Sea Lion Spotlight

Happy February MES families,

This past week, we had fun with The Great Kindness Challenge! Kindness was celebrated in classrooms through Morning Meetings and activities! Our Boys and Girls Club even celebrated the challenge with our students by sharing a sweet popsicle treat with students on Friday during lunch! Here's the challenge for all of our families - how can you celebrate kindness as a family? If you do something special as a family that demonstrates this, please send a photo to me at swennes@smmusd.org! I'd love to capture our very kind and caring families in the month of February!

Earlier in the year, our district adopted new policies related to student technology use. We do not have a large problem with cell phones at MES, but since Winter Break, we have had a larger uptick in SmartWatch usage. Please see below for important details regarding the policy, exceptions, and discipline related to mobile communication - including SmartWatches.

NOTE for Volunteers - If you are here on campus in a volunteer capacity during the school day, we are not able to have younger siblings with you. It's important that we have you focused on the volunteering task that you are doing. If you are here to enjoy our programs, or join our Friday assembly, there is no problem with that. Please check in with me or our front office staff for any questions or further clarification. Thank you for your understanding, and I'll be including this in future volunteer training as well.

Just a reminder for everyone - 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

2/3 - 100th Day of School - WOW!
2/5 - School Site Council @ 3:30 via Zoom - AGENDA
2/6 - Volunteer Training @ 10:30am via Zoom - LINK HERE
2/11 - 5th Grade Parent Tour at Malibu Middle @ 10:30am (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

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 had a GREAT week with Tide Pool visits! Check out the fun that our students and families had when exploring our ocean!

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.

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).

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.