August 31, 2011
Dear Miami Valley School Families:
With bittersweet feelings, I announce that this will be Sam Wagner's last year at MVS. Following 13 years of loyal service, Mr. Wagner is seeking new opportunities in educational leadership.
While at MVS, he has served as director of college counseling, an English teacher, and for the last eight years as upper school head. Mr. Wagner has made the student experience primary to his work, supporting student organizations, strengthening the advisory program, and coordinating the Immersion program.
He led trips to New Zealand, Turkey, India, Andros Island, and China, sharing over 100,000 travel miles with students. Mr. Wagner also focused intently on parent education, arranged special events, led "town hall" meetings, and kept the community informed with blogs and suggested readings.
As a member of the administrative team, Mr. Wagner led a school partnership proposal process, as well as the school's 2004 accreditation process. In 2009, he was selected to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads program. He will be missed for his dedication to students, consummate professionalism, and steadfast loyalty to MVS.
I have appointed Trey Adams to lead the search committee that will seek our new upper school head. The committee membership includes Vin Romeo, Anne Griffith, Susan Staley, and Clemens Ceipek. They will conduct the search this fall, striving to make an appointment in early 2012.
Please join me in thanking Mr. Wagner for his service and supporting him through this year as we seek opportunities to celebrate his accomplishments.
Sincerely,
Peter B. Benedict II
Headmaster
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Host Families Needed for Chilean Exchange Students
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Good Morning Upper School Parents:
Thanks to the generous hospitality of the MVS community, we have secured host families for 6 of the exchange students from the Thomas Jefferson School in Concepcion, Chile, visiting MVS from 17-29 September.
I am still seeking host families for the remaining 2 students (both boys) as well as for the teacher (a woman) accompanying the group. Last year’s experiences from hosting the Chilean students was a highlight in MVS’ growing relationship with international sister schools.
If you are able to serve as a host family to one of our remaining Chilean visitors, please contact me before this Thursday. I want to send the contact information for MVS host families to the Thomas Jefferson School so communication between host and exchange families can begin before the students depart on their trip.
Thank you for your help in this important MVS relationship.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Good Morning Upper School Parents:
Thanks to the generous hospitality of the MVS community, we have secured host families for 6 of the exchange students from the Thomas Jefferson School in Concepcion, Chile, visiting MVS from 17-29 September.
I am still seeking host families for the remaining 2 students (both boys) as well as for the teacher (a woman) accompanying the group. Last year’s experiences from hosting the Chilean students was a highlight in MVS’ growing relationship with international sister schools.
If you are able to serve as a host family to one of our remaining Chilean visitors, please contact me before this Thursday. I want to send the contact information for MVS host families to the Thomas Jefferson School so communication between host and exchange families can begin before the students depart on their trip.
Thank you for your help in this important MVS relationship.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Friday, August 26, 2011
First Week Back in the Upper School
Friday, 26 August 2011
Greetings Upper School Parents:
What an extraordinary first week it has been! We have had “all-present” attendance for most grade-levels all four days; cooler weather in the mornings has aided to our adjustment back into academic mode, and the over-all energy in the classrooms and hallways has been palpable. It is simply a delight to have everyone back!
We had a great crowd at the opening meeting of the MVS Parents’ Association on Thursday morning. Suzi Mikutis, PA President shared a number of exciting initiatives this year. Since all MVS parents are members of the Parents’ Association, we look forward to involving you further in the fabric of the MVS community, be it in providing support, answering questions, or becoming involved in the variety of volunteer opportunities.
Next Friday, 2 September is Convocation, beginning at 8:30AM in the Lane Gym, marking the ceremonial start of the school year by gathering the entire MVS faculty and student bodies, grades kindergarten through twelfth. For all-school event, we ask students dress more formally, especially our seniors, since they partake in a flower-and-book exchange with the kindergarten and first-grade students. Parents of seniors (and familiar friends) be forewarn: this ceremony can be down-right emotional, particularly for those who recall sons and daughters in years past as the younger participants of this exchange (bring some kleenex or a hankie, just to be safe).
We are seeking 3-4 additional host families for our Chilean exchange students. The Thomas Jefferson School in Concepcion, Chile has a program similar to our Immersion Program, which allows their entire Sophomore class to travel to the States. This year, a group of 8 exchange students will arrive in Dayton on Saturday, 17 September and will reside with MVS host families and attend classes here at MVS for two weeks, departing on Thursday, 29 September. As a host family, you are simply agreeing to open your home, providing a room, breakfast and dinner (MVS will provide lunches at school during the week), as well as including the exchange student in your normal family activities. The goal of this continuing exchange is for Chilean students to spend time with and experience the life of an American family. The Thomas Jefferson School has much of its curriculum in both English and Spanish, so the exchange students will be quite proficient in English, to ease any possible worries about a “language barrier.” Please contact me if you have additional questions.
That’s all for now from the energized first-days-back here in the Upper School. As always, should you have a question, feel free to contact your child’s academic advisor, classroom teacher, grade-level dean, or me. If not earlier at an MVS athletic event, I look forward to seeing you at Upper School Parent Information Night (PIN) on Wednesday, 14 September, beginning at 7:00PM.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Greetings Upper School Parents:
What an extraordinary first week it has been! We have had “all-present” attendance for most grade-levels all four days; cooler weather in the mornings has aided to our adjustment back into academic mode, and the over-all energy in the classrooms and hallways has been palpable. It is simply a delight to have everyone back!
We had a great crowd at the opening meeting of the MVS Parents’ Association on Thursday morning. Suzi Mikutis, PA President shared a number of exciting initiatives this year. Since all MVS parents are members of the Parents’ Association, we look forward to involving you further in the fabric of the MVS community, be it in providing support, answering questions, or becoming involved in the variety of volunteer opportunities.
Next Friday, 2 September is Convocation, beginning at 8:30AM in the Lane Gym, marking the ceremonial start of the school year by gathering the entire MVS faculty and student bodies, grades kindergarten through twelfth. For all-school event, we ask students dress more formally, especially our seniors, since they partake in a flower-and-book exchange with the kindergarten and first-grade students. Parents of seniors (and familiar friends) be forewarn: this ceremony can be down-right emotional, particularly for those who recall sons and daughters in years past as the younger participants of this exchange (bring some kleenex or a hankie, just to be safe).
We are seeking 3-4 additional host families for our Chilean exchange students. The Thomas Jefferson School in Concepcion, Chile has a program similar to our Immersion Program, which allows their entire Sophomore class to travel to the States. This year, a group of 8 exchange students will arrive in Dayton on Saturday, 17 September and will reside with MVS host families and attend classes here at MVS for two weeks, departing on Thursday, 29 September. As a host family, you are simply agreeing to open your home, providing a room, breakfast and dinner (MVS will provide lunches at school during the week), as well as including the exchange student in your normal family activities. The goal of this continuing exchange is for Chilean students to spend time with and experience the life of an American family. The Thomas Jefferson School has much of its curriculum in both English and Spanish, so the exchange students will be quite proficient in English, to ease any possible worries about a “language barrier.” Please contact me if you have additional questions.
That’s all for now from the energized first-days-back here in the Upper School. As always, should you have a question, feel free to contact your child’s academic advisor, classroom teacher, grade-level dean, or me. If not earlier at an MVS athletic event, I look forward to seeing you at Upper School Parent Information Night (PIN) on Wednesday, 14 September, beginning at 7:00PM.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Friday, August 19, 2011
Orientation Programs & Start of School
Friday, 19 August 2011
Greetings Upper School Parents:
Following a week of productive faculty meetings, the final preparations for the start of the 2011-12 academic year are now well in hand. You should be able to review your child’s academic schedule via MyBackpack, the link to which is available at the bottom of the MVS homepage. Please be sure to order the appropriate books, via MBSDirect or Amazon, so your daughter or son is ready for the first day of school. Regarding “supply lists” for the upper school, my advice is for students to bring their assignment books and a couple notebooks for the first day of classes; individual teachers will provide suggestions for course specific supply needs on opening day.
Adding to the comprehensive letter sent by Trey Adams, I wanted to remind you of the grade-specific orientation programs, led by grade-level Deans, all of which occur on Monday, 22 August.
• New Parent & Student Orientation; 8:30-9:30AM, US Commons
• Freshman Class Orientation; 10-11:00AM, Lofino Atrium
• Senior Class School Service; 10:30–2:PM, US Commons
• Sophomore Class Orientation; 1-2:30PM, Rooms 10 & 12
• Junior Class Orientation; 1-2:30PM, US Commons
Tuesday, 23 August marks the official first day of school! In the upper school, all class periods will meet for 40-minutes each, allowing for an extended Morning Announcements and a combined advisory/lunch meeting, with lunch being provided for all students, courtesy of the Student Government. Juniors and seniors (who qualify) will likely gain off-campus lunch privileges during the second week of school, so they should pack lunches for the time being.
There are a number of exciting and noteworthy start-of-school meetings and events, including: Parents Association, Distinguished Alumni Induction, Convocation, Parent Information Night (PIN), and MVS Visiting Author programs. Please refer to the MVS on-line calendar for dates; I will send along details as the events approach.
On behalf of the upper school faculty members and staff, we are excited to start the school year. I look forward to seeing you in the days and weeks to come.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Greetings Upper School Parents:
Following a week of productive faculty meetings, the final preparations for the start of the 2011-12 academic year are now well in hand. You should be able to review your child’s academic schedule via MyBackpack, the link to which is available at the bottom of the MVS homepage. Please be sure to order the appropriate books, via MBSDirect or Amazon, so your daughter or son is ready for the first day of school. Regarding “supply lists” for the upper school, my advice is for students to bring their assignment books and a couple notebooks for the first day of classes; individual teachers will provide suggestions for course specific supply needs on opening day.
Adding to the comprehensive letter sent by Trey Adams, I wanted to remind you of the grade-specific orientation programs, led by grade-level Deans, all of which occur on Monday, 22 August.
• New Parent & Student Orientation; 8:30-9:30AM, US Commons
• Freshman Class Orientation; 10-11:00AM, Lofino Atrium
• Senior Class School Service; 10:30–2:PM, US Commons
• Sophomore Class Orientation; 1-2:30PM, Rooms 10 & 12
• Junior Class Orientation; 1-2:30PM, US Commons
Tuesday, 23 August marks the official first day of school! In the upper school, all class periods will meet for 40-minutes each, allowing for an extended Morning Announcements and a combined advisory/lunch meeting, with lunch being provided for all students, courtesy of the Student Government. Juniors and seniors (who qualify) will likely gain off-campus lunch privileges during the second week of school, so they should pack lunches for the time being.
There are a number of exciting and noteworthy start-of-school meetings and events, including: Parents Association, Distinguished Alumni Induction, Convocation, Parent Information Night (PIN), and MVS Visiting Author programs. Please refer to the MVS on-line calendar for dates; I will send along details as the events approach.
On behalf of the upper school faculty members and staff, we are excited to start the school year. I look forward to seeing you in the days and weeks to come.
With sincere regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Late July & Early August: Articles of Interest
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Greetings Upper School Community:
I hope the start of August finds you well. The following stories and articles were carefully squirreled away during vacation “out East.”
New York Times, Sunday, 17 July 2011: When Cricket Was a Symbol, Not Just a Sport By Baz Dreisinger: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/movies/fire-in-babylon-looks-at-west-indies-cricket.html
New York Times, Sunday, 24 July 2011: Kei Igawa: The Lost Yankee, by Bill Pennington: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/sports/baseball/kei-igawa-the-lost-yankee.html
Wall Street Journal, Weekend 23-24 July 2011: Easy-to-Guess Passwords Open Door to Hackers, by Carl Bialik: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903461104576462004291230970.html
The Atlantic, July/August, 2011: How to Land Your Kid in Therapy, by Lori Gottleib, including a video interview between the author and Wendy Mogel: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/07/how-to-land-your-kid-in-therapy/8555/
From Nantucket, once haled as the “whaling capital of the world,” the remaining printed-on-island newspaper, The Inquirer and Mirror, covers the on-going saga of a beached humpback whale: http://www.ack.net/deadhumpback071611.html.
And from the 26 June NYTimes Magazine, Sam Anderson pens “An Accidental Experimental Masterpiece,” a fitting homage to the annual World Almanac and Book of Facts; Ben Franklin is grinning somewhere: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/an-accidental-experimental-masterpiece.html?_r=1
Happy reading, stay cool, and best wishes as we plunge into August.
Best regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
Greetings Upper School Community:
I hope the start of August finds you well. The following stories and articles were carefully squirreled away during vacation “out East.”
New York Times, Sunday, 17 July 2011: When Cricket Was a Symbol, Not Just a Sport By Baz Dreisinger: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/movies/fire-in-babylon-looks-at-west-indies-cricket.html
New York Times, Sunday, 24 July 2011: Kei Igawa: The Lost Yankee, by Bill Pennington: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/sports/baseball/kei-igawa-the-lost-yankee.html
Wall Street Journal, Weekend 23-24 July 2011: Easy-to-Guess Passwords Open Door to Hackers, by Carl Bialik: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903461104576462004291230970.html
The Atlantic, July/August, 2011: How to Land Your Kid in Therapy, by Lori Gottleib, including a video interview between the author and Wendy Mogel: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/07/how-to-land-your-kid-in-therapy/8555/
From Nantucket, once haled as the “whaling capital of the world,” the remaining printed-on-island newspaper, The Inquirer and Mirror, covers the on-going saga of a beached humpback whale: http://www.ack.net/deadhumpback071611.html.
And from the 26 June NYTimes Magazine, Sam Anderson pens “An Accidental Experimental Masterpiece,” a fitting homage to the annual World Almanac and Book of Facts; Ben Franklin is grinning somewhere: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/an-accidental-experimental-masterpiece.html?_r=1
Happy reading, stay cool, and best wishes as we plunge into August.
Best regards,
Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School
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