Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

There’s no slowing down as we head into the final stretch of the school year!

This past week has been packed with joy and connection—from a successful Community Gardening Day, to dancing it out with the high-energy Koo Koo assembly, to gearing up for Kidchella tomorrow! The energy on campus is contagious.

One of the biggest highlights for me was watching our students join peers across SMMUSD in a LIVE conversation with astronaut Dr. Jonny Kim—a proud graduate of Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Samohi. Streaming straight from the International Space Station, Dr. Kim inspired students to dream big and literally reach for the stars. A heartfelt thank you to NASA for making this incredible opportunity possible.

If you missed it, you can watch the livestream here: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/live/kRju3xhzQtA

This week, our teachers and staff truly felt the love. From thoughtful notes and personalized gifts to delicious meals and wellness surprises, Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week was an absolute joy thanks to our incredible PTA. A special shoutout to Vicky Farrell for her behind-the-scenes magic and seamless coordination. I’m so proud to be part of a team filled with real-life superheroes who show up every single day with heart, dedication, and a deep love for our students and community. Thank you for being the heart of Webster—you make a difference every day 💙

Next week, I’ll be off campus chaperoning the Yosemite Outdoor Education Trip with our 5th graders. I’ll be in a place where Wi-Fi is limited and nature takes center stage, so thank you in advance for your patience with any delayed responses. I’ll be sure to catch up once we return.

🏆 Webster Wear Winners!
Congrats to Ms. Berman’s class for winning this week’s Webster Wear Challenge! After a brief hiatus, they brought the whale back home—way to go!

🔔 Important Reminders

✅ Yosemite DROP OFF @ 7AM – Monday, May 5
✅ AstroCamp Packet – Due Wednesday, May 7
✅ AstroCamp Medication Consent Form (for overnight field trips) – Due Wednesday, May 7

✅ AstroCamp Medication at School Authorization Form – Due Wednesday, May 7

✅ All AstroCamp Medications – Must be turned in by Wednesday, May 7

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

📅 Save the Dates

📌 May 12–23: 🧠 Grade 3 CAASPP Testing Window
📌 May 12–30: 🧠 Grade 5 CAASPP and CAST Testing Window

📌 May 14–16: 🌌 AstroCamp Outdoor Education Trip
📌 May 17: SMMUSD Parent Academy (8 AM – 3 PM at Lincoln Middle School)
📌 May 19–30: 🧠 Grade 4 CAASPP Testing Window

📌 May 26: 🇺🇸 NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day
📌 June 3: 🎼 Spring Music Concert (6 PM – 8 PM)
📌 June 5: 🥞 5th Grade Breakfast – SHHH…it’s a surprise! (9 AM – 12 PM)
📌 June 6: Gratitude Breakfast & Honorary Service Awards
📌 June 9: 🎓 5th Grade Promotion Rehearsal (mandatory for all 5th grade students)
📌 June 10: 🎓 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony (9 AM)

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

Here’s to a joyful and strong finish to the school year 🫶🏼

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!

Webster was jumping with joy as the high-energy duo Koo Koo kicked off the day during Thursday’s all-school assembly! From “Pop See Ko” to “Get Yo Body Movin’,” our students laughed, danced, and let loose during this live performance. Koo Koo delivered an interactive show full of music and movement that had everyone on their feet. The room was buzzing with excitement as students stomped like dinosaurs, grooved like pros, and sang their hearts out.

A huge thank you to Lauren Franks for organizing this event. Way to bring the energy, Whales!

We’re getting excited for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Please have your student return their completed AstroCamp packet to Ms. Morris or Ms. London by Wednesday, May 7th. Below are the next steps to help ensure a smooth and successful experience for everyone:

💰 Payments

We are in the process of reviewing payment records and will contact families directly with any outstanding items. THANK YOU to everyone who has already submitted payment!

🎒 Packing & Preparation

• Review the Packing List - ensure your child is prepared with all essential gear—including a sleeping bag, sturdy hiking shoes, and warm clothing for high-altitude weather. View the full AstroCamp Packing List HERE.

• Break in Hiking Boots - students should wear their hiking boots ahead of time to break them in and avoid discomfort during hikes and physical activities.

🩺 Health Forms & Medication

Please take a moment to carefully review the linked health guidelines and required medical forms:

• Webster Yosemite Health & Medication Guidelines – Includes illness prevention tips, medication procedures, and reminders from our Health Office team.

• Medication at School Authorization Form – Required for all medications (including over-the-counter items) being sent to camp. This form must be completed by your child’s healthcare provider and signed by you.

• Medication Consent Form for Overnight Field Trips: If your child may need Dramamine, Calamine, Hydrocortisone, and/or Bacitracin, a separate consent form is also available.

Key Reminders:

• Do not send any medications (including vitamins or OTC meds) in your child’s luggage or backpack.

• All medications must be turned in to the Webster Health Office by Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

• If your child already has medication on file, please contact the Health Office to confirm if anything additional is needed.

• Medications must be in their original packaging and placed in a clear Ziplock bag along with the completed authorization form.

Thank you for your attention to these important steps and for helping us prepare for a safe and memorable AstroCamp experience!

Parents and guardians—mark your calendars! The SMMUSD Parent Academy is happening on Saturday, May 17th from 8 AM to 3 PM at Lincoln Middle School. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of how to support your child’s educational journey.

Sessions include topics like:

• Project-Based Learning

• 504 Plans vs. IEPs

• Social-Emotional Learning Supports

• Aeries Technology Tools for Parents

• Family Communication Strategies

• Language & Literacy Resources

Enjoy a continental breakfast, keynote speaker, and your choice of informative sessions throughout the day.

👉 Register today: bit.ly/SMMParentAcademy

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.

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."

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu (BGCM) is dedicated to creating a fun, safe, and enriching environment where Malibu youth can grow, thrive, and build lifelong skills. Read below for current programs, upcoming events, and how your family can get involved!

🌟 BGCM Membership Enrollment is Now Open!

BGCM provides a nurturing space where students can participate in academic, creative, and social-emotional learning activities. Members benefit from:

• Positive mentorship

• Fun, engaging enrichment opportunities

• A supportive community space

Visit bgcmalibu.org to enroll and learn more.

☀️ Camp Bu: BGCM Summer Enrollment Coming Soon!

Get ready for an exciting summer!

• Location: Malibu Elementary School

• Dates: June 23 – August 8, 2025

• Time: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

More information will be shared soon—stay tuned!

🥋 Warrior Academy – Bruce Lee Foundation

Available to BGCM members in grades 3–5, this unique program combines martial arts and mindfulness, developed by Shannon Lee to share her father’s legacy. Led by professional martial artist Joey Escobar, sessions promote physical fitness, mental resilience, and emotional growth. If you have questions, email tylerhawkins@bgcmalibu.org.

💚 Wellness Center & Social Support Services

BGCM’s Wellness Center provides no-cost mental health counseling and social support for youth and families—available both in-person and remotely. No current waitlist!

🔗 Learn more or request services at: bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center
📺 Missed a parent workshop? Access recordings: bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center-resources

🐾 City Afterschool Program: Animal Invasion Workshop

Enjoy hands-on fun while learning about fascinating animals. FREE for all BGCM members!

• Webster Elementary: Tuesday, June 3 | 3:00–4:30 PM

• Malibu Elementary: Wednesday, June 4 | 3:00–4:30 PM

📩 To register, email your completed form to tylerhawkins@bgcmalibu.org. Do not register via the City website.

🍕 Support BGCM with Pizza Night!

BGCM has teamed up with Prince Street Pizza for a delicious fundraiser. Try the Roasty Toasty—spicy marinara, smoked mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, and olive oil drizzle (Available at the Malibu location only.) 20% of proceeds benefit BGCM’s youth mental health and education programs.

🆘 BGCM Emergency Relief Fund – Palisades Fire Response

In response to the Palisades Fire, BGCM has re-activated its Emergency Relief Fund to support impacted families with essential resources and services. Your donations help us:

• Provide safe healing spaces and ongoing youth programs

• Offer trauma-informed counseling and wellness services

• Support housing and essential needs for displaced families

• Distribute emergency grants to qualified fire victims

💌 Donate today: CLICK HERE
📦 In-kind donations: Pre-approval required – contact mollyscott@bgcmalibu.org
🙋‍♀️ Volunteer opportunities: Email volunteerrelief@bgcmalibu.org
📍 Disaster Relief Center Pop-Up Shop: 23357 PCH, Malibu
🕒 Hours: Wed–Fri: 10AM–5PM | Sat: 11AM–4PM (subject to change)

If you or someone you know needs assistance:

• Emergency Relief: emergencyrelief@bgcmalibu.org

• Mental Health Services: Call 310-457-6801 ext. 74141 or email wellnessinfo@bgcmalibu.org

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