PBL Weekly Blast

Before European settlement, some estimate that California had more than 500 “tribal groups” speaking about 300 dialects of at least 100 languages Tribes operated according to a shared value for natural resources. Tribal leaders managed their production, distribution and exchange.

Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was first celebrated on November 11, 1919, to commemorate the end of World War I. It was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 1938 and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all American veterans, both living and deceased.

• On Tuesday, 11/11: Veterans Day. NO SCHOOL

• Wednesday, 11/10: During Advisory Flex, continue to catch up on your learning in each of your classes. Take advantage of the time and re-take a test with a teacher. Friday, November 14th is the end of the second grading period.

• Thursday, 11/11: During Community Meeting, we will have our first advisory challenge: Who is ready for Jeopardy?

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to invite you to be a part of our upcoming PBL Community Meeting as a guest speaker on Thursday, November 20, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.

This event is a chance for our students to learn from the real-life experiences of inspiring individuals, yes, you! We would love for you to share your educational or career path with them. How did you discover your passion? What challenges or breakthroughs shaped your journey? What advice would you give to young people finding their own way? Your story, whether rooted in design, education, the arts, sciences, or any other field, has the power to inspire and motivate our PBL students.

If you're available on Thursday, November 20, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. and would enjoy speaking with our PBL students, please reach out to Crystal Griffis so that we can coordinate with you.

We look forward to the possibility of you joining us and sparking excitement for learning and exploration!

With Gratitude,

Nicole

For Parents and Caregivers in English and Spanish from the Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI). See below:

English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16TzHC5PzfRobi5_xKnzOwiDZJn2DTQcj/view

Spanish: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jaJEvYbB84fjPX-HgEwB0FKFgYrRGLV9/view

SAVE THE DATE

Advisor’s Academic Planning Presentation

November 18th

@ 6:00pm

Please join the Advisors as they present information to prepare you for your student’s academic planning for next year. The Zoom link will be sent out for this presentation the week before. We look forward to seeing you on November 18th!

Need help with your classes? Come to the library at lunch or after school! Monday through Friday Samohi Peer Tutoring offers tutoring to anyone from tutors who are current Samohi students. Tutoring is offered in all subjects and in all levels of courses. Follow the instagram @samohipeertutoring for more specific information(tutors, the subjects they tutor, what days they tutor).

Teachers are available to support students after school in the library!

Mondays- Spanish

Tuesdays- Research

Wednesday- English

Thursday- Chemistry

They are in the library Monday through Thursday 3:30-5 pm.

The Membership Application deadline is Nov. 12, 2025.

Get your tickets today to The Play That Goes Wrong, Samohi Theatre's uproariously funny fall play, where opening night of a murder mystery descends into hilarious chaos as everything that can go wrong, does. Student tickets are just $10 and available at www.samohitheatre.org Playing two weekends starting Nov. 14!

If you are interested in joining the SAMOHI Track and Field team it’s time to get started! Our first tryout will be December 6th. Please fill out the attached survey to secure a spot in your desired events: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwHZGSSC9Kcsm2M4keev24fRw3hCEO-LCmihoIzud8VqrDRA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107607953414615357617

Check out our website for updates to event start times, additional tryout dates, and standards: https://sites.google.com/smmk12.org/santa-monica-high-xc-tf/about-us

Art School Afficionados: National Portfolio Day is coming soon. Meet art school representatives from around the country in San Diego on November 15 and Los Angeles on November 16. See nationalportfolioday.org for list of schools. AP Art will host School of the Art Institute of Chicago on October 27th, 3rd period and School Visual Arts on November 20. Sign up for portfolio reviews on Schoolinks

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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!

Need your lunch pass added to your ID now that attendance obligations will not be carried over. Please fill out the link OR use the QR codes in the PBL office 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.

LINK

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.

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)

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

Super Saturday is an opportunity for students to sign up and attend school Saturday mornings to help clear their absences. Students are expected to bring homework and Chromebook to complete their necessary assignments and/or study for classes. SIGN UP LINK