Monday Message
9/25/17
1st & 2nd Grade Publishing Parties
For Mrs. Finney's 1st and 2nd graders, the All About Me writing assignment in the language arts unit is a project completed at home, and then brought into class to share at the Publishing Party. Publishing parties are an opportunity for students to “publish,” or share, their writing pieces, as well as practice public speaking skills. Mrs. Finney makes it a safe and welcoming environment for her young presenters.
******** UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ********
Club Fair
Tuesday, September 26 / 12:00-12:30 / Auditorium
Wednesday, September 27 / 12:00-12:30 / Auditorium
Calling all MEAers! Do you want to get involved at school, make a difference, or just have fun? Come to the Club Fair! We will have food, music, and a demonstration by the Improv Club!
MakerPlace Tour
Friday, September 29 / 1:00 /
MakerPlace - 1022 West Morena Blvd, Suite H, San Diego
Please let Barb Mulvany (bmulvany@sandi.net) know by this Wednesday, Sept. 27, if you will be taking this tour.
Mt Everest families are invited to visit the MakerPlace, located on Morena Boulevard. The MakerPlace is “San Diego’s Premier Do It Yourself Workshop." Love our MakerSpace...come see the amazing things created on the tools there. Wood shop, metal shop, craft shop, laser lab, electronics lab and 3 D printing-all available at the MakerPlace! The tour is not long, 30-40 minutes, but is filled with interesting materials and creations. Attendees must wear closed-toe shoes.
Pokemon Tournament
Thursday, October 4 / 12:30-1:30 / Auditorium
Hello Mt. Everest Pokemon players! Due to the success of last year's tournament, another will be held on October 4th at 12:30 to 1:30 in the auditorium. If you would like to participate, please fill out this form and read these rules. Please note that the rules are using a different format than usual, so read them carefully!
Also, we are in NEED OF A PARENT TO SUPERVISE the event. If you can stay from 12:30 to 1:30 in the auditorium on October 4th, please send an email to mounteverestmusicproject@gmail.com.
PSAT
Wednesday, October 11 / 8:15 - 12:00 / Auditorium
All students that will be taking the PSAT on October 11 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).
PSAT practice booklets are available in Mr. Zappala's office.
Make-Up Picture Day
Tuesday, October 24 / 8:30-12:30 / Auditorium
Lifetouch is offering this make-up picture day for students and parents that were not able to come to Picture Day on September 21.
************* ANNOUNCEMENTS *************
ASB Officers
Congratulations to our new ASB Officers for 2017-18!!
- Co Presidents - Kaitlyn L. and Izabella B.
- Co Vice Presidents - Emily N. and Christina S.
- Treasurer - Emma R.
- Ambassador - Ally S.
- Secretary - Ashlyn H.
VOTE FOR YOUR SSC/SGT PARENT REPRESENTATIVES!
Parents, please stop by the library/computer lab area to vote for your next SSC & SGT members. Two positions need to be filled this year. Voting will be available until Friday, Sept. 29 at 3pm. Here are the nominees:
Andrea Ausland has a 7th and 9th grader at MEA. She has experience serving on school boards, leading committees/events, working on development teams, and more. She has already become involved in helping to start the MEA Foundation and would be thrilled to jump in and serve on the SSC and SGT as well!
Angie Serrano has been a part of the amazing MEA community as a parent for two years. She has a background as a registered nurse, working with women and children for 29 years. She bring to our community a positive infectious attitude about MEA students, staff and administration.
Cell Phone App
Teachers like to do fun science experiments too! Ms. Pachon participated in a program at UCSD over the summer and came up with a project that improved on a cell phone spectrophotometer she saw on YouTube. Students can use this app and technique to do other types of experiments. You never know where an idea for a science project might come from. Check out the blog here
Makerspace
Welcome to our campus MAKERSPACE. This space is for tinkering, exploring, engineering, crafting……creating!
HOURS: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 9am - 3pm
Each day the Makerspace schedule will be viewable on the dry-erase board next to the door. You’ll see things like:
Tinker Time! - free exploration. Students and family are welcome to come in and build with legos, program arduinos and spheros, test out your engineering skills with our monthly Engineering Challenge, or work on projects for other classes.
Classes - elementary and middle school classes will visit the Makerspace throughout the year. We also host parent-led classes….what skill would you like to share?! We can help with supplies and organization. Students are encouraged to teach, too! :)
PALS - The Peer Academic Lab for Success is located here every morning 9-10am. Middle and High School volunteers are available to assist their fellow students with subject tutoring as well as sphero and arduino programming. This is a quiet one-on-one or independent study time.
Wishing you a fun and creative year!
Nikki Bradford & Barb Mulvany
Makerspace supervisors
MEA Educational Foundation
Thank You MEA for your enthusiastic response to creating an educational foundation. We are on our way! I know it will be a legacy gift to both our beloved teachers and our students.
After a meeting this morning, we have identified a few tasks to keep us moving in the right direction. We need:
- A name (Stay tuned as we will be asking for input from our creative families on a name for our educational foundation.)
- Grade-level parent representatives (Think room-parent in traditional school). If you are interested in this position, please let me know!
- Participation (This part will be easy, I haven't met a family yet at MEA who wasn't already participating on a deep level with their kiddos' education.)
Through this endeavor we hope to make your student's experience at Mt. Everest Academy even more rewarding. With funding and support we hope to:
- supplement instructional and curricular supplies
- enhance extracurricular
- und teacher trainings and professional development
- host events for our students such as a Science Night or Art Night
- celebrate our students achievements through special events
- and so much more!
We still welcome anyone interested in board participation. There are many jobs to do, and as we discovered this morning - YOU may have a skill that would be easy for you, but impossible for us and integral to this process.
Please keep an eye out for more information to follow. And feel free to be in touch any time via the front office or directly to: hallieherbert@yahoo.com
Fact Sheet for Hepatitis A
As you may know, San Diego is currently experiencing a severe outbreak of Hepatitis A. While this is not an issue at any of our schools, it is important to be aware and understand what can be done to prevent its spread. The Nursing and Wellness Dept. within San Diego Unified has created a Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish) with information about the virus, how its spread and prevention tips. Aside from vaccination, washing hands thoroughly is the best prevention for Hep A, and is also helpful in preventing the spread of the flu, common colds and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Study Group Schedules
Here's a link to the Elementary and Secondary Study Group schedules. The latest revision was made on 9/7/17.
************* COUNSELING CORNER *************
Questions on UC admissions?
Selina Cantu, UCSD admissions officer met with some of our seniors and parents this afternoon to talk about UCSD, the UC admissions process, financial aid and answer questions. She is available for questions via e-mail for any questions related to the UC admissions process and you can reach her at sccantu@ucsd.edu.
CSU EAP presentation for Seniors
Wednesday, September 27 / 11:55-12:30 / Room 6
We will interpret student Early Assessment Program (EAP) results and SAT/ACT test score requirements. Free pizza will be served!
Meeting for all Seniors
Thursday, September 28 / 11:55-12:30 / Cafeteria
All 12th graders are required to attend this meeting with Mr. Zappala, who will be sharing important information and reviewing expectations for the year. Free pizza will be served!
Carnegie Mellon University Information Session
Thursday, September 28 / 7:30-8:30 pm
Marriott Mission Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Dr, San Diego
The Carnegie Mellon admission staff cordially invites families to their information session at the San Diego Marriott. The session offers an experiential look at the university through student and faculty stories, admission, financial aid, and campus life.
Meeting for all Juniors
Tuesday, October 3 / 11:55-12:30 / Cafeteria
Mr. Zappala will discuss what is important to focus on for 11th graders, and what to think about as they become seniors next year. Free pizza will be served!
UCLA Open House
Saturday, October 7 / 9:00-3:00 / UCLA
Hello Juniors and Seniors. UCLA is having an open house on October 7th. This is your chance to hear about the admissions process, housing, financial aid and much more. If you are thinking about applying to UCLA this is a great opportunity to get the answers to your questions.
********** extracurricular activities ***********
Please find the most up-to-date schedule here. This schedule is a work in-progress; we will continue to add to and fine-tune the schedule as needed.
Updates:
- Guitar with Mr. Nielsen added on Mondays, 1:00-2:00 (start date Oct. 2)
- Sewing Crafts for grades 6-12 added on Tuesdays, 1:50-3:00
- MathCounts starting for grades 6-8 on Tuesdays, 1:50-3:00
- Knitting Circle added on Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30
- Jam Session with Mr. Nielsen added on Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00
- Chess for grades 7-12 starting on Thursdays, 12:45-1:30
- Academic League starting on Thursdays, 11:30-12:30
If you are interested in offering an extracurricular class or workshop, please contact Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net. All required district volunteer paperwork must be submitted in order to lead a class.
Sewing Crafts
Tuesdays / 1:50-3:00 / MakerSpace
Grades 6-12: stop by Sewing Crafts tomorrow, Tuesday, to go over upcoming sewing projects!
MathCounts
Tuesdays / 1:50-3:00 / Cafeteria
For grades 6-8. This activity is ideal for students who have a talent and passion for math who need to be challenged. Students will engage in exciting, "bee-style" contests in which they will compete against and alongside other bright, motivated students.
Knitting Circle
Wednesdays / 12:30-1:30 / MakerSpace
Have you always wanted to learn knitting, or enjoy knitting with others? This Wednesday, September 27 a weekly knitting circle will kick off in the MEA Maker Space from 12:30-1:30. Anyone interested is welcome, no experience necessary! Ninth grader Fenna C. will be there with some extra yarn and needles, or you can bring your own project. Fenna can assist with setting up stitches, help you get started, or figure out a knitting problem. Our very own Principal Browne is said to join in as well with the intention to finish a scarf before Christmas. What a great gift idea!
Academic League
Thursdays / 11:30-12:30 / Room 9
Free pizza!
Academic League is like Jeopardy for students in grades 7-12! You get to show what you know and exercise your brain-power, all while having fun with your fellow students. You’ll also meet Academic League students from other schools during the competition season in the Spring. The Academic League practices together weekly with their coach, Mr. Jeff Jacobs. For questions: jeffjacobs9@gmail.com
******************* LIBRARY *******************
Announcing the Library's new website!!
Here is the new library website, with everything you need to know about our wonderful library. Check it out!!
The new website has all the information you need about:
- October Library Challenge: complete a book review, due by Oct. 12
- Book It! for grades K-6: sign up, read books, and earn free pizza!
- Library Time book this week: "Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook"
********* COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ********
Kids Into Music
Educating Musically Gifted Kids with Financial Needs
Kids Into Music (KIM) is a scholarship program that provides private music lessons to talented local students between the ages 4 and 18, who otherwise could not afford them. The KIM program is run by the Music Teachers' Association of California, San Diego Branch and the Helen B. Goodlin Foundation.
MEA student Risa Schapiro (Grade 10) recently earned 25 volunteer hours working as a writer, narrator, production assistant, and pianist for a promotional video documentary for Kids Into Music. This video as well as information on how to apply for these generous music scholarships are on the Helen B. Goodlin Foundation website at:
http://helenbgoodlin.org/kids-into-music-kim/
Please visit the site and watch this insightful video to learn more about this outstanding cause. Kindly share this information with music students that may qualify for a scholarship, and encourage individuals to support Kids Into Music in their efforts to enrich the lives of young musicians.
UCSD BSU High School Conference
Saturday, November 11 / UC San Diego
This conference for high school students provides resources for underrepresented students to gain access and knowledge into higher education. Students will be able to hear from speakers who have beaten the historical odds of entering the arena of higher academia. Please sign up by October 25. Sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU) at UCSD.
For questions, email ucsd.bsu.accessteam@gmail.com
Art Contest for Air Pollution Control Calendar
The mission of the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is to improve air quality to protect public health. They are asking students in grades K-12 to think about the importance of clean, breathable air, and what the average person can do to help us all breathe a little easier. The APCD, with students' help, will be creating a 2018 calendar where each month will showcase their air quality artwork. The artwork must demonstrate ways to reduce air pollution and may include a clean air message.
All submissions must be postmarked by Saturday, October 21, 2017. And even if a student’s artwork is not used in the calendar, the APCD website will have a gallery of all the submissions.