Sea Lion Spotlight

CAR DROP OFF - Bringing your student to school and dropping them off in the car drop off lane is ideal. Make sure they are ready to go before arriving at the curb, with backpack, water bottle and anything they need for the day. Then it's a quick goodbye, and they're jumping out of the car. It's important that we keep cars moving! You should not be using the inside lane to drop off your child(ren).

Also remember - School starts at 8:15! We have had LOTS of students arriving after this time! Work together as a family in the morning to have your child arrive on time in the morning, ready for instruction! Mrs. Calvert and I are out in the morning and we have noticed that there is a huge gap in traffic around 8:05, so arriving a bit earlier makes that car lane even better as well! We can do it Sea LIons!

Here's to a fantastic week ahead!

Ms. Sally Wennes

Principal

SEPTEMBER

Tues 9/9 - 4/5 Music Back to School Night from 6-8pm via Zoom - See infomation below including link to Zoom!
Wed 9/10 - Back to School Night

Grades 3-5 @ 5pm (starting in Cafeteria)
Grade 2 @ 6pm (Library)

Thursday 9/11 - School Site Council @ 3:30pm - AGENDA
Friday 9/12 - Volunteer Training (RESCHEDULED) @ 10:30am - LINK to join
Week of 9/15-9/19 - PTA Book Fair in Library!
Tues 9/16 - PTA Association Meeting / 8:30 - 9:30
Wed 9/17 - Picture Day! SMILE!
Tues 9/23 - NO SCHOOL (Rosh Hashanah)
Fri 09/26 - International Peace Day - Zoe's Lunchtime Theater (details to follow!)

OCTOBER

Thurs 10/2 - NO SCHOOL (Yom Kippur)
Fri 10/3 - Volunteer Training
10/11-10/12 - MES Overnight Camp Out
10/15-10/17 - 5th Grade Outdoor School (Pali Camp!)

NOVEMBER

Tues 11/4 - Fri 11/7 - Parent/Teacher Conference Week

25-26 Academic Calendar

25-26 PTA Calendar

NOW: Annual Parent Data Confirmation Open in Aeries (Parents affirm their data). See below for more detailed directions.

PTA Book Fair Info

We’re excited to announce that this year's Literati Book Fair is coming up, September 15th - 19th! What wonders will your child find in the Everglow Forest? All purchases benefit our PTA and our school. Thank you for your support!

Please keep an eye out for volunteer requests from your room parents – volunteers get 20% off! Volunteers can sign up HERE!

The ONLY way to get books at the fair is to purchase your child a Literati gift card. Digital gift cards are available for purchase here.

4th and new 5th Grade Music Back to School Night Information - Tuesday, Sept. 9th

The elementary music staff will be offering an online "Music Back to School Night" on Tuesday, September 9th from 6-8pm via Zoom. The event is intended for all 4th grade families and any new 5th grade student families in SMMUSD. Our elementary music faculty will provide information about the music program and answer any questions families may have. Our district vendor information will be included for parents who may be interested in either renting or purchasing high-quality instruments at a reduced price. Additionally, SMMUSD maintains an inventory of used, cleaned, quality instruments available for students to use, eliminating the need to rent or purchase them. Vendor information and the SMMUSD instrument request form will be presented at the event. Flyer can be found HERE.

Parent Square Communication

Did you know that you can receive information that is on Parent Square at different times? If you go into the Parent Square app or find it on a computer, you can change the settings to determine how you receive school wide information. You can get it on the spot, or can opt for a "digest" version, which comes to you at 6pm. Please note that as a sender, if we feel that a message is time sensitive, we will override the digest choice and send immediately to all.

Join the PTA!

If you haven't already, it's the perfect time to renew or start your PTA membership! Please sign up each school year at this LINK! You can follow us on Instagram as well for another way to be connected at @malibuelementarypta.

Your $15 membership does the following:

Supports National and State PTA advocacy for public education
Funds MES programs, enrichment, and amazing events
Gives you a vote in deciding what's offered to our students

We hope you'll be able to join us at our first general PTA meeting on Tuesday, September 16th at 8:30am (cafeteria)!

Malibu Elementary Safe Student Drop Off and Pick Up Plan

Link

Malibu Education Foundation News:

There are so many fun ways to support the Malibu Education Foundation this fall to ensure all of our schools have the staff and programs needed this year, and into the future:

Back to School Comedy Night - THU SEP 11: Get your laugh on for a great cause! Join us at Dreamland for a night of stand-up, community, and giving back with Doug Benson, Eddie Ifft, Chris Fairbanks, and Lachlan Patterson. Doors open 6:30, show starts at 8PM.

Tickets/Tables: https://www.tixr.com/groups/dreamland/events/comedy-night-for-malibu-education-foundation-156141

MEF Gala - SAT OCT 4: An unforgettable evening under the stars at the NEW Malibu High School—drinks, dinner, dancing, and supporting the staff and programs that power our schools.

Tickets/Tables: onecau.se/mefgala

Malibu Moves - SAT OCT 25 & SUN OCT 26: All ages are invited to register to run or walk, and volunteer at Zuma Beach with MEF at the Kids Run, Beer Garden (21+), or VIP Charity Lounge. This event moves our mission forward.

Registration: malibumoves.com

👉 Learn more & get involved at: www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org

Let’s show up for our students—in style, with heart, and maybe a few laughs!

Boys & Girls Club Information:

Boys & Girls Club of Malibu 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 is LIVE! Aug 21-June 11 Visit bgcmalibu.org to learn more and enroll. For grades TK-5th. BGCM is committed to providing a curriculum that will include a variety of activities geared towards fun, educational, and social experiences. Programs include: Kindness Is Free, Manners Matter, social emotional wellness, STEM based projects, arts & crafts, cooking/gardening, and more!
BGCM Wellness Center & Social Support Offerings The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Wellness Center operates remotely and also in-person to provide no-cost mental health counseling and social support services to all in the community. Visit https://bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center/ to learn more or to request services for you/your child.
BGCM Disaster Recovery Services Starting Wednesday, August 27th, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is supporting Palisades Fire survivors with long-term recovery services by appointment only. Our Care Coordination Team is here for you. Moving forward, think of us as your partners through this journey, we are here to support this process.

Here’s How We Can Help:

One-on-one guidance: You’ll be paired with a dedicated Care Coordinator
Personalized recovery planning: Together, we’ll identify what you need most right now and ongoing
Resource connection: We’ll help you access the latest available support
Advocacy: We’re here to make sure you’re not navigating this alone

To schedule or update an appointment, please email drc@bgcmalibu.org. *Please expect to hear from someone on our team within 2-5 business days*.

FIRST EVER Zuma Beach Kids Triathlon at the Zuma Beach Triathlon, Saturday Sept 13 - A unique opportunity for kids to be introduced to the sport of Triathlon on one of the best courses in the country with the option for young athletes to complete the course alongside a parent! For ages 9-14 with three divisions available. See flyer for more info. Learn more and register at zumabeachtriathlon.org. BGCM is proud to be an official charity partner of the Zuma Beach Triathlon.

Additionally, we’re looking for volunteers to join us at the triathlon the weekend of Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th. If you’re available, we’d love to have you join us! Sign up for a shift to volunteer here: https://forms.gle/h5ELGEx5qYabnQHc9

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 data confirmation for each student.

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

MES Minimum Days Schedule / 12:45 Dismissal

Nov 5
Nov 6
Nov 7
Mar 26
June 10
June 11

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.

*********************

5th Grade Pali Camp Overnight Field Trip - Donations Needed

We are excited for our 2025-2026 5th grade class to again have the opportunity to attend outdoor school in October 2025. Outdoor school is perhaps the greatest highlight of elementary school for many students and is a sort of rite-of-passage. We are asking 5th grade parents to donate now so that we may make our next installment payment.

All or None

If we don’t raise enough funds for ALL students to participate, we will ask the PTA to fund the difference. If there is not enough available funds or support from PTA, then the trip will be canceled; we will refund all donations but lose our original PTA deposit. Also, to help prevent canceling the trip, any families who won’t be able to voluntarily contribute the full $560 will be asked what if anything they can donate. Perhaps $300, $200 or $50? Anything helps. Finally if there are families who would like to cover another student, we will accept donations above and beyond $560.

Trip Date