PBL Weekly Blast

A heartfelt thank you to all of the parents and students who went out of their way to make our PBL teachers and staff feel so appreciated last week. Between the delicious breakfast bagels, beautiful fresh cut flowers, and catered lunch, we truly felt the gratitude and support from our PBL community. Thank you for all that you do to support our PBL staff and students each and every day!

In preparation for Informational Interviews, a key component of our Learning Through Interests (LTI) course, PBL parents and Santa Monica community members came to campus for a “speed dating” style networking event. Students and community members engaged in meaningful conversations that helped break down students’ nervousness and build confidence in speaking with professionals.

This event, coupled with our recent “Cold Call” experience, is only possible through the generous support of our PBL community. Thank you to everyone who took the time to support, encourage, and invest in our students’ growth and future success.

Competition was fierce during Thursday’s Advisory Challenge! Each advisory locked into the games, with some challenges utilizing online games and others requiring the artistic talents of many of our students for Pictionary.

In the end, the 12th grade advisory came out on top, successfully defending their title and keeping the trophy proudly in the senior room!

In this interdisciplinary project, "Uncovering the Numbers", 12th-grade students explored what the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" means through the lens of a statistician and an economist. Students dug deep into economic principles that affect people’s lives and analyzed the data behind those principles to motivate others to take action by producing and publishing individual podcast episodes to be submitted to the NPR student podcast challenge.

Click on the link below to listen to the PODCASTS!

Principal photography began this past week on Dear Hamlet, a contemporary short film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet as seen through Ophelia’s eyes. For this capstone project in John’s senior Voices in World Literature class, students take on one (or more) of the myriad roles that go into making movies: writer, actor, director, photographer, editor, musician, producer, etc.

In true PBL spirit, students from other grades, as well as a few teachers, are lending their unique talents to bring this project to life.

Coming soon to a theater near you 🍿

Marko and Nikita, Class of 2026, have been volunteering at the Salvation Army on Tuesdays as part of his Senior Thesis Projects. This Tuesday from 5:00–7:00 PM, Marko is looking for volunteers to help distribute food to community members in need. If you are available and interested in supporting this meaningful work, please complete this form.

Summer Internship Opportunity June 15 -July 2

Los Angeles County Bloomberg Arts Internship Program

The 2026 LA County Bloomberg Arts Internship program is now open! Paid internships and college preparation for rising public high school seniors at arts and culture organizations. Paid internships take place June 15 - August 7, 2026. Eligible and interested students will apply directly to participating internship worksites, click the link above.

Become a volunteer reading tutor.

Spend a little over an hour per week helping students gain lifelong literacy skills that will lay solid foundation for future learning.

- Online and In Person options

- 1 Hour Per week

- Choose a time that works for you

- No Experience required

https://readingpartners.org/volunteer-in-los-angeles/

Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County

Must be 16 years old to apply

ABOUT THE SUMMER JUDICIAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Program Dates: June 8 – July 31

Program Type: Unpaid Internship

Apply by May 3

This eight-week program features virtual educational sessions led by judicial officers, partner agencies, court staff, and other professionals involved in the judicial process, along with daily opportunities to observe courtroom proceedings in person and remotely across a variety of case types, including family law, criminal, probate, traffic, civil, etc...

The program provides structured exposure to courtroom procedures, legal terminology, and courthouse operations through presentations, discussions, and observation. Participants also have opportunities to engage with key court stakeholders, including judicial officers, partner agencies, and courtroom and operations staff.

Note: This is an observational, educational program and does not include hands-on or work-based duties.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

The Court will be hosting a series of information sessions to provide an overview of the program and answer potential applicants' questions. Register for an INFO SESSION https://calendly.com/lacourt/infosessions.

An early clinical exposure opportunity designed for high school students ages 16–17 who are interested in exploring healthcare careers.

Program Highlights for Students:

• Firsthand exposure to clinical environments at a hospital in Santa Monica

• Opportunities to learn about patient care in the hospital units

• Insight into healthcare careers, education paths, and day-to-day hospital life

• Mentorship from Health Scholars and hospital staff

• A program completion certificate from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

• Preferred admission into the Health Scholar Program after high school

*Program does cost money

https://copehealthscholars.org/program/junior-health-scholars-program/

Summer classes are recommended for students who want:

• To “Get Ahead” on required classes

• Resolve schedule conflicts for next year

• Take a class for enrichment or advancement

These classes are best for students who are motivated and ready to work independently.

_______________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT RULES (VERY IMPORTANT)

• All classes required for grade level requirements must be completed by August 7, 2026

• Transcripts MUST be sent directly to SamohiRecords@smmusd.org upon completion of course.

• Students must earn a letter grade (A–F)

• ❌ Pass/No Pass is not accepted

• Final grades or transcripts must be submitted to your Academic Advisor, Nicole Nicodemus.

• Deadlines for course completion are strict – finish by August 7, 2026

• College courses (SMC) have limited space and are not guaranteed

• Always have a backup plan

Classes Offered:

• Art

• Geometry invitations will be coming directly from District Office

• Students selected by lottery

• Deadline to apply is April 24, 2026 at 4pm

• Priority for students with impacted schedules

• Open to current SMMUSD students

• Applying does not guarantee enrollment

• Dates: June 22, 2026 – July 24, 2026

More info: https://samohi.smmusd.org/programs/summer-school/home

(Not SAMO or Community College)

📅 Application Deadline: May 22, 2026

• Students must submit the Concurrent Enrollment Application 2026 to the Advisor by May 22, 2026

• Advisor must approve students prior to enrolling

• Not all programs are accepted. Approved schools can be found HERE

• Courses must be completed and proof of grade or transcript sent to Samo by August 7, 2026

Approved schools & policies:https://samohi.smmusd.org/about-us/advisors/concurrent-enrollment

• For students who earned a D or a Fail in a required class

• Advisor will sign you up

• Limited course offerings

• Dates: June 22, 2026 – July 24, 2026

📅 Approval Deadline: May 22, 2026

Steps to Enroll:

1. Click LINK for SMC Concurrent Enrollment for PBL students

1. This will lead you to:

1. Completing CA Community College enrollment

2. Completing Community College concurrent enrollment application for High School Students

3. Completing Samohi’s concurrent enrollment form

4. Being approved by Community College to enroll in your class

2. If taking at a Community College other than SMC, follow their specific steps for concurrent enrollment AND complete the Samohi’s Concurrent Enrollment Form (HERE)

Important Notes:

Summer Enrollment for high School student begins May 12th!

• Classes are first come, first served

• Enrollment is not guaranteed

• Core classes are recommended to be taken at Santa Monica High School. Student must take required English course at Samohi.

• Samohi does not have any influence on community college offerings, schedule, or space in classes

• Correct SMC course numbers must be entered on Concurrent Enrollment Form

Order your Yearbook at the Vikes Inn, with Mr. Saunders in Ex331 or at www.yearbookforever.com

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.

https://app.smore.com/n/a6pjmy-college-career-center-newsletter

THE COLLEGE and CAREER CENTER provides resources to all Samohi students as they plan for their post-Samohi plans. In addition to SchooLinks, college, career, military and gap year publications are available for student research. Secondary school reports, letters of recommendations, and testing materials are handled by the College/Career Counselors. The College Fair, Samohi Scholarship Program, SAT & ACT, FAFSA/CADAA, CSS Profiles and college, career and military representative visits are all part of the service.

Students are welcome to come in before school, during lunch and after school to research specific colleges and financial aid opportunities - but you need an appointment to meet with one of the College/Career Counselors. Please note that college/career planning meetings are reserved for Seniors only during the fall, and Seniors and Juniors during the spring. Seniors/Juniors, to schedule a meeting with your College/Career Counselor, please click on their "calendly" link to access his/her availability.

💰 Scholarship Opportunities 💰

• Rotary Club of Westchester (https://www.rotary-westchester.com/)

• The Rotary Club of Westchester offers scholarships to support graduating seniors who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service, leadership, and giving back. Rooted in Rotary’s mission of “service above self,” these scholarships recognize students who have made a positive impact and plan to continue their education after high school. Some scholarships may require students to reside in the Westchester area. Funds are raised through local community efforts to help students pursue college or career pathways.

• 2026 Rotary Scholarships

• Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship Opportunity

• https://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/nrotc

• This is a full-ride college scholarship opportunity that offers up to $200,000 in tuition, stipends, and subsistence at over 160 of the top academic institutions across the nation like MIT, UCLA, and many others. We also offer Nurse and Pre-Medical NROTC scholarships for students that have a passion for medicine and want a career in the medical field. All individuals selected who complete the requirements will be placed in an exciting career field with competitive salary and benefits immediately upon graduation. Students interested in pursuing this great opportunity, please contact my NROTC Coordinator Chief Gerardo Calvillo at Gerardo.m.calvillo.mil@us.navy.mil.

• NJROTC FLYER with application details

• Mexican American Bar Association High School Scholarship

• For the 2026 scholarship cycle, MABA will award three scholarships, each with a minimum award of $2,500, to graduating seniors who plan to pursue higher education.

• Application!

Margaret’s Place in E117.

Email LDeSanto@smmusd.org with any questions!

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:

Attendance/Tardy Recovery

As a reminder, if your student is not feeling well, they should visit the Health Office to be evaluated. If a student is sent home due to illness by the Health Office, the absence will be marked as excused. If a student contacts you directly to be picked up without first visiting the Health Office, please encourage them to follow the process and visit the Health Office.

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