The SMMUSD Wave- Feb. 2024

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

First and foremost, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your patience and adaptability during the recent challenging weather conditions. Your support has been crucial in keeping our students safe and on track with their learning. A special thank you to our hardworking staff who went above and beyond to ensure that education continued seamlessly despite the storms. As we may encounter more rainy days in the future, let's keep safety as our top priority while staying committed to our students' success.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Malibu High School (MHS) and Santa Monica High School (Samohi) for successfully completing their Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation process, known as Focus on Learning. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our principals, staff, parents and students. The WASC accreditation process rigorously evaluates a school's impact on student learning, the effectiveness of its programs, and its overall operation. Congratulations MHS principal, Patrick Miller, and Samohi principal, Marae Cruce, and to all those involved in achieving this significant accomplishment, which reflects our unwavering commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students.

I am excited to announce that my “Goals and Priorities Road Show” has begun. This gives me the opportunity to visit each of our schools and engage with staff members about my top six priorities for our district, which were derived from my 90-day plan. These road shows are designed to foster unity and collaboration as we work together towards common goals that prioritize student success. I look forward to meaningful discussions as we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.

Thank you once again for your continued support, dedication and partnership as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and our community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent

You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.

Read more about Dr. Williamson here: https://bit.ly/WilliamsonAsstSupt.

In honor of Black History Month, SMMUSD partnered with JazzReach, a nationally renowned non-profit music organization from New York to honor and celebrate the achievements and influence of Black and African American musicians.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/JazzReach2024.

SMMUSD will present Stairway of the Stars for the 73rd year, a musical extravaganza highlighting the outstanding music education programs, and showcasing the talents of students from every school in the district. Nearly 900 elementary, middle, and high school students will “star” in the “Stairway to the Stars” outdoor concert in the Santa Monica High School Greek Theatre on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 4 p.m. Purchase tickets: www.StairwayoftheStars.org

Read more here: https://bit.ly/Stariway2024.

February is Career Technical Education (CTE) Month! The SMMUSD Board of Education passed a resolution celebrating CTE Month at the Feb. 1, 2024 board meeting.

A big shoutout to Principal Tedd Wakeman and his dedicated staff for their commitment to project-based learning happening at Webster Elementary School in Malibu. The school holds Exhibitions of Learning, allowing students to present and showcase what they have learned.

Also in celebration of CTE Month, 10th grader, Marko Said, and 12th grader, Nefertari Perez Figueroa, from Samohi's Project- Based Learning (PBL) Pathway presented at the Feb. 16, 2024 board meeting. The two students discussed how project-based learning has influenced and supported their education journeys.

Samohi’s Project Based Learning Pathway (PBL) is offering tours and information sessions for the 2024-25 school year. At PBL students connect interests to fieldwork, develop skills and build a professional network. The program is moving to the Samohi campus for the 2024-25 school year!

During Black History Month, our John Adams Middle School immersion students explored local history at Historic Belmar Park and the Inkwell, learning about their profound significance in Santa Monica’s past. Special shoutout to history teacher, Jorge Cierra, for crafting this engaging history lesson!

Watch the video here.

Congressman Brad Sherman visited Malibu High School for a student town hall. The students were given the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about their civic responsibility. Thank you to Congressman Sherman for stopping by.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assembly hosted by Malibu Elementary School's first and fourth grade class was truly special! Students reimagined his "I Have A Dream'' speech, sharing their own dreams and solutions for a better world. Inspiring the next generation of change-makers!

The fifth graders at Franklin Elementary School had a memorable experience as they witnessed the judicial system in action with the trial of the Tortoise vs. the Hare. The students, led by teacher Paula Flynn were able to experience a mock trial and even listened to the verdict read by Judge Taylor.

Seventh graders from John Adams Middle School recently went on a one-week trip to Yosemite National Park. The students spent their days exploring Yosemite and fully immersing themselves in nature and science.

Congrats to the nine talented Samohi athletes who have committed to playing their chosen sports in college! Your hard work, dedication and passion have paved the way for an exciting future ahead!

We are still not over the wonderful Multicultural Day Celebration at McKinley Elementary School. The day was filled with a variety of fun activities including: delicious cuisines, beautiful performances representative of each other's cultures and countries. The event was a fantastic celebration of our community's diversity.

Watch the highlight reel here.

Big shoutout to Malibu Elementary School teacher, Joelin Ferguson, and her third graders for leading an inspiring # good character assembly on # respect, highlighting actionable ways to honor and uplift one another! Malibu Elementary was filled with respect, love and pancakes!

Watch recap here.

Thank you to the amazing crossing guards who ensure the safety of SMMUSD students every day! Your dedication and cheerful presence make our school community a safer and happier place.

Thank you crossing guards!

Attention all SMMUSD families! The Santa Monica-Malibu Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is holding a Smartphone Town Hall on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 6-8 p.m. at Grant Elementary School. This is a great opportunity to address your concerns about your children's use of smartphones on campus. No registration or RSVP required.

SMMUSD is holding a two-day training for Spanish speaking parents on March 2 and 9, 2024. Check the flyer below and sign up for training on this important program or visit: https://bit.ly/SMMUSD-RJtrainingSpan1223.

Meet Amy Galipeau, a passionate science teacher who is committed to shaping the young minds of Malibu Middle and High school students and fostering a love for learning that extends far beyond textbooks.

Read more about Galipeau here: https://bit.ly/AmyGalipeau-Spotlight.

To celebrate the start of construction on the new early education building, playfield and outdoor learning areas, Will Rogers Learning Community hosted its groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. The SMMUSD Board of Education, superintendent, WRLC principal, SMMUSD staff, local elected officials, community members, students and building partners attended the celebration.

Watch the Rogers groundbreaking video here.

Read more here.

Exciting Update! The Michelle and Barack Obama Center for Inquiry and Exploration just got a new sign! Check out the enhanced signage that now identifies the school site. But that's not all, there's a plan in the works for a stunning new mural to grace the walls previously adorned by the Muir Woods mural.

Are you looking for entertainment over the next two weekends?

• February 28, 2024 - Black/African American Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
• March 1 - 2, 2024- Global Day of Unplugging
• March 5, 2024 - Smartphone Town Hall
• March 16, 2024 - Stairway of the Stars
• March 25 - April 5, 2024 - Spring Break
• April 21, 2024 - The Santa Monica Education Foundation Wine Auction

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The SMMUSD Wave is published monthly by the SMMUSD communications team: Gail Pinsker, Community & Public Relations Officer; Diana Bouchaaya and Esmi Careaga, Communication Specialists. Do you have news or interest stories about our students, programs or staff? Please share through Let's Talk.

The SMMUSD Wave:

2023 Winner of the Award of Excellence by the California School Public Relations Association