Monday Message
October 18, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear MEA Families,
We realize that we do not have as many extracurricular offerings for K-5 as we had pre-Covid, however, we hope to offer more in the future. We also plan to offer more field trip or "meet up" experiences off campus for elementary students as the year continues. Thank you for your patience as we balance student safety and Covid- 19 procedures with "the way things used to be" on campus with parents coming and going and enjoying learning experiences together.
We are excited to announce that ASB will be hosting our annual Fall Festival. It will take place outdoors as it usually does with elementary parents accompanying their students. (Yes! You can come on campus for this!) Please find more details below. We look forward to more community events to come!
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at cbrowne@sandi.net with questions and suggestions.
Warm Regards,
Courtney Browne
Work Due for Month 2
Friday, Oct. 22 completed by 3:00pm
(must arrive by 2pm for enough time to meet with your supervising teacher)
Mt. Everest Academy must follow strict Ed Code policy regarding independent study. We realize turn-in and work samples can be a hassle, however, they MUST be done correctly in order for our program to stay in existence. So, please carefully follow instructions for turn-in and audit. If you are not sure you are doing something correctly, ask your supervising teacher. (And DO NOT write "audit" anywhere on a work sample or subject title.)
Turn in all of your work to your content area teachers
Use this checklist to prepare your work samples (audits)
Go see your supervising teacher for your monthly "check-in". You will review completed work in all of your classes with them and turn in your work samples.
We strongly suggest completing work samples on Tuesday or Wednesday this week so it is not a rush to get it done on Friday!
Welcome Ms. Ellie
Hi my name is Eri “Ellie” Suko and you can call me Ms. Ellie. I am a wife and a mom of two boys. My kids had the privilege of attending MEA last year and now I get to be here. I will be supporting teaching and learning on campus in many ways including in the library, the Maker Space, and in elementary classrooms. I am excited to be part of the community at MEA!
Fundraiser for MEA Chickens & Gardens
Stop by the front of school to view the items available for you to take home (donation based).
We currently have pomegranates and student-created succulent arrangements.
The donation box is immediately inside the door, near Ms. Ramos.
Proceeds benefit the chickens and gardens.
Free SAT Prep Course
Sign up for a free SAT Prep program for MEA high school students. Respond no later than Tuesday, October 19, hurry these spots are limited, and are first come first serve.
MEA Foundation, in partnership with UCSD, is providing an amazing opportunity for a free SAT Prep course (typically $450) for 30 high school students. This includes a pre-test (Sunday, October 24), 16 hours of instruction (weekly 4 hours of zoom training Sundays from 1:30 to 5:30 October 31 to November 21), and a post-test (complete by November 28). Please fill out the google form to start the process of enrollment.
Parent Educator Mt. Everest ID Cards
Parent Educator ID cards can be made for MEA parents, since you provide education for your students at home. Parents will need an ID card for the following:
- Once Covid restrictions are lifted, parent ID cards should be worn when you are on campus
- Receive teacher discounts at qualified businesses; see “Savings Opportunities” on our school website.
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MON, OCT. 25
In order to get a Parent Educator ID card, your portrait is needed. Please fill out this request form, where you can also upload a portrait of yourself. The request form and your portrait needs to be submitted by Monday, Oct. 25 in order to meet the deadline at Gerardy Photography (who will make these cards for us at no charge!)
Upcoming Events
Rare Tea GIVES 20% BACK
SDSU Virtual Tour
Wednesday, Oct. 27 / 2:15-3:00
SDSU will be presenting a Virtual Tour to Mrs. Sink’s high school AVID Class in the Cafeteria.
All high school students (especially Seniors!) are invited to attend this tour, either in the Cafeteria or via Zoom:
https://SDSU.zoom.us/j/83260262521?pwd=ZVEyTU9ER2lYT0NwenZ0cTZaQ0FoZz09
Passcode: 320612
SSC/SGT Meeting
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 27
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. More information, agendas, and minutes can be found on our SSC/SGT webpage. For questions, please contact Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net
Fall Festival
Wednesday, Nov. 3 / 12:30-2:30
Outdoors on the blacktop
On Wednesday November 3rd, from 12:30 - 2:30, the ASB is proud to present the Fall Festival! Students will be facilitating a variety of games and booths for children of all ages.
- The cost for the event is $5 per child
- Parents should accompany students in grades K-5
- Snacks will be available for purchase.
Daily Mindfulness and Meditation
These daily sessions will include about 10 minutes of mindfulness and meditation as well as other activities to foster health and wellness and connectedness in our community. All MEA Community members are welcome!
- When: Monday through Friday (holidays and scheduled school concerts/events excluded!)
- Where: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/7588584792 . . Passcode: MEA!
- Why: Optimum Health, Wellness, and Well-Being!
- Who: The whole MEA Community
- Time: 12-12:30 (You must login by 12:00)
Extracurriculars
* * * Click box above for Elementary Extracurricular Schedule * * *
Daily Mindfulness & Meditation
Elementary Art
Music with Mr. Johnson
PALS
Covid-19 Protocols for Elementary Students
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.
Elementary Art Reminder
Please remember that there is NO Elementary Art this week. Month 3 art will begin next week and is now full. If your child is signed up and does not attend the first class, they will be dropped and the first person on the wait list will be added. If you would like to add your child to the wait list, please email vsink@sandi.net
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
Chess
Coop Group
Daily Mindfulness & Meditation
Gaming
German
GSA
Literary Magazine
MathCounts
Music with Mr. Johnson
PALS
Sherpa’s Jam Band
Spanish Conversation
Sports Club
Young Investors Club
MEA Sports Club
Days: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Meeting Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Location: Basketball court arena
If you are a middle schooler or a high schooler who wants to play sports and have PE minutes to log at the same time, then the MEA Sports Club is the perfect fit for you. Each week we will meet twice, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It will be held in the Basketball court arena, from 12:00 to 12:30. If you are interested in playing sports, come join us!
MEA Red Cross Club Interest Form
The MEA Branch of the Red Cross will be an extension of the local Red Cross unit. This club will provide opportunities for training and leadership development. As a club member, you will have the ability to choose mission-related activities that address your community’s needs while delivering the life-saving services of the Red Cross.
Before the club can officially start and meet, there needs to be three to 6 members. If you are interested in joining the MEA Branch of the Red Cross, please fill out this MEA Red Cross Interest Form.
If you have any questions, please email me at hasanabdurrahman2015@gmail.com
Spanish Conversation Club (Grades 7-12)
2nd & 4th Tuesday of work month / 12:00-12:30 / Rm. 1
We will be playing Halloween bingo in Spanish at tomorrow’s Oct. 19th meeting.
¡Vengan a conversar! ¡Participen en la tertulia de español!
Secondary students of all levels who are currently taking Spanish at MEA and would like to practice speaking Spanish are invited to join a <<tertulia>>, or small gathering, on Tuesdays at lunch. We will meet twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the work month! Month 2's meetings will be on October 5th and 19th in the garden outside room 1. ¡Vamos a divertirnos! Let's have fun!
Humans of MEA
Humans of MEA interviews students and staff as a way to get to know each other better.
If you’d like to be interviewed, please fill out this interest form.
See interviews from 2020-21 on their website
For questions please email humansofmt.everest@gmail.com
Academic League
Academic League is back! No practice this week (turn in week). We will meet again on 10/28 from 11:30-12:30 in room 9. All are welcome!
MEA Gardens & Chickens
High School Service Hours
Two APES and one ASB student committed to over 5 combined service hours on campus this week. See image below for the work being done to “beautify” the campus, create fundraising options to support the MEA chickens + gardens and…have fun being outside and with the chickens! Everyone can benefit from the extra Vitamin D. Way to go Aisha, Anna, and Mac!
Miss Shannon continues to field (and schedule) requests for APES and ASB service hours.
Coop Group 10/15/21
What a success!
- From 8:15 until 9 AM on Thursday, Oct 15, the MEA coop group worked together on an important mission.
- The 7 present members introduced themselves to each other, participated in a thorough coop cleaning and mentoring, and spent some valuable time with the 3 resident hens!
- The highlight for the chickens: finding unexpected Japanese beetle grubs (not June bugs—do you know the difference?) underneath the pavers.
- The highlight for the group: getting to know each other and spending some time outside + with animals!
MORE DETAILS on the MEA Gardens & Chickens webpage
AROUND CAMPUS
Senior Meeting with Mr. Rubin
Mr. Rubin met with seniors to share information about applying for colleges, scholarships, and financial aid.
Helpful Information
Yearbook Discount
Treering is now offering a 5% discount for yearbooks purchased in October.
Meet with Mr. Rubin
For students and parents that would like to meet with Mr. Rubin, you may sign up for an appointment.
SDUSD Covid Testing Acknowledgement Form
This is a reminder that all families are required to make a choice on Covid testing at the start of the new school year. Every family must complete the form (access link below) and submit their response online at this time for each student. Free Covid testing in school not only helps prevent the spread of the virus, but it also helps more students stay in school and continue their education.
Covid-19 Testing Acknowledgement Form
(Note: A PowerSchool Username and Password will be required to complete the form. If you do not have the Access ID and Password for your student, please contact Ms. Ramos in the front office.)
Student Handbook
Technology Support and Resources
MEA FOUNDATION
MEA Foundation Update
MEA Foundation has reached our first $1000 for the school year, thank you to all donations! Our biggest support is future fundraising at MEA, starting with a Farmers Market. Help us fund new garden beds to be installed in November. And watch the garden grow.
All parents, students, and staff are members of MEA Foundation! If you want your voice to be heard and to have a say in the foundation programs, priorities, and finances, please contact Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net or the Foundation at info@meafoundation.org.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MEA Foundation is able to accept your donations, which are 100% tax-deductible, in order to enhance the overall experience of Mt. Everest Academy students. There are several ways you can easily give.
MEA FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- We need a few volunteers for updating our in-kind contact spreadsheet. Can you search the internet or make a phone call to help update 25 to 50 of our contacts?
- Are you interested in leading/teaching a workshop or extracurricular (art, STEM, engineering, content area, etc.)? This could be a weekly class, one time workshop or series.
- Are you familiar with accounting softwares? If so, we need some help researching a system to use for the Foundation. Or you can help research a pledge or donation system.
Please send an email to info@meafoundation.org and let us know how you would like to help.
Elementary Fall Printables
Here are a couple of Fall handouts for elementary students. Thanks to the MEA Foundation for supplying these!
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!
- First, go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/84-2089378 and set your charity to "Mount Everest Academy Foundation".
- Then, always start your shopping at https://smile.amazon.com and shop as usual while supporting our school!