Monday Message
May 23, 2022
Ms. Pachon Retires
As Mt. Everest Academy’s sole Biology teacher, Trudy Pachon, took life science teaching to another level. She brought AP Biology and Biotechnology to our school and created an independent study program that truly prepares students for college-level sciences. As if this were not enough, she has also brought her passion and expertise in the arts to our community. She established our Ceramics program, thus providing an even fuller experience to aspiring visual artists.
In addition to expanding academic opportunities for students, she has been instrumental in supporting a variety of clubs on campus, including the environmental club and art club. Her creative and thoughtful approach to teaching and lesson design has profoundly affected MEA families. We look forward to seeing what’s in store for Ms. Pachon as she embarks on her next adventure!
Message from Ms. Pachon:
"Mt. Everest Academy is the most unique place I’ve ever taught at. I have loved working here and getting to know the students, families and my amazing colleagues. I am blown away by all of the neat things going on here on this tiny campus. Our Motto: Do School Differently really has resonated with me through the years. I have had so much fun trying out interesting new science labs (which sometimes don’t work!), new lessons, and even was able to bring new classes here.
Our school champions freedom and creativity, and the folks in our community use that freedom wisely. I have been blown away by what our students and staff are doing/creating/aspiring to. It has inspired me so much!
I’ll miss my Mt. Everest family, but I hope to see you around in the future. Have a great summer!"
* * * * *
The following times have been scheduled by grade level for returning all MEA materials and re-enrolling for 2022-23. If you have students in various grades, please come during the designated time for the highest grade level and we will accommodate all of your students. Please mark your calendar!
ELEMENTARY (come to elementary gate)
Tues, 5/24...11:30-12:30...Gr. 1 & 3
Wed, 5/25...11:30-12:30... Gr. K & 5
Thur, 5/26...11:30-12:30...Gr. 2 & 4
SECONDARY (come through front gate, then bring materials to room 4)
Wed, 6/1...1:00-3:00...Gr. 6 & 7
Thur, 6/2...11:30-12:30...Gr. 8
Thur, 6/2...12:30-2:00...Seniors
Mon, 6/6...10:00-11:30...Gr. 9
Tues, 6/7...11:00-12:30...Gr. 10
Thur, 6/9...1:00-3:00...Gr. 11
Re-Enrollment
- 2022-23 enrollment forms will be available for you to sign. If your address has changed, please bring a new proof of residence.
- Master agreements will still be signed in August when textbooks are picked up.
Library Material Returns
Know what you owe! To view your library account, go to our MEA Destiny Home page
- Follow the login instructions (student ID and password).
- After logging in you can find “Know What You Owe” under “How to…” in the top left column.
- For students that have district Chromebooks, keeping them over the summer is optional. However ALL students will be required to bring their Chromebooks back at book pickups in August to renew the checkout date for the new school year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Lunch concert with Mr. Johnson's students
Tuesday, May 24 / 12:00-12:30 / Auditorium
Mr. Johnson’s students will perform a variety of songs for their fellow students. Come fill your belly with lunch and fill your soul with music!
Community Mural Painting Days
You may have seen some outlines going up over the past weeks outside Dr. Rodenberg's, Ms. Mullen's, and Ms. Sink's rooms and now it's finally time to start painting. Students and staff members please join the MEA mural team in the painting of a new mural. Feel free to come by during the times listed below, stay for the whole time or dip in and out. Be sure to wear clothes that you don't mind getting paint on!
Secondary students & Staff
Tuesday 5/24…12:30-2:30
Thursday 5/26…12:30-2:30
Secondary students, Staff & Elementary students (sign up below)
Tuesday 5/31…11:30-1:30
Wednesday 6/1…11:30-3:00
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS may sign up for a 1 hour block per day at the following times (limit 10 per hour). Parents should accompany students in grades K-5.
- Tuesday 5/31…..11:30-12:30…..12:30-1:30
- Wednesday 6/1..…11:30-12:30…..12:30-1:30…1:30-2:30
SSC/SGT Meeting
Date: Wednesday, May 25
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Zoom: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/89056497845
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. The meeting agenda will be posted on the SSC/SGT webpage. For questions, please contact Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net
Lunch Concert with the MEA Jam Band
Thursday, May 26 / 12:00 / Auditorium
Drums, keyboard, guitar, bass, and vocals…MEA students will be jammin’ with good vibrations under the direction of Mr. Mark Fisher.
Memorial Day Weekend
Friday, May 27 & Monday, May 30
Schools and district offices will be closed in honor of those who have died and for those who have put their lives on the line to defend the United States of America while serving in the US Armed Forces.
End-of-Year Concert
Tuesday, May 31 / 5:30-6:30pm / MEA Auditorium
Mr. Johnson’s students will showcase some of the musical pieces they have learned this year. Everyone is invited to come enjoy our Choir, Beginning Band, Advanced Band, Beginning String, and Advanced Strings as they perform for your listening pleasure!
Masks are not required, but highly recommended.
MEA Family Picnic
Friday, June 3 / 11:00-1:30
Mission Bay Crown Point Shores North
The MEA Family Picnic is ba-a-ack!! Our last picnic was held on 5/31/2019 and we’re so excited to return to this MEA end-of-the-year tradition! There’s a change in food handling this year, as families are asked to bring their own picnic lunches. But there is no change in the enjoyment of getting together with our wonderful MEA community.
- There will be music, games (including the annual Students vs. Staff kickball game) and lots of fun!
- Join in the activities, or sit on the grass, enjoy the food and chat with friends
- Bring chairs and blankets to sit on, as well as your picnic lunch,
- If you purchased a yearbook, it will be available for you to pick up at the picnic. This is a great time to have your friends sign it, so don’t forget a pen!
Except for CAASPP testing, the MEA campus will be closed on Friday, June 3, after 10:00am.
This is a wonderful chance to celebrate the completion of a terrific school year and welcome summer vacation!
Parking Lot, far north lot: 3740 Corona Oriente Rd., San Diego, 92109
Promotion Ceremonies
Zoom: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/4817936636
passcode 917155
Kindergarten: Tuesday, June 7, 10:00
5th grade: Wednesday, June 8, 10:30
8th grade: Wednesday, June 8, 1:30
Senior Graduation
Senior Graduation Rehearsal & Celebration
Thursday, June 9, 12:30-3:00
MEA Auditorium
Senior Graduation Ceremony
Friday, June 10, 6:00-7:30pm
CPMA Middle School Auditorium
5050 Conrad Ave, SD, 92117
The auditorium is located at the front of the school, and there is plenty of parking.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Summer Chicken Care Interest Survey
The MEA chickens will need care this summer every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6/20/22 - 8/26/22. Please let us know if your family would like to help by giving us your contact information in this Chicken Care Interest Form.
After we receive all interested families’ contact information, we will be sending out a link to a google doc on a group email with dates to sign up. Please use your district email if you can.
Please submit your name by 5/31/22.
Enrollment Plans for 2022-2023?
Dear Mt. Everest Academy families,
Please let us know if you plan to re-enroll at MEA for 2022-23 or if you are planning to transfer to another school.
Here is a short form to fill out. Thank you!
Order a Yearbook
Didn’t order a yearbook? It’s not too late! You can still order your copy from TreeRing and have it shipped to your home.
Below is the yearbook cover designed by Sophia Kalyuzhny, grade 11.
SDUSD March for Mental Health
On Thursday, May 26th at 4:30 pm, SDUSD students are holding a march at the district office. This march is a rally for student mental health, calling for continued support and change within the district. In lieu of May's Mental Health Awareness Month, we have three requests: 1. communicate existing mental health resources, 2. represent student advocacy groups at the district level, and 3. implement calendarized mental health minimum days into the school schedule. Included in the event will be student speakers, a short march around the building, and wellness related crafts. Information is included in the flier below-- feel free to send it to your friends! Email Leena (MEA 11th grader) at leenayumi1@gmail.com with any questions.
Not using library materials?
The more materials that are returned sooner, the smoother that scheduled returns will go later.
MEA Parents: please fill out LCFF
Mt. Everest Academy needs parents to fill out a very short form, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The LCFF will ensure that we receive all the state funding we’re entitled to. This information is private and will not be used for any other purposes. It will not affect children receiving free meals.
The 2022-23 LCFF is available now to reduce the burden of collecting data during the busy time of school openings in the Fall. Explanation letter
- Access the LCFF Form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal
- The LCFF form is only available in the Parent Portal to parents, not students.
- Here is a job aid to assist in entering information
For more information about LCFF, please contact Maria Ramos (mramos3@sandi.net).
“Senior Shelf” Legacy Project
Dear Senior Class of 2022,
What is your favorite novel, play, or book of poetry? Why do you love it? Would you like to share this beloved book and your thoughts about it with the greater, and future, MEA community? Please consider donating a copy of your favorite book to our MEA library.
Your selection will be included on the "Senior Shelf" as a legacy project that you can visit when you return to visit your alma mater (which we hope you will do- a lot!). You will also be able to add a few personal comments on a bookplate that will be placed on the inside cover.
Guidelines: Please make sure the book's content is school-appropriate (high school and below). We will support anyone who needs help acquiring or purchasing the book. Funds are limited, so it would be first come, first serve. Please feel free to contact me by email, and include the title and author of the book (and particular edition, if that is important). It is also perfectly fine for you to donate a gently used, pre-read copy that you already own and are willing to share with your fellow MEA Wolves!
We would like your books to be brought in no later than Friday, May 27. Please send your thoughts via email to nmullen@sandi.net, and I will print them out and put them in your book selection. You can drop off any time before May 27th in the library, the main office (there will be a box labeled "Senior Shelf"), or room 1. Please put your name on the book somewhere so that we know it's from you.
Last year's Senior Shelf is on the bookcase near the reading carpet and comfy chairs by the window. Check it out for some inspiration, and to see what the Class of 2021 donated and said about their books.
Thank you for considering participating in this project. We at MEA all hope you will leave a little, "literal" piece of yourself in the small but mighty MEA Library!
Congratulations on reaching this amazing milestone- the end of high school!
Nancy Mullen
Senior Requirements Checklist
Upcoming graduation requirements:
- Thursday, 6/2 - Final schoolwork and work samples due. Textbooks returned. Acknowledge completion of all in Google Classroom.
Luke G. in SSS State Championships
Luke Godinez, 7th grade, qualified to participate in Scholastic Surf Series (SSS) State Championships -boys short board division with the Correia/Peninsula Surf Team the weekend of May 21-22.
EXTRACURRICULARS
* * * Click box above for Elementary Extracurricular Schedule * * *
Chicken Coop Cooperative • Daily Mindfulness & Meditation • Elementary Art
Elementary Chess • Music with Mr. Johnson • PALS
“C3” for grades K-5
Wednesday, May 25 / 12:30-1:30
Miss Shannon is offering the last Chicken Coop Cooperative (C3) of the school year on Wednesday, May 25 from 12:30 until 1:30:
This hour is designed for the K through 5 students to spend some time getting to know the chickens, and hanging out with other students. We will occasionally harvest greens growing from the gardens to offer them as well. We will be mindful of washing hands after interacting with the chickens: food for kids first (if eating on campus), then food for chickens.
Please sign in at the front office and the students can be sent directly to the chicken coop. Students will be walked back to the front office at 1:30.
Chess for Elementary Students
Every Thursday / 12:00-12:45 / Parent Room
The focus of this group is on elementary students, but older students are also welcome. Mr. Martin Nilsson and MEA student, Sebastian, will be leading these sessions. Here are a couple of free websites for learning chess: (Lichess.org and Chesskid.com). Practice, practice, practice!
Sign your elementary child in at the front office at 11:55 (unless they are in 2nd or 4th grade and already on campus). Students will be walked back to the front gate for parents to pick up at 12:45.
PALS Tutoring
Wednesdays & Thursdays / 12:30-1:45 / Room 6
Trained tutors are ready to help you get your classwork done. All students grades K-12 who would like some extra help can come to room 6 every Wednesday and Thursday during 4th period (12:30-1:45pm). All grades are welcome, as we have tutors for all grade levels. PALS is a great way to build community and academic skills!
Parents, K-5 students attending PALS must arrive with a check-in form so tutors know what to work on with your child and you receive a report on how things went. (Extra forms will be available when you drop off in case you forget or can't print one at home.)
- K-5 students attending studygroup and PALS on the same day should be signed in when parents drop off at 9am. Parents must indicate if their student is staying for supervised lunch and PALS
- K-5 students attending ONLY PALS on any given day should be signed in outside the front office.
- 6-12 students can report directly to Room 6.
Music classes with Mr. Johnson
These classes are held every Tuesday. Please sign your child in at the front office and note which class(es) they will be attending.
- 8:05- 8:55 - Beginning Band
- 9:05- 9:55 - Choir
- 10:05- 10:55 - Advanced Band
- 11:05 - 11:55 - Music theory (for upper grades)
- 12:30- 1:20 - Advanced Strings (open to secondary)
- 1:35- 2:25 - Beginning Strings
* * * Click box above for Secondary Extracurricular Schedule * * *
Academic League • Ally Action • Anime • Chess • Coop Group • Daily Mindfulness & Meditation • Gaming • German • GSA • Literary Magazine • MathCounts • Mental Health • Music with Mr. Johnson • PALS • Rubik's Cube • Sherpa’s Jam Band • Spanish Conversation • Sports Club • Young Investors Club
"Heights"
After months of preparation and creative initiative, the MEA Literary Magazine has finally published its first issue of Heights!
Please log in to "Heights" with a sandi.net account, and then click on the “Issues” tab. Enjoy this thoughtful compilation of student work!
MEET-UPS
Elementary Meet-Ups
During this school year, elementary students have ventured out into San Diego and visited the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, San Diego Archaeological Center, and the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center. Students enjoyed hands-on activities and docent-led discussions while learning more about the city of San Diego.
Around Campus
Squid Dissection & Cooking
To end their 5th grade year, students learned about the different groups of mollusks through sorting shells of bivalves and gastropods, dissecting their own squid- searching for gills, reproductive parts, beak, pen, ink sac and more- and finishing up the day cooking up their own squid covered in seasoned bread crumbs.
Check out the action in these brief videos:
San Diego Famous Place Project
3rd graders completed their San Diego Famous Place project and shared their dioramas and models during their Publishing Party in Mrs. Battin’s class. The 3rd graders at MEA are so creative and talented!
MEA GARDENS & CHICKENS
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Class schedule for 2022-2023
For your planning purposes, the class schedule for 2022-2023 is ready! We have done our best to consolidate 9-12th grade classes so that students enrolled in a standard grade level program have classes over 1-2 days as opposed to 3 days. Please check it out here. Please note, this schedule is subject to change until the first day of school, but we always try to limit changes once it has been published.
AmazonSmile
MEA Foundation is fully registered with AmazonSmile as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon.com will donate to MEA Foundation at no cost to you,
If you haven't already, log on to smile.amazon.com and designate Mount Everest Academy Foundation as your charity of choice.
- Don't forget to bookmark smile.amazon.com for all of your Amazon purchases.
- Amazon will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases made via smile.amazon.com to the Foundation.
School Spirit Store
Parents are now able to use SchoolCash Online to buy and pay for items using Visa/Visa Debit and Mastercard/Mastercard Debit. We are currently selling school spirit wear and other fundraising items like lanyards, water bottles and DVDs. Simply order online and then come pick up your purchase in the MEA front office.
Please create an account to access our online catalog.
Meet with School Counselor
For students and parents that would like to meet with Mr. Rubin, our school counselor, please sign up for an appointment.
community announcements
Architecture Summer Camp
July 21-23
For ages 11-13
Design a roller rink!
MEA parent, Jennifer Swedell, is leading this architecture workshop! (Ms. Swedell recently led MEA Architecture for Kids here at MEA.)
Participants will spend a day at Skateworld and Derby United roller rinks, studying the built environment, skating and sketching.
The second day, participants will synthesize their observations, inspiration and sketches into their own conceptual design for a roller rink. They will be using traditional and digital drawing and model-making methods.
Signup by emailing together@sdnoma.com
Project Pipeline is a national initiative of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Their mission is to empower young people to affect change in their community through design. Using the city as the classroom and connecting young people to real-world architects and planners, they foster the next generation of design professionals, civic leaders, and changemakers. They advocate for increased inclusiveness, diversity, fellowship, equity, and excellence in design.
Chess Summer Camp 2022
June 20-24
Mt. Everest Academy
“Chess Minds in Motion”
MEA parent, Martin Nilsson, is offering this chess workshop. Mr. Nilsson is a USCF Life Master, USCF Professional Coach, and Swedish Cadet National Champion.
Link to Chess Summer Camp 2022 flyer.
An Ethnic Studies Summer Experience
MOVEMENTS: Intro to Ethnic Studies, Summer 2022
Located at the Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd
This experience will feature:
- Essential questions about identity, race, ethnicity, and systems
- Weekly field trips that explore the LOCAL BIPOC history of San Diego
- Local community guest speakers and workshops
- Opportunities for self and community expression
Link to register (deadline May 31)
SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass - Pronto Cards
SANDAG has teamed up with MTS, NCTD, and the County of San Diego to connect youth to school, jobs, entertainment, and more! Starting May 1, anyone 18-years-old and younger can ride transit for FREE in San Diego County through the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program. Youth can get unlimited rides on the bus, Trolley, COASTER, and SPRINTER through June 2023 with a Youth PRONTO account. https://youthopportunitypass.sandag.org/