Monday Message
5/22/17
Join us for the COLOR RUN!
High School Prom
MEA at Chess SuperNationals Tournament
A few of our MEA students (and parents) travelled to Nashville, TN for the Chess SuperNationals Tournament. There's more information and an AWESOME VIDEO in the "Student Spotlight" section below where you can see our chess superstars in action!
************* ANNOUNCEMENTS *************
Testing/Class Calendar for May 2017
Important!
Here is the testing/class calendar for the month of May, which affects all students' schedules.
SMARTER BALANCED TESTING - grades 7, 8, 11
Week of May 22
Grades 7, 8 & 11 are being tested Monday-Thursday mornings from 8:30-12:00
Grades 7-12: no study groups this week (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 have been sent out from teachers with the specific schedule, parent previews, and permission forms. Information about the RRR classes is available on the SDUSD website.
TEST EXEMPTION
For students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 that are not participating in the Smarter Balanced testing, a test exemption form MUST be turned in. The forms are available and can be filled out in the front office. Thank you for your attention to this.
Thank you students!
A big shout out to the students who piloted the California Science Test last week! The four students braved browser issues, computer glitches, and identified bugs while piloting the brand new California Science Test. Thanks so much Nathan H., Haley H., Stephen K., and Emileigh S. Their help will make the test better for next year. You are the best!
PALS - Last Week
Last day: Thursday, May 25
PALS Tutoring will be closing for the 2016-17 school year after Thursday, May 25.
Extracurricular Activities - last week
This is the last official week for extracurricular activities (a few activities have already ended) EXCEPT for music classes on Wednesdays with Mr. Johnson. The last day for those music classes will be Wednesday, May 31.
Library Materials Due This Thursday
Thursday, May 25
All library materials (books, DVDs, Phonics Readers, Time Readers) are due by this Thursday, May 25.
What have you got checked out?
To see what you've got checked out, CLICK HERE and follow the steps below:
- Click on LOGIN on the upper right corner
- Enter your school username and password
- Click on MY INFO
NCAA accounts for seniors
Seniors who have NCAA clearinghouse accounts need to take care of some business in order to make sure their certification is complete. Please follow this link to see what items need your attention.
Mrs. Flo is staying at MEA!
Last week, the district rescinded many layoff notices to teachers and we are ecstatic that Ms. Flo was one of them. There is no need to worry anymore, as Mrs. Flo will be returning to MEA next school year leading Kinder and all art classes. Feel free to stop by to give her your words of relief and joy!
Lost and Found
Here's a link to pictures of items that are in our lost & found; clothing, water bottles, etc. If you recognize something as yours, 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.
Re-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 Thursday, May 25.
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.
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.
Memorial Day Holiday
Friday, May 26 & Monday, May 29
School will be closed this Friday and next Monday in honor of those who have died and also for those who have put their lives on the line to defend the United States of America.
High school art using the concept of rhythm
******** UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ********
SSC/SGT Meeting
Wednesday, May 24 / 2:00 / Room 11
All parents are invited to attend the School Site Committee (SSC) meeting. The SSC is a shared decision-making body composed of parents, staff, and students. Our Council identifies needs for academic programs and sets budgets to support these programs. For questions, please contact Mrs. Courtney Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net
Join us for the COLOR RUN!
Thursday, May 25 / 12:30-2:30 / Dirt field below Wiggin bungalows
SIGN UP HERE TO PARTICIPATE OR VOLUNTEER!
- MEA is hosting this powder color fun run for all ages
- Sign up online to participate or volunteer
- ASB is providing FREE white t-shirts, all sizes available, see Ms. Ele in the Computer Lab for early selection
- There will be an obstacle course and all participants will have a turn at tossing colors AND running the course!
- FREE POPSICLES, TOO!
- Forward questions to parent Gail Shingler at gailshingler@yahoo.com
Introduction to Coding
Want to learn the basics of how to code? Next week, join MEA in a series of coding activities and lessons, as we have fun picking up computer science skills, conquering challenges, and being creative! More info to come.
Date (preliminary): May 31, 1:00 to 3:00 / June 1, 11:00 to 1:00
Each individual lesson will be 1 hour long.
Location: TBD
MEA Family Picnic
Friday, June 2 / 11:00-2:00 / Mission Bay Crown Point Shores North
This year's picnic promises to be bigger and more incredible than ever- if you can imagine that!!!
- Mr. Zappala will be at work on the barbecue turning out hot dogs and burgers
- Parents, please bring a dish to share (salad, desert, chips, fruit, etc)
- Paper plates, cups, napkins and utensils will be provided, but please bring your own re-useable plates & cups if you want to be more "green."
- There will be fun and entertainment for all!
- Join in the activities, or sit on the grass, enjoy the food and chat with friends
- Bring chairs and blankets to sit on
This is a wonderful chance to celebrate the completion of a terrific school year and welcome summer vacation!
End-of-Year Concert
Tuesday, June 6 / 5:00 pm / Auditorium
Everyone is invited to this musical extravaganza featuring Mr. Johnson’s music students; they will be performing for your listening pleasure!
- Choir
- Beginning Orchestra
- Beginning Band
- Advanced Orchestra
- Advanced Band
Promotions and Graduation Schedule
Kindergarten Promotion
Tuesday, June 6 / 10:00-11:00 am / Auditorium
5th and 8th grade Promotion Luncheon
Wednesday, June 7 / 12:00-1:00 pm / Cafeteria
Senior Graduation Rehearsal
Friday, June 9 / 2:15 pm
Creative Performing and Media Arts School (CPMA) Auditorium
The auditorium is located at the front of the school, and there is plenty of parking.
Senior Graduation
Monday, June 12 / 3:00 pm
Please note that balloons will need to be kept outside, as an errant helium balloon would set off a fire alarm.
**************** 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)
Greetings from the Maker Space!
We've had a great first year here in room 7, learning and creating as we go along! We've enjoyed having classes in to work on projects, creating monthly challenges, hosting free tinkering time and encouraging high school students to teach our elementary students.
We'd love for our MEA community to send us any ideas they have for next year: feedback of what worked and didn't work, project ideas, and any suggestions as we start to plan for next year.
We'd also love it if you could think of us over the summer. :) Donations are greatly appreciated as we take what you donate to create new projects and fun learning for our students. If you can hold your donations and bring them in in September (we have no room for them here over the summer) we'd greatly appreciate it. We are open to what you'd like to donate but here are some ideas:
- paper towel/toilet paper rolls
- hot glue sticks
- stickers, jewels
- ribbon
- felt
- material
- coffee filters
- electronics/building materials
- colorful duct tape
- paper cutters
- popsicle sticks
- paper clips
- scissors
- buttons
- toothpicks
- And really, any arts and crafts supplies
Thank you!
Barb Mulvany (bmulvany@sandi.net) and Nikki Bradford(nbradford@sandi.net)
****************** LIBRARY *******************
Library Deadlines
All library materials (books, DVDs, Phonics Readers, Time Readers) are due by May 25.
Textbooks are due AS SOON AS YOU ARE FINISHED WITH THEM, or by June 14th at the latest.
To see what you've got checked out, CLICK HERE and follow the steps below:
- Click on LOGIN on the upper right corner
- Enter your school username and password
- Click on MY INFO
************* STUDENT SPOTLIGHT *************
Michele E. performs in Spreckels organ concerts
Michele E., grade 11, played on the Spreckels organ along with her teacher Dr Alison Luedeke for their Mother’s Day concert on Sunday 5/14/17, program listed here. See Michele perform on this webcast! Her piece is about 26 minutes into the video (actually about 3mins earlier but there was a technical problem and she had to sit there and wait!)
The day before, 5/13, Michele also participated in the AGO/Spreckels scholarships auditions and got selected as part of the top 8 contestants to play again on the Spreckels organ for the Young Organists concert on June 4 at 2:00 pm. Come see Michele perform and enjoy this Sunday afternoon in the pavillion! These concerts are always free.
MEA Team Wins 5th Place at Chess SuperNationals Tournament
The Chess SuperNationals is a chess tournament that takes place every four years in Nashville, TN., and a few of our MEA students and parents made the trip! This year, the tournament had over 5,000 participants, and it took place May 12-14. Sebastian N. (grade 3), Ria Rizo (grade 5), Petunia Rizo (grade 6), and Aaron C. (grade 8) competed in the K-8 U1000 division. Our students each played 7 games over 3 days, and most games were 2+ hours long. They brought home a 5th place team trophy for MEA, out of 44 teams competing. In addition, Aaron won 12th place as an individual, and Ria and Sebastian tied for 20th place.
******** COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ********
Tecolote Family Day
Saturday, June 3 / 10:00-2:00 / Tecolote Nature Center
Fun for all ages, with lots of engaging activities: snake encounters, nature crafts, creating with clay, insect investigations, and more! Tecolote Family Day flyer
2017 Summer Mentoring Program with SD City
Opportunity for 8th-12 graders!
Connect with a career professional and be exposed to the diverse opportunities in various City of San Diego departments! Some possibilities are 30-hour internships with homework program assistance, recreation program assistance, research assistance, and much, much more!
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.