Dear Families,
What a week it’s been for the Middle School! One week ago today, students enjoyed an unforgettable student social. As usual, Jacqui Hardaway and Sharon Mathieu outdid themselves. They thought of every detail and handled the changing weather like event pros. Sunday brought two other wonderful Middle School moments: Kayla Mathieu ‘21, Laurel Starks, and Sonya Conway helped to organize an energetic team of student volunteers to prepare lunches for hundreds of athletes and their coaches at the annual Special Olympics Track and Field event on campus. Later on, our students dazzled again at the Humanities Workshop at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. The original masks and poems created by our Grade 8 students were heartfelt and authentic depictions of economic inequality and moving examples of the power of humanities in raising awareness of social justice issues. I am so grateful to Sharon Mathieu for her leadership and diligence in making sure our students had such a strong presence at this event.
By late Sunday night, I was beaming with pride about our Middle School students and faculty and wondering, “Can it get any better?” And then about 12 hours later, I got my answer: Yup. The Choosing To Participate student showcase was a tour de force! The Grade 7 students prepared a diverse slate of projects that left all visitors feeling enlightened and inspired. Many, many thanks to all Grade 7 advisors for their help in guiding students’ work all year. But a very special thank you in particular to Steven Bertozzi for making the CTP a marquee element of the Grade 7 experience and for empowering each student to believe they are capable of high-level scholarly work that can make our community—and world—a better place.
Wishing you all a fantastic Memorial Day weekend!
Sincerely,
Nancy
Year-End Events
No School in observance of Memorial Day, Monday, May 27—When we return to school on May 28, we will follow a Tuesday schedule.
ARTStravaganza, Tuesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 30, 2:15–3:30 p.m., King Theatre— Chorus and Jazz will perform on Tuesday and General Music and Speech will perform on Thursday. Parents are welcome to join us to celebrate the performing arts.
No After School, Thursday, May 30—So that all our faculty and staff can attend the Faculty Appreciation celebration, the After School Program will be closed on May 30. Thank you in advance for your understanding and for making alternate plans. ASP will resume its regular schedule on Friday, May 31.
Awards Ceremony, Friday, May 31, 8 a.m., Chapel—Chapel dress required. Chapel dress consists of skirt, dress pants and blouse, or dress; collared shirt, tie and slacks (not jeans or shorts) and appropriate footwear. Only parents of award recipients are invited to attend and will be contacted individually.
Grade 8 Straus Reading, Friday, May 31, 9:30 a.m., Straus Library—Ten to fifteen Grade 8 students will be selected by their peers to share original poems created in English class at the annual Straus Reading. This event is open to anyone in the Milton community. The Straus reading typically lasts 30-45 minutes and showcases student creativity and emotional depth.
Grade 8 Social, Monday, June 3, 7–9 p.m., Wigg—Grade 8 students are invited to their final social before heading to the Upper School! This event also requires chapel dress. There will be a candy bar, snacks and refreshments. Dinner will not be provided.
Class Day, Tuesday, June 4—Grades 6 and 7 will be going to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire, and Grade 8 will be going to Apex Entertainment in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Admission fees are covered. Students in Grades 6 and 7 should bring money for snacks and lunch. Students in Grade 8 will be provided lunch; students are welcome to bring lunch if they prefer.
Weekly Speech Practice—Tuesday, June 4, 4:30–5:45 p.m. Ware Hall
Closing Ceremony, Wednesday, June 5, 8:30–10 a.m., King Theatre—Chapel Dress. Grade 8 families are invited to attend. Due to limited space in King, we are only able to guarantee seating for two family members per eighth-grade student. Following the ceremony, there will be a reception for Grade 8 students and their families on the Middle School Quad from 10–11 a.m.
Dismissal for Summer at 11 a.m. No ASP.
Reminders
Come Celebrate our MILTON PRIDE, Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., meet in the Trinity Church square—Join the 2019 Milton Academy community marching corps for the 48th Annual Boston LGBTQ+ Pride Parade, Looking Back, Loving Forward: 50 years post-Stonewall. Families are welcome to stay past 2 p.m. to enjoy the festivities. We will meet as a group at 10 a.m.(ish) by Trinity Church Plaza (specific time and location will be updated pending information from parade organizers). The parade ends at Boston City Hall. Marching tends to end by 2 p.m. If you would like to join us please fill out THIS SIGN-UP FORM by Friday, May 31. If you would like a T-shirt, please do so today and include T-shirt sizes needed in the designated area of the form.
MS After School Program
The After School Program is available Monday to Friday from dismissal until 5:45 p.m. The Middle School ASP is open Monday through Friday—Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:30–5:45 p.m.; and Wednesday and Friday from 2–5:45 p.m. (unless otherwise noted on the Milton Academy Calendar). The program closes promptly at 5:45 p.m. If you are unable to pick up your child by this time please notify rebecca_veira@milton.edu or call 617-898-2537. Students who have not been picked up by 5:45 p.m. will be escorted to Cox Library by an ASP teacher where they can wait for rides.