El Semanario

Monday, May 19

• CAASPP Testing - Science 5th

• 3rd Music Informance, 1:30 pm, Classrooms

• 4th/5th Music Performance, 4th at 6:00, 5th at 7:15, Cafeteria

Tuesday, May 20

• CAASPP Testing - Science 5th

• Garden Classes for Kinder/Garden Club 3rd-5th

Wednesday, May 21

• CAASPP Testing - Science 5th

• PTA General Meeting, 8:30-10:00, Library

• OPEN HOUSE

• 2nd: 5:30-6:30 pm

• Morales & Perez: 6:00-7:00 pm

• Murcia: 6:30-7:30 pm

Thursday, May 22 (Minimum Day - see dismissal times below)

• CAASPP Testing - MAKE UPS

• OPEN HOUSE

• PreK-1st: 6:00-7:00 pm

• 3rd/4th: 7:00-8:00 pm

Friday, May 23

• Edison Spirit Day - Wear your swag!

• CAASPP Testing - MAKE UPS

• Last day of music instruction

Dear Edison Families,

Friday afternoon was nothing short of magical—a dream brought to life in the most vibrant and heartfelt way. In college, I was a World Arts and Cultures major because I was so in love with the variety of ways humans live and express themselves. Being able to celebrate all of the wonderful cultures that make up the Edison community felt like a dream come true.

The celebration began with a breathtaking burst of color as over 100 children joyfully tossed clouds of colored powder into the sky, dancing to the rhythms of Indian music in celebration of Holi. That beautiful, exuberant moment set the tone for the rest of the day: a spirit of joy, unity, and boundless inclusivity.

From there, the afternoon unfolded like a journey around the world. Families generously opened windows into their heritage, offering music, dance, food, storytelling, and art that spoke of generations, journeys, and identity. Each cultural booth—more than 20 in total—invited us not just to observe, but to engage. People gathered to listen, taste, learn, and most importantly, connect. Every shared dish and every explained tradition carried with it a sense of pride and belonging.

Our world map, soon dotted with pins representing the many homelands of our community, became a quiet but powerful visual—a testament to the global roots that strengthen the fabric of our school.

The performances throughout the day were a celebration of both artistry and heart: a joyful Greek dance lesson that welcomed all to join in, the impressive sounds of our very own Edison Mariachi ensemble, a graceful and energetic Baile Folklórico under the open sky, and a powerful Peruvian dance that closed the day with elegance and soul.

Yet what made the event truly unforgettable wasn’t just the beauty on display—it was the spirit that filled the air. There was a genuine openness, a deep mutual respect, and a joyful curiosity. Families were not just sharing; they were teaching and learning. Children saw their cultures honored and reflected, and they beamed with pride. In every corner of campus, something more than celebration was taking place—community was being woven together.

This festival was, at its heart, the very essence of what Edison stands for. And we are thrilled to make it a cherished tradition in the years to come.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the families who participated, the students and adults who performed, and to our incredible team of parents who helped bring this festival to life. A special shout out to our core parent committee who planned behind the scenes: Eleni Constantine, Albert Decall, Kristen McCowan, Irene Guerrero, Fiorella Graybill, Aarti Porwal and our fantastic leader Michelle Uhm!

Click here to see photos and videos. I've included one of my favorites below. Can't wait to celebrate with you all again next year!

Enchanted,
Directora Ipiña

We’re excited to welcome you to Open House, a meaningful evening where students take pride in sharing the work they’ve done throughout the school year. It’s a chance to celebrate their growth, accomplishments, and the learning that has taken place in every classroom.

Please note: This year, Open House will be held over two evenings due to a scheduling conflict with the SAMOHI Senior Awards on May 22, which involves some of our staff. Thank you for your understanding as we ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Open House Schedule:

📅 Wednesday, May 21

• 2nd Grade: 5:30–6:30 PM

• 5th Grade: 6:00–7:00 PM (Murcia 7:00-8:00)

📅 Thursday, May 22

• PreK–1st Grade: 6:00–7:00 PM

• 3rd–4th Grade: 7:00–8:00 PM

We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students.

To provide teachers with time to prepare for Open House, we will have a Minimum Day on Thursday. Please note the dismissal times below. If your child is not in an afterschool program, make sure to pick them up on time!

Minimum Day Dismissal Times

• PreK-K: 12:30pm
• 1st-2nd: 1:35 pm
• 3rd-5th: 1:50 pm

This is our last week of state testing. Our 5th graders will take the Science test and all students who haven't finished because they were absent or needed more time will finish up. Our students are working so hard! We are so proud of them.

Each Wednesday, from 8:30-10:00 am, we have parent meetings in the Library. All parents are invited. Meetings are bilingual and there is a Zoom option at this link (except for Parent Cafecito which is a social event).

This week we will be hosting our last PTA General Meeting.

This weekend, our incredible Cotsen Team celebrated the culmination of their two-year journey of professional growth with a special event at the Skirball Center.

A huge congratulations to our dedicated Cotsen Fellows—Haydé Cervantes, Rocío Naranjo, Maribel Cachú-Ríos, Rubén Márquez, and Camila Mejía—who have spent the past two years moving from “good to great,” guided by their exceptional Cotsen Mentor, Alma Williams.

Throughout the program, they immersed themselves in professional development, engaged in an in-depth inquiry book study, reflected on their learning, and brought new ideas to life in their classrooms. This past Wednesday, they gave all our teachers a glimpse of their journey during our Banked Time meeting—sharing their excitement for learning and the joy they brought back to their classrooms.

Next school year, they’ll be opening up opportunities for the rest of our staff to learn and grow alongside them. We’re so proud of their dedication, passion, and hard work, and we look forward to continuing this learning journey together!

As the school year comes to a close, we are also wrapping up our special classes—an essential part of our students’ learning experience. While our classroom teachers work tirelessly to cover core academic subjects, we deeply value the role that arts and hands-on learning play in educating the whole child.

Specials like art, music, dance, theater, and gardening are not just "extras"—they are powerful tools that support creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and emotional expression. These experiences help students make meaningful connections across subjects, build confidence, and discover new passions. For many children, school is the only place where they have access to these enriching opportunities—from painting with a muralist to singing in Spanish with a professional musician, or getting their hands in the soil to grow their own food.

We are incredibly grateful for the talented and dedicated educators who bring these classes to life. Their work helps our students grow not just academically, but as imaginative, curious, and capable individuals.

Please take note of the following end dates for specials:

• Art with Martha ended last week – ¡Gracias!

• Music with Jacqueline ended last week – ¡Gracias!

• Music with the district ends at the end of this week – Thank you!

• Garden with Azita will end on June 3rd

Thank you for supporting all aspects of your child’s learning journey!

Thank you to all the parents who volunteered at the Book Fair, and all the families who visited stocking up on intriguing titles and sparking the joy of reading in our students. This event is a win - win because our students get excited about reading (and invisible pens!), while the school earns money to purchase more books for the library.

At SMMUSD, we want to reassure our families that our schools are—and will always be—safe, supportive, and welcoming spaces for every student, regardless of immigration status. Every child has the right to a quality education, and we are committed to protecting that right by ensuring that all students can learn without fear or discrimination. We do not collect or share information about immigration status, and we prioritize your family’s privacy and confidentiality. Our safety plans and resources are here to support you, and we encourage families to keep emergency contacts and pickup information current so we can stay connected and responsive to your needs.

Please click here to read about the upcoming family engagement events for families whose students attend school in Santa Monica, and for all other interested families.