Friday, 17 December 2010
Greetings Upper School Parents:
End-of-December events at MVS, including advisory lunches and the traditional all-school-sing, gleefully contributed to a pleasant start to Winter Break. This e.mail serves as official notice that the comments, work habit/effort marks, and grades illustrating your daughter or son’s Winter Trimester mid-term academic progress are now available via MyBackpack.
Mid-term comments for the Winter Trimester are required only for students achieving grades of “C-” or lower or effort marks of “3” and below. As before, mid-terms provide a “quick snapshot” of a student’s academic performance, and should be considered accordingly. Ample time remains to attend to concerns mentioned up to this point, yet attentive preparation and follow-through are necessary. Consider it a good new year’s resolution to start 2011 with robust academic vigor.
On behalf of the upper school faculty and staff, I send hearty wishes towards a restful, safe, and warm Winter Break. I look forward to feeling the renewed spark of energy and intellect when we return to MVS on Tuesday, 4 January to usher-in 2011 and the second half of the Winter Trimester.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Friday, December 17, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
New York Times: 100 Notable Books for 2010
For folks looking for some suggestions for Winter Break, the New York Times publishes its annual 100 Notable Books of the Year. I am still working through some suggestions from 2009. Time for a cozy warm fire to pass the cold weather outside!
Best regards,
Sam Wagner
Best regards,
Sam Wagner
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Charity Challenge, December Advisory Lunch, All-School-Shout, & Winter Mid-Term Comments
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Greetings Upper School Parents:
Since we have reached the mid-term mark for the Second Trimester and Winter Break is now in sight (with chilly weather to match), I thought I would send a quick reminder of details and programs at work here in the Upper School.
The Student Government has planned and is facilitating what has now become a mid-December tradition in the Upper School: Charity Challenge! Charity Challenge lasts the full two weeks leading up to Winter Break and unites support for charitable organizations with spirited and creative competitions between students across grade-levels. With activities varying from puzzle solving to Amnesty letter writing campaigns to dodge ball, students compete in support of one of the following four charities: St. Vincent De Paul Shelter, Heifer International, Doctors Without Borders, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Charity Challenge brings energy, awareness, and palpable excitement to what otherwise might be a chilly two weeks.
As follow-up from the parent Cyber Safety and Internet Awareness Program on Tuesday evening, in addition to the articles I have posed on my Blog, our two speakers also recommended the resources provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, specifically in the parent and guardian section.
Due to rumors that continue to circulate from the dance back in November, the Student Government and I have decided not to hold the dance that was scheduled for this Friday. This respite from evening activities at MVS will allow time for the rebuilding of trust between students and teachers. Additionally, I am reviewing chaperone guidelines and expectations with upper school teachers to provide more clarity for future events.
Winter mid-term comments, effort marks, and grades will be available via MyBackpack next Friday, 17 December in the late afternoon: students and their Academic Advisors will review them during advisory meetings at school. Next Friday is also the winter advisory lunch, during which individual Advisory Groups will order-in food for their celebratory lunches. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Academic Advisor.
The school day concludes next Friday with the traditional All-School Sing at 2:15 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 event unlike any other!
Best wishes, stay warm, and hope to see you soon.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Greetings Upper School Parents:
Since we have reached the mid-term mark for the Second Trimester and Winter Break is now in sight (with chilly weather to match), I thought I would send a quick reminder of details and programs at work here in the Upper School.
The Student Government has planned and is facilitating what has now become a mid-December tradition in the Upper School: Charity Challenge! Charity Challenge lasts the full two weeks leading up to Winter Break and unites support for charitable organizations with spirited and creative competitions between students across grade-levels. With activities varying from puzzle solving to Amnesty letter writing campaigns to dodge ball, students compete in support of one of the following four charities: St. Vincent De Paul Shelter, Heifer International, Doctors Without Borders, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Charity Challenge brings energy, awareness, and palpable excitement to what otherwise might be a chilly two weeks.
As follow-up from the parent Cyber Safety and Internet Awareness Program on Tuesday evening, in addition to the articles I have posed on my Blog, our two speakers also recommended the resources provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, specifically in the parent and guardian section.
Due to rumors that continue to circulate from the dance back in November, the Student Government and I have decided not to hold the dance that was scheduled for this Friday. This respite from evening activities at MVS will allow time for the rebuilding of trust between students and teachers. Additionally, I am reviewing chaperone guidelines and expectations with upper school teachers to provide more clarity for future events.
Winter mid-term comments, effort marks, and grades will be available via MyBackpack next Friday, 17 December in the late afternoon: students and their Academic Advisors will review them during advisory meetings at school. Next Friday is also the winter advisory lunch, during which individual Advisory Groups will order-in food for their celebratory lunches. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Academic Advisor.
The school day concludes next Friday with the traditional All-School Sing at 2:15 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 event unlike any other!
Best wishes, stay warm, and hope to see you soon.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Sunday, December 5, 2010
News Articles: Cyber-Safety, Wiki-Leaks, & Facebook
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Greetings Upper School Parents:
The following are 4 recent articles to whet your appetite for Tuesday evening’s Parent Information Program on Cyber Safety & Internet Awareness. I look forward to seeing you there and to sharing in the conversation.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
New York Times; 4 December, 2010: As Bullies Go Digital, Parents Play Catch-Up, by Jan Hoffman
New York Times; 4 December, 2010: Wiki-Leaks Timeline: Cables Depict Range of Obama Diplomacy, by David E. Sanger
New York Times; 29 November, 2010: Where Anonymity Breeds Contempt, by Julie Zhou
New York Times; 7 November, 2010: The Facebook Skeletons Come Out, by Jeremy W. Peters & Brian Stelter
Greetings Upper School Parents:
The following are 4 recent articles to whet your appetite for Tuesday evening’s Parent Information Program on Cyber Safety & Internet Awareness. I look forward to seeing you there and to sharing in the conversation.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
New York Times; 4 December, 2010: As Bullies Go Digital, Parents Play Catch-Up, by Jan Hoffman
New York Times; 4 December, 2010: Wiki-Leaks Timeline: Cables Depict Range of Obama Diplomacy, by David E. Sanger
New York Times; 29 November, 2010: Where Anonymity Breeds Contempt, by Julie Zhou
New York Times; 7 November, 2010: The Facebook Skeletons Come Out, by Jeremy W. Peters & Brian Stelter
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Upper School Snow, Ice, & Inclement Weather Policy
Tuesday, 1 December 2010
Greetings Upper School Parents:
As if on cue for the start of December, we have flurries and chilly weather outside! Anticipating questions regarding future snow, ice, and inclement weather, let’s quickly review the snow policy and procedures for the Upper School. I reminded students and faculty members of these details today during Morning Announcements.
My best advice to you as parents is to follow the guidelines of responsible common sense and peace of mind. If you have any trepidation about the safety of your daughter or son (based upon road conditions, driving experience, or impending storm conditions), please caution on the side of your child’s safety and your comfort as a parent.
If your decision relates to a late-arrival to or absence from school, we ask that you send notice, by phone or e.mail. If arriving late, remind your child to sign-in in the Upper School Office when she or he arrives. If your decision relates to an early departure from MVS, please come into the office to sign-out your child (if picking up) or phone-in your request so we know that your child has permission to depart early from campus. Similar to our existing procedure for illnesses, if your son or daughter wishes to leave school early due to inclement weather, we will phone you directly before allowing a student to depart from campus.
In the event of a school closing or delay in start time, MVS will continue to make use of the “One Call” program, from which an automated message, with the specific details of the delay or cancellation, will call the main contact phone numbers designated on your My Backpack account. Such news will also be included on the MVS website and voicemail system.
Stay warm, be safe, and see you soon,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Greetings Upper School Parents:
As if on cue for the start of December, we have flurries and chilly weather outside! Anticipating questions regarding future snow, ice, and inclement weather, let’s quickly review the snow policy and procedures for the Upper School. I reminded students and faculty members of these details today during Morning Announcements.
My best advice to you as parents is to follow the guidelines of responsible common sense and peace of mind. If you have any trepidation about the safety of your daughter or son (based upon road conditions, driving experience, or impending storm conditions), please caution on the side of your child’s safety and your comfort as a parent.
If your decision relates to a late-arrival to or absence from school, we ask that you send notice, by phone or e.mail. If arriving late, remind your child to sign-in in the Upper School Office when she or he arrives. If your decision relates to an early departure from MVS, please come into the office to sign-out your child (if picking up) or phone-in your request so we know that your child has permission to depart early from campus. Similar to our existing procedure for illnesses, if your son or daughter wishes to leave school early due to inclement weather, we will phone you directly before allowing a student to depart from campus.
In the event of a school closing or delay in start time, MVS will continue to make use of the “One Call” program, from which an automated message, with the specific details of the delay or cancellation, will call the main contact phone numbers designated on your My Backpack account. Such news will also be included on the MVS website and voicemail system.
Stay warm, be safe, and see you soon,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
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