, Oct. 24–25, at Zuma Beach, where MEF is the designated charity (use discount code MEF26 for 10% off registration), and our Annual Tree Lot, Nov. 27–Dec. 13. Tickets for the Gala go on sale in August.

To learn more or support MEF's work, visit malibueducationfoundation.org.

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