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