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Sea Lion Spotlight

Malibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #6 - September 15, 2025

Sea Lion SpotlightMalibu Elementary Parent Newsletter #6 - September15, 2025

Table of Contents

  1. Principal's Wave
  2. Calendar of Events
  3. Important Information and Dates
  4. More Information for Parents
  5. Useful Resources and Links

Principal's Wave Principal's Wave

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Happy Monday MES Families!


Thank you again for all your support during our current water leak situation! An email was sent out to our MES community last Friday with all the details surrounding it, and we are hoping for a great week ahead as we get our water back up and running! Our students will be so happy to have their restrooms back in action!


Remember, starting Monday, September 15th, we will ask that our students in grades 1-5 head to the classrooms without a parent/guardian on Mondays-Thursdays. On Fridays, parents are always welcome to accompany their child for our weekly assemblies and will then exit immediately following. Kindergarten and TK students who aren't quite ready for this level of independence are welcome to have their parents walk them in to the yard for a little bit longer. We will be encouraging independence for them a little bit later in the year. This will also be the case with the Kinder students in Miss Murdock's class. Please plan on arriving prior to 8:15am if you are escorting your TK/K child to class so that they can be there, ready to start the day on time.


Please remember that School starts at 8:15! We continue to have 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 wonderful week ahead!


Ms. Sally Wennes

Principal

Calendar of Events Calendar of Events

SEPTEMBER

  • 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 @ 10:30am - JOIN HERE

  • Thursday 10/9 - School Site Council @ 3:30pm via Zoom

  • 10/11-10/12 - MES 2nd Annual Overnight Camp Out

  • 10/15-10/17 - 5th Grade Outdoor School (Pali Camp!)


NOVEMBER


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

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). See below for more detailed directions.

More Information for Parents More Information for Parents

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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.


PTA Giving Wave - Going On Now!

Our fabulous PTA supports us in so many ways and we are able to do that through your generosity! We are currently in the middle of our GIVING WAVE in order to raise funds towards things like instructional aide support, music for our K-2, support for our TK-5 art program, Sea Lion Academy, and instructional materials for classrooms! Please CLICK THIS LINK to learn more and to donate today! You can also access via the QR code on the banners around our school! The class with the highest percentage gets some incredible rewards (including silly stringing the principal)! Let's put some FUN into raising FUNds!


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 Education Foundation News:

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

  • 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:
The Malibu Education Foundation (MEF) is proud to support essential staff and programs—like arts education, instructional aides, math tutors, and athletics—at all four Malibu public schools. Volunteer at Malibu Moves! We need your energy to help with packet pickup, kids' races, gear check, finish line crew & more. Or run and volunteer—make it a full weekend of giving back. Every shift helps MEF fund what matters most.
Sign up here: malibumoves.com/volunteer
Learn more or donate: www.MalibuEducationFoundation.org


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!

  • Warrior Academy Bruce Lee Foundation is back at Malibu Elementary every Thursday from 3:00–4:00 PM, September 18th–November 19th. Designed by Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee, this program shares the wisdom of her father’s teachings through weekly martial arts and mindfulness training. Led by professional martial artist Joey Escobar, sessions challenge students to grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Available to 3rd–5th grade members and included in BGCM membership. For more information, email stephengreene@bgcmalibu.org.

  • 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*.


    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.


    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.

    1. Log in to your Aeries Parent Portal: https://santamonicamalibu.aeries.net/
    2. Be sure to read, review, and discuss all the materials with your student.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.


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    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

    • Trip date: 10/15/25-10/17/25


    Informational Websites

    • Click here to view the Pali brochure

    • Video Overview

    • Health and Safety Information + Cabin Tour

    • Packing List and Paperwork Information

    Useful Resources and Links Useful Resources and Links

    Past Newsletters

    MES Parent Handbook

    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: malibues.smmusd.org

    Location: 6955 Fernhill Drive, Malibu, CA, USA
    Phone: 310-457-9370
    Sally Wennes
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