Monday Message
January 4, 2021
Message from the Principal
A warm Happy New Year to you all! I hope everyone had time to relax with friends and family over break. We are all hopeful that 2021 will be bright and we will find some sense of normalcy again.
This is a reminder that Month 5 for students in grades 6-12 is different this year as the semester officially ends on 1/22 whereas the Month 5 attendance month goes until 1/29. (This is an anomaly out of our control that has not happened prior to this year.) This means that teachers will have assignments due over the next 1-3 weeks that will count towards Semester 1 grades. The number of assignments counting towards Semester 1 and due dates will differ depending on the grade level and the course. Other assignments for Month 5 will count towards Semester 2. Please review cover sheets with your students carefully so they know what needs to be completed for Semester 1 and turned in over the next 1-3 weeks.
The due dates that occur throughout this month are very strict to ensure that teachers have enough time to review student work and input grades within the short timeline set by the district. Please be sure that your students turn in work as soon as it is completed (daily), rather than wait to turn it all in at once.
Work samples for audit are still due on 1/29 (as well as work assigned to count towards semester 2.)
If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Courtney Browne
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To: Mt. Everest Academy Community
From: Mr. Spiegelberg’s German students
Greeting: Wir wünschen euch einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
Translation: Have a good slide into the new year!

Your Input Needed
Our unique program currently meets the needs of many different families for many different reasons. This data, along with District guidelines, will help inform our decisions moving forward. We thank you for your input.
Elementary Art
The Holiday Hoopla was so much fun, Mrs. Sink will be conducting monthly arts and crafts classes on zoom. You will need to provide your own supplies which are listed on her Elementary Art webpage. The classes will be held monthly on the third Thursday of each four week MEA month through May (months 5, 6, 7 and 9).
Feel free to contact Mrs. Sink with any questions: vsink@sandi.net
SPIRIT WEEK
The ASB is sponsoring the following spirit days next week. Express your creativity and show your school spirit!
- Historical Figure Day - 1/12/21
- Sports Day - 1/13/21
- Decades day - 1/14/21
It is encouraged that students turn on their cameras during zoom meetings, so that they can show their spirit from home!
Students can also submit photos of themselves dressed up in their spirit week apparel to TreeRing. Please include the students name, grade, and caption, and upload to the Spirit folder. Upload instructions
MEA Podcast is back!
Enjoy this podcast hosted by MEA seniors, Toki and Toler.
In the first episode of the second season, we have Mr. Sheahan come on and talk about university, physics, and teaching.
Please Send in your Winter break photos!
We need photos of your winter break for the yearbook! Follow the instructions in the linked document below to share any pictures that show what you did, any places you visited, how you celebrated the holidays, baking, decorating, etc..
Make sure to also order your copy of the yearbook, if you haven’t done so yet.
MEA Yearbook Information: How to purchase and customize your yearbook and how to upload photos to be used in the yearbook.
Senior Portraits
Seniors may have their senior portraits taken at Chula Vista Photo this year, as we are not able to have Lifetouch come on campus. Here is more information about what to expect.
To schedule an appointment, contact the studio at mail@chulavistaphoto.com or 619-422-9281.
Book your appointment soon! Your portrait needs to be taken in either January or February to ensure that it will make it into the 2020-21 MEA Yearbook.
For any questions, please contact Linda Ele at lele@sandi.net
Introducing: “12 at 12!”
Starting on January 12th, at 12 for 12 minutes! Join us for meditation and receive your mindful nourishment!
When: Jan. 12th, 2021 / 12:00pm
Zoom: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/7588584792
Meeting ID: 758 858 4792
Password: MEA!
Why: Optimum Health, Wellness, and Well-Being!
Who: Everyone!
Particulars:
- Please log in by 11:59 am if possible.
- Please remain MUTED unless called upon to share.
- Meditation will take place from 12noon until 12:12 with 3 minutes for debrief thus ending our session at 12:15 for you to take your physical nourishment as well!
Megawatts 2020 Combine Harvester Model
Our former MakerSpace teacher,“Mr. Richard” (Richard Choquette), has created a hands-on project for a combine harvester paper model and he’d be happy to share it with you! Many MEA students have gained an understanding of complicated systems from the projects that Mr. Richard has designed. This latest design is inspired by his experiences harvesting wheat in Colorado. Learn more here.
Mr. Richard has also created paper models for computers, a space shuttle, the human brain, DNA and RNA, and viruses. He would welcome hearing from you if you are interested in any of these projects or need pointers while you are building one. Email: richoq@mindspring.com

PALS is in session!
Day: Thursdays
Times: 12:30-1:50 and 1:50-3:05
Zoom: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/85258186771
Parents, if you have a child in grades K-5 that needs help with homework, consider bringing them to PALS. During PALS, older students in either Middle or High school can help them with any homework needed. This program will start this week, week one of month 5. PALS will be hosted through zoom on Thursdays during two time slots: 12:30-1:50 and 1:50-3:05. If this sounds interesting, please fill out this PALS Parent/Guardian Form to show you and your child’s demonstrated interest in the tutoring program. The zoom link for PALS this Thursday is listed above.
PALS interest form
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!
New entrance for Material Checkouts
Due to construction work, please come to the North facing door of the Auditorium for material checkouts. If the auditorium door is closed, please wait a few minutes (the librarian may have just briefly stepped away) or call 858-627-7381.

For material pickups, returns, and exchanges please come to the North facing door of the auditorium on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 and 1:00. (including Chromebooks for Edgenuity exams)
Please contact Suzie Wilson at swilson3@sandi.net if you have any questions, or reach her at 858-627-7381 on Tuesdays through Thursdays. There is no need to email in advance. However, when there are special distributions ready for check-out, they will be noted here in the Monday Message.
Material Checkouts this week for Ms. Patterson's students
Pick Up Times
- Tuesday, Jan. 5 / 10:00-1:00
- Thursday, Jan. 7 / 10:00-1:00
Books for Ms. Patterson's students:
- GRADE 5 – "Fish in a Tree"
- GRADE 5 – "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes"
GRADE 5 – “Out of My Mind”
- GRADE 7 – "Esperanza Rising"
Grade 5 SCIENCE MATERIAL
For students that haven’t yet picked up their cycle 2 science materials, you will need to pick those up also.
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!
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!
** Extracurricular Activities **
CLUBS
- Academic League - led by Kate Papen
- Ally Action - 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
- Engineering Club - led by Matthew S ... Zoom link ... Interest Form
> Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30 (not turn in) - 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
Ally Action
MEA is continuing our anti-bullying campaign this year! Due to concerns surrounding many of the ideals that ADL stood for, we are no longer associating ourselves with them, and we are officially Ally Action. We are starting the campaign by encouraging all students to sign this pledge to make our school a more welcoming place. Throughout the year, we will host events for all ages to build our school's community. 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!!
** COUNSELING CORNER **
There's Still Time for Seniors to Apply for Fall 2021
Many California State University campuses have extended their application window past December 15th. There are still several CSU options available for Fall 2021.
Channel Islands – December 31, 2020
Chico – January 15, 2021
- All First-time Freshman and non-impacted transfer programs
Dominguez Hills - January 15, 2021
East Bay - March 2, 2021
Humboldt – February 28, 2021
- Los Angeles – January 19, 2021
Except for Nursing for transfer students
Maritime – January 15, 2021
Monterey Bay - January 15, 2021
Pomona –
- Hospitality Management for freshman and transfers until March 1st and
- Early Childhood Studies for transfers only until January 31st
Sacramento – January 8, 2021
San Bernardino - February 1, 2021
San Francisco - non-impacted programs until January 31, 2021
San Jose – January 8, 2021
San Marcos – January 31, 2021
Sonoma – January 15, 2021
Stanislaus – February 1, 2021
Class of 2021
Seniors, this Counseling & Guidance Resources webpage was designed with you in mind. From the page you will find helpful resources to support your senior year: understand the college application process, cope with the stressors of transitioning to college and navigate the challenges of senior year.
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
Challenge to Class Requirements
Students must meet all class requirements prior to being enrolled in community college campus courses. Students can clear prerequisites by challenge exam, transcripts, or petition to challenge.
Challenge Exam offered through testing office: testing@sdccd.edu
If you’ve taken classes similar to the prerequisites in question but not exact equivalents, or if you have applicable work experience, you can petition through the particular Department. For this, download and submit this Petition to Challenge. The submit link is just below the forms.
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.
Women in Computer Science
* * COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS * *
Mock Law Class Invite
Tuesday, January 12 / 3:00-4:00
Join the University of San Diego Law School and Just The Beginning for a mock law school class! Learn about the Socratic method and how law students learn to think critically. Prior to the class, students will receive a case reading assignment to be briefed before class day. The application deadline is 1/8/21.
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