Monday Message
Sept. 21, 2020
Work Due for Month 1
Friday, September 25 by 3:00 pm
- Work must be submitted online to all of your content area teachers by 3:00 pm
- Work (Audit) samples must be submitted online to your supervising teacher by 3:00 pm
- Campus remains closed. Everything is done online!
Help needed for MEA Foundation
Last year, after much leg work, we formed the Mt. Everest Academy Foundation. The mission of the Mt. Everest Academy Foundation is to enhance the overall experience of Mt Everest Academy students by organizing volunteer efforts and raising funds to support teaching and learning opportunities. The MEA Foundation wants all students, staff, and parents to participate in the betterment of Mt. Everest Academy.
Unbelievably, despite Covid19, the MEA Foundation raised over $8,600 and 100% of this money will be used to enhance the educational experience of our students.
INCOME
- Fun-Run $5,114.53
- Family Dinner Nights $618.98
- Start-Up Donations $1,200.00
- Donation to purchase kiln $1,500.00
- Cash Donations $224.00
TOTAL
$8,657.51
ASB Officer Candidate Speeches
Tuesday, September 22 / 2:00 pm / Zoom
- Learn more about the candidates!
- Check out their campaign websites!
- Get the Zoom link to watch their speeches live on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 2:00 pm!
Below are some of your 2020-21 ASB officer candidates.
Vote for your ASB Officers
CAST YOUR VOTE!
Voting will open after the speeches are finished and will end at 3:00 on September 28. All students enrolled in grades 6 - 12 at MEA are eligible to vote.
Coffee with the Principal
Bring your own coffee or tea and join Principal Browne to discuss the new school year. This is an informal opportunity to hear about school planning, ask questions, and provide suggestions to improve our program. Hope to see you there!
- Monday, September 28
- 9:30am
- https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/83580220751
Vote for Parent SSC /SGT member
Parents, please vote for the parent member for both SSC and SGT here.
Although we only received one nomination for a parent member, we still must hold a vote and online voting is approved for this year. Thank you!
Mr. Richard
Richard Choquette known to most MEA students as "Mr. Richard" has been a wonderful part of the the Mt. Everest community these last few years. He helped run and organize our MakerSpace, provided guitar classes and music at school events, and spent countless hours supporting the MEA Theatre Company. He was always there to lend a helping hand to any teacher or staff member. We are so sad to let you know that Mr. Richard is officially leaving MEA as of Oct. 1 to be closer to his daughter and granddaughter who live in Washington State. Feel free to reach out to Mr. Richard at richoq@mindspring.com to say hello.
Fall 2020 Mesa Deadlines
For students taking dual enrollment classes at Mesa College, the DROP deadline is this Thursday, 9/24/2020 and the WITHDRAWAL deadline is Monday, 11/16/2020. Students who drop before the drop deadline will not be penalized for dropping their course(s). Students who drop after the drop deadline, but before the withdrawal deadline will receive a W on their transcript and will no longer be eligible for Mesa College courses until they graduate high school. Students who remain in their course(s) after the withdrawal deadline will receive a letter grade and must maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester in all college work in order to remain eligible.
Students are welcome to self drop in the mySDCCD student portal.
Judge Visits Government Class
MEA Government students were fortunate to have a very special guest join their zoom call last week, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Amalia Meza. Judge Meza participated in a group discussion around voting rights and the 100 year anniversary of the 19th amendment (Women’s Suffrage). The visit was coordinated by the Judicial Council of California’s Judges in the Classroom Program. Judge Meza offered inspiring words on pursued efforts for social justice, current voting rights issues in California (Measure 17), and democratic participation. She also shared her personal history of growing up the daughter of Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles, being one of the first women to study at and graduate from Yale in the early 1970’s (shortly after the school became coed), and graduating from Stanford Law School. She has been a judge for 19 years. Unsurprisingly, MEA students dazzled the judge with their participation in the discussion, as they fluidly articulated their historical knowledge and their critical understanding of current events. Thank you Judge Meza!!
Biocom Life Science K-2 Experience
Last Friday, the Biocom Institute provided an educational experience for our younger elementary students, K-2, to help them better understand what they can do to combat the Coronavirus. And, what better way to do that than to help them understand the power of soap and how using it to wash your hands can prevent germs from spreading?
The Biocom Institute and Life Science XP provided students with the necessary supplies beforehand and a fun book about germs. Note: K-2 parents, we will let you know when the books are available for pick up. The keynote speaker was a research scientist who is working on the development of a COVID vaccine.
Then, the students participated in a powerful science experiment using only three items.
To try out the experiment yourself, see directions here: Soap Experiment Video
But, make sure to pause the video at 1:23 so you don’t see the exciting conclusion before you try it!
If you’d like to expand the lesson, check out this poster on how the soap molecules dispel germs away: Soap Poster.
Community College Summer Transcripts Needed
Students who took a community college Summer course for dual enrollment credit need to give Mr. Zappala an official, sealed transcript in order for the class or classes to be entered on your transcript. Please mail your transcript to Mt. Everest Academy or bring it to Mr. Zappala. If he is not on campus, you can put the envelope through the mail slot in Principal Browne’s door.
You can request official transcripts through your mySDCCD student portal or you can order them here.
LIBRARY UPDATES
Hello from your MEA library and book room! This week we will NOT have regular material(s) and Chromebook pickups due to this week being the first turn-in week. However, if you have special needs, please continue to email us at least 24 hours in advance of a planned pick-up. We are doing our best to prepare materials for both staff and families as quickly as possible.
Watch for next week’s schedule to be posted in the 9/28 Monday Message!
Sincerely,
MEA Library staff (Suzie Wilson and Karen Iwamoto)
National Honor Society
Students who are in grades 10-12 are welcome to apply for the Mt. Everest Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society. Applicants must have been enrolled for a full semester prior to the application deadline and have a current GPA of 3.5 or higher. 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 Friday, Sept. 25.
Technology Resources and Supports
Music Classes with Mr. Johnson
To be held every Tuesday
- 8:00-8:40 Beg. Strings
- 8:50-9:30 Beg. Band
- 9:40-10:20 Choir
- 10:30-11:10 Adv. Band.
- 11:20-12:00 Adv. Strings
- 12:10-12:50 Music Theory (for older students)
NEW MEETING LINK
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/3452041292
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Mr. Johnson at kjohnson3@sandi.net
** COUNSELING CORNER **
Meeting for all Seniors
Friday, October 2 / 12:30 pm / Zoom
Mr. Zappala will be sharing important information and reviewing expectations for the year. More information and the zoom link to come.
Meeting for all Juniors
Monday, October 5 / 12:30-1:30 / Zoom
Juniors, mark you calendars! Mr. Zappala will discuss what is important to focus on for 11th graders, and what to think about as they become seniors next year.
September is suicide awareness month
The Coronavirus pandemic has brought to the forefront of our attention the reality of the suicide threat for our students as they struggle to manage life while social distancing and distance learning. Please take a look at these facts and resources as you help your students to be successful during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Zappala at rzappala@sandi.net.
Risk of Suicide | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Suicide and suicidal thoughts are relatively common. Suicidal thoughts do not mean someone is weak or flawed; learn about the warning signs and risks.
Get Involved | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Show support with NAMI by participating in several annual mental health awareness events. Learn more about the events.
Promote National Suicide Prevention Month : Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. Every year, the Lifeline and other mental health organizations and individuals across the U.S. and around the world raise awareness of suicide prevention during September, National Suicide Prevention Month.
National College Fairs
Hello Juniors and Seniors. With college descending upon us it is time for seniors to think about where to apply to college for Fall 2021 and for juniors to begin exploring colleges for Fall 2022. College Fairs will be virtual this year, so get information on which fair is right for you. Here is information that should prove helpful to both Juniors and Seniors:
- Attend virtual college fairs this Fall
- College fair information: nacacfairs.org/go
- Fair registration... Stem Fair registration
- List of colleges that will be at the.. Fair.... Stem Fair
- College application fee waivers
- Tips for picking the right college
ASB (Student Government)
Monday College Knowledge Webinar Series
Hello Seniors. The Monday College Knowledge Webinar Series is an opportunity to get valuable information to help you in the college application process. Please sign up for these webinars ASAP since participation is limited. Reach out to Mr. Zappala (rzappala@sandi.net) with any questions you have.
Women in Computer Science
ComputerScience.org has created an extensive guide geared towards women in computer science. This guide discusses the gap amongst women in the computer science field, the benefits of a career in computer science, and how universities are working to gain the momentum of females in the field of CS. Most importantly, this guide offers resources that will help women begin their journey to a rewarding and successful STEM career by listing free online courses, summer camps, scholarship information, and top female-dominated computer science programs.
** COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS **
Fall 2020 STEM for Social Good Bootcamp
Friday, Sept. 25 / 1:00 - 4:00pm PST
Girl Up’s STEM for Social Good Tour is live! This FREE one-day event will provide youth with the opportunity to explore their interests in STEM.
The Bootcamp will run from 1:00 - 4:00 PM PST in an interactive, virtual format. The event content is mostly geared toward young leaders in grades 6-12, ages 13-22. Space is limited so make sure to reserve your spot! Event attendees will receive a certificate of completion (Hint: this is a great thing to list on future applications)!
To prepare for the event, we ask students to gather the following supplies for the bridge engineering activity:
- 1 pencil
- 4 sheets of paper
- Scotch tape
- 1 box of uncooked spaghetti
- 1 ruler
- 30 straws
Service Academy Nominations
Each year California Congressman Scott Peters has the privilege of nominating students to attend military service academies: US Military Academy, US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy, US Merchant Marine Academy, and US Coast Guard Academy. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Flyer
Service Academy & ROTC Information Night
Wednesday, Oct. 7 / 6:00pm / Zoom
Students that are interested in a nomination can apply here. The application deadline is Monday, November 30.
Coastal Art & Poetry Contest
California students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit artwork or poetry with a California coastal or marine theme to the annual Coastal Art & Poetry Contest.
- Let the coast and ocean inspire you!
- Win prizes!
- Have your work featured online and be part of a traveling exhibit, as conditions allow.
For the first time ever, entries will be submitted online. Students are encouraged to enter this way if at all possible, but they will accept mailed entries if it presents a hardship. Also new this year - digital art is allowed as a medium. Enter online by midnight January 31, 2021