Sea Lion Spotlight

Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #11 - October 16, 2023

Principal's Pen

Hello MES Sea Lion Families,

It was another exciting week of learning and joy at MES. Please see some photos of events held at school such as the 5th grade International Feast Day. We also had several trips to the rocky shore to collect data on marine life. Here is an overview of our Marine Science program. Next week after-school theater begins. Please see the article below to sign your child up. Next week our 5th graders are off on a three-day field trip to Science Camp up in the San Bernardino Mountains. Many thanks to teacher Tracy Kooy for leading this great program for our oldest students.

Over the next two weeks all students will be taking our new biannual writing tests. Results will guide teachers in providing feedback to students and designing learning activities. Students will also be taking math tests. The youngest students will use paper-pencil tests and older students will take tests online. Assessments help teachers tailor instruction. Here is an overview of how we track learning and analyze data.

Earthquakes are a scary reality in California. Teach your kids to Drop, Cover, and Hold On. You can also play the ‘Earthquake Game’ where when anyone says “earthquake!” Everyone has to pretend an earthquake is happening and practice their response. Teach your children that they should go under a table and hold on if one is near. If they are in a room without a table, crouch against an interior wall, away from windows. Find an “earthquake-safe” location in every room of the house so they don’t try to run during an earthquake. On Thursday MES will conduct one of our four earthquake drills.

Halloween is coming and it will be fun at school. Please see our costume requirements in the article below! Also see the fliers at the bottom of this email to learn about the Spooky Book Fair and "Trunk or Treat"!

I want to thank our volunteers. You are helping in classrooms, on field trips, on the playground, and with fundraising events. Speaking of which, the annual Jog-a-Thon is scheduled for Friday, November 17. We need many volunteers! In order to volunteer, parents must be approved in advance. Please see below on how to get approved.

I will be in touch with you next week.

Thank you for your partnership,

Proud Principal Chris Hertz

Highlights

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Below are some photos of our amazing students, staff, and parents the first weeks of school. 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
W-F 10/18 - 10/20 5th Grade Overnight Trip to Pali Camp (Students load into the bus on Grayfox at 7:45. Bus rolls at 8am on Wednesday the 18th)
Thur 10/19 Great Shakeout - Earthquake Drill / 10:19
Fri 10/20 Student Lead Assembly with Whitman’s Class / 8:30 @ assembly area
5th graders return from camp / 1:30ish @ Fernhill Parking Lot

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Looking farther forward...

Mon 10/23 - PTA Art Contest Submissions Due (See article below)
Thur 10/26 Marine Science Afternoon with Pepperdine / 2:45 - 4:15 (Sign-up Here)
Fri 10/27 Island of the Blue Dolphin Assembly / 9 @ cafeteria

Trunk-or-Treat PTA Event / 5-6pm @ MES Parking Lot

Oct 30 - Nov 3rd Book Fair @ MES Library (Details coming)
Tues 10/31 Halloween Parade / 8:30 @ blacktop (Details)
Fri 11/3 Dia de Los Muertos Lunchtime Theater CoCo Show / 9am @ cafeteria
Mon 11/06 Pupil-Free Day for Parent/Teacher Conferences
M-Th 11/06 - 11/09 Parent-Teacher Conference Week
Fri 11/10 Holiday - Veterans Day / No School
Fri 11/17 Jog-a-Thon / 9-11 @ field
Wed – Fri 11/22-24 - Thanksgiving Break / No School
Fri 12/22 / Last Day of School Before Winter Break
Mon 01/8 / Return to School from Winter Break

Articles for Parents

How Do I Purchase Spirit Wear?

https://www.malibuelementary.org/

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

Halloween Costumes & Parade

We look forward to our annual parade. Parents may watch and cheer. As always, no weapons or discriminatory, sexist or hateful costumes are allowed. Masks may be worn during the parade but not during class instructional time. Link to Parade Map

Pepperdine Marine Science Demonstration Day

Wednesday, October 26th / 2:45 - 4:15 @ MES Marine Science Lab

MES students are invited to stay after school on Thursday, October 26th and join Pepperdine Professor Flo La Valle and her Marine Science college students in our MES Marine Science Laboratory. MES students will participate in interactive activities. The activities will lead to greater understanding and appreciation for Marine Science. We also hope this event will inspire our students to do their best on their Marine Science projects.

There will be four activity stations manned by twelve Pepperdine Seniors.

If you would like your student to stay after school, please sign up here. Tell your student you will pick him/her up at 4:15pm rather than 2:45. Kindergarten students are welcome to return to school too, but should be supported by their parent(s).

Marine Science Teacher Sarah Attensil-Miller will be there to supervise. I will be present for the last half hour and stay until all students get picked up. Please arrive no later than 4:15. I will leave the back gate behind the cafeteria ajar for your ease of access.

PTA Art Contest! Reflections.. - Sign Up Now

All MES Students are invited to take part in this years PTA Reflections Art Contest. This years theme is “I am Hopeful Because…”

To virtually submit an original piece of artwork in one of the 6 creative categories for your child’s age division: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography or Visual Arts… Please email submission to MESReflectionsChair@gmail.com by OCTOBER 23rd, 2023 with the required ENTRY FORM.

A recognition ceremony will be held in November to celebrate our MES submissions, which have the opportunity of moving onto a state-wide judging.

The required “Entry Form”, and Rules and Guidelines for entry can be found here: (In English) (In Spanish)

Volunteering at MES / To Be A Cleared Volunteer

Details - click here. Sign up for your training: Link

Volunteer Pick Up Games to Support our Students

Approved volunteers are asked to help organize games at recess and lunch. Kids love structured games and mini tournaments. Basketball? Baseball? Soccer? Four Square? Handball? GaGa? The hours are 8-8:15 (blacktop games only please due to wet grass and more limited supervision), snack recess, and lunch playtime. See the bell schedule below to know the hours for various age groups. So if you an approved volunteer on a fairly reliable schedule, please reach out to Principal Chris.

MBGC Information - October

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

Jaxx After-School Theater in Back! - Register Now

MES is teaming up with Jaxx Theater again to help serve the students of Malibu Elementary. Please see the flier link here for all the details on the theme, dates, and next steps for parents.