Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

I hope all families who observed had a meaningful Yom Kippur. Although it was a short week, it was packed with joy and connection. One of my highlights was watching students on the yard during recess and lunch—new friendships forming, hula hoops being a huge hit, group dance parties, great sportsmanship on the field, and students stepping in to help one another when needed. Our Whales are showing kindness, courage, and care for one another, and it’s truly heartwarming to see.

This week also marked the first time our students worked in the garden with Miss Justine! We are so thankful to our PTA for supporting this incredible program. The garden continues to be a place where our students can learn, explore, and grow together.

A few updates from this week:

• 📸 School Portraits: Our photographer has extended the ordering deadline to November 1st. More info below.

• 🙏 Parent Leadership: A big thank-you to Victor Grozdich, new Webster parent, for joining Sam Carpenter, PTA Vice President, as our two representatives on the SMMUSD LCAP Parent Advisory Committee this year.

• 🗳 School Site Council: We still have one opening for a community representative on SSC. Details are included below, and please watch your inbox next week for voting information.

• ⚡️ Alternative Power Update: Webster’s rental generator is now installed and connected. Permanent generators are in production and scheduled for delivery in mid-November, along with automatic transfer switches. This will ensure our school remains powered and learning continues during PSPS events. 👉 Read the full report here.

WEBSTER WEAR 🐳
Congratulations to Ms. Berman’s kindergarten class for winning this week’s Webster Wear competition! Way to go, Room 10!

🔔 IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Whale Fund: One week left! This is our PTA’s biggest annual fundraiser supporting instructional aides, the STEAM lab, gardening, and more. Our goal is 100% family participation—please give what you can. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

• Volunteer Training: If your Level 1 clearance is expiring, our office will contact you with new training dates (including an evening Zoom option next week). Recently trained volunteers will receive clearance emails soon.

• Visitor Management: Our new system, Verkada, is now live in the main office. Please bring your ID each time you check in. The system will scan your ID and issue a pass, which must be worn while on campus. Don’t forget to sign out when you leave!

📅 SAVE THE DATES

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

GO WHALES!!

Warmly,
Carina Diana

Check out these wonderful moments featuring our incredible students, staff, and parents! If you have a photo that you’d like to share, please send it to Principal Diana—we’d love to include it on our social media or upcoming newsletters.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our school community!

One week down, one week to go for the PTA’s 2025–26 Whale Fund Drive! A huge thank you to all the families who have already contributed to this year’s Whale Fund—we appreciate you! We are currently at 22% school-wide participation — can we kick off next week at 50%?

Our suggested donation is $2,000 per student, but every single contribution matters. Your gift helps fund programs that make Webster extraordinary, including:

• 🌱 Gardening

• 👩‍🏫 Additional Instructional Aides (six total this year!)

• 💻 Computer Class

• 🔬 STEAM Lab

• …and so much more!

✨ Bonus: Every donation is tax-deductible, and each participating family will receive a special Webster Whale patch to show off school pride on jackets, sweatshirts, or backpacks.

Right now, Ms. Harris’ 2nd graders are holding the lead in our class participation race—but Ms. Carpenter’s TK class and Ms. Johnson’s 5th graders are close behind. It’s still anyone’s game!

🎉 To close out the drive, join us for a Coffee Club celebration on Friday, October 10th from 8:00–8:30 AM during morning drop-off. Expect pastries, coffee, music, and a dance party send-off for one final fundraising hurrah.

Together, let’s reach 100% participation and keep Webster’s programs strong 🐳💙

View your child’s proofs:

1. Click: https://trishalisonphotography.zenfolio.com/f591098416

2. When prompted for a keyword, enter YOUR CHILD’S LAST NAME.

Ordering deadline: November 1
Need more time? Contact Trish directly for an extension.
Need a make-up appointment? Call or text 📱310-749-0410.

Ordering Tips & Options

• Build-your-own packages: order exactly what you want (no preset bundles).

• Choose single prints, digital JPEG downloads, print packages, or photo gifts (see the left side of the ordering screen).

• Best on a desktop (not a phone) for easiest checkout.

• Retouching options (teeth whitening, acne/blemish removal, glasses glare) are available at checkout.

• Digital JPEG pricing: $39 each; retouched JPEG: $46.

• Bulk discounts available online (8 or 15 JPEGs). For other options, contact Trish.

• You can crop photos during checkout.

Questions? Please contact Trish Alison Photography directly (not the school):
📧 trish@trishalisonphotography.com | 📱 310-749-0410

The School Site Council (SSC) plays an essential role in guiding Webster’s priorities. From reviewing the safety plan to analyzing budgets and academic needs, this council ensures that our community’s voice is part of the decision-making process. Webster’s SSC is seeking one community representative for the 2025–26 school year.

The SSC is made up of parents, teachers, staff, and administrators who work together to:

• Develop and revise the school’s bylaws

• Analyze and evaluate student academic achievement

• Review recommendations from school advisories and committees

• Approve expenditures in line with state and federal regulations

• Participate in local, state, and federal program reviews

• Attend meetings (where a quorum is required for voting decisions)

📅 Meeting Schedule
The SSC meets at least five times annually, in person, after school, for about 90 minutes. Meeting dates for 2025–26 will be shared soon.

✉️ How to Apply
If you’re interested, please email Principal Carina Diana (cdiana@smmusd.org) with a brief statement of interest by Wednesday, October 1st. Please include:

• Your name, phone number, and email

• A short candidate statement (3 sentences) explaining why you’d like to serve

🗳 Election Process
Please note that an election is required to confirm community representatives for the SSC. Candidate names and statements will be shared with families and electronic voting will take place the week of September 29th.

An effective school thrives on collaboration between parents, students, teachers, administrators, and staff. We invite you to become an integral part of this process by serving on our SSC!

Mark your calendars—on Saturday, October 11th, the Great Webster GlampOut returns! This can’t-miss community tradition is one of the most loved events of the year, and we’re excited to bring you another weekend full of connection, fun, and memories under the stars.

✨ 2025 Campout Schedule

• 🎉 3–4pm: Welcome party & tent setup

• ✂️ 4–6pm: Crafts with the Boys & Girls Club

• 🎲 4–6pm: Games hosted by The Amazing Kid Company

• 🏓 5–7pm: Pickleball tournament

• 📖 5:30–6pm: Campfire story time with Malibu Library

• 🍽 6–8pm: Catered BBQ dinner

• 🎬 8:15pm: Outdoor movie

• ✨ 10pm: Quiet time

• ☕🍩 Sunday morning: Donuts & coffee

Whether you’re pitching a tent and staying overnight or just bringing a picnic blanket and folding chair for the evening festivities, the energy of our Webster families is what makes this event so special year after year.

💡 Don’t forget: reusable water bottles, flashlights, jackets—and of course your new Whale Fund patch!

💙 Cost & Donations

This is a free community event for all Webster families. To help offset the cost of food (snacks, BBQ dinner, late-night pizza, and coffee + donuts in the morning), we welcome a suggested donation of $25 per person.
👉 Make your donation here (advance donations encouraged so we can plan food accordingly).

🙌 Volunteer Opportunity

Want to make the magic happen? We’d love your help! Sign up for a 2-hour volunteer shift—one of the most fun volunteer gigs of the year.

This year’s PTA Reflections theme, “I Belong!” invites our Webster Whales to celebrate the many ways each of us is part of something greater. Reflections is a national PTA arts recognition program that encourages students to express themselves creatively through:

• 🎨 Visual Arts

• 🎶 Music

• 💃 Dance

• ✍️ Writing

• 📸 Photography

• 🎥 Film

Whether through friendships, classrooms, families, or the wider community, belonging is what gives us strength and joy. The theme reminds our students that their voices, ideas, and creativity matter — and that Webster is a place where everyone is valued.

✨ How to Participate
Students are encouraged to create and submit an original piece of work that reflects the theme “I Belong!”. Families can support by talking about what belonging means at home and encouraging students to share their vision through art. Fliers and entry forms will be distributed starting Monday, September 15th at drop-off. The submission deadline is October 14th!

👉 Learn more at PTA.org/Reflections

Parents and guardians can now access their child’s CAASPP, ELPAC, and Star Renaissance score reports directly through the Aeries Parent Portal. Please note that hard copy reports are not mailed home.

✅ How to Access

• Parent Portal Login

• Step-by-Step Guide: Locating Test Scores in Aeries

🎥 Helpful Videos:

• How Parents Access the Portal

These resources walk you through exactly how to view your child’s score reports, so you’ll always have the latest information on their progress.

We are excited to invite families to the 2nd Annual Parent Academy hosted by SMMUSD!

📅 When: Saturday, October 18, 2025
📍 Where: Lincoln Middle School
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Come spend the day learning, connecting, and growing as partners in your child’s education. Sessions will cover a variety of topics, including:

• College Pathways

• Understanding Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

• 504s

✨ Highlights:

• Free breakfast & lunch provided

• Opportunity drawings for gift cards, spa packages, and more

• Free childcare available

• All sessions offered in English and Spanish

👉 Take a peek inside Parent Academy and view the full program here: Parent Academy Program

This is a wonderful chance to build your knowledge, meet other families, and strengthen our community together.

We’re so excited for Webster’s annual Trunk or Treat celebration! To make sure everyone can enjoy the fun in a safe and welcoming environment, please review our costume guidelines before the event. If you’re unsure about a costume, double-check with us—we’re happy to help.

👉 Important Reminder: All adults on campus during Trunk or Treat must be volunteer trained. Not trained yet? No worries—you’re still welcome to join us for the Tunnel Parade and Dance Party on the lawn.

We can’t wait to see the amazing costumes and decorated cars our community creates.

Stay tuned—the full Trunk or Treat schedule will be released soon 👻

Planning a spooky outing this Halloween season? When you purchase tickets to Nights of the Jack through our Webster-specific link, 10% of your ticket sales will be donated back to Webster — at no extra cost to you!

Nights of the Jack is an immersive Halloween experience for all ages, featuring dazzling jack-o’-lantern installations, seasonal fun, and a magical atmosphere at King Gillette Ranch.

📅 Event Dates: September 26 – November 1
📍 Location: King Gillette Ranch

Tickets are available now! If you, your family, friends, or neighbors are planning to attend this year, please be sure to use and share our Webster link to support our school while celebrating the season.

As we prepare for an exciting new school year, all families are required to verify and update their student’s information through the AERIES Data Confirmation process. This ensures we have the most accurate and up-to-date records for your child.

We recommend completing this process on a desktop or laptop computer for the best experience.

How to Complete Data Confirmation

1. Log in to your Aeries Parent Portal using the link below:
   🔗 AERIES Parent Portal

2. If you do not use the direct link above, log in to your Aeries Parent Portal, select Student Info, and click Data Confirmation to access the form.

3. If you have forgotten your login credentials, click “Forgot Password?” at the bottom of the login screen.

For Prospective or New Families

If you are new to Webster or have not yet enrolled your child, please complete AERIES Online Enrollment as soon as possible to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

🔗SMMUSD Online Enrollment

You will be asked to upload:

• Immunization records

• Parent/guardian photo ID

• Proof of residency

• Birth certificate

Once complete, please email Carina Diana (cdiana@smmusd.org) and April Montes (amontes@smmusd.org) so we can guide you through the next steps.

Consistent attendance is crucial for your student's academic success. It ensures that every student stays on track with learning, builds positive relationships, and contributes to a robust school community. Strong attendance goes beyond just being present; it involves being actively engaged and involved in the educational process.

Encouraging Regular Attendance:

• Make Attendance a Priority: Ensure your student doesn't miss out on crucial learning opportunities.
• Set a Positive Example: Motivate consistent attendance with your involvement.
• Establish a Routine: Help your student set daily routines for a smooth transition to school.
• Open Communication: Reach out to us if there are challenges affecting your student’s attendance.
• Celebrate Success: Acknowledge and celebrate your student's attendance milestones.

Absence Reporting Procedures:

If your student is absent, please report the absence by emailing April Montes at amontes@smmusd.org and Kim Rivetti (Interim Register) at krivetti@smmusd.org with your student's name, grade, date, and reason for the absence. Absences must be cleared within 5 days. For more detailed information, please review the SMMUSD attendance policies by clicking HERE.

The Malibu Education Foundation (MEF) is hosting several exciting events this fall to raise critical funds for the staff and programs that support all Malibu schools. Mark your calendars and join the fun!

🏃‍♀️ Malibu Moves
Saturday, October 25 & Sunday, October 26 | Zuma Beach

All ages are welcome to join this family-friendly weekend of wellness and community while supporting the Malibu Education Foundation. Run, walk, or cheer on participants at the Kids Run, Beer Garden (21+), or VIP Charity Lounge—all while helping MEF fund what matters most for our schools.

🙌 Volunteer at Malibu Moves!
We need your energy to help with packet pickup, kids’ races, gear check, finish line crew, and more. You can even run and volunteer—make it a full weekend of giving back! Every shift makes a difference.

👉 Register to participate: malibumoves.com
👉 Sign up to volunteer: malibumoves.com/volunteer

🔅 Learn more & get involved: www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org

Let’s show up for our students—in style, with heart, and maybe a few laughs!

To enhance student safety, all K–5 students will enter and exit through one main gate — located by the main office. This will help us maintain a secure and supervised environment for all students.

As part of our commitment to safety and being good neighbors, we kindly ask that you:

• Use the designated pick-up and drop-off lane each day.

• Avoid using the Our Lady of Malibu (OLM) parking lots.

• Park only in the Webster lot.

Thank you for helping us ensure smooth arrivals and dismissals each day. Creating a safe and positive learning environment is our top priority — and it starts with all of us working together. We truly appreciate your support!

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu is committed to youth and community resilience by providing a supportive and inclusive environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Through after-school programs, social-emotional learning, and wellness services, BGCM helps ensure every child feels safe, supported, and connected. Here’s what’s happening:

📚 Academic Year Enrollment is LIVE!

• Dates: August 21 – June 11

• Grades: TK–5th

• Programs include: Kindness Is Free, Manners Matter, social-emotional wellness, STEM projects, arts & crafts, cooking/gardening, and more!
  👉 Enroll today at bgcmalibu.org.

🥋 Warrior Academy with the Bruce Lee Foundation
Back at Webster Elementary this fall! Designed by Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee, this program blends martial arts and mindfulness to help students grow physically, mentally, and emotionally.

• When: Wednesdays, 3:00–4:00 PM

• Dates: September 17 – November 19

• Who: 3rd–5th grade BGCM members

• Led by professional martial artist Joey Escobar and included in BGCM membership.
  👉 For more information, email stephengreene@bgcmalibu.org.

🛹 NEW! Johnny Strange Legacy Inspire Skate Program
Join us for action-packed skateboarding sessions designed to build skills, confidence, and community through athletics, education, and creative skate activities!

• When: Mondays, 4:30–5:30 PM

• Dates: Session 1: October 6–October 27 | Session 2: November 3–November 24

• Who: 3rd–5th graders (max. 5 participants per session)

• Where: BGCM Teen Center

• Cost: $100 per 4-week session

Skaters are encouraged to bring their own skateboard, helmet, and safety gear, but BGCM has equipment available to borrow if needed.
👉 To register or learn more, email stephengreene@bgcmalibu.org.

🍕 Prince Street Pizza Contest

BGCM and Prince Street Pizza Malibu are teaming up for the Create Your Own Pizza Pie Contest! BGCM members can design their own pizza, with one winning creation added to the Prince Street menu. A portion of sales will go back to support BGCM.

Details:

• Submissions due October 10th

• Winner announced October 13th

• Prize: Pizza featured on the menu + winner’s photo framed at Prince Street Pizza Malibu

👉 Open to all BGCM members!

💛 Wellness Center & Social Support
BGCM provides no-cost mental health counseling and social support services both remotely and in-person for students and families.
👉 Learn more or request services here: bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center.

🌟 Disaster Recovery Services
Starting Wednesday, August 27th, the BGCM Disaster Recovery Center is supporting Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services by appointment only.
Support includes:

• One-on-one Care Coordinator guidance

• Personalized recovery planning

• Resource connection and advocacy
  👉 To schedule, email drc@bgcmalibu.org (expect a response within 2–5 business days).

🏃 Run Malibu Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Race
On November 15th and 16th, wellness, community, and endurance come together at Run Malibu! Runners of all levels will be treated to stunning views along the Pacific Coast Highway. Highlights include:

• The Dolphin Dash Kids Race at California State University Channel Islands campus

• The traditional Half Marathon & 5K along the PCH
  👉 Learn more and register at www.runmalibu.com.

We’re excited to announce our new Instagram account! Follow us @websterwhales for all the latest school news, events, and fun happenings around campus. Stay in the know and connect with our vibrant school community, one post at a time!.

Carina Diana, Principal

Webster Elementary School

3602 Winter Canyon Rd

Malibu, CA 90265

Email: cdiana@smmusd.org
Website: www.smmusd.org/webster
Phone: (310) 456-6494
Instagram: www.instagram.com/websterwhales
Twitter: @webstermalibu