Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

We had our first fire drill of the year this week, and I am so proud of how well our students and staff implemented both old and new procedures. As we reflected on our “grows and glows,” I reminded students about the importance of staying quiet on the blacktop so instructions can be heard clearly in an emergency. For our volunteers and adult visitors, please remember that all adults must be visible on the blacktop during drills so we can account for everyone. If you are on campus and haven’t signed out in the office, our search and rescue team will be sent for you—so please always sign out before leaving. It is vital for safety.

We also held our first-ever Room Parent Orientation, where we came together to align expectations, collaborate, and build community support for the year ahead. A big thank-you to all our parents serving in this important role—you are a vital part of what makes Webster thrive!

On a personal note, I was honored to be invited as “Star of the Week” for the second week in a row, this time in Room 8. Students got to learn more about my journey, passions, and even my favorite children’s book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss. The highlight of the experience was a heartfelt letter from my own parents about what I was like as a second grader, which the students loved. All the hugs afterwards were the absolute best.

WEBSTER WEAR 🐳
Congratulations to Ms. Harris’ class in Room 7 for winning this week’s Webster Wear competition—with 100% participation for the second week in a row! Way to go!

🔔 IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• NO SCHOOL - Tuesday, September 23: Local Holiday.

• Best on the Beach: If your child was nominated by staff, you will receive an email or phone call from me so you can join us Friday morning for the celebration and surprise your child!

• Volunteer Training: If your Level 1 Volunteer clearance is expiring, our office will reach out with upcoming training dates. If you recently completed training, you’ll soon receive your official clearance email. Thank you for your support!

• Visitor Management: Our new system, Verkada, is now live in the main office. Please bring your ID each time you check in. The system will scan your ID and issue a pass, which must be worn while on campus. Don’t forget to sign out when you leave!

📅 SAVE THE DATES

Wishing all of our families observing Rosh Hashanah a sweet and joyous new year 🍎🍯

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!

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. Webster’s SSC is seeking two community representatives for the 2025–26 school year.

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 2025–26 will be shared soon.

✉️ How to Apply
If you’re interested, please email Principal Carina Diana (cdiana@smmusd.org) with a brief statement of interest by Friday, September 26th. Please include:

• Your name, phone number, and email

• A short candidate statement (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. Candidate names and statements will be shared with families and electronic voting will take place the week of September 29th.

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!

Mark your calendars—Webster’s Annual Campout is happening Saturday, October 11th! 🎉

This beloved tradition is just 3 weeks away and promises an evening full of food, games, crafts, music, and unforgettable memories under the stars. The campout is one of the best ways to connect with other families at the start of the school year while enjoying the magic of our Whale community.

Already planning to attend? We’d love your help! We’re looking for volunteers who can commit just 2 hours before, during, or after the event to keep things running smoothly. Sign Up to Volunteer HERE.

✨ Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

This year’s PTA Reflections theme, “I Belong!” invites our Webster Whales to celebrate the many ways each of us is part of something greater. Reflections is a national PTA arts recognition program that encourages students to express themselves creatively through:

• 🎨 Visual Arts

• 🎶 Music

• 💃 Dance

• ✍️ Writing

• 📸 Photography

• 🎥 Film

Whether through friendships, classrooms, families, or the wider community, belonging is what gives us strength and joy. The theme reminds our students that their voices, ideas, and creativity matter — and that Webster is a place where everyone is valued.

✨ How to Participate
Students are encouraged to create and submit an original piece of work that reflects the theme “I Belong!”. Families can support by talking about what belonging means at home and encouraging students to share their vision through art. Fliers and entry forms will be distributed starting Monday, September 15th at drop-off. The submission deadline is October 14th!

👉 Learn more at PTA.org/Reflections

Webster is seeking two parent volunteers to serve on the SMMUSD Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) for the 2025–26 school year.

The LCAP is a critical document that outlines District goals, actions, and funding priorities. Parent voices are essential to this process, and Education Code requires that districts include parents and guardians in reviewing and commenting on the plan before it goes to the Board of Education.

The PAC must include parents of students who reflect the diversity of our schools, such as those eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, English learners, foster youth, students with disabilities, and other student groups.

Meeting Details:

• Format: Virtual meetings

• Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM

• Dates: September 12, November 14, January 29, March 5, May 14, and Tentatively June 12

If you are interested in representing Webster on this important committee, please contact Principal Carina Diana at cdiana@smmusd.org. Your voice matters, and we’d love to have Webster represented in this important work for our students’ future!

We are excited to invite families to the 2nd Annual Parent Academy hosted by SMMUSD!

📅 When: Saturday, October 18, 2025
📍 Where: Lincoln Middle School
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Come spend the day learning, connecting, and growing as partners in your child’s education. Sessions will cover a variety of topics, including:

• College Pathways

• Understanding Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

• 504s

✨ Highlights:

• Free breakfast & lunch provided

• Opportunity drawings for gift cards, spa packages, and more

• Free childcare available

• All sessions offered in English and Spanish

👉 Take a peek inside Parent Academy and view the full program here: Parent Academy Program

This is a wonderful chance to build your knowledge, meet other families, and strengthen our community together.

The Webster PTA is kicking off the new school year, and we’d love for you to join us! Membership is just $15 for the year, and anyone in our community — parents, teachers, grandparents, and even students — can become a member.

Why Join the PTA?

• ✅ Stay in the Know – Get firsthand updates about events, decisions, and policies.

• ✅ Have a Voice – Help shape what happens at Webster.

• ✅ Build Relationships – Connect with parents, teachers, and school leadership.

• ✅ Support Webster – PTA funds help provide aides, supplies, field trips, technology, and enrichment.

• ✅ Share Your Talents – From fundraising to photography, there are many ways to contribute.

• ✅ Make School Fun! – The PTA organizes some of Webster’s most-loved traditions like the Campout, Trunk-or-Treat, Talent Show, Jog-a-Thon, Field Day, and more.

💡 Worried about the time commitment? Don’t be! Whether you join a meeting, volunteer once, or take on a project, every bit of support makes a big difference.

Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet for our kids!

Last month, our students took part in a Schoolwide Expectations Assembly where we discussed what it means to be a Webster Whale. Together, we reviewed how to learn, play, and grow in a way that builds a safe, respectful, and welcoming community for everyone.

At the heart of our expectations is The Webster Way — Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Resourceful. These values guide us in every part of the school day:

• Arrival & Dismissal – walking calmly, greeting others kindly, and thanking staff who keep us safe.

• In the Classroom – listening actively, trying our best, and helping classmates.

• On the Yard – including others, playing fairly, and freezing at the whistle.

• In the Bathroom – being quick, clean, and respectful.

• Solving Problems – using words, walking away when needed, apologizing, and telling an adult.

• Being an Upstander – speaking up if you see something wrong and making sure everyone feels they belong .

We also reminded students that when mistakes happen, we own it, make it right, and learn from it.

✨ How Families Can Help
We know that students grow best when school and home partner together. Please take a moment to talk about these expectations at home. Reinforcing these messages helps your child—and all of our Whales—develop the habits of kindness, responsibility, and respect that will serve them for life.

👉 You can view the full Schoolwide Expectations Presentation by clicking the button below.

Together, let’s make this year incredible as we dare, do, and discover!

Planning a spooky outing this Halloween season? When you purchase tickets to Nights of the Jack through our Webster-specific link, 10% of your ticket sales will be donated back to Webster — at no extra cost to you!

Nights of the Jack is an immersive Halloween experience for all ages, featuring dazzling jack-o’-lantern installations, seasonal fun, and a magical atmosphere at King Gillette Ranch.

📅 Event Dates: September 26 – November 1
📍 Location: King Gillette Ranch

Tickets are available now! If you, your family, friends, or neighbors are planning to attend this year, please be sure to use and share our Webster link to support our school while celebrating the season.

The Weekend Bag Program (WeB) provides SMMUSD students with free, nutritious, easy-to-prepare bags of food containing two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks for the weekends — when school meals are not available.

How It Works

• Weekend Bags are packed by volunteers with shelf-stable foods such as cereal, oatmeal, fruit cups, mac & cheese, canned veggies, snack bars, trail mix, pasta, rice & beans, and more.

• Menus are evaluated by a dietitian to meet federal school nutrition standards.

• Bags are opaque and discreet to ensure student privacy.

• Students pick them up on Fridays after school, usually from the office, and slip them into their backpacks.

Who Can Participate?
The program is open to all SMMUSD students. Student names are not shared with program volunteers to maintain confidentiality.

How to Enroll
Families who wish to participate should contact our Bilingual Community Liaison, Alex Aspron-Ladesich, at aaspron@smmusd.org or 310-457-6801 x74272 to fill out the opt-in form.

This program is a wonderful way to ensure that every Webster Whale has access to healthy meals over the weekend.

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 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.

The Malibu Education Foundation (MEF) is hosting several exciting events this fall to raise critical funds for the staff and programs that support all Malibu schools. Mark your calendars and join the fun!

✨ MEF Gala
Saturday, October 4 | Malibu High School
An unforgettable evening under the stars with drinks, dinner, dancing, and giving back to the programs that power our schools.
🎟 Tickets & Tables

🏃‍♀️ Malibu Moves
Saturday, October 25 & Sunday, October 26 | Zuma Beach
All ages welcome! Run, walk, or volunteer at the Kids Run, Beer Garden (21+), or VIP Charity Lounge. A family-friendly event that helps MEF keep moving its mission forward.
👉 Register at malibumoves.com

🔅 Learn more & get involved: www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org

Let’s show up for our students—in style, with heart, and maybe a few laughs!

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!

Breakfast and lunch are free for all students this school year. However, we ask that every family complete the Online Meal Application for 2025–2026, even if your child does not plan to eat school meals. This form impacts funding and programs beyond meals, so widespread participation is essential.

How to Apply:

• Complete one application per household each school year.

• Apply online at www.smmusd.org/foodservices or drop off a completed application at your child’s school office or the District Office any time during the year.
  (Faxed or emailed copies will not be accepted.)

Important Reminders:

• Eligibility from last year expires Thursday, October 2, 2025.

• Processing can take up to 10 business days.

• If your application is not processed by the deadline and you have not received approval, your child must pay full price for meals.

• Incomplete applications will be returned.

• List all adults (employed or not) and all children in your household, including non-students.

• Do not attach income documentation unless specifically requested for verification.

• Sign, date, and include the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (or check the box if you do not have one).

📞 Questions or help? Contact Food & Nutrition Services at (310) 450-8338, ext. 70228.

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.

🥋 Warrior Academy with the Bruce Lee Foundation
Back at Webster Elementary this fall! Designed by Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee, this program blends martial arts and mindfulness to help students grow physically, mentally, and emotionally.

• When: Wednesdays, 3:00–4:00 PM

• Dates: September 17 – November 19

• Who: 3rd–5th grade BGCM members

• Led by professional martial artist Joey Escobar and included in BGCM membership.
  👉 For more information, email stephengreene@bgcmalibu.org.

💛 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
Starting Wednesday, August 27th, the BGCM Disaster Recovery Center is supporting Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services by appointment only.
Support includes:

• One-on-one Care Coordinator guidance

• Personalized recovery planning

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

🏃 Run Malibu Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Race
On November 15th and 16th, wellness, community, and endurance come together at Run Malibu! Runners of all levels will be treated to stunning views along the Pacific Coast Highway. Highlights include:

• The Dolphin Dash Kids Race at California State University Channel Islands campus

• The traditional Half Marathon & 5K along the PCH
  👉 Learn more and register at www.runmalibu.com.

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