Monday Message
November 16, 2020
Principal's Message
It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of Month 3! For those of you new to Mt. Everest this year, you should be starting to feel more comfortable with the system and you may even feel that you have found "a groove" that works for you. Congratulations and please continue to reach out to us so we can best support you.
This is that time of year when we reflect on our lives with gratitude and I am so grateful for the MEA community. Thank you to our new families, who took a chance with us during a global pandemic. Thank you to our returning families for continuing to trust us in partnering with you to educate your children. Thank you to the phenomenal MEA teachers and staff who continue to hone their craft in this new paradigm with students at the core.
I am grateful to all of you who make Mt. Everest Academy the special place that it is. Together we make it what it is, whether campus is open or closed.
I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and week off from school. You all deserve it!
Warm wishes,
Courtney Browne
Work due for Month 3
Friday, November 20 by 3:00 pm
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.)
We strongly suggest completing audit samples on Tuesday or Wed. this week so it is not a rush to get it done on Friday!
- 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!
Our First Ever Online Silent Auction Starts TODAY!
Our first ever MEA Online Auction starts now and closes Friday, December 4th between 11:00pm and midnight. It is an eBay style auction of goods and services that have been donated by merchants and businesses to help us raise money for our school.
Families, friends and the general public can shop online and get some great deals. Know the funds generated benefit all students at Mt. Everest Academy!
AUCTION TIPS
Bidding: To bid, you will need to register here, enter username and your email address. A registration link will be sent to your email address to complete the process and enter a password.
Enter Auction Site: Enter the Auction Site once you have registered and are logged in to view all the items.
Staggered Closing Times: Each item closes at a different time. Plus the time remaining for any item is always displayed.
Higher Bid email notifications: Auction site automatically emails you when you have been outbid.
Prepare for the Final Bidding and Have Fun!
Winner: The winner will receive an email with the happy news and a link to follow to provide payment information and complete the transaction.
Issues: Contact us at Auction@MEAFoundation.org if you have any problems.
Our online auction is open to the public and all items purchased can be picked up the week of December 7th or we can mail them to you. Register and start bidding.
PALS peer tutoring is back!
PALS, our student tutor program is starting soon! Elementary schoolers who are looking to be tutored, please fill out the form below. Middle and high schoolers who are looking to tutor, also fill out the form below. Thank you!
SPIRIT WEEK
The ASB is sponsoring the following spirit days. Express your creativity and show your school spirit!
- Meme Day - 11/17/20
- Mismatch Day - 11/18/20
- Pajama Day - 11/19/20
It is encouraged that students turn on their cameras during these zoom meetings, so that they can show their spirit from home!
REQUESTING YOUR SPIRIT WEEK PICTURES
- For the Monday Message (no names used)
- and the Yearbook (name, grade, and caption please)
- upload to the SPIRIT WEEKS folder
Please and Thank You! . Instructions to Upload Photos
Thanksgiving Break
November 21-29
School will be closed for Thanksgiving break from November 16-20. School will be back in session on Monday, November 30.
SSC/SGT Meeting
Wednesday, December 2 / 2:00-3:00
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
Holiday Hoopla
Thursday, December 10 / 2:30 pm
Save the Date! Elementary students are invited to the virtual Holiday Hoopla coming December 10 at 2:30pm. Mrs Sink will be doing crafts on zoom alongside your children. Our librarians will have supplies ready for pick up the week of November 30, and you will need to supply some of your own items. More details to come after the Thanksgiving break!
MEA WINTER FUNDRAISER
Sweet treats & warm drinks!
Please help support our annual See's Candy and Desert Sun Coffee Fundraiser through ASB. Every student at MEA from Kindergarten through 12th grade can help raise money through sales. 100% of the proceeds go to support student activities run by ASB!I am thankful for...
MEA Online Parent Lounge
One of the many best things of MEA is the close-knit community and support that we have among families. The parent lounge was widely used by parents of all grades and it was a great place to connect, share, and meet new and existing families alike. Since COVID-19, it's been difficult for the community to get together and build the family-school community. Let's get together online instead!
If you are interested in participating in an 1-hour online parent lounge to connect with other parents around your children's grade(s), please fill out this poll so we can find the best time for everyone to meet. You can come and leave as your availability allows, just like our regular in-person parent lounge!
We're aiming for the first online lounge to take place the 2nd week of December!
Spring Community College Dual Enrollment
11th and 12th grade students may take a community college course while enrolled at Mt. Everest Academy. There are many courses offered for dual credit, where students can meet high school graduation requirements while earning college credit. Now is the time to sign up for a Spring semester course!
All students, new and returning, need to submit a community college Supplemental Application each semester. Students can submit their Supplemental Application as of Oct. 26th and open enrollment will begin on December 14th.
Students new to the dual enrollment process will need to complete the CCApply and Registration Applications in addition to the Supplemental Application.
For any questions, please contact Mr. Zappala at rzappala@sandi.net
YEARBOOK
The 20-21 school year will be unlike any other. We will be talking about it for the rest of our lives. This year’s yearbook is going to be different too...because it will be crowdsourced and made by YOU!
Requesting your Thanksgiving pictures
- For the Monday Message (no names used)
- and the Yearbook (name, grade, and caption please)
- upload to the CELEBRATION folder
Please and Thank You! . Instructions to Upload Photos
ASB Instagram
MEA's ASB Instagram account is running again this year! Follow us to get updates on school events, spirit weeks, and more!
Account Handle: @mea.asb
* * THE GOOD STUFF * *
Please send in your Good Stuff!
We're bringing back the Good Stuff! We know MEA students and families are involved in so many things outside of school. Do you have something fun or interesting to share? Please send your stories and images to share for "The Good Stuff" in upcoming Monday messages to mteverest@sandi.net. We want to hear from you!
Iman Zermeno receives Youth Leader Award
Iman Zermeno, grade 11, received a Filipino Heritage Youth Leadership Award from Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber’s Hispanic-American and Filipino-American Heritage Recognition event, which was held Wednesday, October 21, 2020.
Every year, Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber honors Hispanic-American and Filipino-American leaders who live, work or attend school in the 79th District and have given themselves in significant ways to make their hometown a better place to live. In September and October, during Hispanic-American Heritage and Filipino-American Heritage Months, they celebrated remarkable individuals whose contributions improve the quality of life in their communities.
To fully appreciate the scope of Iman Zermeno’s involvement in the community you can watch this video of her award presentation. Dr. Weber recognized Iman for learning about legislation, engaging in policy, volunteering during the Covid crisis, speaking on panels, working as an intern, and more!
** Extracurricular Activities **
CLUBS
- Academic League - led by Kate Papen
- Ally Action/ Anti Defamation League - Google Classroom Code - 4pkxv2a
- Art Club - led by Ava G, Renee D, Alexis A.
- Cooking Club - led by Katherine B.
- Drama Club - led by Gabriella Martien
- Film Club - led by Petunia Rizo
- GSA - Google Classroom Code - wtg4opf
- Hack Club - led by Yusuf A....Flyer...Interest Form
- Horror Club - led by Toki
- Mental Health Club - led by Leena Iwamoto
- Musicing Club - led by Malyvn Lai
- Rubik's Cube Club - led by Shawn Zhuang
- Year Enders
- Yoga/Meditation Club - led by Chloe Lutosky
HACK CLUB GUEST
An MEA alumni kicked off the Hack Club's first meeting! Anique D. is a graduate of San Jose State University and he shared his experience from the world of computer science and programming. It was great to get insight into the field from a professional!
MEA Engineering Club
An MEA Engineering Club is starting at MEA! Initially, they would be working with Autodesk Inventor (a CAD program), to learn to make 3D printable designs. Later they would do bigger, more hands on projects like building and coding a robot, making a sterling engine, and things like that. No experience is necessary, as everyone would all be learning together! Ideally, the club would start following Thanksgiving break.
Fill out this Engineering Club form if you are interested!
Ambassador Program
Update:
We are thrilled to have gotten some applications already! However, we still need a 5th and 7th grade ambassador, so please apply if you're interested!
Calling all 3rd-7th graders! ASB wants student representatives from middle and elementary school to be ambassadors. Student ambassadors will work with ASB members to give their peers information about upcoming school events! Each ambassador will meet with an ASB member once a week (except turn in week) to discuss the important things happening that week. Then, you'll share this information with your class so that your peers know what's going on! Elementary students will be asked to present in their weekly classes, and middle school students will present in their English classes!
You'll also be the voice for your class! If your peers have an idea for something ASB should do, it'll be your job to communicate this with the ASB member you'll meet weekly.
We are looking for ambassadors with:
- good communication skills
- responsibility!
- organizational skills
- dedication to your peers (they'll be relying on you!)
Apply here for the Ambassador Program
We hope to be meeting with you soon!
No Place for Hate
MEA is starting an Anti-Defamation League (ADL)! ADL is a nationwide anti-hate organization that works against bigotry and bullying. We are starting an ADL team at MEA to try and fight any hate going on, and bring students together. We are starting the campaign by asking all students to sign this pledge to make our school a better place. If you're interested in joining our team, you can also tell us that on the pledge. Anyone in 6th-12th grade is more than welcome!!
Drama Club
This year, MEA will have it's first regularly meeting drama club! Theatre kids are struggling to pursue their passion right now... so we want to provide a space for them to do that, even if it's still online. Gabriella Martien will be running the club, and anyone is welcome to join, though it will be geared more toward middle and high schoolers. The club will be doing scene study, games, small shows, and Shakespeare! The club will also be taught by Becca Myers, who directed last year's show!!
ASB Events
ASB wants to know what times work best for you for school events! Please fill out this preferred times form to help us make our events work great for everyone.
Club Interest Surveys
Are you interested in being in a club, or starting one? MEA has a wide variety of clubs that will be continuing online! Fill out the first two links to start or join a club, and send the third to a teacher that you'd like to have run the club!
** ANNOUNCEMENTS **
Library
Weekly Pickups (except turn-in weeks)
Thursdays, 10:00-1:00 only
For material checkouts / exchanges / returns. There is no need to email the library in advance. However, when there are special distributions ready for check-out, they will be noted here in the Monday Message.
Contact the MEA library: kiwamoto@sandi.net
San Diego Libraries
San Diego County Library... The City of San Diego Library ..For excessive heat
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)
Zoom: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/3452041292
Questions? Please contact Mr. Johnson at kjohnson3@sandi.net
** COUNSELING CORNER **
Financial Aid Workshop
Monday, December 7 / 11:30
Mr. Zappala will check in with Seniors on the progress of their FAFSA, Cal Grants and scholarship applications.
Check Dr. Rodenberg’s Google Classroom for Zoom link.
Senior Appointments with Mr. Zappala
Seniors, please sign up for a time slot to talk with Mr. Zappala about your progress in completing the college application process as well as your FAFSA application.
SAT 2020-21
For those of you thinking about taking the SAT this school year, here is everything you need to know. Although many colleges are not considering the SAT or ACT for admission for the Fall of 2021, some are test optional where the results can be considered for course placement. Reach out to Mr. Zappala with any questions you have about the SAT and ACT.
SAT Tests - SDUSD
All future SAT tests have been cancelled at San Diego Unified School District sites due to COVID closures. Testing will resume as soon as possible. Refunds will be issued by the College Board.
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.
Women in Computer Science
** COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS **
Solve a Virtual Mystery
MEA Librarian, Karen Iwamoto, recommends this activity for grades 5-8 (but all are welcome!)
The Aggie Morton Mystery Party is happening on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 3:00pm Eastern Time. Inspired by the imagined life of Agatha Christie as a child, Marthe Jocelyn's Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen is perfect for young detectives everywhere.
Register here - to celebrate young Aggie by solving a virtual mystery online! Plus, stick around for a reading by audiobook narrator Sarah English and a live Q&A with the author.
Download the clues so you can solve the mystery before the big event!
inteGIRLS Math Competition
inteGIRLS is hosting their annual Fall math competition online on 11/21/20. The contest is open to all female and non-binary students comfortable with being grouped with women. There will be two divisions: Middle School (open to students of grade 8 and below) and High School (open to students of grade 12 and below, though younger students may participate if they wish).
The contest is designed to be accessible to beginners and challenging to more experienced competitors. Students that don't have contest experience but are doing well in their school math classes, are encouraged to compete.
Prizes will be awarded! Register here
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