The SMMUSD Wave- June 2023

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and Community Members,

I am truly excited and humbled to serve as superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, starting July 1, 2023. As a current member of this amazing school community, I believe that we can continue to perform at a high level. This district is truly a gem in the Los Angeles area and in the state of California. I hope to inspire students and staff to continue being the shining light that we have been since our inception.

I want to thank the members of the school board for trusting my 23 years of experience as an educator and 18 years as an administrator to lead this wonderful district. It is an honor to have been chosen to lead a district that is on the move. I will accept the responsibilities placed before me and lead to the best of my ability with the support of the entire school community.

It is my goal to get to know as many of our educational partners as possible. Listening and learning will optimize my ability to support our students, staff and school community. I want to

strengthen our relationships with community partners in both Malibu and Santa Monica, while

building upon the work that our very capable and trusted certificated and classified staff has

already done.

I look forward to working to ensure sound fiscal stewardship and transparency as we make

financial decisions based on data and research. Use systems that have been established to

give us a clear picture of our financial state and how we can improve our forecast to meet the

needs of our students.

I will remain committed to the work that we have started collectively, and review those areas

that may need further support or reimagining to ensure that our students and staff are

supported. Our innovative, diverse, and creative school district will continue to engage our staff

and community in challenging conversations that will lead to a more equitable system where all

students are heard, seen, and engaged in the learning process.

Throughout our journey as a school community, I ask that you support me as we continue our

focus on academic success for all students, professional growth for our staff members, and to

use data to drive our instructional practices in the classrooms, while also creating intervention opportunities for those students needing additional support. I also believe we are moving in the

right direction as it relates to our English Learners and I believe we will continue to grow our

number of students being reclassified. These are just a few of the focus areas that I know and believe we will continue to be focused on.

I want to build consensus with our educational partners that will allow us to support our excellent

school district to ensure that all students are getting the best educational opportunities possible. With your support, belief in our ability to take on challenging task, and create avenues for

student engagement we will accomplish these goals.

Thank you again to the Santa Monica-Malibu community for this opportunity to serve as your

superintendent. I envision a journey ahead with collaboration and community built on trust

between myself and the educational partners of SMMUSD. I look forward to leading the Santa

Monica-Malibu Unified School District community, its faculty, staff, and students to greater heights.

Dr. Antonio Shelton

Superintendent, SMMUSD

Lea el mensaje del Dr. Shelton en español aquí.

Find prior Superintendent Messages here.

Dear SMMUSD Class of 2023,

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

You have accepted your diploma and have crossed the threshold from high school to adulthood after many years of hard work and determination. It’s an amazing accomplishment and one for which you should feel deep pride. Many of you juggled extracurricular activities, family obligations, volunteer work and part-time jobs, while completing your studies. You faced unprecedented challenges with grace, strength and resilience. You persevered and continued to achieve your goals.

Our seniors’ achievements are worthy of praise. Many have received numerous awards for excellence in academics, music and arts, athletics, extracurricular activities and community service. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships have been awarded to our seniors from some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in California, across the country and abroad. Everything you have achieved both inside and outside the classroom is a result of your hard work, dedication, perseverance, and commitment to success.

Graduating from high school is a milestone because it happens only once in life. It is a time for our seniors to be proud of all that they have accomplished to reach the graduation stage. It also is a time to be thankful for the family members, teachers, mentors, classmates, friends, and everyone else who’s had a meaningful role in shaping you into the person you are today.

As your interim superintendent and school board, we are incredibly proud of you. We look forward to hearing stories about your future endeavors and successes. Whether you are going on to Santa Monica College, a four-year university, into a certificate program or other postsecondary opportunity, or military, we know the Class of 2023 will make a difference in the world. We need you to make that difference for the good of all.

Work hard always, keep your sights on what you want to do in life, and always dream big. Keep reaching for the stars and know that your time at SMMUSD has prepared you for a bright future.

We wish you all the best in health and success in your future. Congratulations!

Sincerely,

Mark O. Kelly, Ed.D., Interim Superintendent

Board of Education: Marian Leon-Vazquez, President; Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Vice President; Laurie Lieberman, Jon Kean, Jen Smith, Stacy Rouse and Alicia Mignano.

Congratulations, Malibu High School's Class of 2023! As you embark on this next chapter, remember the inspiring words of Principal Patrick Miller: "Be bold, be courageous, be your best." Embrace the challenges ahead with confidence and determination. Trust in your abilities and strive to reach your full potential. The future is yours to shape, and we believe in your ability to make a positive impact. Best of luck as you journey through life!

Congratulations, Samohi Class of 2023! As you move forward, embrace the challenges that lie ahead and, most importantly, embrace yourselves. Best of luck as you embark on your educational pursuits or career paths. Remember, you have the strength and ability to overcome any obstacles that come your way. Believe in yourself and trust in your capabilities. Go forth with confidence, knowing that success is within your reach.

Congratulations, Olympic High School Class of 2023! Best of luck in your educational pursuits or career paths. Remember, you possess the strength and capability to overcome any obstacles that arise. Believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities. Move forward with confidence, knowing that success is well within your grasp.

Congratulations, SMMUSD eighth graders from JAMS, LMS, MMS and SMASH, on your transition to high school! Your hard work and dedication have paid off. Embrace this new chapter with enthusiasm and curiosity. Remember to seize the opportunities that come your way. The SMMUSD community is proud of you and excited to see your continued growth.

Congratulations, SMMUSD fifth graders, on your upcoming transition to middle school! This is a significant milestone in your educational journey, and we are incredibly proud of your achievements. As you prepare to enter a new chapter, embrace the opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery that middle school will bring. Remember to stay curious, ask questions, and never be afraid to seek support when needed. We have full confidence in your abilities and know that you will flourish in the new environment. Best of luck as you embark on this exciting next phase of your academic adventure!

We are very proud of our 120 students who were celebrated at our annual reclassification ceremony. These students entered SMMUSD as English Learners and now have qualified to be reclassified as English proficient. Great job students!

SMMUSD would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the 21 retiring staff members for your unwavering dedication and exceptional service to the students and the entire SMMUSD community. Your commitment to education has positively impacted countless lives and has helped shape the future of our students. We are immensely grateful for your years of hard work, passion and contribution to the success of SMMUSD students. The school board celebrated retirees in person and on Zoom at a recent school board meeting. 2022-23 retiree list.

Thank you to Mira Wagabaza from Santa Monica High School and Irina Columbeanu from Malibu High School, for your invaluable service and dedication as student board members. Your leadership, advocacy and commitment to representing your respective school has made a significant impact on the SMMUSD community.

Congratulations to the Samohi Project Based Learning (PBL) graduating class! As the first group of students to complete the Samohi PBL pathway, you have set a remarkable precedent for future students. Your dedication, innovative thinking and collaborative approach have not only propelled your own success but have also paved the way for a new era of experiential learning at Samohi. Embrace this achievement and know that you have made a lasting impact on the school community. Learn more about PBL! Accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year: www.smmusd.org/pbl do. learn. thrive.

The Santa Monica High School Black Student Union (BSU) and African American Parent Student Staff Support Group (AAPSSSG) recently organized a truly beautiful Rites of Passage ceremony to honor the graduating seniors of 2023. This special event celebrated the accomplishments, resilience, and cultural heritage of these remarkable students, while also recognizing their transition into adulthood. SMMUSD parents interested in the Black African American Parent Advisory Committee (BAAPAC) can learn more and join the group.

The 2023 Samohi Immersion graduates recently came full circle as they returned to Edison Language Academy, where their dual language academic journey initially began, to commemorate their high school graduation. The event served as a reminder of the remarkable growth, achievements and lasting connections fostered throughout their educational journey. These students earned their Seal of Biliteracy from the State of California.

A special celebration was held to honor the John Adams Middle School Immersion students who will be transitioning to Samohi in the upcoming school year to continue their dual language immersion journey. The event recognized their commitment to language immersion and the unique opportunities it has provided them throughout their elementary and middle school years. It was a moment to celebrate their linguistic proficiency, cultural awareness and the valuable experiences they will carry with them as they embark on their high school journey.

As part of a cherished tradition initiated by retired Samohi Dean, Catherine Baxter, the 2023 Samohi seniors returned to their elementary schools, where they were greeted with thunderous applause and high-fives from the current students. The energetic reception filled the halls with a sense of excitement and pride, symbolizing the admiration and respect for the graduating seniors. This heartwarming interaction created a bridge between past and present students, forging connections that transcend time and leaving a lasting impression on both the seniors and the younger students.

Congratulations to all the Samohi students who earned industry certifications through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)! They demonstrated entry-level achievement in brakes, engine performance, maintenance and light repair, suspension, and steering. Keep driving towards success!

A special shout-out to auto shop CTE teacher Rene Ruvalcaba for his hard work ensuring the students are ASE-ready.

Learn more about Samohi and MHS CTE programs.

Malibu Middle School students and staff celebrated culmination in a remarkable way by embarking on an unforgettable trip to Yosemite. The students immersed themselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, creating lasting memories and forging bonds with their classmates before moving on to high school.

The Samohi Latino parent group, PUENTE, held a celebration honoring 2023 graduates. School Board President Maria Leon-Vazquez and incoming Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton spoke and congratulated the students on their achievements. PUENTE is a Samohi parent support and resource group with the mission: To engage and empower parents of Latino students to actively participate in achieving equitable education. PUENTE is open to all Samohi families: https://www.smmusd.org/puente

Kiwanis presented nearly $70,000 in scholarships to middle and high school students attending Samohi, Olympic High, John Adams Middle School (JAMS), Lincoln Middle School (LMS) and several other schools and local youth organizations. SMMUSD first place music scholarship winners performed for guests. First place winners include: Middle School: Ian Rhie-Kim, LMS, Cello; Alex Chaiet, LMS, voice; Eli Tobel, LMS, Clarinet. Ninth and 10th grades: Alexander Sebastian, Samohi, Viola; Charles Blanchard, Samohi, voice; Arianna French, Samohi, flute. 11th and 12th grades: Kia Lindsey, Samohi, violin; Emma Tuttle, Samohi, voice; Elsa Eastwood, Samohi, flute. Congrats to all student scholarship recipients! This year marks the 100th annual high school scholarship awards and 74th music awards programs by Kiwanis Santa Monica!

Thank you Kiwanis for your ongoing support of local youth!

JAMS eighth grade immersion students in Jorge Cierra’s social study classes presented civic-action projects to parents and community members that look to solve issues in the community. Students went through a three-step process to determine: 1. What communities do they belong to? 2. What are the issues the community faces? 3. Then, they were asked to research and present possible solutions to the issues. Students grouped together and presented in Spanish to culminate their social studies class for the school year. These project-based learning projects provided students with the opportunity to understand their role in their communities, develop surveys and gather data, conduct interviews, conduct research, explore and identify possible solutions, create a presentation and present their findings

Who am I? What is a worthwhile life? These are the essential questions for Lincoln Middle School seventh grade students each year. Throughout the year students explore and discuss their personal responses to these questions. As a culmination of this project, community members, parents, retired staff and alumni conduct one-on-one worthwhile life interviews at the end of the school year. The results provide a keepsake digital history of each student and awareness, self-reflection and goal setting for the entire seventh grade class. Thank you to all interviewers who make this project possible each year!

The District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) breakfast serves as a wonderful occasion to honor and acknowledge the dedicated efforts DELAC members and bilingual community liaisons, who tirelessly contribute their time and expertise to support SMMUSD programs and the educational success of our diverse student community. This event provides a platform to express gratitude for their invaluable contributions and fosters a sense of appreciation and camaraderie among these integral members of our school district. DELAC is open to all interested parents.

The Santa Monica-Malibu School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Jose Cuevas as the new Lincoln Middle School Principal at its June 1, 2023 regular board meeting.

Cuevas has served as a Santa Monica High School (Samohi) house principal since July 2022, where he demonstrated excellent leadership qualities and care for the success of all students. The promotion is effective July 1, 2023.

Read more about Cuevas here.

The Santa Monica-Malibu School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Greg Pitts, Jr. as the new Santa Monica High School (Samohi) M-House Principal at its June 1, 2023 regular board meeting.

Pitts is a familiar face at Samohi having taught and assumed leadership roles over the past 20 years. He is currently serving as an interim house principal.

Read more about Pitts here.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) would like to congratulate Jacob Gilshteyn, Veniamin Marholin, and Pavlo Senchylov from Santa Monica High School (Samohi) on receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). They were honored with the award for their dedicated community service efforts through Generation Connect.

Read more about here: https://bit.ly/SamohiPVSA2023

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) proudly announces the outstanding achievements of the Malibu Middle School (MMS) choir and the MMS and Malibu High School (MHS) bands at the Music in the Parks Festival held at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The talented students showcased their exceptional musical abilities, earning top honors in their respective categories and bringing home several prestigious awards.

The MMS honors choir demonstrated their remarkable talent and dedication, securing first place in their category and received a rating of Superior. The MMS band won first place in their category and earned a rating of Excellent, while the MHS band won second place in their category and also received a rating of Excellent. The MMS and MHS bands also won the "Best Band Overall" trophy.

Read more about these wonderful achievements here: https://bit.ly/MusicInParksPR2023.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) congratulates the Lincoln Middle School (LMS) nanovation team, known as Gallium-Aluminum Based Electricity (G.A.B.E.), for their outstanding achievement at the annual Nanovation Competition. Among ten teams from various middle and high schools, the LMS team secured a well-deserved third-place position, showcasing their innovative prowess in creating cutting-edge design and technology business proposals.

Nanovation refers to the innovative application of nanoscience principles and technologies in creating cutting-edge design and technology business proposals.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/LMS-NanovationTeam2023.

Samohi PBL pathway 2023 graduates staged a public exhibition “Passions Worth Sharing” at the LaemmleTheatre in Santa Monica. Each senior filmed a 3-10 minute talk, followed by Q & A with the presenting students. Topics included environmental concerns, culinary, women in STEM, drone photography, and urban forestry, to name a few.

Samohi Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) student clubs successfully hosted a Celebration in honor of AAPI Heritage month in May. With the help of Ms. Emily Kariya, Japanese Language teacher, and a generous sponsorship from the PTSA, Koshin Taiko performed during lunchtime. Taiko is a traditional style of Japanese drumming that students were fortunate to experience, many for the first time ever. AAPI Alliance, a new community organization whose stated purpose is to “empower AAPI students and their community,” co-hosted this special event. Families at any SMMUSD school may join.

Watch the video of the Taiko Drumming Assembly at John Adams Middle School here.

Photos and video by Lorraine Shimahara and Linh Nguyen

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is pleased to announce that the District has enrolled in year three of Los Angeles Metro’s GoPass program, which provides free public transit rides and Transit Assistance Program (TAP) cards to all kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The initiative promotes accessibility and encourages the use of public transportation.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/GoPass2023-2024

• Watch for emails from your school site for on-line registration for the 2023-24 school year!
• July 4, 2023 - Schools and offices closed
• August 24, 2023 - First day of school (Thursday)

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The SMMUSD Wave is published monthly by the SMMUSD communications team: Gail Pinsker, Community & Public Relations Officer; Diana Bouchaaya and Esmi Careaga, Communication Specialists. Do you have news or interest stories about our students, programs or staff? Please share through Let's Talk.

The SMMUSD Wave:

2023 Winner of the Award of Excellence by the California School Public Relations Association