Late December "Articles of Interest:" Ivy League recruitment; Politics in 2012; OCEANS, by Cage & Cunningham; Nat Geo Photo Contest

Saturday, 31 December 2011

Greetings Upper School Community:

Amid the year-end wrap-ups and best of lists, here is the late December edition of “Articles of Interest” for your year’s end perusal.

Bill Pennington provides a glimpse of the mathematical calculations behind athletic recruitment in the Ivy League.

Author Marilynne Robinson traces the influence of Biblical imagery on modern literature.

Gail Collins presents a political quiz to test your recollection of quotes and policy statements in preparation for the coming presidential election season.

Since Ross Williams announced that the winter theatrical performance will be “Oceans,” a modern dance and music collaboration by John Cage and Merce Cunningham, there has been much press coverage of the legacy of their creative partnership.  In the NYTimes, Hard to Grasp, But Harder to Say Farewell  and on NPR, Weekend Edition and All Things Considered. 

National Public Radio also provides eclectic categories for its best book selections.

Representing the categories of places, people, and nature, Nat Geo’s annual photo contest is covered in both The Atlantic magazine  and National Geographic. 

And as special MVS bonus, last Sunday’s Business section of the NYTimes featured Diane Hirakawa, Board Member and MVS Parent, in an article titled: A New Side of Science. 

Best wishes for you and your family towards a safe and festive start to 2012.

With sincere regards,

Sam Wagner

Head of Upper School

December Re-Cap & Reminders: Amnesty Write-a-thon; Red Cross Clothing Collection; All-School 'Shout'; Winter Mid-Terms & Winter Break!

Friday, 16 December 2011

Greetings Upper School Parents:

It has been a bustling December here in the Upper School.  Here are some quick re-caps and reminders as we all head towards Winter Break next week.

MVS Amnesty International completed a very successful write-a-thon campaign, writing over 1,100 individual letters advocating for a variety of human rights causes.  The Junior class was the grade winner, accounting for over 400 of the letters.  What an amazing example of student-led responsible and compassionate global citizenry.

In local efforts, the Red Cross Club has erected a holiday tree on stage in the Upper School Commons, which is being adorned with hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and other winter apparel.  Next week, these items will be donated to St. Vincent’s homeless shelter.

With the slogan of “celebrate the holidays with a little bit of crazy,” the MVS Film Club has selected Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” for its mid-winter presentation.  The film is being screened tonight, Friday, 16 December at 7:00PM in the Alumni Black Box Theater.

Winter mid-term comments, effort marks, and grades will be available via MyBackpack next Wednesday, 21 December in the late afternoon.  Students and their Academic Advisors will review them during advisory meetings on Tuesday.

Next Wednesday, 21 December is a half-day, concluding with the All-School Sing at 11:AM in the Lane Gymnasium.  If you have not previously experienced it, witnessing the “all-school shout” rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas is an MVS tradition unlike any other.  The school day concludes immediately following (and Winter Break begins!) at 12:Noon; neither lunch nor after school care are available.

As before, all letters, memos, and announcements are available on my MVS Blog at: http://wagnersmvsblog.blogspot.com/.  Best wishes, stay warm and dry, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

With sincere regards,


Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School

Early December "Articles of Interest:" NEW Digital Divide; Books by Their Covers; Crystal Bridges Museum; I Love Rock & Roll; 100 Notable Books for 2011; & Caring Gifts for the Holidays.

Monday, 5 December 2011

Greetings Upper School Community:

Here is early December’s edition of “Articles of Interest” for your reading enjoyment.

Susan Crawford uses Black Friday and Cyber Monday to depict what she terms “The New Digital Divide,” namely the growing telecommunications gap between high-speed wired versus restricted wireless access to the Internet.  The author raises intriguing connections to future social and economic factors. 

With the growing popularity of e-readers, Julie Bosman’s article “Selling Old-Style Books by Their Gilded Covers” presents the importance of texture, style, and cover art in marketing books.  Apparently, we should now also judge a book by its cover! 

The opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas has brought much publicity.  Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, thanks to generous philanthropic support, notably associated with Walmart, admission to the museum is free to the public!  With over 1,000 pieces representing American art from 1650-2011, it sounds like an intriguing destination. 

The up-coming vote for 2012 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Janet Morrissey’s article “Battle of the Bands (and Egos) For the Rock Hall of Fame” details the potential impact on music sales and future reunion tours.  Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Beastie Boys, The Cure, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, bands I fondly recall seeing/hearing in concert, are on this year’s ballot!

The annual New York Times 100 Notable Books of the Year is published in the Sunday 4 December issue.  Alas, again, too many exciting new books; too little time.

And with his caring eye focused on the approaching holiday seasons, Nicholas Kristof (2009 Dayton Literary Peace Prize recipient for Lifetime Achievement) mentions some worthy organizations in his Op-Ed column “Gifts That Say You Care.”

I look forward to seeing you at an up-coming MVS event.  With sincere regards,

Sam Wagner

Head of Upper School