Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

What a SPOOKTACULAR week at Webster! 🎃

Our very first Maker Monday was a HUGE success! 🎨 Students eagerly explored our new Maker Spot in the STEAM Lab during lunch recess, where they free-built with LEGOs, created Halloween-themed keychains, and contributed self-portraits to our Faces of Webster community art piece. This new space is already becoming a favorite!

The creativity and kindness continued with our Boo Grams, which were another big hit! 🍬 It was heartwarming to see so many students sending thoughtful notes and sweet surprises to friends and staff. A special shoutout to our Student Leadership team for demonstrating incredible responsibility while running daily lunchtime sales, with guidance from Ms. Johnson and Mr. K. I can't wait to see what this amazing group of young leaders does next!

Then came our first-ever Halloween Carnival, which was nothing short of FA-BOO-LOUS! 👻 From building candy corn towers and mixing magical potions to decorating pumpkins, making candy apples, and enjoying our creatively themed Trunk or Treat stations, our Whales were busy from start to finish! Students left with bags full of Halloween treasures and smiles to match, and our all-school dance party was the perfect grand finale! A HUGE thank-you to our Webster PTA, Lauren Ifft, Jamie Rose Winder, Sam Carpenter, Francesca Forgach, our Room Parents, and countless parent volunteers who made this unforgettable celebration possible. Thankfully, even the weather cooperated! ☀️

Finally, I was grateful for the opportunity to present at this week's SMMUSD Board of Education Meeting, where I highlighted the incredible work happening at Webster to strengthen student learning, engagement, and belonging. It was a proud moment to celebrate the collective efforts of our students, staff, families, and community partners. You can read more about the presentation, including links to the slides and recording, in the section below.

QUICK NOTE: This edition of Whale Tales Weekly includes important information and reminders for the next two weeks, as I'll be attending a professional development conference alongside four Webster staff members this upcoming week. We're excited to deepen our learning around effective mathematics instruction and bring back new ideas and strategies to further strengthen the incredible work happening in our classrooms.

🚧 CONSTRUCTION CORNER

There’s a lot happening around Webster! Here’s the latest on two campus improvement projects:

🛝 Playground Project

Exciting progress on our new playground—equipment installation is officially complete! 🛝🎉 Crews will now tackle asphalt work, followed by rubber safety surfacing beginning the week of November 2. We're still targeting November 9 for our grand opening, pending the arrival of one final equipment part. We're SO close, Whales! 🐳

As a reminder, the construction zone remains off-limits. BGCM programming continues in Rooms 1 and 2 and designated areas of the upper field, with pick-up outside near the cafetorium until construction is complete.

⚡ Backup Power & Microgrid Project
A second project begins next week as SMMUSD works to strengthen emergency backup power at Webster.

Phase 1 | October 12–November 23 (estimated): Microgrid controls will connect our electrical system to the existing backup generator. Families may notice trenching and construction activity in portions of the upper parking lot.
Phase 2 | Late March 2027 (estimated): A solar battery storage system will be installed to store solar energy and provide primary backup power, with the generator serving as a secondary source.

🔔 IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Daylight Saving Time Ends: Turn your clocks back one hour on Saturday, October 31st ⏰
Pupil Free Day: Tuesday, November 3rd (no school for students)
Parent-Teacher Conference Week: Schedule meetings with your child’s teacher to discuss progress and goals. Conferences will take place all week, with minimum days on Wednesday–Friday to allow for these important conversations.
Portrait of a Graduate — Your Voice Matters! SMMUSD is inviting families to help shape the skills and qualities we want every student to develop by graduation! Select your top five of seven competencies through the district's survey. Your feedback will help inform discussions on November 9. See details and survey information below!
School Site Council (SSC): We are moving forward with an electronic election the week of November 2 to confirm three community representatives. Two additional positions remain open, and we continue to welcome interested parents! See details below, and keep an eye on your inbox for voting information.
California School Parent Survey: Your feedback matters! The survey is open November 4–24 and is completely anonymous. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and help shape Webster’s future! Complete the survey here.
SMMUSD Home Technology & Internet Access Survey: Families are asked to complete a brief survey HERE to help the District plan for continued learning during unexpected school closures. Please submit one survey per student.
AERIES Data Confirmation: All families are required to complete AERIES Data Confirmation to ensure we have accurate and up-to-date information for your child. Please log in to the AERIES Parent Portal to complete the process.
Visitor Management: Our visitor management platform, Verkada, requires you to bring your ID each time you check in. The system will scan your ID and issue a visitor pass that must be worn while on campus.
Student Safety: Please ensure your child wears closed-toe shoes to school each day. With so much running, climbing, and active play, proper footwear helps keep our Whales safe and ready for fun!

📅 SAVE THE DATES

📌 November 19–20: Talent Show Auditions
📌 November 25–27: Thanksgiving Break

📌 December 1: Talent Show Rehearsal

📌 December 3: Talent Show Rehearsal

📌 December 8: 4th Grade Informance

📌 December 9: Talent Show FINAL Dress Rehearsal

📌 December 10: 5th Grade Informance

📌 December 11: Talent Show

📌 December 16: Holiday Concert

Finally, a SWEET shoutout to our fantastic Webster staff! 🍬🍭 From M&Ms to candy classics, our crew proved that life at Webster is sweeter together! Talk about a staff that's the whole candy aisle!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! Hopefully, that extra hour of sleep last night was a welcome treat! GO WHALES!! 🐳

Warmly,
Carina Diana

This week, Principal Diana had the honor of presenting to the SMMUSD Board of Education, celebrating the incredible work happening at Webster and sharing how we're continuing to strengthen student learning, belonging, and engagement.

The presentation highlighted our commitment to nurturing not only confident, capable learners, but also kind, resilient, and compassionate individuals. From exciting new student opportunities to intentional instructional practices, there is so much to celebrate at our small but mighty school!

Some key highlights included:

Launching Year 1 of intentional SEL implementation in partnership with Jessica Mirch, focusing on classroom rituals, Second Step instruction, and meaningful opportunities to strengthen relationships, belonging, and emotional well-being.
Celebrating Year 2 of PBL, including our first learning expo, Webster for Wildlife, and previewing our upcoming Cultural Storytellers Expo on November 20, featuring our continued partnership with Motopi Primary School in Botswana.
Advancing our School Site Implementation Plan (SIP) goal to strengthen students’ mathematical reasoning and problem-solving through collaborative learning, vertical non-permanent surfaces, and opportunities to explain and justify their thinking.
Highlighting new opportunities such as the TK Hall Pass, Library Pass, and Maker Spot, along with the return of Best on the Beach, all designed to build leadership, independence, creativity, and connection.
Sharing progress on our new playground and PTA-sponsored mural, along with the upcoming backup power and microgrid project to strengthen campus safety and resilience.
Introducing our new Attendance All-Stars recognition program and additional strategies to strengthen attendance, student engagement, and family partnerships.
Celebrating our Webster Family Campout and the incredible success of our PTA's Whale Fund, which achieved 100% family participation!

🎥 Missed the Presentation?

Watch Webster’s full segment from the SMMUSD Board Meeting on YouTube (timestamp 10:53–33:33) below, and check out the Presentation Slides to see all the highlights we shared.

We're incredibly proud of the collective work of our students, staff, and families.. Every initiative, celebration, and improvement reflects our shared commitment to creating a school where every child feels known, valued, supported, and empowered to thrive 🐳

What a spooktacular morning! 🎃 This year, we took our beloved Trunk or Treat tradition to a whole new level with our first-ever Halloween Carnival, and what an incredible celebration it was! Our Whales rotated through eight exciting stations, from candy corn tower building and potion making to pumpkin decorating, candy apples, and wand making. The smiles were endless, the creativity was flowing, and our students headed home with bags FULL of Halloween goodies and memories to match! 🍭

Our beloved Trunk or Treat was another highlight, with families going all out on their themed trunks! From spooky gardens and pollinators to pirates, Dog Man, and a haunted carnival, the creativity was off the charts! Even better was watching our students interact with parent volunteers, tackling games and challenges at each stop. Of course, DJ Joel and DJ Not Joel (Eddie Makabi) kept the energy going before our grand finale: an all-school Halloween Dance Party, complete with a costume catwalk and some seriously impressive dance moves! 🎶🪩

A HUGE, heartfelt thank-you to our Webster PTA and the masterminds behind this magical morning—Lauren Ifft, Jaimie Rose Winder, Francesca Forgach, and Sam Carpenter! To our incredible Room Parents and the countless parent volunteers who planned, decorated, organized, and ran stations throughout the morning, YOU made this celebration possible! Seeing our community come together to create such a joyful experience for our students was truly something special.

Perhaps the greatest Halloween treat of all? The rain stayed away! ☀️

Along with academic growth, we want our students to develop the skills they’ll need well beyond elementary school. Across SMMUSD, we’re working on a Portrait of a Graduate that will identify the knowledge, skills, and qualities we want every student to develop by the time they graduate.

At Webster, this work reflects our commitment to nurturing curious minds, confident learners, and compassionate individuals. Every day, we encourage students to think critically, communicate their ideas, collaborate with others, and persevere through challenges. Through meaningful learning experiences and strong relationships, we empower students to ask questions, take risks, learn from mistakes, and develop the confidence and skills they need to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

Our theme, “Belong. Believe. Become.”, reinforces this vision. We strive to create a community where every child feels welcomed and valued, develops confidence in themselves while knowing others believe in their potential, and is empowered to grow into the best version of themselves. We recognize that growth happens not only through academic achievements, but also in the everyday moments when students demonstrate kindness, resilience, curiosity, and courage. Above all, we want every Webster student to know they matter, their voice has value, and who they are becoming is just as important as what they are learning.

Now, we want to hear from you! Superintendent Shelton recently emailed all SMMUSD families to invite them to share their input on the Portrait of a Graduate. The district has identified seven competencies and is asking students, staff, families, and community members to select the five they believe are most important for every SMMUSD graduate.

Your feedback will help guide the district’s conversations and decisions at its next meeting on November 9. If you haven’t participated yet, please take a few minutes to learn more and share your thoughts.

Click here to watch the short video about the district’s work.
Click here to complete the survey and select your top five competencies.

We want this Portrait to reflect the hopes and priorities of our entire school community, and that includes our Webster families. Thank you for taking the time to share your voice!

The School Site Council (SSC) plays an essential role in guiding Webster’s priorities. From reviewing the safety plan to analyzing budgets and academic needs, this council ensures that our community’s voice is part of the decision-making process.

The SSC is made up of parents, teachers, staff, and administrators who work together to:

Develop and revise the school’s bylaws
Analyze and evaluate student academic achievement
Review recommendations from school advisories and committees
Approve expenditures in line with state and federal regulations
Participate in local, state, and federal program reviews
Attend meetings (where a quorum is required for voting decisions)

📅 Meeting Schedule
The SSC meets at least five times annually, in person, after school, for about 90 minutes. Meeting dates for 2026–27 will be shared soon.

✉️ Interested in Serving?

We are continuing to welcome candidates for the two remaining community representative positions! If you’re interested, please email Principal Carina Diana (cdiana@smmusd.org) with:

Your name, phone number, and email
A short candidate statement (approximately 3 sentences) explaining why you’d like to serve

🗳 Election Process
Please note that an election is required to confirm community representatives for the SSC. An electronic election will take place the week of November 2 to confirm our three current community representative candidates. Candidate names and statements will be shared with families before voting. We will continue recruiting for the remaining vacancies and share additional election information as candidates come forward.

An effective school thrives on collaboration between parents, students, teachers, administrators, and staff. We invite you to become an integral part of this process by serving on our SSC!

Webster Parents/Guardians,

Your voice matters! SMMUSD is inviting all Webster families to participate in the 2026–2027 California School Parent Survey to share your thoughts and experiences about our school. Your feedback helps guide our ongoing efforts to promote school safety, strengthen learning supports, and improve student achievement.

Why Your Participation Matters:

Your feedback provides valuable insight into our school community and helps inform future improvements.
Participation is voluntary and completely anonymous, with responses designed to protect your privacy.
Your perspective helps us continue building a school where every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Important Details:

One survey per family: If you have multiple children at Webster, please complete just one survey using your oldest child as a reference.
Available in 18 languages: Language options can be selected after the first page of the survey.
Webster-specific feedback: All questions relate specifically to your experiences at Webster Elementary.

📝 How to Participate

Complete the survey here: Webster Parent Survey 2026–2027

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our school office.

Thank you for taking the time to share your voice!

SMMUSD is working to ensure all students have the resources they need to stay connected and continue learning in the event of school closures due to natural disasters or other emergencies.

To help the District plan for both digital and non-digital learning options, we ask all Webster families to complete a brief survey about their access to home computing devices and the internet.

📝 Complete the SMMUSD Technology & Internet Access Survey HERE

Please submit one survey per student. Your responses will help SMMUSD better understand family needs and prepare to support all learners during unexpected school closures.

Exciting progress on our new playground—equipment installation is officially complete! 🛝 Crews will tackle asphalt work, followed by installation of the rubber safety surfacing beginning the week of November 2.

Although we had hoped to open sooner, our updated target opening date is Monday, November 9! 🎉

Thanks to the incredible support of SMMUSD and the dedication of our Webster PTA, led by Lauren Franks Ifft, we are thrilled to see this long-awaited project come to life. Our new playground will replace our aging 20-year-old equipment with a modern play space designed to prioritize safety, accessibility, and active play—giving our students a space that fosters physical development, creativity, and social connection.

🚧 Construction & Campus Safety

Restricted Access: The construction zone will be strictly off-limits to students, staff, and BGCM members.
Emergency Access: The fire road will remain accessible at all times.
Construction Deliveries: Material deliveries and demolition debris removal are being coordinated outside student drop-off and pick-up times to minimize disruptions.

Temporary BGCM Program Spaces

During construction, BGCM programming has temporary relocated to Rooms 1 and 2 and designated areas of the upper field, as appropriate. BGCM has worked to create fun, welcoming, and fully equipped spaces so students can continue enjoying their after-school experience throughout construction.

New BGCM Pick-Up Location

All BGCM pick-ups will take place outside near the cafetorium area until construction is complete. Families can expect clear directional signage, a designated BGCM staff station, a doorbell system similar to the current clubhouse setup, and staff available to assist. For pick-up assistance, please call BGCM at 310-774-1969.

We recognize that construction will bring temporary changes to our daily routines, and we sincerely appreciate your patience, flexibility, and cooperation as we work together to improve our campus.

For construction or campus operations questions, contact Principal Diana at cdiana@smmusd.org. For BGCM programming or pick-up questions, contact Tyler Hawkins, Director of Operations, at tylerhawkins@bgcmalibu.org.

Exciting things are ahead for our Whales! Check out the renderings of our new playground below!

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

Log in to your Aeries Parent Portal using the link below:
🔗 AERIES Parent Portal
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.
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 Stephanie Martinez (s.martinez@smmusd.org) so she can guide you through the next steps. Thank you for your prompt attention to these important steps. We can’t wait to kick off another amazing year together!

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 Stephanie Martinez at s.martinez@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.

Community support helps make so many of the opportunities our students experience possible. This year, I encourage Webster families to support both the Malibu Education Foundation (MEF) and Webster PTA. Both matter, and neither replaces the other.

MEF funds instructional aides, tutors, coaches, academic recovery and acceleration, and support staff across all four Malibu schools—with 100% staying in Malibu. At Webster, MEF funds four instructional aides and contributes to visual arts, while also investing in the programs and support our students will benefit from as they move on to MMS and MHS. Every gift makes a difference. Start with $25—that funds a student for a week!

✨ November 7 | MEF Gala — NEW DATE!

Due to the Bryson Fire, the MEF Gala, Illuminate. Elevate. Educate., has been rescheduled to Saturday, November 7! Already have tickets? You're all set! Tickets automatically carry over to the new date. If you're unable to attend, contact info@malibueducationfoundation.org for assistance.

🎟️ Tickets are still available! Visit onecau.se/mefgala to purchase tickets and explore the exciting auction offerings.

🎁 Let the Bidding Begin! The silent auction is open through gala night, featuring incredible experiences and one-of-a-kind opportunities. Live auction highlights include a private coastal helicopter flight with Hollywood stunt pilot Fred North, an Avengers: Doomsday world premiere and after-party experience, and an exclusive Rogan Gregory artwork!

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu (BGCM) is an important partner in supporting our Webster students and families. Through after-school programming and community services, BGCM focuses on academic success, character development, health and wellness, while creating a safe and supportive environment for Malibu youth.

🚧 Playground Construction Update

Construction on our new playground is officially underway! During construction, BGCM has temporarily relocated programming to Rooms 1 and 2 and designated areas of the upper field. All BGCM pick-ups will take place outside near the cafetorium area until construction is complete. BGCM staff will be available to help families navigate the temporary pick-up location. For assistance, please call 310-774-1969.

📚 Academic Year Enrollment is LIVE!

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.

💙 Wellness Center

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Wellness Center provides no-cost mental health counseling and social support services to our school community. Click here to learn more and email wellnessinfo@bgcmalibu.org or call 310-457-0360 ext 60146 to request services for you/your child.

🏠 Long-Term Disaster Recovery Services
The Care Coordination Team, a Disaster Recovery Coalition established by BGCM, continues to support qualifying Franklin and Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services, including:

Personalized Recovery Planning: Identifying current and ongoing needs and developing an individualized recovery plan
Resource Connections: Connecting families with available resources and support based on qualifying criteria
Advocacy: Helping identify community needs and advocate for additional resources

To connect with a Care Coordinator, email drc@bgcmalibu.org.

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.
Keep Pre-K/TK green curb drop-offs quick to ensure smooth turnover — this area is reserved for families using the Pre-K/TK gate. If your student enters through the main gate (K–5), please use the lower lot or main valet line.

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!

Principal's Message Principal's Message

Weekly Spotlight Weekly Spotlight

🎤 Webster’s Board Presentation Highlights 🎤 Webster’s Board Presentation Highlights

🎃 A Fa-BOO-lous Halloween Carnival! 👻🍬 🎃 A Fa-BOO-lous Halloween Carnival! 👻🍬

🎓 Building Skills for the Future: The Portrait of a Graduate 🎓 Building Skills for the Future: The Portrait of a Graduate

📣 Join Webster’s School Site Council (SSC)! 📣 Join Webster’s School Site Council (SSC)!

ACTION NEEDED: SMMUSD Parent Survey! ACTION NEEDED: SMMUSD Parent Survey!

💻 SMMUSD Survey: Home Technology & Internet Access 💻 SMMUSD Survey: Home Technology & Internet Access

🎉 Webster Playground Project Progress! 🎉 Webster Playground Project Progress!

Have you completed the AERIES Data Confirmation Process? Have you completed the AERIES Data Confirmation Process?

📊 Parent Access to Score Reports 📊 Parent Access to Score Reports

Every Student, Every Day Every Student, Every Day

🔆 MEF: Supporting Malibu Schools 🔆 🔆 MEF: Supporting Malibu Schools 🔆

Boys & Girls Club of Malibu: Here for You! Boys & Girls Club of Malibu: Here for You!

Safety Reminders Safety Reminders

Helpful Links Helpful Links

Follow Webster on Instagram! Follow Webster on Instagram!

Principal's Message

Weekly Spotlight

🎤 Webster’s Board Presentation Highlights

🎃 A Fa-BOO-lous Halloween Carnival! 👻🍬

🎓 Building Skills for the Future: The Portrait of a Graduate

📣 Join Webster’s School Site Council (SSC)!

ACTION NEEDED: SMMUSD Parent Survey!

💻 SMMUSD Survey: Home Technology & Internet Access

🎉 Webster Playground Project Progress!

Have you completed the AERIES Data Confirmation Process?

📊 Parent Access to Score Reports

Every Student, Every Day

🔆 MEF: Supporting Malibu Schools 🔆

Boys & Girls Club of Malibu: Here for You!

Safety Reminders

Helpful Links

Follow Webster on Instagram!