The SMMUSD Wave- Nov.2024
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, and Community Members,
November is a time to reflect on gratitude and community. This season offers an opportunity to focus on the values that bring us together and the commitments we hold as a school district to our students, families, and staff.
We are thrilled to announce the successful passage of both facility improvement project bonds, Measure QS for Santa Monica schools and Measure MM for Malibu schools. These bonds received significant support from their respective communities, underscoring the trust and shared understanding of the critical need for improved facilities. These enhancements will directly benefit our students’ academic success and overall well-being. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the voters for their confidence in our vision, and we deeply appreciate the dedication of our volunteers who spread awareness about the importance of these measures. With many planned projects already in the design phase, we are excited to create future-ready indoor and outdoor learning environments that empower our students academically and socially.
Recent events across the nation have drawn attention to hateful and racist messages circulating in various communities. I want to reiterate that racism, in any form, has no place in our society or in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Our schools are, and will continue to be, safe spaces for learning, growth, and inclusion. Every student, regardless of their background, belongs here, and we remain unwavering in our mission to foster an environment where all students feel seen, respected, and valued.
As we head into the holiday season, our campuses are alive with activities and programs that celebrate the creativity, generosity, and achievements of our students. From food drives and community service projects to concerts and performances, our students are embodying the spirit of giving and connection. I encourage you to support these efforts by attending events and engaging with your school community.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to take a moment to thank all of you for your dedication and partnership. Your efforts help ensure that SMMUSD continues to thrive and that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Please remember to support the Santa Monica Education Foundation and the Malibu Education Foundation on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3. Your donations go a long way toward supporting programs that benefit all students. More information in the Education Foundation Corner below.
Finally, I wish everyone a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving recess, with schools closed starting Wednesday, Nov. 27. May this time bring moments of rest, reflection, and connection with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, as we prepare for a successful finish to the calendar year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent
You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.
Yvonne Kyle Named New SMMUSD Director of Purchasing
SMMUSD has appointed Yvonne Kyle as its new director of purchasing, effective November 1, 2024. Kyle’s extensive experience in purchasing and administration, combined with her commitment to operational efficiency, positions her well to lead the district’s purchasing department in driving sustainable and cost-effective practices.
Read more here.
SMMUSD Secondary Schools Participated in Red Ribbon Week to Promote Drug-Free Lifestyles
Secondary schools across SMMUSD recently celebrated Red Ribbon Week, held Oct. 23-31, 2024. This nationwide initiative promotes drug prevention and supports healthy, substance-free lifestyles among students. With this year’s national theme, “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free,” students were encouraged to envision a positive future shaped by healthy choices. SMMUSD middle and high schools in Santa Monica and Malibu hosted a range of interactive events and activities, all reinforcing the value of a drug-free lifestyle.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/RedRibbonWeek2024-SMMUSD.
McKinley Elementary School Holds Student Council Elections with Special Guest Senator Ben Allen
McKinley Elementary School's 4th and 5th graders held their highly anticipated student council elections on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. The event, aimed at fostering leadership and civic engagement, saw 11 enthusiastic students delivering campaign speeches to their peers. Each candidate shared their vision for improving the school, with some highlighting plans for more access to playground equipment and enhancing student activities if elected as president or vice president.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/McKinleyElectionsPR2024.
JAMS Students Embrace Civic Responsibility Through Mock Election and Insights from Senator Ben Allen
John Adams Middle School (JAMS) recently transformed its classrooms into spaces of civic discovery, with eighth grade social studies and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students learning the impact of democracy through a hands-on mock election and an inspiring visit from California State Senator Ben Allen. Spearheaded by social studies teachers Titia Murphy and Cori Goldberg, the initiative encouraged students to understand democracy’s core principles and the significance of voting from an early age.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/JAMScivicEngagement2024.
Chloe Loquet, Malibu High School ‘25
Meet Chloe Loquet, a Malibu High School (MHS) senior who represents the best of what education and community support can achieve. From excelling in rigorous academics to leading in athletics and service, she has become a standout figure at MHS and beyond.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/ChloeLoquet-Spotlight
SMMUSD School Board Adopts Inclusive Schools Week Resolution
The SMMUSD Board of Education adopted a resolution in support of Inclusive Schools Week, Dec. 2-6, 2024 at its Nov. 21, 2024 meeting.
Inclusive Schools Week is an event held each year during the first full week in December. Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. The week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
SMMUSD staff hase worked hard to provide inclusive education for all students. SMMUSD provides collaborative education, push-in services, and programs that promote appreciation of diversity. The school board and district leadership are proud of the work that has been done and will continue to support all students and their individual needs, both academically and social emotionally.
Samohi Dr. Tebb Kusserow Heritage Display Dedication
Samohi held a beautiful dedication of its heritage display case in the Discovery Cafeteria honoring Dr. Tebb Kusserow, 11.24.24. Current and former students and football players, administrators, family and friends joined in the dedication. Dr. Kusserow shared stories with the guests and he and his family unveiled the display filled with sports memorabilia. The Samohi choir sang the Hymn of Praise.
Dr. Kusserow graduated from Samohi's winter class in 1961. He was an All-CIF football player and participated in the Annual Shrine Football Game. He was an All-American player at Santa Monice City College and when an injury ended his playing days he earned his Doctorate at USC in physical education specializing in ancient history, movement, and interscholastic sports. He taught for 31 years at Samohi, was a mentor teacher, department chairperson, and curriculum designer.
He was the head football coach for 17 years with 122 wins, the most in school history. His teams reached the CIF-SS Championship game three times and won two titles. He has been inducted into the CIF-SS Hall of Fame (CIF-SS Coach of the Year in 1981), received Samohi’s Distinguished Service Award and PTA Lifetime Service Award.
To honor Viking history, he helped to launch the Samohi archive research and development program to honor both the city and the high school. Tebb wrote Defining Moments in Samohi Football History, seven historical narratives defining iconic periods in sports and Viking campus life. He spearheaded the digitization of the school newspaper, The Samohi, and has helped to maintain complete sets of the school yearbook, The Nautilus.
Congratulations to Dr. Tebb Kusserow and thank you for the memories and ongoing work to document Samohi sports history.
Dr. Kusserow’s guiding principles have always been “commitment, sincerity, honor, and service.” He truly loves Santa Monica High School and all the students who have blessed his life.
Samohi Orchestras' Winter Concert is Dec. 10!
Samohi Orchestras' Winter Concert takes place Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30pm in Barnum Hall. Concessions open at 5:30 with tacos and baked goods for sale, plus a raffle for a chance to conduct the Symphony Orchestra's performance of Sleigh Ride on stage. Tickets are available at www.samohiorchestras.org, $5 for students/$10 for adults.
Will Rogers’ Learning Community Celebrates Fall Festival
Will Rogers' Learning Community celebrated its fall festival on Friday, Nov. 1! The event featured tasty food, fun games, a festive photo area and beautiful decorations. The students also learned about seasonal planting cycles. Thank you to everyone who joined in on the fall fun!
Samohi Takes First Place at DTASC Festival
Congratulations to Sage Moore, Calliope Kirschbaum, Lea Zakharia, and Alexandra Ornelas for winning First Place in the Female-Centric category at the Drama Teachers’ Association of Southern California (DTASC) Festival on Saturday, November 9, 2024 in Woodland Hills.
These ninth graders were the only participants from Samohi among hundreds of students from 32 schools. Their performance of Dance Nation by Claire Barron earned them the DTASC Scholarship, marking Samohi’s first win of this honor.
As scholarship recipients, they will represent DTASC at the California State Capitol on March 12, 2025, where they’ll perform their scene, meet legislators, and advocate for the arts. A huge thank you to Gina Oster for her exceptional direction of the scene. This is a proud achievement for our students and school!
Will Rogers’ Learning Community Honors Day of the Dead
Will Rogers' Learning Community came together to honor Día de los Muertos with a beautiful ofrenda, celebrating & remembering those who have passed. Students, staff, and parents shared traditional Mexican sweet bread, while Samohi's Mariachi Band filled the air with music. Thank you to everyone who helped create this meaningful celebration.
Samohi Marching Band Competition Season
Congratulations to the Samohi Viking marching band and colorguard for closing an extraordinary season by placing fouth with their field show "The Sword in The Stone" at the very competitive SCSBOA 2A/5A division championships on Nov 23 at the Martin Luther King High School field in Riverside. Samohi placed first in several area competitions in recent weeks. Well done Samohi!
SMMUSD Celebrates the Passage of Measures QS and MM!
SMMUSD is thrilled to announce the passage of Bond Measures QS (Santa Monica) and MM (Malibu). Voter’s approval of these measures demonstrate a powerful display of community trust and commitment to advancing education. These bond measures will provide critical funding for the improvement of school facilities, supporting student success and well-being by creating safer, more modern and inspiring learning environments.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/QSandMMBondsPR2024.
Santa Monica High School Completes New Exploration Building and Gold Gymnasium
Amazing! Santa Monica High School's new Exploration building & Gold gymnasium are complete! Students & staff are putting these amazing spaces to good use, whether it's sparking creativity in the classroom or staying active in the state-of-the-art gym. The new buildings reflect the Districts commitment to creating future-ready learning environments that empower students to reach their fullest potential, both academically and social-emotionally.
Watch here: https://bit.ly/SamohiExplorationandGoldGymComplete2024.
Santa Monica High School Celebrates its New Exploration Building and Gold Gymnasium with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Let’s celebrate! Santa Monica High School (Samohi) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Exploration building and Gold gymnasium on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at 4 p.m. This event marks the completion of the new state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance student learning, physical fitness and artistic development. The new buildings reflect the District’s commitment to creating future-ready learning environments that empower students to reach their full potential, both academically and social-emotionally. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/SamohiRibbonCuttingCeremonyPR202.
RSVP at: https://bit.ly/SamohiExplorationandGoldgymRibbonCuttingRSVP2024.
Santa Monica and Malibu Schools Take Major Step Toward Modernization with Passage of State Proposition 2 and Local Measures QS, MM
A reporter with Spectrum News 1 interviewed the District's Chief Operations Officer Carey Upton on the importance of keeping school facilities up to date. And with the passage of State Proposition 2, and Measures QS, Santa Monica and MM, Malibu, California is taking a big step toward modernizing its schools and giving students the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Watch here.
Car-Free Fridays for Santa Monica!
Santa Monica families and staff! Join Us! Every week for Car-Free Fridays as we strengthen our commitment to promoting sustainable transportation. We encourage the SMMUSD community to leave cars behind and choose alternative transportation every Friday. Whether biking, walking, or taking the bus, let's all contribute to a greener commute!
Watch the video here: https://bit.ly/SMMUSDCarFreeFridays.
Find your school’s safe route here: https://bit.ly/CarFreeFridays2024-25.
Santa Monica Education Foundation Raising $100K in One Day!
This Giving Tuesday (Tuesday, December 3), join the Santa Monica Ed Foundation in the spirit of generosity to help build a brighter future for our students. Together, we can ensure every child has access to vibrant educational experiences that inspire learning and growth.
On this global day of giving, we are aiming to raise $100,000 in a single day. This year, Kindo AI has generously pledged $25,000 as a Flash Match, which means every dollar donated will help unlock their match. When our community raises $25,000, Kindo AI’s gift will double it to $50,000, bringing us halfway to our goal!
You can donate and monitor our progress on Giving Tuesday with a thermometer that is updated in real time at www.smedfoundation.org.
This Giving Tuesday, Support Malibu Students!
Join us in raising $20,000 to fund staff and programs that directly support student success at all four of Malibu’s public schools. Your gift will help get Malibu Education Foundation closer to its annual goal of $750,000 for vital resources across all four schools, including eight elementary school instructional aides (four per school), the Middle School Athletics Program, Math Tutors, the high school Strength & Conditioning Coach.
Atticus Moffat (pictured with Athletic Coordinator Daryl Adams) is a great example of what Malibu Education Foundation seeks to achieve by supporting vital staff and staffed programs. Atticus developed a love for running by participating in Track & Field when MMS Athletics launched this Spring, and then joined the Cross Country team in the Fall - and ran the 5k in Malibu Moves where he placed first in his age group this October. Help us create more success stories for our students!
As The Shark Fund and elementary school PTAs continue to raise funds to support unique schools site needs, Malibu Education Foundation ensure vital staff and staffed programs remain to ensure every student in Malibu thrives.
Visit malibueducationfoundation.org to donate today. Also, stop by the Holiday Market + Tree Lot, open daily from 11.29 - 12.15 and also supporting our four schools through Malibu Education Foundation!
Website:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Instagram:
YouTube