Sea Lion Spotlight

Happy New Year MES families,

Here's hoping that you all had a wonderful winter break, filled with lots of laughter, love, and family time together! I hope it was a safe holiday for everyone, knowing that the rain that hit over break caused additional stressors to our Malibu community and I kept those families and community members in my thoughts during the storms!

January is a fresh start for us at MES —and our students will be jumping right back into learning! This month we’ll be revisiting routines, setting goals, and strengthening positive habits that help students grow academically and socially. We even have a recess/expectation refresher assembly for students by grade level on Thursday (TK, K, 1, and 2) or Friday (3, 4, 5). Ask your child what they remembered about the assembly, and what their goals are to stay safe and kind at MES!

Starting off the new year with goals, it's a great time to also mention attendance. 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

JANUARY

1/5 - First day back to school! (Elementary schools report back on Monday!)
1/15 - School Site Council Meeting @ 3:30 - AGENDA
1/19 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr)
1/20 - PTA Members Meeting
1/22 - TK/K Roundup @ 1:30pm
1/23 - Nutcracker Performance (for those students involved in Zoe's Lunchtime Theater) @ 9:10

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!

Our December was filled with activities! We had a 1st Grade trip to the Tide Pools, along with a 1st and 2nd grade adventure to go see the Nutcracker at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks. Along with that, we celebrated the holidays with an INCREDIBLE holiday program and had some fun class parties! THANK YOU to our amazing staff, students, and volunteers that made it a "December to Remember!"

SEA LION ACADEMY

Sea Lion Academy is coming back with a splash! We are delighted to announce the launch of our SLA Winter Session. Our after-school program is designed to support students academically while providing opportunities for creativity, exploration, and fun! Courses this session will involve math, reading, and science as well as foreign language, art, music, makerspace and more! The Winter Session will take place from January 5th- March 27th. Click HERE to enroll your child TODAY!

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!

Zoe's Lunchtime Theater

The next lunchtime production starts rehearsals this coming week, and the show will be in January. It's titled "The Land of Sweets Ballet" and the show is planned for January 23rd. This is open to interested students in grades 1st-3rd and rehearsals take place during student lunchtime recess.

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.