PBL Weekly Blast

Our 9th graders will be venturing out on Tuesday, 9/16 exploring the Santa Monica Community on Tuesday. This adventure is linked to their Service Learning project this semester. Make sure to submit your trip slips.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Hey Samohi, Club Row is almost here! There are so many clubs to explore! On Wednesday, September 17th, come to the Centennial Quad area during lunch and check out the wide variety of clubs - there's something for everyone. Whether you're into sports, arts, volunteering, gaming, or something totally new, you'll find your place here.

• Meet new people
• Discover your passion
• Have fun!

Don't miss your chance to join a club and make this year unforgettable. See you there!

Our recent Let’s Play! Exhibition was a success! Our PBL students wowed 7th and 8th grade visitors from SMASH, Samohi students, and various school and district staff and teacher with their creativity, enthusiasm, and thoughtful game designs. Our PBL students showcased their cross-grade level collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation. We are proud of their hard work!

Our 11th grade students visited the Autry Museum of the American West as part of their American Studies (English 11 and US History).

The eventful week ended with school spirit in full swing at the Samohi Pep Rally in the Greek and later with our first Varsity home football game!

Students who are interested in earning up to 36 volunteer hours in a creative, collaborative environment, we are offering a new Teen Art Leaders class for high schoolers. We'd greatly appreciate your support in spreading the word!

To learn more about our eligibility criteria, visit our website: www.venicearts.org/fall.

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.

Metro Youth Summit, 9/13

Students are invited to join us on Saturday, Sept 13, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Los Angeles Union Station. The Metro Youth Summit is a youth-driven event led by Metro’s current Youth Council to expose their peers to Metro and encourage them to apply to the 2026 Youth Council. This event is open to all LA County high school students, and it’s a great opportunity for youth to share their input on upcoming Metro projects. Students may RSVP by visiting metro.net/youthcouncil or 2025MetroYouthSummit.eventbrite.com.

TAP Cards

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.

ASB CARD

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

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

Margaret’s Place

Margaret’s Place is back in E117 this school year! See below for the latest info on how students can get involved in individual or group counseling, Peer Leadership Club, or other activities at Margaret’s Place—plus, resources for parents and caregivers:

• Fall newsletter for Parents from Margaret’s place

• Fall newsletter for Students from Margaret’s place

• FOR FRESHMEN PARENTS: Video on Supporting Youth’s to High School

Email LDeSanto@smmusd.org with any questions!

PSAT

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a practice version of the SAT that helps students prepare for college entrance exams. It also qualifies juniors for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test measures skills in reading, writing, and math and provides valuable feedback on areas to strengthen before taking the SAT. All 9th-11th graders will automatically take the practice exam in the fall.

Weekend Bag Programs

SMMUSD's Weekend Bags Program offers nutritious, easy-to-prepare weekend food for Samohi students when school cafeteria breakfasts and lunches are not available. Students can drop by and pick up Weekend Bags on Fridays after school from the Vikings’ Hub in E113.

Each Weekend Bag holds two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks. The menus have been evaluated by a dietitian and provide a balance of healthy, nutritious non-perishable foods, and the menus change each week. Bags usually include mac and cheese, fruit cups, granola bars, trail mix or nuts or dried fruit, oatmeal packets, cereal, canned vegetables, and shelf stable milk, in addition to rotating entree items like soup and tuna; ravioli or beef stew and peanut butter; pasta and sauce; or beans and rice

Students or their families should let Community Schools Specialist Carla Nuñez (or their House Office assistant or House Advisor) know if they would like to receive Weekend Bags. Carla can be reached at carlanunez@smmusd.org or 310 395-3204 ext. 71-143 or in E113 after school.

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.

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.

All Work Permits that were issued during the summer must be renewed as they expire 8/28/2025. To request a Work Permit Renewal:

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)

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.

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