A Message from Tedd
December 2, 2022
WEbster Nation,
Honestly...it was simply an awesome week here at Webster. I could not be more proud of our staff and students for the work they are doing. Feeling very lucky to have landed in such an awesome community of people all driven toward the development of good humans. Let's keep this train rollin'!
Have a wonderful weekend and be safe out there in the rain.
With gratitude,
Tedd
With only two weeks left before the break, there are tons of things happening at Webster this December. We just wrapped up the Botswana School Project exhibition. For those parents who attended, I don't need to tell you how impactful and beautiful this experience was for our students and their teachers. I hope you were able to come by join in this celebration of deep learning at Webster...more below. We've got our Holiday Concert and music informances this month, we continue to work in the cafeteria serving our community, we're playing math games, working on STEAM projects, developing our growth mindsets, taking initiative and so much more. Let's take a look at a few highlights...
I think Miss Papale said it best, "This project brought the world into my classroom and I am deeply grateful for that."
I could not be more proud of our staff and students for the work they have done throughout this project. It highlighted everything that's meaningful and right in education. Allowing for student agency and curiosity, our educators guided our kids down a path of inquiry and discovery. Each grade level's projects were integrated and multifaceted, leaving us all in awe of what was thought about and learned in the process. During the presentation to our superintendent and other district and local representatives, we generated a list of some of the concepts/ideas that were so clearly touched upon during this time of student exploration with the project. Here are just a few of the things your kids were exposed to over the last few months...
collaboration, critical thinking, curiosity, communication, drawing inferences, problem solving, use of technology, conservation, sustainability, sources of renewable energy, emergent story telling/writing, comparing/contrasting, adaptability, environmental science, ecosystems, art, social entrepreneurship, engagement, diversity, astronomy, community, systems thinking, design thinking, research, service learning, geography, and so much more!
We had the privilege of hosting Mr. Brooks Kamanakao this week. Brooks works as a guide across Africa leading safari trips and works closely with our sister school in Motopi, Botswana. We were thrilled to be able to share with him that, through the BSP, our students wrote stories, created artwork, designed sustainable cities, studied ecosystems, learned about constellations, explored literature from around the world, argued for effective energy sources, made jewelry, designed calendars, and the list goes on. We will not stop here. The power of integrated, engaging, project-based learning is contagious. We are excited to continue exploring opportunities for our students to thrive here at Webster and in the world beyond school.
On behalf of the staff and students, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu. Without your continued support of our community, work like this becomes a much bigger challenge. Thanks for believing in us and providing the resources for us to thrive.
One final note of both gratitude and congratulations to all of our students and educators...and especially to Dee Dee Cooper for her incredible dedication to bringing this all together. We are beyond proud of each and every one of you.
"We are broadening the lens through which our students view the world." - Dee Dee Cooper
Process is everything. It is quite common in life to be asked to stand in judgement of a final product. Whether it's the plate of food that arrives to your table at a restaurant or the movie you just spent two hours watching, we typically evaluate things when they are finished and presented to us as such. As consumers, that makes a lot of sense. However, in education, it's important to adjust the way we think about things. The process by which students develop understanding, construct meaning, create artifacts, and design solutions to the problems they face is a far more valuable target of focus at this age than the final products they present. Don't get me wrong...the products were OUTSTANDING. It's the journey that's so rich for the students.
What did you notice?
What did you wonder?
Where did you struggle?
How did you overcome challenges along the way?
What would you have done differently?
The kinds of questions we ask help with meta-cognition (thinking about thinking) and draw out the important stuff for kids along the way. Here are a few glimpses into student process during the Botswana School Project.
Leading up to their big Botswana Day reveal, the students in Mrs. Berman and Mrs. Murdock's classes took on some serious intellectual and design thinking challenges. "If people are going to invest their dollars into your group's African safari tour company, how will you make sure they get to see the animals while keeping them safe from the dangers of the open plains?" In small groups, students collaborated and came up with a variety of solutions to this challenge. There were glass-topped Jeeps, observation towers, and a variety of gates and fences being imagined and built. They were given free-range with materials and resources. The room was alive with engagement as student curiosity and wonder were at the heart of this interactive experience.
There were also the sounds of struggle...arguments, frustration. Collaboration at this age is hard. But Mrs. Berman and Murdock allowed the children space and time to figure things out. Problem solvers are not created by adults solving kid's problems for them. So powerful to see this kind of productive struggle at such a young age.
The students in Ms. Johnson's class clearly enjoyed creating their Botswana art projects! They painted the night skies that would eventually accompany their constellations. These constellations would be created using string and nails. What math would be needed to figure out proportion and distance between the represented stars?
Also, during their gardening lesson, Room 20 picked the first radish and carrots of the season. The kids were super excited about planting their "babies" and watching them grow. They are having such a blast in gardening and we are thankful to Ms. Johnson and the garden team for keeping them so engaged in thinking and learning. "These kids are freaking awesome!" - Mrs. Johnson
Lunching in Hawaii and Exploring the Alphabet
TK had lots of fun pretending to visit Hawaii while sounding out beginning letters to all of their yummy snacks and desserts.
Pancakes, Pajamas and Lots of Math
We loved counting, measuring, and sorting ingredients while cooking yummy pancakes with Mrs. Kym. The class experienced the idea that "Math is Everywhere" and discovered a fun way to learn counting in the classroom. We had the joy of working with Ms. Neci and also learned how to use our kitchens at home.
STEAM and the Physics of Building Ramps
On the blacktop, the class collaborated to construct a variety of ramps. They had to solve problems, collaborate, and optimize their ramps to ride bicycles over. This was a completely child-led and child-designed activity. Every friend was engaged while helping and cheering each other on.
The Webster School Portraits are ready!
To view your child's proofs:
- Click here: https://trishalisonphotography.zenfolio.com/f728632018
- Register your email address if you haven't already done so in previous years
- When prompted, enter YOUR CHILD'S LAST NAME for the “keyword”
Please Also Note:
- All packages are custom designed by you so you can order exactly what you want and not be held to a predetermined package.
- Order single prints, digital jpeg downloads, print packages, or photo gifts, all are listed on the left of the ordering screen. Retouching options (teeth whitening, acne removal, glass glare removal) are available on prints as you check out.
- Digital jpeg files are $35 each, and $42 for a retouched jpeg file (retouching includes acne/blemish removal, teeth whitening and overall fine editing. If you need major retouching contact Trish directly)
- There is also a discount deal for 8 jpegs for $260 and 15 jpegs for $450.
- You have the ability to crop photos as you wish when checking out!
Please direct any ordering questions directly to Trish and not the school. Email any questions to: trish@trishalisonphotography.com
EVENTS and REMINDERS
It's time for Malibu Little League
Sign-ups are happening NOW
https://www.malibulittleleague.org/
Jingle Jam!!
Friday, December 2
6:00 - 9:00pm
Malibu Pacific Church
Party, Sing-a-long, games, bounce houses, chili dogs, popcorn, crafts, dance party, glow zone, cookies, snow and so much more!
(See attached flyer)
Stairway Auditions
All 5th grade students are encouraged to audition for this year’s Elementary Music Honor Groups. The ensembles will perform alongside middle and high school orchestras, bands, and choirs in the Samohi Greek Theater on March 25th, 2023.
Auditions will be held on zoom, on Saturday December 3rd, 2022.
For more information and to sign up, please click here.
Book Fair
December 5-9
Webster Library
*This fair will be BOOKS ONLY
**I remember being SO excited for the latest edition of The Guinness Book of World Records
Malibu Middle School Presentation for Webster Families
Webster Auditorium
December 7
8:30 - 9:30am
(See attached flyer)
5th Grade Winter Music Informance
December 8, 9:20am
Student Council SPIRIT DAY SERIES
Funky Holiday Sweater Day!!
December 9
4th Grade Winter Music Informance
December 13, 8:50am
Holiday Concert
Wednesday, December 14
Last Day of School before BREAK
Friday, December 16
Update
WEBSTER ELEMENTARY WEEK OF DECEMBER 5
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).
Holiday Toy Drive/Adopt a Family join us in supporting the BGCM's Annual Toy Drive! In partnership with Waveside Church and Malibu Rotary, we are collecting new toys for families in need! For questions and further details on how to participate, please email BGCM Director of Community Affairs & Outreach, Siugen Constanza siugenconstanza@bgcmalibu.org
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/
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.