Mt. Everest Academy Updates
Do School Differently
Message from the Principal
Dear MEA Students and Families,
What a whirlwind of a week! It has been so wonderful to see so many of you (from a safe social distance) as you pick up textbooks and sign master agreements.
I want to send a huge shout out to Ms. Ramos, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Suzie and Mr. Richard for the tremendous job they have done organizing enrollment and textbook distribution. Every day is countless hours of prep and execution and couldn't be done without them! And we thank you for being patient and for doing your best to follow safety procedures.
Teachers report to work (remotely) on Wed. and will be finalizing syllabi and coversheets for you to access beginning on Monday Aug. 31, the first day of school. There will be districtwide professional development for teachers as well as districtwide trainings for parents on various online platforms and related resources. Although all Mt. Everest Academy families are welcome to attend these districtwide online offerings, we will be following our own "first week of school" schedule. Please follow the schedule that is unique to our program and includes orientations, studygroup classes, meetings with supervising teachers, and meetings for courses that do not have a regular studygroup meeting.
There are many updates in this Monday Message, so please read carefully and completely so as not to miss any pertinent information.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or suggestions.
Best regards,
Courtney Browne
Enrollment Forms
You should have received en email with information about enrollment and textbook pick up.
New students and elementary students must return forms to the gmail address included in that communication specifically created for this purpose. (We apologize if this seems antiquated and we wish we had access to Docusign, but we don't.)
Secondary (6th-12th) students must bring a copy of the signed forms to their textbook pick up time. (Even if you are new and already emailed them, please bring hard copies)
Master agreements (The legal document allowing students to complete independent study)
- Elementary Master Agreements should be emailed with the other enrollment forms.
- Secondary Master Agreements must be signed by a parent and student at the time of textbook pick up.
Please note, your student is not officially enrolled until a master agreement for independent study is on file, signed and dated on or before Aug. 31
Textbook/Curriculum Pick Up
Textbooks have been pre-checked out to students. You will receive a print out of all textbooks checked out as a receipt. (If secondary students want a schedule change they should do it now to avoid multiple trips to exchange books as we cannot make changes the day of like we usually do.)
Logistics
- Be on time.
- Everyone must wear a face covering.
- Wait in your car if you are early.
- There is absolutely no congregating allowed.
- Secondary students and their parents and parents of elementary new to SDUSD, will park and proceed to a table set up in front of the office. Textbooks will then be picked up from a table outside the cafeteria.
- Stay at least 6 feet from others.
If you have yet to sign up for a textbook pick up time, please do so here.
We will add more textbook times the week of 8/31 as needed.
**Update**
Due to our increased enrollment, we are still awaiting delivery of certain textbooks from the district warehouse. Once these books are delivered, we will contact you. Any questions about missing textbooks can be directed to Ms. Iwamoto at kiwamoto@sandi.net.
Novels for 5th and 6th grade English were delivered and will be available for pick up Thursday and Friday of this week from 12-3.
Computer Check-out and Internet Access
If you need assistance with internet in your home, please contact the SDUSD Family Support Line at 619-260-2460 and press option 1.
K-5 Information and Orientations
Parents are expected to begin at-home instruction during the week of August 31st. More explanation of what this may look like will be shared during the orientations. (If you are new, feel free to start with something you are most comfortable with.)
The week of August 31st, teachers will be presenting grade level orientations to parents, as well as receiving professional development training to help prepare them for Virtual Learning and the new TK-4 Benchmark Language Arts curriculum. K-5 studygroup sessions will begin the week of 9/8.
Elementary Orientations (Links to online meetings will be sent soon)
These are designed to be "parent only" as teachers will be guiding you through pacing guides, curriculum supports, and accessing resources online. (When we do these at school, there are no children present so parents can stay focused on the abundance of information.) All parents and other adults supporting the teaching in your home at the elementary level should be present.
Monday, August 31st
- 9 a.m. - 3rd Grade
- 11 a.m. - Kindergarten
- 1:30 p.m. - 1st grade
Tuesday, Sept. 1st
- 9 a.m. - 4th Grade Orientation
- 11 a.m. - 2nd Grade Orientation
Wednesday, Sept. 2nd
- 9 a.m. - 5th Grade Orientation
Secondary (6-12) Orientations and first week of studygroups
Links to meetings will be posted on teachers' Canvas or Google Classroom pages as well as emailed to parents.
Orientations for grades 6-7
- Will occur in first studygroup meeting for every course
- Parent attendance required, unless specified by teacher
Orientations for Grade 8
- Will occur in first studygroup meeting of every course
- Parent attendance required for Math 8
New Student Orientation for Grades 9th-12th
- Monday, 8/31 at 12:30
- An invitation will be sent to you
Meetings with supervising teachers for all students in grades 7th-12th
- Friday 9/4 (Time TBA)
- Your supervising teacher will send you an invite
Courses without a regular studygroup meeting (ie. Food and Nutrition, Personal Finance, etc.)
- Introductory meetings will occur the week of 8/31 (Teachers will send you info)
- Check your teacher's website for course information and/or Month 1 work
Studygroup schedules
Please note for the secondary schedule:
- Middle school classes have been spread out over multiple days. Once we are back to campus it will go back to one day/grade level.
- All classes have the same start time as our usual studygroup schedule, however, classes will not be as long. (The end time is not indicated on the schedule.)
- The length of the meeting time will depend on the grade level, course, and content area. Teachers will review the specifics for their class the first week of school.
- Teachers will plan for breaks and time between online meetings.
The secondary studygroup schedule for online meetings can be found here. Disregard the meeting rooms until we can meet in person. This is subject to change.
The elementary online studygroup schedule starting the week of 9/8 can be found here
If you have any questions please write to Principal Browne at cbrowne@sandi.net.
District Website Updating
Digital Citizenship
Message from MEA Alum
Calling all high school students passionate about reversing the climate crisis to apply for a paid, ten week fellowship program through SD350 this fall!
Description: The SD350 Fellowship is intended to spark youth climate action and inspire high school students to become climate leaders in San Diego and virtually during Fall 2020. Fellows will create engaging programs for high school students, give presentations, host virtual events (and in-person events if health guidelines permit), and support a youth team to influence regional climate policy. Fellows will receive paid compensation for an average of 5-6 hours per week.
Start: September 14th, 2020 (note that there will be a mandatory orientation during the week of September 7th)
End: December 4th, 2020.
Duration: Ten weeks of work. Full term includes one fall break and one week to be taken off as needed.
Apply here by Friday, August 28th. (Deadline may be flexible if there are qualified students who just didn’t see this in time.)
Contact Megan Phelps, mkphelps@ucdavis.edu, for more information.
MATHCOUNTS Club for grades 6-8
Students enrolled in grades 6-8 that enjoy math and challenging problems are welcome to come and join the MATHCOUNTS Club. The club will conclude with the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series which will be held online, beginning of 2021 (it usually happens at the end of February).
The club will have a weekly meeting online, starting September/October, and will continue in-person when the school opens up.
More details and registration sign up sheet will follow. Please note that this club is only for students in grades 6-8.
MathCounts Competition Series Est 1983
A national middle school mathematics competition that builds problem solving skills and fosters achievement. In response to COVID-19 this year, there will be more contests and they will be held online.
For more information feel free to check out
mathcounts.org