The SMMUSD Wave- April 2024

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

As the end of the academic year approaches, I'm excited to highlight some notable achievements in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Our dedication to excellence is evident in the positive outcomes we've achieved, showcasing our commitment to nurturing an environment where students thrive academically and creatively.

I am pleased to announce that SMMUSD has once again received outstanding recognition in the latest rankings from Niche, a prominent national academic ranking service. With an exemplary overall grade of A+, SMMUSD proudly ranks sixth among school districts in Los Angeles County and 13th statewide, among 504 California school districts included. Additionally, SMMUSD is ranked 15th for the best places to teach in California out of 755 districts, and 10th for the quality of our teaching staff among 680 districts assessed. These rankings underscore our steadfast commitment to providing a high-quality education and supportive environment for both students and educators. More about these rankings can be read below.

I am pleased to highlight the recent visual arts showcases held at Malibu Middle and High Schools and Santa Monica High School on April 23rd and 24th, respectively. These events provided a platform to celebrate the remarkable talent of our student artists and the dedication of our teachers in nurturing their creativity. Such showcases not only demonstrate the strength of our visual arts curriculum but also emphasize the importance of a well-rounded education that cultivates artistic expression alongside academic achievement.

Speaking of showcases, we are looking forward to the upcoming Mexico Magico Festival planned for Saturday, May 4, featuring folklorico dancing and marichi music performed by our students along with adult professionals. The festival will take place in our beautiful John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center starting with food trucks with food for sale at noon and the first performance at 1 p.m. Performances run through the afternoon with the final events at 7 p.m. SMMUSD families and staff may attend for free. We will have a tribute to Dr. Jacqueline Mora, our assistant superintendent of educational services who spearheaded the launch of both of these programs several years ago. Dr. Mora passed away in September 2023. We hope you can join us for some or all of this great event. More information.

With celebration season nearing, let's reaffirm our commitment to student success. Let's maintain our pursuit of supporting students as they prepare for the next phase of their lives. Together, let's stay focused on fostering a nurturing educational environment that enables every student to fulfill their potential.

We hope you can join us for end of the year programs, concerts and celebrations on our campuses. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the success of our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent

You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.

SMMUSD is pleased to announce its high ranking in the 2024 Best School Districts in California by national academic ranking service, Niche. SMMUSD is ranked sixth in Los Angeles County and 13th in California of 504 California school districts included. The ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Niche ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT and ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings and more. See the Niche 2024 report.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/Niche2024Rankings.

School News Roll Call magazine has released its annual Los Angeles County Superintendents edition. Dr. Shelton chose to focus on SMMUSD’s diversity, equity and inclusion mission through the lenses of belonging, curiosity and empowerment.

Read more here.

SMMUSD would like to congratulate John Adams Middle School (JAMS) music teacher, Angela Woo, for receiving the prestigious 2024 California Music Educators Association (CAMEA) Middle School Music Educator Award. The awards honors Woo’s exceptional contributions to instrumental and choral music instruction at the middle school level. Woo received this recognition during the 2024 California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) in Sacramento in February.

Read more here:https://bit.ly/AngelaWooMusicAward24.

Innovative! Santa Monica High School (Samohi) Project-Based Learning (PBL) pathway, in collaboration with industry professionals, proudly announced the successful completion of "A Seat at the Table" project, an immersive learning experience where 9th and 10th-grade students from various disciplines came together to explore sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation through the creation of do-it-yourself cardboard furniture.

Read more about the PBL furniture project: https://bit.ly/SamohiPBLPR2024.

The California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA), a statewide organization that promotes better public understanding, commitment and support of public education, is pleased to announce that SMMUSD received an Award of Excellence for Teacher Spotlight: Madelyn Schwartz Shaping SMMUSD’s Youngest Students and SMMUSD Continues Implementation of Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in the writing category.

Read more about this prestigious honor here: https://bit.ly/CalSPRA24Awards.

Along with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station, California Highway Patrol, Malibu PTSA and other sponsors, Malibu High School is hosting Safe On PCH Week April 29 - May 3! Featuring daily educational activities focusing on safe teenage driving practices and essential information for parents to support their teen drivers. Let's prioritize safety together!

The 2024 SMMUSD LCAP meeting is happening on May 13, 2024 via Zoom. To attend the meeting, use the link: https://bit.ly/LCAPMeeting2024 or scan the QR code in the flyer. We value your input!

The captivating rhythms and soulful beats of the African Drumming Performance left Lincoln Middle School seventh grade students amazed, highlighting the rich array of cultural diversity and traditions. It was an unforgettable experience for all.

Webster Elementary School's Deep Learning Expo was a total project-based learning party! Students captivated parents and SMMUSD staff with their incredible projects, including creating delicious cereal recipes and even publishing their own newspapers. It was a fantastic showcase of how hands-on learning ignites creativity and excitement in every student!

Members of the Samohi Choir traveled to Europe for the Advanced Choir Concert Tour of Spain! The students performed in the Sant Ramon de Penyafort Church and the spectacular Catedral de Burgos, singing for crowds of concertgoers in Barcelona, Madrid, and Burgos. In between their fabulous performances, the students and staff had opportunities to tour museums and catch the sites of those beautiful cities.

McKinley Elementary School celebrated Garden Beautification Day on April 21. The event was proudly sponsored by McKinley's PTA. Students, parents, and community members participated in crafting bird feeders, painted compost bins and gained insight into composting practices—all in homage to Earth Day!

WRLC buzzed with energy as students and parents immersed themselves in an evening of hands-on exploration. Families bonded over exciting STEM activities, from constructing boats to unraveling the mysteries of science. It was a memorable blend of learning and laughter, where curiosity thrived and connections deepened.

Thank you to our hardworking Maintenance & Operations team for all you do for our facilities, grounds & operations! We appreciate you! The team enjoyed an empowerment & appreciation luncheon during spring break. If you see one of our M & O team members say hello and thank them!

SMMUSD hosted a smartphone town hall on children and teens’ smartphone use and digital wellness. The event was moderated by Grant Principal, Christian Fuhrer, and featured a panel composed of Dr. Steve Richardson, SMMUSD Executive Director of Elementary Schools, Officer Anthony Angel, Santa Monica Police Department School Resource Officer and Dr. Don Grant, Ph.D, internationally recognized media psychologist and healthy digital device. Senator Ben Allen joined the group and continues to have this issue in the forefront of legislative discussions.

SMMUSD is thrilled to share the remarkable journey of Sara Plowman, one of our science teachers at the Samohi Project Based Learning (PBL) pathway, who was honored as a National Geographic Grosvenor Teaching Fellow in 2016. This fellowship gave her the opportunity to embark on a transformative expedition to Antarctica, igniting a passion for geographic awareness within our learning community. Building upon her experience, Plowman was recently selected to collaborate with scientist Branwen Williams on a Lindblad/National Geographic expedition to Greenland and Iceland, delving into vital research on coralline algae and climate change. Her dedication extends beyond exploration, as Plowman actively integrates this knowledge into dynamic project-based learning experiences at Samohi's PBL Pathway, enriching the education of our students. Currently leading initiatives such as an Ocean Acidification project and a Climate Refugee project, Plowman inspires students to delve into the complexities of our changing world, fostering both scientific inquiry and creative expression. Congratulations, Sara, on your unwavering commitment to advancing geographic literacy and climate awareness within our school district!

Grant Elementary School recently hosted an incredible Career Day, where our young students had the opportunity to explore a plethora of career possibilities waiting for them beyond the classroom walls. See some of the highlights here: https://bit.ly/GrantESCareerDay24.

Meet Stevie Sturges, a senior at Malibu High School (MHS). From her involvement in Career Technical Education (CTE) classes to her remarkable achievements in athletics, Sturges is an excellent example of dedication and versatility.

Read more about Sturges here: https://bit.ly/StevieSturges-Spotlight.

The ongoing development of the new award-winning Malibu High School (MHS) campus reached a significant milestone as it celebrated a steel topping out ceremony on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Attended by key figures including members of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton, Malibu High School Principal Patrick Miller, Malibu staff, local officials, community members, students, and building partners, the event marked a crucial step in Phase 1 of Malibu's Campus Plan.

Check out some highlights here.

Read more about Malibu High Schools event here.

The design of the Roosevelt Elementary School transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten classrooms and library project are currently in progress. The Roosevelt campus plan was

developed over several years of discussions with staff, parents and community members. The finalized plan has garnered widespread support.

Learn more details about Roosevelt's campus plan here.

• May 4, 2024 - Mexico Magico Folklorico and Mariachi Festival. Learn more.

• May 15, 2024, 5-8 p.m. - SMMUSD event: Sticks and Stones: Getting Real about the Power of Words and Symbols
• May 27, 2024 - Schools and offices closed (Memorial Day)

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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