Sea Lion Spotlight

Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #8 - September 30, 2024

Principal's Pen

Hello MES Families,

We are closing out September and welcoming October this week. October is a month that brings great learning productivity. Every day and every minute counts. Please prioritize school attendance this month. October is also disaster preparedness month. We will be drilling for a major earthquake on October 17. If your child is at school during a major earthquake, you may not be able to get here quickly or even contact us. You can help lower your child's anxiety by participating in our Comfort Bag program. We also have Halloween this month. Please review our parade route map and costumes guide. Thank you for your support.

Many thanks to parent Lucy Sullivan for restoring the TK/K playhouse. The new and improved TK/K playhouse had its Grand Opening this past week. We cut a ribbon, celebrated all the hard work, and went over all the rules to try to ensure that it stays as nice as possible for as long as possible. Some pictures below show the amazing transformation.

In the morning please do not park in the teachers' spots along the perimeter. Teachers will be forced to double park. (See photo below; double parking has begun.) Please consider parking across the street and saving the center spots for our families with TK and Kinder-aged students. Remember to mind parking restrictions posted on Fernhill. This will help so much. Thank you.

I want to remind parents that dogs are not allowed on campus including the sidewalk in the loading zone per Board Policy. We are seeing increasing numbers of dogs being brought into close contact with our small students. Thank you for your cooperation and concern for child safety.

Our lost and found center is already overflowing. Parents are encouraged to look for your child's lost item. The picture below tells the story! Thank you.

MES is a cash-free school. All voluntary donations for field trips and our class events must be done through the PTA store. PTA may also help teachers with collections by setting up PayPal, Venmo, etc. Checks are welcome too. Events such Bingo and Bake Sales will also be cashless; details are forthcoming. Thank you.

Please complete your annual data verification in your Aeries Parent Portal now. Make sure we have the right numbers, emails, and health information for your child and family. The article below will guide you with this important task.

Our Student Council has formed thanks to Teacher Tina Jennings. They have scheduled some great Spirit Days. Here is the schedule and details. Let's get behind our Council and show our spirit!

Thank you for your partnership,

Proud Principal Chris Hertz

Highlights

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

24-25 Academic Calendar

24-25 PTA Calendar

Now: Annual Parent Data Confirmation Open in Aeries (Parents affirm their data.)
Wed 10/02 - Picture Day (Details below)
Thur 10/03 - Local Holiday (Rosh Hashanah / No School)

Looking farther forward...

OCTOBER

Thur 10/10 - Make-Up Picture Day
SSC Meeting / 3:30 - 4:45 @ Zoom Link (Agenda: Star Data Analysis)
10/16/24-10/18/24 - 5th Grade Outdoor School (Pali Camp!)
10/21 - 10/25 - Book Fair Week (Details coming from PTA)
Wed 10/30 - Trunk-or-Treat / 5-6pm
Thur 10/31 - Yearbook 10% off discount promotion ends (Coupon Link)
Halloween Parade 8:30am (Overview) & Halloween Party Day

NOVEMBER

Fri 11/01 - Zoe Theater - Dia de Los Muertos / 9:10 am - 9:40am
Tues 11/05 - Fri 11/08 - Parent/Teacher Conference Week (See minimum day schedule below)
Tues 11/05 – Pupil Free Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School)
Wed 11/06 – 12:45 Dismissal for for Parent-Teacher Conferences (Minimum Day)
Thur 11/07 – 12:45 Dismissal for for Parent-Teacher Conferences (Minimum Day)
Mon 11/11 – Holiday (Veterans Day / No School)
Fri 11/15 - Jog-a-Thon / morning
November 27, 28, & 29, 2024 -- Thanksgiving Break (No School)

DECEMBER

Fri 12/20 – Last Day before Winter Break

Articles for Parents

Accessing Lexia and DreamBox: A Step-by-Step Guide

Link

HELP THE MEF WHEN YOU CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN

We connected with Nights of the Jack to get 10% back for Malibu Education Foundation if parents use this link to buy their tickets: https://www.tixr.com/pr/MalibuPublicSchools/g/nightsofthejack

MALIBU EDUCATION FOUNDATION (MEF): MEF is our new community-focused organization dedicated to enhancing the educational journey of students in all of our Malibu public schools - funding vital resources, staffing, and enrichment programs which to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, physically, and creatively. At our schools, MEF founded and funds Middle School Athletics and also funds Math Tutors, Community Service Liaison, Strength and Conditioning coaches, and our musical accompanist. MEF is seeking donations and volunteers to support the launch. Learn more at MalibuEducationFoundation.org or follow us @Malibu.EdFound

4th/5th Grade Whale Shark Adoption

Fourth and fifth grade students are learning all about whale sharks for the next few weeks in Marine Science. At the end of our unit, we will focus on conservation. Each student is encouraged to donate $5 to Whale Shark Mexico, a group whose mission is to "facilitate CONSERVATION through RESEARCH, environmental EDUCATION and sustainable MANAGEMENT of the species."

Each class that donates at least $100 will get to "adopt" and name a whale shark. We will display the adoption certificates in the lab. This year PTA has set up a link so you can donate to your class's effort here. Please connect the donation to an act of service at home (chores) or other allowance so that students know the money is coming from them.

https://www.malibuelementary.org/product-page/adopt-a-whale-shark-4th-5th-grades

Thank you for supporting our marine science program and whale sharks!

Malibu Boys and Girls Club Information

Link to October Information. Below are highlights:

Join us for the Run Malibu Kids' Run! The Run Groms Mile is open to kids between the ages of 4 - 11 and will take place during Run Malibu event expo on October 12th at 2:00 PM. All youth participants will receive a race bib and finishers medal, plus a supportive crowd cheering them on as they run around the track. Sign up here!
Volunteer at Run Malibu Run Run Malibu is seeking dedicated volunteers for various roles on October 12th and 13th. Volunteers will assist with the BGCM Kids race, run hydration stations, first aid support, and cheer on participants at the finish line. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a renowned community event while supporting the Boys & Girls Club. You can sign up for your shift here.

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Reprints

Reflections Art Contest!

Calling all MES students to participate in this years PTA Reflections Art Contest! This years theme is 'Accepting Imperfection'

There are 6 creative categories for your child's age division: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography or Visual Arts. Winners in these categories will go on to represent the school in the wider district contest! More exciting promotional events to come for this contest but in the meantime please ask your child to enter and showcase their creative prowess!

The deadline is October 27th with the required entry form.

Submission form is HERE

Please send your submission here MESreflectionschair@gmail.com

Annual Parent Data Confirmation or Revision - Aeries Parent Portal

Beginning August 12, 2024

ACTION NEEDED: Malibu Elementary’s annual registration process is completed in the Aeries Parent Portal. You must complete data confirmation for each student.

Beginning August 12, 2024:

Log in to your Aeries Parent Portal: https://santamonicamalibu.aeries.net/
Be sure to read, review, and discuss all the materials with your student.
Very Important: We need to gather information from you for emergency contacts. Please add at least two non-parents. While there are many boxes to fill, at minimum include name, relationship, and phone number.
We also need to gather information from you for health documents.

Note: You may decide to print some of the documents for future reference. For a tutorial on how to complete this process, please click here English

We have worked to digitize the compliance and document portions of the “First Day Packet.” The Data Confirmation process is easy. This includes items like Emergency Cards, Parent Handbooks and Policies and Authorizations. We have many important documents and plenty of information for your family within the online registration site, accessed via your Aeries Parent Portal. Note: You must complete data confirmation for each student. Please be sure to read, review, and discuss all the materials with your student. We also need to gather information from you for emergency contacts and health documents. You may decide to print some of the documents for future reference.

For a tutorial on how to complete this process, please click here English

LCAP Parent Advisory Committee

We held our first LCAP Parent Advisory Committee Meeting last week.

Our next Meeting is November 14.

MES is still in need of one or two parent reps for this District-wide think tank. Please, continue to recruit and add name to the spreadsheet (and email me/Yvonne Strahn) once you are able to find someone. Recruitment Letter.

Picture Day

Picture Day is Wednesday, October 2nd. All students will be photographed. There is no need to fill out any forms or submit payment on Picture Day. Approximately 1-2 weeks after Picture Day, you will receive an email link to view your proof and order online. For more information and tips on what to wear, please see the PDF attached and click this video link: CLICK HERE TO WATCH!

MES Minimum Days Schedule / 12:45 Dismissal for All Students (TK-5)

Nov 6 (Parent Conference Week)
Nov 7 (Parent Conference Week)
Nov 8 (Parent Conference Week)
May 22 (Open House and Celebration of Learning)
June 11 (2nd to last day of school)
June 12 (last day of school)

MBGC Information - September

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

Volunteering at MES

Link

Consistent attendance is crucial for your child’s academic success. Every student, every day matters! When students are present, they are more likely to stay on track with their learning and build positive relationships with their peers and teachers.

Absence Reporting Procedures:

If your child will be absent, please report the absence by emailing Kim Rivetti at krivetti@smmusd.org. Be sure to include your child’s name, grade, date, and reason for the absence. You have 3 days to clear any student absences.

For more detailed information, please review the SMMUSD attendance policies by clicking HERE.