Whale Tales

Dear Webster Community,

A friendly reminder that there will be NO SCHOOL on Monday in observance of Cesar Chavez Day. We hope you enjoy the long weekend.

What an unforgettable way to close out the week! Our Webster Talent Show was nothing short of spectacular, with students taking the stage to showcase their incredible gifts. From singing, dancing, magic, and comedy to art displays, acrobatics, and musical performances, our students amazed us with their creativity, confidence, and heart. It takes courage to get up in front of an audience, and every student who performed should be incredibly proud.

Just when you thought the day couldn’t get more fun… the Webster staff made a surprise appearance with a CAR WASH 🚗 flash mob—bubbles, sparkle, and synchronized moves included! 🪩 It was the perfect surprise and it truly lit up the room. If you missed the moment, you can watch it HERE!

After navigating so many challenging months, it was truly uplifting to see pure joy filling the auditorium—students cheering for one another, teachers dancing with gusto, and a school community connected by celebration and pride.

As we head into the final week before Spring Break, we’ve got a full slate of events and activities lined up. We hope you’ll join us in soaking up all the fun and showcases of student learning. Don’t miss the Parent Playground on Open House night with yard games and free dinner from 5:00–6:00 PM next Thursday!

🔔 Important Reminders

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

📅 Save the Date!
📌 April 5 – April 20: SPRING BREAK – SMMUSD schools closed
📌 May 1: 🪩 Koo Koo Comes to Webster (8:45 AM)
📌 May 3: 🎶 Kidchella (3:00 PM – 10:00 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 students lit up the room today as they took the stage for this year’s Talent Show—and wow, did they shine! 🌟 From singing and dancing to magic tricks, art showcases, joke-telling, choreographed acrobatics, solos, and group performances, our students' incredible talents were on full display.

The energy was electric, and the best part? The way our students cheered one another on with so much heart. Every act, every brave moment in the spotlight, was met with enthusiastic applause and encouragement from peers.

A huge shout-out to Kasey Earnest, Lauren Buckman, and Nikki White for their incredible dedication to running such an excellent show and for the countless hours they spent preparing and supporting our talented students.

Way to go, Whales—you were confident, creative, and courageous on that stage today! 💙👏

Kindergarten and First Grade students have been busy exploring cultures from around the world! After interviewing family members to learn about their own ancestry, students teamed up to research specific countries—diving into symbols, landmarks, language, currency, clothing, food, endangered animals, and more. In the spirit of curiosity and collaboration, they sampled international cuisine and are now bringing their learning to life through Food Trucks!

Students have studied the ins and outs of food trucks and are hard at work developing business plans, catchy slogans, advertisements, menus, and even recipes—all in preparation for Webster’s Open House. Family and friends are invited to visit the students' food trucks, where they’ll be serving up delicious international treats in celebration of their discoveries.

Here are some student-created ads letting you know when and where to find these amazing food trucks—we can’t wait to see you there!

Get ready to dance, jump, and get silly! The high-energy, interactive dance duo Koo Koo is coming to Webster for a special live assembly on May 1st at 8:45 AM in the Multi-Purpose Room!

You might know them from GoNoodle or YouTube—now our students will get to experience their colorful, sing-along show live! With fan favorites like “Get Yo Body Movin’,” “Pop See Ko,” “All I Eat is Pizza,” and “Dinosaur Stomp,” this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Parents and siblings are invited to join the fun! Please RSVP to websterptamalibu@gmail.com by April 25th. Let’s get movin’, Webster!

This week, our School Site Council (SSC) officially approved Webster’s Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP) for the 2024–2025 school year. This vital plan outlines the policies, procedures, and proactive steps we take to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff on campus.

A special thank-you to Sergeant Velek from LASD for joining our SSC meeting and offering valuable insights into the ways law enforcement partners with Webster each day to keep our campus secure. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing collaboration and commitment to safety.

Highlights of this year’s CSSP include:

• Adoption of the Standard Response Protocol in partnership with LASD

• Upgraded emergency communication tools, including two-way radios and Starlink internet

• Enhanced safety infrastructure like door shades, K-rails, and a Tesla Power Wall (in the works)

• Continued support through our Wellness Center partnerships and emergency preparedness drills

🔗 View the 2024–2025 CSSP Presentation

Together, we are creating a safe and supportive environment for all.

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.

Thank you to all the parents and guardians who joined us for the AstroCamp informational meeting this week! We’re getting excited for this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Below are the next steps to ensure a smooth and successful experience for all students.

📆 IMPORTANT DEADLINES

✅ Student Health Form Due: Friday, April 4, 2025
All students must complete a Student Health Form by this date. These forms contain critical emergency and medical information—please take the time to complete them accurately. A wet signature is required on the form. You may complete the form electronically first , but it must be printed and signed by hand before students turn it in to their teacher. Click HERE.

✅ Payment Due: Friday, April 25, 2025
The total cost per participant is $590. Payments can be made via:

• 💵 Cash

• ✍️ Check (payable to Webster PTA)

• 📲 Zelle (Send to websterptamalibu@gmail.com)
  
  

🎒 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.

🙋‍♂️ Chaperone Info

Thank you to all of our amazing parent volunteers! We will confirm selected chaperones by next week. If selected, please be sure to:

• ✅ Be cleared as a Level II Volunteer with SMMUSD

• ✅ Complete the chaperone waiver form (to be emailed to you)

• ✅ Submit your payment by the above deadlines
  

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’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