Sea Lion Spotlight
Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #20 - December 18, 2023
Table of Contents
2. Highlights - Photos of Recent Events
3. Important Dates - Coming Soon
4. Looking farther forward - Events to anticipate farther out in time
5. Articles - Timely information for parents
6. Useful Resources and Links
7. More Highlights
Principal's Pen
Hello MES Sea Lion Families,
Our final week before break has arrived! This week will bring us shows, celebrations, and rain!
Heading into the Holiday break and new year, I want to reflect on the amazing first half of the 2023-24 school year we shared together at Malibu Elementary. It has been a great year! For me adding a TK classroom might be the best highlight. Similarly, our new PTA has championed parental involvement and I can say I have never seen more parents lending a hand at school. Professionally, our teachers have been dedicated to creating the best processes and activities possible for optimal student learning. I am so proud of their never-ending focus on great instruction. Our students have been at the center of everything we do at school. Their well-being and academic growth have the drivers on every decision. And while we should all be glad for a break and more time with loved ones, I can tell you I am really looking forward to the next half of the school year. We will continue to nurture a sense of belonging, academic curiosity, and empower every student to thrive. By working together, we will continue to create a school culture where every child feels and is successful. I am so very grateful to our dedicated parents, teachers, support staff, and larger community. Your commitment and collaboration have been the key to our students' success.
May all of you have a rewarding and rejuvenating winter break. May this season bring you warmth and wonderful memories. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing our amazing students on Jan. 8, 2024.
Thank you for your partnership,
Proud Principal Chris Hertz
Highlights
Important Dates Coming Soon
- NOW: Donate to the PTA. https://www.malibuelementary.org/donate
Fri 12/22 Last Day of School Before Winter Break
- Holiday Show / 8:30 - 9:30 (K-2nd ) & 10:30 - 11:30 (3-5th ) @ Cafeteria
- Lost in found to Charity / 3pm
.
Looking farther forward...
Mon 01/8 Return to School from Winter Break
Mon 01/15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday / No School
Jan 16 - 26 Star Winter Diagnostic Period (These are our yearly "School Goals" assessments.)
Fri 02/02 Winter Report Cards Sent Home
- Mon 02/19 Presidents’ Day Holiday / No School
Articles for Parents
Festive Dads at Drop-Off!
Our PTA is organizing a festive Holiday Dads at Dropoff initiative. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A9AF23A6FDC25-46805996-calling#/ Ho ho ho! What a fun way to start the day this week!
Private School Recommendation Letters
As a district we are respectfully declining to write letters of recommendation for students applying to private schools. We want to best use our limited time and resources for activities that impact all of our students in our schools. Writing letters takes us away from our work with our students.
If you are applying to a private school for your child, we will send a form letter to the school
explaining our reasoning, and that the district’s lack of recommendation letter in no way suggests a negative reflection of your children. Teachers will not be completing recommendation letters nor will they be completing any checklists. We can provide report cards, and any information already in your child’s file; however, teachers will not create any new information or provide any type of recommendation for private schools.
We believe students who have attended MES are well positioned to be a positive addition to
any school community– and we hope you will all continue to consider SMMUSD school options
as wonderful learning environments for your children.
Regardless, we always wish our students all the best. Thank you for your understanding.
Sample Letter from Principal
Attendance Matters
Student attendance at school is critical for success. Last year we averaged about 92% of our students being at school each day. This year we are doing better, much better. However we are slipping again. Please do all you can keep your child in school everyday. Thank you. Below is our attendance pattern thus far this year.
PERIOD #1: 96.10%. PERIOD #2: 95.87%. PERIOD #3: 95.03%. PERIOD #4: 93.85%
We we return in January, let's get back up to over 95%! Great attendance leads to great life-long habbits and success.Limited Friday Parking - Able Bodies
Friday parking is challenging. We don't have enough spaces for everyone. Essential staff such as teachers need to be able to access their assigned spots. Handicap people need to be able to access their three spots. TK and Kinder parents need closer spots. Taking this all in, we are asking our able-bodied visitors to consider street parking on Fridays. Thank you for your considerations.
MBGC Information -December-January
The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu aims to provide a fun, safe, and creative environment for all Malibu youth to thrive, find support through positive mentorship, develop important life skills, and receive social and emotional support. We are currently offering: Link
More Highlights
WAIT UNTIL 8TH
The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. By banding together, this will decrease the pressure felt by kids and parents alike over the kids having a smartphone. Please note that this pledge is for smartphones only! If you would like your child to have a basic phone that just calls and texts, you still can sign the pledge! The basic phone avoids many of the distractions and dangers of the smartphone.
Top 5 Reasons To Delay Getting a Smartphone
1 Smartphones are changing childhood.
2 They are distracting and addicting.
3 Smartphones expose your child to...
4 They increase risk for anxiety and depression.
5 Cyberbullying is an important concern.
To learn more, please visit www.waituntil8th.org or check out Wait Until 8th’s Instagram account.
Useful Resources and Links
Principal Chris' Past Newsletters
Student Services Registration Documents 23/24
MES Minimum Days - 2023 - 2024
Volunteering at MES: Information and Signup form
Medications at School Form Send to School Nurse Daniel Gorton dgorton@smmusd.org
Connect with Chris Hertz
Email: chertz@smmusd.org
Website: malibues.smmusd.org
Location: 6955 Fernhill Drive, Malibu, CA, USA
Phone: 310-457-9370
Twitter: @hertzinator