District Launches Public Schools Week

Community Invited to Learn about SMMUSD’s Excellent Public Schools then See them in Action
Starting February 2

The Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is launching its second “Public Schools Week” starting February 2 by opening doors to schools throughout Santa Monica and Malibu and actively inviting the community to come inside for a closer look at educational programs and progress. Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District has joined forces with the district’s Teachers Association and PTA Council to present Public Schools Week.

“We hope that community residents from throughout Santa Monica and Malibu will take advantage of this opportunity to hear from our principals, teachers, PTA leaders and students about the extraordinary educational opportunities that take place every day in our schools” says SMMUSD Superintendent Tim Cuneo.

“The sign of a great society and great communities is reflected in the state of their public schools,” contends Harry Keiley, President of the Santa Monica Malibu Classroom Teachers Association. “We are privileged to live in cities like Santa Monica and Malibu, which support our schools so well. The quality of our schools directly impacts the quality of our cities. Teachers are proud of the work we do; we are eager to share that with our communities.”

Public Schools Week kicks off with the third ‘State of Our Schools: How Are We Doing?”, a public forum set for Monday, February 2 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Santa Monica Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. This education forum is free and open to all members of the public. Refreshments will be served in the library courtyard following the program. The program will be presented again on Tuesday February 3 from 6.30- 9.00 p.m. at the Webster Elementary School Auditorium in Malibu. The State of Our Schools events are co-sponsored by CEPS (Community for Excellent Public Schools) and The Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs.

This public forum on our public schools will discuss --
• The difference public schools make in a community
• How Santa Monica-Malibu schools rate
• An analysis of student achievement
• The financial issues facing SMMUSD this year

Dr. Stephen Carroll Senior Economist, RAND Corporation will discuss the Impact of Educational Quality on the Community; he will be joined by Tim Cuneo, SMMUSD Superintendent, Ralph Mechur, President, SMMUSD Board of Education, and Barry Snell Vice President SMMUSD Board of Education. Students and teachers will present their perspectives and experiences.

In addition to the State of Our Schools events, schools throughout Santa Monica and Malibu will be open for public visits from Monday February 2. A full list of schools and times is attached. Open schoolhouse events will include a coffee with the principal with a short presentation about their school and a word from the PTA president at each school site.

“What better way to convey the quality of our public schools than to lead a detailed discussion for all to hear and then open our schoolhouses for all to see,” says CEPS Chair Shari Davis. “Public Schools Week is proof-positive that our community’s priorities are right on target, and we are grateful for the ongoing support from our citizens.”

“Come see why we believe our public schools are so good” says PTA Council President Rebecca Kennerly. “Public Schools Week is a chance to learn about the great things that happen inside our schools as well as why local funding for our schools, 17% of SMMUSD District’s revenue, provides the critical difference between typical public education and our world-class public schools.”

A few achievements that will be shared during Public Schools Week:
• In an era of staggering drop-out rates, Santa Monica and Malibu High Schools have a graduation rate of 97.8.
• Santa Monica and Malibu High School graduates have been accepted into more than 200 four-year colleges nationwide, including all of the most prestigious Ivy League and UC campuses.
• Students at all Santa Monica and Malibu campuses have seen remarkable increases in their California Standardized Achievement Test scores – across the board, in all demographics.
• SMMUSD’s fine arts / music program is one of the best in the state, and the Santa Monica High School Symphony Orchestra is considered one of the finest youth orchestras in the nation.

For more PTA information, contact Rebecca Kennerly, 310.453.6305 or access www.smmpta.org

For more CEPS information, call Shari Davis 310.395.4483 or access www.excellentpublicschools.org