What's going on around Samo?
Team Marine/ Contributor
The SMMUSD School Board passed Team Marine’s climate literacy resolution, meaning there will now be more requirements for climate education in SMMUSD schools.
Team Marine’s climate literacy resolution approved
Team Marine’s resolution for climate literacy action in schools has been approved unanimously by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s Board on Nov. 2 after working to create this resolution since 2021. The resolution is to educate and empower students about climate change's role in the world by enhancing elementary schools on climate education and hosting opportunities to keep them informed about the climate. Team Marine, an environmental activism club, has helped SMMUSD previously, such as the transition to 100% renewable energy and the plastic ban in Santa Monica. Team Marine plans to have one meeting per semester for teachers on climate literacy in order to prepare them to instruct students on environmental issues. Co-president of the club, Emery Cunningham (’24) said he felt good getting the resolution passed, making it meaningful to him.
“I hope that the changes made by our resolution will help students see climate change as less fear and more courage or hope,” Cunningham said. The main goal of the resolution is to give students a feeling that they can do something about it instead of just being afraid and not taking action.”
Dr. Benjamin to replace Dr. Mora as Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Ashley Benjamin / Contributor
Dr. Ashley Benjamin, previous principle of McKinley Elementary, delivers a speech to the school.
Recently this year, Dr. Jaqueline Mora passed away at the age of 46 after dealing with an illness for five months. As the assistant superintendent, she was dedicated to all students' success and education.
She was passionate about helping out communities that were struggling and assured people that every student had an opportunity to succeed. During the pandemic, she helped the district in shifting from in-person to distance learning so that students could still continue their education at home.
Mora was replaced by Dr. Ashley Benjamin on Oct.19, who was the principal at McKinley Elementary since 2017 and previously, the assistant principal at Franklin Elementary from 2014 to 2017.
Benjamin is excited about her new position and what’s to come, even though she is still sad about leaving McKinley.
“The educators in this district are so talented, I’m looking forward to collaborating with staff across sites Tk-12,” Benjamin said.
As the new Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Benjamin has set high standards for the district's success and improvement.
“My goal is to support our students so they feel a sense of curiosity, belonging, and empowerment.”
Samo searches for new I House principal
Sienna Bevan / The Samohi
Hawkins started as I house principle in the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
Former I House principal, Dr. Satinder Hawkins decided to leave Samo to be closer to home. On Oct. 26, Samo started the interview process to select a new I House principal while Wendy Wax is serving as the interim I House principal.
Ms. Jessica Garrido, the I house advisor, worked closely with Hawkins and is grateful to have a quick replacement in Wax.
“I was happy Ms. Wax was filling because I know her, but I really liked working under Dr. Hawkins and was very sad that she was leaving,” Garrido said.
Wax was previously the principal of Grant Elementary in 2015, which Garrido believes made the transition for I House easier.
“It’s just nice to have consistency but the perk in Ms.Wax who’s filling in has been the principal for us, so it was an easy transition for us,” Garrido said.
Samo expects to make a decision on the new I House principal around December as the interview process continues.
Club Row
Emerson Werger / Contributor
Kara Best (’24), co-president of Junior State of America along with Dylan Cheah (’24), debates a student to reliplicate their club experience.
On Nov. 2, Samo hosted the annual Club Row to promote and grow clubs. 170 different clubs showed up and recruited interested students to join their clubs.
There were a variety of clubs present, some focused on fundraising, and others focused on spreading awareness and educating. Some are just to create a safe space for students to come together. Regardless of their different purposes, all clubs are focused on creating inclusivity around campus to strengthen the community.
Talib Debose (’24) experienced club row and visited many different clubs that he was interested in.
“I had a friendly and diverse experience seeing all the different clubs,” Debose said. “The clubs that interested me the most were BSU (Black Student Union), Immersion and Film,”
Debose went further in-depth on the impact club row had in developing his interest.
“The clubs that interested me related to myself and my hobbies or were being presented by my friends,” Debose said. “It was a diverse experience because there were many different people all from different backgrounds and with different experiences sharing a part of themselves they are passionate about.”
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