Monday Message
9/10/18
**** UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ****
Back to School Night
Wednesday, September 12 / 5:00-7:00pm
We want to see a HUGE turnout at Back to School Night this year on Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 5-7 pm! For your convenience there will be dinner available for purchase from Zoe's Place Food Truck (tacos and seafood). There will also be free child care, student activities, and informational sessions including:
Strategies for Building Memory - The brain processes information in different ways for storage (and later retrieval). In this session, we’ll look at a couple of strategies that help build memory.
Getting Over Writer's Block - For many of us, the challenge in writing an essay or report is getting started. How can we move beyond staring at a blank page?
Get started with Thrively and Naviance! - Learn how to login and begin utilizing these powerful tools for personalized career and college exploration.
Better than “just Google it” - Learn what powerful online tools and curricular supports are available for FREE to you through the district for students to utilize for research, creating, and sharing.
Mindfulness and Meditation - We know how important it is to keep our bodies healthy, but what about our minds? Learn how mindfulness and meditation can support you and your child.
Ahhhhhhh! I'm new and need help! - Learn best practices for time management and organizing for independent study from other students and families with separate sessions for elementary and secondary
- MakerSpace happenings - Learn how you can best utilize this free on-campus resource, including 3D printing, coding with Spheros, electronics with Arduinos, and monthly STEAM challenges. Come by and MAKE something!
- Music at MEA Wanna jam? Come check out the new re-vAMPED music offerings with Mr. Nielsen, including our new recording studio and classes for beginners to advanced.
We are looking forward to seeing you all there!
“Spiritual Diversity in Education”
Friday, September 14 / 9:00-12:00 / Cafeteria
Ms. Deb Mech is facilitating Spiritual Diversity in Education which is open to all parents, students, staff, and community members. This workshop is a fully inclusive whole-child / holistic approach to tolerance and understanding and fully aligns with our mission of equity and integrated health and wellness. Light refreshments will be served.
To RSVP or for more information, please contact Ms. Mech at dmech@sandi.net.
ASB Speeches
Tuesday, September 18 / 12:00 / Auditorium
Please join our ASB officer candidates for their speeches! This is a great way to meet new students and get a glimpse into the plans the ASB has for 2018-19.
Voting for ASB officers will take place from September 18-20.
MEA Picture Day
Thursday, September 20 / 8:30-12:30 / Auditorium
STUDENT PICTURES
It's important that all students have their picture taken! The picture will be used for the student's school ID card and the school yearbook.
Families will also have the option to purchase a picture package.
- Order Online
Go to: mylifetouch.com. The Mt. Everest picture day I.D. is CK928510Y0. Pay online with a credit card, before or after portraits are taken. - Order Form
Lifetouch order forms are available in the front office, the library, and the Family Room. On Picture Day, bring the order form and payment by either a check made payable to “Lifetouch” or cash (EXACT CHANGE).
PARENT PICTURES
Parents, please have your picture taken on this day also, for your Parent Educator ID card!
If you're planning to be on campus for more than student drop off and pick up, you must wear a Parent Educator ID card and lanyard, as per the Campus Code of Conduct policy. It's easy and inexpensive to get yours - just come to Picture Day!
- The cost for a parent ID card is $3 and must be paid on Picture Day, with cash or a check made payable to "Lifetouch."
- Your Parent Educator ID card will also qualify you for educator discounts
- If you don't already have a lanyard, they will be available for parents at Picture Day.
Parents, if you're not able to make this Sept. 20 Picture Day, you may instead email a headshot of yourself to Linda Ele at lele@sandi.net. You will also need to mail $3 to Lifetouch for the ID card; Linda will send you the address after you send her your headshot.
QUESTIONS?
Please email Linda Ele at lele@sandi.net
**** EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ****
Many extracurricular activities are beginning this week.
Link to schedule on our website.
- The MakerSpace and PALS will NOT start this week, although the MakerSpace will be open at BTSN
- Elementary Spanish Enrichment will not meet this week, but will start on 9/18.
We are still waiting for adult volunteers to run some sessions. Please check our website frequently for activities that are added.
If you are interested in offering an extracurricular class or workshop, please contact Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net. We are looking for folks wanting to share talents in science, technology, robotics, and the arts! All required district volunteer paperwork must be submitted in order to lead a class.
Faith Group
Tuesdays / 12:00-12:30 / Room 17B
Tomorrow is the first Faith Group meeting! Join us during lunch for some fun games & music, delicious pizza, and a great time of getting to know more about one another.
This year's theme is Unashamed! Come and hear about why we are unashamed about our faith. Everyone in grades 5-12 are welcome. We meet every Tuesday from 12 to 12:30 in Room 17B (Mr. Huy's room).
Can't wait to see you there!
**** ANNOUNCEMENTS ****
MEA Podcast
10th graders Stephanie Lee and Toler Pfaff-Carano have started a school wide podcast, with staff members as guest stars.
PSAT
Wednesday, October 10 / 8:15-12:00 / Auditorium
All students that will be taking the PSAT on October 10 need to sign up in the front office. All 10th graders can take the test for free, but you MUST sign up. For all other students, the cost is $16, payable by check or cash (EXACT CHANGE PLEASE).
PSAT practice booklets are available in Mr. Zappala's office and the front office.
Summer 2019 Trip to Germany
Special presentation at Back-to-School Night
Students will have a unique opportunity this summer to take a trip to Germany. This is not an MEA sponsored trip, however Mr. Spiegelberg is coordinating, and will introduce the trip. This trip is open to all students, parents, and the community. Students don't have to be taking German, and friends can join that don't attend MEA. Planned is 1-week of travel from Berlin to Munich, and then 1-week at a German language adventure camp near Munich. It's going to be an awesome adventure! Ja!
Parents needed for SSC and SGT!
The Mt. Everest Academy School Site Council (SSC) and Site Governance Team (SGT) each have open parent positions for two year terms. If you are interested in running for School Site Council and/or Site Governance Team, please submit your name and a short (3-4 sentence) biography to Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net or bring it to MEA’s Front Office. The deadline for submitting your name for candidacy is Tuesday, September 18, 2018.
You may be wondering, “What exactly are SSC and SGT?” The School Site Council consists of elected members representing parents, teachers, students, the school principal, and other school employees. This group is responsible for reviewing the school's improvement plan and allocating fiscal resources to support Mt. Everest Academy's goals in the areas of curriculum development and instruction. The State Legislature, as well as the Mt. Everest Academy teaching staff and administration, believes that the best decisions are made by those individuals who are most affected by them.
The Site Governance Team is a shared decision making body required at each school by the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. The team discusses issues, gathers input and makes recommendations about topics affecting our school and our children with an emphasis on the instructional program.
The SSC and SGT will meet a minimum of six times during the year, and meetings will usually be scheduled on Wednesdays from 2-3. (This time is subject to change due to the availability of members.)
We greatly appreciate your willingness to support Mt. Everest with your time!
Study Group Schedules
Here's a link to the Study Group schedule.
Student Poll Worker Opportunity
If you are interested in volunteering to be a part of the democratic process in California, see Mr. Cate for information about earning community service hours, money for the school, and invaluable experience as a poll worker for the CA Gubernatorial General Election that will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
**** COUNSELING CORNER ****
Majors @ Mesa Fair
Tuesday, September 25 / 11:00-2:00 / Mesa College
Mesa College cordially invites students to explore majors and career paths at their upcoming "Majors @ Mesa Fair."
Students can tour Mesa and speak with Mesa faculty and current students about programs, innovative projects, and exciting career opportunities. It’s never too early to prepare for your future; attend the fair and learn how Mesa College can help!
If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Karla Trutna at 619-388-2230 or ktrutna@sdccd.edu.
**** LIBRARY ****
Books about September 11
September 11, 2001 was a day all Americans should remember. Come in to the library to read about it and find out why America was changed forever on that fateful day.
September Library Challenge
The first Library Challenge of the year is a crossword puzzle! Click here for the puzzle, or pick one up in the library. Turn your completed form into the library by Thursday, September 22, 12:30 pm to receive a prize!