Sea Lion Spotlight
Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #23- January 26, 2026
Principal's Wave
Happy Monday MES families,
We had a VERY busy and positive week last week! I'd like to do a huge thank you to a few groups in particular:
PTA - There was an after school family activity on Friday, led by Karen Green, a health care professional and professor for over 16 years. It was well attended and provided our families with resources and strategies to emotionally and safely connect! Thank you to our PTA for such a powerful, fun, and creative event! Look for more details in the future as we continue to support parents and families in this way!
TK/K Roundup - We had about 40 adults come on Thursday to listen to a presentation all about what makes MES so special! Thank you to Mark DiPaola for sharing his family's journey to MES, and recognizing the support that our PTA provides! We also heard from our Wellness Team that supports students through out Boys & Girls Club - thank you Alexis and Tyler! We had students who led our tours, and our teachers opened up their classrooms for walk throughs! We will continue to do tours once a month throughout the rest of the year for new/incoming families! Just check our website!
Enrollment begins soon! If you are bringing a new student to MES next year, please make sure Kim Rivetti knows, so that we can add you to our communication about enrollment! (No need to re-enroll for continuing students)
Land of Sweets Performance - Ms. Zoe's Lunchtime Theater wrapped up their Land of Sweets performance on Friday and it was SPECTACULAR. Students make the choice to participate by rehearsing during their lunch recess. It is open to students in grades K-3, with some 4th graders also helping behind the scenes in some cases. Thank you to Zoe Langley, her amazing volunteers, and the students for putting on an incredible show! (Photos are shown below)
NOTE for Volunteers - If you are here on campus in a volunteer capacity during the school day, we are not able to have younger siblings with you. It's important that we have you focused on the volunteering task that you are doing. If you are here to enjoy our programs, or join our Friday assembly, there is no problem with that. Please check in with me or our front office staff for any questions or further clarification. Thank you for your understanding, and I'll be including this in future volunteer training as well.
Just a reminder for everyone - Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s success at school. When students are present each day, they build strong routines, stay connected with their classmates, and fully engage in learning. Even a few missed days can lead to gaps in understanding and make it harder for children to feel confident in class. Thank you also for helping your child arrive at school on time and ready to learn. Your partnership makes such a meaningful difference in their growth and success!
Ms. Sally Wennes
Principal
Calendar of Events
JANUARY
- 1/26-1/30 - Kindness Week
FEBRUARY
- 2/3 - 100th Day of School - WOW!
- 2/5 - School Site Council @ 3:30 via Zoom
- 2/6 - Volunteer Training @ 10:30am via Zoom
- 2/11 - 5th Grade Parent Tour at Malibu Middle @ 10:30am (flyer below)
- 2/16 - No School (Presidents' Day)
- 217 - PTA Member Meeting
- 2/20 - School Tour @ 10:00 (sign up on our website)
- 2/20 - Freaky Friday Dress Up Day
Important Information & Dates
25-26 Academic Calendar
25-26 PTA Calendar
NOW: Annual Parent Data Confirmation Open in Aeries (Parents affirm their data). Please make sure this is done for each of your students every year!
Photo Highlights
More Information for Parents
Jaxx Theater Update
We are excited to share a bit more information on Jaxx Theatricals' Spring 2026 production of ONCE UPON a ONE MORE TIME! A HUGE thank you to those who have already signed up! We need more students to sign up for this in order to make it happen, and have moved auditions to FEBRUARY 2 in order to allow for this! Rehearsals are Mondays after school and please see flyer below (but understand that the audition date now Feb. 2nd)
This will likely be a show you haven’t seen - or maybe even heard of - because it was just released for youth licensing, and Jaxx is the first company bringing it to Los Angeles. We have just completed an incredible professional run of the show at The Jaxx Theatre in Hollywood, and now it's your kids' turn. The show is a jukebox musical that turns classic fairy tales upside-down, set to the catalog of the pop princess herself, Britney Spears.
It's called Once Upon a One More Time!
We know that familiar shows have an inherent draw, but this one is definitely worth the journey into the unknown. The score is catchy and incredibly danceable, and the show itself is sharp, witty, and satirical. Think Into the Woods meets & Juliet - classic stories interwoven with a modern twist... plus pop music! In Once Upon a One More Time, a group of fairytale princesses discover there’s more to life than waiting for a prince's kiss - much to the confusion of the princes and the show’s powerful narrator. There are also clumsy dwarves, an evil stepmother and a fairy godmother called the OFG.
We've included the Broadway promo as well as some clips from our professional production below.
So without further ado...Registration is now open at www.JaxxTheatricals.org/MES.
- We are happy to be able to offer payment plans for those who need a little extra flexibility in their payments. Please reach out to admin@jaxxtheatricals.org to set up a payment plan. PLEASE NOTE: In a payment plan, you will pay half up front and the second half (plus a processing fee) after 45 days.
You will receive a registration email with links and more information about show/audition dates after registration from no-reply@jaxxtheatricals.org. This is an automatic email so if you do not see if after your registration is completed, please check your spam and add us to your preferred sender's list.
Wednesdays are for Wellness! Every Wednesday, students are invited to visit our STEAM Cart at recess time for hands-on activities that support creativity, problem-solving, and emotional wellness. Each activity aligns directly with the Character Counts pillar of the month — Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship — helping students practice positive character traits through fun, engaging activities. These activities take place either outside at the STEAM Cart or if you don't see us outside - inside the Wellness Center!
Please also take a look at an event that is happening, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu - A Year After the Wildfires: Coping with Persistent Grief and Loss. Information can be found below with the flyers. The webinar is next Tuesday at 6pm (1/20/26) and the in-person opportunity the following Tuesday at 10 am at our Disaster Relief Center in Malibu (1/27/2026).
PTA News/Events:
We Need You on the PTA Team! 💙Joining the PTA doesn’t mean donating more money or committing to volunteer hours — and you never have to attend a meeting unless you want to. But your membership alone strengthens our school, supports our teachers, and gives you a voice in the decisions that shape MES. Every family that joins helps us do more for our kids. 👉Join the PTA: https://jointotem.com/dashboard/memberships/244d6807-8eb9-4cd5-8143-eea2452b9720
MES Minimum Days Schedule / 12:45 Dismissal
- Mar 26
- June 10
- June 11
Boys & Girls Club
Boys & Girls Club of Malibu (BGCM) is committed to youth and community resilience by providing a supportive and inclusive environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Through exceptional customer service and impactful after-school programs, we focus on academic success, character development, and health and wellness, catering to the unique needs of Malibu's youth. By addressing the needs of families, we foster a sense of safety, support, and community engagement, promoting a brighter future for all!
BGCM Academic Year Enrollment
Click here to learn more and enroll! BGCM is committed to providing a curriculum that will include a variety of activities geared towards fun, educational, and social experiences.
Available to grades TK–5th.
Programs include: Kindness Is Free, Manners Matter, social emotional wellness, STEM based projects, arts & crafts, cooking/gardening, and more!
Wellness
BGCM Wellness Center provides no-cost mental health counseling and social support services to our school community. Click here to learn more and email wellnessinfo@bgcmalibu.org or call 310-457-0360 ext 60146 to request services for you/your child.
BGCM Long Term Disaster Recovery Services The BGCM Disaster Recovery Center in partnership with The Malibu Community Long Term Recovery Group (MCLTRG) is here to support Franklin and Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services. Our dedicated Care Coordination Team is ready to assist those who qualify with:
Personalized recovery planning: We will collaborate to identify your most pressing current and ongoing needs, creating a recovery plan tailored to your individual situation.
Resource connection: We will help you access the latest available support and resources by assessing your individual needs and connecting you to available resources based on qualifying criteria.
Advocacy: You won't navigate this alone. By understanding community needs, we can advocate for increased financial resources for the community.
To be connected with a Care Coordinator, please email drc@bgcmalibu.org.
*Please expect to hear from someone on our team within 2-5 business days*
Student Birthday Parties (from the Parent Handbook)
Such observances must be coordinated with the classroom teacher and should occur after lunch or at the end of the day. Food may be distributed at school. Healthier options should be encouraged. Cakes or very sweet treats (Sugar-based foods) are NOT allowed. All-natural popsicles are the ONLY choice for birthday celebrations. Our SMMUSD Food and Nutrition Services Wellness Policy calls for staff to limit student consumption of sugar at school. No nuts, if there is a peanut allergy in the classroom. Party favors are ok to distribute. Birthday invitations for parties away from school may not be distributed unless every student in the class is invited.
Useful Resources and Links
Positive Behavior and Discipline Plan
PTA Website and Store
PTA Spirit Wear "Akaway Collection"
AERIES Parent Portal Tutorial
Student Services Registration Documents
Volunteering at MES: Information and Signup form
Medications at School Form Send to School Nurse Marion Mayer: mmayer@smmusd.org
Connect with Sally Wennes
Principal at Malibu Elementary
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Email: swennes@smmusd.org
Website: https://ca50000164.schoolwires.net/malibues
Location: 6955 Fernhill Drive, Malibu, CA, USAPhone: 310-457-9370