The SMMUSD Wave- March. 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, and Community Members,
Our schools continue to be filled with energy and activity, with students engaging in learning, performances and events that highlight their talents and hard work. It is always inspiring to see our students and educators come together to create meaningful experiences that showcase their dedication and passion.
One of the standout moments this month was the 74th annual Stairway of the Stars, a spectacular celebration of music, talent and community. Nearly 900 SMMUSD students took the stage for three unforgettable performances, demonstrating the strength of our district’s commitment to the arts.
This year’s event honored Sen. Ben Allen for his contributions to education and the arts, while Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Sen. Allen also recognized Tom Whaley, longtime music education leader, who is retiring after 24 years of service to SMMUSD. His impact on music education and the lives of countless students has been immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
As we approach spring recess, which starts on April 7 with a return on April 21, I hope all our families and staff take this time to rest, recharge and enjoy quality moments with loved ones. Whether you are traveling, celebrating or simply taking a well-earned break, I wish you a safe and relaxing two weeks.
When we return, we look forward to an exciting and strong finish to the school year. State testing, spring performances and celebrations for our graduating seniors are just around the corner, marking important milestones for our students.
Additionally, I encourage families to stay involved by attending upcoming school events and engagement opportunities. Your participation plays a vital role in supporting student success and strengthening our school community.
SMMUSD is also hosting a Parent Academy on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Lincoln Middle School from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., featuring workshops and sessions that cover everything from Aeries and project-based learning to special education and even our district communication tools. Register today and take part in this valuable opportunity to stay informed and engaged. Register here: https://bit.ly/ParentAcademyRegst2025.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools. I look forward to the exciting months ahead as we close out another incredible school year together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent
You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.
Photo: Dr. Shelton with Boys & Girls Club Santa Monica CEO Brynja Seagram and Youth of the Year honorees, both Samohi students, left to right, Haley, winner and student board member, and Lorena, runner up.
Gerardo Cruz Named New Assistant Superintendent of Business & Fiscal Services
The SMMUSD Board of Education approved the appointment of Gerardo Cruz as the assistant superintendent of business and fiscal services at its March 13, 2025 special board meeting.
Cruz is a familiar face in SMMUSD having served here for 12 of the past 14 years, first as the fiscal services supervisor, and for the past seven years, director of business and fiscal services. He has also served in business and fiscal positions at ABC Unified School District in Cerritos, and Greenfield Union School District in Bakersfield, for 20 plus years in the education industry.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/Cruz-AsstSupFis2025.
Melissa Winters Named New Director, Human Resources
The SMMUSD Board of Education approved the appointment of Melissa Winters as the new human resources director at its March 6, 2025 regular board meeting. Winters comes to SMMUSD with more than 20 years of education experience, recently serving the Los Angeles Unified School District as the staff relations field director of the Region West Office of Staff Relations.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/WintersNewHRdirector2025.
Lincoln Middle School Students Innovate, Design, and Learn Through Arcade Game Project
More than 300 seventh-grade students at Lincoln Middle School (LMS) embarked on a dynamic project-based learning experience, integrating math, science, and language arts to design and build arcade games. This interdisciplinary unit not only deepened students’ understanding of academic concepts but also fostered creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills.
Read more here:https://bit.ly/LMSTwoBitCircus2025.
JAMS Music Teacher Angela Woo Honored with 2025 Outstanding Middle School Educator Award
SMMUSD proudly congratulates John Adams Middle School (JAMS) music teacher Angela Woo for receiving the 2025 Outstanding Middle School Educator Award from the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). This prestigious regional honor spans from Kern County to San Diego County and recognizes Woo’s exceptional contributions to music education.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/WooSCSBOA2025Award.
Lincoln Middle School Bridges History and Tradition with Holocaust Survivor
Lincoln Middle School, in partnership with the Holocaust Museum of Los Angeles, hosted a special event, "L'Dough V'Dough Kneading Connections," on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, after school. This unique event brought together the powerful tradition of storytelling by a Holocaust survivor with the hands-on experience of making challah bread, offering a meaningful connection between generations and cultures.
Read more here.
Martha Díaz Chacón, John Adams Middle School Principal
Meet Martha Díaz Chacón, principal of John Adams Middle School. A dedicated educator and leader in equity and academic excellence, she has shaped student success for over two decades. Now, as the recipient of the 2025 Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG) Scholarship in partnership with TELACU, she is recognized for her impact in education.
Read more about Chacón here: https://bit.ly/MarthaChacon-Spotlight.
Participate in the 2025-26 LCAP
SMMUSD values your partnership in helping shape the educational experience for our students. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, SMMUSD is conducting its annual Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) review.
The LCAP serves as a roadmap, outlining how our district intends to allocate state funds to support student success. We invite all educational and community partners to share your insights and experiences through this LCAP survey. Separate surveys will be sent to secondary students and community members/parents.
Your input is invaluable. By participating, you contribute to our understanding of what has been effective and where we can enhance our efforts.
LCAP Survey Details:
Deadline: Please complete one survey per child by Monday, April 7, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Survey Link: LCAP Survey or https://bit.ly/LCAPsurveyEng2025
Malibu High Students Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program
Six Malibu High School students, Brienna Brandau, Kylie Epstein, Logan Epstein, Chloe Loquet, Hank Norby, and Caidyn Ovsiowitz, have been recognized as Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. This distinction places them among the top-scoring participants nationwide, an achievement earned by less than four percent of entrants. The students were honored by the SMMUSD Board of Education at its March 19, 2025, meeting. Samohi students were recognized at an earlier board meeting.
JAMS Sixth Graders Unveil Hindu Deity Projects
Sixth-grade students in Hanna Duff’s humanities class at John Adams Middle School brought history to life with their research on Hindu deities. Their projects, showcased in the newly renovated library, offered a creative and insightful look into Hindu mythology and culture.
Barking Reading Therapy Dogs At McKinley
McKinley Elementary welcomed Bark Reading Therapy Dogs to campus, giving students a fun and supportive way to practice their reading skills. The visit is part of the school’s March focus on reading, designed to encourage literacy and student engagement. See how students are tracking their progress on the March Minute Madness tracker.
BAAPAC Celebrates Black History Month
The SMMUSD Black African American Parent Advisory Committee (BAABAC) hosted a family-fun gathering of togetherness and community, Rooted Together, in celebration of Black History / African Awareness History Month in February. Dozens of families and staff enjoyed an evening of food, drumming, arts and crafts and comradery to mark the celebration. Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton provided the group with words of encouragement and inspiration and reminded everyone of his commitment to fostering a sense of belonging at all SMMUSD schools and offices along with his six priorities. This video provides an overview of these priorities: https://bit.ly/SMMUSDpriorities2425.
Samohi Students Shined at Mahlerthon
The Santa Monica High School Symphony and Chamber Orchestras performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall on March 2 as part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s Mahlerthon, a daylong celebration of Gustav Mahler’s music. Samohi was the only high school invited to participate, performing alongside major youth and collegiate ensembles in a festival that reimagined a historic Mahler tradition. Read more in the LA Times article here.
Southwest Strings Donates Instruments to Malibu Students
SMMUSD is grateful to Southwest Strings for donating six instruments to Malibu High School and Webster students who lost district-owned instruments in the recent wildfires. This heartwarming gesture is greatly appreciated during this time when many families continue to be displaced from total or partial loss of their homes or damages. The donation included violins, cellos and violas. Thank you to all vendors and supporters who continue to donate and support our families, staff and community members in need.
Grant Students Present Red Cross with Check for Fire Victims
After studying the history and cultural significance of beads, Laura Mechel’s second grade class at Grant Elementary created and sold handmade bracelets to support those impacted by the 2025 Southern California Fires. The students raised nearly $1,500, which was donated to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region West Los Angeles Chapter. This hands-on project combined creativity, compassion, and community impact.
SMMUSD Hosts Campus Environmental Impact Community Meeting at Franklin Elementary
SMMUSD invited parents, staff, students and community members to participate in the planning of campus facilities. The District is in the process of planning educational improvements at Franklin Elementary School and held an in-person meeting on March 18, 2025 to take comments from the community and feedback on proposed projects.
Read more here.
Building Tomorrow's Future: Roosevelt Elementary School New Library and Early Childhood Learning Building
SMMUSD is excited to share that the QS bond measure for Santa Monica was successfully passed in November 2024. The District is grateful to the community for their overwhelming support and trust in this initiative. The funding represents a significant investment in the future of our students and families, allowing SMMUSD to move forward with the much-anticipated construction of the new library and early childhood learning building.
Read more here about facilities plans for Roosevelt.
Building Tomorrow's Future: Grant Early Learning Building Modernization and Library Update
Since the passage of Bond Measure QS in November 2024, SMMUSD has started work on transforming Grant Elementary School into a future-ready learning environment. Several projects are underway, each designed to enhance student learning, accessibility, and collaboration.
Read more here about facilities plans for Grant.
Watch the video here.
Building Tomorrow's Future: New Classroom and Administration Building
Construction of the new classroom and administration building at McKinley Elementary began in the summer of 2024 and is making progress. This transformative project is funded through Bond Measure SMS, reflecting the community’s commitment to providing modern, high-quality learning environments.
Read more here.
JAMS Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting for Newly Modernized Library
John Adams Middle School (JAMS) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly modernized library on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. The event celebrated the completion of the state-of-the-art library, a dynamic space where students immerse themselves in reading, explore new ideas, and collaborate in a welcoming environment. The library reflected SMMUSD’s commitment to creating future-ready learning environments that empower students to reach their full potential, both academically and social-emotionally.
Watch photo/video slideshow here.
Read more here.
Santa Monica Ed Foundation
We love our public schools, and this week is the perfect time to show it!
From March 24-28, your donation will go twice as far, thanks to a generous $25,000 match from the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows! Every gift—of any amount—makes an even greater impact on the programs and staff our students love.
Donate today and double your impact: smedfoundation.org/donate
Thank you for supporting our school and our students!
Tap Into Giving at Brew Works
Join us at Brew Works for Tap Into Giving on March 27! Your $25 ticket includes a flight of beers and a brewery tour. Plus, we ask each guest to bring a gift card to a local restaurant to support our silent auction and local businesses. Click HERE for tickets or text TapIntoGiving to 76278.
Blue Plate Oysterette: A Tasting Experience
Join us at this beloved Santa Monica institution for an exceptional dinner leading up to the highly anticipated Wine Auction. Blue Plate Oysterette has been a valued partner at the Wine Auction since the beginning 10 years ago. The evening of April 2 will include a three course tasting menu plus oysters! It's a win-win, supporting SMEF and a local business. Click HERE for tickets or text BPO2025 to 76278.
Malibu Education Foundation
A New Beginning for Malibu Students!
The Malibu Education Foundation (MEF) launched this school year to support our public schools — and our FIRST home basketball game is just one of the many successes made possible by your generosity.
The recent wildfire has hit our community hard. While fire relief efforts are pulling away critical funding, MEF is here to ensure our students have what they need to recover, rebuild, and thrive.
Your Donations Support:
Over 60% of Malibu Middle School students participating in sports each season.
Instructional Aides providing essential learning support for both elementary students.
Arts Education at every school, fostering creativity and confidence.
Can you give $50 or $100 today to help us keep these vital programs strong?
Your support matters. Let’s build a brighter future for Malibu’s kids!
Donate now at www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org
Shop for a Cause!
Come to the Community Closet Closing Sale and support Malibu schools while helping Malibu local businesses recover.
March 28 - March 30 | 11AM - 5PM
24903 PCH
Everything’s just $5 — Cash, Credit, or Apple Pay.
100% of proceeds benefit the Malibu Education Foundation.
Fire survivors shop FREE.
Make a day of it — shop, support our schools, and stay to enjoy and support Malibu’s local businesses.
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