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Sea Lion Spotlight

Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #17- December 1, 2025

Sea Lion SpotlightMalibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #17- December 1, 2025

Principal's Wave Principal's Wave

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Happy December MES families,


I am hopeful that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and that you created some family memories that will last a lifetime! We look forward to our next three weeks as we enjoy some fun activities, and keep our instruction going for our students!


We have a lot of activities that are coming up soon! Our holiday program is a "must see" program, and it will be taking place on Friday, December 19th - the final day before Winter Break. We will have our TK-2nd grade performance from 8:30-10, and our 3rd-5th grade performance running from 10:30-11:45. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY SO YOU CAN CHECK IN EARLY WHEN YOU ARRIVE, and you will be able to head in about 30 minutes prior to showtime. We will have QR codes set up for you to check in as a guest on site, so please have your driver's license ready!


We will also have opportunities for parents to volunteer for class parties and field trips this month. If you have not cleared your volunteer status through a training, there is one being offered THIS FRIDAY and the link is in the calendar section below! It takes about 15 minutes and is on Zoom.


With the next holiday quickly approaching, it's a good time to 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 a meaningful difference in their growth and success!


Ms. Sally Wennes

Principal

Reflections 2025 - "I Belong" Reflections 2025 - "I Belong"

As you know, we have some incredibly creative students here at MES! Our students participated in our PTA Reflections program this year, and we were blown away by the entries! Projects were blindly judged at the site level and the following list are the students moving on to the next round of competition at a district level! Congratulations to all of our students who submitted projects - it was truly an exceptional year!


TK-2 (Primary)

Jo Jo (Art) - Ms Tate

JJ (Photography) - Ms Kleiser

Luna T (Dance) - Ms Klesier

JJ (Literature) - Ms Kleiser

Ciel (Music Composition) - Ms Kleiser


3-5 (Intermediate)

Ella T (Dance) - Ms Whitman

Kali (Film Production) - Ms Kooy

Caleb (Music) - Ms Kooy

Cruise (Literature) - Ms Kooy

Dahlia (Photography) - Ms Kooy

Ollie (Art) - Ms Kooy

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Update from the Library for December Update from the Library for December

Dear MES Families,


This is your reminder that all library books are due by Friday, December 12th. If you think your student may have lost a library book, please email me at glabrador@smmusd.org. Instructions on how to resolve lost or damaged books will be sent to you via email, so please keep an eye out for library notices.


If your student's library books are not returned by Friday, December 12th, they will be marked as OVERDUE and serve as a hold on further check outs. All books must be returned or resolved before check outs can resume in the new year.


Thank you and Happy Holidays!


Ms. Labrador

Calendar of Events Calendar of Events

DECEMBER

  • 12/3 - 5th Grade Parent Meeting with MMS @ 2pm in cafeteria
  • 12/4 - School Site Council - AGENDA
  • 12/5 - Volunteer Training via Zoom - LINK HERE
  • 12/12 - 5th Grade Music Informance @ 9:15am - parents invited
  • 12/12 - Pajama Dress Up Day
  • 12/17 - 4th Grade Music Informance @ 8:40am parents invited
  • 12/18 - Field Trip for Mr. Ken, Tate, Murdock & Kleiser to the Nutcracker
  • 12/19 - MES Holiday Program (plan to check in prior to performance)
    • 8:30-10:00 - TK-2nd Grade Performance
    • 10:15-11:45 - 3rd-5th Grade Performance
  • 12/22-1/2 - Winter Break! ENJOY!

Important Information & Dates Important Information & Dates

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!

Photo Highlights Photo Highlights

The week before Thanksgiving gave lots of opportunities for classes to come together as buddies and friends during this wonderful time of year! Thank you to our amazing teachers and parents for organizing such fun events!

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More Information for Parents More Information for Parents

GoPass TAP Cards – Five-year Expiration Date

Per recent communications with Metro, please note that GoPass TAP cards have a lifespan of five years. Students who have had their GoPass TAP cards for five years need to request a new card through their school’s front office or Samohi House office. If a student’s GoPass TAP card expires before Sept. 30, 2026, they will receive an error when attempting to register their 2025-26 GoPass.


You may receive an eligibility code to register GoPass TAP cards provided by your school’s front office, Samohi House office or by visiting the following link:

  • One form per student (K-12 students only): https://bit.ly/GoPass2025-2026

For more information on Metro’s GoPass program, visit: www.metro.net/riding/fares/gopass/. If you have questions, please contact Austin Toyama, SMMUSD Sustainability Manager, at atoyama@smmusd.org.


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!


MES WEBSITE CHANGE - Our new school website is now live! You can access it at https://malibues.smmusd.org. Please make any adjustments you have in your own bookmarks! If you have some great horizontal photos that are of high quality, please send those to Ms. Wennes! We may be able to include them in our banner on the new site!


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.


Malibu Education Foundation - Holiday Tree Lot on November 28th!

This year, MHS students will help lead operations as part of a hands-on leadership, business, and philanthropy experience.

We encourage families to:

  • Buy your tree at the MEF Tree Lot if you are purchasing a tree this year.

  • Volunteer at the lot — opportunities are available for students in grades 4–12, as well as parents and community members. Sign up HERE.

  • Join Community Night on 12/12 — food trucks, music by the MHS Choir, DJ, photos with Santa, and more.

  • Stop by on 12/13 to sign Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday card and enjoy cake. Proceeds support the Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts, which helps fund arts education across all four schools.

  • Thank you for helping us make this a strong community season and a meaningful learning experience for our students. Find out more here: https://www.malibueducationfoundation.org/holiday-market-tree-lot

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

  • Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch is back (Nov. 29-Dec. 28) — an immersive holiday light experience perfect for families! When you purchase tickets using our PTA/PTSA link, 10% of all sales goes directly back to our schools. Use this LINK to support!

    There is also a special VOUCHER available (4 VIP tickets, valid any night during the 2025 season). If you have a voucher, please email HG@HOLIDAYROADUSA.COM and include your preferred date of attendance. Thank you for supporting our schools during this festive season!


Malibu Education Foundation - Holiday Tree Lot on November 28th!

This year, MHS students will help lead operations as part of a hands-on leadership, business, and philanthropy experience.

We encourage families to:

  • Buy your tree at the MEF Tree Lot if you are purchasing a tree this year.

  • Volunteer at the lot — opportunities are available for students in grades 4–12, as well as parents and community members. Sign up HERE.

  • Join Community Night on 12/12 — food trucks, music by the MHS Choir, DJ, photos with Santa, and more.

  • Stop by on 12/13 to sign Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday card and enjoy cake. Proceeds support the Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts, which helps fund arts education across all four schools.

  • Thank you for helping us make this a strong community season and a meaningful learning experience for our students. Find out more here: https://www.malibueducationfoundation.org/holiday-market-tree-lot


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.

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Useful Resources and Links Useful Resources and Links

Past Newsletters

MES Parent Handbook

Positive Behavior and Discipline Plan

PTA Website and Store

PTA Spirit Wear "Akaway Collection"

PTA Membership

PTA Calendar

AERIES Parent Portal Tutorial

Student Services Registration Documents

Bell Schedule

Volunteering at MES: Information and Signup form

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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