Whale Tales
August 2024
Principal's Message
Dear Webster Families,
What an incredible start to the school year! I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our amazing staff, dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and, of course, our fantastic students for making the first week so successful. Your warm welcome to the Webster community has meant the world to me, and I am truly excited about the journey ahead.
I look forward to partnering with each of you as we work together to help our students grow not only as learners but also as kind and responsible individuals.
Next week, we have a special opportunity for our TK-2 families to connect during Back-to-School Night. I encourage you to attend so you can meet your child’s teacher and gain valuable insights into the expectations and routines for the upcoming school year.
GO WHALES!!
Warmly,
Carina Diana
Weekly Spotlight
Check out these wonderful moments featuring our incredible students, staff, and parents! If you have a photo that you’d like to share, please send it to Principal Diana—we’d love to include it on our social media or upcoming newsletters.
Thank you for helping us celebrate our school community!
Back to School Night
We are excited to invite you to our TK - 2 Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, August 27th! This adult-only event begins at 6:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) with brief presentations from Principal Diana, followed by introductions from our dedicated teachers, PTA, Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, and the Malibu Education Foundation.
The main focus of the evening is for you to connect with your child’s teacher and learn about the routines and expectations that will help make this school year amazing. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain insight into your child’s daily experience and see how we can work together to support their success.
PTA Annual Giving Campaign
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!
Our preferred methods for donation are to drop off a check at the front office or to pay by Zelle to websterptamalibu@gmail.com. You may also donate by clicking HERE.
Thank you for helping us continue to provide an outstanding education at Webster!
MALIBU EDUCATION FOUNDATION (MEF)
MALIBU EDUCATION FOUNDATION (MEF), launched as a community-focused organization dedicated to enhancing the educational journey of students in all of our Malibu public schools. Their fundraising supports vital resources, staffing, and enrichment programs, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, physically, and creatively.
At Webster, Malibu Education Foundation funds four of our instructional aides and our arts teacher, lifting that fundraising need from our PTA.
We encourage you to learn more at www.malibueducationfoundation.org and consider making a donation to support all Malibu public schools, in addition to supporting our PTA.
Safety Update
To enhance student safety, the bottom gate near the Boys & Girls Club will remain closed as we no longer have adult supervision available for that area. Moving forward, there will be one main point of entrance and exit to the campus for grades K-5, which will be the gate by the main office. This change will help us ensure a secure and supervised environment for all students.
We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize the safety of our school community!
Safety Reminders
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!
Have you completed the AERIES Data Confirmation Process?
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:
https://santamonicamalibu.aeries.net/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.
Our Student Office Specialist, Vitty McClung, will be reaching out to families that have yet to complete this process beginning next week to provide any needed assistance.
Food & Nutrition Services
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.
Follow Webster on Instagram!
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!.
Helpful Links
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