Sea Lion Spotlight

Happy Monday MES Families,

Valentine’s Week is a wonderful time to celebrate kindness, friendship, and caring for others. At school, we'll continue to focus on simple acts of kindness—using kind words, including others, and showing appreciation for our friends and teachers. We encourage families to join us at home by talking with your child about ways they can show kindness each day, not just on Valentine’s Day. Together, let’s make our school community feel loved, valued, and supported all week long!

Report cards were recently sent home and show how your child is growing as a learner—academically, socially, and emotionally. This is a great opportunity to sit together, celebrate effort and progress, and talk about goals for the rest of the school year. Remember, learning looks different for every child, and growth takes time! If you have any questions, your child’s teacher is always happy to help!

In addition to the academic and social categories on your child's report card, attendance was also noted. Parents are always able to access student attendance via Aeries. If you ever see something that you feel is in error, please reach out to us. We aren't able to go back too far to change attendance codes, but can always make a note of it. The attendance and tardies listed on the report card reflect both excused and unexcused absences and tardies.

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

FEBRUARY

2/11 - 5th Grade Parent Tour at Malibu Middle @ 10:30am (flyer below)
2/11 - Parent Resource Network for families of students with IEPs @ MHS (flyer below)
2/13 - Valentine Pancake Breakfast (PTA Student Event)
2/16 - No School (Presidents' Day)
2/17 - PTA Member Meeting @ 8:30
2/20 - School Tour @ 10:00 (sign up on our website)
2/20 - Freaky Friday Dress Up Day

MARCH

3/4 - 5th Graders visit MMS
3/5 - School Site Council
3/5 - Volunteer Training @ 10:30
3/13 - Peter Pan performance @ 9:10 (Zoe's Lunchtime Theater)
3/17 - PTA Member Meeting @ 8:30
3/19 - PTA Gala Event (See information below!)
3/20 - Talent Show - times TBD
3/26 - Minimum Day - FRIDAY SCHEDULE
3/26 - Open House - Celebration of Learning - 5:00-6:00pm

SPRING BREAK - March 30-April 10, 2026

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!

This past week, we celebrated DAY 100! Students and staff "aged" quite a bit, and activities were observed as students counted things during the day!

SMMUSD Mobile Communications Policy

SMMUSD is committed to limiting distractions in the classroom and supporting student engagement, mental health, and overall well-being. Feedback from staff, families, and students has made it clear that an updated approach to mobile communication device use is needed.

Please see the chart below for the details of what this means for students at each level. For our students, they cannot have cell phones or smart watches out during the school day - they can be stored inside backpacks but cannot be accessed. Students are welcome to use the phone in the office if you need to be reached.

The Phone and Device-Free Schools update to SMMUSD's mobile device board policy (BP) and administrative regulations/procedures (AR) are listed here. This includes exceptions that would be granted as well as disciplinary actions associated with mobile communication. You are urged to look closely at these policies to familiarize yourself if your child has a device or you are considering one.

For any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or Ms. Wennes.

PTA News/Events:

We’re inviting parents and guardians to step into leadership by serving on the MES PTA Board.
If you’ve ever wanted a deeper connection to your child’s school, this is one of the most meaningful ways to do it. All MES PTA members are eligible.
Interested or curious? Know someone who would be great in a role? Reach out to pta@mes.org or connect with Ellen, Lucia, Joy, Lindsay, or Marielle.
PTA GALA EVENT is coming soon! (See flyer below) - We are currently seeking tax deductible donations of, event tickets, vacation homes, unique experiences, services, and other auction items. Every contribution—big or small—makes a meaningful impact.
Malibu Elementary School is excited to host our annual Spring Gala on March 19, featuring both a silent and live auction. Proceeds directly benefit our students, teachers, and school programs.
Deadline for auction item donations: March 10
If you are able to donate or have questions, please contact jowhadi@gmail.com .
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

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).

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!

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!

Homework Help

Looking for extra academic support for your child? BGCM provides homework help for all subjects and grade levels on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00–5:00 PM, helping students stay on track and feel confident with their schoolwork.

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.

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.