Monday Message
4/24/17
The Magic Flute
And for the rest of the story...
More pictures have been added to the slide show of "The Magic Flute." Thank you again to Dana Dirks for the photos!
IMPROV SHOW
The MEA Improv show was not one to be missed! The students were imaginative, creative and most of all, funny! The audience was kept chuckling as the Improv team worked together to create scenes and situations out of thin air. They were a smooth running team who we expected to entertain us and they certainly did! Thank you for an event that sent us all home smiling!
Old Town Trip
Ever wonder what the Old Town historical and cultural field trip for elementary students is all about? Well, now here's an opportunity to find out! Presented to us through the professional eye of photographer and MEA parent, Dana Dirks, is a portrayal of the tour that demonstrates the clothing and activities that took place in the 1800s. Enjoy this historical journey!
************* ANNOUNCEMENTS *************
Testing/Class Calendar for May 2017
Important!
Here is the testing/class calendar for the month of May, which will affect all students' schedules.
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.
California School Parent Survey
Dear Mt. Everest Academy Parents,
Please remember to turn in your California School Parent Surveys by this Friday! This is your opportunity to share your opinions about the climate of our school.
If you haven't gotten a survey form yet, you may get one from your child's supervising teacher. Please note that parents only need to complete and return one survey - for your oldest child attending Mt. Everest Academy. Finished surveys should be returned to the front office by Friday, April 28. Thank you!
******** UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ********
Required AP Test Pre-Administration Session
Tuesday, April 25 / 11:50am / Cafeteria
For students that have signed up to take AP tests, please plan to attend this mandatory AP Pre-Administration Session. If you are unable to attend, please contact Mrs. Browne or Mr. Zappala. Link to AP exam information on CollegeBoard
Earth Day Festival
Wednesday, April 26 / 11:00-1:00
The Environmental Club is hosting MEA's second annual Earth Day Festival and first ever clothing and book swap on April 26th from 11am-1pm. Stop by the blacktop for games, inspiring speakers, live music, and awesome booths. Peruse the auditorium for a groovy clothing and book swap. Bring in your unwanted clothes, accessories, and books (for all ages) starting on April 25th to donation tables in the Auditorium.
Egg Drop Challenge
Wednesday, April 26 / 12:15 / Maker Space
This is the week! EGG DROP CHALLENGE! Please meet at the Maker Space at 12;15 so we can drop some eggs! If you aren't able to make it, we'll take your contraption out for you. Please make sure your name is labeled on your work. We'll start at the playground and from there go higher until the final crack!
SSC/SGT Meeting
Wednesday, April 26 / 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
Holocaust Survivor Speaker
Thursday April 27 / 10:30 - 12:00 / Auditorium
Rose Schindler will be speaking to our Mt. Everest Community (students, parents, staff, friends, and neighbors) about her experiences in Auschwitz, an infamous concentration camp, during World War II. From 1940 to 1945, an estimated 1.1 million people perished at Auschwitz. This is a historic opportunity that you will not want to miss.
Rose spent four months there, as a 14-year-old and was likely destined for the gas chamber because she was considered too skinny to work. But Schindler was able to get away by sneaking aboard a transport filled with those selected for factory work. She made uniforms and gas masks there until the war ended.
Schindler’s parents and five of her seven siblings were killed in the Holocaust.
Rose and her husband, Max, came to speak at our school last year. Since then, Max has passed away, but Rose will return to our school to speak in more depth and detail about her time in the camp. So few of these survivors from World War II are still alive and even fewer are able to go out to speak. This is an incredible opportunity to hear and be able to ask questions about a part of history that most only read about in a book.
Some of what Rose will share may be difficult to hear, so be sure your student is ready for this information. There is quite a bit of information online and on YouTube that would be a great way to get ready to hear from people that lived through this time.
Bring your family and friends.
For questions:
Linda Patterson - mydividog@yahoo.com
Bruce Sharp - bsharp@sandi.net
Note to Mr. Sharp's students (excluding AP US History): Your attendance at this event is required as part of your Month 9 work.
Woodbus!
Friday, April 28
Ages 5-8 / 9:00-10:00am / $15.00 per student
Ages 9-10 / 10:15-11:45am / $20.00 per student
CASH ONLY, PLEASE
Sheila Dawson is bringing her mobile woodworking program "I Can Build It Myself" to Mt. Everest Academy. This is a practical and productive hands-on-hand-tools class. All wood, tools and safety glasses are provided. Children must wear closed toe shoes (no exceptions) to participate.
If you’d like your child to participate, please sign up and pay (CASH ONLY) in the office with Norma by Wednesday, April 26.
For questions, please contact Mrs. Becerra at ebecerra@sandi.net
“Spiritual Diversity in Education”
Friday, April 28 / 9:00-12:00pm / 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.
Quizbowl for Middle Schoolers
Sunday, April 30 / Madison High School
Here is an opportunity for 6th, 7th and 8th graders to participate in an Academic League type competition with only students in the same age category. It starts at 9am, but check-in will be at 8:30, and the matches will last until about 4pm. It should be lots of fun!
Please email Mr. Jacobs at jjacobs@sandi.net to let him know if you are interested.
**************** 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 *******************
May Library Challenge
This month’s challenge is all about you! Create a bibliography of something that interests YOU! You may use easybib.com, or you can do one yourself. Your bibliography MUST include at least four websites and at least two print materials (books or magazines).
A helpful place to begin your search is our very own library’s website, Destiny. If you go to destiny.sandi.net, you will find many resources for research right there on the homepage. Safari Montage will need your student ID and password, others use the username sandi1 and the password library. If you click on the plus sign next to Atypical Sites, you will find Mt Everest Academy. Click there, then click on catalog at the top to search books in our library. On the left of this page is Destiny Discoverer. If you do your search from here, this will find books, ebooks and websites that meet your search criteria.
Your bibliography is due in the library by 12:00, May 10th to receive a prize, have fun!
Library Dates
The last day to check out library materials for the school year is May 12th. All library materials (books, DVDs, Time Readers, Phonics Readers) are due by May 25th.
The last week for Library Time is May 16th through May 18th.
Textbooks are due to the textbook room (room 4) AS SOON AS YOU ARE FINISHED WITH THEM, or by June 14th at the latest.
Did you know that you can look online to see what you've got checked out?
USE THIS DIRECT LINK: https://destiny.sandi.net/?site=221
- Click on LOGIN on the upper right corner and use your school username and password
OR, GO TO ONE OF THESE WEBSITE ADDRESSES:
- Go to destiny.sandi.net or library.sandi.net
- Click the plus (+) sign next to Atypical Site, then click on Mt. Everest Academy
- This will take you to the home page.
- Click on LOGIN on the upper right corner and use your school username and password
Once you are logged in, you can click the my info tab to find out what you have checked out.
Thank you!
******** COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ********
Summer Tennis Camps and Tennis Lessons
At the Linda Vista Rec Center, 9 weekly tennis camps are being offered between June 19-August 18. Year round tennis lessons for all ages and skill levels are also available.
Aside being fun to play, tennis is a sport that cultivates physical well-being, decision making and critical thinking skills, and life long friendships!
Free Books for Kids - Children's Book Party
Saturday, April 29 / 8:30-10:30am / Balboa Park
Reading Literacy Leaning, Inc., presents its 33rd annual "Children's Book Party" Saturday, April 29 at the Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Children will receive free new books. Entertainment and refreshments are provided. Admission is free. All kids are welcome.
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.