Monday Message
9/16/19
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Back to school night
It was great seeing new families at MEA, as well as our returning families! Thanks to all who participated and made this a fun, informative event!
**** UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ****
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.
- BEFORE portraits are taken, families have the option to purchase a picture package online. Go to mylifetouch.com. The Mt. Everest picture day I.D. is CK139106Y0
- DAY OF picture taking, payment can be made with an order form. Forms are available in the front office and the Family Room. On Picture Day, bring the order form and payment with either a check made payable to “Lifetouch” or cash (EXACT CHANGE).
- AFTER portraits are taken, proofs will be delivered to MEA within a few weeks and a portrait package can be ordered online.
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 "Mt. Everest Academy."
QUESTIONS?
Please email Linda Ele at lele@sandi.net
Work Due for Month 1
Friday, September 20 by 3:00 pm
Grades 6 thru 12: Please take all of your work to your supervising teacher first. After your supervising teacher reviews it, then take your subject work to each of your subject teachers.
- Physics and Advanced Physics: please turn your work in to Room 17B or the front office.
- Spanish with Ms. Mullen: please turn your work in to the front office
- 8th graders: please take all of your work to your new supervising teacher, Mrs. Vivian Sink, in the Library.
Please turn down volume during turn-in week
Students, please be mindful of your noise level outside classrooms during turn-in week.
Your fellow students are taking tests, writing essays, and need a quiet work environment!
Thank you.
Spirit Week
The ASB is sponsoring the Spirit Days listed below.
Express your creativity and show your school spirit!
- HAWAII DAY - Tuesday, 9/24
- SPORTS DAY - Wednesday, 9/25
- DECADE DAY - Thursday, 9/26
SSC/SGT Meeting
Wednesday, September 25 / 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
Chipotle Fundraiser
Tuesday, October 8 / 4:00-8:00pm
Chipotle at 5650 Balboa Ave.
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 ****
Welcome Vivian Sink as Teacher to MEA
Our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Vivian Sink, has now become our wonderful MEA teacher! Below are some of the responsibilities she will be handling in her new role.
- 8th grade Supervising Teacher
- Story & Craft Time
- Elementary Art
- Study Skills
- Library Time
Learn more about what Mrs. Sink is doing from her teacher website!
Mrs. Vivian Sink Shares Her Background
I graduated with my teaching credential from UCSD in 1991 and worked as a teacher in the South Bay Union School District for five years, then in the Hayward Unified School District for two years. I then became a stay at home mom in June of 1998. During my time at home, while raising my children, I was playgroup captain, children's activities director (Buccaneers) at MBYC, Tball manager and head coach, Clairemont Mesa Little League, school volunteer, PTA president, Cub Scouts Assistant Den Leader, Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor (I’m still doing that), and, finally, I began working in school libraries when my youngest began kindergarten. 8 years ago, my older son, who is now a 20 year old college student, started at MEA. He graduated in 2017. My younger son is currently a junior at MEA and is set to graduate in 2021. Our chicken coop was his Boy Scouts Eagle Project. In November 2018 I reentered the teaching force in the Cajon Valley School District working with middle schoolers. I am excited to begin my new adventure teaching at MEA!
MEA Foundation Logo Contest
Calling all artists and designers! The newly formed MEA Foundation whose purpose is to support teaching and learning at our awesome little school needs some branding! They have announced a logo contest with cash prizes!
1st place - $50
2nd place - $30
3rd place - $20
The logo can incorporate the current MEA school logo or be a whole new design. There are also free logo design creators online if you do not want to draw something freehand. For more info on designing a logo, check out this article. This contest is open to all students in grades K-12. Get creative! Designs are due Wed., Oct. 16 and can be submitted to the front office or emailed to mteverest@sandi.net.
Box Tops is going digital
All you need is your smartphone.
The NEW and improved Box Tops app uses today’s technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to our school’s earnings online. Some products still have clippable Box Tops. You can turn those in to the box in the Parent room or the front office.
Sign up for Oct. 16 PSAT
Students must sign up in the front office 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.
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 Friday, September 20, 3:00pm.
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)
**** Extracurricular activities ****
Please find the most up-to-date extracurricular activities schedule on our website. This is a work in progress; we will continue to add to and fine-tune the schedule as needed.
If you have a talent to share and are interested in leading an extracurricular class or workshop series, please contact Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net
P.A.L.S.
Start date Tuesday, September 17
P.A.L.S. (Peer Academic Lab for Students) starts this week! P.A.L.S. will occur Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 in the MakerSpace overseen by Mr. Choquette. During this quiet study time, students will be paired with tutors that best match their needs. We have a stellar group of trained tutors who are eager to work with their younger peers!
Want to jam with the Jam Band?
Mr. Mark Fisher, well known San Diego musician, currently runs the MEA Jam Band on Thursdays from 9:20-10:35. As not all students are available to play music at that time, Mr. Fisher may be able to offer another Jam Band session at one of these times:
- Tuesdays, 10:40-11:55
- Wednesday, 10:40-11:55
Are you interested? Available?
If so, you've got to let Mr. Fisher know at fishandtheseaweeds@cox.net, so he can make it happen!
Environmental Club to Join Climate Action March
The MEA Environmental Club will be participating in the UCSD Climate Action March on Friday, September 27. This march is part of Global Climate Strike week.
If you'd like to join them, you can sign up at this link.
The first official meeting of the Environmental Club will be on Thursday, September 26, 12:00-12:30 in Room 14. If you have any questions about the Climate Action March that you'd like answered before that, you can email:
Ms. Pachon at rpachon@sandi.net or
Environmental Club at meaenvironmentalclub@gmail.com
survey for Dungeons and Dragons
When are you available for this club? Let us know here!
Have you ever watched Lord of the Rings and thought, “Man…I would love to be an elf and shoot arrows at orcs”? Well, in Dungeons and Dragons you can! D&D is an immersive tabletop role-playing game that you play in as a character you've created and explore the vast fantasy world that the narrator creates. You may have seen it in Stranger Things, but it's way more fun than in the show. You can play as a great and powerful wizard who launches fireballs, you can play as a dashing rouge who uses trickery and charm to get his way, or even play as a monster such as an orc, and much more. DD Flyer
Survey for Model UN
When are you available for this club? Let us know here!
MUN is an extra-curricular activity where the members take on the role of ambassadors of the United Nations and simulate UN committees at club-organized conferences. In MUN you will learn a great amount of foreign policy, develop leadership and public speaking skills, and learn to think through new lenses. If all goes well, there is a possibility of traveling to other hosted conferences, and even having guest speakers from real life politics. MUN Flyer
MakerSpace Challenge
September: 3D MODELING
Engineers often build three dimensional models to help them visualize a project or product they are designing. Often these models are miniatures drawn to an exact scale. Some models can be moved around to show different possible arrangements. Select a subject, choose a medium, and build a model to display in the MakerSpace through the month of September.
Below are some of the 3D models that have been made so far.
Library Challenge
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!
**** COUNSELING CORNER ****
Information Sessions: MIT & UCLA
MEA Students and Parents!
Here are 2 very popular information sessions that we want you to know about. They fill up quickly, so if you are interested in learning more about these 2 prestigious universities, sign up now.
- UCLA http://www.admission.ucla.edu/events/
- MIT https://apply.mitadmissions.org/portal/mitvisitsyou
Reserve a space for a session in San Diego with an MIT admissions representative
Explore Career Paths and Majors
Monday, September 23 / 11:00-2:30 / Mesa College
Juniors and Seniors! Mesa College is having an “Explore Career Paths and Majors” fair on September 23rd from 11:00-2:30. If you are interested, please sign up in the MEA front office by September 23.
Meeting for all Seniors
Thursday, September 26 / 11:55-12:30 / Room 6
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!
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.
Christian College Fair
Thursday, October 10 / 6:00-8:00pm / Christian High School
The National Christian College Fair will be held at Christian High School in El Cajon on October 10th from 6-8PM. Event details here.
Attending a Christian University & College Fair can be the first step for many students when searching for the right college or university. More than 140 fairs throughout the U.S. and Canada are held each year. Students will be able to view college & university displays, talk with representatives from the schools and attend a Financial Aid Workshop.
**** STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ****
As Mt. Everest Academy offers students the “flexibility to pursue your passion,” our school has a wealth of students that are pursuing their passions while meeting their educational goals. The "Student Spotlight" is a way to share some of the exciting endeavors our students are involved in with the rest of our school, and a way for students to learn about other students with similar interests.
If you've got a student accomplishment or special activity that can be included in a Monday Message, please email it to Linda Ele, lele@sandi.net.
Gray La Fond, editor of "Red Sky Nights"
Last week Gray La Fond, MEA senior, was in Gig Harbor, Washington, for a live presentation of "Red Sky Nights: The Collected Stories of Ingrid Dickson," alongside publisher Elizabeth Lee of Echoludo (www.echoludo.com). Gray transcribed and edited the recorded stories of Ingrid Dickson, who was the young child of an SS officer during World War II. Gray's passion for WWII history, appreciation of the German language and culture, and interest in caring for the sick and elderly united in this 3-year project. Gray met weekly with Elizabeth and Ingrid to compile and edit this collection of stories, until Ingrid's death in 2018. Together Gray and Elizabeth fulfilled Ingrid's dying wish to publish her memoirs so young people will not become complacent about violence and warfare. Ingrid calls on all of us to fight the urges of anger and rage, let love guide our actions, and dance and laugh often.
"Red Sky Nights" is available in print on Amazon, and in Kindle, Apple Books, and Nook formats. The Audible release is expected this week. We recommend the "whispersync" version, which allows you to hear Ingrid's stories in her own powerful voice while following the text.
Pictures below:
- Gray and Elizabeth at their presentation poster
- Gray with an appreciative audience member
- Gray discussing his work beside Elizabeth Lee, with a photo of them at Ingrid's bedside on the screen
**** COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ****
Art Contest for Air Pollution Control Calendar
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is sponsoring an art contest for students in grades K-12 to create artwork about the importance of clean air and ways to reduce air pollution. The APCD, with students' help, will be putting together a 2020 calendar where each month will showcase their air quality artwork. Even if a student’s artwork is not used in the calendar, the APCD website will have a gallery of all the submissions.
Yuko Maruyama Benefit Concert for Youth Music Scholarships
Here is some information for Yuko Maruyama's, H.B. Goodlin Foundation Benefit concert. Please come if you can for a great program, and a chance to hear about this music scholarship program for local gifted youth.
Yuko Maruyama and the Mercantile Alley Band
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2019
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Rancho Bernardo Library
Address: 17110 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92128
Admission Free