Friday, 10 September 2010
Greetings Upper School Parents:
The week following Labor Day always confirms the feeling that the academic year is now in full swing. With the approach of Parent Information Night (PIN) and an abundance of up-coming programs and initiatives, I thought it a good idea to send a reminder of activities at work here in the Upper School.
Picture day is Tuesday for individual student packets, including photo IDs. Rather than distributing order envelopes, this year the form is electronic, as mentioned in Friday’s MVS Weekly Bulletin. Students will need to bring a printed/completed order form and payment to submit their picture order. Photos for fall season athletic teams will soon be scheduled.
Upper School PIN is this Wednesday, 15 September, beginning at 7:PM sharp with meetings by Advisory Groups. PIN is an essential event at MVS, providing the opportunity for parents to meet advisors and teachers, attend shortened classes, and gain insight to the academic program in the upper school. Expect a detailed e.mail from me on Monday with meeting locations and other PIN related information; please plan to attend this important event. For parents of freshmen, remember you are invited to a special Parents of Freshman Meeting at 6:PM, before PIN.
Thursday brings the anticipated arrival of our 11 Chilean exchange students, who will attend classes at MVS from 16-30 September. I greatly appreciate the MVS families serving as hosts to our South American guests. On Thursday, I have arranged for the MVS school bus to meet the Chileans at the airport, departing around 1:PM. If parents would like “host siblings” to join the welcome committee, please send a note to the upper school office.
This week marks the beginning of visiting college representatives coming to campus. Colin Dunnigan (Director of College Counseling), will continue to up-date the days and times of visiting reps on the MVS calendar, which can be accessed at: http://www.mvschool.com/collegecounseling/colleges-on-campus . While primarily intended for Juniors and Seniors, underclassmen are permitted to attend these meetings, provided they follow the appropriate procedure if missing a class. Many college reps come to Dayton solely to visit MVS, so students are encouraged to take advantage of these informative contacts with actual admissions officers.
Next week you will receive a letter from Christie Kemper (MVS Counselor) and me regarding an important student wellness survey we will administer to the entire upper school student body during the day on 22 September. The results of this survey, which are completely anonymous and strictly confidential, will provide valued information in enhancing our awareness of student issues, developing our parent education programs, and fostering greater awareness and support of our students.
Speaking of student support, Deb Spiegel (Freshman Dean) organized a lunch meeting today with the 10 Freshmen new to MVS. From their questions and interactions, it sounds like they have made a smooth transition to MVS and into the upper school.
I will send a reminder late next week, including details relating to the campus visit schedule for Katrina Kittle, author of The Blessings of the Animals, our 2010 Upper School Shared Summer Reading selection; activities planned for Homecoming Week, 1-2 October including the 5K Run For The Rams; and my annual Homecoming Dance “expectations letter” to parents.
In a community that honors cultural diversity, it is not lost on me that this week we celebrate both Rosh Hashanah and the end of Ramadan. Considering recent national and international news stories depicting discord and cultural misunderstanding, it is affirming to me on a daily basis the unique community we all espouse here at MVS.
Best wishes towards a great weekend,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
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