The SMMUSD Wave- Oct. 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, and Community Members,
As we move through October, it has been wonderful to see our schools filled with learning, creativity and opportunities for students to grow. Across the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), our students continue to demonstrate their talents and achievements in the classroom, through athletics, in the arts and beyond. These experiences reflect our ongoing commitment to extraordinary achievement for all students and closing the achievement gap.
Our schools continue to offer meaningful opportunities for students and families to connect, from academic enrichment and wellness initiatives to school performances, athletic competitions and community events. I encourage you to stay engaged by visiting your school's website and following District communication channels to learn about upcoming activities and celebrations.
This month, we celebrated the recognition of Malibu High School (MHS) and Santa Monica High School (Samohi) among the nation's best high schools in the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings. Nationally, Samohi ranked No. 562 and Malibu High ranked No. 953 among nearly 18,000 public schools evaluated. Both schools also improved their rankings in California, with Samohi placing No. 82 and Malibu High No. 158. These achievements reflect the dedication of our students, educators, staff and administrators to academic excellence and preparing students for success beyond high school. I congratulate both school communities on this well-deserved recognition.
We also had the opportunity to celebrate the people who make a difference in our schools each day. On Oct. 21, more than 180 SMMUSD employees were recognized at the Santa MoniCARES New Heroes ceremony for their service to students, families and the community. I am especially proud of our Director of Early Learning, Dr. Susan Samarge-Powell, who received the Inspirational Hero Award in recognition of her leadership, compassion and 30 years of dedicated service to children and families in our District. I extend my congratulations and appreciation to all those recognized for their commitment to our school communities.
As we approach November, I encourage all eligible community members to participate in the upcoming election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Your voice matters, and civic participation plays an important role in shaping the future of our communities and schools.
Please remember that daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 2 a.m. Be sure to set your clocks back one hour and enjoy the extra hour of rest.
Finally, as we prepare for the possibility of severe winter storms associated with a Super El Niño, I want to recognize the important work underway across our District to protect our students, staff and families.
Through SMMUSD READY — Readiness, Education, Awareness, Disaster Preparedness and You — we are strengthening preparedness across our school communities through facilities maintenance, emergency planning, continuity of learning, meal services and transportation planning.
SMMUSD READY reflects our shared commitment to preparedness:
R — Readiness: Preparing our schools, facilities and staff for potential emergencies.
E — Education: Providing students, staff and families with information and resources to help them prepare.
A — Awareness: Staying informed about developing conditions and sharing timely updates.
D — Disaster Preparedness: Coordinating plans, resources and response procedures to protect our school communities.
Y — You: Recognizing the important role every student, staff member, family and community partner plays in keeping our schools safe.
The District encourages students, staff, families and community partners to prepare for emergencies, stay informed and help keep schools safe while supporting extraordinary achievement for every student.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students, staff and schools. Together, we are building welcoming, inclusive and high-achieving learning environments where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Sincerely,
Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent
You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.
Franklin Elementary School
John Adams Middle School
Lincoln Middle School
Malibu High School
McKinley Elementary School
Roosevelt Elementary School
Malibu High School and Santa Monica High School Recognized Among Nation’s Best in 2026–27 U.S. News Rankings
Malibu High School (MHS) and Santa Monica High School (Samohi) have been recognized among the nation’s best in the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, which evaluated nearly 18,000 public schools. In the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Samohi ranked No. 34 and Malibu High ranked No. 73. Among California high schools, Samohi ranked No. 82 and Malibu High ranked No. 158.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/SMMUSD-USNewsRankings2026.
SMMUSD State of Our Schools Brings Santa Monica and Malibu Communities Together
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) welcomed families, staff, community members and education partners to the State of Our Schools event. It was held at Santa Monica High School (Samohi) and brought together members of the District community for an evening focused on SMMUSD’s progress, priorities and future.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/StateOfOurSchools2026.
More Than 180 SMMUSD Employees Recognized at Santa MoniCARES New Heroes Ceremony
(Dr. Susan Samarge-Powell receives Inspirational Hero Award for her leadership and service to children and families)
More than 180 employees from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) were recognized at the Santa MoniCARES New Heroes ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 21, celebrating their dedication to students, families and the broader community.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/SantaMoniCARESNewHeroes2026.
SMMUSD Schools Participate in Great ShakeOut to Promote Earthquake Preparedness
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District schools participated in the 2026 Great California ShakeOut, joining millions of people across the state in practicing earthquake safety and reinforcing the importance of emergency preparedness.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/GreatShakeout2026.
English
Spanish
SMMUSD Provides Information on Upcoming MFUA Funding Change and Measure ES
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is sharing information with families and community members about the upcoming expiration of the Master Facilities Use Agreement (MFUA) and its potential impact on District funding. The MFUA is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2027. The MFUA provides funding that supports existing District programs, staffing and services supported by the general fund. Its expiration will result in an estimated $12 million annual funding loss for SMMUSD schools.
Read more here:https://bit.ly/MFUAandMeasureES.
John Adams Middle School Student Selected as Scholastic Kid Reporter
John Adams Middle School (JAMS) seventh-grade student Harrison McGee has been selected to join the 2026-27 class of Scholastic Kid Reporters, becoming one of just ten young journalists chosen from across the country.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/HarrisonMcGeeJAMS.
Roosevelt Elementary School Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month Through Community, Culture and Connection
Roosevelt Elementary School brought students, families and staff together for its second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, celebrating cultural traditions, community connections and the importance of belonging.
Held in the school's Big Yard, the festival featured food, arts and crafts, live music and opportunities for families to experience Hispanic and Latino traditions. All food and activities were provided free of charge, reflecting the organizers' commitment to creating an inclusive celebration for the entire school community.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/RooseveltHispanicHeritageMonth2026.
SMMUSD Response to the Bryson Fire and Malibu Schools Reopening
The Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) took precautionary measures following the outbreak of the Bryson Fire on Thursday, Oct. 15, prioritizing the safety of students, staff and families.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/BrysonFire2026.
SMMUSD Addresses Air-Conditioning Challenges During Record Heatwave
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), along with schools throughout Southern California, experienced a record-breaking heatwave. In response, facilities team responded quickly and effectively, implementing temporary solutions where needed while working toward permanent repairs.
Read more here:https://bit.ly/HeatwaveAndHvac2026.
Charlotte Bonnici, Malibu High School
Elina Nagiel, Santa Monica High School
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
SMMUSD proudly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, recognizing the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
Throughout the month, our schools utilized opportunities to highlight the traditions, achievements and stories that have helped shape our communities and our nation. We encourage students, staff and families to take time to learn, celebrate and recognize the many contributions of Hispanic and Latino leaders, artists, educators, innovators and community members, past and present.
We are proud to celebrate the cultures and experiences represented throughout our SMMUSD community and the many ways they enrich our schools each day.
Portrait of a Graduate Input
This year, SMMUSD has launched an exciting initiative to develop our Portrait of a Graduate, centered around one important question:
What do we want our students to know, be able to do, and demonstrate when they graduate from SMMUSD?
To help answer this question, we have brought together a diverse group of community members, including parents, students, and staff, to collaboratively identify the skills, qualities, and competencies we believe are most important for our students' future success.
Our group held its first meeting on October 12th, where we began this important work and identified seven possible key competencies for consideration in our Portrait of a Graduate.
Now, we want to hear from YOU!
As we prepare for our next meeting scheduled for November 9th, we are asking our staff, students, families and community members to review the seven competencies and select the top five you believe are most important for every SMMUSD graduate.
Our goal is to gather as much community input as possible throughout this process to ensure that our Portrait of a Graduate reflects the shared hopes, priorities, and aspirations of our entire school community.
Here's how you can participate:
Watch our short video highlighting our first meeting and the work we are doing.
Complete our brief survey by selecting the five competencies you believe should be included in our Portrait of a Graduate.
Your voice matters, and your feedback will help guide our conversations and decisions at our next meeting on November 9th.
We look forward to sharing more information and updates following that meeting as we continue this important work together.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to help shape the future of our SMMUSD graduates!
John Adams Science Magnet Hosts Science Madness
John Adams Middle School (JAMS) students explored the many ways science shapes the world around them during Science Madness. From engineering and sustainability to space exploration, technology and more, the event gave JAMS Dragons an opportunity to discover new interests and imagine where STEM could take them.
More than a celebration of science, the experience encouraged students to see themselves in STEM and consider possibilities they may not have explored before. Thank you to JAMS Science Magnet families and community partners for helping bring these hands-on learning
John Adams Middle School Instrumental Music Presents the 2026 Fall Festival of Music
The John Adams Middle School (JAMS) Instrumental Music program will showcase nearly 300 student musicians during its 2026 Fall Festival of Music on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Thursday, Nov. 19.
The first evening will feature the String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. The second night will spotlight the Jazz Band, Music Conversion Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble.
Under the direction of Angela Woo and Sean Garnreiter, both performances begin at 7 p.m. in the JAMS Performing Arts Center. Admission is free with general seating, but tickets are required. A suggested donation of $5 per ticket supports the JAMS Instrumental Music program.
For more information, please visit: https://www.jamsinstrumentalmusic.org.
Malibu High School Theatre Presents “These Shining Lives” on Nov. 13, 14 and 15
Through the production, student actors will bring to life the true story of women who worked at the Radium Dial Company in the 1920s and later fought for justice after suffering serious health consequences from their work. The play gives students an opportunity to explore a powerful chapter of American labor history while tackling themes of resilience, accountability and workers’ rights.
Get your tickets today! https://malibuhs.booktix.com/
The Samohi Theatre Presents “Lord of the Flies” on Nov. 6-15
Santa Monica High School (Samohi) Theatre students will bring William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” to the stage this fall in a gripping adaptation by Nigel Williams.
Presented with two rotating casts, SPECS and CONCH, the production gives student performers multiple opportunities to take on the story’s complex characters and themes. Through the play, students explore questions of leadership, survival, friendship and the breakdown of social order while bringing one of literature’s most widely studied novels to life.
Performances will take place Nov. 6-15 in the Humanities Center Theatre at Samohi. The production is recommended for grades 8 and up and contains mature themes and depictions of violence.
Get your tickets today! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/samohitheatre/2467686
Ocean Park School House Ribbon Cutting
SMMUSD celebrated the ribbon cutting at Ocean Park School House (OPSH) during the school’s Fall Festival, bringing together students, staff, families and community members for an afternoon of live music, food and arts activities. The celebration marked an exciting milestone for the TK-8 school community and highlighted the welcoming environment and connections that make Ocean Park School House a special place to learn and grow.
Read more here.
Grant Elementary Library and Innovation Lab Ribbon Cutting
Grant Elementary School celebrated the opening of its new Library and Innovation Lab with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking an exciting milestone for the school community. The new spaces give students more room to discover books, explore ideas and engage in hands-on science, engineering and design activities. Go Geckos!
Read more here.
McKinley Elementary New Building Ribbon Cutting
McKinley Elementary School celebrated the opening of its new 28,000-square-foot building, featuring eight permanent classrooms, administrative and teacher collaboration spaces, a Life Skills classroom and improvements to campus access and outdoor areas. The building also connects two historic campus buildings for the first time in the school’s 120-year history.
Read more here.
Santa Monica Education Foundation
Congratulations to Our Employee Giving Winner!
Congratulations to Florencia Rams, bilingual community liaison at Grant and Franklin elementary schools, this month’s SMMUSD Employee Giving winner who scores a $60 gift card for supporting the Santa Monica Education Foundation!
Every employee donor has another chance to win each month! Sign up for payroll deductions or make a gift. Thank you to our District staff for supporting our students!
Does Your Company Offer a Matching Gift Program?
Congratulations to Kathy Zurich-Lunsford, this month’s SMMUSD Employee Giving winner!
Each month during the school year, the Santa Monica Education Foundation draws the name of an SMMUSD employee who donates to SMEF, and one lucky employee receives a special prize as our way of saying thank you for supporting Santa Monica students.
Every employee donor has another chance to win each month! Sign up for payroll deduction or make a gift at smedfoundation.org/smmusd-employee-giving.
Malibu Education Foundation
Learn more at malibueducationfoundation.org or email info@malibueducationfoundation.org.
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