MEA Monday Message
April 10, 2023
SPIRIT WEEK #2: Crazy Hair/Hat Week
CALENDAR
Tuesday, Apr. 11
- 9:30-10:15 Coop Group
Wednesday, Apr. 12
- 9:30-11:30 PALS Tutoring - Maker Space
- 11:30-12:30 Open Coop Hour
- 11:55-12:25 Cooking Workshop - Rm 1
- 12:00-12:30 National Drop Everything and Read Day - Library
Thursday, Apr. 13
- 9:30-11:30 PALS Tutoring - Maker Space
- 6:00 Talent Show/Silent Auction - Auditorium
Doors open at 5:15
Upcoming Events:
April 18: Academic League Playoffs - Francis Parker
April 18-20: Clothing Swap
April 25-27: Fitnessgram
April 27: Elementary Dance
April 27: Middle School Dance
May 4: Spring Art Show
Silent Auction
AUCTION TIPS
Bidding: To bid, you will need to Register (link https://meafoundation.org/meafers/?action=register) enter username and your email address. A registration link will be sent to your email address to complete the process.
Enter the Auction Site (link https://meafoundation.org/auction/) by registering and logging in.
- Staggered Closing Times: Each item closes at a different time
- Higher Bid email notifications: Auction site automatically emails you when you have been outbid. But don't wait until the last minute!
- Winner: The winner receives an email with the happy news and link to provide payment. If you win multiple items payment amount can be combined.
- Issues: Contact us at auction@meafoundation.org if you have any problems or questions.
Online auction is open to the public and all items purchased can be picked up the week of April 17th. Register and start bidding!
Announcements
Seniors!!!
Hey Seniors! Did you miss the group photo? That's no reason to be left out. Come to the play structure at 10:35am on Thursday, April 13 for a make-up picture. We will meet immediately at the end of second period and we will finish within minutes, so please be prompt!
Academic League Playoffs
The MEA Varsity Academic League team qualified for the city wide playoffs! The first round match will be against Francis Parker, Tuesday. Come cheer on our amazing team!
MEA vs. Francis Parker
April 18th @ 7PM
Student Board Member 2023-24
STUDENT BOARD MEMBER 2023-24 APPLICATION IS OPEN
• High school students are invited to apply via this filing form due April 13th
School Volunteer Week
MEA Esports Team
Help us get the an eSports team up and running!
An eSports Team at MEA is in its fledgling stages, we are still working on acquiring the necessary equipment. We had a family generously donate 2 Nintendo OLED Switches to the school, but we still need additional items, such as TVs, Games, and extra controllers. We have set up a DonorsChoose in order to garner the necessary funds to get this program up and running.
Please consider donating and sharing the link below, we need your help to get this program off the ground.
Food Drive
Food Drive — Thank you for all who participated in the food drive! We donated 94 lbs of food, which is roughly the equivalent of 78 meals.
Events
Spirit Month
ASB is hosting a spirit month for the entirety of month 8. Each week will have a different theme!
- Week 1 is dress up as your favorite character
- Week 2 is crazy hat OR crazy hair
- week 3 is wear pajamas to school.
Talent Show
Tickets for the upcoming 2023 MEA Talent Showcase are now available to purchase via your School Cash account. Please click the link below. Children 4 and Under are Free. For everyone else, the cost is $5 if purchased ahead of time or $7 on the day of the event. Doors open April 14th at 5:15pm and the show starts at 6:00pm. Light refreshments will be provided. Pizza will be available for purchase.
Elementary & Middle School Dances
Save the date! The Spring Dances for Elementary and Middle School students will be held on April 27th. The elementary dance for grades K-5 will be from 2:00-3:00pm and is free. We'll have light snacks and games. A parent must attend this event with their student.
The middle school dance for grades 6-8 will run from 3:15 to 4:30pm. Tickets are available for purchase through your School Cash account. $3.00 each, which includes a slice of pizza and a lot of fun. We must sell 20 tickets by April 24 or the middle school dance will be cancelled, so spread the word and get your tickets early.
Clothing Swap
Ally Action is putting on the 2nd year of MEA's annual clothing swap! Leading up to the clothing swap we will be collecting clothing in the front office. Starting April 18th and going through April 20th Ally Action will be hosting a clothing swap in the auditorium during lunchtime. Even people who do not donate any clothing are welcome to "shop" through the clothing and take however much they want. Any leftover clothing that is not taken home by MEA students will be donated to a shelter or non-profit in need of clothing. Please make sure all donated clothing is free of tears, holes, and stains.
Prom Night in Old Hollywood
Mission Bay Yacht Club
May 12th, 6:30 - 10:00
All High Schoolers are invited to attend MEA's 2023 Prom Night in Old Hollywood! Mark your calendars for May 12th, and purchase your tickets now!
Each MEA student may invite ONE non-MEA guest and purchase a ticket for the guest online with your ticket's purchase. The guest needs to complete his/her own permission. The permission slip for your guest is available at the office.
How to purchase tickets?
Tickets are sold only online. No cash sale.
Please sign in to your account or use QR code to purchase the tickets for students and guests.
All tickets are non-refundable.
Please keep your receipt to show at the door. A screenshot of the ticket is acceptable.
No ticket will be sold after midnight on May 11th.
Fitnessgram
Fitnessgram testing is scheduled for the following days and times:
Tuesday, April 25 / 1:50-2:50 / Auditorium
Wednesday, April 26 / 9:20-10:20 / Auditorium
Thursday, April 27 / 9:30-10:30 / Auditorium
The Fitnessgram is a state mandated exam, which public school students in grades 5, 7, and 9 are required to take. If you are in grades 10-12 and have not taken the Fitnessgram while in high school, you are also mandated to complete the exam this year. There are five parts to the exam, and students are encouraged to practice these exercises ahead of time.
Please remember to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes!
Garden Announcements
Chris
It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the difficult decision to humanely euthanize MEA’s resident Leghorn chicken, Chris. Chris has not been thriving for several months, and staff and students have done everything to support her. She has been a joyful addition to the MEA flock, and she will be greatly missed. Once the final necropsy results return, we will confirm what she’s been suffering from and hopefully confirm that we made the right decision in this “quality of life” matter. Please find Ms. Shannon on campus for any questions regarding this decision.
Summer Coop Volunteers
Coop Group is calling volunteers to help care for the chickens during the summer! Signing up consists of coming to school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of a chosen week during the summer to clean the coop, feed and water the chickens, and give them some love and attention. The chickens still need care during the summer! All students must be accompanied by an adult. Please fill out the form below if you are interested!
Free Mulch
Complimentary mulch along Mt. Everest Blvd, near the fruit trees at the front of school! Please come take as much as you would like from the two mulch piles, leaving the smaller pile near the front garden gate untouched. This is clean mulch from a tree company and was delivered a few weeks ago. This mulch is great in your yard or surrounding your gardens, and helps with weed suppression, moisture retention, and quality soil building.
Mason Jars
We need and would greatly appreciate your unused mason jars—both small and large! We have several events in the next few months that will require flower adornments, and the mason jar donations will go a long way. Stay tuned for frogs to be offered with the jars and MEA garden flowers at the May spring art show, and the mason jars to be used as centerpieces at the 5th and 8th grade promotion luncheon! Please deliver them to the front office (stored on the floor to the right of the admissions desk) and Ms. Shannon will redistribute them.
Articulation
It is time for students, grades 5-11, to plan their classes for the next school year.
Students currently in Grades 5, 6, 7
Students will review articulation sheets/course options with Ms. Patterson during English class this month and parents should go over course options with their student(s) at home.
Students will receive and submit their articulation sheet, with parent approval, to Ms. Patterson, through Google Classroom.
Please contact your child’s supervising teacher or Mr. Rubin with questions.
Students currently in Grades 8, 9, 10, 11
All current 8th -11th graders must make an appointment to meet with Mr. Rubin. Please reserve a conference time at this link to discuss courses for next year, graduation and college entrance requirements, and community college courses.
Incoming 9th graders and their parents can meet with Mr. Rubin for a 4-year planning conference during the time of their articulation meeting.
Parents are encouraged to attend along with their student. If parents cannot attend, they should review the course options with their student at home.
Students do not need to return an articulation sheet, but should be prepared to share their course requests with Mr. Rubin during their appointment with him.
For questions, please contact Mr. Rubin.
Articulation Sheets:
Find all courses being offered next year here: Classes 2023-2024
Sign up for articulation meeting with Mr. Rubin (for next year's 9th-12th only).
Academics
PALS
PALS will be held in the Maker Space this week, April 12-13.
Academic Support
There are many ways for students to get extra academic support at MEA, on either on campus or via Zoom. Students can receive the support they need by attending PALS Tutoring, meeting with our UCSD Tutors, and/or attending their teacher's office hours. Please refer to the link below for further information.
Transcripts for College
Attention Seniors: As college acceptances are coming in, please follow the directions on the linked Google Doc to request your final transcript through Xello for the college you will be attending. Some schools may want a mid-year transcript now and a final transcript after semester 2 grades are in. After requesting through Xello, please send me a follow-up email at arubin@sandi.net.
Counseling Corner
His door is always open, but to ensure he is available when you can meet, make an appointment at the link https://calendly.com/mt_everest_counseling/meeting
College/Career Opportunities
The link below has some great opportunities for students in grades 9-12.
https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/ccte/student-opportunities
FREE SUMMER OPPORTUNITY FOR CURRENT 9, 10 & 11 GRADERS!
SWAG: Students With Academic Goals
Weekdays June 21-30 at SD City College daily 9am-12pm
Covers college admissions, types of colleges, financial aid, test-taking skills, UC PIQ and Essay Writing and more.
Includes field trips to UCSD and SDSU
Priority Deadline to Apply: 4/25/23
Click the link below to apply.
For questions, contact Karla Whitaker at kkwhitaker@ucsd.edu
Yearbook
Vote for a Yearbook Cover
We had some amazing entries for our Yearbook Cover Contest this year. We have narrowed it down to two finalists, and now it's up to you to pick the winner. Voting is now open to all students and closes at midnight on Friday, April 14.
Calling All Photographers
The best way to make sure you’re in the yearbook is to send us your pictures. Email pictures to Ms. Rice at lrice@sandi.net or upload your photos directly to the folders in TreeRing.
Show us your spirit! We’re looking for all things spirit: team spirit (world cup, world series, Superbowl) and school spirit (spirit days, MEA gear).
MEA is all about pursuing your passion and we want to feature that in the yearbook. So send us pictures of you and your classmates Pursuing Your Passions. Whether it's music, art, dance, athletics, philanthropy, advocacy, debate, and so on, we want to see it.
Library Corner
Drop Everything and Read!
April 12 is National Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) Day!
Come to the library and listen to poetry for lunch and bring your own favorite to share! Email the librarian for special reading requests too. Room 6!
Monday Message Readers
In honor of D.E.A.R., find Mrs. Keck or stop by the library with a book recommendation. If we have the book in our library, we would love for you to fill out an index card telling other MEA readers why you love this book!
Jolly Ranchers available to students who participate.
Seniors!
Please return any first semester materials which you are finished using and remember your turn-in date for all materials/Chromebooks/calculators, (and work) is June 1.
Chromebooks
Reminder: if you have a Chromebook which is a type N22, N23, 11e, or 14e (listed on the backside of your laptop), please bring it to the library to exchange for a newer model as soon as possible. We are collecting the chargers for those models also.
Extracurriculars
Cancellations
- GSA is cancelled for this week. Next meeting will be May 2nd.
Cooking Workshop
Maverick, 8th grader and inspiring home chef, will be having a cooking workshop this week, Wednesday during lunch, in RM 1. No signups are required. Come and learn a new recipe and some culinary skills. Hope to see you there.
Elementary Art sign-ups are now open for Month 9!
- Please enter your student's name on the form linked below if he/she would like to attend Elementary Art for month 8 on 4/25, 5/2 and 5/9, from 12:30-1:30.
- PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP IF YOUR CHILD CANNOT COMMIT TO ALL CLASSES. In order to attend, you MUST sign up.
- For more information, please see the art website here: https://mrssinkmea.weebly.com/elementary-art.html
Architecture Workshop
The Makerspace is having an Architecture Workshop on Thursday, April 13 starting at 12:30 to 2pm for grades 2 - 5 , please sign up by using the link below. The workshop is facilitated by Jennifer Swedell - Architect, Artist, and mom to 2nd grader Gia Forzani.
There are limited spaces available, SIGN UPS ARE REQUIRED. If the class is full, please email esuko@sandi.net to get on the waitlist.
We will provide the lunch supervision for the students as needed from 12-12:30pm.
Calling all Artists
Hello, young artists at MEA. If you are looking to publish your work in a magazine, this is the place for you. Heights is MEA's literary magazine that offers a platform for young artists to amplify their voices and share their work. We are accepting submissions of original work for our winter issue now. We accept art, poetry, short stories, essays, short films, excerpts from novels, and more. For this issue, there is an Open Book section which has no theme, and a themed section called New Beginnings. Works in this category could be about new changes, starting over, new ideas and discoveries, and/or new chapters in one's life. Your work will featured in our issues on the Heights website.
Campus Highlights
Dreamhack
Several of our eSports enthusiasts were able to visit Dreamhack San Diego this weekend. Here they were able to try out video games, new and old, check out new tech for the besting gaming experience and watch some of the most elite eSports Teams compete in the Rocket League Champion Series.
If you are interested in helping out MEA's eSports Team, please donate here.
Teachers vs. Students
MEA Academic League took on the MEA Teachers in the ultimate quiz battle. Teachers put up a good fight, even winning one of the matches, but ultimately it was the students who won the day.
MEA Varsity Academic League is headed to the playoffs this year. They are set to take on Francis Parker on April 18th.
Spirit Wear
All items are discounted from the last school year with limited inventory.
Order Now to take advantage of a good deal!
Please use the following QR code for the list of available items.
Please be advised:
In the process of purchasing an item online, you will need to create a SchoolCash account if you do not already have an one.
All items are available to pick up in the front office as soon as the order is placed. Please keep your receipt for the pick-up.
Anyone can order, such as your relative and friends.
Final sale: no refund and exchange. You are welcome to come to the office to check the sizes before purchasing.
Please click Limited Inventory as of 2/10/23
Community Announcements
Zero Waste Challenge
This Zero Waste Challenge is a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Day and encourage conversations about waste and pollution. However, it’s important to acknowledge that this issue is systemic (meaning it's built into our society). It often feels impossible to avoid using plastics because it is, well, impossible! So many of the products we use daily come in plastic, it’s unfair to blame ourselves or each other for using some plastics. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to use less. Bring a water bottle, reuse grocery bags, and try to buy products with less plastic. Think of it as a boycott -- you’re telling companies and the government that you do not support plastics. To make an even bigger difference, you can advocate for the end of plastic use altogether. This can be as simple as signing a petition or encouraging your parents to vote against plastics. Here are a few resources for you to speak out against plastic. Think of this as a part of the Zero Waste Challenge tenth challenge :)
Petitions/Letters
1. Tell Congress It's Time to Protect Our Ocean and Coasts from Climate Change, Pollution and Plastic
2. Stop Plastic Laundry Pods Petition
3. Urge Global Leaders to Eliminate Plastic
4. Tell Trader Joe’s to Eliminate Plastic Packaging
5. Support the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act
6. Petition to Ban Single-Use Plastics in Our National Parks
Organizations
1. Plastic Pollution Coalition
4. SanDiego350
The EnviroLiteracy Taskforce
We’ve all noticed the weird weather San Diego, and California as a whole, is experiencing. However, have you taken the time to understand why this might be?
Hello everyone. My name is Daanya and I am a junior here at MEA. Environmental awareness is a big part of my life, as it might of yours; be it sustainability, conservation, or climate change.
However, I am not the only person writing to you today. Sabine Howson, my partner, is a freshman here at MEA.
The reason we are writing to you all today is due to our recent involvement with the EnviroLiteracy Taskforce. Some of you may have heard of it as it is a district-wide student initiative. Our goal is to promote environmental awareness and action, as well as create a sustainable school environment. Not only that, but we are working toward implementing environmentally-related topics into the curriculum throughout the San Diego Unified District. As representatives for Mt. Everest Academy, Sabine and I have taken it upon ourselves to try and bring topics that may not be as obvious, to light. In the following weeks, we will be starting a blog where you all will be able to read about current environmental events. We hope it will benefit this community and our environment in the future.
A long-term goal that we are looking forward to is a native garden. This will be an initiative which both Sabine and I will work towards alongside Ria Rizo. Hopefully, we will be able to update you all about this in coming weeks.
Thank you for taking time to listen to our efforts and we hope you will support us through this journey. To a sustainable future.
Kindly,
MEA EnviroLiteracy Taskforce Representatives
April Nature Walk Meetup
Wonder and wander in nature with MEA friends! This MEA Nature Walk Meetup is a time to explore and enjoy our local open spaces, led by an MEA ASB student and a parent naturalist. Wear walking shoes and bring your sense of wonder. A water bottle and an extra layer can be useful. We’ll leave everything where we find it and will not take any found items with us. This is a community run event, students must bring a chaperone.
April Nature Walk Meetup in Tecolote Canyon Natural Park by Fox Run Friday, April 14 @ 1:00-2:30pm
Meet at Tecolote Canyon Trail Parking Lot trailhead located at approximately 3428 Acworth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111 There is a parking lot onsite, no restrooms. This trailhead is just west of the Trails at Fox Run and west of Acworth Avenue & Old Meadow Road.
Please send any information for the Monday Message using the Google form by end of day Thursday for upcoming message. If you have any question please contact Mrs. Keck at mkeck@sandi.net.