PBL Weekly Blast
Week of June 1 - 7
As our seniors enter their final week of high school, we want to congratulate and celebrate this amazing milestone. Thank you for the laughter, the challenges, and the many ways you helped shape our PBL community. You will be missed, but we know you will continue to do.learn.thrive.
In the Classroom...
In Precalculus, as part of the Conic Sections Unit, each student made a parabolic hot dog cooker. Then we put them to the test.
Anti-racism quilt made by 10th graders in World History. Special thanks to Mia for sewing all of the pieces together and to John for helping us figure out how to display the quilt and reminding me to photo document 😊
Supporting Student Projects...
The Lampshade: an Annual Anthology.
Hi PBL community! I am Juliet Herman, an 11th grader in the program and I am beyond excited to announce the publishing of the first ever edition of The Lampshade: an Annual Anthology.
For the last 6 months our student-staff of 11 PBL students—from all grade levels—have been working tremendously hard to put together a collection of the best literature and artwork from PBL students for our community to enjoy! This week we are printing our final copies and will have several available for viewing throughout the various PBL classrooms.
We will also have some additional copies for sale to any who are interested, however, there will be a limited number so it is first come first serve. If you are interested in pre-ordering please email me at julietherman10@icloud.com or have your student email me at jmh3@smmk12.org.
Thank you to my entire staff for all your hard work! I cannot wait for our community to see the amazing final product!
More information to come!
This Week:
Dear Hamlet Short Film Premiere
After meeting with Emmy award winning editor Scott Gamzon and getting his feedback, PBL filmmakers are putting their final touches on our contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet as seen through Ophelia’s eyes. PBL students (and limited guests) will attend a screening on Friday, June 5th at 11:05am in Samohi’s Humanities Center. After the film, there will be a brief Q&A with the director, writers, and some of the cast.
Event Information
Join us on Sunday, June 7th from 4:00–6:00 PM for a special PBL Parent Gathering welcoming new incoming families to our community hosted by Greg and Brittany. This will be a great opportunity to connect with other PBL parents, meet new families, and learn more about the upcoming school year “Launch Activity” for the PBL Pathway. We will also be unveiling the renovation renderings for the Language Building, our new PBL Pathway home base. If you can join us, feel free to RSVP for the gathering.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Thursday, June 4th - PBL Advisory Olympics
Friday, June 5 at 5pm - PBL Senior Stole Ceremony
Sunday, June 7th 4-6pm - Parent Gathering
Monday, June 8th and 9th - Presentations of Learning (POLs)
Wednesday, June 10th - Graduation
Thursday, June 11th - PBL Community Beach Day
OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Internship Opportunity June 15 -July 2
Department of Arts and Culture Announces High School Internship Program at Local Cultural Institutions
Los Angeles County Bloomberg Arts Internship Program
The 2026 LA County Bloomberg Arts Internship program is now open! Paid internships and college preparation for rising public high school seniors at arts and culture organizations. Paid internships take place June 15 - August 7, 2026. Eligible and interested students will apply directly to participating internship worksites, click the link above.
Reading Partners
Become a volunteer reading tutor.
Spend a little over an hour per week helping students gain lifelong literacy skills that will lay solid foundation for future learning.
- Online and In Person options
- 1 Hour Per week
- Choose a time that works for you
- No Experience required
😎 Summer School at Samohi
SAMO Summer School Information
Summer School Dates:
Credit Recovery and Get Ahead: June 22 to July 24, 2026
ESY: June 22 - July 17, 2026
Olympic Summer School: Monday, June 22 to Friday, July 24, 2026
No Summer School: Friday, July 3, 2026 - 4th of July Holiday
Daily Schedule:
Period 1: 8:30AM - 10:30AM
Nutrition: 10:30AM - 10:40AM
Period 2: 10:45AM - 12:45PM
🏫 SCHOOL UPDATES and Information:
JUNIORS—SAT scores are in! Please check your College Board account for scores.
Yearbook
Peer Tutoring
Need help with your classes? Come to the library at lunch or after school! Monday through Friday Samohi Peer Tutoring offers tutoring to anyone from tutors who are current Samohi students. Tutoring is offered in all subjects and in all levels of courses. Follow the instagram @samohipeertutoring for more specific information(tutors, the subjects they tutor, what days they tutor).
After School Academic Support in Library
Teachers are available to support students after school in the library!
Mondays- Spanish
Tuesdays- Research
Wednesday- English
Thursday- Chemistry
They are in the library Monday through Thursday 3:30-5 pm.
Class of 2026 - REMINDERS
Senior Class Breakfast
On the morning of Monday, June 8th, we will celebrate our seniors by holding a class breakfast. During this time, students will also be called alphabetically to get their caps, gowns, and graduation tickets. We definitely need parent volunteers to help! Please sign up here: Sign Up Genius. Thank you!
Elementary School Visits/Clapout - The SAMOHI time-honored tradition, the elementary school clapout, will be held on Monday, June 8th in the afternoon. Please see here for more detailed information and contact Ms. Chapman (achapman@smmusd.org) for more information.
Graduation Information
Graduation is June 10th 5:30 pm. Seniors report at 4:40 pm.
As a reminder, all students will receive THREE complimentary (free) graduation tickets the week before graduation. In addition to this, all families may purchase extra graduation tickets through the website until May.
Note that you must add your senior student to your account to see the option to purchase tickets.
Grad Nite Information
Grad Nite is an all-night party (9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.) to celebrate graduation with your friends!
The tennis courts are transformed into a cruise ship and the evening includes a DJ, dancing, carnival and casino games, food, lots of prizes and much more! It’s an all-night, all-inclusive extravaganza! More than 90% of the senior class attends. Don't miss the boat!
Click here to buy discounted tickets.
Grad Nite Scholarships are still available. Visit your house office or Mrs. Orgill is D104 if you need a scholarship form. The deadline for scholarships is May 22nd.
🎓College & Career Center 💼
https://app.smore.com/n/a6pjmy-college-career-center-newsletter
THE COLLEGE and CAREER CENTER provides resources to all Samohi students as they plan for their post-Samohi plans. In addition to SchooLinks, college, career, military and gap year publications are available for student research. Secondary school reports, letters of recommendations, and testing materials are handled by the College/Career Counselors. The College Fair, Samohi Scholarship Program, SAT & ACT, FAFSA/CADAA, CSS Profiles and college, career and military representative visits are all part of the service.
Students are welcome to come in before school, during lunch and after school to research specific colleges and financial aid opportunities - but you need an appointment to meet with one of the College/Career Counselors. Please note that college/career planning meetings are reserved for Seniors only during the fall, and Seniors and Juniors during the spring. Seniors/Juniors, to schedule a meeting with your College/Career Counselor, please click on their "calendly" link to access his/her availability.
Rotary Club of Westchester (https://www.rotary-westchester.com/)
The Rotary Club of Westchester offers scholarships to support graduating seniors who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service, leadership, and giving back. Rooted in Rotary’s mission of “service above self,” these scholarships recognize students who have made a positive impact and plan to continue their education after high school. Some scholarships may require students to reside in the Westchester area. Funds are raised through local community efforts to help students pursue college or career pathways.
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship Opportunity
This is a full-ride college scholarship opportunity that offers up to $200,000 in tuition, stipends, and subsistence at over 160 of the top academic institutions across the nation like MIT, UCLA, and many others. We also offer Nurse and Pre-Medical NROTC scholarships for students that have a passion for medicine and want a career in the medical field. All individuals selected who complete the requirements will be placed in an exciting career field with competitive salary and benefits immediately upon graduation. Students interested in pursuing this great opportunity, please contact my NROTC Coordinator Chief Gerardo Calvillo at Gerardo.m.calvillo.mil@us.navy.mil.
Mexican American Bar Association High School Scholarship
For the 2026 scholarship cycle, MABA will award three scholarships, each with a minimum award of $2,500, to graduating seniors who plan to pursue higher education.
Margaret’s Place
Margaret’s Place in E117.
Email LDeSanto@smmusd.org with any questions!
ATTENDANCE
To report a student’s absence, please send an email to:
or call Crystal Griffis at 310.395.3204 ext. 71-177
Please include your student’s first and last names, student ID numbers, and the reason they are absent (illness, family matter, medical or dental appointment, etc.).
Questions about attendance procedures, please go to our website:
As a reminder, if your student is not feeling well, they should visit the Health Office to be evaluated. If a student is sent home due to illness by the Health Office, the absence will be marked as excused. If a student contacts you directly to be picked up without first visiting the Health Office, please encourage them to follow the process and visit the Health Office.
Super Saturday
Super Saturday is an opportunity for students to sign up and attend school Saturday mornings to help clear their absences. Students are expected to bring homework and Chromebook to complete their necessary assignments and/or study for classes. SIGN UP LINK
Quick LINKS + Resources
9th + 10th Grade - PBL
11 +12th grade Grade - PBL
Note that evening appointments are via phone or Zoom only.
