Sea Lion Spotlight

Happy March MES Families,

Read Across America Week is starting TODAY! Ms. Labrador and our teachers will be celebrating reading through book passports in the library and genre reading challenges! We are also working with a combined effort between the library and art to design book covers! See the information section below to see how YOU can support your child's reading!

One of the things that MES has been working on this year is a heightened focus on vocabulary - both academic vocabulary and content vocabulary. We know that with understanding of key words, it stretches success across all subject areas. Our students have been working on content vocabulary this week as our staff worked together to analyze their responses and create rubrics so that we can determine if students are growing in their understanding of words! So, what's the difference? Academic vocabulary reflects those high utility words that we use to demonstrate understanding - such as analyze, compare, contrast, summarize, etc. Content vocabulary is based on what we might be learning, such as chrysalis, sum, addend, fraction, etc. Ask your child regularly about new words they're learning and how they best remember new words! It's been fun to meet with students and ask them this question!

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

MARCH

3/2-3/6 - Read Across America Week (information below)
3/4 - 5th Graders visit MMS
3/5 - School Site Council @ 3:30 - AGENDA
3/6 - Volunteer Training @ 10:30 - LINK HERE
3/13 - Peter Pan performance @ 9:10 (Zoe's Lunchtime Theater)
3/17 - PTA Member Meeting @ 8:30
3/19 - PTA Gala Event (See information below!)
3/26 - Minimum Day - FRIDAY SCHEDULE
3/26 - Open House - Celebration of Learning - 5:00-6:00pm

SPRING BREAK - March 30-April 10, 2026

NOTE - Talent Show is being moved to Friday, May 29th

25-26 Academic Calendar

25-26 PTA Calendar

We are so excited to celebrate reading this week with our students! We have some reading challenge topics for them, which will be introduced in the library and in classrooms, and Ms. Labrador is doing a reading passport with the students for the entire month of March! If they turn in their passport by March 27th, they will be able to select a prize! Ask your child about the passport after they've been to the library this week!

MONDAY

Read a nonfiction book about a famous American

TUESDAY

Read a fictional book from a different culture

WEDNESDAY

Read a nonfiction book about an animal, scientific subject, historical event or sport

THURSDAY

Read a fictional book from a new series

Please also find this LINK to parent resources that you might find helpful!

This past week, I introduced a way for 1st-5th grade students to reach out to me directly by writing to me about things that are on their mind! This is ideally meant for situations where students feel that they've already told an adult, but the problem is continuing, or situations where they feel unsafe. Students can use the stationary provided, or they can use any piece of paper they have. Some students have even written from home because something is on their mind. The students do need to put their name on the note, so that I can get more information from them, and problem solve what's going on.

If your child is struggling with something, feel free to have them write it down for me, and they can put the note into the mailbox in the morning! I will be checking the box regularly when I'm on campus so that I can address student concerns as fast as possible. The box is in the office, right near the conference room and they can always check with Ms. Diane or Ms. Kim if they don't see it right away!

So far, problems have been addressed, friendships rekindled, and students have had opportunities to feel heard! 🙂

(TK & K parents - you are welcome to have your child dictate a note to you, but I have not fully introduced this to them yet... We are just rolling it out to see how it will work!)

#1 - Our Friday Assembly included students being recognized for their estimation skills, and through Sammy Slips for positive choices!

#2-3 - Students working hard in their classrooms! Some were working on writing that included content vocabulary!

#4 - Teachers working together during our banked time on Friday. We worked on reviewing student writing and creating a simplified rubric to use so we can see growth with student use of vocabulary. Love the collegiality that exists amongst all our teachers and instructional assistants!

PTA

PTA GALA EVENT on March 19th! (See flyer below) - We are currently seeking tax deductible donations of, event tickets, vacation homes, unique experiences, services, and other auction items. Every contribution—big or small—makes a meaningful impact.
Malibu Elementary School is excited to host our annual Spring Gala on March 19, featuring both a silent and live auction. Proceeds directly benefit our students, teachers, and school programs.
Deadline for auction item donations: March 10
If you are able to donate or have questions, please contact jowhadi@gmail.com .
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

Malibu Information (Flyers below)

2026 SMMUSD Student Art Exhibition: Next Gen Perspectives: Young artists explore and express the world through their own eyes. On display 1/26 - 3/6 Malibu City Gallery. FLYER BELOW

Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award Accepting Nominations Feb. 9–March 31 Do you know a Malibu local who makes our community shine? The City of Malibu will be accepting nominations for the 2026 Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award -- an honor recognizing individuals or groups who go above and beyond to support Malibu’s parks, recreation programs, and community well-being.

From coaching and volunteering to quietly showing up for others, this award celebrates those whose dedication brings people together—especially during times of healing and recovery. Nominations open: February 9 - March 31. Submit a nomination HERE.

Named in honor of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Hagop “Jake” Kuredjian, who was killed in the line of duty on August 31,2001. Deputy Kuredjian's courage and service left a lasting legacy and this award recognizes the heart of Malibu: people helping people. Know someone who deserves the spotlight? Nominate them and help us say thank you.

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).

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!

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!

Homework Help

Looking for extra academic support for your child? BGCM provides homework help for all subjects and grade levels on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00–5:00 PM, helping students stay on track and feel confident with their schoolwork.

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.

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.