MEA Tuesday Message

Tuesday, Nov. 12

• 8-8:45- Choir - B15
  
• 8:50- 9:35- Strings - B15
• 9:40-10:25- Band - B15
• 12:00-12:30 Dodgeball - Blacktop
• 12:30-1:15 Elementary Art - MakerSpace

• 12:00-12:30 Dodgeball - Blacktop
• 12:30-2:30 PALS - Rm 6
• 12:30-1:15 Elementary PE
• 12:45-4:00 Sewing Machine Basics - MakerSpace
• 1:50-2:40 Secondary PE

• 9:00-12:00 Sewing Machine Basics - MakerSpace
• 9:30-11:30 PALS - Auditorium
• 11:00-11:45 Coop Group - Chicken Coop
• 12:00-12:30 Dodgeball - Blacktop
• 12:00-12:30 Elementary Book Club
• 12:30-1:30 Tech Exploration - Room 6

• 9:00-11:30 PALS - Room 1

• Nov. 19-21 Pickleball Clinics
• Nov. 20-21 Pumpkin Succulent Workshop
• Nov. 25- 29 Thanksgiving Break
• Dec. 4 Hearing and Vision Screenings (gr. K, 5, & 8)
  
• Dec. 4 Winter Wonderfun
• Dec. 12 Winter Semi-Formal

Check out the week's club calendar below. For more information about clubs, check out the MEA Campus Life.

It is time for students in grades 5-11 to plan their classes for the next school year.

Current 8th-11th Graders (Class of 2026-2029)

• All current 8th -11th graders must either make an appointment (in person or online) to meet with Mr. Rubin or email course requests (arubin@sandi.net). Please reserve a conference time at this link to discuss courses for next year, graduation and college entrance requirements, and community college courses.

• During their articulation meeting, incoming 9th graders and their parents can meet with Mr. Rubin to discuss a four-year plan.

• Parents are encouraged to attend along with their student(s). Parents who cannot attend should review the course options with their student at home.

• Students do not need to return an articulation sheet but should be prepared to share their course requests with Mr. Rubin during their appointment or by email.

• If you would prefer to work with Mr. Rubin over email to select classes, please email him your requests.

Articulation Sheets:

Incoming 9th graders, Class of 2029

Incoming 10th graders, Class of 2028

Incoming 11th graders, Class of 2027

Incoming 12th graders, Class of 2026

Find all courses being offered next year and a tentative class schedule at the links below:

Class Schedule 2025-2026

Sign up for an articulation meeting with Mr. Rubin (for next year's 9th-12th only).

Current 5th-7th Graders (Class of 2030-2032)

You will select your classes for the following school year through a Google Form. Mr. Rubin presented the form in Ms. Patterson's and Mr. Cate’s class. The form will be available to complete in Ms. Patterson's or Mr. Cate’s Google Classrooms and linked here.

To review the course options available to middle school students, please see the following articulation sheets:

Incoming 6th graders, Class of 2032

Incoming 7th graders, Class of 2031

Incoming 8th graders, Class of 2030

Please email Mr. Rubin if you have questions regarding scheduling.

Impact Aid Survey (yellow paper) was sent home with your student last week. The survey is collected to support Federal Impact Aid funding and is kept confidential. Impact Aid funds become part of the district's general operating budget and support instructional activities for all students.

Please complete and return the survey (yellow paper) to the office OR submit it through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

How to submit the survey through the Parent Portal:

• Select Forms from the left-hand navigation menu, then select 2024-25 Impact Aid Program Survey Form under Annual Forms.

• Follow the prompts and submit the form. Please be sure a confirmation appears before logging off.

• If you need assistance or do not yet have a Parent Portal account, please contact Mihoko Ikeuchi (Email:mikeuchi@sandi.net or Phone (619) 605-8700. Visit our support website for more information.

• Parents can submit the survey using the PowerSchool mobile app.

How to submit the survey through paper form:

• Complete the section for either civilian or military employment so that the district can determine whether student (s) live and/or work on federal property.

• Sign and date it at the bottom of the form.

• Return it to the office.

Thank you for your partnership.

Attention MEA students! The lighthouse teem is excited to announce that we will be hosting dodgeball games Tuesday - Thursday during lunch on the blacktop the Second Week of Month 4! Please spread the word and we can't wait to see you there!! November 12, 13, 14 at lunch on the blacktop

Show your support for your school, club, hobbie, favorite book or character, people, group, cause, pet, class, volunteering, organizations and more by designing a button!! All buttons will be posted in the library on the “Brief but spectacular” door. Go MEA!

Buttons are often worn to show support for a person or group’s favorite cause(s) or to make change in our society. In the past, women for example, fought for the right to vote and wore beautifly designed buttons in 1904. In the library we have posters for “vote for books” and “elect to read” for this year’s fall season 😊 which are like very LARGE buttons.

Give it a try and turn in your button through the end of November (Nov. 22nd) before Thanksgiving Break.

Secondary students are you ready to learn some basic sewing skills with a sewing machine? Makerspace is hosting an open house on Wednesday, November 6th & 13th from 12:45 to 4pm and Thursday, November 7th & 14th from 9am to noon, come by when you can. Learn how to use a sewing machine and make a tote bag. 🧵
Email kkrampe@sandi.net if you have any questions. Please complete the google form so we have enough sewing machines ready.

Pickleball is Life! The fastest growing sport in America has made its way to the MEA campus! We will offer Pickleball clinics during lunch on Nov. 19/20/21 for all middle and high school students who would like to learn the rules and basics of Pickleball. Elementary clinics will be held during recess the same week. Please help us keep the courts organized by returning all equipment to the athletic bags when you are finished. Have fun!

Back by popular demand! Our seasonally inspired “make and take” succulent pumpkin workshop in the maker space is right around the corner. Happening on Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21 between 12 and 1:30. Please arrive by 1 o’clock to complete your creation.
We have a limited supply of pumpkins this year, and most are much smaller than last year.
K-5 students: please arrive with a parent or guardian since this event isn’t supervised after you create your succulent pumpkin. Please be prepared to work with hot glue guns.
Limit one pumpkin per student.
Donations appreciated, but not required! ($2-$5 per pumpkin allows us to re-stock moss, hot glue sticks, and pumpkins).
This is a fantastic craft to bring with you to a seasonal and friends & family-focused meal—makes for a great gift or centerpiece.
All are welcome!
Please see Ms. Shannon for any questions about the event.

Save the date! Our Winter Wonderfun Celebration and third annual M.E.A. Pop-Up Art Show is happening on Wednesday, December 4th in the Auditorium from 12:00 to 3:00. Come on by and check out some of the great creations made by the students here at M.E.A. There will be stations set-up for making projects, and we will have work on display from several of our classes. If you can make it at lunch time, the illustrious M.E.A. Jamband will also be performing :) We’re looking forward to seeing you all then!!

Calling all MEA high schoolers! The Winter Semi-Formal “Snow Ball” dance and activities will be held in the Auditorium and courtyard, on Thursday, December 12th, from 7:00-9:00 pm.

❗❗ Last week for $20 tickets. ❗❗

Ticket prices will increase to $25 on Saturday, November 16th. No tickets will be sold the day of the dance. Each student may bring one non-MEA student. Light refreshments will be provided at the dance. Attire is semi-formal, but make sure to wear something you can dance in!

Tickets are available to purchase, students 9-12 grade sign into your school cash account. All attendees will need a completed Permission Slip. MEA students can complete theirs online while purchasing ticket(s). Non-MEA guests must complete a hard-copy of the Permission Slip (also available in the office) to participate in the event, forms can be turned in at the office or at the event.

December 4th is Hearing and Vision Day required for all K,5th and 8th grades and new students this year. It's a Wednesday and most 8th graders should be present but all other students in those grades please come by campus for the mandated hearing and vision screenings from 8:30 am -2:00 pm.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Nurse Kris: kgormican@sandi.net

Students in Grades 6-12 are invited to enter their art in our yearbook cover contest. The winner will receive a free yearbook and their artwork will be displayed on the front cover! Even if your entry is not used on the cover, it may still be used in other places throughout the book.

You may submit a design that is for the front cover only or a wrap-around spread for both the front and back. Keep in mind that there is a spine roughly half an inch wide that will cut through the middle of a wrap-around design. All entries must be in digital format.

Yearbook Theme:

• This year’s book doesn’t have a specific “tag line,” but the cover art should reflect the uniqueness of this school, which is unlike any other.

Tips for a Good Entry:

• All entries must include Mt. Everest Academy and the school year 2024-25.

• Use lots of color, including the background. Don’t leave much white space.

• Do not add text too close to the edges of the page. Leave 1 inch of space around the outside edges with no text, just color/design. This will avoid print issues when the art is applied to the cover.

Submit Your Digital Art:

• See this link for the specific dimensions for creating your artwork in programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator or others: size, dimensions and resolutions

• Use the specs and templates for an 8 ½ x 11 Hardcover book with 92 pages (Photoshop and inDesign templates available)

• Email your file to rfinney@sandi.net

All Entries Due By: January 31, 2025 (end of Month 6)

Everyone in grades 7-12 are welcome to join the Plein Air Painting Club at The Old Mission Dam in Mission Trails on Saturday, November 16. We will do a short hike from 9-10:30, then paint fall leaves at the dam from 10:30-12. Come for the hike or the art or both. Muffins, tea, and coffee will be available for a light breakfast from 8:30-9. All art supplies will be provided, although feel free to bring your own. No artistic skills are required. Just come out for a good time with other MEA teens. Do bring your own chairs if you want them. All parents are welcome, but parents of students under 16 are strongly encouraged to attend. Please note:

❗ This is a meetup event and not sponsored by MEA. All parents are solely responsible for their children. This event will be in a public semi-wilderness space without dedicated adult supervision. If that makes you or your teen uncomfortable, please plan on attending with your teen. All teens are expected to stay with the group at all times and behave respectfully.

Please let Henry Holcomb know if you are planning to attend. You can contact him at henry448852@gmail.com or (858) 298-1677, or just show up.

This week- How did The U.S. become so polarized and radicalized?

Though it was slightly less present in the recent presidential race, since about 2017, there have been wide complaints of polarization and radical ideology suffusing American politics. Just how bad has is it, and how did we get here?

This is a question which necessitates a lot of individual thinking about many factors and doesn't have much that's concrete written on it, but all the same, here are some sources I managed to find that address it:

• https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/09/polarization-democracy-and-political-violence-in-the-united-states-what-the-research-says?lang=en
• https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/03/10/the-polarization-in-todays-congress-has-roots-that-go-back-decades/
• https://news.gsu.edu/research-magazine/divided-we-fall

Co-Presidents Miranda Martien and Vihaan Bhardwaj recently met with the Student Board Members from SDUSD, Joseph Cruz and Quinton Baldis, to talk about working together with the district. They want to create a survey as part of the MEA Mental Health Club's 'Eudaimonia' initiative. With the help of the Student Board Members, this survey will be sent to all high school students in the district. The information we gather will help us improve the Eudaimonia initiative, which was started by the Aspen team last year, by bringing in a wider range of experiences for our seminars.

This project involves a lot of work for the MEA Mental Health Club, as we may receive over 20,000 responses. To manage this, we are forming a new group within our club called the Eudaimonia subcommittee, which will focus entirely on this project.

If you would like to join the Eudaimonia subcommittee and aren’t already a member of the MEA Mental Health Club, please fill out the form below by this Friday (Nov. 15th). The form will close once we have enough members for the subcommittee.

Calling all K-6th graders: The Old Town San Diego field trips are back!
Join us on the Explore the Past and Blacksmithing activity. Pre-registration is needed! The final cost is dependent on the number of students. Should be about $10-$15 per person for both activities. Please email bkielty@sandi.net or leave a comment on the Elementary Meet-Ups electronic bulletin board if you are interested. Be sure to indicate the number of people in your group.

Calling all Elementary Families! We now have our own digital bulletin board for sharing our Meet-Ups each month! Click on the link to see the places we plan to visit! You are welcome to plan your own meet-up, large or small, or join one that has already been organized. Be sure to give your contact information in the comment section so the organizers can reach those families who are interested in attending.
https://padlet.com/bkielty/mea-elementary-meet-ups-bm0xc8x7lp3pdjn

Community Events are not sponsored by Mt. Everest Academy

GreeneTree Theatre presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory November 15, 16, 22, 23. Evie Wuornos, Amanda O’Barski (MEA 8th graders), plus a few former MEA students are in the show. Ticket sales at door. Time and Dates are as follows:

• November 15 @ 7pm
• November 16 @ 3pm & 7pm
• November 22 @ 7pm
• November 23 @ 3pm & 7pm

If you are seeking opportunities to connect, engage, and with other families in the MEA Community, we invite you to explore the private electronic bulletin board. We encourage you to share any local activities or events that you and fellow MEA students and families may enjoy together. Please note that these activities are not sponsored by Mt. Everest Academy.

Please send any information for the Monday Message using the Google form by end of day Thursday for upcoming message. If you have any question please contact Mrs. Keck at mkeck@sandi.net.