A Message from Tedd

WEbster Nation,

Remember a few weeks ago when I told you how important it was that, as adults, we try and say, "YES!" to kids as often as possible? New revelation...saying YES to kids inspires other kids to take on more challenges, generate more ideas, take more risks, etc, etc, etc... Since saying YES to that first theater production, there have been two more theater production requests. Regardless of whether or not they make it to the stage, students are thinking, collaborating, solving problems, and taking on challenges in the process. And THAT is what's important. It's okay if we try things and fail. Failure is the most optimum place for growth. Let's stop labeling it and start embracing it as an opportunity for deep learning.

So, last week a student wrote to me and asked if she could write something for my newsletter. I said, "YES!" We had a brief discussion about her thoughts and ideas and went off for the weekend. In my inbox Sunday evening was a draft of a piece that she wanted to include in this week's edition. It wasn't just the piece that she had written, but rather a larger proposal that there be a place in the newsletter for students to be able to share about our mindsets and how they were developing them. She called it "The Kid Shoutout."

With only a very few minor edits, the first piece in this week's newsletter was completely student-imagined, student-inspired, and student-written. With that, let's give a huge shout out of our own to Viola Fernald for TAKING ACTION and pioneering the first student section of our weekly newsletter. I'm beyond proud and truly inspired by how our students will rise if we simply remove the anchors.

With gratitude,

Tedd

Hello, this is The Kid Shoutout...a place where I and other kids share about things where we saw a kid doing a good thing and embracing our mindsets. This one is all about being adaptable.

RAINY DAYS

Rainy days are hard on all of us, especially the ones who love to play outside. I, personally have fun outside, but not as much as the people who play soccer or handball. When rainy days happen,we go inside ☹. Kids at school were very adaptable when we had to go inside, they still had lots of fun! They went on a Chromebook or did some reading time. At lunch, we chatted and even though we didn’t see a movie, we still had loads of fun! Overall, it wasn’t bad!

How it relates to our mindsets

When rainy days happen, we have to go inside. No one likes that! Still, we are adaptable and we are OK with it.This relates to our mindsets by showing that during rainy days we could be adaptable, not mope around in our classrooms saying things like, ”Why am I inside for recess and lunch when I could play soccer outside?" Luckily no one asked that question, but the answer would be that it's too wet and muddy and we would slip and fall while playing soccer, handball, dodgeball, and even playing on the playground down in the lower yard. We don't want to get hurt. Everyone from the first graders to the fifth graders were adaptable and when we had to go inside for recess and lunch, they wouldn't complain. I had a really cool experience where, when I was walking up to class, I saw a blue heron marching around in the soccer field. I wouldn't want to accidentally run into one of those! Back to the subject, when we had to go inside for rainy days, no one complained (well no one I saw at least) and everyone was adaptable.

The point is, when rainy days happen, just believe in the power of yet. Think to yourself, "I can't go outside yet." "I don't like playing inside yet." And the most important yet of all... "I don't like this yet." The power of yet is so important because everything you do in life is growth and you must believe in the power of yet. If you can't do something quite yet, just think you can get there when you get there.

It's important to believe in the power of yet and being adaptable relates to this because when you think about it, you must have a growth mindset and have your brain be like a garden instead of a brick wall.Think about a time when your brain was a garden and not a brick wall. If you have a garden full of things that you think of like when plan A doesn't work, good thing the alphabet has 25 more letters ! Think about SO many things. Let your mind flow and have it as a garden. Don't have a brick wall. When you think something and it's the only thing you can think of, make your brain so that your garden is flowing.

Rainy days help a lot with having the garden flowing. Find a new interest. Maybe you really like chess but you've never really played it that much at school. You find that your teacher has a chess board game and you play it during recess with a friend. Then, during lunch maybe you talk with someone new or sit with someone else and you find out so many cool things about them. Rainy days are a way to have your mind flowing! Point being, rainy days are just as great as other days when you don't have indoor recess or lunch!

Thank you for reading The Kids Shoutout and taking your time in the newsletter to look at all these things that you see your child doing, hope you have a wonderful day!

Written and created by Viola Fernald (5th grade)

This week, we put the final touches on our expansive cultural exchange experience with our friends in Motopi, Botswana. The last four months have shown us that we are capable of great empathy, critical thinking, global connection, and social entrepreneurship. The learning and wonder that resulted from this exploration will sustain us through the break and inspire the next round of project-based learning at Webster. To tie things together, our departing superintendent, Dr. Ben Drati, came out to engage with Webster students about his time growing up in Uganda. We learned about the cultural connections between the countries of Africa and how Botswana and Uganda are also uniquely independent.

In addition, we bid farewell (for now) to our dear friend, Brooks Kamanakao. Ms. Papale's class presented him with adventure dolls and stories for the orphans at Motopi School. Our old friend and Malibu High School Principal, Patrick Miller came by to join in the celebration. Mrs. Berman and Mrs. Murdock took some of the money raised during the project and purchased soccer balls to be taken back to the school as well. All in all, we know this is only the beginning. We will extend this learning and think of new ways to be more aware and more empathetic about the world around us. We're on a good path with so much more to explore and learn.

Our 5th graders even attended the final meeting for BSP, sharing their reflections and ideas for the future. Looks like we are going to try and bring back the all-school overnight camp out here on campus in the spring. Not only would it be a great way to build community and have a little fun, but it would allow the students to Zoom with their companions in Motopi without those students having to get up in the middle of the night. Great ideas, 5th grade!

We were thrilled this week by the 5th grade music informance. Led by Sean Pawling, one of SMMUSD's finest music educators, our students put on quite a show. Between the enchanting voices of the chorus, our string orchestra, and the Webster band, parents were treated to an hour-long performance showing off how much our kids have grown musically. From Ode to Joy to 7 Nation Army, it was an upbeat morning of music and community. Thanks to our parents for coming out to support the kids.

It's still a great band name...and now it's a pilot program right here on our Webster campus. I am thrilled to support Cecilie Stuart from BGCM in this innovative and educational endeavor as we look to supplement our salad bar with lettuce and herbs we've grown just a few yards away. We installed the first tower just outside the cafeteria on Thursday morning and will monitor it's progress over the next week. We are hoping the local critters will leave it be. If things go well, we are looking to install 3-4 towers on campus in January and look forward to learning more about such an innovative and clean process for growing food. With such exceptional educators on staff, I know they will guide the students' inquiry and curiosity as well. Thanks to Kevin and Matt from Team Cerca for making it happen and to Project (RE)Generate for their sponsorship.

From Cerca Cultivation: Hydroponic towers are a space and resource-efficient way of growing food locally. Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without soil in a nutrient solution. Choosing to grow food closer to where it is going to be eaten has myriad benefits for health, society and the environment. Cerca Cultivation is pleased to be helping Webster grow fresh lettuce and greens for your cafeteria. Cerca provides design, installation, maintenance, and consultation services for residential and commercial clients. No matter the type of space, we provide hydroponic and soil based solutions to get you growing closer!

Eric Hudson, astrophysicist and also Buck’s dad, organized an unforgettable day for the students in Mrs. Harris's 2nd grade class. They talked about energy and participated in some super cool demonstrations and experiments. They got a chance to shrink a quarter with 7000 volts of electricity. They also got a chance to use a Tesla coil to light a bulb that someone was holding in their hand. Finally, they got to do some more hands-on activities and see three laboratories up close. Buck’s mom, Jen, brought pompoms for all the kids and taught them the famous UCLA 8-clap. It was an awesome trip. Thanks so much to Eric for hosting our students.

Thank you so much to the incredible parents who come on campus to support us in so many ways. You are loved and appreciated. Here are a few guest readers from Mrs. Harris's class this week. I'd like to carve out a section in the newsletter to capture more of the amazing things you all do to make Webster such a great place to be each day.

You looking for a winter granola sure to fill your stomach and warm your soul? Look no further than right here in the Webster community. It's packed with nuts, oats, cranberries, maple syrup, and the Sokoloff's secret ingredient: CANDIED FENNEL!! Try a jar this holiday season. You won't regret it. My jar is almost gone and I'll be back for more. Much heartier than that summer granola you're struggling with this December. It's also vegan and gluten free!!

It's time for Malibu Little League

Sign-ups are happening NOW

https://www.malibulittleleague.org/

Malibu High School Community Night

Friday, December 9

(Flyer below)

Fentanyl Town Hall

Monday, December 12

6:00-7:30pm (Flyer below)

4th Grade Winter Music Informance

December 13, 8:50am

Auditorium

Webster Holiday Concert

Wednesday, December 14

Last Day of School before BREAK

Friday, December 16

WEBSTER ELEMENTARY WEEK OF DECEMBER 12

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).
  
  

• 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. Contact skate@bgcmalibu.org for registration link. 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.