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

I hope you are enjoying a restful and memorable summer. Whether you're traveling, reconnecting with loved ones, or simply taking time to recharge, this season offers us all a valuable opportunity to pause and prepare for the year ahead.

As we look toward the start of the 2025-26 school year, our schools are already buzzing with preparations. Our educators and staff are working diligently to ensure a smooth and inspiring return, grounded in our continued commitment to academic excellence, creativity, equity, and student well-being. We are excited to welcome students back to campuses on Thursday, August 21, 2025. We encourage families to stay connected over the coming weeks. Please check your school’s website and calendar for important updates and double check you are receiving communications from your school site.

Across our District, we have begun making major strides in transforming our learning environments, thanks to the community’s support of Bond Measures QS and MM. This summer, we launched or continued several exciting facilities projects, including new or modernized classrooms at Grant Elementary, Malibu High School, McKinley Elementary, Santa Monica High School, and Will Rogers Learning Community, along with library renovations at Roosevelt Elementary and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) upgrades at John Adams Middle School. These improvements are part of our long-term vision to create innovative, inclusive, and future-ready spaces that meet the needs of today’s students. You can read more below in the Facilities Improvements section, which includes a special summer message from Carey Upton, Chief Operations Officer.

SMMUSD is actively hiring for several positions across our campuses and departments. We are seeking passionate individuals who are eager to make a positive impact in the lives of students. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our team, please visit our job opportunities page for more information.

Thank you for being an essential part of the SMMUSD community. Your continued partnership and support are what make this district so special. I look forward to seeing many of you at our back-to-school events and wish all of our students and staff a joyful, successful start to the new year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent

You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.

SMMUSD recently had both the Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and S & P Global ratings affirmed to Aa1 and AA+, respectively, on existing general obligation bonds. Taxpayers will save more than $22 million over the life of the bonds through lower borrowing costs associated with high ratings than originally estimated to the Board of Education in February 2025.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/SMMUSDcredtRating2025.

SMMUSD named Manuel Cuté Ramos as the new director of fiscal and business services at the July 15, 2025, regular Board of Education meeting.

Ramos brings more than a decade of experience in finance, operations and strategic planning, with a strong focus on educational equity and systems improvement. He most recently served as the senior director of finance, operations and data at The Knowledge House, a nonprofit committed to digital equity and workforce development. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at Alliance College-Ready Public Schools and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, where he led financial strategy, compliance, and compensation reform initiatives across large school networks.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/ManuelCuteRamosAnn2025.

SMMUSD approved the appointment of Dr. Alyssa O’Grady as the new director of assessment, research and evaluation at its June 5, 2025, regular Board of Education meeting. Dr. O’Grady comes to SMMUSD with more than 12 years of education experience, serving as a high school teacher, director of instruction, high school assistant principal, TK-8 principal and most recently, elementary school principal in the Redondo Beach Unified School District.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/OGradyNewDirARE060525.

The SMMUSD Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Michael Hoover as a new special education coordinator at its June 5, 2025, regular Board of Education meeting. Dr. Hoover will begin his new role this summer. Dr. Hoover brings more than 20 years of experience in education, with a strong focus on inclusive practices, behavioral support systems, and educational equity. His career has been defined by a deep commitment to student success, collaborative problem-solving, and promoting access for all learners. He is one of four SMMUSD special education coordinators serving special education students and families.

Read more about Dr. Hoover here: https://bit.ly/DrHooverAnn2025.

SMMUSD approved the appointment of Brandyi Phillips as the new chief communications officer at its June 24, 2025, regular Board of Education meeting. Phillips comes to SMMUSD from Maryland and Washington DC-areas with more than 15 years of strategic communications leadership and public relations experience. She is a communications and public affairs professional with expertise within large government agencies, where she is known for distilling complex information into clear, engaging messaging for diverse audiences under tight deadlines. She has experience cultivating partnerships, which previously included congressional leaders and elected officials, and was involved in the advancement of major communications initiatives under the Obama and Biden administrations.

Phillips replaces Gail Pinsker who is retiring following 10-and-a-half years with SMMUSD. Pinsker was the first person to hold this position establishing practices and protocols that stand strong today. She has built an award-winning team and communications program that has been recognized throughout the state.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/PhillipsCCO062425.

The SMMUSD Board of Education approved the appointment of Jane Han as a new Santa Monica High School (Samohi) house principal at its regular board meeting on June 5, 2024. Han brings over 15 years of educational experience to SMMUSD, including roles as principal, assistant principal of instruction, lead teacher, and math department chair.

Read more here: ​​https://bit.ly/JaneHanAnn2025.

The SMMUSD is proud to announce the appointment of Sally Wennes as the new principal of Malibu Elementary School. Wennes brings more than 20 years of experience in public education, including successful tenures as principal within Moorpark Unified School District, Oxnard School District, and Conejo Valley Unified School District. Her leadership is widely recognized for being student-centered, collaborative, and grounded in compassion and professionalism.

Read more about Wennes here.

SMMUSD is pleased to announce the appointment of Natalie Rollhaus Burton as the new principal of Franklin Elementary School. The Board of Education approved the appointment at its June 24, 2025, regular meeting. Burton brings more than two decades of experience in public education, including 11 years within SMMUSD. She returns to the District after serving as head of the Lower School at Crossroads School in Santa Monica and, most recently, as a consultant and instructional coach with the UCLA Math Project, where she supported teachers and administrators across Los Angeles Unified School District in implementing Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI).

Read more here: https://bit.ly/BurtonNewFrnklnPrinc2025.

McKinley Elementary School’s fifth grade culmination ceremony held on June 10, 2025, was more than just a celebration of a rite of passage, it became a historic moment with the premiere of Dandelions, an original choral-orchestral composition honoring kindness and community. Watch the social media video here.

Read more here.

Eighth-grade students at John Adams Middle School (JAMS) have been awarded the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Certificate of Civic Engagement for their work on the Spanish Immersion and Social Studies Civic Action Project, recognizing their efforts to identify and address real world issues affecting their communities.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/JAMScivicEngagement2025.

When Malibu High School (MHS) student Stevie Clarke learned about the devastation caused by the Eaton Fire, he didn’t just watch from afar. He took action. Clarke, who will be a senior in the fall, founded the MHS chapter of “Love For Our Elders,” a national letter-writing nonprofit, to bring connection and comfort to senior citizens who lost their homes and community in the fire.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/LoveForEldersMHS2025.

Meet Linh Snyder, college counselor at Malibu High School and recipient of the Joseph P. Allen Human Relations Award from Western Association for College Admission Counseling. From guiding students toward their post-graduation paths to supporting families after devastating wildfires, Linh is a powerful example of care, resilience, and impact in action.

Read more: https://bit.ly/LinhSnyder-Spotlight.

The free and reduced-price meal application deadline is Thursday, October 2, 2025. Under the California Universal Meals Mandate, all students receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. However, completing the application may qualify your family for additional discounts and benefits and help your school receive valuable funding. Apply today at https://bit.ly/MealApplications-SMMUSD.

Families, staff and community members were entertained with an end-of-year concert featuring talented Samohi student musicians along with four-time Grammy award winner Stanley Clarke. Clarke is serving a three-year residency at the BroadStage, which includes mentoring and sessions with Samohi and Santa Monica College.

The Samohi Project-Based Learning (PBL) Pathway Class of 2025 shared their insights, growth, and passion for the program at the annual PBLxTalks in late May. Students presented their senior thesis projects to mentors, parents, staff, and the broader community through compelling video storytelling and live Q&A sessions.

Will Rogers Learning Community fifth graders held an exhibition of work visited by parents, school board members, administrators, staff and community members. Students in groups researched, explored, wrote and presented on topics they are passionate about. Topics included women’s sports, environmental issues, animal-related issues and anti-vaping. The students went through the cycle of inquiry process on these project-based learning projects.

Lincoln Middle School seventh graders participated in the Worthwhile Life Interview project as the culminating event of their school year, marking the 32nd year of this unique tradition. Each student engaged in a one-on-one interview with an adult community member, sharing their “Who Am I?” digital portfolio and reflecting on what they believe makes a life worthwhile.

Interviewers followed a shared set of questions as they met with several students individually. Interviewers included parents, district staff and administrators, community members, business leaders, Santa Monica Chamber members and elected officials.

Students worked hard to prepare for these conversations and were eager to share their schoolwork, experiences, and personal growth. Interviewers expressed enthusiasm about the thoughtful reflections and meaningful connections. One noted, “I think I met a future female president of the United States today!”

Samohi alum Ryan Roberts, Class of 2014, is coming home. Currently solo English horn with the New York Philharmonic, Roberts will join the Los Angeles Philharmonic as principal oboe this fall, fulfilling a dream sparked in SMMUSD music programs.

Read more: https://bit.ly/RyanRobertsSamohiLAPhil2025.

(courtesy photo)

McKinley Elementary’s second grade Wax Museum showcased a meaningful project-based learning unit on heroes. Students not only researched inspiring figures, but also embodied their values by leading service projects such as kindness campaigns and hospital crayon kits, putting empathy into action.

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.

Samohi students enjoyed lunchtime entertainment by Klesmer Juice in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month in May. Klezmer Juice is a Los Angeles-based band known for their unique blend of traditional klezmer music with fresh interpretations and global influences, particularly Latin American rhythms. Led by clarinetist and bandleader Gustavo Bulgach, who was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the band aims to unite generations through their energetic and soulful "Yiddish soul" sound. The band spent time with Samohi musicians prior to the event, with several students choosing to perform with them during the concert.

As we head into summer, we want to take a moment to thank our incredible community once again for your support in the successful passing of Bond Measure QS (Santa Monica) and Bond Measure MM (Malibu) in November 2024. Your partnership has been instrumental in helping us reimagine and improve the learning environments across our District.

With the support of these bonds, SMMUSD is proud to continue work in creating learning spaces that meet the needs of today’s students while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities. As communicated during the bond campaigns, the next round of projects is ready to begin.

Read more here.

SMMUSD’s maintenance and operations (M&O) team participated in a comprehensive safety training session on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, reinforcing the District’s commitment to a safe and healthy work environment. Safety is a shared responsibility, and this training ensures that every team member is equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent accidents, respond effectively in emergencies, and maintain safe practices across all school sites. When everyone is aligned on safety protocols, it not only protects the staff but also supports the well-being of students, staff, and broader community. Thanks to the M&O team for their dedication to keeping the District's campuses safe and running smoothly every day.

A heartfelt farewell to the beloved transitional kindergarten and kindergarten (TK/K) playground at Roosevelt Elementary! TK/K students bid goodbye as construction crews prepare to break ground this summer 2025, exciting new chapter. Construction of a brand-new playground and early childhood education building is scheduled to begin June 2025. Watch social media here.

Santa Monica High School (Samohi) hosted a special event on Monday, June 2, 2025, to commemorate the unearthing of a time capsule buried 50 years ago by the class of 1975. The event was part of Santa Monica’s 150th anniversary celebration and welcomed students, staff, parents, community members, and class of ’75 alumni to witness the historic moment. Watch social media here.

Read more here.

The District recognizes that living near a school brings both benefits and occasional disruptions. From construction and athletic events to evening performances, weekend activities, fire alarm testing, and increased traffic, we understand these happenings can affect your daily routine.

The District’s commitment is to keep members of the community informed and connected. To stay updated on what’s happening at your neighborhood school, or keep up with construction updates we invite community members to join the Hello Neighbor email list. Community members can sign up for updates from one or multiple schools, whatever works best.

Simply click on the school(s) you’re interested in, complete your name and email, and you’ll begin receiving timely updates in no time.

The SMMUSD is proud to announce Franklin Elementary School as the winner of the spring 2025 Golden Sneaker Award for the Bike It! Walk It! Bus It! (BIWIBI) campaign held May 5–9. Franklin’s Bolts earned top honors with a student participation rate of 79%, the highest across the District!

Read more here.

During the 2024-25 school year, Malibu schools experienced increasingly unreliable electrical power. While outages in previous years were minimal and short-lived, this school year the schools lost five instructional days due to power disruptions. These challenges emphasized the urgent need for reliable alternative power solutions to maintain educational continuity and ensure the safety of students and staff. In response, the SMMUSD has taken action to ensure school operations can continue during future outages, while also developing long-term, sustainable solutions.

Learn more about alternative power generators here.

Read more about Building Futures: Powering Malibu Schools for a Reliable Tomorrow here.

THANK YOU to our amazing community!

Because of your generosity, the Santa Monica Education Foundation will fund programs for the 2025-26 school year at the same level as last year — a powerful testament to what we can accomplish together.

This past year, every TK-12 student experienced the impact of community-funded education. Your support brought joy, enrichment, and opportunity into classrooms across Santa Monica.

Thank you for believing in what’s possible when we invest in our public schools - together.

Have a wonderful summer!

Join MEF for Malibu Moves — Walk or Run for a Cause!

October 25–26 | Zuma Beach

Spend a beautiful day (or two!) at the beach while supporting students and ongoing fire recovery efforts in Malibu.

Sign up to walk or run in the Malibu Moves Road Race, where every step helps restore arts, athletics, and academic programs in our local public schools.

Choose your race:

• Saturday – Kids Race & 1-Mile Zuma Dash
  
• Sunday – 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon

The Malibu Education Foundation is proud to be the event’s primary charity partner. There are two great ways to join:

• Charity Entry – FREE registration + VIP Charity Lounge access (Choose MEF as your charity & Join TEAM MEF!)
• Regular Entry – Get 20% off with code MEF20

Bring your family, your friends, your walking shoes — and let’s move together for Malibu!

🌐 malibumoves.com

• August 21, 2025 - First day of school (Thursday)

• September 1, 2025 - Schools and offices closed (Labor Day)

• September 17, 2025 - Malibu High School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District