Monday Message
October 4, 2021
PALS Tutoring
Wednesdays & Thursdays / 12:30-1:45 / Room 6
PALS tutoring starts this week. We have trained tutors ready to help you get your classwork done. All students 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.
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 to:
- Once Covid restrictions are lifted, parent ID cards should be worn when you are on campus
- ID cards qualify you for teacher discounts at certain businesses; see “Savings Opportunities” on our school website.
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 Friday, Oct. 15 in order to meet the deadline at Gerardy Photography (who will make these cards for us at no charge!)
Meet with Mr. Rubin
For students and parents that would like to meet with Mr. Rubin, you may sign up for an appointment.
Humans of MEA
Humans of MEA is coming back this school year! We have a couple of projects in the works right now that we're excited to share with the school very soon. If you're interested in being interviewed by us please fill out this form.
If you'd like to see what we did last year, here's our website.
If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to email us at humansofmt.everest@gmail.com
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!
Elementary Extracurriculars
Covid-19 Protocols
Music classes with Mr. Johnson
These classes are held every Tuesday. Let the playing begin! 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
6-12 Extracurriculars
MEA Sports Club
Location: Basketball court arena
My name is Hasan Abdurrahman, and I am currently a senior at MEA. I have decided to launch a sports club which middle scholars can join, whether they want to have fun or get PE time to log. Please fill out the form below if you are interested in joining the MEA Sports Club.
If you are a parent who is interested in sponsoring our sports club, please fill out the form as well.
Form link: https://forms.gle/YazZ8qFys4qU4UY47
Spanish Conversation Club
First meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 5 / 12:00-12:30 / Outside Room 1
¡Vengan a conversar! ¡Participen en la tertulia de español!
Students of all levels who want 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!
Vote for Coop Group schedule
The MEA Coop Group wants more members! We will have fun hanging out with the chickens as well as cleaning their coop. We are also looking for a new time to have meetings.
This is the form to sign up and vote on when we should meet.
Collegeboard Exams
PSAT Sign Ups
PSAT will take place at MEA on Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 9:00-12:00 in the Auditorium.
- Please see this information sheet about the PSAT/NMSQT.
- PSAT is free this year for MEA 11th graders. Other grade levels are $18.
- Link to sign up for the test. (Everyone planning to take it must sign up, even 11th graders.)
Ordering AP Exams - due Oct. 15
Students currently enrolled in an AP class and/or who want to take the AP exam must make their decision and order their AP exam forms by October 15. Policies and information are available at http://aptsusa.com/mea
Upcoming Events
Club Fair
Tuesday, Oct. 5 & Wednesday, Oct. 6
12:00-12:30
On the blacktop
Calling all students! Do you want to get involved at school, make a difference, and have fun? Come to the Club Fair to learn about some of the activities available to you!
Would you like to lead a club? Please contact either Ms. Rice (lrice@sandi.net) or Mr. Nielsen (enielsen@sandi.net)
Meeting for all Juniors
Thursday, Oct. 7 / 12:00-12:30
In the Cafeteria
and on Zoom: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/84666317978
Mr. Rubin will discuss what is important to focus on for 11th graders, and what to think about as they become seniors next year.
Make-Up Pictures
* * NOTE TIME CHANGE * *
Tuesday, Oct. 12 / 8:30-10:00am
Auditorium
Gerardy Photography is offering this Make-Up Picture time for students that weren’t able to come in September. The portrait will be used for the student's school ID card and the school yearbook. Families will also have the option to purchase a portrait package.
In the picture below, MEA staff members get their pictures taken too!
Special Picture Days
For students that can’t make this Make-Up Picture Day, Gerardy Photography offers these Special Picture Day events at their studio on 2414 Auto Park Way in Escondido.
Thursday, 11/11/21 (Veteran’s Day) is the only day still available as of 10/8/21.
- There is no sitting fee
- Call 760-747-2263 to make an appointment
- Request an ID card, and it will be mailed to MEA
- Instructions will be given on how to send your portrait to the MEA yearbook.
SDSU Virtual Tour
Wednesday, Oct. 27 / 2:15-3:00
SDUSD 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
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)
Miss Shannon is only here on Tuesday this week
Tuesday, October 5, is the only day Miss Shannon will be on campus this week, as she will not be here this Wednesday and Thursday. Here’s her schedule for tomorrow, Tuesday:
- Coop Group will not be meeting this week, but Miss Shannon will be doing a thorough cleaning with the chickens on Tuesday—likely first thing Tuesday morning.
- Meet with an AP environmental science student, Aisha, from 9:30 to 11:30 to brainstorm some artwork to go on the garden facing doors in the chicken area.
- Miss Shannon will be available from 1 to 2:30 on Tuesday for a variety of garden and chicken care needs, if any ASB or AP environmental science students are looking to complete service hour requirements.
National Honor Society Inductees
The Mt. Everest Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society is delighted to announce the newest inductees. Please join us in congratulating our new NHS members:
- Aranyani Carter-Perkins
- Emma Culberston
- Fayyad Hassan
- Charlie Herbert
- Amandine (Andy) Isidro
- Ajay Krishnan
- Malvyn Lai
- Theo Martien
- Ria Rizo
- Shay R.
- Marwa Salem
- Esmee Stewart
- Mia Takiguchi
These students have distinguished themselves with hours of community service and leadership while maintaining a GPA above at 3.50. Way to go scholars!
Your Response Requested
Our school needs information to help ensure it receives all the state funding (Title 1) to which it is entitled. It will not affect your child receiving free meals at this school as all children will have free access to meals this school year, however, it may affect our funding and student access to fee waivers for College Board exams, including AP and SAT.
Please complete the following:
Login to your Parent Portal Powerschool Account. (This will not be visible in your child's account.)
Click on LCFF icon in the left-hand menu (see large red arrow)
On the pull-down menu enter the number of people in your home
Click on the income bracket for your household
Click on the signature box and submit (see two small red arrows)
Click submit
If needed, here are instructions on how to set up and access your Parent Portal.
Around Campus
Twin Day!
Nutritional Science
The K-5 students experienced their first nutritional science session with Chef Nancy Mullen last week!
Take a look below at this fancy cooking cart!
This opportunity comes to us through a generous grant from Sage Garden Project.
The students will have at least 7 opportunities for garden and cooking sessions this year—so exciting!
Next up: a garden introductory session with Miss Shannon, beginning the week of October 19.
The premise behind the Sage Garden grant:
“Our philosophy is simple: We want to help kids enjoy eating more fruits and vegetables. By developing children's kitchen and garden skills through hands-on learning, we can provide our future generations with opportunities to enjoy more nourishment and less processed food.
We support, through our awards, dedicated teachers who offer our experiential lessons in the garden and from our Sage Garden Project cooking carts to high need elementary schools across California. We teach all traditional subjects using curiosity, wonder, fun, listening, tasting, trying, failing, laughing, observation and hands-on practice. All of our students have the opportunity to shine, and skills to empower healthy choices while giving them insight into their individual intelligence.”
Spotlight on our resident Leghorn, Chris!
By far the most prolific egg producer we have—with each egg equivalent to an egg and a half of a “normal” chicken egg (always a white egg)—Chris comes off as a standoffish chicken, but really enjoys people’s attention more than she’d like to admit.
Although not accepting of any type of touching or holding quite yet (and likely never will be), Chris will eagerly follow you all around the chicken area, in hopes you have an exciting treat to offer her (like a grub or garden green).
She can jump quite well, and has been known to reach (our) waist height for a treat or two.
What do the Coop Group members love about Chris? Share with Ms. Ele (lele@sandi.net) for the next Monday message.
Here is a comprehensive site to learn much more about the Leghorn chicken variety! Most notable “fact” from this site:
“…it is worth knowing that they are not cuddly family pet birds. Their exact behavior will be determined by how you raise them, but they are best described as independent, flighty and nervous with humans.
Personality:
Leghorns are independent chickens that are quite nervous and flighty around people they do not know.”
Hmmmmm…. :)
Chris poses quite well for photo opportunities—check out the stunning shot below.
Helpful Information
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th and ends on October 15th to coincide with the independence dates of five Latin American countries who declared their independence from Spain in 1821: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Hispanic Heritage Week commemorates Chile’s independence from Spain on September 18, 1810, and Mexico’s independence from Spain on September 16, 1821.
Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.
Box Tops for Education
Shopping for groceries can be turned into easy cash for Mt. Everest Academy from hundreds of products with the Box Tops logo.
All you need is your phone! Download the Box Tops app, shop as you normally would, then use the app to scan your store receipt. The app will identify Box Tops products on your receipt and automatically credit Mt. Everest Academy’s earnings online. Find out how it works.
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
Community Announcements
Equity Conference 2022 Youth Poetry Search
Calling all youth poets! Students are encouraged to share their original words at the 2022 Equity Conference: Equity is Love in Action. Students can submit an audio or video recording of their original poem or spoken word to be played for attendees at the annual event on Jan. 20 and 21. Submissions should be connected to at least one of the conference learning themes:
- Student voice and agency
- Culture and language diversity
- Family and community engagement
- Mental health and wellness
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion
To learn more, scroll down to the "Youth Poetry Movement" heading.
Scholarship and Service Opportunities for Students
Prudential Emerging Visionaries Awards
The Prudential Emerging Visionaries awards program is searching for top youth changemakers ages 14 to 18 who are using fresh thinking to tackle societal challenges. The program focuses on two categories: solutions to financial barriers and solutions to social issues. Students can win up to $15,000, a trip to Prudential headquarters in New Jersey, and coaching to further develop their project or idea. Applications for the first phase are due Nov. 4.
Pitch It to Win It Competition
The Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa sponsors this competition for high school students who have innovative product or business development ideas. Funding is intended to encourage and support entrepreneurial thinking, and no background or coursework in business is necessary to compete. Finalists will give a three-minute elevator pitch via video conferencing to a panel of entrepreneur judges. Winners are awarded $500 to $1,500 in seed capital to take their idea, product, or business to the next level. No travel is required. The application deadline is Nov.15.
Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation awards $1,000 to Hispanic high school seniors who excel in various categories including education, business and finance, engineering, entrepreneurship, healthcare and science, media and entertainment, public service, social justice, and technology.
Funds may be used for higher education expenses or community service projects. Additionally, awardees continue through the foundation's support system as they transition to college and career. The application deadline is Nov. 14.