The SMMUSD Wave- April 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, and Community Members,

I hope that everyone had a restful and rejuvenating spring break and is ready to finish off the academic year strong.

Looking ahead, I want to highlight two important upcoming opportunities for our community to engage with the district. First, we invite you to participate in the 2025 SMMUSD Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) meeting on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, via Zoom. Your input is invaluable as we shape our district's priorities and goals. Please join us using this link: https://bit.ly/LCAPMeeting2025.

Additionally, we are excited to host the SMMUSD Parent Academy: Empowering Families to Empower Students on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Lincoln Middle School. This enriching event will feature informative sessions on topics such as project-based learning, understanding 504 plans, Individual Education Plans (IEP) for special education students, social-emotional supports, SMMUSD communication tools, effective parent communication strategies, and much more! We encourage all interested families to sign up today at http://bit.ly/SMMParentAcademy.

Members of our team had several opportunities to attend conferences this month, including the California Association of Bilingual Education (CABE), California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators Conference (CAAASA), and the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO). Professional development is important for all staff and management, certificated and classified, to continually improve, learn and grow. This includes our district office staff. It’s important for SMMUSD to be at the forefront of all aspects of education, whether that be involving school finance and budgets, English learner supports, communications and leadership.

As the academic year nears its close, our schools are filled with a wide array of inspiring activities. Student engagement is high in both academics and enriching events, including career days, multicultural fairs, sports competitions, and visual and performing arts showcases. With numerous end-of-year celebrations approaching, we collectively reaffirm our commitment to student success, supporting them as they prepare for future endeavors. We invite you to join us for upcoming programs, concerts, and celebrations across our schools. Visit school websites and follow SMMUSD and schools on social media.

Thank you for your continued and unwavering support and dedication to the success of all our students. We look forward to a strong and celebratory conclusion to the school year, together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent

You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.

Photo: Dr. Shelton and district staff and leadership at the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators Conference (CAAASA). left to right, Dr. Joseph Eure, Tara Warren, Cynthia McGregory, Dr. Shelton, Dr. Amy Onyendu, Isaac Burgess, and Dr. Devon Smith

SMMUSD is proud to announce that Edison Language Academy, a Spanish dual immersion school, has been named a 2025 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education (CDE). Edison is one of 336 elementary schools across the state to receive this recognition.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/EdisonDistSchool2025.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Jim Wang as the coordinator of visual and performing arts, at its April 3, 2025, regular board meeting. Dr. Wang is a familiar face around classrooms and performance spaces throughout SMMUSD, having served as director of orchestras at Lincoln Middle School for nine years before directing the Santa Monica High School (Samohi) orchestras for the past five years. Dr. Wang brings more than 20 years of experience in music education to his new position.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/WangVapaCoor2025.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education approved the appointment of Lisa Vasquez as the assistant director, Child Development Services (CDS), at its April 3, 2025, regular board meeting. In this role, Vasquez will contribute to the leadership of CDS, which provides a comprehensive range of early learning services within SMMUSD. These services span from the infant-toddler center through preschool, support expanded transitional kindergarten programs, and offer before- and after-school care for students in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade in Santa Monica.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/VasquezAsstDirCDS2025.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education approved the appointment of Steve Carrillo as the transportation director at its regular April 3, 2025, board meeting. Carrillo is a familiar face around SMMUSD and bus routes having worked since 1998 as a bus driver, then transportation supervisor / dispatcher and as the interim director since July 2024.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/CarrilloTranspDir2025.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Sounds Like LA and DanzAlianza will be hosting “México Mágico” a folklórico dance and mariachi music festival on Saturday, May 17, 2025, featuring youth mariachi and folklórico dance groups from SMMUSD and other groups from the western United States. The festival will take place at Barnum Hall on the Santa Monica High School campus, 600 Olympic Blvd. Santa Monica from 2 to 9:30 p.m. Come for part of the day or all day!

Read more here.

Malibu Middle School (MMS) sixth-grade students hosted the annual Walk for Water a Project-Based Learning (PBL) project on Friday, March 21, 2025. The goal of the event was to bring attention to global water scarcity and support the mission of water for South Sudan. This immersive, interdisciplinary event engaged students across multiple subjects, reinforcing their understanding of the challenges faced by communities without access to clean drinking water.

Read more here.

Students at Lincoln Middle School (LMS) were honored by the Los Angeles Clippers organization after placing in the top three of more than 160 participating schools in the Read to Achieve Minutes Challenge, with participation from only the school’s seventh grade students. The six-week literacy initiative is designed to build consistent reading habits and foster a lifelong love of learning

Read more here: https://bit.ly/LMSReadtoAchieve2025.

In an extraordinary first-year achievement, Roosevelt Elementary School’s student team, The Magical Kings and the Mysterious Wizards, is headed to the Destination Imagination (DI) Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri, taking place May 22 to 25. The team earned this opportunity after placing first in their category at the Los Angeles Destination Imagination Land Regional Tournament, followed by an impressive third-place finish at the California State Tournament in the Elementary Level Technical Challenge.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/RooseveltDIchallenge2025.

Students at Grant Elementary School are not just learning about world cultures, they are leading the way. For the first time, Grant launched a Holi Student Ambassador program, giving students who celebrate the holiday the opportunity to educate their peers about the vibrant traditions behind Holi, the Festival of Colors.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/GrantHoli2025.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station spend their days conducting science missions and spacewalks, but it is a rare and exciting moment when they pause to connect live from space with students. Santa Monica High School (Samohi) alumnus Dr. Jonathan Kim is headed to space!

Read more about Dr. Kim’s accomplishments and journey here.

Check the May 2025 Wave for follow up on the event!

Join us for the SMMUSD Parent Academy on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Lincoln Middle School, featuring sessions on project-based learning, 504s vs. IEPs, social-emotional supports, parent communication strategies, and more! Sign up today: http://bit.ly/SMMParentAcademy.

April is National Arab American Heritage Month, a time to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans, while promoting understanding and breaking down stereotypes.

SMMUSD students shared their creativity and talent at visual art showcases in Santa Monica and Malibu in April. These events featured artwork from secondary students and offered a powerful reminder of how the arts contribute to student success, fostering self-expression, critical thinking, and confidence. Showcases like these also strengthen school community connections by bringing families, educators, and local supporters together to celebrate student voice and creativity. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our young artists!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and summer is just around the corner! The Hazel Health online therapy program is available to families at no cost all summer long. Sessions are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. local time, with flexible scheduling. Visit my.hazel.co/smmusd for more information.

Future chemist in the making? A little visitor at Samohi got an early start in AP Chemistry today! While students were conducting a lab outside, they took a moment to share their love of science with this curious toddler. Watch more here, but full disclosure it is cuteness overload.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is grateful to the students of Lake Hood Elementary in Anchorage, Alaska; PS527 in New York City; and Henderson International School in Henderson, Nevada for their thoughtful letters to Webster Elementary students following the recent wildfires. Their messages of kindness and encouragement were a meaningful reminder of how compassion and connection can unite students across the country.

Career Day at Edison Language Academy was a huge success! Students explored a variety of careers and saw firsthand how being bilingual in Spanish can open doors and make a real impact across professions. See more on our Instagram page.

Another successful Career Day at Grant Elementary School! From firefighters to producers, students explored a world of possibilities, fueling their curiosity, sparking empowerment, and showing them they truly belong wherever their dreams take them. See more on our Instagram page.

Students from Malibu Middle and Malibu High schools got an inside look at the world of filmmaking during a special Q&A with screenwriter James Vanderbilt and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski. Hosted by film teacher Ari Jacobs, the session gave students the chance to learn firsthand about storytelling, the creative process, and careers in the film and TV industry.

SMASH second and third grade students visited the Santa Monica Fire Department Station 1 on Thursday, April 24, 2025, to present handmade gifts and donate a $4,000 check to the station’s firefighter relief fund. The students helped raise $1,000 of it by donating their allowances and household change. They also partnered with a Los Angeles based non-profit who contributed $3,000. During their visit, students also toured the station and got a firsthand look at how firefighters serve and protect our community. The project-based learning has been an example of student agency, empathy, and the power of community. SMMUSD is incredibly proud of the young change makers! Watch more here.

Edison Language Academy hosted “Noche de César Chávez,” bringing the school community together to honor the iconic leader. The evening featured delicious food presented by the English Learner Advisory Committee and showcased the talents of Edison students, including delightful songs from first and second graders and a powerful performance of 'El Inmigrante' by Maribel Cachu-Rios' third and fourth-grade class.

Webster Elementary recently held its annual talent show, showcasing the diverse talents of students and even surprising the audience with a staff flash mob! From musical performances and dance routines to student artwork featured in the program, the event highlighted the creativity and supportive spirit of the Webster community. Read more here.

(Photo Courtesy of Malibu Times)

They're creepy, they're kooky... and they're hitting the Malibu High stage! Join our talented Malibu High School theatre students for The Addams Family – School Edition, running May 2–4. Grab your tickets before they vanish into the night: https://malibuhs.booktix.com

Join the Samohi Bands family on celebrating their graduating seniors at their annual POPS Concert on Tuesday, May 20 at Barnum Hall. There will be delicious food for sale before the concert. For more information, please visit https://samohiband.org/.

Students from the JAMS SMASH Theatre Company bring the beloved musical The Wizard of Oz to life on stage at the JAMS Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica. Get your tickets today and follow the yellow brick road to an unforgettable show! http://www.jamstheatrecompany.com/.

Samohi students, guided by their art teacher John Galan, created a powerful "Kids' Guernica" mural promoting peace. This artwork is currently on display in their sister city, Fujinomiya, Japan.

The Will Rogers’ Learning Community celebrated Earth Day at its regenerative farm on Friday, April 25, 2025! Students, teachers, staff, and community members came together to explore the farm and deepen their understanding of sustainability. A wonderful day of learning, connection, and stewardship of our planet! Watch more here.

Nineteen determined fifth graders from Edison Language Academy showcased their skills at Edison’s annual mathletes competition after weeks of dedicated lunchtime training. With teamwork, sharp reasoning, and a passion for problem-solving, they tackled challenging math puzzles and inspired one another to think big. Thank you to teacher Murcia Constanza for sparking their love of math and supporting them every step of the way!

Sixteen students from the Samohi Project-Based Learning (PBL) Pathway participated in the SNAP Teen Summit at Snapchat headquarters on April 25. Students explored career pathways in technology through activities including storytelling, a career panel discussion, music production, and a marketing challenge. Throughout the day, students actively engaged in sessions and earned prizes for their participation. Special thanks to the Santa Monica Education Foundation for making this opportunity possible. Learn more about the Samohi PBL pathway: www.smmusd.org/PBL

Construction of the new early elementary building at Will Rogers’ Learning Community began in the summer of 2024 and is making progress. This transformative project is funded through Bond Measure SMS, reflecting the community’s commitment to providing modern, high-quality learning environments for future-ready learners. Construction is on schedule for the early education building to open in August 2025.

Read more here.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is excited to share the successful passage of Bond Measure QS for Santa Monica in November 2024. The District is grateful to the community for their overwhelming support and trust in this initiative. The funding represents a significant investment in the future of our students and families, allowing us to move forward with the much-anticipated renovation of the 500's building. Modernization of the Lincoln 500's building will commence as soon as school concludes in June 2025.

Learn more here.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is excited to share the successful passage of Bond Measure QS for Santa Monica in November 2024. The District is grateful to the community for their overwhelming support and trust in this initiative. The funding represents a significant investment in the future of our students and families, allowing us to move forward with the much-anticipated modernization of the new John Adams Middle School (JAMS) STEM building. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2025.

Read more here.

Progress on the new Malibu High School building is well underway, with construction advancing steadily and the building’s form now clearly emerging. The campus will feature adaptable learning spaces that encourage collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, with a strong emphasis on project-based learning.

Read more about project details here.

The new Malibu High School (MHS) building is set to open its doors in August 2025, five months ahead of schedule and on budget. Designed to blend seamlessly with the coastal landscape, the new campus will serve as a vibrant hub for innovation and future-ready learning. It will feature flexible, collaborative spaces that foster project-based learning, creativity, and critical thinking, providing students with an environment built for the future. Rising seniors will be able to enjoy this new state-of-the-art facility they have watched take shape for several years for their full school year.

Read more about the new Malibu High School building opening here.

John Adams Middle School (JAMS) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly modernized library on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. The event celebrated the completion of the state-of-the-art library, a dynamic space where students immerse themselves in reading, explore new ideas, and collaborate in a welcoming environment. The library reflected SMMUSD’s commitment to creating future-ready learning environments that empower students to reach their full potential, both academically and social-emotionally.

Watch the ribbon-cutting video here.

Every gift counts. Every student benefits.

• May 2-3, 2025 - Yallwest Book Festival for middle school, high school and young adults - Samohi
• May 2-4, 2025 - Malibu High Presents: The Addams Family
• May 2-4, 2025 - JAMS SMASH Theatre: The Wizard of Oz
• May 7, 2025 - LCAP Community Meeting
• May 17, 2025 - Parent Academy
• May 17, 2025 - México Mágico: Folklórico Dance and Mariachi Festival - Samohi Barnum Hall
• May 20, 2025 - Samohi Bands POPS Concert

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