April 'Articles of Interest:' Tech Pivoting, Doodling for Dollars, Free Lunch for India's Students, & Tree Octopus vs. Dog Island

April 2012

Greetings Upper School Community:

April seems to have come and gone as quickly as a surprise rain shower.  Here’s the early spring edition of Articles of Interest to ease us into May and acknowledge our reaching the mid-term of spring trimester.

From the boom and bust world of technology, the WSJ addresses the adeptness of conceptual “pivoting” for tech entrepreneurs, notably in the recent success of Instagram, which was purchased by Facebook for a reported $1 billion.    

With the great opening line, “put down that smartphone; pick up that crayon,” the article “Doodling for Dollars” depicts how companies encourage employees to re-connect with their marker-to-paper skills rather than being overly-obsessed with technological gadgets.

The Economist presents a compelling outline of a “third industrial revolution,” namely how digitization will continue to transform manufacturing, global resources, and the international “politics of jobs.”

From NPR’s “the Salt” Food Blog, the story of how Indian engineers strive to build a stronger society, starting with a low-cost but nutritious school lunch program.  The ambitious goal of providing freshly prepared meals to the poorest and most at-risk of India’s children now reaches over 1 million students a day, at an astonishing cost of less than a Quarter per meal.

In a story catharsis and rebirth, Bill “Chuck” Colson, notorious for his ruthlessness leading up to the Watergate scandal, discovered a new purpose in life while serving time in prison.  Colson dedicated the rest of his life to being an advocate for hope, fresh direction, and reform to convicts, in and beyond prison.  Colson died this month at the age of 80, having seen his outreach organization grow to include over 100 countries.   

And as a final April treat, here’s quick guide to “Google Jockeying,” modeling real-time research during interactive class discussions.  

Extra-credit can be earned for validating two of my favorite subjects:

The endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus, and The pastoral sanctuary of Dog Island; Free Forever.

I welcome your comments, suggestions, and feedback.  Happy reading and hope to see you soon at an up-coming MVS event.

With sincere regards,

Sam Wagner

Head of Upper School

Operation Drive Smart; Mock Accident; Academic Course Scheduling; & Bump-up Day for Class of 2016

Friday, 13 April 2012

Greetings Upper School Parents:

Crisp and sunny April weather is the perfect cure for any hint of superstition and triskaidekaphobia.

We celebrated Bump-Up Day this morning, welcoming the MVS Class of 2016 into the upper school.  8^th grade students attended Morning Announcements, experienced freshmen classes, and continued their smooth transition as “rising Freshmen.”  The 8^th grade concluded Bump-Up Day with a spirited question and answer session with Debbie Spiegel (Freshman Dean) and me.

Next week marks the return of a significant community awareness event: Operation Drive Smart.  With the arrival of spring and high school prom season, our hope is to inform, support, and remind our students of the potential dangers of teenage at-risk behaviors, particularly relating to alcohol use, substance abuse, and distractibility while driving.

Under the guidance of the MVS Parents’ Association, and in cooperation with local emergency authorities, the upper school Red Cross Club has planned a series of awareness activities during Morning Announcements next week.  The culmination of this program will occur on the morning of Thursday, 19 April with a staged mock accident on campus, including actual emergency vehicles participating in the program.  The event will be observed by all upper school students and faculty members, and will be followed by discussions in Advisory Groups.  I am greatly appreciative of the Parents’ Association for coordinating and sponsoring this event.

A reminder that next Friday, 20 April, upper school students will not have classes in order to hold Academic Scheduling Conferences for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors.  If you have not already, please schedule a time with your child’s Academic Advisor by going to https://pickatime.com/client?ven=11604420&event=234894   The on-line scheduling system is active beginning Monday, 9 April at 5:00AM and will be available until Wednesday, 18 April at 11:00PM. Scheduling slots are available on a first come first serve basis.

Best regards,

Sam Wagner

Head of Upper School

Early April: Immersion Open House, Welcome Spanish Substitute, Bump-up Day, & Course Scheduling Day for 2012-13

Monday, 9 April 2012

Greetings Upper School Parents:

We have had a busy first week to start the Spring Trimester.  Here are reminders of activities, events, and initiatives underway in the Upper School.

I am pleased to introduce Laura Skidmore to the MVS community as our upper school Spanish substitute for the spring term.  In addition to teaching at the college and high school levels, Mrs. Skidmore received high accolades at the 2012 Ohio Foreign Language Association conference for her use of technology in the Spanish classroom.  She has already been in close contact with Gabriela Sparks regarding course content and assignments planned for the spring term.  Please join me in welcoming her to MVS.

Immersion Open House is this Wednesday, 11 April from 7:00-8:30PM in the Lane Gymnasium and Lofino Atrium.  Since Immersion represents the pinnacle of MVS’ commitment to experiential learning, please feel free to invite neighbors, friends, and relatives to attend open house, celebrating student accomplishments and experiences from Immersion 2012.

Bump-Up Day for the Class of 2016 (allowing for current 8th grade students to visit and experience upper school classes) occurs this Friday, 13 April.  To provide space for 8^th grade students to attend upper school classes, the 9^th grade students, along with our 6^th grade, will spend the morning off campus bowling.

Upper school Course Scheduling Day for grades 9-11 occurs next Friday, 20 April on campus from 8:00AM – 5:00PM.  An e.mail was sent earlier today with a weblink for on-line scheduling of a convenient time to meet with your child’s Academic Advisor to confirm his or her courses for the 2012-13 academic year.

We have had lots of student visitors shadowing MVS classes in the Upper School.  If your daughter or son has a friend interested in learning more about MVS, including visiting and experiencing classes, please contact our Admissions Office to arrange for an official school visit.

All upper school letters and reminders are also posted to my MVS Blog at http://wagnersmvsblog.blogspot.com/, where I invite your suggestions, comments, and continuing support.  I look forward to seeing you in bleachers or on the sidelines at an MVS athletic event soon.

With sincere regards,


Sam Wagner
Head of Upper School