Welcome to 2026-2027 at the Ocean Park School House 
where we show our CARES 
(Cooperation, respectful Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy and Self-control)

Let’s show that our OP School House adult driving behavior will be characterized by mutual protection and safety, and unconditional care for all people and for the natural world. Let’s make our neighbors proud and pleased to share the perimeter streets with us (5th Street, Hollister Avenue, 6th Street, Ocean Park Blvd)! 

A visual map of the following directions is also being sent out. 

The City of Santa Monica traffic engineer has given these drop off/pick up flow of traffic directions for cars: 
Enter the parking lot from 6th Street
Drop students off on the passenger side/north side so that they exit the car onto campus without walking through traffic
Exit the parking lot on 5th Street and turn right/head north

Notice neighbor driveways and leave them open, not blocked. 
No double parking in the street or in the parking lot drop off zone. 

During school hours, the parking lot spaces are for staff only. 
Family parking is on the streets. Follow parking signs. 

• 5th Street east side: no parking Wednesdays 10:00am-noon
• 5th Street west side: no parking Mondays 9:00-11:00am
• Hollister Avenue south side: no parking Mondays 3:00-5:00pm  
• Hollister Avenue north side: no parking Tuesdays 9:00-11:00am
• 6th Street west side: no parking Mondays 10:00am-noon 
• 6th Street east side: no parking Tuesdays 12:00-2:00pm 

Directions for walkers/bikers:

• Let the corner crossing guards help; use the crosswalks
• Use the sidewalks, do not walk through the parking lot
• Bike racks are just inside the front double gate

The front double gate is open 8:15-8:35am.  If you arrive after 8:35am, you need to sign in through the front office. 

Reminder that SMMUSD has closed campuses so only students enter. 
Pre-arranged adult volunteers sign in through the front office. 

Staff members are out front to assist:  

• TK/K students go to the little yard on 5th Street where their teachers will meet up
• 1st grade students go to the front green grass to meet their teachers
• 2nd/3rd go to the lunch benches near their classrooms to meet their teachers
• 4th/5th go to the concrete benches downstairs from their classrooms/outside the front office to meet their teachers
• 6th/7th/8th meet at the upstairs patio next to the Core 4 classrooms

The front double gate is open for TK/K dismissal 1:30-1:45pm daily
The front double gate is open for 1st-8th dismissal 3:00-3:15pm M-TH and 1:30-1:45 Fridays

Parents, please join us Thursday, August 20, 2026 in the Multi Purpose Room (MPR) at 8:35am-9:35am for a PTSA sponsored parent coffee and mingle.  Enter the MPR from the 5th Street entrance midway down the block between Ocean Park Blvd and Hollister Avenue. 

We are thrilled to welcome 4 new staff members to the 26-27 school year: 

Sofia Cedillo, Core 1 Teacher
We are pleased to welcome Sofia Cedillo back to our team, this time as a teacher of the Bigs (1st grade). Sofia used to be our Muir/SMASH Literacy Coach before SMMUSD called upon her to share her leadership skills elsewhere. She has been Instructional Coach at Will Rogers Learning Community supporting integrated curricular project implementation through their IB program. Sofia’s passion is early childhood education having taught TK, K and 1st grade for over a decade in SMMUSD.  She has meaningful connections with our staff and brings layers of professional expertise to our community. 

Corey Davis, SAI Teacher 
In Chicago, South Korea and Mexico, Corey has instructed elementary, middle and high school students as a special education teacher since 2019. He got his Master of Arts in Teaching degree from USC and is excited to join our SAI team.   As an active member of the crafting community, be sure to check out his self-knitted clothing and connect with him about his other many interests such as Spanish, French, sewing, drawing, running, dance, gymnastics, acting, theater design and piano.  

Yvette Fenton, Core 3 Teacher
Throughout 18 years of teaching, Yvette Fenton has taught TK through 5th grade at The Growing Place, as a founding teacher of an inquiry based/field experience private school, and at a charter school. Her background in constructivism and project-based learning has shaped her belief that students learn best when they are actively engaged, encouraged to explore meaningful questions, and given opportunities to take ownership of their learning. She creates hands-on, collaborative experiences that foster curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Yvette has spent time in SMASH classrooms and is delighted to join our community as a Core 3 teacher. 

Lynne Nguyen SAI Teacher 
Lynne brings her expertise and flexibility to us and Roosevelt this year as a 50% with us and 50% with Roosevelt special education teacher. She is an experienced special education teacher with practice across the Pre-K–12 continuum. Her teacher preparation and Master of Arts in Teaching from USC gave her the instructional foundation to understand how children learn. Her Master of Legal Studies from UCLA strengthened her ability to recognize rights, clarify responsibilities, and consider the impact of institutional decisions. She is a worldwide traveler so be sure to ask her about her Summer 2026 trip. 

The first day of school, Thursday, August 20 is Minimum Day 1:15pm dismissal for all TK-8th grade students.  After dismissal, the staff will circle up and celebrate the successes of the day and note any tweaks we noticed are needed on our refreshed campus.

Classroom visits and more details about community events and curriculum highlights to come at the
Tuesday, August 25 6-7:30pm TK/K/1st Back to School Night Forums in the classrooms
Tuesday, Sept 1st 6-7:30pm 2nd-5th Back to School Night Forums in the classrooms
Thursday, Sept 10th 6-7:30pm 6th-8th Back to School Night Forum

Enthusiastically yours, 
Jessica (SMASH Principal 2008-2026 and OP School House Principal 2026…)