Dear Lower School Families,

Thanking the Milton Academy Communications Office with a Milton Magazine created by Grade 4

The word of the day is “Gratitude!” Today we expressed our appreciation for the many people across the Milton Academy who do so much for us. It takes a village to raise a child, and your children are in good hands. They are loved and they express love and gratitude to those around them. We are truly all so fortunate to be part of this community rearing and educating tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we also thank you, parents, for sharing your children with us—for entrusting us with their academic growth and for giving us the opportunity to be part of their lives We also thank you for all you do in our community. We are fortunate to have parents and families who give so much of their time, talents and treasure to this community. Finally, thank you to our Parent Association for celebrating us in such spectacular fashion at last night’s Faculty & Staff Appreciation Celebration! And thank you, specifically, to Elizabeth Flowers and Cynthia George for coordinating the effort! The Lower School faculty and staff certainly feel appreciated!

This morning, prior to the assembly, parents gathered in the Perry Reading Room to discuss Parent Association plans for next year. We thank Shadi Farokhzad for her leadership over this last year, as we began to define ourselves as a Lower School. We are also excited to welcome Charlie Cain to the helm of the Parent Association for next year. Under Charlie’s direction, we will forge a strong parent community to surround our school and our children. Thank you both, for your leadership and your commitment to our school.

In today’s Lower School Newsletter, you will find a message from Shadi and Charlie about volunteering, information about our upcoming Parent-Child Night and Grandfriends’ Day, information about our Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony, details about the week ahead, and dates to add to your calendar.

Have a good weekend—enjoy the glorious weather,

Racheal

News and Announcements

Special Message from our Lower School Parent Association
Shadi Farokhzad and Charlie Cain

Thank you also to everyone who came to our early meeting this morning! It was great to see so many people interested, engaged, and ready to jump in. We are at an amazing time in our LSPA history, when, together with the School, we have the opportunity to create the sort of Parent Association that meets our needs, and develop the sort of engagement that enhances our children’s Lower School experiences. As we go into the final weeks of the school year, we are planning our activities, events, and direction for the year to come. We want you to be involved with the Parent Association. We need you to be involved with the Parent Association. Next week, we will share a document that outlines all the volunteer opportunities for next year. We hope you will seize the opportunity to get involved and to make a difference.

Parent-Child Night, Thursday, May 11, 6:30–7:15 p.m. in the Junior Building; 7:15–8 p.m. in Greenleaf Hall— This is a wonderful “open house style” evening in our Lower School! The Junior Building will be open during the first part of the evening, with Greenleaf Hall open after. Join us with your child and your family (Grandfriends who might already be in town are welcome as well!) to view the spring term work of our students. Each grade has prepared a special treat—it is a night you don’t want to miss.

Final Request for Book Donations for the Mattapan Community Health Center—The Grade 5 Ambassadors have organized a children’s book drive to stock the waiting rooms of the Mattapan Community Health Center (MCHC). Donations can be placed in the bins in the lobby of Greenleaf Hall. Thank you.

Special opportunity tonight! Upper School Science Symposium, Friday, April 28, 5-7 p.m., Pritzker Science Center Lobby—Have you ever wondered how mtDNA might be used to learn more about our diversity at Milton Academy? Can magnetoreception be used as a tool to learn more about Drosophila behavior?  How might one visualize sound in a Ruben’s tube? Is it possible to determine the charge:mass ratio of an electron? Wonder no more! Upper School Science Department Chair Julie Seplaki and the science faculty invite the entire Milton community to the annual Science Symposium. All students from our Advanced science courses will showcase their research projects by way of poster presentations, along with informal Q & A. Please feel encouraged to drop by to ask questions, learn something new and to show your support! Parents and students interested in learning more about the exciting programs in Upper School science will enjoy this night!  

The Week Ahead

Looking Ahead to Grade 3, Tuesday, May 2, 8:15 a.m., Grade 3 Classrooms––This event is for Grade 2 parents, intended to offer a lens on Grade 3. It is an opportunity to meet the teachers, see the classrooms, and learn about the curriculum and philosophy of Grade 3.

Grade 4 & 5 Student Showcase, Friday, May 5, 8:30 a.m., Thacher––Grade 4 and 5 students will sing, dance, act, and share their thoughts and talents in this annual Lower School tradition.

Grade 5 Social, Friday, May 5 from dismissal to 8 p.m. Grade 5 Ambassadors have created a fun afternoon and evening for their classmates. The theme for the social is “Ocean.” Students may dress as formally or informally as they’d like (even pajamas are acceptable).

Important Reminders

Grandfriends’ Day, Friday, May 12, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.— Grandparents and special friends are invited to experience a morning at Milton Academy enjoying a continental breakfast, visiting classrooms, and attending a special assembly.

Click here to register your grandfriend or special friend. Contact Marlena Alex with questions.

Note: Space constraints do not allow us to include parents in classrooms on this day. However, if you would like to volunteer to help the day run smoothly, we welcome your help. Click here to be a Grandfriends’ Day volunteer. Roles include: greeting in the lobbies of the buildings, providing directions between buildings, etc.

New Date for Looking Ahead to Grade 2, Tuesday, May 16, 8:15 a.m., Grade 2 Classrooms—The new date allows the hiring committee the opportunity to finish its work. Apologies to Grade 1 families for the change. We know how important it is to have the teaching team in place in advance of the Looking Ahead meeting.

New Date for Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony, June 6, 8:30 a.m., CSG—The date has been changed to accommodate the myriad of events on campus in the last week of school. We hope that parents across our Lower School, and particularly Grade 5 parents, will be able to join us as we formally recognize the accomplishments and contributions of our Grade 5 students throughout the whole of their Lower School careers.

• Students in grades K-4 are being asked to wear special occasion dress (smart, dressed-up attire)
• To distinguish our “graduates” from the students in grades K–4, we will follow School tradition to ask that the girls wear white outfits. A simple white outfit will do – something summery and cool! Boys are asked to wear white dress shirts, khaki pants and a blue blazer.

Add These Dates to Your Calendar

Consult the online calendar for dates and locations.

• Thursday, May 11––Parent-Child Night. Students across the Lower School grades share their spring culminating projects with parents and visitors.
• Friday, May 12––Grandfriends’ Day
• Friday, May 12––Early Release Friday. Special programming available.
• Monday, May 15––Looking Ahead to Grade 1. This event is intended for kindergarten parents to learn about the year to come. It is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and to meet the teachers.
• NEW DATE: Tuesday, May 16––Looking Ahead to Grade 2.
• Wednesday, May 17––Looking Ahead to Grade 5. This event is intended for Grade 4 parents to learn about the year to come. It is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and to meet the teachers.
• Thursday, May 18––Popsicle Party for Incoming Kindergarten Students and their Parents.
• Friday, May 19––End of Year Conferences for Grade 3.
• May 24––Looking Ahead to Grade 4. This event is intended for Grade 3 parents to learn about the year to come. It is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and to meet the teachers.
• May 24-26––Grade 3 students and teachers visit the Farm School
• May 26––End of Year Conferences for Grades K, 1, 2, 4, 5.
• May 26––Early Release Friday. Special programming available
• May 29––Memorial Day; No Classes

Dear Lower School Families,

This morning’s Student Showcase was a wonderful share of the talents of our fourth- and fifth-grade students! We couldn’t be more proud of the hard work that went into producing such a wonderful performance. Thank you, students! Thank you, also, to the many teachers who scripted, rehearsed, and encouraged all those who performed. The village was strong this morning! Click here for some photos and videos of the Student Showcase.

In today’s Lower School Newsletter, you will find detailed information about Thursday’s Parent-Child Night and Friday’s Grandfriends’ Day. Take the time to read the section below, particularly if you have grandparents or special friends visiting your child(ren). You also will find details about the week ahead, and dates to add to your calendar through the end of the year.

Have a good weekend,

Racheal

News and Announcements

Encourage Students to Leave Fidget Spinners at Home––Fidget spinners are the new hot toy–kids love them, and what’s not to love? They’re small metal or plastic objects with a ball bearing. Users hold the spinner with the thumb and forefinger and then spin it by tapping one of the prongs. They’re quite addictive, AND, they’re quite distracting. As a faculty, we discussed the proliferation of spinners in our community and we’re asking that you partner with us in having students leave them at home. In classrooms, we’re finding that spinners have the opposite effect of what they advertise: instead of helping concentration and focus, they’re distracting the user as well as others. In the hallways, we’ve found a bit of competition about the “type” of spinners that students have–this behavior is divisive to our community. And on the playground, spinners foster more sedentary behavior instead of the running, jumping and playing that we encourage. We understand the allure. For students who require sensory devices to concentrate, we have equipped each classroom with an assortment of appropriate fidgets. For students who want to play and experiment with toys like this, with a science component, Mr. Shrager will be providing some recess time for students to play with various spinning toys. Students who want to play with fidget spinners are welcome to do so at home.

The Week Ahead

Parent-Child Night, Thursday, May 11, 6:30–7:15 p.m. in the Junior Building; 7:15–8 p.m. in Greenleaf Hall— This is a wonderful “open house style” evening in our Lower School! The Junior Building will be open during the first part of the evening, with Greenleaf Hall open after. Join us with your child and your family (Grandfriends who might already be in town are welcome as well!) to view the spring term work of our students. Each grade has prepared a special treat—it is a night you don’t want to miss.

Grandfriends’ Day, Friday, May 12, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.— We are looking forward to hosting Grandparents and special friends next Friday!

FAQ:

• We ask that Grandfriends visit and check in at the location of the youngest child they are visiting.
• We will have two registrations tables and breakfast setups: one at the Junior Building for Grades K-2, and one at Greenleaf Circle for Grades 3-8. Grandfriends are asked to register at the location of the youngest child they are visiting.
• Following check in and breakfast, Grandfriends are invited to go to class. For grandfriends with more than one child to visit, we suggest starting with one child and moving to the second one at 9:30 a.m. Some couples may want to split between children and then switch–that’s great too.
• Class visits are from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lower Schools students will have special schedules that allow Grandfriends to see core subjects as well as specials. Middle School students will follow their typical Friday schedules.
• At 11 a.m., we ask that all Grandfriends and students assemble in the CSG. The assembly will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude around noon. Parents are invited to join us at the assembly. We only ask that Grandfriends are seated first.
• The assembly will be dismissed in the following order: Middle School students, Grandfriends and Parents, Lower School students.
• Middle School students will return to lunch and class. Lower School students will be dismissed–dismissal will be delayed to 12:15 p.m. to allow Grandfriends the time to get to their cars and depart from the pool lot.

If your grandfriend or special friend has not yet registered click here to register. Follow up information was sent to registered grandfriends this week. Contact Marlena Alex with questions.

We need more volunteers! Click here to be a Grandfriends’ Day volunteer. We are thankful for whatever portion of the morning you are able to offer.

Early Release Day, Friday, May 12, 12:15 p.m.––NOTE the special dismissal time to accommodate the dismissal of our grandfriends. Special programming available.

Important Reminders

New Date for Looking Ahead to Grade 2, Tuesday, May 16, 8:15 a.m., Grade 2 Classrooms—The new date allows the hiring committee the opportunity to finish its work. Apologies to Grade 1 families for the change. We know how important it is to have the teaching team in place in advance of the Looking Ahead meeting.

New Date for Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony, June 6, 8:30 a.m., CSG—The date has been changed to accommodate the myriad of events on campus in the last week of school. We hope that parents across our Lower School, and particularly Grade 5 parents, will join us as we formally recognize the accomplishments and contributions of our Grade 5 students throughout the whole of their Lower School careers.

• Students in grades K-4 are being asked to wear special occasion dress (smart, dressed-up attire)
• To distinguish our “graduates” from the students in grades K–4, we will follow School tradition to ask that the girls wear white outfits. A simple white outfit will do–something summery and cool! Boys are asked to wear white dress shirts, khaki pants and a blue blazer.

Add These Dates to Your Calendar

Consult the online calendar for dates and locations.

• Monday, May 15––Looking Ahead to Grade 1. This event is intended for Kindergarten parents to learn about the year to come. It is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and to meet the teachers.
• NEW DATE: Tuesday, May 16––Looking Ahead to Grade 2.
• Wednesday, May 17––Looking Ahead to Grade 5. This event is intended for Grade 4 parents to learn about the year to come. It is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and to meet the teachers.
• Thursday, May 18––Popsicle Party for Incoming Kindergarten Students and their parents.
• Friday, May 19––End of Year Conferences for Grade 3.
• May 24––Looking Ahead to Grade 4. This event is intended for Grade 3 parents to learn about the year to come. It is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and to meet the teachers.
• May 24-26––Grade 3 students and teachers visit the Farm School
• May 26––End of Year Conferences for Grades K, 1, 2, 4, 5.
• May 26––Early Release Friday. Special programming available.
• May 29––Memorial Day; No Classes
• May 31––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Dress Rehearsal/Middle School Performance
• June 1––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Evening Performance for families
• June 2––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Lower School Performance
• June 4––See You in September Picnic. Volunteer opportunities will be shared next week.
• June 6––Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony. We will recognize our students who are moving to Middle School as well as promote younger students to the next grade.

Foley Fiesta Speech Tournament, Sunday, May 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Milton Academy––The largest speech tournament of the year is held here at Milton in nearly all our classroom buildings. Nearly all speechies will participate, including students taking Speech in Grade 6. Spectators are welcome! Speech parents––click here to volunteer. We need all hands on deck for this event.

Rosie’s Place Visit, Tuesday, May 9, 4 p.m.––A small group of Middle School students will visit and serve dinner at Rosie’s Place. Contact Isabelle Lantieri for details.

Grandfriends’ Day, Friday, May 12, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.— We are looking forward to hosting Grandparents and special friends next Friday!

FAQ:

• We ask that Grandfriends visit and check in at the location of the youngest child they are visiting.
• We will have two registrations tables and breakfast setups: one at the Junior Building for Grades K-2, and one at Greenleaf Circle for Grades 3-8. Grandfriends are asked to register at the location of the youngest child they are visiting.
• Following check in and breakfast, Grandfriends are invited to go to class. For Grandfriends with more than one child to visit, we suggest starting at one child and moving to the second one at 9:30 a.m. Some couples may want to split between children and then switch — that’s great too.
• Class visits are from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lower Schools students will have special schedules that allow Grandfriends to see core subjects as well as specials. Middle School students will follow their typical Friday schedules.
• At 11 a.m., we ask that all Grandfriends and students assemble in the CSG. The assembly will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at roughly noon. Parents are invited to join us at the assembly. We only ask that Grandfriends are seated first.
• The assembly will be dismissed in the following order: Middle School students, Grandfriends and Parents, Lower School students.
• Middle School students will return to lunch and class. Lower School students will be dismissed — dismissal will be delayed to 12:15 p.m. to allow grandfriends the time to get to their cars and depart from the pool lot.

If your grandfriend or special friend has not yet registered click here to register. Follow up information was sent to registered grandfriends this week. Contact Marlena Alex with questions.

We need more volunteers! Click here to be a Grandfriends’ Day volunteer. We are thankful for whatever portion of the morning you are able to offer.

Important Reminders

Special Olympics Track Event Call for Volunteers––On Sunday, May 21, over 600 Special Olympics athletes from over 20 teams from across greater Boston will come to Milton Academy for the track event. Students and families who would like to volunteer should contact Sonya Conway.

Submit Photos For Grade 8 Closing Ceremony—Grade 8 Parents, click here to drop some photos of your child into the shared Google Drive folder created by Class Representative Simone Scott-Walker. The Grade 8 Closing Ceremony is less than six weeks away! Deadline for submissions is May 5.

Add These Dates to Your Calendar

May 17––Grade 7 CSP Museum Exhibit

May 18––Speech Practice Party

May 19––Student Social

May 21––Rescheduled Oak Hill Middle School Speech Tournament

May 29––No Classes, Memorial Day

May 30––ARTStravaganza

June 1––ARTStravaganza

June 2––Awards Ceremony

June 2––Grade 8 Reading

June 4––See You In September Picnic for Grades K-7

June 5––Grade 8 Social

June 6––Class Day

June 7––Closing Ceremony followed by the Grade 8 Family Reception

June 7––Dismissal at 11 a.m. – Happy Summer!

June 18-24––Speech Nationals, Birmingham, Alabama

News and Announcements

ERB Testing––

In two weeks, Milton Academy will administer the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) CTP-4 standardized tests to grades six through eight.  The ERB’s are the only standardized tests administered in the middle school division at Milton Academy, and are widely administered among other independent and suburban schools. Specifically, the tests will be administered for Grade 6 on May 15, for Grade 7 on May 18, and for Grade 8 on May 16.

We will administer the tests all in one day to replicate a typical standardized testing protocol. We also selected the sub-tests that are most helpful to understanding the growth of your children’s academic skills.

The best preparation for children is a good night’s sleep and a hearty, healthy breakfast in the morning. Specific subject preparation is not necessary. Individual sub-tests range from 20 to 40 minutes each. Students with extra time accommodations will be provided that opportunity. All sections are in a multiple choice format. This year, we will be completing the tests online on Chromebooks – stay tuned for more on this in a letter to come.

A Special Share from our Grade 6 Students

Sustainability–maintaining an ecological balance by avoiding the depletion of natural resources–is a keystone of the spring in our sixth-grade program. In groups, students choose from one of four projects that are intended to both increase their understanding of sustainability and encourage their practice of core competencies. The four projects are: Green Building, Green Business Plan, An Art Exhibition based on Sustainability Themes, and Political Activist. The specific vehicles are chosen by the students. Once settled into their projects, the decision-making lies with the students: they decide how to spend their time, what to design or create, how far and in what direction to take the project. Empowered, students worked collaboratively toward the goal of making a presentation to adults today. Click here to view some photos of student work. Please enjoy the following articles, shared by two of the political activism groups.

Veganism

By The Vegan Voice

When you think of veganism what comes to your mind? Plants, right? That’s not all veganism is, though. When someone has a vegan diet they don’t eat any animal products. That means anything that comes from an animal–yogurt, butter, and even marshmallows–is off limits!  Examples of what someone on a vegan diet could eat includes rice and bean burritos, frozen raspberry sorbet, or vegan pumpkin bread.  Veganism can not only help your health but it also helps the environment! I bet you didn’t know that becoming a vegan also helps save water.  Did you know that one ⅓ pound burger takes 678 gallons of water to produce?  In contrast, ⅓ pound of peanuts (another great protein source) takes 25 gallons of water.  Did you know that the average vegan in the US saves 401,500 gallons of water, 14,600 pounds of grain, 10,950 square feet of forest, 7,300 pounds of CO2, and 365 animal lives per year?! The less unnecessary water that people use, the more water is left for the countries or states that need it most.

Picture Credit: Daniel Siegel, Grade 7

Becoming a vegan can also help energy consumption! The less water used, the less energy used, which then can save households money. If an area’s clean and fresh water is wasted, then it won’t have enough water for generations to come, resulting in that area having to come up with completely new ways to get clean and fresh water. This necessitates more energy consumption. Think about this next time you go to the grocery store. Walk into the grocery store past the row of meats with your head held high, go to a shelf with a vegan option, grab it, buy it, and walk proudly out of the store knowing that you just helped the environment.

Sources:

“The Vegan Web Designer.” Vegan Calculator. Luke Dowding, 2017. Web. 03 May 2017.
Hallock, Betty. “To Make a Burger, First You Need 660 Gallons of Water …” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2014. Web. 03 May 2017.
“Treading Lightly: The Water Footprint of Peanuts.” Treading Lightly: The Water Footprint of Peanuts | National Peanut Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2017.
“Water Page Resources.” Water Page Resources: The Importance of Water Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2017.
Commentary. “World War III Will Be Fought over Water.” Quartz. Quartz, 24 May 2016. Web. 03 May 2017.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Dear Parents,

We are G.R.O.S.S (Garbage Ruining Our Solar System), a student organization that is trying to get rid of plastic bags. Did you know that the American population is 5% of the world, yet it makes 30% of the world’s trash? Even worse, 54.2% of that trash ends up in a landfill somewhere! If you think that’s bad, then here’s another fact: in one 12 year old’s life, America alone has made enough trash to go to the moon and back 300 times. That is 71,670,000 miles (732,000,000,000 tons) of trash in 12 years. That trash gets into our water systems, parks, oceans, and gardens. You and your children play in these places and drink that water. This is not only disgusting, but plastic garbage releases toxins into the air that raise the global temperature and when inhaled can give you lung cancer and a whole litany of other incurable ailments. A huge percentage of that trash is plastic bags. But you can still take action. When at the grocery store, ask for paper bags, or, better yet, bring your own reusable bag. Save your children’s future and say no to plastic bags!

Sincerely,

The members of G.R.O.S.S

Bibliography:

1)The Danger of Burning Plastic.” Carahealth. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2017.
2)”Fight the Plastic Bag Bann.” World Press Files. Utah Schools, n.d. Web.
3)Grabar, Henry. “Andrew Cuomo’s Bizarre Logic for Killing New York City’s Plastic Bag Fee.” Slate. N.p., n.d. Web.
4)”Plastic Bag Bann.” Student Arch Utah. N.p., n.d. Web.

Being a theater nerd, I often find myself breaking into song. If you listen closely some days, you can hear Glinda’s song echoing through the corridors of what has become my home—the Ware Hall home I share with the students, teachers, and staff of the Middle School.

Glinda, of course, is a character in the Broadway musical Wicked. One of my favorite moments in that musical is when Glinda sings:

“Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I know I have been changed for good.”

“For Good” from Wicked is just one of the songs that I carry in my heart.

My memories are not so much about the lives I may have changed, but, more important, the lives that changed mine. I often reflect on what they did for me.

During the dress rehearsal of The Diary of Anne Frank, I observed a young girl portraying Anne saying, “Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” I was so touched by the humanity coming through this young actress. I can still hear her words and see the tear on her cheek.

Witnessing a colleague stand center stage in our all-school production of Fiddler on the Roof (the only one in my tenure at Milton Academy) brought me great joy, particularly as he raised his hands to gather all the villagers of Anatevka together. He was speaking for all the members of the company, who came from every corner of the Milton community: Lower School, Middle School, Upper School, staff and faculty. “To Life,” he proclaimed. “To Life!”

I think back on the student who made me laugh as he and I were rehearsing a scene from Larry Shue’s The Nerd. We were on the floor practicing his “pig” moves and sounds when in walked a tour group. Looking up, we “snorted,” and I thought, “What must they think?” But then, I thought, “Well it shows that we really step into our art at Milton Academy.”

These Miltonians taught me: You don’t have to be a workaholic. You can be a “workaphile.” You can love what you do.

“Look, my eyes are dry
The gift was ours to borrow
It’s as if we always knew
And I won’t forget what I did for love
What I did for love..”

Love, as the words from the musical, “Chorus Line” state, invades every lesson plan, class, drama exercise, rehearsal, tournament, practice, or student performance I witness.

It is an extraordinary opportunity to coach a “speechie” to connect with and not speak at the audience; to teach students to care about what speakers are talking about; to encourage every performer to use his or her words as a gift to an audience. Whether actors, speakers or “interpers” (performers who interprets others’ work) are sharing about daring to be true, or looking at their lives from different perspectives, or describing what it feels like to let their imaginations set them free, I see their craft grow from their minds as well as their hearts.

Other students remind me, through the words of Stephen Sondheim from his musical, “Into The Woods,”

“Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see
And learn.”

I need to remember not to say, “performing is easy, speaking in front of an audience is simple, you don’t need to practice out loud.”

The performing arts are subjective—no one has all the answers. Listening is the key to learning how to “Live truthfully under imaginary circumstance” as Wonka does in an imaginary candy factory, a beast in love for the very first time, or a Vietnam Veteran searching for her home in the play A Piece of My Heart.

Let it Be.
Let it Be.
Let it Be.

So I applaud all of the lives that have touched mine. Because of all of you, this theater nerd will never know the curtain coming down, and will never stop breaking into song.

Epilogue:  To all the speechies sharing their stories at the Foley Fiesta Speech Tournament this coming Sunday, May 7, 2017: Break a Leg! And let your voices be heard as you speak your truths!

Dear Middle School Families,

Today we celebrate our sixth-grade students for the terrific work they’ve done on their sustainability projects. The sixth-grade team and I are so proud of their commitment, passion, and progress. Please take the time to read two articles written by students in today’s newsletter.

In this week’s Middle School Newsletter, you will find a special column by Debbie Simon about all she has learned and gained through the theater; details about Grandfriends’ Day, information about the week ahead, and dates to add to your calendar.

We wish our Speech Team good luck as they go into their largest tournament of the year–the Foley Fiesta, hosted here at Milton Academy on Sunday! Thank you to Debbie Simon, Tom Troy, Emily DiDonna, and the host of parents who are volunteering their time to make this tournament run smoothly. Special thoughts to our sixth-graders who are participating in their first tournament. To all our competitors, break a leg!

Have a good weekend,

Will

Dear Middle School Families,

We had a great morning with your grandfriends! Teachers and students alike enjoyed sharing what they’re learning and doing in their classes, and I saw lots of interested and engaged adults in every one of our classrooms. Days like today give us an opportunity to share all that is good about Milton Academy and our Middle School with a larger audience—and it is something we all enjoy. Thank you for taking the time to make today’s visit possible for us all.

In this week’s Middle School Newsletter, you will finds details about next week’s ERB testing, information about the week ahead, and dates to add to your calendar.

Thank you to Debbie Simon and her team of teachers and parents who showcased our Middle School and our Speech Team so beautifully last weekend. And thank you to the many speechies, both veteran and new, who shared their hard work, and who shined as a result.

Have a good weekend and Happy Mother’s Day,

Will

News and Announcements

Educational Records Bureau Testing to Occur Next Week––Next week, Milton Academy will administer the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) CTP-4 standardized tests to grades six through eight. The ERBs are the only standardized tests administered in the Middle School, and are widely administered among other independent and suburban schools. Specifically, the tests will be administered for Grade 6 on Monday, May 15; for Grade 7 on Thursday, May 18; and for Grade 8 on Tuesday, May 16.

We will administer the tests all in one day to replicate a typical standardized testing protocol. We also selected the sub-tests that are most helpful to understanding the growth of your children’s academic skills.

The best preparation for children is a good night’s sleep and a hearty, healthy breakfast in the morning. Specific subject preparation is not necessary. Individual sub-tests range from 20 to 40 minutes each. Students needing extra time accommodations will be provided that opportunity. All sections are in a multiple-choice format. This year, we will be completing the tests online on Chromebooks—stay tuned for more on this in a letter to come.

The Week Ahead

Grade 7 Creative Scholars Projects Museum Exhibit, Wednesday, May 17––Parents are invited to the Grade 7 Museum Gallery Showcase of the student Creative Scholars Projects, independent capstone projects that give students the opportunity to explore a passion through a social justice lens. Click here for the day’s schedule.

Speech Practice Party, Thursday, May 18, 3:45–5:30 p.m., Ware Hall—Students attending the Spring Fling should attend.

Student Social, Friday, May 19, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Ware Quad/Ware 101––The first half of the evening will be outdoors. Students will have the opportunity to play on inflatables and otherwise enjoy outdoor fun. The second half of the evening is a dance. Extended ASP is available to students who are not able to go home between sports and the social. Students in ASP will be served pizza for dinner. Dinner will not be served at the social, but there will be treats!

Speech Tournament at Oak Hill Middle School, Sunday, May 21—The bus departs Ware Loop at 7:15 a.m. Students who prefer to meet the team at Oak Middle School should plan to arrive no later than 8 a.m. The address is 130 Wheeler Road, Newton Centre.

Important Reminders

Special Olympics Track Event Call for Volunteers––On Sunday, May 21, over 600 Special Olympics athletes from over 20 teams from across greater Boston will come to Milton Academy for the track event. Students and families who would like to volunteer should contact Sonya Conway.

Add These Dates to Your Calendar

May 29––No Classes, Memorial Day

May 30––ARTStravaganza Part 1

June 1 – ARTStravaganza Part 2

June 2––Awards Ceremony

June 2––Grade 8 Reading

June 4––See You In September Picnic for Grades K-7

June 5––Grade 8 Social

June 6––Class Day

June 7––Closing Ceremony followed by the Grade 8 Family Reception

June 7––Dismissal at 11 a.m. – Happy Summer!

June 18-24––Speech Nationals, Birmingham, Alabama

Dear Lower School Families,

What a beautiful morning! I loved meeting all your grandfriends, watching the intergenerational interactions, and enjoying the bonds between your children and your parents and friends. Thank you for coordinating, communicating, driving, and making it possible for so many people to visit with us this morning! Thank you, also, to our teachers for creating special lessons and opportunities for the grandfriends to get involved this morning. Finally, thank you to music teacher Pierre Young for entertaining us with song and dance! To view some photos of the morning, click here.

In today’s Lower School Newsletter, you will find a change in the Looking Ahead to Grade 5 meeting that will allow our new Grade 5 teacher to join us, a reminder to register for end-of-year parent conferences, an announcement about a Pop-Up Game and Puzzle Chest that supports strategic thinking, details about the week ahead, and dates to add to your calendar through the end of the year.

Have a good weekend and Happy Mother’s Day,

Racheal

News and Announcements

Scheduling Change for Looking Ahead to Grade 4. A new date will be shared in the coming week.

End-of-Year Conference Registration––Click here to register for conferences. Grade 3 will hold conferences next Friday, May 19 to accommodate their upcoming trip to the Farm School. All other grades (K, 1, 2, 4, 5) will hold conferences on Friday, May 26. As time is short and the conference date was shared in advance, we ask that you make every effort to make your conference.

Lower School Pop-Up Game and Puzzle Chest––Students and families of the Lower School can borrow a board game or puzzle from our new “pop-up” game and puzzle chest.  If you have a game board or puzzle from your home that you wish to share, contributions are welcome. Contact Nancy Anderson with questions.

The Week Ahead

Looking Ahead to Grade 1, Monday, May 15, 8:15 a.m., Grade 1 Classrooms––This event is intended for Kindergarten parents to learn about the year to come. It is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and to meet the teachers.

Looking Ahead to Grade 2, Tuesday, May 16, 8:15 a.m., Grade 2 Unger Classroom––This event is intended for Grade 1 parents to learn about the year to come. It is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and to meet Ms. Unger, who will be lead-teacher in the grade.

Schedule Change: Looking Ahead to Grade 5 will be re-scheduled to May 25—Our apologies for this change. As we prepare to welcome the new Grade 5 teacher, we would like to provide you an opportunity to meet her.

Popsicle Party for incoming Kindergarten students and their parents, Thursday, May 18––We look forward to this traditional welcoming event for our new Kindergarten families.

End of Year Conferences for Grade 3, Friday, May 19. See the News and Announcements section for registration information.

Important Reminders

Encourage Students to Leave Fidget Spinners at Home––Fidget spinners are the new hot toy—kids love them, and what’s not to love? They’re small metal or plastic objects with a ball bearing. Users hold the spinner with the thumb and forefinger and then spin it by tapping one of the prongs. They’re quite addictive, AND, they’re quite distracting. As a faculty, we discussed the proliferation of spinners in our community and we’re asking that you partner with us in having students leave them at home. In classrooms, we’re finding that spinners have the opposite effect of what they advertise: instead of helping concentration and focus, they’re distracting the user as well as others. In the hallways, we’ve found a bit of competition about the “type” of spinners that students have—this behavior is divisive to our community. And on the playground, spinners foster more sedentary behavior instead of the running, jumping and playing that we encourage. We understand the allure. For students who require sensory devices to concentrate, we have equipped each classroom with an assortment of appropriate fidgets. For students who want to play and experiment with toys like this, with a science component, Mr. Shrager will be providing some recess time for students to play with various spinning toys. Students who want to play with fidget spinners are welcome to do so at home.

Add These Dates to Your Calendar

Consult the online calendar for dates and locations.

• May 24-26––Grade 3 students and teachers visit the Farm School
• May 26––End of Year Conferences for Grades K, 1, 2, 4, 5.
• May 26––Early Release Friday. Special programming available.
• May 29––Memorial Day; No Classes
• May 31––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Dress Rehearsal/Middle School Performance
• June 1––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Evening Performance for families
• June 2––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Lower School Performance
• June 4––See You in September Picnic. Volunteer opportunities will be shared next week.
• June 6––Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony. We will recognize our students who are moving to Middle School as well as promote younger students to the next grade.

A year of research by Grade 7 students culminated in the second-annual Creative Scholars Project museum and showcase on May 17, as students presented their work on social justice issues. Topics ranged from worldwide issues such as fair trade, child labor and religious bias to more national or local issues like the gender pay gap in professional hockey and illegal immigration.

The students chose topics they feel passionate about, says Grade 7 Dean Jin Lee. “They did research, and developed a question they wanted to explore,” Jin says. “They then produced an art piece to convey their message. They also came up with an action step to work toward solving the problem or problems they found.”

Alison wanted to explore a topic that she’s had some experience with. “As a girl in seventh grade, I haven’t experienced things like a gender wage gap, but I have lived with dress codes. I wanted to research ways that different dress codes impact girls versus boys,” she says. While Milton’s dress code is fairly lenient, Alison still created a proposal she feels will make it more gender-blind. She also found schools where girls have been shamed for popular styles that administrators claimed distracted boys, or where students have been unfairly prohibited from certain ethnic or cultural styles.

“It’s not to say that there shouldn’t be dress codes that keep people from wearing very inappropriate things, but there are dress codes that are sexist, racist and homophobic, and they shouldn’t be in schools,” Alison says.

Zander found inspiration for his project from an uncle who’s a public defender. He studied the cases of people who have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned, and learned that inadequate counsel, mandatory sentencing rules and racial bias have all contributed to the problem. Zander found that wrongful convictions are a complicated issue to solve, but developed some action steps.

“I’m asking people to educate others about the issue of wrongful imprisonment and to support the national and state lawmakers who support increasing the number of public defenders, so their caseloads will be lighter and they can give cases better attention,” he says. “People can also support lawmakers who are trying to end mandatory sentences for crimes.”

Dear Middle School Families,

This week, we celebrated the hard work our seventh-grade students on their Creative Scholars Projects. They studied a plethora of topics, from human trafficking to free trade to education to women’s rights to homelessness and poverty. The students were thoughtful, reflective and forward-thinking about the world and their ability to create change. Kudos to Jin Lee and the seventh-grade team for preparing the students, working with them, and ultimately giving them the tools to effect change.

In this week’s Middle School Newsletter, you will find a request from our nurses, an invitation from the School, information about the week ahead, and dates to the end of the year.

We’re looking forward to hosting the last Middle School social of the year tonight!

Enjoy the weekend,
Will

News and Announcements

Update Physical Forms for New and Returning Students—Students entering all Middle School grades must have current physical exams on file with the School. Any physical exam after July 1, 2016 can be submitted for the 2017-18 academic year. Middle School students will not receive their schedules until they have updated physical forms on file.

Prevent Tick-Borne Illness—Click here for some Tick Prevention Guidelines shared with us by Campus Safety.

New Event: Milton Academy at Tanglewood! Join families from across Milton Academy on Sunday, August 13—Lunch is at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. concert. A variety of ticket purchasing options are available. To learn more or RSVP, visit www.milton.edu/invite/tanglewood.

Please join us for our annual end-of-year family gathering!

There will be rides, games, crafts, music, food, and fun!

Click here to RSVP

Click here to volunteer! Many hands make light work.

The Week Ahead

Student Social, Friday, May 19, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Ware Quad/Ware 101––The first half of the evening will be outdoors. Students will have the opportunity to play on inflatables and otherwise enjoy outdoor fun. The second half of the evening is a dance. Extended ASP is available to students who are not able to go home between sports and the social. Students in ASP will be served pizza for dinner. Dinner will not be served at the social, but there will be treats!

Speech Tournament at Oak Hill Middle School, Sunday, May 21—The bus departs Ware Loop at 7:15 a.m. Students who prefer to meet the team at Oak Middle School should plan to arrive no later than 8 a.m. The address is 130 Wheeler Road, Newton Centre.

Special Olympics Track and Field Qualifier, Sunday, May 21, Milton Academy Track—Volunteer registration begins at 7 a.m. Opening Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Click here for additional information. Students who are interested in volunteering should contact Sonya Conway.

Spring Season Nobles Day, Wednesday, May 24––Most athletic games are against Nobles and most are at home. Come out, cheer our teams, and enjoy the fun. Consult the athletics calendar for game times and locations.

Spring Team Meetings and Uniform Return, Thursday & Friday, May 24–25––Uniforms need not be washed, just returned to Mr. Landau via coaches, who will have bags with them at Wednesday’s games. If your child isn’t able to return his/her uniform on Thursday, s/he may place it in the bag outside Mr. Landau’s office on Friday.

Spring Season Athletic Recognition Ceremony, Thursday, May 25 at 2:30 p.m. in Ware 101––At this event, we celebrate sportsmanship and the culmination of the season.

3 p.m. Dismissal, Friday, May 26––This is new to the calendar! Students will be dismissed at 3 p.m. The after-school program will be available.

No classes in recognition of Memorial Day––Monday, May 29.

Add These Dates to Your Calendar

May 30––ARTStravaganza Part 1

June 1––ARTStravaganza Part 2

June 2––Awards Ceremony

June 2––Grade 8 Reading

June 4––See You In September Picnic for Grades K-7

June 5––Grade 8 Social

June 6––Class Day

June 7––Closing Ceremony followed by the Grade 8 Family Reception

June 7––Dismissal at 11 a.m. – Happy Summer!

June 18-24––Speech Nationals, Birmingham, Alabama

Dear Lower School Families,

I hope you are well. This morning our Lower School students had the opportunity to watch a number of Middle School Speech Team members perform. I always enjoy watching these performances and celebrating the fruit of the hard work of these young people.

At lunchtime, we had two special visitors to campus: two pigs! To the delight of the entire fourth grade, Amelia won the “lunch with a pig” offering of Jenny Sorblom and Nancy McCuen at our Fall Festival. Today’s weather provided the perfect backdrop for that visit. Thank you to Jenny and Nancy for making the visit possible!

In today’s Lower School Newsletter, you will find important information about our upcoming Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony. I invite you all to join us to celebrate our fifth-grade students and to enjoy the “moving up” of all our children. Be sure to read this information about the dress for that day. You will also find the new date for the Grade 4 Looking Ahead session. Finally, you will find an invitation to a new, summertime, event, details about the week ahead, and dates to add to your calendar through the end of the year.

We enjoyed seeing Grade 3 parents this morning and we look forward to seeing everyone else next week for our end-of-year conferences.

Have a good weekend,
Racheal

Preparing for the End of Year

Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony, Tuesday, June 6, 8:30–10 a.m., CSG—We will formally recognize the accomplishments and contributions of our Grade 5 students throughout the whole of their Lower School careers. We hope that you will mark your calendar for this special event.

This ceremony, which was established last year, has created a new and welcome tradition in our Lower School.

• To distinguish our “graduates” from the students in grades K–4, we will follow School tradition to ask that the Grade 5 girls wear white outfits. A simple white outfit will do – something summery and cool! Grade 5 boys are asked to wear white dress shirts, khaki pants and a blue blazer. Students in grades K–4 are being asked to wear special occasion dress (smart, dressed-up attire).

• Head of School Todd Bland will provide special gifts to our “graduates” to add to their attire: blue/orange bow-ties for the boys, and orange pashmina scarfs for the girls.

News and Announcements

Update Your Child(ren)’s Physical Exam Forms—Students entering Kindergarten, Grade 3 and all Middle School grades must have current physical exams on file with the School. Any physical exam after July 1, 2016 can be submitted for the 2017-18 academic year. The physical of incoming Kindergarten children must include a stereopsis test.

Prevent Tick-Borne Illness—Click here for some Tick Prevention Guidelines shared with us by Campus Safety.

Looking Ahead to Grade 5, May 25—This session will be from 8:15-9:15 a.m. in Jennifer Kastoulis’ classroom on the second floor of Greenleaf Hall. It is intended for Grade 4 families to prepare their children for Grade 5.

New Date: Looking Ahead to Grade 4, May 31—The session will be from 8:15-9:15 a.m. in Sandra Correia’s classroom on the second floor of Greenleaf Hall. It is intended for Grade 3 families to prepare their children for Grade 4.

Field Day, Monday, June 5, 1:30 p.m., fields outside the CSG—As is tradition, each grade will wear a specific color t-shirt. The colors are as follows:

• Kindergarten – Yellow (perhaps the I’m going to Kindergarten t-shirt your child received this time last year)
• Grade 1 – Blue
• Grade 2 – Red
• Grade 3 – Green
• Grade 4 – White
• Grade 5 – Orange
• Grade 6 – Black

New Event: Milton Academy at Tanglewood! Join families from across Milton Academy on Sunday, August 13—Lunch is at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. concert. A variety of ticket purchasing options are available. To learn more or RSVP, visit www.milton.edu/invite/tanglewood.

Please join us for our end-of-year family gathering!

There will be rides, games, crafts, music, food, and fun!

Click here to RSVP
Click here to volunteer! Many hands make light work.

The Week Ahead

Spring Season Nobles Day in the Middle School, Wednesday, May 24––Most athletic games are against Nobles and most are at home. Come out, cheer our teams, and enjoy the fun. Consult the athletics calendar for game times and locations.

Grade 3 students and teachers visit the Farm School––May 24–26.

End of Year Conferences for Grades K, 1, 2, 4, 5 on Friday, May 26––If you haven’t already done so, click here to register for conferences.

Early Release Friday, May 26––Special After School programming will be available.

No classes in recognition of Memorial Day––Monday, May 29.

Important Reminders

Lower School Pop-Up Game and Puzzle Chest––Students and families of the Lower School can borrow a board game or puzzle from our new “pop-up” game and puzzle chest.  If you have a game board or puzzle from your home that you wish to share, contributions are welcome. Contact Nancy Anderson with questions.

Add These Dates to Your Calendar

Consult the online calendar for dates and locations.

• May 31––Looking Ahead to Grade 4
• May 31––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Dress Rehearsal/Middle School Performance
• June 1––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Evening Performance for families
• June 2––Grade 5 play, The Lion King, Jr., Lower School Performance
• June 4––See You in September Picnic. Volunteer opportunities will be shared next week.
• June 5––Closing Assembly at 8:30 a.m. in Thacher. We will say goodbye to our departing faculty and staff at this assembly.
• June 5––Field Day for Students at 1:30 p.m. on the fields outside the CSG.
• June 6––Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony. We will recognize our students who are moving to Middle School as well as promote younger students to the next grade.

News and Announcements

Chromebook Return Next Week––Student Chromebooks will be collected next week. Devices and their chargers will be collected from Grades 6 and 8 on Thursday, June 1, and from Grade 7 on Friday, June 2. Students are expected to return their devices and chargers in working condition. If your child’s Chromebook is missing, damaged in a way that may cause a safety issue, or not functional, we will need to charge your IA for the full amount of a replacement device ($375). The replacement cost for missing or damaged chargers is $75. Note that we cannot accept third-party replacement charges in place of School-issued ones.

Important Reminders

Update Physical Forms for New and Returning Students—Students entering all Middle School grades must have current physical exams on file with the School. Any physical exam after July 1, 2016 can be submitted for the 2017-18 academic year. Middle School students will not receive their schedules until they have updated physical forms on file.

Prevent Tick-Borne Illness—Click here for some Tick Prevention Guidelines shared with us by Campus Safety.

New Event: Milton Academy at Tanglewood! Join families from across Milton Academy on Sunday, August 13—Lunch is at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. concert. A variety of ticket purchasing options are available. To learn more or RSVP, visit www.milton.edu/invite/tanglewood.

The Week Ahead and the Schedule to the End of the Year

No classes in recognition of Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.

Classes Resume, Tuesday Schedule, Tuesday, May 30.

ARTStravaganza, Tuesday, May 30, 2:15 p.m., King Theatre. Parents are invited to join us for General Music, Winds, A Cappella, Performing Arts/Drama, and Strings performances.

ARTStravaganza, Thursday, June 1, 2:15 p.m., King Theatre. Parents are invited to join us for Chorus, Speech and Jazz performances.

Middle School Awards Ceremony, Friday, June 2, 8 a.m., Apthorp Chapel. Students in Grades 6-8 are celebrated for their kindness and citizenship. This is a student-only event, save for the parents of award recipients. Students are expected to wear chapel dress.

Grade 8 Reading, Friday, June 2, 9:30 a.m., Straus Library. All Grade 8 parents are invited to join us to hear the creative writing work of the students.

See You in September Picnic, Sunday, June 4, 12-2:30 p.m. Please join us for our annual end-of-year family gathering! There will be rides, games, crafts, music, food, and fun!
Click here to RSVP
Click here to volunteer! Many hands make light work.

Grade 8 Social, June 5, 6:30 p.m., Wigglesworth Hall.

Class Day, June 6. Students and teachers in Grade 8 will go to Six Flags. Students and teachers in Grades 6 and 7 will go to Canobie Lake. If you have a child in Grade 5, click here for a letter from Lower School Principal, Racheal Adriko about plans for sibings.

Closing Ceremony followed by the Grade 8 Family Reception, June 7, 8:30 a.m., King Theatre. The Family Reception for our eighth-grade students and their families will be held in the Ware Quad. All Middle School students attend the closing ceremony. Chapel dress is required.

Happy Summer! June 7. Dismissal at 11 a.m.

Speech Nationals, Birmingham, Alabama, June 18-24. Students and parents who are going to Nationals, click here to submit your t-shirt size by Tuesday morning, May 30. Click here.

A Case for Fiction

As a teacher of literature, it concerns me when what is presented as news contains as much fiction as the novels I teach. To be fair, I’m under no assumptions that the world can be split into binaries as simple as “truth” and “lie.” Some of the most compelling works of literature intentionally blend the two (Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried). Similarly, many cable “news” programs, be they progressively-leaning (Upfront with Samantha Bee) or conservatively-slanted (Tucker Carlson Tonight), market themselves as more entertainment than reporting.

Amidst the deepening river of half-truths, alternative facts, truthiness, and arguments condensed to tweets, students need to be well-equipped to evaluate sources and analyze non-fiction.

In fact, experts suggest most teenagers struggle to differentiate reliable news sources from paid content masking as news. The line between fact and fiction seems to blur. As the world around us fills with vagueness, it is reasonable to wonder: why study fiction?

In this modern era when even presidential elections resemble fiction, it is increasingly challenging to hold fast to world views that simplify characters into binary views of “good” and “evil.” One need only turn on the news to see what feels like fanciful notions best found in the realm of fiction: clowns roaming the hillside, politicians undone by texts, semantics over what the word complicit means.

With so much “real-world” drama in need of analysis, it is reasonable to wonder: why not have students focus primarily on reading non-fiction? Why, as a Middle School, have an English curriculum heavily slanted towards fiction?

For one, there is a growing body of research that suggests that reading fiction has significant benefits. Recent studies conclude that the deliberate reading of fiction can, among other perks, improve brain function and expand one’s theory of mind. That growth greatly benefits students both inside and outside of the classroom.

I’ll leave the explanation of the neuroscience behind those findings to the experts. One of the experts in my field, writer James Baldwin, gets to the heart of the question in a less scientific way: “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.”

Baldwin seems to suggest that reading fiction has the potential to open worlds of understanding for students and forge a means of connection. Reading fiction helps students practice dwelling in the moral ambiguity they will face in this increasingly complex, ever-changing world. It is safer to question and push established views when dealing with fictional characters rather than with true life events. But it is through that questioning and analyzing that students come to understand the many perspectives that surround “truth.” Through that questioning, they rehearse the ways they might come to stand their own moral grounds.

Students can see shades of the police murder of Walter Scott in South Carolina by reading about the racist treatment of Tom Robinson in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch becomes a stand-in for what advocacy can look like.

Students are unlikely to be manipulated by leaders in the same way as the livestock in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, but we surely want them prepared to question when leaders use rhetorical tactics and attempt to reduce complex policies to simply eliminating common enemies.

Students can discuss lessons from Lois Lowry’s The Giver – that memories matter in a society and need to be protected – as a means for solidifying their own views on the what responsibilities the press serve in a free society.

This might sound like a bunch of high-falutin nonsense except the research happens to support the idea. We’re unlikely to encounter the wizards and demons present in novels, but we sure need our students to decide who they can trust and who might want to drag them down. If we expect students to find their voice amidst a cacophony of voices clamoring for attention, then we need them to first experiment on safer ground. Reading fiction provides the fodder for which they can rehearse the moral and mental fortitude our society demands.
So, why fiction? Analyzing fictional texts helps students discover the schemas through which they come to process the world. It is one way through which we muddy our hands with moral complexity and join those hands with those around us.

Dear Lower School Families,

First, thank you for the wonderful expression of love through this morning’s breakfast for our teachers and staff. The faculty rooms look beautiful, the treats are delicious, and our appreciation abounds for your gestures at the end of this long week.

For many of the students, this trip marked the first time they were away from home without their families. They slept in unfamiliar beds, ate three meals a day that weren’t cooked by someone at home, and were surrounded by their classmates around the clock. It is an amazing tradition and one that we are fortunate to have for our children. Yesterday, I had a magical visit with the students and teachers there. Time stood still as I watched the students interact both with nature and with each other. Observing those children was joyful. Particularly this week, I was so glad they were on that hill, being children, and doing what they were supposed to do. And as I watched, I thought about the wonderful and idyllic environment juxtaposed with the landscape of our nation and our world today.

When I was a young child, my parents were fearless in their promotion of civil discourse and basic etiquette. They were quick to educate me and my siblings that when people walked into the room, we stood up and firmly shook their hands. We learned to look people in the eyes and say, “Hello.” When they responded “How are you? It’s lovely to see you,” we asked how they were in reply. Those lessons of courtesy, of basic table manners, of saying “please” and “thank you,” and of trying to really listen to people and their words when they spoke, were among the best gifts my parents ever gave me because they continue to live with me and through me to my children.

The events of this week crystallized for me the need for our young people to have role models. These days, it seems that good role models are a scarce commodity. In the media, we see those who should be setting an example shoving others out of their way, talking more than listening, and losing touch with what it means to be kind. Join me in taking the time to teach our children basic manners and etiquette, to listen to and try to understand other perspectives — help our children understand that violence is a bad outlet for anger, and that causes are often best understood through conversation. Today, more than ever, I believe we need to renew our commitments to being good role models for our children. Our children are watching us and looking to us to show them how to behave — they look up to us all as leaders and they see what we do and how we problem-solve. We are at a critical juncture in our nation where educators and parents need to partner to support etiquette and to be models of change. I share with you an article I recently read about the importance of civil discourse and about the wholescale changes we need to make to protect our democracy.

In today’s Lower School Newsletter, I am resharing important information about our upcoming Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony. I invite you all to join us to celebrate our fifth-grade students and to enjoy the “moving up” of all our children. Be sure to read the information about the dress for that day. You will also find details about the remaining weeks of school, and opportunities to volunteer both for our upcoming See You in September Picnic and the 2017-18 Parents’ Association.

Have a good weekend,

Racheal

Preparing for the End of Year

Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony, Tuesday, June 6, 8:30–10 a.m., CSG—We will formally recognize the accomplishments and contributions of our Grade 5 students throughout the whole of their Lower School careers. We hope that you will mark your calendar for this special event. Grade 5 families with children in the Middle School, please click here for an important letter from Racheal about plans for Middle School siblings to celebrate with us and also attend Class Day.

This ceremony, which was established last year, has created a new and welcome tradition in our Lower School.

• To distinguish our “graduates” from the students in grades K–4, we will follow School tradition to ask that the Grade 5 girls wear white outfits. A simple white outfit will do – something summery and cool! Grade 5 boys are asked to wear white dress shirts, khaki pants and a blue blazer. Students in grades K–4 are being asked to wear special occasion dress (smart, dressed-up attire).

• Head of School Todd Bland will provide special gifts to our “graduates” to add to their attire: blue/orange bow-ties for the boys, and orange pashmina scarfs for the girls.

News and Announcements

Chromebook and iPad Return––On Tuesday, May 30, we will collect school-issued Chromebooks and their chargers from our Grade 5 students. On Friday, June 2, we will collect school-issued iPads and their chargers from our Grade 4 students. An email was sent to parents about the return of devices, replacement costs for damaged devices, and the procedure by which students in Grade 5 may request a device to complete summer homework. Homework for our rising fifth-grade students does not require access to a computer.

The Week Ahead…and to the End of the Year

No classes in recognition of Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.

Classes Resume, Tuesday Schedule, Tuesday, May 30.

Library Volunteer Breakfast, Tuesday, May 30, 8 a.m., Perry Reading Room. This event celebrates the many who have volunteered in the library this year.

Looking Ahead to Grade 4, Wednesday, May 31, 8:15-9:15 a.m. in Sandra Correia’s room.

Lion King, Jr. Dress Rehearsal and Middle School Performance, Wednesday, May 31, 1:30 p.m., Thacher.

Lion King, Jr. Family Performance, Thursday, June 1, 6:30 p.m., Thacher.

Lion King, Jr. Lower School Performance, Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. in Thacher.

Join us for the See You in September Picnic! Sunday, June 4, 12–2:30 p.m., ACC
There will be rides, games, crafts, music, food, and fun!
Click here to RSVP
Click here to volunteer! Many hands make light work.

Closing Assembly, Monday, June 5, 8:30 a.m., Thacher. We will say goodbye to our departing faculty and staff at this assembly.

Field Day for Students, Monday, June 5, 1:30 p.m. on the fields outside the CSG.

Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony, Tuesday, June 6, CSG. We will recognize our students who are moving to Middle School as well as promote younger students to the next grade.

Happy Summer! Tuesday, June 6, 3 p.m. dismissal.

Important Reminders

Update Your Child(ren)’s Physical Exam Forms—Students entering Kindergarten, Grade 3 and all Middle School grades must have current physical exams on file with the School. Any physical exam after July 1, 2016 can be submitted for the 2017-18 academic year. The physical of incoming Kindergarten children must include a stereopsis test.

Prevent Tick-Borne Illness—Click here for some Tick Prevention Guidelines shared with us by Campus Safety.

Field Day, Monday, June 5, 1:30 p.m., fields outside the CSG—As is tradition, each grade will wear a specific color t-shirt. The colors are as follows:

• Kindergarten – Yellow (perhaps the I’m going to Kindergarten t-shirt your child received this time last year)
• Grade 1 – Blue
• Grade 2 – Red
• Grade 3 – Green
• Grade 4 – White
• Grade 5 – Orange
• Grade 6 – Black

New Event: Milton Academy at Tanglewood! Join families from across Milton Academy on Sunday, August 13—Lunch is at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. concert. A variety of ticket purchasing options are available. To learn more or RSVP, visit www.milton.edu/invite/tanglewood.

Lower School Pop-Up Game and Puzzle Chest––Students and families of the Lower School can borrow a board game or puzzle from our new “pop-up” game and puzzle chest.  If you have a game board or puzzle from your home that you wish to share, contributions are welcome. Contact Nancy Anderson with questions.

Dear Middle School Families,

This has been a challenging week for Milton and, I believe, we will be better for it. In the Middle School, our students committed to being their best selves, to being supportive of each other and to making our entire school community the best it can be. The optimism, altruism and activism evident among our students is inspiring. Taking time to reflect and plan for making improvements is a necessary next step. I am eager to engage with students, parents, faculty and staff on how we will continue to push our Middle School to be a place where all of our students can be their best selves and thrive.

Thank you to our faculty and staff for the thoughtfulness, patience, and care they provided to our students. Thank you, parents, for providing time and space for your children to debrief the events of the week. And thank you to our Middle School students for their interest in engaging in this hard work, demonstrating support for each other and their Upper School counterparts, and articulating their clear standards for engagement and behavior. I am particularly proud our our Middle School community this week.

In this week’s Middle School Newsletter, you will find a wonderful article by Grade 8 English teacher Josh Kronenberg about the value of teaching fiction; the schedule of events through the end of the year; messages from our nurses; and our spring season athletic recognition recipients.

Enjoy the long, no homework, Memorial Day weekend, and I look forward to seeing you on campus as we partake in the many year-end celebrations of the week ahead.

Will

Dear Lower School Families,

We all have “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” playing in our heads today! Thank you, Grade 5, for the wonderful gift you have given us this week. Thank you to Emily Arsenault, Pierre Young, Sandy Butler and Gary Shrager for all your love and support of our fifth graders as you’ve directed and coached them these last few months. Thank you, parents, for helping your children practice their lines and their songs, creating the set and the props, and supporting our children and teachers. Three wonderful performances!

The Lion King, the first of our year-end celebrations, is as much about the product as it is the process, and I am so proud of our students for how they have come together and grown together. Next week we will have the opportunity to further fete the fifth graders to send them off to the Middle School. I hope you will join us on Tuesday morning for the Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony. In addition to recognizing our oldest students, we will also officially promote all our Lower School children to their subsequent grades.

Before we launch our fifth graders, though, we will bid farewell to several adults in our community. Join us on Monday morning at 8:30 in Thacher for our Farewell Assembly.

In today’s Lower School Newsletter, I am resharing important information about remaining end-of-year activities. I also share a message from incoming Parents’ Association chair Charlie Cain about volunteering for next year.

Thank you for being part of our community this year, for sharing your children with us, and for supporting the adults who give so much of themselves. I wish you a wonderful, restful, and restorative summer. I hope you take the time to play, read, and connect with your family. We look forward to seeing you in September!

Racheal

Preparing for the End of Year

Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony, Tuesday, June 6, 8:30–10 a.m., CSG—We will formally recognize the accomplishments and contributions of our Grade 5 students throughout the whole of their Lower School careers. We hope that you will mark your calendar for this special event. Grade 5 families with children in the Middle School, please click here for an important letter from Racheal about plans for Middle School siblings to celebrate with us and also attend Class Day.

This ceremony, which was established last year, has created a new and welcome tradition in our Lower School.

• To distinguish our “graduates” from the students in grades K–4, we will follow School tradition to ask that the Grade 5 girls wear white outfits. A simple white outfit will do – something summery and cool! Grade 5 boys are asked to wear white dress shirts, khaki pants and a blue blazer. Students in grades K–4 are being asked to wear special occasion dress (smart, dressed-up attire).

• Head of School Todd Bland will provide special gifts to our “graduates” to add to their attire: blue/orange bow-ties for the boys, and orange pashmina scarfs for the girls.

The Week Ahead

Join us! Sunday, June 4, 12–2:30 p.m., ACC

There will be rides, games, crafts, music, food, and fun!

Click here to RSVP
Click here to volunteer! Many hands make light work.

Closing Assembly, Monday, June 5, 8:30 a.m., Thacher—We will say goodbye to our departing faculty and staff at this assembly. Parents are invited to join us.

Field Day for Students, Tuesday, June 6, 1:30 p.m. on the fields outside the CSG—This is a new date to accommodate the long-range forecast. In case of rain, Field Day will have to be canceled due to space constraints. As is tradition, each grade will wear a specific color t-shirt. The colors are as follows:

• Kindergarten – Yellow (perhaps the I’m going to Kindergarten t-shirt your child received this time last year)
• Grade 1 – Blue
• Grade 2 – Red
• Grade 3 – Green
• Grade 4 – White
• Grade 5 – Orange
• Grade 6 – Black

Happy Summer! Tuesday, June 6, 3 p.m. dismissal.

Important Reminders

Update Your Child(ren)’s Physical Exam Forms—Students entering Kindergarten, Grade 3 and all Middle School grades must have current physical exams on file with the School. Any physical exam after July 1, 2016 can be submitted for the 2017-18 academic year. The physical of incoming Kindergarten children must include a stereopsis test.

New Event: Milton Academy at Tanglewood! Join families from across Milton Academy on Sunday, August 13—Lunch is at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. concert. A variety of ticket purchasing options are available. To learn more or RSVP, visit www.milton.edu/invite/tanglewood.

Dear Middle School Families,

This morning, we held two important celebrations that mark the beginning of the end of the year. I love these events because they celebrate the good in our community and they serve as a reminder to us all about how fortunate we are to be here. They are also bittersweet as we reflect on the year, and prepare to bid our eighth graders good-bye and good luck.  

We began the day gathered in the Apthorp Chapel to laud citizenship and community in our Middle School. Hearing from the award sponsors and friends of those remembered has always been a powerful part of the morning. And, enjoying the comments shared by the classmates of our award winners is a favorite part of the year for me. Congratulations to the following students and their families: Amelia Solomon, Henry Darling, Scarlett Bridgen, Jack Burton, Carli Gilson, and Luke Monnich. You make us all proud.

Afterward, while sixth-grade and seventh-grade students returned to class, the eighth-grade and many parents gathered in Straus to hear the creative writing work of our eighth graders. I never cease to be amazed by the wonderful talent in our student population and by the wonderful direction of our teachers.

In this week’s Middle School Newsletter, you will find a schedule of events through the end of the year. I thank our teachers, students, and you, our families, for a great year. Have a wonderful summer and we look forward to seeing you in September.

Best,
Will

News and Announcements

The two-day Spring Artstravaganza we held this past Tuesday and Thursday was a treat! Thank you to Louise Mundinger for organizing this great celebration of our arts program. Thank you to the performing arts teachers and to the many students who shared their talents with us. And, congratulations award recipients!

• Director’s Awards:
  • Fall Play: Karol Querido
  • Winter Musical: Zoë Heard
  • Tech: Sophia Hack
• Speech Coach’s Awards: Alison Blake & Nikhil Pande
• Speech Captains’ Awards: Thea Chung, Ben Simpson, Garvin McLaughlin and Jana Amin
• Announcing next year’s captains: Riya Singh, Jack Burton, Abby Buonato and Nate Vanech
• Mr. Troy was recently named Massachusetts Middle School Speech League Coach of the Year. Yesterday, news of this award was shared with our Middle School community. Congratulations Mr. Troy!

Important Reminders

Update Physical Forms for New and Returning Students—Students entering all Middle School grades must have current physical exams on file with the School. Any physical exam after July 1, 2016 can be submitted for the 2017-18 academic year. Middle School students will not receive their schedules until they have updated physical forms on file.

Don’t forget Milton Academy at Tanglewood! Join families from across Milton Academy on Sunday, August 13—Lunch is at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. concert. A variety of ticket purchasing options are available. To learn more or RSVP, visit www.milton.edu/invite/tanglewood.

The Week Ahead

See You in September Picnic, Sunday, June 4, 12-2:30 p.m. Please join us for our annual end-of-year family gathering! There will be rides, games, crafts, music, food, and fun!

Click here to RSVP
Click here to volunteer! Many hands make light work.

Grade 8 Social, June 5, 6:30–9 p.m., Wigglesworth Hall

Class Day, June 6—Students and teachers in Grade 8 will go to Six Flags. Students and teachers in Grades 6 and 7 will go to Canobie Lake. If you have a child in Grade 5, click here for a letter from Lower School Principal, Racheal Adriko about plans for siblings.

Grades 6 & 7 will go to Canobie Lake. Details below:

• Students should pack a lunch from home or bring money to buy lunch at the park ($15 recommended)
• No technology allowed on the trip
• Scheduled to return to campus by 3:30 p.m.
• Students who have an epipen or inhaler need to carry it with them while at the park
• There are water rides at the park, students may want to bring an extra set of clothes (optional)

Grade 8 will go to Six Flags. Details below:

• Students should pack a lunch from home or bring money to buy lunch at the park ($15 recommended)
• No technology allowed on the trip
• Scheduled to return to campus at 5:45 p.m. Students should not plan to take the 4 p.m. bus.
• Students who have an epipen or inhaler need to carry it with them while at the park
• There are water rides at the park, students may want to bring an extra set of clothes (optional)

Closing Ceremony followed by the Grade 8 Family Reception, June 7, 8:30 a.m., King Theatre—The Family Reception for our eighth-grade students and their families will be held in the Ware Quad. All Middle School students attend the closing ceremony. Apologies that space limitations allow for only the families of our Grade 8 students to be invited. Chapel dress is required.

Happy Summer! June 7. Dismissal at 11 a.m.—No bus and no after school program. Students must be picked up at dismissal.

Speech Nationals, Birmingham, Alabama, June 18-24—Best of luck to the students who have worked so hard to represent us at Nationals. Thank you to Debbie Simon, Emily DiDonna, Tom Troy and Bren McElroy for a great speech year!

The Week Ahead

Milton Fund Kick-Off Celebration, Wednesday, September 27, 6:30 p.m., Straus Library—For more information or to RSVP, contact: Liz Dixon-Eversole, Director of the Milton Fund.

Drumming Circle with Tony Fonseca of All Hands Drumming. During ASP, Thursday, September 28, 4–5 p.m., Thacher—There is no program fee and no registration is required.

News and Announcements

Photo Day, Tuesday, October 3—All students will have their photographs taken. Forms were shared with students earlier this week. Completed forms, including payment, are submitted to the photographers on photo day. Want to skip the paperwork and order photos online? Follow the prompts to order your photo package from the Coffee Pond Photography website. If you to choose to order online, print your confirmation and have your child give it to the photographer on photo day.

Community Conversations, Wednesday, October 4, Straus Library, 5:30 p.m. dinner followed by presentation and discussion—A conversation on ”Understanding Cultural Narratives in the Public Discourse on Diversity” will be facilitated by Dr. Yndia Lorick-Wilmot, sociologist, professor, author, and Grade 5 parent. Join fellow Lower and Middle School parents to create a shared understanding of cultural narratives so that we can guide our children. No one has all the answers, but we all have questions: What do we say when our children ask us difficult questions? How are we inclusive and accepting and understanding of one another? How do we teach our children to understand and to make a difference in the world they inherit? Click here to RSVP. Dinner will be provided for parents and children, and childcare will be provided during the presentation.

Parents’ Day, Friday, October 6—Please join your children for a day at school! Details will come next week. This is a full day of classes and Middle School activities for parents.

Volunteer to Drive—The Upper School Office of Community Engagement is looking for volunteer drivers to help with any of the following weekly trips beginning on Oct.4. Trips depart from the Ware Loop, and most groups consist of 2–3 students, so drivers may use their own cars. A school minivan can also be provided if you prefer. Driving can be one-way or round trip. To volunteer for any of the trips listed below, contact Andrea Geyling.

• Wednesdays 10:15 a.m. to Boston Home for Adults with Multiple Sclerosis. Return pick up is a 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of Dorchester Ave and Gallivan Blvd, near the Ashmont T station. (about 5–7 minutes from campus)

• Wednesdays 1:20 p.m. to the Winter Valley elder residence here in Milton (5 min drive up Canton Ave). Return pick up is at 2:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays 1:30 p.m to Forbes Museum (on Adams Street) in Milton. Return pick up is at 3:30 p.m.
• Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to Collicott School in Milton. Return pick up is 9:45 a.m.
• Saturdays 8:20 a.m. to the Milton Food Pantry. Return pick up is 11:30 a.m.
• Sundays 9:40 to Urban Farm in Dorchester (15 min drive each way). Return pick up is at 12:45 p.m. (4-6 volunteers in this group)

Important Reminders

Snacks for Change—Middle School students are teaming up with Upper School students to lend a hand in Hurricane Harvey disaster relief. Over the next few weeks, proceeds of snack sales will be donated to the Kipp Foundation, which is offering support to the schools and students in Houston.

After School Program is available Monday to Friday from dismissal until 5:45 p.m.—Students report to Ware 101 promptly after dismissal, and are required to sign in and out, should they need to see teachers. Once homework is completed, students may use their free time to play, sports, games, read, etc. This year, our program is packed with exciting and fun monthly activities including workshops in comic book art, basketball, healthy eating, and Latin dance. Questions? Contact Rebecca Veira or Daniel Jordan at 617-898-2537.

Admissions: Accelerated Process for Kindergarten Siblings—Milton families interested in applying a younger sibling for Kindergarten may take advantage of an accelerated timeline for the application process. All applications for grades other than Kindergarten follow the standard application timeline as outlined on the School’s website. While we have a strong commitment to our students’ siblings, we cannot guarantee admission. With an earlier decision, we hope to give families with children for whom Milton is not an optimal fit time to investigate other options. Please reach out to our Admission office to schedule your interview which must be completed by November 10.  For more information, call 617-898-2509.

Add These Dates to Your Calendar

• No Classes, Monday, October 9—in observance of Columbus Day
• Classes Resume, Tuesday, October 10—Monday Schedule
• No Classes, Monday October 16—Mid-Fall Weekend
• Classes Resume, Tuesday, October 17—Tuesday Schedule
• Dare: Boston Reception for Parents, hosted by Sylvia and Christoph Westphal. Tuesday, October 17, The Four Seasons, 200 Boylston Street, Boston. RSVP here.

Our kids do so many cool assignments at Milton, that I encourage you, when your child brings home an assignment that resonates with you, to try it out for yourself. Not only does this validate the work that we do at School, it also shows your child that you are willing to take a risk and do some similar work. I am attaching the poem and assignment here, so read it first and then try it out for yourself!

Where I’m From
Liz West

I am from the sweet sounds of country music to
     Mountains that touch the sky with snow-capped peaks.
I am from the smell of home and decorations at every holiday.
I am from dad’s blue chair where he spent long naps snoring softly,
     Sounds of Penn State football in the background.
I am from following in Matt’s footsteps with fierce determination in the pool
     and a Division I scholarship.

I am from writing to Santa and opening stockings before breakfast,
     And a single swing on a tall tree, swinging free and quiet.
I am from potato chips with french onion dip,
     And Trouble stories next to Grandpa’s crutches.
I am from fish and hamsters but never a dog.
     Eating cookie dough with mom and Christina while dad isn’t looking.

I am from frustration because school is hard but only for me
     and four schools before high school.
I am from “Hey y’all” and The Sound of Music.
I am from thatched chairs at the kitchen table
     And singing to scare away the monsters in the basement.

I am from turkey with everyone and laughing till we cry,
     And church on Christmas and Easter but praying everyday.
I am from a family who loves reading but I read too slowly.
I am from “Toujours en Francais” and flashlight tag with neighbors in the summer.
I am from lemony sugar crepes after skiing the Alps with dad and Matt
     And “Home is wherever I’m with you.”

Dear Middle School Families,

Thank you for joining Liz West and me on Tuesday morning for our first parent coffee of the year. In the coming weeks, I will share dates of upcoming coffees that focus on our Middle School curriculum: its philosophy and underpinnings, and the amazing faculty who make the curriculum come alive for your children.

For those who missed Tuesday’s coffee, click here to watch some of it. Unfortunately, an error in the recording cut it off early and the sound is disrupted in a few spots (either that, or I really need to work on my elocution!) Liz’s full presentation slides can be viewed here.

This past week, the Admission office held a parent tour guide training and it was wonderful to see Middle School parents in attendance offering their time to assist us in this very important role. The Admission office can use as many volunteers as possible so please if you missed the training but still think you could volunteer your time—even if only once a week—click  Tour Guide Sign Up  to access the sign-up sheet. For questions, contact the K-8 Admission Office at 617-898-2509. The Admission team will be happy to help train you as a new tour guide if you have never given a tour before.

In this week’s Middle School Newsletter, you will find information about our program and some details about the week ahead.

Also, this week we are launching the Faculty Voice feature in this newsletter. Throughout the year our teachers are provided opportunities to share stories of their own with you. It’s a great way to get to know the personalities of the Middle School and to perhaps learn a little bit more about what motivates us as educators. Liz West, eager to kick off the year, has a fantastic first one.

I look forward to seeing you all soon! Have a great weekend!

Will