WEbster Nation,

So much good stuff going on at Webster right now and so many amazing opportunities to build community together. Last weekend's Camp Out was a huge success, we are all excited for tonight's big PROM, and for our parent community, there's Tacos and Tequila coming up on Sunday. What's not to love. Thanks for all you do to make WEbster amazing. We're really feeling the love right now and can't wait to keep making these last weeks special for our kiddos.

Enjoy this week's newsletter and I look forward to seeing you a bunch this weekend.

With gratitude,

- Tedd

twakeman@smmusd.org
(310) 456-6494

MAY 2024

5/6 Staff Appreciation Week Begins

5/9 School Site Council Meeting – 3:00p

5/13 5th Grade to Yosemite (return on 5/17)

5/15 4th Grade to AstroCamp (return on 5/17)

5/27 Memorial Day Holiday (no school)

5/31 Caine's Arcade

JUNE 2024

6/5 Gratitude Breakfast

6/6 4th Grade Dance Recital - 8:45a

6/7 Promotion Rehearsal – 9:00a

6/10 5th Grade Promotion

6/11 FIELD/BEACH DAY

6/12 Last Day of School (minimum day)

Miss Papale is BACK!!! We are so thrilled to welcome a Webster wonder back to campus after a long break. We are so happy to have your energy filling this place again.

As many of you know, the Webster community suffered a tragic loss last week. Michaele Ward served our community with love and grace for the better part of 10 years. She was a beloved member of our office staff here at Webster and this place will simply not be the same without her. With the most contagious smile and that sweet southern drawl, she welcomed families, new and old, to campus each day. She was a friend to all, a caretaker of our kids, and just a joy to be around. Her positivity and kindness were undeniable. We are working on a school memorial so Michaele's undying spirit can live on here at Webster beneath our famous fig tree in Poet's Park. We do not currently have details about a public gathering, but the following is a link to the family's GoFundMe page. Thank you for all your kind words and support this week. She will be dearly missed, but remains embedded in our hearts.

I was so sad to miss this, but from what I've heard, the Camp Out was PHENOMENAL! The feeling of community was absolutely palpable. Brittany Teague was a rock star of an event planner as she took it to another level of glamping last weekend. Webster families were greeted on arrival with an ice cream truck and this was followed up with tons of fun food and laughter. Families played games like Tug-o-War and participated pie eating contests. Everyone enjoyed a BBQ dinner as parents and kids alike danced together with the skills of a professional line dance caller. The evening wrapped up with a movie including popcorn and Prince Street pizza. Sunday morning, campers woke up to warm donuts and coffee for the parents. School spirit was off the charts. A huge thank you to Brittany, Lauren Franks, the Webster PTA, and the team of parent volunteers who made this event such a memorable one for our community.

Caine’s Arcade Video

WATCH THIS FIRST (linked below)

After a brief COVID hiatus, we are bringing back the incredible Webster tradition that is Caine's Arcade! On Friday, May 31, we will transform our campus into the largest cardboard arcade in town. That's right, kids get to design their own games!! This project is the epitome of design thinking and student creativity as all games will be completely student imagined, designed, and built. Remake and put your own twist on a classic or come up with something brand new! All games will be built using cardboard and found materials. Students may group up and build a game as siblings, neighborhood friends, across grade-levels, or in any configuration you like. (groups no larger than 3 are encouraged)

The one new twist is that this will now become a month-long home-based project. All games will be built at home throughout the month of May, giving plenty of time to overcome challenges, prototype, iterate, adjust, and finalize. On the day of the arcade, students will run their own games for the first portion of the day. This gives them the benefit of real-time, authentic feedback as our community tries out the games. Then, each group's parent volunteer(s) will run the games for the rest of the event, giving our students a chance to get around to play everything. Our supportive educators here at Webster have agreed to swap this project for NO HOMEWORK in the month of May!!! (We may need to make a slight exception for Kindergartners as we don't want them to lose valuable skills...we will communicate separately about that)

Finally...the one major rule for you as parents: DON'T DO IT FOR THEM!!!! This project (like ALL projects) are about the process. Yes, this process will be challenging. It's hard to brainstorm ideas, come up with designs, build stuff, try it out and realize it's not very good, go back to the drawing board, redesign, prototype again, etc...etc...etc... As parents, there will be several moments where you will want to TAKE OVER. But if we don't give our kids real opportunities to practice and struggle...if we just step in and do the thinking and doing FOR THEM, we've robbed them of the chance to grow. So, start the practice of biting your tongues and stuffing your hands in your pockets, parents. May is gonna be a fun one!!! I promise it will all be worth it in the end.

Check your inboxes as you will find an email with videos and information guides to help answer all your questions and guide you through the next 4 weeks.

So many families and local businesses are pitching in for this year's silent auction. They are donating amazing things, including 4th grade baseball star, Aiden Omar, who is offering an hour-long private baseball coaching session. Don't miss out on a variety of amazing items at the link below. Bidding ends on Monday.

How can we clean up trash from our oceans...or turn recycled plastics into bricks for building homes...or help a drought-ridden desert preserve water...or create natural wipes that clean without polluting the environment? Well, these kids have the answers. Welcome to Mrs. Stark's 3rd grade Sustainable Inventions Fair. What a great way to inspire the world's future problem solvers.

Room 17 students are showing their entrepreneurial spirit in the Lemonade Stand Project. Students explored customary and metric measurements, designed models of their lemonade stands, launched marketing campaigns, and are exploring recipes to create the best tasting lemonade for a classroom competition next week.

The students in Webster's Kindness Club jumped in to help Ms. Kathy clean up after lunch and then made signs encouraging students to take better care of the school and our Earth.

Join our incredible gang in PK here at Webster. Enrollment for Webster preschool starts at age 3 years old. For more information, click on this link www.smmusd.org/CDS or call 310 399-5865

Alex Aspron has served the Malibu school community for many years as a liaison and friend. After an unfortunate accident, many are coming together to support her through recovery. Take a moment to visit her page and help if you can.

5/3: Webster Prom - Party Book - TONIGHT!!!!!

5/5: Tacos and Tequila - Party Book

Date: Sunday, May 5th, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Private Residence

Sponsored by: IRMA'S TACOS- with Handmade Tortillas. Contact them at 323-245-2659
Join us for a Cinco de Mayo celebration like no other! Hosted by the Mosapor and Flores families, this event promises a fiesta of flavors and frolic. Indulge in delicious tacos paired perfectly with a selection of tequilas, then unleash your inner child with exhilarating adult bounce house games.

“Calling all WEbster runners! Join us every Wednesday morning from 7:45-8:15am for Run Groms - a free, open-to-all, kids’ running program led by WEbster parents, supported by Run Malibu and BGCM. This program focuses on introducing kids to running and the many benefits that come with it, all in a supportive, fun and inclusive space. Registration is not required to join Run Groms - you are welcome to drop your child(ren) at 7:45am at the school field gate or join us for the session.

If you have questions or want to get involved, please email Cassidy & Blue Benadum at maliburungroms@gmail.com.

NEW: We are excited to extend an open invitation to the WEbster community to meet up for a few miles after Run Groms / school drop-off on Wednesday mornings at 8:30am. All paces are always welcome - run, walk, run/walk… however you choose to move. We will start & finish at the lower parking lot on campus.”

Attention 3rd – 5th Grade Parents,

We encourage our Webster students grades 3rd – 5th to participate in the Wait Til 8th Pledge. Our goal is to gather more support from the families to wait longer for children to get Smart Phones & Watches, to help minimize tech distractions in the classroom, and allow parents to feel supported in waiting longer before getting their child(ren) access to this technology. You can read more about it at www.waituntil8th.org.

- Pledge forms are coming home for you to sign with your child(ren)

- Return them to school by next week, Wednesday, March 20th.

- Thursday, March 21st, every student who turns in a pledge form will receive a coupon for a FREE

slice at Prince Street Pizza

- If you have any questions, please email Kim at KimEbeling44@gmail.com.

Thank You!

What are the implications for education?

Here at Webster, we're putting out best foot forward and making a case for good education.

Become A Room Sponsor!

Webster PTA is looking for room sponsors for our classrooms! You can become a room sponsor for a donation of $400. Your donation supports our classrooms in many ways, including by allowing teachers to purchase supplies for our students above and beyond what the district provides, and funding all classroom field trip expenses. Room sponsors will be recognized with a sign outside the classroom and a shout in Tedd's newsletter. Please note that more than one family may sponsor a room.

To purchase CLICK HERE!

OR save us the transaction fee by dropping off a check in the front office, or paying via Zelle to websterptamalibu@gmail.com

Please indicate which classroom you wish to sponsor in your purchase!

Room 1: Music

Room 2: Lockwood (sponsored by the Nazemi Family)

Room 3: Claudio SAI (sponsored by the Walling Family)

Room 4: STEAM Lab (sponsored by the El Sawy Family)

Room 5/6: Library - Ms. Monte (sponsored by the Bell Family)

Room 7: Harris (sponsored by the Clarkson Family)

Room 8: Stark

Room 9/10: Murdock/Berman (sponsored by the Rowe Family)

Room 11: Crane/Norodom Pre-K

Room 12: Papale (sponsored by the Pabst and Bulczynski Family)

Room 13: Coding Lab

Room 14: Art Studio (sponsored by the Flores Family)

Room 15: Morris

Room 16: Cooper (sponsored by the Roy and Ruchalski Family)

Room 17: Kisskalt (sponsored by the Flores Family)

Room 19: London

Room 20: Johnson (sponsored by the Vandevoort Family)

Garden

Kitchen: Ms. Neci

Teacher & Staff Lounge

Speech Room: Jellison

OT Room: Krenik

Lunch Patio

Teacher Workroom

Nurses Office: Hernandez/Gordon

Let’s get ALL these places sponsored! Thank you for helping us create magical spaces for our students!

Here are our current Board positions for 24/24!!! Congratulations and THANK YOU to all our PTA representatives.

Co-Presidents*: Bobbi Thomason & Rachael Sokoloff

Treasurer: Elena Eggers

Secretary: Anya Fernald

Financial Secretary: Sarah Ryan

Volunteer Coordinator: Saona Jackson

Community Liaison: Sion Roy

Communications Chairs: Shannon Dunn and Kate Ward

Student Involvement Chair: Kyle Mlodzik

Room Representative Chair: Anya Fernald

Party Book Chairs: Lauren Ifft & Erin Fotos

Historian: Carley Devlin

Honorary Service Awards: Carley Devlin

Volunteer Bookkeeper: Farah Flores

Reflections Chair: Dana Orescan

Valet Chairs: Tatiana Jacobs and Heidi Saban

Yearbook Co-Chair: VACANT

Fundraising Chair: Yama Lam

Webster Wear Chair: Lauren Ifft

Parliamentarian (to be appointed by the new Board): Kate Pritchett-Skene

* Because the PTA bylaws do not permit Co-Presidencies, technically, their roles will be President and Executive VP, respectively.

Webster Information - Week of May 6, 2024

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu aims to provide a fun, safe, and creative environment for all Malibu youth to thrive, find support through positive mentorship, develop important life skills, and receive social and emotional support.

• BGCM Camp Bu Enrollment is LIVE! June 24-Aug 9 Visit bgcmalibu.org to learn more and enroll. For grades TK-5th located at Webster Elementary. BGCM is committed to providing a summer curriculum that will include a variety of activities geared towards fun, educational, and social experiences. Programs include: STEM based projects, arts & crafts, cooking/gardening, kindness, social emotional wellness, and more!

• BGCM & Prince Street Pizza For your next family night out, please consider supporting BGCM! BGCM & Prince Street Pizza teamed up on a pizza design contest. Order the Spring Fling featuring spicy marinara, smoked mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, and olive oil drizzle. The specially-designed pizza is available at Prince Street Pizza (Malibu location only) 20% of the proceeds benefiting BGCM’s mental health services and educational initiatives for youth.
  
  

• 1 in 5 Meet the Makers Showcase, May 14! Join us in supporting this impactful initiative as we empower teens to become champions of mental health awareness and advocates for suicide prevention within their communities. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that no one feels alone in their journey towards mental wellness. 100% of proceeds benefit BGCM Wellness Center mental health and wellness services. Please join us in supporting the 1 in 5 apparel line by visiting us in store or shopping online! This is an open invite to the community, no RSVP required. To learn more and purchase, visit thirdspacemalibu.org/products/1-in-5-crewneck-sweater

• Family Friendly Jewelry Making Experience - Join us at Third Space for Kidd's Jewelry Heist, a family-friendly jewelry-making experience unlike any other! Every Sunday, from 12 to 5pm, come and create your own necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and earrings with the help of our expert team.Explore a curated selection of beads, charms, and chains, and let your creativity run wild. Kidd's Jewelry Heist is renowned for merging entertainment with the art of jewelry making. Enjoy an hour-long session and take home two unique pieces of jewelry for $45 per person. No reservation needed.
  
  

• Wellness Center & Social Support Offerings The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Wellness Center operates remotely and also in-person to provide no-cost social support & mental health counseling to all in the community. Visit https://bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center/ to learn more or to request services for you/your child! There is currently NO WAITLIST for services. PSA: Parents! If you've missed any parent workshops, they are available on our website at https://bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center-resources/
  
  *To contact the Club please call 310-457-1400 (Admin) or 310-241-3675 (Programs) Email info@bgcmalibu.org For updates on Club news & events, subscribe to BGCM E-Newsletter Here

Third Space is OPEN at Malibu Village! Third Space is a storefront, gallery and an innovation space for youth to be mentored and inspired. A project of the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, made possible by many generous community contributors. A percentage of all store purchases benefit BGCM:

• Safe spaces after-school
• Mental health services for youth, families and aging population
• Drug and alcohol prevention programming
• Innovative and inspiring opportunities for youth
• Regenerative systems and educational initiatives

Here, in our vibrant community, we value care, connection, and creativity. We offer youth, families, and visitors of all ages the chance to explore products from local, sustainable and social entrepreneurs. To learn more, visit thirdspacemalibu.org Follow us on IG/FB: @thirdspacemalibu

"We are so thrilled to welcome the community to Third Space. We love being able to highlight products and art created by local, young entrepreneurs including Malibu High and BGCM alumni! This is a very special space made possible by amazing community contributors and we just can't wait for everyone to experience Third Space and all that it has to offer". Kasey Earnest, Boys & Girls Club of Malibu CEO

Third Space is made possible by the following contributors: Blue Star Painting • Bold LA • Devon Meyers Photography • JL Designs • 129 Builders Inc. • Jones Builders Group • Koum Family Foundation • The Little Market • The Dorn Family • Peak Power Electric • Quality Indoor Air - Heating and Air Conditioning • Venue Creation Resources

Developing strong character and valuable mindsets is essential. This remains a major focus at Webster. As we build community here on campus, at home, and across Malibu, we will continue to model the kind of behavior that promotes unity, kindness, and thoughtful problem solving. In addition, we will value these traits in others and recognize outstanding efforts.

Every Friday we sport our Webster Wear to show school spirit and celebrate the coming weekend. Classes with the highest percentage of Webster Wear win the whale for the week. Be sure to show your spirit and pick up some Webster Wear in the main office when you stop in to say hello.

The AERIES Parent Portal

Tedd's Welcome Letter 2023

Tedd's Welcome Back Video 2023

AERIES Parent Portal Tutorial

Student Services Registration Documents 23/24

Family Engagement & School Parent Compact

Webster Bell Schedule

PTA Membership

PTA Volunteer Opportunities

Class Change Request Form

Hour of Code