Monday Message
5/8/17
Students learn about the Gold Rush
As part of learning about the Gold Rush, Mrs. Becerra's 3rd and 4th grade students got a chance to make by hand some of the items that pioneers needed to survive: butter, candles, and candlesticks. Then they painstakingly panned for gold to uncover gold nuggets, which were weighed at the General Store to see how many goods they could buy. Many thanks to all the parent volunteers for manning the stations and helping students churn, dip, mold, and pan!
Student Presentations in Economics
Presentations will be ongoing through the month of May on Thursdays from 9:20 to 10:35 in Mr. Sharp's Economics class. The Entrepreneur Project is a research project in which the students complete a simulation of a business startup, including startup costs, funding sources, demographic research, market saturation research, business plan for differentiation and advertisement and a quick calculation of expected market share, annual profit and length of time anticipated to "get into the black."
Students have so far presented ideas ranging from NPOs (non-profits) to online themed cosmetic packages and Wedding planners.
Question: WHAT IS THIS ? ?
Hint: This (and more) was found in one of our classrooms.
************* ANNOUNCEMENTS *************
Enrollment for 2017-18
If you are planning on returning to Mt. Everest Academy next year, please come to the office to pick up your enrollment packet. These forms must be completed every year. Return completed forms and a current proof of address (i.e. SDG&E, water, cable, or phone bill) to the office by Friday, May 12.
If you are moving or are planning on attending a different school, please call Norma in the main office at 858-496-8778. Thank you.
Last Week for Library Time
Library Time will be held this week, with Thursday, May 11, being the final Library Time for this school year. Many thanks to Miss Vivian for sharing her love of reading with our young students!
Last week for Elementary Art
Due to upcoming school events, this Thursday, May 11, will be the last meeting of the Elementary Art extracurricular activity. Mrs. Flo's young artists have had a wonderful year expressing their creativity! Please stop by Mrs. Flo's room and pick up all your art pieces, as they will not be kept after the end of the school year.
No Video Game Design This Week
This Thursday there will be no Video Game Design & Development activity, as parent Leanne Chukoskie will be out of town.
Lost Flash Drive
Has anyone found a flash drive? It's older and a little different than this picture, but it is black and made by Lexar. It was lost last Tuesday in Mrs. Flo's art class, and has lots of sentimental value as there are many baby pictures on it! If you find this, please bring it to the front office.
LOST & FOUND
Here's a link to pictures of items that are in our lost & found; clothing, water bottles, etc. If you recognize something as your's, please come to the front office to claim it! All items that have not been picked up by the end of the school year will be donated to charity.
Testing/Class Calendar for May 2017
Important!
Here is the testing/class calendar for the month of May, which will affect all students' schedules.
CALIFORNIA SCIENCE TEST - grade 12
Monday, May 15 / 8:30-12:00 / Room 17A
This year MEA seniors will participate in the pilot of The California Science Test (CAST) to try out test items for the future assessment. While this pilot test will not provide scores for students, it is an important first step in developing an assessment that will fairly and accurately measure how students are achieving on the new science standards.
A coupon for a free Jumbo Jack will be given to all students who help out by taking this test - your participation is greatly appreciated!
SMARTER BALANCE TESTING - grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11
Week of May 15
Grades 3-6 will be tested Monday-Thursday mornings from 9-11:30
Grades K-6: no study groups, PALS, or extracurricular activities
Week of May 22
Grades 7, 8 & 11 will be tested Monday-Thursday mornings from 8:30-12:00
Grades 7-12: no study groups (however grades 8, 9, 10 will have RRR classes)
During Smarter Balanced Testing, students should bring a bottle of water, a book to read, headphones or earbuds*, and a snack. Granola bars will be provided for students if they don't have a snack. No cell phones or electronic devices are allowed.
* Headphones will be provided for students that don't bring their own.
More information about Smarter Balanced Testing is available on the California Department of Education website.
SBAC practice tests and sample questions (no login needed, just choose guest)
RIGHTS, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY CLASSES - grades 8, 9, 10
Week of May 22
State law requires that parents/guardians be notified of any school classes providing instruction in sex education and/or sexually transmitted diseases. Rights, Respect, and Responsibility (3Rs) is San Diego Unified School District's Board-approved comprehensive sexual health curriculum which we are teaching to grades 8, 9, and 10.
Separate emails will be sent out from teachers with the specific schedule, parent previews, and permission forms. Information about the RRR classes is available on the SDUSD website.
Very Important Information for Seniors
Senior Letter and Graduation Checklist
This letter has information about the senior survey, prom, graduation checklist, and graduation ceremony. Please read it carefully! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or stop by the office.
Elementary Students on Campus
To parents of elementary students,
Students in grades K-5 are supervised when they are in study groups and PALS. Any other time elementary students are on campus, they need to be supervised by a parent or family member. They should not be left on their own to go from one extracurricular activity to another. Please plan for your child's supervision, so they can enjoy all the wonderful activities and friendships that are available here on campus.
School Calendar 2017-18
Our school calendar currently has the following dates added for the 2017-18 year:
- First day of school, 8/28/17
- End of first semester, 1/26/18
- Last day of school, 6/13/18
- Holidays
- Friday turn-in dates
More events will be added as the planning process continues.
Art by 11th grader, Sage T.
******** UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ********
Dungeons and Dragons
Thursdays / 9:20 - 12:00 / Outdoor Cafeteria or Makerspace
This new extracurricular activity continues on Thursdays! Last Thursday the Dungeons and Dragons Club met for the first time and it was a great success. Everyone had a wonderful time playing together and they invite other MEA students to join them!
Egg Drop Challenge!
Thursday, May 11 / 12:00
The Maker Space enjoyed a fun egg drop challenge for the month of April. Last week we dropped eggs, and dropped eggs and after dropping eggs from 11 feet high-the height of the bungalow, we still have four well-built egg holders that protected the eggs and would not let them break!
Join us this Thursday at noon as we continue the competition! The competitors will have to make skillful decisions as they disassemble their egg protectors piece by piece to see whose eggs will break, and whose will stand whole! Fun times and smart science!
Knot Tying Class
Thursday, May 11 / 12:30-1:30 / Outside the MakerSpace
All ages are welcome to come learn how to tie 5 knots that are handy to know! Taught by our very own Eagle Scout, Jackson S, this class promises to be fun & useful. This class is knot to be missed!
MEA Improv Team at the National Comedy Theatre
Friday, May 12 / 9:45pm
National Comedy Theatre, 3717 India St.
The MEA Improv Team placed first in an improv competition that happened over the weekend at the National Comedy Theatre! Congratulations to Eliot, Adira, Kayla, Kaitlyn, Isaac, and Megan, and the rest of the improv crew that was there for moral support!
What's next for them? They will participate in an improv battle against the professionals this Friday night at 9:45pm at the National Comedy Theatre. Come watch them for a night of hilarity and fun (get your tickets here). We guarantee you'll be laughing--either at them or with them!
(K-6) Classics for Kids Concert
Friday, May 19 / 11:30 am / Balboa Theatre
If you’d like tickets, please sign up and pay with Norma in the front office (CASH ONLY) by Friday, May 12.
Mrs. Erin Becerra has 20 tickets available for grades K-6 and parents to the following Classics 4 Kids concert: Oceans Ahoy!. Tickets are $7.00 per person. For questions, please contact Mrs. Becerra at ebecerra@sandi.net
Calling all pirates, sailors, and scientists! Come join the Classics Philharmonic on a journey to the sea. We will explore classical music written about our beautiful oceans and waterways, discuss ocean conservation and sea-life with an Oceanographic expert, and view some of the most remarkable images from under-the-sea. Leave the snorkel and swimsuit at home, but don’t miss this STEAM connection season finale.
High School Prom
The Mt. Everest Academy Prom is next week! All high school students are invited and encouraged to attend...no prom date needed!
When: Friday, May 19
Where: Mission Bay Yacht Club, 1215 El Carmel Pl, San Diego, CA 92109.
Time: 6-10 pm.
Ticket prices:
$25 until 4/30
$30 until 5/14
$35 after 5/14
No tickets sold at the door. Payment and permission slips due by 5/18 to front office. Download the permission slip here or pick one up in the front office.
Hope to see you there!
Also, parents are needed to help set up and clean up. Please email Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net if you are available and willing to help at this memorable event!
**************** MAKERSPACE ****************
Link to Makerspace calendar of activities.
From Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30-2:30, the Makerspace is open for students ready to tinker and create, unless an activity is listed as "participants only" (marked with an asterisk on the calendar). Questions? Contact supervisors: Nikki Bradford (nbradford@sandi.net) or Barb Mulvany (bmulvany@sandi.net)
****************** LIBRARY *******************
Library Dates
- Reminder, this is the LAST week for library time and library checkouts.
- All library materials (books, DVDs, Phonics Readers, Time Readers) are due May 25th.
- Textbooks are due AS SOON AS YOU ARE FINISHED WITH THEM, or by June 14th at the latest.
California Young Reader Medalists
Thanks to all of the students that voted for this year’s California Young Reader Medalists. The winning books have been announced for 2016-17:
- Primary (grades K-2): Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
- Intermediate (Grades 3-5): Mr Lemoncello’s Library
- Middle School (Grades 6-8): Keeper of the Lost Cities
- Picture Books for Older Readers (Grades 4 and up): Each Kindness
For some really good reading, check out these books at http://www.californiayoungreadermedal.org/winners/
************ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT *************
Archery Team at Nationals
Last weekend our archers (as part of the John Muir archery team) competed in the 2017 Olympic Archery in Schools (OAS) National Championship. The Mt. Everest Academy students on the team are Mikey S, Christina S, Jackson S, Edward S, and Brien F. They all had a great day shooting, and rounded out the day with a ranking in the top 10 in the nation!
******** COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ********
Summer Reading Skills Program
The Institute of Reading Development is partnered with UC San Diego Extension, and is offering reading skills programs for students entering kindergarten through 11th grade in 2017-18. There are a variety of class locations and dates in the San Diego area. Summer Reading Skills flyer
Safe Schools Summit
Saturday, May 20 / 8:00-3:00 / Ballard Parent Center
The SDUSD is hosting a Safe Schools Summit on May 20 for students in the district. The summit is for ALL students Gr. 6-12 who want to make schools safer, more affirming, and inclusive for ALL students. This youth-led and -focused conference will feature student speakers, workshops, resource tables, and free meals! Flyer
Summer Computational Biology Research Camp
Location: Scripps Research Institute
Study Genetics and Diseases at Scripps in this hands-on research camp. You will receive a certificate of completion and will qualify to become a volunteer and start a research group on campus! Geared towards participants that will be 9th-12th graders in 2017-18. There is a fee for this program.
Additionally, for those who qualify, a limited number of scholarships are available. Click here for more details and a past student’s TEDx talk.