Lack of fundraising could mean the end of samo programs
SMMUSD schools are witnessing a sharp decline in fundraising from the Ed Foundation, which could mean the end of various programs in the 2024-2025 school year.
California Increases minimum wage for fast food workers
On Apr. 1, the minimum wage for fast food workers was increased from $16 an hour to $20 an hour as an attempt to provide aid to the low-paid workers, some of whom are homeless or supporting more than one person on their wage.
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Prompts Response in Santa Monica
On Apr. 8, multiple reports came out detailing the use of swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti marked on sidewalks, trees and lamp posts within the SM-Pico neighborhood.
The fUTURE OF THE SANTA MONICA Airport
While the Santa Monica Airport is projected to close by the end of 2028, its spaces are being utilized in contemporary ways.
Federal aid falls behind as college expenses are on the rise
While students wait for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on how much government money they’re getting, some short-term fixes may alleviate the stress on the expenses of colleges.
LA Hotel Strikes begin to end after negotiations
The hotel strike, which started on July 10 2023, began to reach closure in early January after successful negotiations with hotels.
Wave of prestigious colleges re-requiring SAT and ACT
SAT and ACT tests, formally made optional in elite colleges around the country, have now in a wave decided to re-require the controversial exams for admissions. This decision will affect many members of the Samo class of 2024-2025 during their college applications.
Samo’s new buildings revolutionize learning
SMMUSD has persevered in their attempt to revolutionize the learning process with the construction of Samo’s new buildings, the Exploration Building and Gold Gym. The three-sory Exploration Building will be home to multimedia, visual arts and the Capstone program.
PBL to move to samo campus in fall of 2024
At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, the Pathways for Project-Based Learning (PBL) will be moving to the Business building on Samo’s campus.
The move will occur at the same time as the opening of the new Exploration building on campus, which will most likely happen in time for the fall semester; the staff in the Business building will transition to Exploration, as the moving of PBL will displace them.
Whats going on around Samo?
Hazel Health:
Hazel Health, a new program coming to Samo available from home and at school, will provide free virtual therapy to all students in need, This program was brought together by Samo after taking part in a needs assessment a couple years ago through the LA county office of education.
2024 Primary Elections- An Ongoing Race
The primaries are a system utilized by the two prominent U.S. political parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, to determine their nominee for the 2024 presidential election, which will take place in November. The frontrunners for the 2024 election are President Biden and Former President Donald Trump.
Ballot initiatives for this year's election
The primary election on March 5 offers students of age to vote for national and statewide ballot measures at their nearest polling center or by mailed ballot. Ballot measures are laws, issues or questions of both state-wide and local significance for voters to decide on. There are two ways a measure can be placed on the ballot. State legislatures can propose initiatives and 26 states including California allow residents to place measures by gathering enough signatures.
Elite university presidents resign following anti-semitism allegations
Following a congressional hearing in Dec. on the subject of antisemitism on campus—and the consequent backlash from the public—Ivy League university presidents Elizabeth Magill and Claudine Gay announced their resignations in the subsequent weeks. Calls for their resignations began to circulate the instant that their controversial testimonies emerged, igniting an explosive aftermath.
Newsom's next steps in fighting climate change
For Californians, struggles with the impacts of climate change and pollution have been seemingly constant, and 2024 is expected to be no exception.
OpenAI’s CEO brought back after termination
On Nov. 17, the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, was termi-
nated without prior notice and reinstated after two weeks. His
rehiring came after over 500 OpenAI employees threatened
to leave the company unless Altman’s CEO position was
returned.
Disproportionality discovered in SMMUSD special education
SMMUSD is working to adopt a plan that addresses the
growing problem of disproportionality in special education
overidentification.
Fatal crash leads to road safety improvement efforts
Due to recent road safety incidents, one of them fatal, Santa Monica City Council voted to strengthen its Vision Zero plan to help reduce road-related injuries.
World leaders combat climate change at 28th annual climate summit
From Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, over a hundred world leaders attended the climate summit in Dubai in order to negotiate climate change mitigations.
College housing causes turmoil among students
Students struggle with financial stability, mental health and academic performance as they struggle to pay for their dorms or off-campus housing because of inflation.
What's going on around Samo?
New superintendent; search for new I House Principle; approval of Team Marine’s climate literacy resolution; annual club row
Understanding Israel, Palestine and Hamas
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a constant struggle since Israel’s establishment in 1948; this war is not just the beginning.
2023 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists
Samo students Milo Berini (’24) and Justin Xu (’24) were named semi-finalists for the National Merit Scholarship competition and are proud and honored to become a semi-finalist.
Samo Mathletes hosts American Math Competition
For the first time, Samo hosted the American Math Competition (AMC) which took place on Nov. 8-12.
Weekend Bags Program Addresses Student Hunger in SMMUSD
After months of emails, countless meetings with district officials and hours of work, the Weekend Bags program was finally launched in Dec. 2021 with the help of Braun’s co-coordinator, SMMUSD parent and registered dietician Deb Novak.
What's going on around Samo?
Exploration Building and Gold Gym construction update; Mental health awareness fair shows activism based clubs in the Innovation Quad; Climate literacy initiative at Samo, and more
Increased weather catastrophes in the wake of climate change
With Hurricane Hillary hitting California in mid-Aug., recent headlines have brought attention to similar weather and natural disaster reports, often related to or traced back to the effects of climate change.
California Workability1 program widens employment opportunities
Samohi’s WorkAbility 1 is paving the way for typically disadvantaged students to have their place in employment.
Santa Monica City Council explores transportation solutions
Transportation plays a significant role in students’ lives at Samo. From taking the bus to biking there are many different ways students and staff get to and from school.
Samo ranks in top 4 percent of schools nationwide
Samo is ranked in the top 4 percent out of the estimated 18,000 schools across the nation according to U.S. News, as of August 29.
The PSAT goes fully digital as of fall 2023
After being in paper for decades, the PSAT is now adapted to be digital.