Monday Message
8/27/18
Message from the principal
I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful summer with friends and family. We are looking forward to another extraordinary year here at MEA! We have wonderful new staff members, including Mrs. Apazidis, Mrs. Battin, and Mr. Choquette. Teachers and staff have been working hard in preparation for the 2018-2019 school year and are as excited as ever to work in partnership with you. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education and for embracing "Doing School Differently."
If you are a returning family, please welcome our new students and families by saying hello. We hope you will become involved in our school community through volunteer opportunities, SSC, extracurriculars, and other school events.
My door is always open, so please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or suggestions. Here's to a great year!
Courtney Browne
MEA Principal
Welcome new students!
New Mt. Everest Academy students in grades 6-12 attended an orientation today to learn about our independent study process. ASB students helped by leading the new students on a photo scavenger hunt and sharing their experiences at MEA! Check out some more photos here.
******** UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ********
VAPA Music Classes Overview
Wednesday, August 29 / 8:15 am / Cafeteria
Back by popular demand!
Mr. Johnson from the Visual and Performing Arts Dept. will be returning back to Mt. Everest to teach our Wednesday music classes. Mr. Johnson will host a program overview, including a discussion of the proposed schedule and instrument rental opportunities, this week on Wed. 8/29 at 8:15 am in the cafeteria. Please plan to attend if you are in interested in taking part in VAPA music classes this year. These classes are open to all students in grades K-8.
Astronomy Seminar Informational Meeting
Are you interested in researching things out of this world? Come join our Double Star Research Seminar! Learn how to conduct research and get published in a scientific journal. If you are a high school student, this can be done in lieu of your science fair project. If you are a parent wanting to learn along with your student, you're welcome too! Come to the informational meeting on Thursday to learn more. Pizza and drinks will be provided! For more information click here.
Labor Day Holiday
Monday, September 3
School will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Classes will reconvene on Tuesday, September 4.
Back to School Night
Wednesday, September 12 / 5:00-7:00pm
Mark your calendars for the Mt. Everest Academy's Back to School Night! There will be various activities and workshops you don't want to miss! More details to follow.
************* ANNOUNCEMENTS *************
Welcome new staff members!
Mrs. Apazidis
Ms. Battin
Mr. Choquette
Study Group Schedules
Here's a link to the Elementary and Secondary Study Group schedules.
PLEASE NOTE: If students are in a class that does not have a study group meeting, they must arrange to meet with the teacher of that class during lunch or another time the first week of school to review course expectations.
Extracurriculars
Most extracurriculars will begin the week of 9/10 (except VAPA music classes - see Overview Meeting on 8/29 above). The schedule is in-progress and will be posted on the MEA website soon.
Some extracurricular offerings include:
- Spanish for elementary students
- Soccer
- Guitar
- Jam Band
- Art
- Meditation and Mindfulness
- Library Time
If you are interested in offering an extracurricular class or workshop, please contact Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net. We are looking for folks wanting to share talents in science, technology, robotics, and the arts! All required district volunteer paperwork must be submitted in order to lead a class.
Advice for New Families
Written for parents, by parents
"Advice for New Families" has been created by a few of our veteran parents for new Mt. Everest Academy families, to help in the adjustment process to independent study. These parents have combined their experiences to offer advice on the following topics:
- Organization/Study Tips
- Time Management
- Working with Teachers
- Turn-In Packets
- School Resources
- Supplemental Curriculum
- Extracurricular Activities
Many, many thanks to our veteran team of parents for sharing their expertise!
Student Account Login Info (Active Directory accounts)
Parents needed for SSC and SGT!
The Mt. Everest Academy School Site Council (SSC) and Site Governance Team (SGT) each have open parent positions for two year terms. If you are interested in running for School Site Council and/or Site Governance Team, please submit your name and a short (3-4 sentence) biography to Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net or bring it to MEA’s Front Office. The deadline for submitting your name for candidacy is Tuesday, September 18, 2018.
You may be wondering, “What exactly are SSC and SGT?” The School Site Council consists of elected members representing parents, teachers, students, the school principal, and other school employees. This group is responsible for reviewing the school's improvement plan and allocating fiscal resources to support Mt. Everest Academy's goals in the areas of curriculum development and instruction. The State Legislature, as well as the Mt. Everest Academy teaching staff and administration, believes that the best decisions are made by those individuals who are most affected by them.
The Site Governance Team is a shared decision making body required at each school by the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. The team discusses issues, gathers input and makes recommendations about topics affecting our school and our children with an emphasis on the instructional program.
The SSC and SGT will meet a minimum of six times during the year, and meetings will usually be scheduled on Wednesdays from 2-3. (This time is subject to change due to the availability of members.)
We greatly appreciate your willingness to support Mt. Everest with your time!
Student Laptops
"Grab-N-Go" Lunches
Mt. Everest Academy has lunches available in the office three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday. If your child would like a lunch, please sign up in the morning. Lunches are available beginning at 11:00 am and cost $2.75 or are free to students who qualify on the free/reduced lunch application. Apply online for free/reduced lunches.
"Facts for Parents"
"Facts for Parents" is an annual publication containing updated information relevant to the families of San Diego Unified including rights and responsibilities as well as district, local, state, and federal policies that impact all students.