Whale Tales

August 2024

Principal's Message

Dear Webster Community,

As I sit here reflecting on this past week back at Webster, I am moved to tears. It has been such a joy to welcome our students back and provide a much-needed sense of normalcy during these challenging times. I am inspired by this community’s resilience, your ability to support one another in a time of need, and I am extremely grateful for every smile, laugh, and hug. Thank you for trusting me and continuing to support me through it all. Reopening Webster was an effort of love, and I want you to know how much I care for you and your children 💛

However, I couldn’t have done this alone. I am eternally grateful for the tireless work and incredible support from district leadership, our amazing teachers and staff, our district maintenance and operations team, the restoration team, the Malibu EOC members, and our BGCM partnership 🙌 A shout-out to Dr. Stacy Williamson, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, for her efforts, in getting brand-new playground equipment—just one day after reopening! The students were absolutely thrilled to use it today 🛝✨

In other exciting and welcome news, a temporary generator will be installed over the weekend to ensure the school can remain powered during any PSPS events or power outages ⚡

Highlights of My Week:

National Crisis Response Canines: 🐶 The hugs and kisses from our furry friends brought a sense of calm and peace to everyone. They were a bright spot for students and staff alike.
Webster Wear Shout-Outs: 🎉 Our first 2025 winner was Mr. Kisskalt! A big thank you to Ms. Isaura for donating a brand-new whale plush, as all our others were considered a total loss.

Save the Date:

TK/K Roundup: 📅 February 20th from 9 AM - 11 AM

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support in any way. I am confident that this community will come back stronger than ever!

Together, we will get through this 🫶🏼

GO WHALES!

Warmly,
Carina Diana

Weekly Spotlight

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!

SMMUSD Transitioning to Parent Square for Communications

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."

Boys & Girls Club of Malibu: Supporting Our Community

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu (BGCM) is committed to supporting our neighbors during this critical time. We have re-established the BGCM Emergency Relief Fund to directly assist those impacted by the Palisades Fire. In 2018, BGCM launched the Emergency Relief Fund in response to the Woolsey Fire, raising over $2 million and distributing in-kind items directly to the affected community.

Your donation can make an immediate difference, enabling us to:

Maintain stability for youth by continuing programs and services, providing a safe space to heal and recover.
Connect individuals with essential resources (available in English & Spanish).
Offer no-cost, trauma-informed mental health services for youth, families, and the community.
Serve as a Disaster Relief Center in Malibu, offering direct assistance.
Support temporary housing and shelter needs for displaced individuals and families.
Provide essentials like food, water, clothing, and toiletries.
Distribute emergency grants to qualifying Palisades Fire victims.

Emergency Grants are available for those affected by home loss, displacement, or job loss due to the Palisades Fire, with priority given to families and individuals in the greatest need.

Here’s How YOU Can Help:

Donate: Contribute to the Emergency Relief Fund HERE. Every dollar counts, and all proceeds support Palisades Fire victims.
Spread the Word: Share this message with your networks to amplify the impact.
In-Kind Donations: Pre-approved, new items only. For approval, email mollyscott@bgcmalibu.org.
Volunteer: Contact volunteerrelief@bgcmalibu.org for volunteer opportunities.

If YOU Need Help:

Emergency Relief Assistance or General Inquiries: emergencyrelief@bgcmalibu.org.
Mental Health Support & Services: Call 310-457-6801 ext. 74141 or email wellnessinfo@bgcmalibu.org.
BGCM Disaster Relief Center Pop-Up Shop
Location: 23357 PCH, Malibu
Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 AM - 5 PM | Saturday: 11 AM - 4 PM (Hours subject to change)

Your kindness and generosity ensure that no one has to face these challenges alone. Together, we can make a difference.

Every Student, Every Day

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.

Have you completed the AERIES Data Confirmation Process?

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.

Safety Reminders

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!

Follow Webster on Instagram!

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!.