PBL Weekly Blast

School will be closed on Tuesday for a local holiday.

As part of their American Studies class, our 11th graders will leave to learn at The Broad, where they will experience Jeffrey Gibson’s the space in which to place me, "a kaleidoscopic exhibition of vibrant colors, intricate beadwork, towering sculptures, and powerful storytelling". Fresh from the Venice Biennale, this groundbreaking show invites students to explore themes of resilience, identity, and belonging while connecting Indigenous, American, and LGBTQ+ histories through art.

Level up your future at the Gaming Industry Career Expo! It's not just about gaming... think film & TV, journalism, social media, streaming, marketing, photography, lighting, design and so much more! Come network with industry professionals and discover how you can turn your passion into opportunity. Interpret LA / Good Gamer Group be on hand to share information about work-based learning opportunities in game testing for eligible students. Don't miss this SAMOHI featured flex event on Wed, September 24th (during PBL Advisory Flex time) in the cafeteria.

Sign up by Monday, September 22 with NICOLE -

HERE

The College/Career Center's annual College Fall Fest on Sat. Sept. 27, 2025, 9am - 12pm, starting in Barnum Hall! This year, sessions related to post-secondary options and costs will be presented, including guests from Dartmouth College and UC Santa Barbara. It is sure to be an informative morning that you will not want to miss.

RSVP &/or submit questions for reps in THIS Google Form.

All grades and families are welcome.

Applications open Sept 2–30, 2025 for students to join Metro’s Youth Council (Jan–Dec 2026). Selected members will share ideas, advise on Metro projects, and advocate for better transportation in their community. Eligibility: ages 14–17, living and attending school in LA County. Applications are straightforward and easy to complete in one sit down session. An FAQ page is also attached. Learn more at metro.net/youthcouncil.

PTSA and the College Center present the Samohi College Fair!

Thursday, October 9 from 6pm-8pm in the Samohi Cafeteria. Samohi students and parents are invited to meet reps from 100 local, regional, and nationwide colleges and universities. Student ID is required for admission, and admission times are staggered by grade level to give the oldest students more time:

• Grade 12 can attend 6pm-8pm

• Grade 11 can attend 6:30pm-8pm

• Grades 9 &10 can attend 7pm-8pm

All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade Samohi students will be taking the PSAT College Board Exam at Samohi free of charge on Tuesday, October 21, 2025

All 11th grade Samohi students will be taking the SAT College Board Exam at Samohi free of charge in Spring 2025. The date is TBD.

Students do not need to “sign up” for the tests. They will be assigned a testing classroom through their English classes. This year, the PSAT will be administered digitally. Students will need to use their district issues chromebook. All students are required to attend school, even if they opt out of the testing. Attendance will be taken. If a student has adopted out of testing, the student will be assigned a room. The student will be notified through smmk12 email.

All 10th and 11th grade students pre-approved for testing accommodations through the College Board will receive accommodated testing. 9th grade students are not provided testing accommodation.

For questions about PSAT/SAT testing, please contact M House principal, Lissette Bravo at lbravo@smmusd.org.

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

Samohi has become a test center for the October 4th SAT date ONLY. If you signed up through College Board to take SAT at another school, you can change the school location. Samohi students will have priority to select Samohi as their test site as long as you sign up by September 25, 2025. Please ensure Santa Monica High School is listed as your attending school. You can do this by visiting your account settings and searching for our school in the “School Information” section of the page. You may need to remove your home zip code from the search to populate your school. Once updated, you will see your school populate as an option during registration.

Parent Project: A free, 10-week program teaching parents of teens practical tools for managing challenging behaviors, strengthening family relationships. and improving relationships at home/school. Classes taught in both English/Spanish with SMPD and MSWs. Free dinner, refreshments, social time and childcare provided. Mondays 6-9 p.m. at SMASH. Orientation from 5-6 p.m. on Sept. 15. Sign up before October 1. https://bit.ly/ParentProjectFall2025.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and we want to take a moment to talk about something that matters deeply: our students’ mental health.

We know it’s not always easy to talk about tough topics like suicide or emotional struggles, but starting the conversation can make a big difference. Students go through a lot, and just knowing someone cares can help them feel less alone.

Here are a few simple ways to check in with your child or teen:

• Ask how they’re really doing. A small question can open up a big conversation

• Be there to listen. No need to have all the answers, just being present and a listening ear is often enough.

• Know what support is available.

Through our partnership with Hazel Health, your child can access 1-on-1 virtual counseling sessions with a licensed therapist. Services are 100% free and optional for families.

Hazel therapists can help students with anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and more, giving them tools to feel better and do well in school and life. You can learn more and sign up here: getstarted.hazel.co

Please remember: Hazel is not for emergencies. If your child needs urgent help, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Vikings, mark your calendars and get ready for our Samohi HOCO Dance ticket sales! We begin on Wednesday, September 24th thru Thursday, October 11th. No sales 9/26 or 10/10. Please see the ticket calendar for prices and time slots in the link.

Need your lunch pass added to your ID now that attendance obligations will not be carried over. Please fill out the link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8YtboDls8YVbCfLYoxPQXaO9r_HeivBZyDGtiTZ8aaAClJQ/viewform?usp=sf_link OR use the QR codes in the house offices to request your lunch pass to be added. Each ID will be verified, so you will not be charged. You will be emailed once it is ready.

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!!!

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

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.

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)

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