The SMMUSD Wave- Sept.2024

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

With the school year in full swing, I am thrilled to see our campuses alive with energy and excitement, filled with remarkable activities and initiatives. I am proud of the vibrant learning environment we’re creating within the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. As we celebrate these achievements, it’s essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff.

Safety remains a top priority, and I want to remind everyone of our ongoing measures to enhance campus security, as I outlined in my letter on Sept. 4, 2024. I understand the safety concerns parents may have regarding students walking, biking, or using public transportation to and from school. I encourage everyone to stay aware of their surroundings and recommend that students walk in pairs or groups whenever possible. Our partnerships with the Santa Monica Police Department and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Lost Hills Station serving Malibu are vital in ensuring a safe environment for our community. If you or someone you know is a victim or finds themselves in an emergency situation, please contact 911 immediately. For non-emergency concerns, you can report suspicious activity to SMPD dispatch at 310-458-8491 or 311, or to LASD in Malibu at 213-229-1700. Additionally, we encourage the use of WeTip to anonymously report non-emergency issues, including vandalism, bullying, and substance use, to www.WeTip.com. Together, we can enhance safety in our communities.

I also want to ensure that all families are aware of the free and reduced meals application. Completing this form is crucial for identifying families who may qualify for additional discounts and benefits beyond free meals. While the state of California provides free meals for all students, this application helps determine eligibility for other programs and resources, including the designation of our Title I schools each year. Please fill out the application by October 4, as it will qualify our schools for the 2025-26 school year. https://bit.ly/MealApplications-SMMUSD.

Additionally, I want to address our cell phone policy on campuses. Our staff has researched common practices and restrictions and is in the process of updating our board policies to present to the Board of Education for discussion this fall. We believe that a thoughtful approach to this policy will enhance the educational environment while considering the needs of our students, staff and parents.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our students' success. Together, we can create a safe, nurturing environment that fosters growth and achievement for every student.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent

You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and the City of Malibu are pleased to announce that both entities’ subcommittees have come to an agreement on a proposed school separation package. This package is a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to establish an independent Malibu Unified School District (MUSD). The package is now ready for public review and includes three key agreements: A Revenue Sharing Agreement, an Operations Transfer Agreement, and a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Agreement. These agreements outline the framework for how resources, operations and services will be shared or divided between the two entities, ensuring that both Malibu and Santa Monica students continue to receive a high-quality education post-separation.

Find more information and the links to the three agreements here.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s School Facilities Improvement District (SFID) 1 - Santa Monica schools, and SFID 2 - Malibu schools are seeking qualified candidates to fill vacancies on their respective Citizens' Bond Oversight Committees. SFID 1 oversees Measure SMS, while SFID 2 oversees Measure M. Both committees operate in accordance with Section 5 - Membership of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee for Measure SMS Bylaws and Measure M Bylaws.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/BOCApps0924.

SMMUSD is seeking applications for appointment to a seat on the district’s Personnel Commission. Applications are now being accepted for the Personnel Commissioner vacancy, which becomes available in December 2024. The appointment will expire after three years.

Read more here.

Congratulations and welcome to Melodi Johnson who was appointed as a new special education coordinator for SMMUSD! The Board of Education approved her appointment at the Sept. 5, 2024, meeting.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/MelodiJohnsonAnn2024.

Congratulations and welcome to Ashley Zartner who was appointed as a new assistant principal for Edison Language Academy and McKinley Elementary School! The SMMUSD Board of Education approved her appointment at the Sept. 19, 2024, meeting.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/AshleyZartnerAnn2024.

Congratulations and welcome to Alix Pickett who was appointed as a new assistant principal for Franklin Elementary School! The SMMUSD Board of Education approved her appointment at the Sept. 19, 2024, meeting.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/AlixPickettAnn2024.

Attention SMMUSD parents! School meals in California are free, but did you know that by applying for the Reduced & Free Meal Program, your school receives funds for educational benefits like parent workshops, enhanced education supports and more? Yes, they do! Help your school reach the funding threshold!

Fill out the application here: https://bit.ly/MealApplications-SMMUSD.

The nationally recognized, award-winning Santa Monica High School (Samohi) Orchestra Program is excited to announce that its Chamber Orchestra will tour Boston in Spring 2025. The Chamber Orchestra, which represents the top string musicians from a program of over 300 students across seven orchestras, will perform at Boston Symphony Hall and participate in a master class with Charles Peltz of the New England Conservatory.

Read more here.

Meet Ella Stabile from Malibu High and Haley Castanaza

from Santa Monica High, this year’s student board members for SMMUSD. As student representatives, they are dedicated to bringing their peers' voices into the district's decision-making process, ensuring that students are heard at the highest level. Their leadership and passion for their schools reflect their commitment to empowering and advocating for all students across the district.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/StudentBoardMembers-Spotlight.

Meet a few students from the Samohi classes of 2039 and 2040—our youngest Vikings—on the iconic Senior Bench. When they graduate, this bench, designed by Grace Clements in 1937, will mark 100 years of tradition!

The Sticks and Stones event united the SMMUSD community to foster a deeper understanding of the power of words and the impact of harmful language. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of creating inclusive, respectful environments where everyone feels safe and supported, while also encouraging open dialogue about the ways we can collectively prevent the use of damaging language and imagery.

United Against Hate Week took place from September 21 through 27, bringing the SMMUSD community together to stand against the rise in hate crimes and bias incidents. At school sites across the district, various activities and assemblies were held to promote love, belonging, understanding, and unity. These events fostered respect and inclusion, helping students feel safe, connected, and empowered to take action against hate. By participating, our community strengthened its commitment to creating a more accepting environment where every student feels they belong.

Grant Elementary School will host a screening of Screenagers: Elementary Edition on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. in the Grant School Auditorium. This new version of the original film explores the impact of technology on elementary-aged children, covering topics such as smartwatches in class, video gaming, social media, and appropriate screen time. Parents from all SMMUSD schools are invited to attend this timely event, offering valuable insights and practical solutions to support children’s mental wellbeing in today’s digital world.

A big THANK YOU to all the amazing SMMUSD staff, students, parents and community members who volunteered for the Coastal Cleanup Day Event in Santa Monica and Malibu! Your hard work made a real difference in keeping our beaches clean and protecting our environment. Together, we made an impact and showed the power of our community in action! Let’s keep up the momentum for a cleaner, greener future.

Construction contractor, McCarthy's, builder of the Exploration building, stopped by Samohi and conducted a safety training with the engineering academy students and then went into the new building shop space and demonstrated proper and safe use of equipment to students and staff.

The first Choir Cabaret Concert will be on Friday, October 11 at 5 p.m. in the Malibu High auditorium. This year Malibu students chose the word "Peace" as the theme for the concert. There will be choral and solo selections from different genres, all of which will be about peace or encouraging peace. Come enjoy an evening of "feel-good" music and help support Malibu Middle and High School vocalists. The concert is free admission!

Choir: Samohi Serenade, the Samohi Choir’s first concert of the year and biggest fundraising event will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Barnum Hall, with a reimagined pop concert theme. Featuring student choral ensembles, along with solos and small group performances, this contemporary show promises to be an exciting evening of music. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the concert starting at 7 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit: https://www.samohichoir.org/.

Orchestras: Experience the amazing Samohi Orchestras at this year’s fall concert, Disney in Concert Around the World, on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 7 p.m. at Barnum Hall. Enjoy an evening of popular movie themes such as Lion King, Mulan, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Aladdin. Bring the whole family to hear these iconic melodies as movie clips are projected above stage! Concessions open at 5:30 p,m. with tacos and baked goods for sale. Dress as your favorite Disney character and join in the costume contest prior to the show. This event sells out, so purchase your tickets now at https://www.samohiorchestras.org/.

Band: The Santa Monica High School Band will present its highly anticipated Fall Concert on Tuesday, October 29, at Barnum Hall. Dinner will be available for purchase starting at 5:30 p.m., with the concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. Led by directors Terry Sakow and Kevin McKeown, this event promises an evening filled with incredible musical performances. For more information and tickets, visit the Samohi Band website at https://samohiband.org/.

Samohi’s Project Based Learning Pathway paid a visit to the District office to utilize the Board of Education meeting room to host their candidate forum. The future of our community looks bright with these students engaging in the democratic process of debate & conversation!

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. SMMUSD will participate in The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill. This important event promotes earthquake safety through the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" technique, helping protect against falling debris. While the official drill time is 10:17 a.m. families can register and practice at their convenience. Schools and organizations across California will also take part, making this a great opportunity to prepare together. Your participation is crucial in ensuring your family's safety during an earthquake! Find out more information here: https://www.shakeout.org/california/.

You may find information on Measure QS, the Santa Monica Schools Facility Bond, and Measure MM, the Malibu Schools Facility Bond, at this link. Or, you may navigate to the bond webpage on the main SMMUSD website and all school websites https://www.smmusd.org/ by clicking on the “Bond Measures QS and MM” button in orange. The webpage will provide you general information on the bond measures, bond language, project lists, FAQs and more information.

We've had a strong start this year, but to reach our $1.8 million goal for vital programs and staff, we need your support!

With Pledge Week approaching (October 7-11), now is the perfect time to donate to the Ed Foundation’s Annual Fund. Prefer to spread out your gift? Set up a recurring donation, or even pledge your support today and pay by June 30, 2025.

To those who’ve already contributed, THANK YOU—we couldn’t do it without you. It takes all of us to strengthen our schools and enrich our children's education.

Will YOU pledge your support?

Donate or pledge today: www.smedfoundation.org/donate.

Creating a Brighter Future for Malibu Students with Malibu Education Foundation!

The newly launched Malibu Education Foundation is a community-driven fundraising organization dedicated to enhancing the academic journey of students in Malibu public schools. Fundraising supports resources, staffing and programs to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, physically, and creatively. From math tutors and music accompanists to middle school athletics and instructional aides, Malibu Education Foundation is already having a positive impact on Malibu students and needs our school community's support.

Visit malibueducationfoundation.org to learn more and make a donation today.

Follow us X @Malibu.EdFound and Instagram @malibu.edfoundation.

• October 3, 2024 - Schools and Offices Closed (Local Holiday)
• October 5, 2024 - Samohi Serenade Choir Concert
• October 8, 2024 - Grant Elementary School screening of Screenagers: Elementary Edition (see info above)
• October 11, 2024 - Malibu High Choir Cabaret
• October 25, 2024 - Samohi Orchestras Concert
• October 29, 2024 - Samohi Band Fall Concert

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