Sea Lion Spotlight

Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #10 - October 14, 2024

Principal's Pen

Hello MES Families,

I'd like to thank our 100+ approved volunteers. You are helping our teachers in so many ways! If you are able and it appeals to you, I am looking for your help with referring games at lunchtime. Here is the sign up form. Football anyone? Thank you for your consideration.

Halloween is coming this month. Please review our parade route map and costumes guide. Thank you for your support. MES is having our first Camp Out this month. Please see the calendar and flier below to sign up. This event is for MES families only. Thank you again to our PTA for funding the program, but families are asked to consider making a $35 donation.

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.

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

24-25 Malibu Community Events Calendar

Now: Annual Parent Data Confirmation Open in Aeries (Parents affirm their data.)
Tues 10/15 - 2nd grade Tide Pool Field Trip/ 12:30 @ Little Dume
10/16 - 10/19 5th grade Pali Camp Field Trip (The bus leaves MES Wednesday @ 7:30 am and leaves Pali at noon on Friday.)
Thur 10/17 - PTA Association Meeting / 8:30-9:30 @ meet.google.com/xen-fqzt-ebx
Thur 10/17 - SSC Meeting / 3:30 - 4:45 @ Zoom Link (Agenda: Star Data Analysis)

Looking farther forward...

OCTOBER

10/21 - 10/25 - Book Fair Week (Details coming from PTA)
Sat 10/26-10/27 - MES Moonlight Campout (See flier below, sign up HERE)
Sun 10/27 - PTA Reflections Contest Deadline (See flier below)
Wed 10/30 - Trunk-or-Treat / 5-6pm (See flier below)
Thur 10/31 - Yearbook 10% off discount promotion ends (Coupon Link)
Halloween Parade 8:30am (Overview) & Halloween Party Day

NOVEMBER

Nov 1 - Nov 26 - Annual Parent Climate Survey
Fri 11/01 - Zoe Theater - Dia de Los Muertos / 9:10 am - 9:40am
Fri 11/01 - Make-Up Picture Day
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

Whale Shark Adoption Update

Thank you to all the 4th and 5th graders for helping us raise $500 to donate to whale shark conservation and education. We will soon vote on the names of our adopted whale sharks and look forward to hanging our adoption certificates in the marine science lab.

Malibu Education Foundaton

Creating a Brighter Future for Malibu Students with Malibu Education Foundation!

The newly launched Malibu Education Foundation is a community-driven fundraising organization dedicated to enhancing the academic journey of students in Malibu public schools. Fundraising supports resources, staffing and programs to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, physically, and creatively. From math tutors and music accompanists to middle school athletics and instructional aides, Malibu Education Foundation is already having a positive impact on Malibu students and needs our school community's support.

Visit malibueducationfoundation.org to learn more and make a donation today.

Follow us X @Malibu.EdFound and Instagram @malibu.edfoundation.

Moonlight Camp Out!

We're hosting our first ever Campout on October 26th! Bring tents, sleeping bags, and everything you'd need for a camping overnight (we have food and entertainment covered!), and enjoy a night on campus under the Moonlight with MES families.

Crafts, movie night, dancing, great food... this is an MES community event you do not want to miss!

THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF EVENT. All children must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Every attendee (adult or child) requires their own ticket. All grades are welcome!

Do you have young children and can’t manage an overnight? No problem! We will provide wristbands for re-entry if you prefer to sleep at home and only come for the festivities.

More details to come as the date approaches!

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

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

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.

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.