OFFICIAL: News, features and info about Santa Monica-Malibu USD schools, staff, students, public education, and community info important to our communities.
SMMUSD closing for three weeks, then two weeks for planned spring break, totaling five weeks off due to pandemic. Return expected 4/20. Parents: see info tonight about meals for students and resources.
@santamonicacity
@CityMalibu
ALL SMMUSD SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED TODAY DUE TO NEW FIRE DEVELOPMENTS. Stay safe everyone!
Any district office mgmt who can safely come into work should report to work. We are convening the EOC this morning.
Today is Election Day! Samohi students like Karen (senior), Marinka (junior), Abby (junior), and Brianna (senior) are working as student pollworkers and waiting to help you cast your ballot.
@SamohiPrincipal
@santamonicacity
Thank you
@smdailypress
for celebrating our Samohi & Olympic HS graduates in a wonderful special editon! . Thank you to all the business & community partners sharing congratulatory messages to our students!
@SamohiPrincipal
@smedfdn
@santamonicacity
Help Santa Monica Music Center restore after devasting vandalism & looting. SM Music Ctr is our vendor for repairs, of district musical instruments, materials & supplies. 50-year family-owned by parent / dedicated volunteer, Lana Negrete. Go Fund Me:
Thank you to
@providence
St. John's Health in Santa Monica for making vaccines available to our teachers and staff starting today, 3/1! We very much appreciate this partnership!
We’re thrilled to welcome our elementary students back to full-time school today! Thank you teachers and staff for your hard work preparing for this long-awaited day! Have a great and safe day!
@santamonicacity
@CityMalibu
Olympic High School celebrating its class of 2020 graduates on banners on Lincoln Blvd and Ocean Park Blvd! We are very proud of our hard-working Olympic students who acheived this major milestone!
@HsOlympic
@santamonicacity
Better track, prouder colors: The Samohi track-resurfacing project is complete and now sports school colors! The new surface offers enhanced feel for athletes and increased shock absorption to reduce injury potential.
@SamohiPrincipal
@Samohi_Alumni
@SamoAthletics
We appreciate the uplifting beautiful chalk art by a parent at our district office today! Brightened our day as we work to ensure the ongoing health and safety of students and staff, and focus on continued student academic success! 💞 Thank you!
School alert! All SMMUSD schools, child care, preschools are closed to students 3/13 and 3/16. Staff to report for work. Staff will be preparing for continuity of education in case of a complete closure starting Tuesday. Full info from Supt Dr. Drati:
It was reported to us, in 2 unrelated cases, in SM, that they MAY have been exposed to coronavirus. No students, parents, staff have been diagnosed with COVID-19. We took the action we did for today and Monday as a precaution. We will report if we have a case.
@santamonicacity
Dozens of Samohi students like Jared Arita, working as student pollworkers, have been part of the army of people helping 10 million Californians vote early. If you’re voting 11/3, keep an eye out for & give a shout out to Samohi students doing their civic duty.
@SamohiPrincipal
Crossing Guard Rikki Floyd receives “Elaine Award” from Santa Monica City Manager
@SaMoCole
for her enthusiasm & exemplary service in greeting Will Rogers & JAMS students w/ a smile & individual attention every day!
@WillRogersSTEM
@santamonicacity
Nathaniel Trives, aka Mr. Santa Monica, spoke to
@GrantGeckosSMM
@ the Black History month assembly. Mr. Trives shared his history as a
@SantaMonicaPD
officer, 1st Black Mayor of
@santamonicacity
, and
@CalStateLA
professor of criminal justice. His message: "service above self."
All SMMUSD schools in Santa Monica and Malibu are expected to be open Tuesday, Oct. 29th. Parents and staff: check your email now for more info. You will receive an email by 5:45 a.m. if conditions have changed that impact this decision. Stay safe!
Please be kind to our teachers. School is open. Our facilities are closed (and gradually reopening as its safe!) Its Valentine’s Day on Sunday. Let your teachers know how much you appreciate them! 💞
@SMMCTA
@santamonicacity
@CityMalibu
@SamohiPrincipal
Congratulations Dean of Students Catherine Baxter on being honored by Rotary Club of Santa Monica for your incredible service to our community, upon your retirement!
@SamohiPrincipal
One year ago we Tweeted stating that facilities would be closed & we were moving to distance learning. School has continued & our teachers have been amazing. We have worked hard for a year preparing our schools and we are excited to welcome TK-5 students back next week!
@SMMCTA
SMMUSD announced distance learning planned to start the school year for the health of all. Board to discuss /take action, on 7/16 at 5:30pm. Announcement, board agenda w/Zoom link, presentation and survey results are online: .
@santamonicacity
@CityMalibu
Keith Coleman has been appointed new school board member, filling the seat vacated by Oscar de la Torre who is now a Santa Monica City Councilmember. Congratulations Keith and welcome! Watch for our news release tomorrow.
@santamonicacity
@CityMalibu
Plans for school reopening following spring break announced. Superintendent Dr. Drati's message:
English:
Spanish:
Thank you to
@SMMCTA
and district collaborators to make this happen for our students and families!
Our school nurses and health office specialists have been vaccinated! Vaccines for educators and staff are coming soon! Please visit our testing and vaccine page for more information:
Check out our Covid dashboard:
Congrats to
@JAMSDragonsSM
8th grader Zoey Jaffa, who is a member of the JAMS Honor Choir & Madrigal Singers, the lead in the upcoming JAMS/SMASH Theater production of Grease & has been accepted to the 2023 California Choral Directors' Association All-State Jr. High Honor Choir!
All SMMUSD schools closed Thursday, 12/7.
Supt Dr. Drati "We are concerned about staff & families as this smoke, air quality & fire threat may turn very quickly..."
See Facebook page for more details:
@CityMalibu
@santamonicacity
@SamohiPrincipal
The countdown is on! 🎉
We're putting the FINAL touches on the Samohi Discovery Building!
We can’t wait to welcome students next month!
Discovery has:
🚧More than 50 flexible learning spaces
🚧An Olympic-size pool
🚧Rooftop STEAM classrooms & garden
& more!
@SamohiPrincipal
All Santa Monica schools plan to be open 10/30. We will evaluate conditions and announce by 6 am, if this changes. Malibu schools are closed. Expected conditions for each community differs greatly. Parents/staff refer to email from Dr. Drati.
@CityMalibu
@santamonicacity
Congratulations to the Samohi Band, who performed in their first marching band competition since the 2019 season.
5A Division - Baldwin Park F.T.
1st place Band
1st place percussion
1st place color guard
Happy, hardworking kids!
What’s for lunch? An amazing array of healthy fresh food choices at Samohi! In the beautiful new indoor outdoor cafeteria of the Discivery building! Huge kitchen serves all schools!
@SamohiPrincipal
So happy to celebrate a true public servant, Samohi’s own Catherine Baxter, who has devoted her life to the young people of our community. She’s SD 26’s
#WomanOfTheYear
! Catherine touched so many lives for the better, including my own!
@SMMUSD
@SamohiPrincipal
To ALL Child Nutrition Professionals working so hard out there to feed the kids! Thank you for Showing Up and Making It Happen! YOU are ALL Heroes!
@SchoolLunch
Supt Dr. Ben Drati issued a stmt regarding the passing of Samohi grad, Tyler Skaggs, class of '09. We are devastated to hear this sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans during this difficult time.
@SamohiPrincipal
@santamonicacity
@LAAngelsBB
Samohi's Branching Out tree nursery, run by students, started growing trees two years ago to help beautify the Discovery Building project. The first trees have been planted! Great job Samohi students! More info:
@SamohiPrincipal
@SmmusdC
@BeGreenSMMUSD
Congrats to Linda Greenberg, retiring after 28 yrs w/
@smedfdn
! The School Board recognized her involvement in raising an estimated $40 million for student programs & being a champion for students! Thank you Linda! We very much appreciate you!
@santamonicacity
@senatorbenallen
Congrats to our Earth Day Poster Contest Winners & all students TK-5 who participated! We are proud of all students / families who do their share every day to protect our Earth and the environment for future generations. (Artists / schools listed in link)
Shout out to an amazing Samohi (CARPE) team of teachers & counselors who provided students with 1:1 assistance on their college app personal essays, in a Saturday event today.
#WhyApply
#IApplied
#AVID4College
@SamohiPrincipal
Nearly 900 talented student musicians from all
#SMMUSD
schools shined ⭐️ brightly during the 72nd annual Stairway of the Stars concert at the
#Samohi
outdoor amphitheater. 5th-12th grade choir, orchestra & band students entertained & wowed the crowd! Joyful evening!
@Dr_AShelton
Samohi celebrated a big milestone today in the progress of the Discover Building with the Steel Topping Off Ceremony! Guests signed the beam and watched it be hoisted in place. Opening in fall 2021!
@SamohiPrincipal
@SmmusdC
Sen. (& former bd member)
@BenAllenCA
, Dr. Drati, other bd members congratulate retiring Board Member Ralph
@RMechur
on his 13 years of service & dedication to equity for all students. He brought integrity, honesty, loyalty, & a caring approach to all aspects of board governance.
The title of valedictorian holds honor & distinction. This designation signifies the success of navigating through a comprehensive and rigorous high school curriculum, & that of excelling among many peers of equal talents & abilities. We have 30 candidates!
@SMMUSD
Congrats!
@GrantGeckosSMM
awarded the Bike It! Walk It! Bus It! Golden Sneaker for this semester with 79% participation! Thank you
@santamonicacity
Safe Routes to school program!
@McKinleyLions
came in 2nd with 73% and Will Rogers at 69%! Great job to all!
School board president Jon Kean, joined Roosevelt Principal, Lynda Holeva, and AP, Debbie Stern, in welcoming back students to campus! You can see the smiles behind the masks!
Samohi volunteers along with Beautify Earth created an interim pop-up mural on the Olympic wall while SMMUSD preps to build the Discovery Building. Beautifying our
@santamonicacity
and school!
@SamohiPrincipal
Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati announced a tentative agreement with
@SMMCTA
this evening, 2/15/21, concerning the reopening of schools in the Distance Learning Plus model. The full announcement is detailed in the image, with final details to follow once ratified this week.
We presented the beautiful new Lincoln Middle School track & field to students, staff and the Santa Monica community today! The cork infill is environmentally friendly and cooler. Let’s take good care of it!
@santamonicacity
@BenAllenCA
@SheilaKuehl
@LMSHomework
SMMUSD school board unanimously approved distance learning to start the school year, in the best interest of the health/safety of students /staff. Visit for regular updates.
@CityMalibu
@santamonicacity
Samohi Theatre made history on Saturday by winning both 1st place and 2nd place in the highly competitive varsity monologue division, beating out dozens of other schools from across Southern California, in the 98th Annual DTASC Shakespeare Festival! Go Vikings!
@SamohiPrincipal
America’s teachers have gone above and beyond during this extraordinarily difficult year to help children keep learning through this pandemic. Today marks the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week — so please, find some time today to thank a teacher.
Amazing
#SMMUSD
students doing fantastic things! Congrats 👏
#Samohi
senior Maya Knauf for earning a rare perfect score on her AP English exam! She is among 22 students worldwide to earn every point possible on the exam. 🎉
@SamohiPrincipal
@Dr_AShelton
School Board recognizes Samohi Girls' Basketball Team - CIF Southern Section Champs, Div 2 So Cal Regional Runner-ups! Amazing season Lady Vikings! You brought honor to Samohi, your families & community," Laurie Lieberman, board VP said. Congrats!
@SamohiPrincipal
@SamoAthletics
Samohi's beloved security guard Joe Johnson suffered a stroke in his sleep last week due to a blood clot in his carotid artery. We want to see Joe's big smile back on campus as soon as possible!
Click here to support Joe's recovery fund:
@SamohiPrincipal
It's the Week of the School Administrator and we want to express our appreciation and gratitude for our amazing administrators! SMMUSD is so fortunate that our team is committed to the success of all students, even during this challenging time. Thank you!
All Santa Monica schools are open today, 10/30. All Malibu schools are closed. Please refer to Dr. Drati's email from last night for more info. We will continue to monitor the conditions.
@santamonicacity
@AIRNow
School status alert for Thurs. Oct. 31: Santa Monica schools are open and Malibu schools are closed. These decisions are based on conditions in each community, which vary widely. Stay safe and Happy Halloween!
@CityMalibu
@CityMalibu
Happy Independence Day! 🗽🎉Hundreds of people walked in the 2022 Parade! To get the celebration started the
#SamohiMarchingBand
filled the air with music. Community members cheered as they made their way down the streets of Santa Monica.
@SamohiPrincipal
@santamonicacity
Samohi presented five more graduates today during a small, yet meaningful ceremony! Congrats students! Each student spoke of his positive experiences while at Samohi.
@SamohiPrincipal
Congrats and welcome, Dr. Amy Onyendu, the new Roosevelt ES Principal! The school board approved her appointment on 7/20/23. Photo: Dr. Onyendu, her husband, 1-year-old daughter, with school board members, Supt. Dr. Shelton, Dr. Kelly and Ms. Canady.
@Dr_AShelton
@amyonyendu
Samohi teacher leaders shared their strategies for best practices in language and literacy with the school board. They were recognized for their valuable work. Thank you and congratulations!
@SamohiPrincipal
🎉 Congrats to all the students who earned industry certifications through the
@ASEtests
! They demonstrated entry-level achievement in brakes, engine performance, maintenance and light repair, suspension, and steering. Keep driving towards success!
@Dr_AShelton
@SamohiPrincipal
National poll ranks SMMUSD among CA’s best districts! Congrats
to certificated, classified & management staff on this recognition! Thank you for all you do for our students & families, including during this challenging time.
@NicheSocial
@santamonicacity
Congratulations Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati on your well-deserved Black Excellence Community Award!
@santamonicacity
. Here is part of his acceptance speech.
Do you still need your COVID vaccine?
Get your first dose before school starts!
No Cost COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics and PCR testing at three Santa Monica schools:
Open to staff, parents, students (vaccines 12+) and community members.
Let’s all work together to reduce the spread!
We are providing student meal service over the summer, to continue to support our families. English: Spanish: .
Regularly updated community & mental health resources: (Eng/ Span)
@CityMalibu
@santamonicacity
Congrats to the 2020 California Distinguished Schools! Sponsored by CDE and presented by California Casualty, the program this year recognizes 423 elementary schools for closing the achievement gap and achieving exceptional student performance.
Read more:
SMMUSD teachers and staff engaging in Level 2 /Day 2 Restorative Justice Training learning and practicing ways to address harm and conflict. RJ Coordinator Rob Howard led the group. RJ is used at all schools.
Malibu Elementary School students share stories they’ve learned and written about, or shared their own diverse stories, with the school board in celebration of Black History Month, Martin Luther King, Jr., and anti-racism lessons.
@hertzinator
Would you like a vanilla or chocolate mud pie? Asked
@McKinleyLions
students turned chefs in
@madelynross
’ TK class! Science kitchen STEM unit culminated in “Cookie’s TKafe” where students measured ingredients, learned about logos and branding, & provided good service! Fantastic!
Samohi students are treated to fascinating stories & government experiences by 5 female former Obama White House staffers, & now new book authors: Yes She Can. Ms. Contreras is a Samohi grad, class of 2007! Great job to our two student moderators!
@devonsmith67
@SamohiPrincipal
REMINDER that all SMMUSD schools are closed today - Thursday. SMC is also closed today. Be safe everyone! Thank you to all our firefighters and first responders!
Update: All SMC classes are canceled and campus is closed today (Thursday, December 7) due to ongoing impact of several fires. Follow
@SMC_edu
for updates.
Teachers, staff and administrators joined in a two-day Restorative Justice training this week led by Rob Howard. RJ practices are strong throughout SMMUSD!
Congratulations Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati on your well-deserved Black Excellence Community Award!
@santamonicacity
.
We also congratulate former SMMUSD administrator Dr. Shirley Compton on her award.