> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Samohi parents see what’s brewing - URL: https://www.smdp.com/samohi-parents-see-whats-brewing/ - Published: 2005-11-19T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T08:13:08.000Z - Author: Ryan Hyatt - Tags: Education, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Safety drills staged regularly to prepare kids for unexpected* SAMOHI — Sixteen Santa Monica High School mothers — and one father — with a thirst for knowledge sipped coffee and nibbled on donuts with the principal on Thursday to discuss what’s happening on campus. For years, Samohi administrators have hosted such gatherings, which are generally held the third Thursday of the month. Last week, parents met for nearly two hours in the faculty cafeteria to share concerns with principal Ilene Straus regarding the day-to-day task of advancing their children’s education. “I like the fact these meetings are informal, unlike other (parent) meetings,” said Christina Miller. “It’s a nice opportunity to find out what’s happening at school.” The mood was light and friendly on Thursday. Straus — a mother of several grown children — updated Samohi parents on a variety of issues, including curriculum planning, the school’s equity fund, campus security and college preparation. Particularly of note, Straus said she is re-considering whether it’s feasible to re-configure the school year to make it smoother for faculty, parents and students alike. Currently, the school year is divided up so that students are dismissed for the winter break prior to finishing their final projects and tests for the semester. Upon their return to school following the holidays, students must complete work and testing from the fall. The lag can be an obstacle, with students returning to school rusty on old material, parents said. In the past, parents and staff have suggested the Samohi calendar be altered to better resemble that of a college schedule. That would mean the first semester finishes prior to the winter break, so students begin the spring semester on a fresh note, with all projects and tests having been completed. “I just wanted to see what you think of (changing the school year),” said Straus, who will be discussing the option further with staff in coming months. Overall, the parents in attendance seemed enthusiastic about the change, feeling it would make the transition into the spring semester easier for both them and their youths. Another project Samohi administrators are working on has to do with the district’s equity fund — moneys gathered from campus groups and redistributed in a manner to support programs that ensure student academic progress. School groups must contribute 15 percent of their revenues into the fund. Straus said she is looking for programs that will redistribute funds in a way that’s effective and fair. One proposal, from the athletic department, is to use a portion of the funds to set up a tutoring program for student athletes and other after-school participants. Straus is interested in the proposal, since 1,000 of Samohi’s 3,400 students are involved in after-school sports and activities. She said the proposal needs to be refined before it’s put into practice. Amid the discussion, an emergency alarm sounded and the school participated in a 10-minute lockdown drill. A security guard walked by the faculty cafeteria and made sure the doors were locked. Straus explained that the drill was done so faculty and students know what to do in the case of certain emergencies in which the campus might need to be secured quickly. “When you go on lockdown, you tighten security and then loosen it up from there,” she said. “It’s intended so (unwanted) people can’t get in the building, but (staff) can.” Straus said one reason for the lockdown drill was because a man once escaped from Santa Monica jail and ran through the campus, posing a safety risk. Having lockdown drills prepares students for unlikely, but potentially dangerous situations, she said. Parents also discussed an April melee between students which required police assistance from several agencies in order to secure the campus. One mother suggested students learn how to escape from a locked classroom by breaking windows in the event a madman with a gun is running loose in a building. Straus said she will have at least two fire drills and an earthquake drill before the end of the school year, all intended to prepare students for a variety of life-threatening scenarios. Another major topic of discussion concerned the district’s intention to develop a program through which Samohi students will be advised about the college entry process. Students will also be required to submit at least one college application to an institution of higher learning. While 90 percent of Samohi’s white students who continue to Santa Monica College ultimately transfer to a four-year university, statistics show the percentage of minority students who do the same is far fewer, less than 10 percent, according to Straus. Having a program to better prepare students who statistically struggle through higher education would help ensure their success, Straus said. Parents were enthusiastic about the program. Many of them said they are helping their children prepare for college and found aspects about it confusing. They said more guidance in this area would be helpful for young adults, especially those who lack support at home. The next informal parent gathering will be held in January. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/111905-02_01.jpg) A canoe team streams past a collection of yachts harbored in Marina del Rey. (Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/111905-02_02.jpg) Those taking advantage of Friday’s warm weather got a rude awakening on the Santa Monica Beach bike path, as they were turned away due to a series of ongoing construction projects. (Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 19, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/111905.pdf?ref=smdp.com)