Monday Message
September 8, 2025
Dear MEA Families,
I hope everyone had a successful Month 1! I am seeing staff and students truly living up to our word of the year as they focus on their schoolwork and building connections with "intention." Speaking of "intention," we have an important day coming up for all of our 6-12th graders. The 3rd Annual MEA Summit will be even better this year with new activities from Believe It. Achieve It. , an interactive presentation from the adventure journalist and author of Will to Wild, Shelby Stanger, and an awesome brunch provided by Breakfast Republic. Please see the Summit flyer for exact report times for middle and high school levels. I am looking forward to having fun and being inspired alongside all of our secondary students!
I also cannot write you this week without recognizing that it has been almost a quarter of a century since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. My father was a NYC firefighter in the 1970s and lost many friends he worked with at the station on that day, including one of his best friends, Charlie Kasper. My father often tells the story of when Charlie saved his life when they were working a fire together, and Charlie always shrugged the event off, like he was just doing what anyone else would have done. Please take a moment this week to talk about 9/11 with your family and if you need a way to make it personal, please share a little bit about Charlie. It is important for our children to know what others have sacrificed. We remain very close with his family and he is forever in our hearts.
Please continue to reach out to teachers and staff with questions and suggestions and I wish everyone a wonderful Month 2.
In partnership,
Courtney Browne
Ocean Conservation Club
Ocean Conservation Club (formerly Environmental Alliance) invites you to give your input on beach cleanup dates, times, and locations for the coming school year.
Please fill out the Google Form THIS WEEK and share with your friends. These are NOT Mt. Everest Academy sponsored field trips. The more responses we get, the better possibilities for this year.
Follow us on Instagram @mteverestocc or our Google Classroom (code: 7qmqpub) for meeting times, cleanup dates, and more!
Coop Group
Calling all students grades 6-12 who are passionate about animals, ecology, birds, or just want to have a fun time! Coop Group leads the upkeep of our resident hen Cleopatra’s enclosure and coop area. Although she is six years old now and not laying eggs anymore, Cleo still appreciates the care and attention she receives from students. It's also a great way to make friends and learn some interesting things about chicken husbandry and general animal care, along with some fun bird trivia! Come join us! Coop Group meets every Tuesday, from 8:30 to 9 am, outside the chicken coop by Room 14 (Science Lab).
Jam Band
Jam Band is starting on Sept. 17! We are a club that makes various types of music, led by a famous San Diego musician, Mark Fischer. We welcome anyone who is passionate about music, regardless of experience level or instrument.
When: 1:50-3:05 on Wednesdays (except turn-in week)
Where: Room B15
Mathcounts Club & Competition
Hey Middle Schoolers (6th–8th grade)!
Love a good challenge? Join us for Mathcounts—a fun math competition with 4 exciting rounds: Sprint, Target, Team, and Countdown!
Our club is all about solving problems, sharpening skills, and having fun while getting ready for competition.
When: Thursdays, 1:20–2:00pm (except turn-in week)
Where: Parent Room
Come be part of the MEA Math Team—let’s problem-solve together!
Ink and Insight Readers
Love reading? 4th and 5th grade students are invited to join our engaging Elementary Reading Program "Ink and Insights" starting Sept. 17!
During our meetings we will discuss grade appropriate Newberry Award winning books.
When: Wednesdays (biweekly) starting 09/17/25 at 12:00-12:30pm
Where: Elementary Playground
Elementary PE (Grades 2-5)
We are thrilled to offer an elementary level physical education class again this year! Whether you are a student eager to stay active with classmates and friends, looking for a safe way to learn a new sport, and/or looking to have some fun, MEA PE is the class for you!
PE Enrichment is not just about physical activity, it's about fostering a lifelong love for movement, teamwork, and healthy living. Our mission is to create an environment where every student can thrive physically, socially, and mentally. For more information and how to sign up see the MEA 2-5 site here.
Music with Mr. Johnson (K-8)
Classes with Mr. Johnson have started! All students K-8 are welcome to join. Please see the new music class schedule here.
Please mark your calendars for the Fall Counselor Meetings.
Class of 2026 (12th grade), please join Mr. Rubin in the auditorium on Thursday, 9/25/2025, at lunch (noon) for pizza and information regarding college applications, SAT, financial aid, and much, much more.
Class of 2027(11th grade), your meeting is on Wednesday, 9/24/2025, during lunch (noon) in the auditorium. Topics include SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, the college application process, and other post-secondary options. There will also be pizza for you :)
Both presentations will be made available on the Mt. Everest website after the meetings.
MEA will host the PSAT/NMSQT exam at NO COST for all juniors on October 6th.
If you are interested in testing, please fill out this form no later than September 26: https://forms.gle/muBzNNyDwb7Wo1HE6
Final details about exam day will be sent to you by the end of September.
Why take the exam?
Access scholarships
Practice for the real SAT Digital exam - same app used for SAT/AP
It is FREE and hosted during the school day
More details here - https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/advancedstudiestoolboxstudents/advanced-studies/exams-assessments/psatnmsqt
BASE Camp, Our tutoring center/study hall, is a great place for:
- students to receive tutoring from older students
- students to work on group/collaborative projects
- students to work on their own or with a friend
BASE Camp will begin Month 1, Week 2 on Wednesday Aug. 19 in the auditorium and will be available:
- Wednesdays 12:30-2:30
- Thursdays 9:30 - 11:30
- Fridays 9-11:30
Parents/Guardians of students in grades K-5 should complete the CHECK-IN form when signing your student in at BASE Camp so tutors can best support your student.
Are you in grade 9-12 and interested in being a tutor and have not been trained? Please see Ms. Starr and let her know or email her at vstarr@sandi.net. A tutor training will be scheduled soon!
For more information about BASE Camp, check out the BASE Camp website.
Mt. Everest Academy Spirit Wear💥
Are you ready to show your school spirit and snag some incredible merchandise? Now is the perfect time to dive in! Imagine wrapping yourself in warm, cozy hoodie or slipping into the softest pajama pants—there’s truly something for everyone here! And here’s the best part: every purchase you make helps lift our school programs and events, with a remarkable 20% of all sales going right back into our community! This is a limited time sale ending September 23rd!! Don’t wait any longer. Shop now to show your spirit!
Charleston Wrap Fundraiser
We need your participation!
Help ASB with a schoolwide fundraising campaign that starts now. Every Mt. Everest student can take part and win prizes! Every purchase gives 30-40% back to ASB. ASB supports school events and activities for all students K-12.
Just register, and help us out by sharing with friends and family—encourage them to shop our fundraising online catalog so we can all succeed together!
Sports and Sweets Meet
You're invited to join the fun next week, Tuesday–Thursday at lunch on the blacktop! ASB will be running a mix of games and sports—come play, cheer, and have a blast. Play 3 or more games and score a sweet treat! Bring your friends, make new ones, and don’t miss out. See you there!
MEA Summit (6-12)
The third annual MEA Summit is happening on campus on Friday, Sept. 19. With the goal of building community and fueling inspiration, this year we are going all out!
Friday, September 19
8:30am-12pm - Middle School (grades 6-8)
10:15am- 1:30pm - High School (grades 9-12)
- New activities led by Believe It. Achieve It!
- Guest speaker, Shelby Stanger, adventure journalist and author of Will to Wild
- Awesome Brunch donated by Breakfast Republic!
*This is a required event for all students in grades 6-12
Family Game Night (K-12)
Grab your friends and family and get ready for a game-filled evening! 🎮🎲 From classic board games and giant Jenga to epic D&D adventures and Exploding Kittens, there’s something for everyone. If video games are your jam, jump in for some Mario Kart showdowns with your crew. Play, laugh, and level up the fun!
K-5 students must attend with a parent/guardian. Students in grades 6-12 need a permission slip if attending unaccompanied.
When: Thursday, September 25th, 5-7 pm
Where: In and around the auditorium
Dining for dollars at Chipotle is happening that night as well so no need to worry about cooking- Pick up your food beforehand and bring it with you if you want! (25% gets donated back to MEA)
Sewing Workshop
Are you interested in learning basic sewing life skills?
The MakerSpace will be hosting a sewing orientation workshop for secondary students late September. Learn about sewing machines and make a fun tote bag. Please fill out the google form in the link for scheduling.
Did you Miss School Photos?
Students, if you missed the scheduled picture day, drop in to Mrs. Finney's Room 11 this week to have your school photo taken. Photos will be used for student IDs, the yearbook, and to update school files. It is essential that the school has updated student photos in the case of emergencies.
If you do not wish to have your student pictured in future school publications (Yearbook, Monday Messages, etc.), please notify the Front Office.
2025-26 Yearbooks on Sale Now
This year’s yearbook staff is ready to create a great yearbook for you!
Purchase your copy NOW to receive a 10% discount off of the $35.27 cost!
Yearbooks must be purchased by the end of September for the discount.
🌱 MEA Wellness Committee – Seeking Parents & Students! 🌱
Join our School Site Wellness Committee to share ideas and help guide our next wellness focus. Past initiatives have earned us America’s Healthiest Schools recognition year after year!
The committee includes teachers, staff, parents, students, and community members, who advise, advocate and take action on our school’s health and wellness initiatives.
We meet just four times a year (schedule TBD).
Your voice can make a difference—come help our community thrive! 🌟
Please email committee chairperson Rachel Finney if you are interested in joining us.
Leader in Me
This school year our school will continue to focus on Leader in Me and the 7 Habits of highly effective kids and teens. Check the Monday Message each month for the monthly focus and what you can do at home to support your child.
During month 2, we are zeroing in on Habit 1, Be Proactive. Student will be able to explain the value of a growth mindset and the importance of focusing on their Circle of Control.
The elementary classes and MS AVID classes are doing lessons with your students in class and assigned at home.
Here is a link to family activities you can incorporate into your home.
Spring Break Trip to Europe (not affiliated with MEA)
We're excited to announce that Mr. Spiegelberg will be leading a group of students on a once‐in‐a‐lifetime educational tour to Switzerland, Bavaria & Austria in the spring of 2026. This trip offers a wealth of opportunities for learning outside the classroom and personal growth. Please go to the following website to see trip information, itinerary details, and to enroll for our trip. A $200 discount for the trip has been extended until Wed., 9/10.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out dspiegelberg@sandi.net
Pronto Passes
Papa John's Fundraiser (Online through 12/30/25)
Dining for Dollars: Papa John's Restaurant chain has an online fundraising code that will save you money on regular priced items and raise money for MEA. You can use this promo code: MTEVEREST, any time of day in most Papa Johns' locations in San Diego County. See the flyer for details.
UCSD STEM Classes for High School Students
High School Students (Grades 10-12). Love STEM? Are you interested in taking a challenging class through UCSD Research Scholars? Check out this cool opportunity earn pre-college units and study Bioinformatics or Marine Biology. Apply by Sept. 24.
Free Family Safety Day
Check out a free Family Safety Day in La Mesa on Sept. 13. Meet first responders, explore hands-on demonstrations, pick up helpful safety tips and resources, and learn about public service careers. Bring the family and connect with community as we work together to stay safe, prepared, and informed!
