Monday Message
9/9/19
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Building our new garden
Students and parents helped build and plant our new MEA garden under the direction of Good Neighbor Gardens farmhands. More building and planting to come!
**** UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ****
Back to School Night
Wednesday, September 11 / 5:00-7:00pm
We hope to see everyone at Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 11 from 5-7pm! There will be student entertainment and pizza and salad for sale starting at 4:45! Feel free to bring food into classrooms.
5:00-5:30 - Open classrooms: Teachers will be available in their classrooms to answer questions or just say hello
5:30-6:00 - The first MEA Parent Foundation meeting takes place in the auditorium. Come share your ideas for community events and fundraising!
6:05-6:30 - Workshop sessions (Naviance, Germany trip Summer 2020 info, K-4 ELA curriculum overview)
6:35-7:00 - Workshop sessions (High School panel for new students, Research tools, Naviance)
5:30-7:00 - Childcare provided (sign in at the MakerSpace)
ASB students help organize and run this event. See you there!
Germany Trip Presentation
For a preview of the 2020 Summer Germany trip, take a look at the planned itinerary. At 6:05pm Mr. Spiegelberg will discuss the trip in more detail, and we'll try to determine the dates that will work best for all who want to go on this trip!
MEA Picture Day
Thursday, September 19 / 8:30-12:30 / Auditorium
STUDENTS
It's important that all students have their picture taken! The picture will be used for the student's school ID card and the school yearbook.
Families also have the option to purchase a picture package:
- Order Online
Go to: mylifetouch.com. The Mt. Everest picture day I.D. is CK139106Y0. Pay online with a credit card, before or after portraits are taken. - Order Form
Lifetouch order forms are available in the front office and the Parent Room. On Picture Day, bring the order form and payment by either a check made payable to “Lifetouch” or cash (EXACT CHANGE).
PARENTS
Please have your picture taken on this day also, for your Parent Educator ID card!
If you're planning to be on campus for more than student drop off and pick up, you must wear a Parent Educator ID card and lanyard, as per the Campus Code of Conduct policy.
The cost for a parent ID card is $3 and must be paid on Picture Day, with cash (EXACT CHANGE) or a check made payable to "Lifetouch."
Parents, if you're not able to make this Sept. 19 Picture Day, you may instead email a headshot of yourself to Linda Ele at lele@sandi.net. You will also need to mail $3 to Lifetouch for the ID card; Linda will send you the address after you send her your headshot.
QUESTIONS?
Please email Linda Ele at lele@sandi.net
Chipotle Fundraiser
The first fundraiser of the Mount Everest Academy Foundation is coming soon! Let’s start off the year right by meeting new MEA families and reconnecting with others (over burritos)!
**** ANNOUNCEMENTS ****
PSAT sign ups for 10/16 PSAT
Students must sign up by Friday, Sept. 20 for the PSATs on 10/16. All 10th and 11th graders can take the test for free, however, they must be signed up so their test is ordered. If your student is in another grade level and would like to test, we will be publishing a list of dates and locations where the test is being offered and how to sign up. Due to multiple factors, the October 16th date at Mt. Everest is only for current 10th and 11th graders.
PowerSchool Portal for Parents
Mt. Everest Academy uses a student information system called PowerSchool.
For grades 6-12, PowerSchool has a grading program that is being used by your child's teachers. This is the address of the website where you can go to view their academic progress: https://powerschool.sandi.net/public
- One way to access your child's information is by using his/her student ID number and student password.
- Another way to access your child's information is by setting up your own parent account. With a parent account you will be able to see information for all of your children that are in the San Diego Unified School District. If you are new to Mt. Everest, instructions for setup and access were mailed to your home. If you are a returning parent and do not have your login information, please come to the front office with a photo ID to receive this information.
National Honor Society
Students who are in grades 10-12 are welcome to apply for the Mt. Everest Academy National Honor Society Chapter.
Students must be in grades 10+, GPA of 3.75 or higher, 30+ hours of documented volunteer hours, and leadership experience (either on campus or in the community). There is no cost to apply, but students who are inducted may gain access to scholarship opportunities through the NHS.
Applications are on Dr. Rodenberg's website and are due to her by 3:00pm on Friday, September 20 (turn in Friday).
Save 15% on your yearbook
The 2019-20 MEA Yearbook is on sale now! Order your copy by September 30 to get a 15% discount (regular price: $29 + tax). Learn more by clicking here: 2019-20 MEA Yearbook
This year's book gives each student 2 free pages to fill with their own photos and memories. The sooner you buy the yearbook, the sooner you can start creating your pages!
Follow the links in the sale flyer to purchase your copy, or click here: Purchase Your 2019-20 MEA Yearbook (School Passcode: 1013183679162246)
Dress Code Reminders: Please review with your student
Parents, please review the school dress code with your student(s) as soon as possible. The complete dress code can be found here. This is a reminder that students should not wear sandals to school or halter tops, strapless, or tube tops even if the top is covered with a jacket, sweater, or shirt. School is a professional atmosphere and, although this style may be acceptable in other public places, it is inappropriate for school or workplace settings. We were lenient the first week of school by just warning students. Starting this week, students who are dresscoded will be asked to wear a loaner school shirt. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Library Challenge - September
The first Library Challenge of the year is a crossword puzzle! Find the puzzle on the library's webpage, or pick one up in the library. Turn your completed form into the library by Thursday, September 26, 12:30 pm to receive a prize!
Seeking Playground Equipment Donations
Mrs. Finney’s K-2 classes are seeking outdoor play equipment for recess, new or gently used. Things on our wish list include:
- An outdoor playhouse (and accessories, if possible)
- An outdoor kitchen
- A sand table
- Bouncy balls
- A soccer net
- Hula hoops
- Jump ropes
- Bean bag toss
- And so on . . .
Please bring your donations to room 11.
A huge thanks to anyone able to contribute!
Study Group Schedule
Here's a link to the Study Group schedule.
Free Binders
Organizing your school work for the year? We have lots of gently used binders of all sizes that are free for the taking. Come by the book room and take your pick!
Coop Group
Meet this year's "Coop Group!" These students have become very knowledgeable about our feathered friends. They are our "chicken ambassadors," and are responsible for taking care of the MEA chickens and their habitat.
Where in the World are the Gaileys?
Two of our graduating seniors from last year have taken a “gap year” and are traveling the world! This brother and sister team is sharing their escapades for us all to enjoy through social media.
Website: www.321travelers.com
Check them out! They will surely appreciate followers and subscribers along their journey!
**** Extracurricular activities ****
Here's a first draft of this year's extracurricular activities schedule! This is a work in progress; we will continue to add to and fine-tune the schedule as needed.
Activities Starting This Week!
- Music with Mr. Johnson on Tuesday, 9/10
- Jam Band with Mr. Fisher on Thursday, 9/12
More activities will be starting next week!
Music with Mr. Johnson
Start Date: Tuesday, September 10
Let the playing begin! To be part of Mr. Johnson's music groups, it's mandatory that students attend their introductory class on Sept. 10 and all the Tuesday classes throughout the school year.
Music Theory / Jazz Improv / Composition
Mr. Johnson is offering this class to high school students, to be held on Tuesdays from 10:15-11:30. The subject matter covered will be along the lines of an AP Music Theory class.
Environmental Club
11th grader Rhys R. is heading up an Environmental Club this year! This is a chance to take part in your community, participate in social activities, spend time with friends, get volunteer hours & learn about how to live sustainably.
Environmental Club survey - Give your input, and let Rhys know your available times!
Email: meaenvironmentalclub@gmail.com
Instagram: @meaenvironmentalclub
**** COUNSELING CORNER ****
Meeting for all Seniors
Thursday, September 26 / 11:55-12:30 / Cafeteria
All 12th graders are required to attend this meeting with Mr. Zappala, who will be sharing important information and reviewing expectations for the year. Free pizza will be served!
FAFSA Misperceptions
This is what families should know
No parent is alone in the struggle with figuring out how to cover college costs. Sallie Mae's annual survey on How America Pays for College finds that many families struggle to navigate FAFSA.
Check out the survey results so you can see how your ideas for paying for college measure up to what families are actually doing. The survey results include information on how families saved and paid for school, along with some of the reasoning behind college choices.
Speaker from UCSD
Thursday, October 10 / 11:55-12:30 / Cafeteria
We will be having a UCSD admissions representative come speak to students and any interested parents, on Thursday, October 10 at 11:55. He will speak about the admissions process for UCSD and the UC system, and answer any questions you have.
**** COMmunity announcements ****
Romeo and Juliet
This production of Romeo and Juliet includes many of our current and former Mt. Everest Academy students!
- Elizabeth B.
- Katherine B.
- Leena I.
- Rhys R.
- Zane S.
- Mikaela S.
- Josephine
Performances are at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, on October 4, 6, 12, and 13.
Climate Strike Sept. 20
On September 20, three days before the UN Climate Summit in NYC, young people and adults will strike all across the US and world to demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis. To find locations of the strikes, go to https://strikewithus.org