Excellent Schools Through Local Control              

Continuing Change



"It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today.  No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be." 
Isaac Asimov

Change can be scary.  It can be unsettling.  Each of us has a natural degree of fear of the unknown – it’s a self-preservation instinct.  Change involves risk and therefore often invokes trepidation.  But it need not be reckless.  The careful and thorough study of options, the evaluation of position, the formation of goals gives one the opportunity to envision orderly transformation heretofore unimagined, unarticulated, or long deferred.  School district reorganization and education innovations are no exception.

The crucial aspect of change is the potential for growth, rather than an abandonment of things past.  The charting of a new course, fueled by fresh energy, novel ideas and reorganized forces presents a platform for inspiring new heights of achievement and self-determination. 

Innovation - the introduction of new ideas, new tools, new methods, is at the heart of progress.  The inspired progression of a reorganized educational institution presents vast possibilities for all involved: students, teachers, administrators, staff and the community at large.

No extraordinary change comes easily.  It is definitely a challenge, a long-term project with triumphs to celebrate and setbacks to evaluate.

Why do it?  For me, and for many people I speak with, it is an idea whose time has come.  Since the 1980’s, many reorganization attempts have been made, some with more momentum than others.  The one constant is this: this need and the powerful factors which drive it are not going away.  Local control does matter.  It matters to our community, and not just to families with children currently in public school.  Self-determination is a universal theme, and our community is no different. 

I respectfully ask everyone reading this, in both Malibu and Santa Monica, to get involved. Learn more about the factors, the finances, the challenges, and the impacts in both our communities. Consider the opportunities this change presents. Please imagine what innovations you would like to see in our schools. What can we do with our own school district to better help our children to meet the world as it will be?

We all know that change can be scary.  Let’s affect positive change together for all the children of SMMUSD while continuing to support our students and our schools during the transformation. 

It is an effort we can all be proud of.

Karen Farrer
Executive Vice President
Advocates for Malibu Public Schools
[email protected]

ROP Finalists


District interviews have finished and the students have been notified with the results.  Congratulations to the following five finalists who will move forward to the county competition. The county competition is Tuesday, March 11 at the Southern California Edison Training Facility in Irwindale

CONGRATS!

Sadie Schiffman-Eller - Film/Video Production

Jackie Osaki - Career Intern

Cynthia Cristobal - Food Services

Katie Reinhold -  Photography

Lucas Godlewski - Photography

All the students that participated worked hard and survived the nerve wracking practice interview and the district interview.  Thanks to the teachers that helped students put together their work product and for teaching them.    All of the students participating in the interviews gained skills and confidence.  Thank you for your nominations.  Your teaching and the skills you have taught your students help laid the ground work for their participation in the competition.

 Featured Video 

How to Live Before You Die
June 2005, by Steve Jobs, Ted Talks

At his Stanford University commencement speech, Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple and Pixar, urges us to pursue our dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself.

As CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs spearheaded a few of the most iconic products in technology, entertainment and design.

Watch video: here

 Local Education News 

Board OKs State Oversight of Malibu High Cleanup
February 12, 2014, by Knowles Adkisson & Melissa Caskey, Malibu Times

Read more: here

Local donors launch matching campaign for MHS Shark Fund
February 13, 2014 By Ashleigh Fryer, Malibu Surfside News

Read more: here

The 2013 Malibu Times Dolphin Award Winners

February 19, 2014, By Ashleigh Fryer, Malibu Times

Read more: here

Malibu School News
February 20, 2014, by Staff Report, Malibu Surfside News

Read more: here

 School for Thought 

Finding A Common Purpose in Education
February 17, 2014, By Simon Boehme, The Huffington Post

Read more: here
 

Transdisciplinary Education; Something Higher Ed Can Offer The Millennial Who Already Knows It All
February 16, 2014, By Ani Okkasian & Jason Keller, Medium


Read more: here

7 Reasons Why You Will Never Do Anything Amazing With Your Life
February 10, 2014, by Raymmar Triado, Medium

Read more: here

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Membership

Please join AMPS in the goal of forming a locally controlled Malibu Unified School District.

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AMPS Malibu
Calendar:


Malibu Middle School
"Alice in Wonderland" Musical

Feb. 20-22nd, 7pm
Feb. 23rd, 2pm
@MHS Auditorium



Kindergarten Round-Ups
Juan Cabrillo: Feb. 26th, 8:30am
Pt Dume: Feb. 20th, 8:30am
Webster: Feb. 25th, 8:30am



Pt. Dume Marine Science Dinner
March 1st, @ Duke's Malibu
Doors open at 6:00 Food, Drinks, Friends, Auction Items Silent & Live!


Juan Cabrillo Jog-A-Thon
March 14th, 8:30am-12pm



Malibu HS/MS Open House
March 18, 6:00pm




Webster Hawaiian Luau Fundraiser & Golden Ticket
March 28th, 6:30pm @ Geoffrey's
Click to purchase tickets: here



AMPS Coffee & Information Sessions
 

If you would like to attend or volunteer to host one, please call Alexia at (310) 734-2021 or visit our website at www.ampsmalibu.org.

Contact Us:

Website
www.AMPSmalibu.org

Address:
Advocates for Malibu Public Schools (AMPS)
23805 Stuart Ranch Rd. Suite #105
Malibu, CA 90265

Phone:
(310) 734-2021

Email:
[email protected]