Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Are Santa Monica classrooms relying too much on screens? Parents push back

Spotted on the Santa Monica calendar: Music Guild at St. Matthew's opens their 42nd season with "Handel, Mozart, and Respighi"

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Hello again Santa Monica! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Are Santa Monica classrooms relying too much on screens? Parents push back
  • When the real Santa Monica Pier sign disappears—and what replaces it
  • How a Santa Monica ballet studio is scouting its next stars

Also on today's calendar: Music Guild at St. Matthew's opens their 42nd season with "Handel, Mozart, and Respighi" and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What are the two favorite words for a shark to hear? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of 79 and low of 67 degrees.
  • Monday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 70.
  • Tuesday: Very warm, with a high of 84 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. SM-Malibu Parents Press Schools to Reduce Student Screen Time (smdp.com) — Parents in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District are pressing the board to curb student screen time, saying young children are watching movies and using tablets instead of playing outside. While the district just tightened its phone policy, families want clearer rules for Chromebooks and classroom apps at Santa Monica schools, including stricter YouTube limits and more intentional use of technology.
   

2. Santa Monica is about to lose its iconic Pier sign (latination.com) — Santa Monica's famous Pier sign will be removed before the end of September for nearly a year of restoration, as the city replaces the aging bridge to meet modern seismic standards. A smaller replica will keep photo ops alive while work continues, and the fully restored sign is expected back by late 2027 alongside wider sidewalks and a safer structure.
   

3. California Dance Institute and Westside Ballet Launch the Pathways Partnership, a First-of-Its-Kind Route from Westside Classrooms to Full Ballet Scholarships (smobserved.com) — A Santa Monica-based ballet company is expanding a new Pathways Partnership that takes kids from Westside elementary classrooms into full scholarships at Westside School of Ballet, covering tuition, attire, and transportation. After a successful pilot that brought students to the Santa Monica studios, a third partner school joins this fall, with a long-term goal of 20 schools and 40 annual scholarships by 2030.
   

4. NoMad Singapore Opens December, Michelin Keys 2026 & More (upgradedpoints.com) — Santa Monica's own Regent Santa Monica Beach just earned a coveted one-Key rating in Michelin's 2026 hotel awards, putting the beachfront property on a global list of standout stays. The broader roundup covers new hotels and rebrands worldwide, but this recognition could draw more high-end visitors to the city and raise the profile of Santa Monica's luxury hospitality scene.
   

📸 Around Santa Monica

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LA County Taxpayers Association Endorses former Mayor Brock! —Phil Brock Read on Patch
  • Let's Protect This Place We Call Home! —Phil Brock Read on Patch
  • Let's make a safe Santa Monica happen together —Phil Brock Read on Patch
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Edelweiss , a dog who went missing in Santa Monica, CA, has been safely reunited with their family after 12 hours, 43 minutes. Message from Owner: … (Nextdoor Collegiate Streets)
  • LOST DOG - Samoyed.
    Ocean Park & Forth Street My neighbors Samoyed got out Friday ( 9/25) She is wearing a cone and is partially shaved. Please respond here (Nextdoor Ocean Park NW)
  • Dreamscape Hospitality posted a job opening for Dishwasher in Santa Monica. Apply here.
  • sweetgreen posted a job opening for Montana Ave - Core Team Member in Santa Monica. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Monica here.

Ok Santa Monica! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "MAN OVERBOARD!" (Thank you M J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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