Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

I hope you and your families are staying dry and safe during this weekends rain ☔️

Before jumping into this week’s updates, I want to begin with a few important safety reminders for afternoon pick-up:

• No double-parking near the drop-off lane — it blocks visibility and disrupts traffic flow.

• Vehicles must remain attended at all times.

• Pull all the way forward in the drop-off lane to maximize space and safety.

• If you choose to get out of your car at the top of the lane, please ensure cars behind you can safely turn left to keep traffic moving.

Thank you for helping maintain a safe and smooth dismissal for all students and families.

This week, we conducted our Lockdown Drill as part of our ongoing school safety work. Using a gentle “friendly fox” scenario kept the practice calm and age-appropriate while allowing students to rehearse key safety behaviors. Students moved to non-visible areas, staff secured doors and windows, and teams swept hallways to guide any nearby students into safe rooms. I’m proud to share that:

• All doors were properly secured

• Students remained calm and followed directions

• Everyone was safely inside before the drill progressed

We encourage you to review the core message with your child: If they ever hear the word “Lockdown,” they should quickly enter the nearest open classroom. If a room is locked, they should continue to the next safe space with a trusted adult. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping Webster safe.

🔔 Important Reminders

• California School Parent Survey (2025–26): Your feedback matters! The survey is open November 3–25 and takes about 10–15 minutes. It’s anonymous, and staff will receive their survey link next week.

• Book Fair: Our annual Malibu Village Books Fair begins next week! Stop by the Webster Library during school hours to shop, set up e-wallets, and support our school. Don’t forget — 10% of all sales benefit Webster. More details below.

• Thanksgiving Donation Drive: Now through November 25, we are collecting essential items to support CART and families in need. Donations can be dropped off at valet or in the front office. See the section below for requested items.

• Deck the Hall(way)s: Sponsor a room for the holidays or donate gently used décor to help transform Webster into a winter wonderland! Details on room sponsorship and decor drop-off are included below.

• Pod Power Problems: This week’s family math challenge is live — have fun solving together!

• Visitor Management: Bring your ID to check in at the office and sign out when you leave.

📅 Save the Dates

📌 November 10–25: Webster Thanksgiving Donation Drive

📌 November 26–28: Thanksgiving Break

📌 December 3: Malibu Middle School Preview (5th grade parents only)

📌 December 12: Environmental Defenders Assembly

📌 December 19: Best on the Beach Assembly

📌 December 15-19: Spirit Week (more information to be shared soon)

📌 December 17: Holiday Concert

📌 December 19: Room 8 Play

📌 December 22 - January 2: Winter Break

Check out our team of proud Webster math nerds soaking up new ideas 🤓

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!

We’re excited to welcome Malibu Village Books back to Webster next week for our annual Book Fair! Join us Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM in the Webster Library. Students, parents, and family members are all welcome to stop by and shop during drop-off, lunch, or pick-up. And just like last year, 10% of all Book Fair proceeds will go directly back to Webster!

The fun continues over the weekend at Malibu Village Books on Saturday, November 22nd, and Sunday, November 23rd. Simply bring your Webster Book Fair voucher (attached in this newsletter), and ANY purchase you make — including adult fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and gift items — will count toward our school fundraiser.

Set Up Your E-Wallet (Gift Card) for Easy Purchases!

Families can set up an e-wallet in the form of a gift card from Malibu Village Books. Parents may:

• Option 1: Stop by Malibu Village Books any day to purchase a physical gift card.
• Option 2: Buy a physical gift card in person at the Webster Library on Tuesday from 11:30 AM–4:00 PM.
• Option 3: Purchase an e-gift card using this special LINK featuring Webster’s logo. When purchasing an e-gift card, please use the “send to myself” option. In the Personal Message section, include your child’s first and last name + teacher’s name to help with organization. For families with multiple children, please create one gift card per child (e.g., two children = two separate $30 cards) to ensure fairness and smooth checkout.

Note: e-gift cards may take 5–20 minutes to process. Any remaining balance can be used at Malibu Village Books at any time after the Book Fair.

For added convenience, the Book Fair team can hold your student’s gift card at checkout. Students simply give their name when ready to purchase.

The Book Fair will accept gift cards / e-gift cards, credit cards, Apple Pay and cash (bills $20 and under only)

We can’t wait to bring you a wonderful, curated selection of books for all ages — including new releases, student favorites, and titles requested by Webster teachers. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping while supporting our school!

Webster’s Annual Thanksgiving Donation Drive has kicked off and we invite our community to join us in supporting the Malibu Community Assistance Resource Team (CART) and others in need this season. From now through Tuesday, November 25th, we will be collecting essential items to help provide comfort and care to our neighbors.

Requested donations include:

• Adult-sized casual or athletic socks

• Shaving cream and razors

• Toothpaste and individually packaged toothbrushes

• Sunscreen

• Shampoo and body wash (travel or full size)

• Personal hygiene wipes (baby wipes or non-sanitizing wet wipes)

Donations may be dropped off in the front office or handed to valet during morning drop-off.

Thank you for your generosity and for helping us spread kindness and care throughout our community this Thanksgiving season.

The Webster PTA is excited to bring back one of our most festive traditions — Deck the Hall(way)s! Families are invited to become Room Sponsors and help transform our school into a joyful winter wonderland. For a donation of $500, you can sponsor a classroom or shared space (like the library or front office). More than one family is welcome to sponsor the same room, and each sponsored space will feature a personalized sign recognizing your support.

This year, we’re focusing on using recycled, upcycled, and donated holiday decor whenever possible. If you have decorations you no longer need — garlands, lights, stockings, snowmen, and other winter-themed items — feel free to drop them off in the front office or pass them to valet during morning drop-off. (No Thanksgiving or fall décor, please.) Reusing decorations allows more of your donation to go directly toward PTA initiatives like classroom supplies and enrichment programs.

Decorating will begin the Monday after Thanksgiving with the help of our 4th and 5th grade Student Leadership Committee, who are excited to bring the holiday spirit to life throughout our hallways. As rooms are sponsored, watch Webster transform into a magical and festive scene for students and staff to enjoy.

To sponsor a room, send your donation via Zelle to websterptamalibu@gmail.com or drop off a check made out to Webster PTA in the front office. Please include a note indicating which room or space you’d like to sponsor.

We can’t wait to see Webster sparkle with holiday cheer! ✨

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We need your input! SMMUSD is conducting the California School Parent Survey for 2025-2026 to gather your valuable thoughts about our school. Your feedback will guide our efforts to promote a safe environment, improve learning supports, and boost student achievement. The survey takes only 10-15 minutes and is open from November 3 to November 25.

Why Your Participation Matters:

• Your opinions provide vital insights into school safety and student success.
• The survey is anonymous and designed to protect your privacy.
• Completing it helps shape positive changes in our school community.

Important Details:

• You only need to complete one survey, even if you have multiple children at Webster. Please use your oldest child as a reference.
• The survey is accessible in 18 languages.

How to Take the Survey: Access the survey directly at: Webster Parent Survey.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the school office. We greatly appreciate your time and input in helping us create the best possible learning environment for our students.

Thank you for your participation!

Beginning November 3, 2025, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will implement a new “Away for the Day” policy to support student learning, focus, and well-being. This means that during the school day, students must keep all personal mobile communication devices turned off and put away.

• 📵 Elementary (K–5): Devices must be turned off and stored in backpacks.

• 📵 Middle School (6–8): Devices must be turned off and placed in secure pouches.

• 📵 High School (9–12): Devices must be turned off during instructional time, with limited exceptions (e.g., emergencies, medical needs, or with staff permission).

This districtwide effort is designed to minimize distractions, protect student privacy, and create more connected learning environments for all students.

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.

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.

Every dollar given funds the people and programs that make Malibu public schools thrive — from classroom aides and arts programs to athletics and academic support. Our community ask is $750 per student, but every contribution, at any level, makes a meaningful difference.

Your generosity helps fund essential programs across all four Malibu schools and complements the important work of each school’s PTA.

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.

🛹 Johnny Strange Legacy Inspire Skate Program — Elementary Registration CLOSED

All spots are now filled for the second session of our elementary skate program! Thank you to everyone who signed up. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming sessions and future skate programs designed to build confidence, creativity, and community through athletics and fun!

💛 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
The BGCM Disaster Recovery Center continues to support Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services by appointment only. Our Care Coordination Team is here to partner with families every step of the way to ensure no one navigates this journey alone.

Support includes:

• One-on-one guidance: You’ll be paired with a dedicated Care Coordinator.

• Personalized recovery planning: Together, we’ll identify what you need most now and in the future.

• Resource connection: We’ll help you access the latest available support.

• Advocacy: We’re here to make sure you’re supported at every stage.

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

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!

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