Whale Tales

Dear Families of Webster,

The 2024-25 school year is right around the corner! My hope is that you have filled your summer time with adventures, family, friends, and relaxation. It has been a wonderful break for me, and I have enjoyed some slower days savoring the little moments. I have even had some BIG moments in Conzumel diving underneath the waves and seeing yellow sting rays and sea snakes ! I’m really looking forward to this new school year and seeing everyone back on campus very soon!

I want to thank our custodians, Ms. Kathy and Mr. Miguel, for all their hard work over the summer for preparing our beautiful campus to receive our staff and students. We appreciate them so much! Thank you also to our incredible office team who worked throughout the summer to keep up with registrations and answer various inquiries from families. And, I know our teaching and support staff has spent their summer break thinking of amazing activities and lessons to engage our students. I am confident their hard work will pay off in big ways this year. I am so grateful to work with this incredible team of educators.

Please read the rest of this newsletter below for important reminders as we approach the beginning of the new school year and see my welcome letter on our website.

Thursday, August 22nd, as a minimum day, is the first day of school! Please plan accordingly and leave extra time for parking and pictures. Parking will be limited! Kindly do not park in a spot marked “Webster” for any duration of time, even if it is empty. If you are using one of the accessible parking spot in the front of the school, you must display your placard. Do not use these spots as a quick drop off area. Thank you for respecting our staff and school community by adhering to our parking lot expectations.

We can't wait to see you on the first day on August 22nd. It's going to be a phenomenal year ahead!

GO WHALES!!

Warmly,

Carina Diana

As we prepare to start a new academic school year, all families are required to verify and update information for their students. We recommend completing this process on a Desktop or Laptop computer.

Please log in to your Aeries Parent Portal, or click the following direct link:

If you did not use the direct link above, please log in to your Aeries Parent Portal and select Student Info and click on Data Confirmation to take you to the correct form.

If you have forgotten your Aeries Parent Portal credentials, please use the Forgot Password? link located at the bottom of the website.

Please note that your child’s teacher will not be visible in AERIES until the data confirmation process has been completed. Once done, you will be able to see the teacher assignment starting at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 21st.

The PTA is excited to launch their annual giving campaign and are asking for your support!

The PTA enriches our students' experience at Webster Elementary by funding programs, staff, and supplies beyond what the district provides. Your donations support technology programs, the STEAM lab, classroom supplies, field trips, and community events. Every dollar of your contribution goes directly to support our school.

For 2024-25, they are requesting a donation of $1,000 per student. This amount is lower than previous years, thanks to additional community financial support and ongoing fundraising efforts from the Malibu Education Foundation (details coming soon!).

We aim for 100% family participation, so contributions of any size are appreciated. All donors will receive a Webster car magnet to show their support. Plus, the first 15 families to donate get a choice of Webster wear!

Please donate by clicking HERE.

Thank you for helping us continue to provide an outstanding education at Webster!

This year, our theme is “WE have Heart.” This motto highlights the nurturing and inclusive environment at Webster, where students, staff, and the community come together with kindness, respect, and a strong sense of belonging. It underscores our commitment to fostering a supportive atmosphere where every child feels valued, empowered, and encouraged to grow both academically and personally. The heart of Webster Elementary is its people—their care for one another and their shared dedication to learning and community.

Please join me in welcoming the following staff members to the team this year:

• Sabrina Pineda-Fuentes, Preschool Teacher
• Vitty McClung, Student Office Specialist
• Maria Iglesias, Preschool Aide
• Maribeth Majewski, Instructional Coach

We’re excited to announce our new Instagram account! Follow us @websterwhales for all the latest school news, events, and fun happenings around campus. Stay in the know and connect with our vibrant school community, one post at a time!.

Our parking lot and drop off is quite unique and can be problematic if we fail to adhere to expectations for safety (more details coming soon). Your help in complying with our procedures will keep our students SAFE and get everyone in and out in an orderly manner.

Thank you for your help to have a smooth arrival and dismissal each day.

Creating a safe and fun learning environment is our top priority and begins with all of us working together. We thank you in advance for your efforts!

Breakfast and lunch are FREE to all students. Although all students will receive free meals this school year, we request all families complete the Online Meal Application for 2024-2025. This form impacts areas beyond school meals so widespread participation is essential, even if your child plans to eat something other than school meals.

Providing a fun, safe, and creative space for Malibu youth to thrive, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu offers positive mentorship, life skills development, and social-emotional support. Enrollment is now open! Visit bgcmalibu.org to learn more and sign up. Our Clubhouses offer engaging educational activities and a nurturing environment for all members.

Wellness Center & Social Support

The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Wellness Center provides free social support and mental health counseling, both remotely and in-person, with no current waitlist. Visit bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center to learn more or request services. Missed a parent workshop? Find recordings at bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center-resources

Malibu Chili Cook-Off 2024

Tickets are on sale now! Visit malibuchilicookoff.org to purchase your tickets before prices increase at the door. Follow us on social media @malibuchilicookoff.

Volunteer with Us

Join us from August 30 to September 2, 2024, to help make the Malibu Chili Cook-Off a success! Volunteers enjoy awesome perks. For more details, email mcco.volunteer@gmail.com.

Third Space is OPEN at Malibu Village!

A project of the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, Third Space is a storefront, gallery, and innovation hub where youth are mentored and inspired. Made possible by generous community support, a percentage of all purchases benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu’s programs, including:

• Safe after-school spaces
• Mental health services for youth, families, and seniors
• Drug and alcohol prevention programs
• Innovative opportunities for youth
• Regenerative systems and educational initiatives

In our vibrant community, we value care, connection, and creativity. Third Space offers youth, families, and visitors a chance to explore products from local, sustainable, and socially-minded entrepreneurs. Visit thirdspacemalibu.org to learn more. Follow us on IG/FB: @thirdspacemalibu

Contact us at 310-457-1400 (Admin) or 310-241-3675 (Programs) or email info@bgcmalibu.org.

Stay updated by subscribing to the BGCM E-Newsletter HERE.

Carina Diana, Principal

Webster Elementary School

3602 Winter Canyon Rd

Malibu, CA 90265

Email: cdiana@smmusd.org
Website: www.smmusd.org/webster
Phone: (310) 456-6494
Instagram: www.instagram.com/websterwhales
Twitter: @webstermalibu