While September is the official start of the school year, many Class II students have already assumed senior year responsibilities. We started preparations for the change before the March break. Meeting successive deadlines, Class II students have registered interest in becoming co-head monitors and serving in other elected positions. Some new leaders are already in place, others have started writing applications for leadership positions for clubs and organizations from Asian Society and Community Service to SECS board. Because most Class I students undertake spring projects during the first week in May, the next generation of leaders needs to be in place before the end of this month. [Read More]
Peter Scoblic ’92 is Graduation Speaker:
Writer, Editor, Arms Control Expert J. Peter Scoblic ’92, who looks forward to addressing the Class of 2010 at graduation, has recently been asked by Senator Kerry to join the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as a policy advisor on ratification of the new START and nuclear test ban treaties. This appointment recognizes Peter’s years of researching and writing on arms control and foreign policy issues. Today, Peter is the executive editor of The New Republic. His book, U.S. vs. Them: How a Half-Century of Conservatism has Undermined America's Security, was released in 2008. Before joining The New Republic, Peter was the editor of Arms Control Today, a professional journal covering efforts to prevent the spread and use of weapons of mass destruction. Peter was fellow at the New America Foundation and a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, he has published widely on security issues, including pieces in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. After Milton, Peter went to Brown where he earned his BA in Political Science and served as an editor of the Brown Journal of World Affairs.
Milton Prepares for Seniors' Big Day
The Academy is excited to welcome families and friends to Graduation 2010. Held on the lawn outside Apthorp Chapel, this year’s ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 11. Prior to the ceremony, seniors will gather outside of Hallowell House to begin an informal procession to all the houses to say goodbye to underclassmen. The formal graduation procession begins at Straus Library, where each student receives a flower. Tradition also dictates that Milton seniors vote for one boy and one girl to speak on behalf of the class at graduation. Diplomas at Milton are given in random order, and the last student to graduate is given a sock of quarters—one from each classmate. After the ceremony, students say farewell to faculty, who have formed a receiving line. In the event of heavy rain, the ceremony will move into the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center.
Graduating students and their parents are also invited to a reception hosted under a tent on the quad from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the evening of Thursday, June 10. Click here for more details about the graduation ceremony and surrounding events.
The Construction Fences are Down Pritzker Science Center’s doors will open this summer
After much anticipation, science faculty members will soon be moving into offices and classrooms in the new Pritzker Science Center, and students will follow in September. The building, designed to encourage collaboration, exploration, hands-on inquiry and round-table discussion among Milton’s science students was also developed with materials and practices that are sustainable for future generations. A large mural in the building’s entry way describes the many ways in which the building’s design and construction is environmentally responsible; the mural also houses an interactive dashboard that shows the building’s energy savings in real time. Click on the link below to view photos of Milton’s new science center. [View Photos]
Election Season is On
Junior Leadership Weekend (JLW), a Saturday-through-Sunday program at
Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, Massachusetts, launches election season at
Milton. Class II leaders are greatly involved in planning aspects of
the weekend. The goal is to use the time together to connect as a class
and focus on the leadership roles, formal and informal, members of the
class will soon take on. Seniors are agenda and tone setters at Milton,
and their impact as the oldest and most experienced Miltonians is very
important. Elections of the two head monitors, a boy and a girl who
will head the School, are the first to follow the weekend. Students
self-nominate and give speeches; a first vote narrows the field; and
then, following another set of speeches, students cast their deciding
votes.
Congratulations to Robert Bedetti (Norris House) and Kasey Caine
(Dedham), who are Milton’s new head monitors. Nick Jacob and Assel
Tuleubayeva head monitors in the Class of 2010, officially transitioned
their leadership to the new head monitors at Monday’s assembly, April
26. They bequeathed the new team with many meaningful (or not)
treasures, legacies from the head monitors’ office that will have
plenty of meaning in the upcoming year.
Rabbi Rolando Matalon Visits Milton
The eighth speaker of the Class of 1952 Endowment for Religious Understanding, Rabbi Rolando J. Matalon, invited students to turn to all of their separate religious traditions to find insight into which questions will help them address their critical individual roles in a complex world. Click on the video above to view his talk at Milton. [Enlarge Video]
Our Assessment: Moving Toward Completion
Our Assessment of Inclusion and Multiculturalism (AIM), the NAIS process that Milton has undertaken this year, has unfolded to include all the constituencies that are part of Milton Academy in the broadest sense. Our intention—to hear perspectives and opinions from all voices connected with Milton—is still in process, but the outreach has already been successful. Student and adult conversations have affirmed Milton’s commitment to sustaining and enhancing rich learning experiences in and out of the classroom. We have witnessed strong commitment on the part of faculty and staff to building mutually rewarding relationships with students and colleagues. [Read More]
Meet Milton’s First Graduates of CERT
Developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains individuals to assist the community in the event that emergency response personnel are not readily available to respond due to a major incident. Members of Milton’s staff completed this 20-hour hands-on course organized by Campus Safety Director Jay Hackett and taught by a team of instructors, including members of Milton’s fire and police departments. These graduates are now trained and certified to assist Campus Safety in disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue.
As president of the Upper School Parents’ Association, I would like to thank all of the current Board for their hard work this year. I hope that all parents have had an opportunity to attend one or more of our events. We would especially like to express our gratitude for efforts over the years that the parents of the Class of 2010 have generously given to Milton Academy and the Parents’ Association. As the year winds down, I find it hard to believe that 19 families are ending 13 years of involvement with Milton Academy.
Thanks again, Mark Kaplan, President
Yet, there are still many exciting events coming up in the next several weeks.
Speaker Night – David Ball This Upper School event features incoming Upper School Principal David Ball. The event will be held in Straus Library on Wednesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. Don’t miss this chance to get to know David Ball better, hear some of his thoughts on next year at Milton Academy, and answer a few questions.
Arts Night Another wonderful Arts Night will be held on Friday, April 30 at 6 p.m. in the Kellner Performing Arts Center. Students in arts courses such as speech, drama and visual arts will showcase their talents. This is a great opportunity to appreciate firsthand the hard work and creativity of these students.
Closing Event with Todd Bland On Monday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in Straus Library, the Parents’ Association will host the Closing Event with Head of School Todd Bland. We will hear about Todd's first year at Milton and his thoughts for the future. He will also engage in an informal question and answer session over dessert and coffee with parents.
Class II Boat Dance The Class II Boat Dance will be held Saturday, May 15. Sponsored by Milton Academy, the Parents' Association will be coordinating food and decor at the boat. An email has been sent to Class II parents seeking help for various food items. Please contact Class II Parent Representatives Kathy Ticknor (kticknor@comcast.net) and Anne-Marie Woodhouse (amwoodhouse@comcast.net) with your offerings. Many thanks to Kathy and Anne-Marie for their coordination!
Class I Parent Reception The Class I Parent Reception will take place on Saturday, June 5, at 7 p.m., in the Schwarz Student Center. Class I parents will enjoy a social gathering right after sending the students off on the trolleys to the Senior Prom. Parents will first have an opportunity to see (and photograph) the students adorned for Prom Night and then relax with fellow parents at the Parents’ Association Reception. An email providing further details about the event will be sent soon. In addition, we are looking for volunteers to help set up the Student Center for the students to enjoy after they arrive back from the Prom. It will not take long to set-up—many hands make light work. The students have some great ideas for the after-prom gathering, and we would like to make it very special for them. So, if you can spare a bit of time after the reception, and would like to volunteer, please get in touch with Class I Parent Representatives, Helene Haddad ( h.haddad@comcast.net) and Judy Reilly (judith.reilly@comcast.net).
Donut Day The Parents’ Association held a Donut Day as a spring treat for the students on Tuesday, April 13 during recess. Thanks to Vickie Muse, Barbara Lemperly-Grant, Alyce Lee and Helene Haddad for coordinating.
A Sincere Thank You Thank you so much to all those parents who paid their dues to the Parents’ Association. Our programs such as Parent Dinners and Receptions, refreshments at the academic fields on Parents’ Weekend, the Class get-togethers, the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch, and treats for students are all funded by parents’ dues and donations. Thank you so much, you have been very generous. Please keep an eye out for the notice about next year’s dues which will come out in early summer. We couldn’t do it without you!
“Graduating” Board Member A grateful “thank you” goes out to Mark Kaplan, for his years of service to the Parents’ Association as a volunteer and most recently board president. Mark's son will be graduating this year. Mark’s contribution to the Parents’ Association will be missed. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Andrea Peabody P’11 will be moving into the role of Parents’ Association president in September and we look forward to another great year.
The Parents’ Association would also like to extend a special thank you to Shannon Ollerhead, our liaison to the administration, for her capable and gracious assistance on all of our efforts. Shannon took care of a multitude of details throughout the year and we sincerely appreciate her warm-hearted and reliable support.
“I don’t know if I ever gravitated to anything else the way I did to English,” says Lisa Baker of the English department. A “voracious reader” as a child, with an English teacher father, she always had a connection with reading and creative writing and studied both in college and graduate school.
“I learned at a young age that writing was a way to communicate,” says Lisa, “to use my imagination. Through writing you have the opportunity to shape things; it’s a small way of exerting some control, narrating ideas, making sense of experiences and human relationships.” [Read More]
Talent in Every Corner of Kellner at Arts Night
Showcasing the creativity and originality of our student artists, Arts Night has become a favorite annual event at Milton. When the doors to Kellner swing open at 6 p.m. this Friday, April 30, parents will be treated to jazz, dance, piano, drama, oral interpretation, photography, studio art and creative writing. The evening will begin in the orchestra room for a view of students’ work in creative writing. Starting at 7 p.m., parents, students and faculty will be assigned to groups that will tour the corners of Kellner to peruse work on display and enjoy performances by Milton’s dancers, actors, musicians and speechies. Refreshments will be available in Pieh Commons following the performances.
Catch a Glimpse of Earth and Sky
Under the direction of Performing Arts Department Chair Peter Parisi, Milton actors take the stage in Wigg Hall to perform Douglas Post's Earth and Sky. Showtimes begin at 7:30 p.m. on May 6 and 7, and curtains open at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 8. Click on the video for a glimpse of rehearsal. [Enlarge Video]
What Actually Happens at Junior Leadership Weekend? Each spring, as the seniors begin to look to life beyond Milton, the Class II students prepare to become the School’s leaders, setting the goals and the tone for the coming year. The official beginning of this shift happens in April during Junior Leadership Weekend (JLW). Class II students and their advisors venture to Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for a weekend of bonding with classmates and activities designed to get students thinking about their new role. [Read More]
Spring Sports Senior Spotlight:
Scott O’Leary
Captain of the boys’ varsity lacrosse team, Scott O’Leary (I) has been
a member of the squad since coming to Milton his Class III year. Scott
will tell you that this year’s team has a “new feel” to it—a lot of new
players, and a new coach (Corey Simonson, of Milton’s Middle School
faculty). The scene may be different, but with a winning record so far
this season, Scott says, “the vibe is good.” [Read More]
Milton Actors Explore the “Stuff” We Carry
This spring’s main stage production, Stuff, is a devised, or ensemble-created play, meaning that when Shane Fuller, director and performing arts faculty member, presented the show to the cast, no script existed. “Most devised productions begin with a complete idea,” Shane explains, “or are based around another work, but this show began with just an image: suitcases.” From there the cast discussed where to go next. What they’ve developed is a collection of tales—approximately 20 short bits that include poetry, movement, short stories written by the cast members, and two longer stories of Shane’s creation. [Read More]
Milton Presents Annual Spring Concerts This past weekend, Milton’s musicians performed two concert events in the Kellner Performing Arts Center. The Chamber Singers, Gospel Choir and Glee Club took to the stage in King Theatre on Friday while the Milton Academy Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra presented a tribute concert on Saturday evening honoring long-time Milton music faculty member, Jean McCawley. Click on the link below to view photos from both shows. [View Photos]
Milton's Nesto Gallery Features Work of Marky Kauffmann
Forty photographic montages by artist Marky Kauffmann fill the Nesto Gallery with symbols, shapes and brushed gestures, paying homage to and entreating the universe: concepts of birth, death, light, dark, beauty and ugliness intermingle. In her exhibit titied “Prayer Images,” Marky Kauffmann explores themes through a variety of experimental processes using liquid emulsion, toners, potassium ferricyanide and other photographic materials to create layers of built-up images and gestural shapes painted by hand. Click on the link below to view a small sample of her work on display. [View Photos]
On the Playing Fields Milton's Mustangs are competing against tough ISL teams this spring and so far have been on both the winning and losing side of a few close battles. Click on the links below to view scores and game summaries of Milton's varsity squads and see when and where teams will be playing next.
Many thanks go out to the generous families who contributed to Milton’s Parent Giving program this year. As of March 31, 240 families have contributed nearly $730,000 to the Parents’ Annual Fund. The Parents’ Annual Fund is a component of Milton’s Annual Fund, which supports approximately 10 percent of the operating budget each year and directly contributes to financial aid, faculty salaries, dynamic curriculum and student activities. This amount of funds raised would not be possible without the dedicated group of Parents’ Annual Fund volunteers who have reached out to fellow Milton parents over the last seven months. Thank you.
If you have not already done so, please consider making your own contribution to the Parents’ Annual Fund through Milton’s secure Web site: www.milton.edu/donate or by sending a check to the address below:
Alumni & Development Office Milton Academy 170 Centre Street Milton, MA 02186
Class I Gift Soars to New Heights The Class I Parent Gift is a special tradition at Milton, allowing Class I parents to commemorate their children’s experience with a significant gift to the Academy. To date, 57 percent of Class I parents have made gifts and pledges totaling $1,238,000, with cash gifts to all funds amounting to over $818,000. This is a truly amazing feat—thank you to each Class I parent who contributed to the Class I 2010 Parent Gift and to the 25 Class I Parent Gift Committee members whose hard work and dedication have made this all possible.
If you have not already done so, please consider your own contribution as we strive to reach a goal of 100 percent parent participation before June 30, 2010. Please note you can maximize your gift by taking advantage of the 5-year pledge payment option. Your entire pledge will count toward the Class I 2010 Parent Gift total, and you may pay the pledge over time (up to five years), with the first installment due by June 30, 2010.
For more information about Milton Academy’s Parents’ Annual Fund or Class I 2010 Parent Gift, please contact Shannon Ollerhead at 617-898-2374 or shannon_ollerhead@milton.edu.
Become a Parent Volunteer in 2010–2011 This academic year, 30 volunteers support the Parents’ Annual Fund and 25 Class I Parents serve on the Class I 2010 Parent Gift Committee. Parent connections through phone calls, emails and letters are crucial to the success of both the Annual Fund and the Class I 2010 Parent Gift, and volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Milton parents. Whether you are from Massachusetts, California or China, please consider becoming more involved in Milton’s parent community.
If you are interested in becoming a parent volunteer for the 2010–2011 academic year or would like to learn more about Milton’s Parent Giving program, please contact Shannon Ollerhead, associate director of annual giving, at 617-898-2374 or shannon_ollerhead@milton.edu.
More on Milton’s Parent Giving Program Milton Academy’s Web site is a great resource for additional information regarding Milton Academy’s Parent Giving program. Find updates about the Parents’ Annual Fund and the Class I 2010 Parent Gift, as well as frequently asked questions, class statistics and upcoming events.
To access this site, visit www.milton.edu, and select “Parent Giving” under the Parent tab at the top of the homepage.
From the Archives In case you missed them, below are links to a few featured news articles posted on www.milton.edu.
J. Peter Scoblic ’92, who looks forward to addressing the Class of 2010 at graduation, has recently been asked by Senator Kerry to join the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as a policy advisor on ratification of the new START and nuclear test ban treaties. This appointment recognizes Peter’s years of researching and writing on arms control and foreign policy issues. Today, Peter is the executive editor of The New Republic. His book, U.S. vs. Them: How a Half-Century of Conservatism has Undermined America's Security, was released in 2008. Before joining The New Republic, Peter was the editor of Arms Control Today, a professional journal covering efforts to prevent the spread and use of weapons of mass destruction. Peter was fellow at the New America Foundation and a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, he has published widely on security issues, including pieces in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. After Milton, Peter went to Brown where he earned his BA in Political Science and served as an editor of the Brown Journal of World Affairs.
“I don’t know if I ever gravitated to anything else the way I did to English,” says Lisa Baker of the English department. A “voracious reader” as a child, with an English teacher father, she always had a connection with reading and creative writing and studied both in college and graduate school.
Milton's Mustangs are competing against tough ISL teams this spring and so far have been on both the winning and losing side of a few close battles. Click on the links below to view scores and game summaries of Milton's varsity squads and see when and where teams will be playing next.