WEbster Nation,

Another busy week in the books. Thanks so much for taking the time to read through our weekly newsletter. I hope it brings a little joy, creates some wonder, inspires you to pitch in, and causes you to think. It is a pleasure for us as a staff to serve your kids and this community each day. If you have a few minutes, it would mean a lot to us if you would discuss the importance of general kindness and respect in our community. We all play such an important part in each other's happiness. It's a powerful thing. Every passing moment is a chance to create joy for ourselves and others.

Just a thought.

With gratitude,

Tedd

In celebration of her 6th birthday, Aberdeen and her classmates released over a thousand ladybugs into the Webster garden this week. They made sure to discuss with our amazing garden teacher, Justine. They wanted to make sure there would be no damage to plants or other wildlife. What an interesting birthday celebration, Aberdeen!!

What a beautiful Sunday! Many families came out for our inaugural Webster Bowl last weekend as Gabe Sokoloff and the Chiefs faced off against Tedd and the Eagles. Starting with the kids' game, we had a fierce and fun-filled battle featuring students mostly from grades 3rd - 5th. Following the kids game, we invited a handful of interested parents to join the 5th graders for a parent vs. child grudge match. Our students played some solid defense against their parents, holding them to only a few touchdowns on the day. Girl power was in full effect on Sunday as Chloe, Ella, Ellie, and Alexa all had big games and a bunch of touchdowns. They were fierce!

A huge thank you to Rachael and Gabe Sokoloff (56 of 83 for 475 yards and 5 touchdowns on the day) for sponsoring this Party Book event on behalf of our Yosemite Trip. We look forward to more families stepping up to host fun Party Book events on behalf of the school, raising much needed funds and building community along the way. Here's a link to get started:

https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/3b2fa7bf-00b8-438b-b3b5-42dd3e416806/downloads/Application%20and%20Calendar.pdf?ver=1673315421922

We hope to see you at next year's 2nd Annual Webster Bowl.

TK continues to celebrate diversity and inclusion through Black History activities! They discussed “Our outsides are different (hair, skin, eyes, bodies), and our insides are the same (with hearts for loving and kindness).” They painted People Rainbows, beaded People Necklaces, and made shape paintings inspired by the influential painter, Alma Woodsey Thomas. She wrote “Through the use of color I concentrate on beauty and happiness!” TK was excited by Ms. Thomas’ work immediately! She was the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition in New York City and exhibited her paintings at the White House three times! Going forward, TK will be inviting Webster community members to read literature embracing identity, empathy, and the joy of many cultures! Lots more to come as TK is Living Imaginatively!

While several other businesses are writing their initial proposals or building inventory, Rocky Resin opened up in the lunch area as the first business to begin selling items. Specializing in custom resin-mold sculptures, Mason and his crew have book marks, roses, and little skulls on display. They took a lot of orders this week and will need to spend some time figuring out how to fulfill them while analyzing their business model to make sure it's profitable. Each business chooses where they plan to donate their profits and Rocky Resin has chosen the Webster PTA for all proceeds. Rocky Resin's opening has inspired many students to think about business ideas. Great stuff!

Businesses are only open at lunch time on Thursdays.

We look forward to seeing how things unfold in the next few weeks.

As we continue our PTA fundraising efforts for outdoor education trips like Yosemite and Astrocamp, we are going to have some really unique opportunities available through our auction site, Better World, and our event hosting site, Party Book. The first auction item was an opportunity to attend a VIP experience at Crypto Arena with Tedd and the Los Angeles Lakers. While we missed the chance to witness NBA history by ONE GAME, we did not miss the chance to make some incredible memories at the arena. We met friend and Laker owner, Jeanie Buss, saw Kareem, and got to take a Thanos picture with 5 championship rings. Thomas got to see his favorite player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Scarlet met the Laker Girls and ended up on the jumbo tron!!! A huge thank you to the Jackson family for their donation to our 5th grade trip to Yosemite. It was so fun to share such an incredible evening with you. While the Lakers may have lost, we all most definitely won!!

A huge shout out to Laker owner, Jeanie Buss, for her continued support of quality education. You're the best!!

There are a lot of things happening in the next few months and the PTA is a massive part of making them happen. Please stay connected, help out where you can, and jump in where it makes sense for you and your family. We appreciate your support and want to do everything we can to be there for our incredible PTA.

RECRUITMENT...WE NEED YOU!

I have an important ask of you, community. The PTA is currently recruiting for next year's PTA Executive Board, and I invite you to consider stepping up to fill a leadership role. This is an opportunity to use your own unique skills to meaningfully and positively impact the Webster community.

In addition to planning the many assemblies, events, and holiday celebrations we enjoy throughout the year, the PTA has the vital role of raising funds to pay for our classroom instructional aides, art class, STEAM lab, tech curriculum, classroom supplies, and more. There's no question the PTA would benefit from more parents helping lead these efforts next year!

The PTA Executive Board and leadership positions for you to consider include President, Treasurer, Vice President of Family & Student Programs, Financial Secretary, Fundraising Vice President, Community Relations Liaison, and more. If you're interested in volunteering or learning more, please let me know, or you can email websterptamalibu@gmail.com.

The PTA invites families to donate gently used books, puzzles, board games, and Webster wear now through Fri, Feb 17th. (Just Spirit Wear, not Jog-a-thon or Math Field Day shirts, please.) All non-clothing donations must be in like-new condition. Puzzles must contain all pieces. Board games must contain all pieces and instructions. Items may be dropped off in the office before or after school.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!!

Talent Show

Create a logo for our upcoming Talent Show! The winning logo will be featured on the cover of the show's program. Drawings must be completed in black ink on a white background. Open to all grade level artists.

Jog-A-Thon

Create a logo for our upcoming Jog-A-Thon. The winning logo will be featured on our official Jog-A-Thon t-shirts given to all Webster students, staff, and event volunteers. Drawings may include multiple colors. Open to 4th and 5th grade artists only.

To submit a logo, please forward a jpg or pdf of your artwork to websterPTAmalibu@gmail.com.

Deadline for submissions: Monday, March 6th.

This week's article is short, but sweet, and helps us reframe what it means to be "well educated." How is our current system of education ignoring our neurodivergent thinkers...and at what cost? Here at Webster, this is an important conversation. We think about its applications across the curriculum as we attempt to prepare students for a fluid future. Happy reading.

AUDITIONS:

Mon, March 6 @3:00pm

REHEARSALS:

All acts must attend all three rehearsals

Fri, March 10 @3:00pm

Thu, March 16 @3:00pm

Wed, March 22 @3:00pm (mandatory dress rehearsal)

DETAILS:

We want this to be an inclusive, respectful, impactful, and super fun event for everyone involved. The opportunities for personal growth and community development are huge. We can’t wait to see you all shine up there on the big stage while supporting others to do the same. Please remember that this is a show, not a competition. It’s about spreading a little joy throughout our Webster community. We encourage everyone to think of ways in which they might participate. The talent show isn't just for singers and dancers. You can perform a monologue, poetry reading, short skit, stand up comedy, or even be part of our student stage crew! Serve as a stage manager or talent wrangler! The BGCM will be supporting the event by helping our students identify and develop talents that can be shared with the community at the big show. In order to make this an unforgettable event, the planning committee has laid out a few important guidelines:

• Students may perform solo or in a group. They may perform in no more than 2 acts, but may not perform 2 solo acts. (Options: 1 solo, 1 group, 2 groups, or 1 solo+1group) If performing in a whole class act, this will not be counted against your total.
• Costumes, attire, language, and/or song lyrics must be elementary school appropriate and will need approval before dress rehearsal.
• No act may exceed the time constraint of 2:30 (2 minutes, 30 seconds)

BEHAVIOR:

We know the talent show creates a ton of excitement and a lot of crazy energy. We understand and really love this about the event. However, a lot of people will give of their time and efforts to make this such a special day for us all. Disrespectful, inappropriate, mean, irresponsible, and out of control behavior will simply not be tolerated throughout the process of rehearsals and showtime. You and your act will be given 2 warnings. If the behavior continues, you will not be allowed to perform. We know you can pull it together. You got this!

If you are interested in participating in Webster’s 2023 Talent Show, please fill out and sign an Application for Entry (available in the main office).

All applications should be placed in the principal’s box outside Tedd’s office by Thursday, March 2!!

Good luck, you creative, imaginative, awesome little humans!!

Malibu Middle School presents "Newsies Jr."

Thursday, February 9 - Saturday, February 11

7:00pm

Sunday, February 12

1:00pm

Valentine's Day Festivities

Tuesday, February 14

*Students dress up their teachers (Room parents are coordinating)

*Teachers dress up Tedd (I feel like I should be scared)

PAJAMA DAY 5.0

Wednesday, February 15

(cereal exploration, blanket fort design, stuffy puppet shows, and so much more!!)

* bed head is mandatory

School Site Council Meeting

Thursday, Feb 16

3:00-4:00pm

Girl Scout Cookie Sales

Friday, Feb 17 and Feb 24

1:15 - 2:00pm

In front of school. See flyer below!!

President's Day

Monday, February 20

School Closed

Astrocamp Launch Meeting

Wednesday, February 22

6:00pm in the Webster Cafetorium

Ryder B and The Masters (rescheduled)

Saturday, February 25

7:00pm at DREAMLAND

National Read Across America Day

Thursday, March 2

details to come

Math Field Day

Friday, March 10

8:45am

Webster Jog-A-Thon

Friday, March 17

8:30am

Webster Talent Show

Auditions: March 6 @ 3:00pm

Rehearsals:

March 10 @ 3:00pm

March 16 @ 3:00pm

March 22 @ 3:00pm (Dress Rehearsal)

The Big Show: Friday, March 24

6:00pm

*More detailed information is on the way!!! We promise :)

Exhibition of Student Learning (DO NOT MISS THIS!)

Thursday, March 30

6:00-7:30pm

(There may also be a daytime visitation...we will let you know)

Webster Information - Week of February 13, 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).
  
  

• 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 Jan 19th @ 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. Register at https://bit.ly/BGCMParentingGroup-Jan2023
  
  

• BGCM in Partnership with City of Malibu NEW enrichment classes for Winter 2023. Registration is open 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.