Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

What an awesome week! We kicked things off with students decked out in green, setting leprechaun traps and celebrating the luck and fun of St. Patrick’s Day—a whimsical start to a week full of energy and connection.

After an extraordinary year, it felt so good to come together simply to enjoy each other’s company and have some fun. The Jog-A-Thon was truly the highlight of my week and a vibrant showcase of our school spirit! Families, staff, and friends lined the field with cheers as students ran their hearts out. Some pushed for a new record, others cheered wildly for their classmates--and all were smiling. It was a true reminder of the magic that happens when our Webster community comes together.

A huge shoutout to our dedicated teachers, who continue to model what it means to be lifelong learners. This week, they began the first of many future professional development sessions centered around the research of Dr. Peter Liljedahl, a leading voice in mathematics education. His work focuses on fostering deep thinking in students, and there was certainly a lot of that going on as our team began exploring how to bring these practices into our classrooms. Special thanks to Amy Stark, our resident expert, for guiding us through this powerful work!

🏆 Webster Wear Winners!
Every classroom was a winner today in our new Webster Strong tie-dye shirts. Keep that school spirit shining bright!

🔔 Important Reminders

🌌 4th Grade AstroCamp Meeting – Attention 4th grade parents! Join us for an essential meeting on Thursday, March 27th at 9:15 AM on Zoom (link will be sent via email) to go over all the details for our upcoming outdoor education experience. Please ensure at least one parent/guardian attends to help make this trip a successful.

📸 Webster School Portraits – Now available! See below for ordering details.

📅 Save the Date!

📌 March 31 – NO SCHOOL (Observance of Cesar Chavez Day)
📌 April 1 – 🔬 Pepperdine Science Night (6 PM - 7:30 PM)

📌 April 3 – 💃 4th Grade World Dance Informance (8:45 AM - 9:45 AM)

📌 April 3 – 🏫 Open House (6 PM - 7 PM)

📌 April 3 – MINIMUM DAY

📌 May 3 – 🪩 Kidchella (3 PM - 10 PM)

📌 May 5-9 – ⛺ Yosemite Outdoor Education Trip

📌 May 14-16 – 🌌 AstroCamp Outdoor Education Trip

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support in any way

Together, we will get through this 🫶🏼

GO WHALES!

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 in upcoming newsletters.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our school community!

Our entire Webster community came together in full spirit to cheer on our amazing students during this year’s Jog-A-Thon 👟—and what a celebration it was! From the very first lap, students were full of determination, laughter, and encouragement for one another. Whether they were chasing a personal best or simply soaking up the fun, the joy was contagious.

A huge thank-you to Coach Daryl, Coach Rebecca, and Coach SaCoya for leading the students through stretches and helping them get race-ready! A shoutout to our DJ's for bringing their signature energy and music to keep the vibes high all day long 🎶

After crossing the finish line, students celebrated with well-earned Kona Ice snow cones 🍧, recharging with smiles and sticky fingers. Thank you to everyone who supported and helped make this event such a heart-pumping success for our school 💙

Your child's school portrait proofs are now available!

TO VIEW AND ORDER:
📷 Click HERE: Trish Alison Photography
🔑 Enter YOUR CHILD'S LAST NAME as the "keyword" when prompted.

📢 IMPORTANT DETAILS

✨ Customizable Orders: Choose exactly what you want! Order single prints, digital downloads, print packages, or photo gifts. Options are listed on the left side of the ordering screen.
💻 Best Ordering Experience: Use a desktop rather than a phone for easier navigation.
🖼️ Photo Editing Available: Retouching options include teeth whitening, acne removal, and glare reduction (available at checkout).
💾 Digital Files: $39 per image or $46 for a retouched file (includes fine editing). Bulk discounts are available for 8 or 15 images.

📏 Customize Your Crop: Adjust the crop before finalizing your order.

For any ordering questions, please contact Trish Jochen directly at trishajochen@gmail.com. The school is unable to assist with portrait orders.

Calling all thespians, dancers, singers, magicians, musicians, joke tellers, poetry readers, acrobats, and jugglers! It’s time to get your performance ready and join us for our joyful annual Webster Talent Show!

🎭 Rehearsals: (All acts must attend all three)

• Wednesday, March 26th @ 3 PM – until done (Dress Rehearsal)

🎭 Talent Show Performances:

1. Friday, March 28th @ 8:45 AM (Student Show)
2. Friday, March 28th @ 6 PM (Parent Show)

Important Guidelines:
✨ Students may perform solo or in a group (max 2 acts; no 2 solo acts).
✨ Costumes, language, and song lyrics must be elementary school-appropriate and approved before dress rehearsal.
✨ Solo acts: max 2 minutes; Group acts: max 2 minutes 30 seconds.
✨ Need help editing music? Email Nikki White at ncwhite11@gmail.com.

We are SO excited to showcase the talent, creativity, and imagination of our Webster performers!

We’re getting excited for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! We’re also thrilled to share that all students have submitted their registration forms—yay! 🎉

Below are the next steps to help ensure a smooth and successful experience for everyone:

🎒 Packing & Preparation

• Review the Packing List – Ensure your child has all necessary gear, including sturdy hiking shoes and warm layers. View the full packing list HERE.
• Break in Hiking Shoes – To prevent discomfort on long hikes, students should start wearing and breaking in their hiking boots now.

💰 Payments & Generosity

• We are currently reviewing payment status and will reach out to individual families with any questions.
• THANK YOU to those who have already submitted payment—and an extra special thank-you to the families who contributed more to help support another student. Your generosity truly embodies the spirit of our community.

We invite you to join for a special presentation by Dr. Alice Kuo, Chief and Professor at UCLA Medicine – Pediatrics & Mental Health and Director of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.

📅 Tuesday, March 25th
⏰ 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
📍 Grant Elementary Auditorium (2368 Pearl St., Santa Monica, CA)
💻 Attend in person or via Zoom
👶 Free childcare provided

Dr. Kuo will lead an insightful discussion on Creating Inclusive Classrooms: How Supporting Neurodiversity Benefits All Students. Learn how fostering neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism, etc.) in education empowers neurodivergent students and enhances learning for every child.

This event is sponsored by the Grant Parents of Neurodiverse Students Resource & Support Group, a community initiative dedicated to supporting families and allies of neurodivergent children.

📌 RSVP online to attend!

For questions, please contact swanfarrahs@gmail.com.

Get ready for an exciting evening of hands-on science exploration! On April 1 from 6:00-7:30 PM, Assistant Professor of Biology Krista Lucas and 40 of her Pepperdine students will once again bring the wonder of science to Webster!

These future scientists have developed engaging, grade-appropriate lab experiences for our families, covering topics like Natural Selection, The Immune System, Reptile & Amphibian Adaptations, Food Chains, and even SLIME! They’ve put their creativity to the test to create interactive, fun-filled learning experiences for students of all ages.

Families will rotate between classrooms to explore different experiments, and all friends and family are welcome to join in on the fun!

Our 4th graders have been hard at work participating in the Santa Monica College Dance Academy's World Dance Program, a 12-lesson in-school arts experience sponsored by SMC, SMMUSD, and the Santa Monica Education Foundation. Students are learning traditional Mexican and African dance as part of this enriching program that supports physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development through the arts.

Families are invited to join us for the Culminating Dance Event on Thursday, April 3rd at 8:45 AM in the Webster Auditorium. Students are encouraged to wear colorful clothing that reflects either Mexican or African culture (comfortable for dancing, please—Folklorico skirts welcome!).

Come celebrate the creativity, culture, and joy of dance with us!

We’re excited to announce that the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is transitioning its communication system to Parent Square, powered by Aeries, starting January 1, 2025. This new platform will replace the current Finalsite (formerly Blackboard) Connect system.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• No Action Required: Parents, guardians, and staff do not need to take any steps to accept this change.
• Features: Parent Square provides emails, voice messages, text messages, teacher emails, and even social media posting options.
• Data Privacy: Parent Square is an Aeries partner, ensuring a smooth transition and secure handling of student information.
• Opting Out: We recommend not opting out of emails, as doing so will unsubscribe you from all communication, including vital updates from both the school and the District.

TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION:

• Download the Mobile App: Download the Parent Square app from your app store to stay connected and fully engage with the platform. The app allows you to customize preferences and manage notifications easily.
• Check Your Spam/Junk Folder: If you’re not receiving emails after January 1, 2025, check your spam or junk folder. If you still don’t see them, contact your school office to verify your contact information.
• Set Preferences: Through the Parent Square app, you can adjust how and when you receive messages to suit your needs.

If you have questions or comments about Parent Square, please submit them through Let’s Talk under "General Comments."

In the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, the BGCM is providing critical disaster relief services to support families, students, and community members. BGCM aims to be a lifeline to the Malibu community. These free resources are available to anyone impacted—please don’t hesitate to reach out, visit, and share with those in need!

🌟 BGCM Disaster Relief Center

📍 23357 Pacific Coast Hwy
🕙 Wed-Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM | Sat: 11 AM – 4 PM

At the BGCM Disaster Relief Center, those affected by the Palisades Fire can access emergency grants support, essential supplies, mental health services, and resource connections.

💰 BGCM Emergency Relief Fund is made possible by generous donations. This fund provides direct support to families and individuals in greatest need. BGCM is prioritizing those most affected by the fire—please reach out if you or someone you know needs assistance.

🧘‍♀️ Mental Health & Wellness Support

The BGCM Wellness Center continues to offer free mental health and social support services for families, students, seniors, and the local workforce.

📞 Contact for mental health support: 310-457-6801 ext. 74141
📧 Email: wellnessinfo@bgcmalibu.org

🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness Workshops – Every Thursday starting 2/6
📍 BGCM Disaster Relief Center | 12:30 – 1:30 PM
(For adults 18+, no RSVP needed)

A free, drop-in workshop to help navigate stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Looking for fun and engaging activities for your child during Spring Break? The City of Malibu Community Services Department is offering Youth Spring Break Camps for kids ages 6-11 from April 8th - 17th (Tuesday-Thursday).

🏀⚽🏄 Choose from exciting camp options, including:
✔ Baseball
✔ LEGO® Amusement Parks
✔ Soccer
✔ Skateboarding
✔ Tennis

📞 Info & Registration: 310.317.1364 or visit MalibuCity.org/Register

Spots fill up fast—sign up today for an action-packed spring break! 🌞🎉

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 Vitty McClung at vmcclung@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.

Each new academic school year, all families are required to verify and update their student’s information, including emergency contact details, which are critical for effective communication during urgent situations. We recommend completing this process on a desktop or laptop computer for the best experience.

Please log in to your Aeries Parent Portal, or click the following direct link:

https://santamonicamalibu.aeries.net/

If you did not use the direct link above, please log in to your Aeries Parent Portal and select Student Info, then click on Data Confirmation to access the correct form.

If you have forgotten your Aeries Parent Portal credentials, please use the Forgot Password? link located at the bottom of the website.

Our Student Office Specialist, Vitty McClung, will be reaching out to families who have not yet completed this process to offer any needed assistance.

To enhance student safety, the bottom gate near the Boys & Girls Club will remain closed as we no longer have adult supervision available for that area. Moving forward, there will be one main point of entrance and exit to the campus for grades K-5, which will be the gate by the main office. This change will help us ensure 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. Additionally, please refrain from using the Our Lady of Malibu (OLM) parking lots and only park in the Webster lot.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our school community!

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