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Sea Lion Spotlight

Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter - September 21, 2026

Sea Lion SpotlightMalibu Elementary Parent Newsletter - September 21, 2026

Principal's Wave Principal's Wave

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Hello MES Sea Lion Families,


This coming Friday, we will not be having our typical spirit assembly. Instead, we gather as a school and as a parent community (if your schedule allows) to do a drone photo of a PEACE sign in celebration of the International Day of Peace. You are welcome to be a part of the photo this year as well, which will be taken as soon as possible after arrival! :) I've included the photo from last year below, and there's an enlarged one in the cafeteria!


Last week, I sent out a request for a parent to join us for a district focus on Portrait of a Graduate, and am again requesting via a separate email! Please consider representing our school in this way!


We are so fortunate to have a PTA that generously supports the arts! Ms. Zoe's Lunchtime Theater has supported our younger students and we will be adding a 4/5 Lunchtime Theater opportunity on Tuesdays this year! Our first session will be this coming Tuesday, and is optional for students who would like to be a part of it! Teachers will be sharing this information with their students, but we wanted our parents to be in the loop! We had so many 3rd graders involved last year and know that they might enjoy the new model for our older students! Thank you PTA!


Thank you all for your support during our front office staff transition. Please continue to do the following when reporting absences as this will be our procedure from now on!

  1. Email us at mesattendance@smmusd.org
  2. Make sure to let us know the reason for your child's absence when you communicate!
  3. Let the teacher know as well.


Ms. Sally Wennes

Principal

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Calendar of Events Calendar of Events

Flyers for events will always be posted below! Don't forget to check out the details!


SEPTEMBER

  • 9/21 - No School (Yom Kippur)
  • 9/21 - Giving Wave STARTS!
  • 9/22 - New 4/5 Lunchtime Theater starts (happening on Tuesdays this year)
  • 9/25 - Peace Day Photo @ 8:15 (we'll get into position then, and take drone photo after - no typical assembly on this date)
  • 9/25 - Peace Day Performance for those 1st-3rd grade parents whose students are in Ms. Zoe's Lunchtime Theater @ 9:10
  • 9/30 - School Site Council Mtg via Zoom @ 3:30


OCTOBER

  • 10/2 - PTA Member Meeting following assembly
  • 10/10 - Reflections Contest Due Date (see flyer below)
  • 10/10 -10/11 - PTA Campout!
  • 10/14-10/16 - 5th Graders to Pali Camp
  • 10/30 - Halloween Parade at 8:15am

Important Information & Dates Important Information & Dates

26-27 Academic Calendar

26-27 Community Calendar

Book Fair THANK YOU! Book Fair THANK YOU!

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Just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to our parent volunteers who made this week's Book Fair a giant success! Thank you as well to the many families who helped to purchase books off our teachers' wish list! It's so appreciated!

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Data Confirmation - MUST DO! Data Confirmation - MUST DO!

Annual Parent Data Confirmation or Revision - Aeries Parent Portal

ACTION NEEDED: Malibu Elementary’s annual registration process is completed in the Aeries Parent Portal. You must complete the complete data confirmation for each student - even if you JUST finished registration!


  1. Log in to your Aeries Parent Portal: https://santamonicamalibu.aeries.net/
  2. Be sure to read, review, and discuss all the materials with your student.
  3. 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.
  4. 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


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.


Please spread the word to any other MES families so that we can get this done as soon as possible! You'll see reminders to everyone in the Monday Spotlights for a few weeks until we have our students' records.

Photo Highlights Photo Highlights

Students this week got together with their buddies and enjoyed time with one another. We saw opportunities for leadership and play, and celebrated our Sammy Slip recipients!


We're always looking for amazing photos of students and families! f you ever have photos that you'd like to contribute, please send them to Ms. Wennes at swennes@smmusd.org!

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More Information for Parents More Information for Parents

Make sure to check this space for all the important things that go on for your child! You'll also find out about things going on in our community!


MES PTA:

🌊 MES GIVING WAVE KICKS OFF TODAY - MONDAY, SEPT 21 🌊

Our school would not be what it is without our family contributions. THANK YOU!!! Every gift—big, small, energy, time—creates a ripple. Let's make a big wave! 💙 QR codes are posted on the banners on our fence and details are shared in the flyer below! Students will be working towards a Silly String event with participation so let's get giving!


REFLECTIONS - We have had a wonderful representation of our students for Reflections! Please see the flyer below for more information and encourage your student to participate this year! Entries need to be submitted no later than October 10th!


MES MOONLIGHT CAMPOUT! We have an incredible event that is in its 3rd year, and welcome ALL of our MES families to participate! You can sign up HERE for early bird pricing! The final day to purchase tickets is October 3rd - no exceptions!


LCAP Representatives Needed!

MES is seeking 2 volunteers to serve on the SMMUSD Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee. It's important that we have representatives! Please read below.


The passage of the legislation implementing the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) establishes a role for parent advisory committees in the development of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Education code 52063 requires that districts establish two distinct parent advisory committees to review and comment on the LCAP prior to submission to the local board: the Parent Advisory Committee and the English Learner Parent Advisory Committee.


The Parent Advisory Committee must be composed of a majority of parents or guardians of pupils and include parents of pupils to whom the definitions of education code 42238.01 apply. These include parents or guardians of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, English learners, and foster youth. Sites can also include other subgroups, such as Latinx, Black/African-American, Students with Disabilities.


Meetings are from 4:00 – 6:00 PM (Virtual Meetings)

2026 - 2027 Meeting Dates: TBD

Please contact Ms. Wennes at swennes@smmusd.org if you are interested or have further questions!


Malibu Ed Foundation

Happy New School Year!

$1.5 million. That's what MEF has invested in our four schools since our January 2024 launch, thanks to support from Malibu City, SMMUSD, and our community.


As we head into Year 3, we'll need your help keeping our Annual Fund and fall events top of mind with parents. We're working with the PTAs and Shark Fund on a joint-ask flyer for registration packets. A few dates to help us spread the word on:

  • Annual Fund launches Friday — malibueducationfoundation.org/donate
  • MEF Gala — Saturday, October 17, - Tickets are now on sale for the Second Annual MEF Gala, Saturday, October 17th at Malibu High School. This is Malibu's flagship night in support of all four Malibu public schools: Malibu Elementary, Webster Elementary, Malibu Middle School, and Malibu High School. Every dollar raised stays in Malibu and enables us to build a brighter future for every Malibu student by funding staff and programs across all four campuses.

    Get your tickets today at: https://onecau.se/mefgala

  • Malibu Moves — Oct 24–25, Zuma Beach, code MEF26 (open to all SMMUSD schools — a great way to get your students, staff, or families out for a run, walk, or cheer). Join Team MEF for swag, or create your own “school team.” malibumoves.com
  • MEF Tree Lot - Nov. 27-Dec. 13


BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF MALIBU

At the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, our mission is to significantly enhance the lives of all youth to fulfill their potential as caring, productive, and contributing citizens. Through 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!


Academic Year Enrollment

Click here and see the attached flyer to learn more and enroll in our upcoming Academic Year program at the Malibu Elementary Clubhouse/Webster Elementary Clubhouse!

  • Available to TK–5th grade.

  • Programs include: Kindness Is Free, Manners Matter, social emotional wellness, STEM based projects, arts & crafts, cooking/gardening, and more!


The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu 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.


Long Term Disaster Recovery Services A Disaster Recovery Coalition established by the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu 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: Working to identify your most pressing current and ongoing needs and creating a recovery plan tailored to your individual situation.

  • Resource connection: Helping 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 Celebrations

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.


Candy/sheet cakes/cupcakes/cookies at school: Staff, students, and parents may not distribute these at school.

Flyers Flyers

Flyers represent information from SMMUSD, MES PTA and/or our Boys and Girls Club. They also include events and activities from the City of Malibu.

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Useful Resources and Links Useful Resources and Links

Past Newsletters

PTA Website

PTA Membership

AERIES Parent Portal Tutorial

Student Services Registration Documents

Bell Schedule

Annual Notice to Parents/Guardians - District Handbook

Medications at School Form Send to School Nurse Marion Mayer: mmayer@smmusd.org

Connect with Sally Wennes Connect with Sally Wennes

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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, USA
Phone: 310-457-9370
Sally Wennes
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