A Message from Tedd
January 6, 2023
WEbster Nation,
What a winter break it was for our community!! Based on the pictures and stories you shared, it appears that, together, we spanned the globe in search of adventure. We skied, snowboarded, and sledded.We hiked and biked and trained and planed across the planet. In addition, many of us cuddled up with family and friends and enjoyed a little staycation joy. No matter what you chose to do, I'm glad you're all back safe, rested, and restored. Thanks for sending in your photos and sharing your adventures with the whole community. It's so fun to see our Whales living life beyond the campus walls. These experiences with family and travel are so valuable for their sense of wonder and curiosity.
Please share these photos with your kids. They are a wonderful way to encourage curiosity and build community. My hope is that students will return to campus on Monday and reach out to others, maybe even someone they've never spoken to, and ask about their winter break experiences. These are great conversation starters!
With gratitude,
Tedd
Aberdeen searching for the presents the Grinch stole
Dax and Theo riding ATVs in Sedona, AZ
The Donovans find a warm beach in Costa Rica
Dog sledding with the Eggers in Alaska
Fredi meets her new baby cousin for the first time
Nick hits the slopes in Idaho
Mrs. Harris and her family preparing to storm the castles in Scotland
One of Webster's beautiful kinder clans gather together for New Years, LOVE THIS
Julia takes in an experience at the Disney Concert Hall in DTLA
Juniper and the family meet Santa
Scarlette, Dax, Tulee, Jackson, and "Woolly" from the Mammoth slopes
The Kesslers on their way to the top at Palisades, Tahoe
Leilah and David hike Devil's Bridge in Sedona, AZ
Jaggar and Clanton enjoy some New England snow and survive the Southwest malay
The Diana, Makabi, and Nazemi families gather for some snow days
In Mexico, Ms. Brito's sister renewed her vows after 25 years
Mario takes a powder slide in Lake Tahoe
Our very own, Ms. Yoli, wandered the deserts of Dubai
The Wallace clan enjoyed a family staycation with BOTH grandmas
Brooklyn and Charlie's family Christmas, beautiful!
Matilda nails her first "S turn" in Mammoth
Miss Papale takes May Maverick for her first ever beach romp
Levon is on hand and in costume for his first Space X rocket launch
Emery took to the islands and learned to hula dance
The Pitzes see the country on a train from DC to Oakland
Shana and her crew on staycation in Malibu
Ms. Neci's picture wall of loved ones and good things
Alyssa and Skye strike a pose in New Mexico
The whole Sokoloff gang on the slopes at Park City, Utah
Maisy and her half-sister sharing a little Christmas cheer
Mrs. Stark and her daughter finally make that trip to Paris
First, let me extend my gratitude for all of you who brave the elements each day to open car doors and welcome our students to campus. You're the first face they see in the morning and your smile means a lot to all of us. Honestly, it's a great gig, when it's not pouring rain. Whether you've got music and a bubble machine or just a hug and smile, we appreciate you being out there each day. Here's the deal...WE NEED MORE OF YOU!!! Please click on the link below to be a part of our awesome Webster Valet experience. Join us and make a kid's morning!!
TEAMWORK and INITIATIVE
One of the things I really love about this staff is each member's willingness to step up and help out in situations where it's needed. Supervising children, covering a class, supporting our specialists...this group is dedicated to your kids and recognize the value of being team players here on campus. This week, I caught Coach Taylor taking the initiative to engage kids during a walking recess caused by the rain. He jumped into action leading some games that helped clear up the gloom for our littles. The day before that, he helped support me through a "comedy minute" in the auditorium to help pass the time during a rainy day lunch. Thanks, Coach Taylor, for being a part of the team and stepping up to serve our kids during the rainy days!!!
SPORTSMANSHIP and PLAYFULNESS
One of the things I really value in developing character with students is sportsmanship and the ability to take a playful approach to life. It's important that we learn to laugh at ourselves a little and have some fun. On that note, I also love opportunities to model these attributes for students. I have to give a nod to Mrs. London this week. Before the break, she and I made a friendly wager on the Raiders vs. Patriots game. I'm a life-long Raiders fan and she, a lover of the Patriots. THE WAGER: the winner would get to dress the loser in the gear and colors of the winning team. Needless to say, GO RAIDERS. And a high five to Mrs. London for not only being a good sport, but for modeling the behavior for our students that there's still humor to be found in a loss. Good stuff. Her students were wildly supportive of her, sending me notes of "good luck" before the game and even going full silver and black to have her back...or maybe mine? Either way, it was a bit of fun that the kids got involved with in a healthy way. They even nominated her multiple times for Mindset awards.
Too often in education, the idea of games gets equated with a lack of rigor or the absence of learning. "They're just messing around playing games all day!" That's just simply not the case. Games require critical thinking, strategy, decision making, an understanding of systems, and so much more. Have you ever tried to create your OWN board game? Here's where the real learning begins. What must you consider in designing an effective board game? Years ago, our students teased out the idea that a good game needed to be fair, fun, and present the right level of challenge. Mr. K's group has been digging into this process and today was the big reveal. There were handmade dice, spinners, playing cards, and player pieces. Game boards were diverse and colorful and rules were laid out clearly for incoming players. In some games, there were mini challenges and interesting game mechanics. For example, in the Capybara Game, if you landed on a particular space, you might have to say "capybara" 100 times or put your foot on the game board in a designated space. It was almost like Cranium meets Twister!
Bottom line is that game design is a wonderful way to teach a whole host of skills. It's not fooling around or wasted class time. It's the kind of engaging teaching and learning and student exploration that leads to the gritty problem solvers we are trying to create here at Webster. Kuddos to Mr. K for creating such a great space for student inquiry and design.
All Things Great and Small in TK!
This week we had an incredible experience provided by our amazing gardening teacher, Ms. Justine. We learned about the anatomy, feelings, and importance of worms. Then, because of the heavy rains, we were able to apply the lesson out in the world! After a break in the downpour, we took a long walk to the upper playground where, on the blacktop, we discovered many stranded worms! We immediately wanted to save them! We carefully walked around and gently relocated them to the safety of the outer soil. Some of us were spotters and others movers. We worked collaboratively as a TK team to help!
"The Fourth Industrial Revolution: What it means, how to respond"
So here we are in 2023. As I said in my last newsletter, I'd like to start sharing some resources with you to help you understand our enhanced mission and vision here at Webster in terms of preparing our students for an evolving world. It's critical that we understand the importance of and support our students in the development of growth mindsets and the essential skills needed for success both in school and in life beyond. Communication, critical thinking, curiosity, collaboration, adaptability, problem solving, and emotional intelligence are just a few of the things we will focus on moving forward. This week, I'd like to share a fantastic article from Klaus Schwab, of the World Economic Forum. It's a worthwhile read for educators and parents.
EVENTS and REMINDERS
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Monday, January 16
School Closed
School Site Council Meeting
Thursday, January 19
3:00-4:00p
YOSEMITE: Launch Night for 5th grade families
Webster auditorium
Wednesday, January 25
6:00-7:30p
TK-K Round Up
This is a chance for us to communicate to new parents how awesome it is to be at Webster
Thursday, January 26
2:00-3:00p
Please share this sign-up link with prospective families:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1A7VmIZ3kJcJKF_lwizyknqeROC2cErjgZHReDIEjbvo/edit?pli=1
Report Cards come home
Friday, February 3
Valentine's Day Festivities
Tuesday, February 14
President's Day
Monday, February 20
School Closed
Update
WEBSTER ELEMENTARY WEEK OF JANUARY 9, 2023
The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu aims to provide a fun, safe, and creative environment for all Malibu youth to thrive, find support through positive mentorship, develop important life skills, and receive social and emotional support. We are currently offering:
BGCM After School Programs Academic Year 2022-2023, ENROLL NOW at BGCMALIBU.ORG Programs include: STEM based projects, arts & crafts, cooking/gardening, social emotional wellness, and more! (Enrollment must be completed and verified via our online electronic system before your child attends BGCM Clubhouses, please allow at least 2 business days for this process).
Attention Parents of Teens/Tweens! The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Wellness Center, in partnership with SMMUSD, is hosting a virtual parenting group designed for parents of teens. Join us weekly starting Jan 19th at 7pm for 6 weeks to participate in an interactive series designed to help parents navigate many of the challenges we all face during the teen transformative years. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/BGCMParentingGroup-Jan2023
Johnny Strange Legacy Inspire Skate Program (Jan 11-March 30). 12 week session for grades TK-5th, all skill levels are welcome. $100 fee/per family (new families only) + $600, classes take place each week on Wednesday from 3:30-5:30pm. Fees cannot be prorated based upon usage. Register here. Contact skate@bgcmalibu.org for questions. Extremely limited spots available. Kindly allow 2 business days for enrollment verification.
BGCM in Partnership with City of Malibu NEW enrichment classes for Winter 2023. Registration opened Nov 14 at malibucity.org/register. Classes include Mega Machines, Soccer, and Secret Science Agents. Dates are Jan 10-March 23, 2023. Students do not have to be BGCM members to register.
Wellness Center & Social Support Offerings The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Wellness Center operates remotely and also in-person to provide no-cost social support & mental health counseling to all in the community. Visit https://bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center/ to learn more or to request services for you/your child! PSA: Parents! If you've missed any parent workshops, they are available on our website at https://bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center-resources/
*To contact the Club please call 310-457-1400 (Admin) or 310-241-3675 (Programs) Email info@bgcmalibu.org For updates on Club news & events, subscribe to BGCM E-Newsletter, Click Here!
Developing character and growth mindsets is invaluable and will be a major focus of ours here at Webster over the years. As we build community here on campus, at home, and across Malibu, we will continue to model the kind of behavior that promotes unity and kindness. In addition, we will notice and value it in each other.