WEbster Nation,

It's been an eventful week. Good things are happening here at Webster and we're all proud to be a part of serving your kids. We're also proud to see this community really working as a team to make things happen. We've got kids, staff, and parents coming together to create so many special events, attend outdoor education trips, support daily classroom activities, and much more. That's the kind of collaboration that makes a school special.

That being said, I'm going to ask for more. Please support our PTA. I can't tell you how much we rely on you all picking up a shovel to help out both financially and physically. As you know, we have many positions to fill next year, including the role of PTA president. Please reach out to our current president, Jessica Butler Bell, and help us make next year another amazing experience for our students, staff, and community.

Enjoy a look at another fantastic week here on campus and beyond! There will be no newsletter next week as I will be in Yosemite with our 5th graders. Have a great weekend, friends.

With gratitude,

Tedd

From the moment I stepped on the field last Saturday, there was just something special in the air. Happy parents gathering together as the sun began to set, kids playing games, scavenger hunts, prize tables, popcorn, movies, tent-lounges...just all of it. It felt like community. Saturday's annual CampOut was yet another example of what makes Webster such a special place to be. I am so happy I had the chance to join you all, even if only for an hour or so.

As always, there are dedicated parents behind events like these. These parents gave of their time and energy to pull it all together. I'd like to give a huge shout out to Brittany Teague, for taking the lead and executing on such a memorable evening. In addition, thank you to Jessica Butler Bell and the PTA, Lauren Ifft, Lauren Buckman, Rachel Sokoloff, Victoria Luteman, Joel Dunn, Larisa Braun, Cara Wiechnik, Rob Seltzer, Mia Skelton, and Miss Kathy for all of your support in making Saturday such an amazing event!

Our 4th grade students, accompanied by amazing staff members, Mrs. Morris, Mr. K, Mrs. Conrad, and Coach Taylor, embarked on a 3-hour journey to the wonderful world of AstroCamp in Idyllwild, California. Once there, they would explore a land of science and nature like no other. First morning of the trip, they woke up to SNOW!! Our Whales had a chance to dive deep into lights and lasers, gasses, rocket design, zero gravity, human foosball, team-building, the Mars Rock Wall, and so much more. This 3-day, 2-night outdoor education trip is a staple of the 4th grade Webster curriculum and will prepare them for the 5-day trip to Yosemite next year. Our 5th graders will be taking that trip next week. Can't wait to hear more details about our Whales out in the wild. While we are so glad to have them back, we know that the time spent away was transformative.

In addition to the staff members who attended, let's also take a moment to acknowledge our incredible parent chaperones, Dave Karsh, Roberto Menichetti, Kristi Lake, and Diana Rickard. It's no easy job to be away from jobs and families, sleep in dorm rooms on paper-thin mattresses, and spend 24 hours a day with kids who aren't your own. We see you! Thank you so much for your incredible service to our students.

Justine arrived with our new avocado tree this week and Ms. Johnson's gang got a chance to put it in the ground. After some group discussion and voting during the last few months, our Whales decided that an avocado tree and a pink lemonade lemon tree would be great additions to the Webster garden. Good choices, team! In addition to planting one of the new trees, our 5th graders took good care of the garden, working with our compost bins, raking and evening the grounds, and monitoring growth throughout the beds. Mario took a few moments to analyze some of our compost worms.

Mrs. Harris's kids had the unique experience of meeting four young FBI agents: Candyce, Jessica, Bryce, and Bridget. These agents taught our kiddos about what the FBI does, related the FBI's core values to their classroom values of kindness, honesty, and teamwork, highlighted the importance of reading, writing, and math skills, and talked about some main FBI careers (special agent, linguist, scientist, analyst). They finished the day with a coloring activity where the students got to make their own FBI badges to take home. Special thanks to Vicky Farrell, who has volunteered to help coordinate some really cool experiences for teachers and students that have been offered by parents and other community organizations.

"X" marks the spot! To practice printing and sounding out the letter "X," TK created treasure maps! Through purposeful play we learned about map making, landmarks, scale, using a compass, and cardinal directions! We loved creating treasure maps so our classmates could find hidden gems. Hunting for treasure is an engaging example of how TK is living imaginatively! Yippee! Aaaaargh, ye matey!

Students from Ms. Lockwood and Mrs. Harris's classes were treated to a PE experience in DrumBoxing this week. Based right here in Malibu, DRUMBOXING is a rhythmic flow state experience. Developed for over 10 years, John Wakefield, a master percussionist, created this training for professional boxers to improve focus, agility, and adaptability. A combination of afro-cuban rhythms and fundamental boxing techniques is applied to patterns, tempo changes, and commands to create a brain stimulating exercise. In 2019, a neuroscientist at USC linked John to Malibu-based former athlete and wellness coach, Christina Hinds. They soon after teamed up to create group class experiences for all to enjoy. Every DRUMBOXING experience induces a flow state where you feel calm, clear-headed, and connected.

"Most Likely to Succeed" is a phenomenal documentary that highlights the need for change in education. I'd like to host a viewing sometime early in the fall next year. But if you're interested in digging in before then, I highly recommend an adult movie night sometime this summer. I promise it will have you questioning everything. That's the kind of questioning that leads to some great discussion about where we need to focus our efforts in preparing kids for such an uncertain future.

CAASPP Testing Window (3rd-5th grade)

April 17 - May 19

OLWEUS Survey Window (3rd-5th grade)

May 1-May 26

WEBSTER'S EVENING GALA

Weds, May 10

6:00p @ Dreamland

OUTDOOR EDUCATION TRIPS

YOSEMITE (5th Grade)

May 8-12

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

May 15-19

GRATITUDE BREAKFAST

Wed, May 31 @8:45am

5th GRADE PROMOTION

Wed, June 7

5th GRADE BEACH DAY

Thu, June 8

Minimum Day

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Mon, June 12

Minimum Day

Webster Information - Week of May 8, 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 Summer Program, Kindness Is Free Camp Bu! Dates are June 20-Aug 11. Available for incoming grades TK-5th. Enroll 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). Enroll Here | Inscribirse Aquí
  
  

• BGCM Wellness Center Parent Group The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Wellness Center, in partnership with SMMUSD, is hosting a virtual parenting group designed for parents of teens/tweens. Join us weekly starting April 20th @ 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/tween transformative years. Parents can join at any time! Register at https://bit.ly/BGCMParentingGroup-April2023
  
  

• BGCM in Partnership with City of Malibu NEW enrichment classes for Spring 2023. Registration is open at malibucity.org/register. Classes are open for registration Basketball, Theater Improv, and Animal Adventures. Dates are April 18-June 8. 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.