April Scheduling Conferences & Spring Dress Code

Friday, 16 April 2010

Greetings Upper School Parents:

I hope this e.mail finds you well as we continue to navigate the fickle weather that defines the start of Spring. It was wonderful to see so many of you at Immersion Open House. I know that the upper school students relished sharing their stories and experiences, having yet another opportunity to re-live the wonders of Immersion 2010!

Of anticipatory excitement, today is Bump-Up Day, during which we unofficially welcomed the MVS Class of 2014 into the Upper School! The 8^th grade students experienced their future classes on a shortened schedule. In order to provide space for our 8^th grade visitors, the 9^th and 6^th grade students spent the morning off campus bowling, then returned to campus by late morning, in time for 5^th period class, lunch, and a some-what normal Friday afternoon.

Next week is World Languages Week. There will be daily celebrations of the many languages, cultures, and traditions, culminating with the upper school World Languages Feast during an extended lunch on Thursday, 22 April. Maureen Redmond, Chair of the World Languages Department, sent an e.mail with details relating to the Feast, and individual classes will discuss preparations next week.

In order to gain a better perspective of course enrollments for the 2010-11 academic year, the upper school faculty is holding our spring academic scheduling conferences next Friday, 23 April. On that day, academic classes in the Upper School will not meet in order to allow opportunities for Academic Advisors to meet with parents and students to schedule courses for next fall. If you have not heard from your child’s Academic Advisor by early next week, please contact her or him to arrange for a convenient scheduling time.

I seek your assistance with a sensitive matter that occurs (to varying degrees) each year as we progress into spring weather. As the temperatures rise outside, we encounter the challenge of determining “appropriate springtime attire” in the halls and classrooms inside. Our shared goal is to encourage students to select suitable outfits rather than needing to impose a draconian dress code. With this subject in mind, page 10 of the Upper School Handbook presents guidelines for Personal Appearance, in the spirit of empowering student responsibility to “dress right.” Please review these guidelines at home with your daughter or son; I will remind the entire upper school community on Monday during Morning Announcements. My hope is that together we can provide consistent guidance and advice regarding selecting appropriate springtime attire. Thank you for your help with this matter.

I will be away from MVS this coming Tuesday afternoon and all of Wednesday, attending the ISACS Board Meeting in Chicago. The Class Deans will keep watch of the upper school while I am away.

On Thursday, 29 April, we will host a senior class parent meeting at 7:00PM in the Alumni Theatre to discuss up-coming senior events, college counseling results, and preparations for graduation in June. Expect a detailed e.mail from the Development Office to arrive soon. I am already growing sentimental with thoughts of the Class of 2010 graduating, though am confident that they will keep in touch as future Alums.

Thank you for your attention to these details. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact your child’s Academic Advisor, Grade Dean, or me. I look forward to seeing you at an up-coming MVS athletic event soon.

With sincere regards,

Sam Wagner, Head of Upper School