The SMMUSD Wave- Sept. 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, and Community Members,
With the school year in full swing, I am proud to see our campuses filled with energy, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. Students are engaged in their learning, teachers are guiding with dedication, and our staff and families are working together to create opportunities for success. These moments remind us of our shared mission: to empower every student to reach their fullest potential in a safe and supportive environment.
I also want to remind families about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application. Every student in SMMUSD already receives free breakfast and lunch each school day, but completing this application unlocks much more, including academic support, after-school programs, music lessons, and important funding that benefits all students across the district. The application is simple, secure, and confidential, and your participation makes a meaningful difference. The deadline is Thursday, Oct. 2. Please take a moment to apply today: https://bit.ly/MealApplications-SMMUSD.
Looking ahead, I invite you to join us for the 2nd Annual Parent Academy on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Lincoln Middle School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to learn more about college pathways, IEPs, 504 plans, and other important topics, with sessions offered in both English and Spanish. Free breakfast, lunch, and childcare will be available, along with exciting opportunity drawings. This event is designed to support and empower families in their role as partners in student learning, and I hope to see many of you there.
I am also pleased to share that SMMUSD continues to be recognized for excellence. Malibu and Santa Monica high schools were once again named among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report, and our district received an overall A+ rating from Niche, ranking 18th in California and seventh in Los Angeles County. These honors reflect the dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and families. You may read more about these recognitions below.
As we approach fall, let’s continue working together to stay healthy and prevent the spread of illness. Please remember the basics: stay home when you are sick, wear a mask if you are showing or recovering from symptoms, wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoid close contact with people who are ill. We also encourage families to keep up with recommended vaccinations for influenza and COVID-19, and for those at higher risk, the pneumonia vaccine. For more information, visit our updated health guidelines page: https://www.smmusd.org/departments/health-services/feeling-sick.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are creating a school year that reflects the values of belonging, curiosity, and empowerment, and we are making SMMUSD a place where every student can thrive.
Sincerely,
Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent
You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.
Lincoln Middle School
Malibu Elementary School
McKinley Elementary School
Santa Monica High School
Webster Elementary School
Will Rogers Learning Community
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Year-End Financials Summarize the Use of One-Time Funding to Maintain and Improve Educational Programs and Services
SMMUSD released its 2024-25 year-end financial statements and presented them to the SMMUSD Board of Education at the Sept. 10, 2025 special meeting. The numbers reflect the District’s continued commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and student opportunity. By making careful use of one-time funds and managing resources efficiently, we have maintained strong programs, safe schools, and dedicated staff while also preserving reserves to ensure stability for the future.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/YearEndFinancialSummary2425.
Malibu High and Santa Monica High Earn Top National Rankings in 2025 U.S. News Report for 2025
Congratulations to Malibu and Santa Monica high schools for both being named one of U.S. News and World Report's Best High Schools in America. Both schools ranked highly out of nearly 18,000 public schools.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/SMMUSD-USNewsRankings2025.
National Poll Ranks SMMUSD Among California’s Best Districts
SMMUSD was once again given an overall ranking of A+ by Niche! The 2025 report ranked SMMUSD #18 in California out of 490 districts and #7 in LA County! Great job teachers, students, and administrators, for making SMMUSD amazing!
Read more here: https://bit.ly/Niche2025Rankings.
Santa Monica Education Foundation Grants Over $2.5 Million to Fund Academics, Arts, and Athletics in Santa Monica Public Schools
SMMUSD accepted a $2.52 million grant from the Santa Monica Education Foundation (SMEF) at its Aug. 14, 2025, Board of Education meeting. This grant goes to support vital programs and staff positions in Santa Monica schools for the 2025-26 school year.
The grant represents funds raised through SMEF’s 2024-25 annual fund campaign, along with support from three of SMEF’s endowment and the Samohi Scholarship Fund, which is managed by SMEF. The funding will enhance academics, arts and athletics across all Santa Monica public schools.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/SMEFGrants2025.
SMMUSD Launches New Modern, Accessible District Website to Better Serve Families
SMMUSD has launched a new district website designed to make it easier for families, students, and staff to find what they need quickly. The launch follows a yearlong planning process that began when the district’s previous web provider merged with Finalsite. After research and review, SMMUSD selected Finalsite as its new provider and partnered to build a modern, user-friendly and compliant platform. Finalsite is a highly regarded website provider in the education industry.
Read more about the new website here: https://bit.ly/NewSMMUSDWebsite.
Jasson Martinez, Samohi Teacher and Alumni ‘19
Meet Jasson Martinez, math teacher and proud alum of Samohi. From once sitting in the classroom as a student to now leading it as an educator, Jasson’s journey has come full circle. He is dedicated to fostering belonging, curiosity and empowerment while inspiring students to achieve extraordinary outcomes.
Read more: https://bit.ly/JassonMartinez-Spotlight.
Santa Monica’s New City Manager Attends Board of Education Meeting
Santa Monica’s new City Manager, Oliver Chi, attended the Sept. 4 SMMUSD Board of Education meeting, where he was welcomed by district leaders. His presence highlights the ongoing partnership between the City and the District, built on shared values of collaboration and community. Together, these connections help strengthen opportunities for students and families across Santa Monica.
SMMUSD Board of Education Passes Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution
The Board of Education passed a resolution at its Sept. 4 meeting in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is being celebrated with events across SMMUSD schools. At Grant Elementary School, renowned storyteller Olga Loya, age 86, captivated students with folktales, history, and improvisation rooted in Latino culture. Her performance highlighted the timeless tradition of the spoken word and inspired students to embrace imagination and expression without technology, marking a memorable beginning to districtwide celebrations.
English
Spanish
English
Spanish
Lincoln Middle School Unveils New Mural
Lincoln Middle School celebrated Back to School Night with a ribbon cutting for its new mural, a vibrant reflection of Santa Monica and the school community. Created through the collaboration of the PTSA, artist, students, staff, and families, the mural stands as a symbol of pride and creativity on campus. The evening was a joyful reminder of the power of art to bring people together and showcase community spirit.
Constitution Day Celebrated with Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lisa Sepe-Wiesenfeld at John Adams Middle School
Students marked Constitution Day with a visit from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lisa Sepe-Wiesenfeld through the “Judges in the Classroom” program. During the event, Judge Sepe-Wisenfeld swore in ASB officers and spoke about the responsibilities of citizenship, offering a powerful reminder of the role education plays in preparing students to lead and engage meaningfully in our democracy. The celebration highlighted SMMUSD’s commitment to civic learning that is truthful, inclusive and future-focused.
Once Upon a Time: A Magical Evening of Music and Film with the Santa Monica High School Orchestras on Oct. 4
The nationally recognized, award-winning Santa Monica High School (Samohi) Orchestra Program invites the community to its beloved fall benefit concert, themed “Once Upon a Time… A Magical Evening of Music and Film,” on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m., at the Historic Barnum Hall on the Samohi campus.
Read more here.
Samohi Bands Present First Concert of The Year
The Samohi Bands will kick off their season with a Fall Concert on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the JAMS Performing Arts Center. Food will be available for purchase beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the SMMUSD community, with ticket details available at www.samohiband.org.
Edison Hosts First Annual Literacy Night
Edison Language Academy held its first annual Literacy Night, an evening filled with activities that celebrated reading and the joy of books. Families, students and staff came together to explore literacy through engaging experiences that fostered curiosity and a shared love of learning. The event highlighted the power of stories to inspire connection across the school community.
Grant Celebrates Community Through World Cultures Festival
Grant Elementary School hosted its World Cultures Festival, showcasing the traditions and heritage of more than 30 countries represented in the school community. Students, families, and staff came together to enjoy music, food, and activities that highlighted cultures from around the world, fostering belonging and curiosity. The event reflected the school’s commitment to embracing diversity and learning from one another.
Watch the highlight video here.
Students Explore Careers at CTE Gaming Industry Expo
SMMUSD recently hosted a Career & Technical Education (CTE) Gaming Industry Expo, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at career paths in game development, design and technology. Industry professionals shared insights on emerging trends, hands-on tools, and real-world applications, bridging classroom learning with creative career possibilities. The event inspired students to consider new futures in gaming, technology, and digital media through engaging, career-focused experiences.
Malibu Elementary Celebrates International Day of Peace
Malibu Elementary School joined in the global observance of International Day of Peace with a celebration on campus. Primary students delivered a moving performance, sharing messages of peace across the world and reminding us of the power of young voices to inspire hope. The event reflected the school’s commitment to fostering respect, understanding, and connection among all students.
Roosevelt Elementary Breaks Ground on Transformative New Childhood Learning Building and Library on September 3
To celebrate the start of construction on the early childhood learning building and library, Roosevelt Elementary School hosted its groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 3. The event was attended by key figures, including the SMMUSD Board of Education President Jennifer Smith and board member Maria Leon-Vazquez, Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton, Roosevelt Principal Dr. Amy Onyendu, along with staff, local officials, community members, students and building partners.
Back to School in Malibu: Inspiring Every Learner
The District recently mailed a back-to-school message to Malibu families and community members, sharing excitement for the year ahead. Malibu schools are proud to welcome students back with teachers and staff dedicated to providing not only strong academics but also opportunities that support the whole child. By centering student voices and embracing creative, student-driven learning, the District is preparing learners to thrive as future-ready leaders.
Read more here.
Back to School in Santa Monica: Whole-Student Focus
The District recently mailed a back-to-school message to Santa Monica families and community members, sharing excitement for the year ahead. With a focus on academic excellence, student voice, and whole-child learning, our schools are ready to inspire and support every learner this school year.
Read more here.
Who Will Win the Golden Sneaker? Bike It! Walk It! Bus It! Week Kicks Off This October
Get ready, SMMUSD! The Bike It! Walk It! Bus It! (BIWIBI) campaign returns Oct. 6-10. Schools will compete for the coveted Golden Sneaker Award as students, staff and families choose environmentally friendly ways to get to school.
Elementary schools will continue the tradition of competing against each other. Lincoln and John Adams Middle schools with compete internally against grade levels.
While Lincoln and John Adams Middle Schools will compete internally against grade levels.
Who will take home the sneaker this year? Stay tuned, it’s going to be a fun and green competition!
Grant Elementary School
John Adams Middle School
Lincoln Middle School
McKinley Elementary School
Ocean Park
Roosevelt Elementary School
Will Rogers Learning Community
Santa Monica Education Foundation
We’re off to a strong start this year, but to reach our $1.8 million goal for essential programs and staff, we need your partnership!
Pledge Week is right around the corner (October 6 - 10), making now the perfect time to give to the Ed Foundation’s Annual Fund. You can make your impact in the way that works best for you: give a one-time gift, set up a monthly donation, or pledge your support today and pay any time before June 15, 2026.
To everyone who has already donated, THANK YOU! The generosity of our donors makes an incredible difference. Together, we can strengthen our schools and enrich every child’s education.
Will you pledge your support?
Donate or pledge today: www.smedfoundation.org/donate.
Malibu Education Foundation
Rebuilding, Supporting, and Investing in Malibu Students
Did you know…
More than 230 students and staff lost their homes in the Palisades Fire
720 homes in Malibu were destroyed in that single event
Last year alone, Malibu students missed 19+ days of school due to the Broad, Franklin, and Palisades wildfires
These numbers are more than statistics—they represent disrupted learning, displaced families, and an urgent need for educational stability.
The Malibu Education Foundation (MEF) was created to build long-term resilience by funding essential staff and programs across all four Malibu public schools—like instructional aides, math tutors, arts education, and athletics.
This September, in the spirit of unity and service, MEF participated in Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin's PaliBu Day of Service, raising awareness about the lasting impact of these wildfires on our school communities—and the continued support needed for recovery.
To mark the 19+ days of lost learning, we launched the Recover19 campaign, encouraging donations of $19 to help MEF fund essential academic recovery programs.
Text Recover19 to 44834 or visit: https://onecau.se/recover19
Recovery takes time—and our schools can’t do it alone.
Learn more, donate, or get involved: www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org
Follow us: @malibu.edfoundation
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