Sea Lion Spotlight

Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #19 - December 11, 2023

Principal's Pen

Hello MES Sea Lion Families,

A total of $41,726.60 was raised from the Jog-A-Thon!! A very special shout out to our Jog-A-Thon team, Marielle Hadid and Margaret Franco. In addition to raising funds for our school, you pulled off a great and well organized event! There was energetic music, an MC to keep us all "on track," and healthy refreshments. The Jog-A-Thon was a success and we couldn't have done all of this without you! The funds raised will go towards having one Instructional Aide per class, fund our Art and Marine Science program, provide digital learning to students — and so much more!

On Friday our students participated in an assembly with the Wellness Center on "Conflict-Resolution". Everyone has conflicts. Resolving them requires skill. The key is to remember to the acronym "LEAP": Listen, Empathize, Ask/Agree, and Partner. Using these skills helps children find a resolution. Parents can help by reinforcing this concept at home. Our teachers will too. This assembly is part of our larger partnership with the Wellness Center to help students develop kind and supportive friendships.

Thank you for your partnership,

Proud Principal Chris Hertz

Highlights

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Below are some recent photos of our amazing students, staff, and parents. There are more photos in the last section of the newsletter! If you have a great photo, please send it to Principal Hertz for consideration. Thank you!

Important Dates Coming Soon

Full Academic Calendar Link

NOW: Donate to the PTA. https://www.malibuelementary.org/donate
Tues 12/12 5th Grade Winter Informance (Music Demo) / 11m @ cafeteria
Wed 12/13 Tate and Thompson Field Trip / 9-2 @ Clayton Museum
Thur 12/14 4th Grade Winter Informance (Music Demo) / 11m @ cafeteria & bungalows
Fri 12/15 Student Council Spirit Day / Pajama Day
- Zoe’s Theater “Nutcracker” / 10 (Grades K-4-5) @ cafeteria
- Zoe’s Theater “Nutcracker” / 9 (Grades TK, 1-2-3) @ cafeteria
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

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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

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.

Handicap Parking is for Handicap Parking Only

The handicap spots are legally reserved for handicap people only. These spots are not intended for anyone else even for loading and unloading. We are receiving requests/complaints from visitors/parents to enforce handicap parking. Thank you for your cooperation.

Independent Study - The Rules

Independent Study is appropriate for Emergencies, catastrophic family situations, legal/government situations, severe health or other special circumstances. Independent Study is NOT for extending the length of school holidays, vacations or visiting family or friends.

The school must be informed in advance (two weeks / we realize this isn’t always possible in an Emergency). A contract needs to be filled out and signed by the parent, teacher and Principal. If work is not turned in or is not complete, partial credit or no credit may be given.

Independent Study Informational Overview: Link
Independent Study SMMUSD Website: Link

MBGC Information -December

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.