Monday Message
August 31, 2026
Calendar
Month 1 Week 4
This Week
- Friday, Sept. 4 - End of Month 1 - Work Due
- Friday, Sept. 4 - Club Application Forms Due
Upcoming Events
- Monday, Sept. 7 - Labor Day Holiday
- Sept. 8-10 - Lunch - Club Fair (MS and HS)
- Wednesday, Sept. 9 - 12:30pm - 1:15pm - First Day of Elementary PE
- Thursday, Sept. 10 - MEA Blood Drive
- Thursday, Sept. 10 - Back To School Night and Chili Cook-off
- Tuesday, Sept. 15 - SSC and SGT meetings
- Thursday, Sept. 17 - Wellness Committee Meeting
- Thursday, Sept. 24 - Fall Elem. Dance and MS Social
- Friday, Sept. 25 - Legoland Meet-Up
- Friday, Oct. 2 - End of Month 2 - Work Due
- Oct. 5-9 - Elementary Conferences - no K-5 classes
- Oct. 9 - MEA Summit (required for all 6-12 students)
Back To School Night & Chili Cook-off!
Come enjoy some chili, chat with staff and other MEA families, and attend informational workshops! A more detailed schedule coming soon!
Action Item: Complete the 2026-27 LCFF Form
The District is requiring all families to complete the Local Control Funding Formula, or LCFF, form for the 2026-27 school year. The LCFF form is short, confidential, and helps ensure our school receives the state funding and resources for which we are eligible. Families can complete the form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal using a parent/guardian account. Please note that the form is not available through student accounts.
To complete the form:
Log in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal account at https://powerschool.sandi.net
Select the LCFF Data Collection in the left hand navigation.
Complete and submit the short form for your student.
Need help? Reference this step-by-step guide in English, Spanish, Vietnamese
(Please Note: The LCFF form is not available in the PowerSchool mobile app, but can be completed by visiting https://powerschool.sandi.net from the internet browser on any device – phone, tablet, laptop or computer.)
If you need help accessing your Parent Portal account, locating your student’s Access ID and Password, or completing the form, please contact our school office. Families who are unable to complete the form online may also complete the form one of the following ways:
Online via the unique link to be emailed to you from survey@sandiegounified.org via SurveyMonkey
In-person at MEA
Thank you for helping support our students and school community!
Support SGT & SSC with Your Voice
SSC and SGT - Call for Nominations
Are you or your student looking to support our school with your time and input? The Mt. Everest Academy School Site Council (SSC) and Site Governance Team (SGT) have open positions! Both SSC and SGT have one parent position open and SSC has one student position (grades 9-12) open for 2 year terms. If you are a parent or student interested in running for a position, please submit your self-nomination at the appropriate link below. Meetings will occur 7 Tuesdays this year. For more information about SSC and SGT, including 2026-27 meeting dates, please see the school website.
ASB Officers for 2026-2027
Congratulations to your 26-27 ASB Officers:
President: Margaret O’Loughlin
Vice President: Malia Wilke
Secretary: Lili Flores
Treasurer: Sophie Chung
Club Liaison: Arden Swan
The ASB is here to serve you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to your elected officers or other ASB team members at mea.asb.leadership@gmail.com with suggestions, questions, or feedback. We’re looking forward to another exciting and successful year in ASB!
Did You Miss School Photos?
Students, if you missed the scheduled picture day, please stop by Room B15 on Tuesday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. or Tuesday - Wednesday 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. this week to have your school photo taken. Photos will be used for student IDs, the yearbook, and to update school files. It is essential that the school has updated student photos in the case of emergencies. Or if you are unable to make those times, please email Ms. Spicher.
If you do not wish to have your student pictured in future school publications (Yearbook, Monday Messages, etc.), please notify the Front Office.
MEA Spirit Wear💥
Show your school spirit and snag some incredible merchandise! Now is the perfect time to show your MEA Spirit—there’s truly something for everyone here: hats, tshirts, totes, hoodies and sweatshirts! Here’s the best part: every purchase you make helps lift our school programs and events, with a remarkable 20% of all sales going right back into our community! This is a limited time sale ending Friday, September 4th! Don’t wait; click this link and be a part of something special!
Orders will arrive 2-4 weeks after the webstore closes.
2026-2027 Yearbook
Our new yearbook staff is excited to create a great annual for you!
Purchase your copy NOW to receive a 10% discount off of the $38 cost!
Yearbooks must be purchased by the end of October for the discount.
BASE Camp - tutoring and study hall!
BASE Camp, Our tutoring center/study hall, is a great place for:
- students to receive tutoring from older students
- students to work on group/collaborative projects
- students to work on their own or with a friend
BASE Camp will begin Month 1, Week 2 on Wednesday Aug. 19 in the auditorium and will be available:
- Wednesdays 12:30-2:30
- Thursdays 9:30 - 11:30
- Fridays 9-11:30
Parents/Guardians of students in grades K-5 should complete the CHECK-IN form when signing your student in at BASE Camp so tutors can best support your student.
Are you in grade 9-12 and interested in being a tutor and have not been trained? Please see Ms. Starr and let her know or email her at vstarr@sandi.net. A tutor training will be scheduled soon!
For more information about BASE Camp, check out the BASE Camp website.
Clubs (Grades 6-12)
Starting a New Club?
If you are looking to start a club, check out the Club Leader Orientation and fill out the Club Application Form. Forms are due this Friday, Sept. 4th. The Club Fair will be held September 8-10 during lunch.
Club Fair - Coming Soon!
The school year has ignited with an electrifying energy! Club fair is September 8th-10th at lunch. Students are invited to the auditorium to check out the many clubs that MEA has to offer. Visit with classmates and check out the many clubs showcased at the event! This is an excellent way to get involved on campus and meet other MEA students that share your interests. See you there!
For more information about the club fair, and to preview available clubs , check out the MEA Club Link.
Yearenders Club - 1st Meeting This Thursday!
Come join Yearenders Club in the auditorium on Thursday September 3rd at lunch time for our first official meeting! Email Ms. Krampe if you have any questions.
Elementary Enrichment Classes
Elementary Art
ELEMENTARY ART has officially begun!! We have a wonderful group of students, and are excited to see the beautiful pieces of ART they each create this semester!
- When: Every Tuesday from 12:30 - 1:15
Mrs. Laura Valentine
MEA Art Teacher
Contact info: lvalentine1@sandi.net
Elementary PE (grades 2-5)
We are thrilled to offer an elementary level physical education class again this year! Whether you are a student eager to stay active with classmates and friends, looking for a safe way to learn a new sport, and/or looking to just have some fun, MEA PE is the class for you! The Extracurricular PE Class is not just about physical activity, it's about fostering a lifelong love for movement, teamwork, and healthy living.
- What to Expect: The PE activity classes are designed to be engaging, inclusive, and collaborative. From exciting games & sports to fitness challenges, this class aims to be a safe space to move your body. Additionally, students will learn teamwork, resilience, problem-solving, and build confidence.
- Schedule: In order to keep all children safe, one class will be held to accommodate multiple ages.
- Classes will take place on Wednesday afternoons beginning Month 2 on September 9, 2026. Classes do NOT meet during TURN-IN week
- Time: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM: Grades 2-5 (Elementary students must be picked up at the back gate no later than 1:15 PM)
- Sign-ups: Please fill out the form to sign up by clicking the corresponding class link
Music with Mr. Johnson
Classes with Mr. Johnson have started on Thursday afternoons for grades K-8 in room B15. Please see the schedule below. If you need to rent an instrument, please email Mr. Johnson at kjohnson3@sandi.net. Join your class on Google Classroom with the below codes by going into Chrome > Google Apps > Classroom. Use the "+" symbol in the top right corner to "Join Class"
- 12:30 - 1:15 - CHOIR - tpqF3h4m
- 1:25- 2:10 - STRINGS - yea5bhl
- 2:15 - 3:00 - UKELELE - h2dteci7
Jam Band
Jam Band is back another year with Mark Fisher at the helm! Thank you to those who filled out the interest form. This year, Jam Band will meet Tuesdays during 5th period in Rm. B15. Rock On!
Drop Off/Pick Up/Parking Procedures
Thank you in advance for helping to create a safe and welcoming campus for all of our students and families.
Please note: We now have arrows in the front parking lot and signs are coming soon! ONLY enter from Mt. Everest and ONLY exit onto Mt. Etna.
Elementary (Grades K-5)
Parents just dropping off/picking up and not staying on campus should park in the back lot by the elementary classes and sign their child in with supervising staff. Parents staying on campus should park in the front lot or on Mt. Etna, enter through the front office, and sign in and retrieve a visitor pass.
Secondary (Grades 6-12)
Secondary parents should drop/pick up in the front lot or sign in at the front office if they are staying on campus. Please do not block parking spaces while dropping off/picking up. Instead, please park in a space in the lot or on Mt. Etna.
High School News
Fall 2026 Community College - Concurrent Enrollment
If you are enrolled concurrently in a community college class at City, Mesa, or Miramar that is NOT through us, please complete this form so Mr. Rubin can put it on your schedule. This does not include ACP courses (Math 150/151, 254/245, Poli Sci 121/C1000), as they are already on your schedule. This allows the grade to transfer automatically and avoids you having to request an official transcript later. If you do not complete this, you will need to ask the college to send us an official transcript, which may incur a fee. Please email arubin@sandi.net if you have any questions regarding this.
If you end up dropping the course with the college after completing this form, please email Mr. Rubin and let him know so he can update your schedule here.
Responder Ready Opportunity
High School students - Are you interested in helping your community and learning about careers with the Sheriff's Department? Check out this amazing opportunity! Public Safety Communications Academy for teens age 16 and older starting Sept. 5th.
Career Fair Participants Needed!
The MEA Career Fair will be April 9th from 10am-12pm at the MEA Auditorium. Sign up to host a booth today! You can help inspire students with your knowledge and experience. Scan the QR code in the flyer or click here to sign up.
Announcements
Attention all writers!
Do you like telling stories and expressing yourself through language? Mr. Meyer has been involved in many creative writing workshops over the past 25 years, and he wants to bring this rewarding experience to MEA. (You can see some of his published work here.) Disclaimer: There will be no mention of thesis statements, dangling modifiers, or rubrics; rather, it’s about helping you find your voice and seeing your creative vision come to life. If interested, please email Mr. Meyer (jmeyer@sandi.net) or come to his office hours to express your interest in workshops or ideas.
Leader in Me
This school year our whole school will be focusing on Leader in Me and the 7 Habits of highly effective kids and teens. Check the Monday Message each month for the monthly focus and what you can do at home to support your child.
During Month 1, we are reviewing the Habits and then each month after that we will be zeroing in on one Habit at a time. Students will be able to describe their personal values and create a long term goal and short term steps needed to accomplish their goal.
The elementary classes, AVID classes, and 9th grade PE are doing lessons with your students in class and assigned at home.
Please check out this Leader in Me Family Overview Guide that highlights the Core Paradigms and the Habits in one succinct resource.
Join the MEA Wellness Committee
In CA, all schools are required to have a Wellness Committee whose role is to help make their school healthier in all ways possible. The Wellness Committee analyzes all aspects of wellness on our campus and develops and implements a plan for improvement. If you are a parent or student interested in joining this fun and productive group of staff, parents, and students, please email Mrs. Finney at rfinney@sandi.net. There are four meetings during the year on Thursdays at 12:30. The first meeting of the year will be on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 12:30 in Room 11.
Monday Message Receipt
If you are a student who would like to receive the Monday Message via text, simply fill out the form below, and we’ll add your cell number to our contact list.
Pronto Passes
Papa John's Fundraiser (Online through 12/31/26)
Need a quick meal for the family during the busy school year? Having a group event and want pizza? Order from Papa John’s! When you place an order online and use the promo code: MTEVEREST, it earns money to support MEA. See flyer for more details!
Upcoming Events
MEA Blood Drive
Help save a life! Donate at our Southern California Blood Bank Blood Drive on Thursday, September 10 between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Front Parking Lot. Plus get a complimentary ticket to SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream when you donate. Schedule an appointment today.
Community Events
Clairemont Family Day - Sept. 12!
MEA will have a booth at Clairemont Family Day this year. Come by and say hello enjoy the festivities! The Clairemont community celebrates 36 years of family fun at the annual Clairemont Family Day held at South Clairemont Park. The event features a car show, free pony rides, dance, music, magic, civic groups and organizations, local vendors, and much more! For a complete schedule of events check out the website https://clairemontfamilyday.com/
MEA Family Hike Monthly Meet-Up
Join host Jaime Rios for our monthly outdoor meet-ups for the 2026-2027 school year! These hikes are a wonderful opportunity for us to get outside, connect, and enjoy nature together. Please note that these are collaborative family events—parents are expected to hike right alongside their children and school staff. It is a fantastic way for us to support our students as a community, share some fresh air, and bond outside of the classroom. We can't wait to hit the trails with you starting Sept. 18 at Scripps Institute! See the flyer for more information.
Legoland Meet-Up Sept. 25!
We have helped secure discounted tickets for MEA students and their families to visit Legoland on Friday, September 25, 2026! Student/child tickets are $20 each and adult tickets are $41. The first (up to 5) adult tickets purchased will also include free parking. Otherwise, parking is not included. This is not a school sponsored field trip- MEA will not be providing transportation or supervision of students, but we hope the MEA community will take advantage of the discounted price and enjoy some time and fun together! All students must be supervised by a parent or another adult. The last day to purchase tickets at the discounted rate is Tuesday, Sept 8, 2026. Please email kkrampe@sandi.net with any questions. Sign up and purchase tickets at the links below.
USD Football Community Night
USD Football is having a Multicultural Community Night on September 5. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Enjoy Pregame and Halftime performances by local groups in a family-friendly environment. Get exclusive $5 tickets when you us code USDMCN!
USD Women's Volleyball Discount Tickets
The University of San Diego is offering $2 single-match tickets for the USD Women's Volleyball home opener against SMU on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Tickets for this match at the Jenny Craig Pavilion are available through University of San Diego Athletics.
Opponent: SMU Mustangs (Jack Talmadge Volleyball Classic)
Date & Time: Friday, September 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Location: Jenny Craig Pavilion (Alcala Park, San Diego)
Price: $2 per ticket
Youth Perk: Youth ages 12 and under get free admission to all home Torero volleyball events.
Connect and MOVE Bulletin
If you are seeking opportunities to connect and engage with other families in the MEA Community, we invite you to explore the private electronic bulletin board. We encourage you to share any local activities or events that you and fellow MEA students and families may enjoy together. Please note that these activities are not sponsored by Mt. Everest Academy.
Please send any information for the Monday Message using the Google form by end of day Wednesday for upcoming message.