An overview of Upcoming Parents Association volunteer committee activities
April-May 2011
Karen DiGasbarro 314-822-1042 kfctslouis@sbcglobal.net
SPRING LUNCHEON– May 12, 2011. Click here for details.
Spring Book Fair! Support our school libraries! Click here for details.
Calling All Gardeners! Volunteers needed. See Upcoming News and Events for details.
PARENTS ACTIVITIES – Susan Johnston, Vice President sjohnston@earthlink.net
COOKBOOK
Julie Flom, Co-Chair, (314) 443-9659 jbflom@hotmail.com
Tracy Jasper, Co-Chair (314) 862-3501 tkjasper13@gmail.com
Just in time for Mother’s Day! Wondering what special gift you can get for the mom in your life? The MICDS 150th anniversary cookbooks are available anytime in the MICDS Bookstore. They are $15 a copy. Please contact Julie Flom at jbflom@hotmail.com or Tracy Jasper at tkjasper13@gmail.com with any questions.
SPRING LUNCHEON
Nancy McKown, Co-Chair (314) 962-5153 njcje@aol.com
Stacie Franc, Co-Chair (314) 991-8990 staciefranc@charter.net
Join us for the MICDS Spring Luncheon at 12 noon on MAY 12 in the Olson Presentation Room.
Celebrate the end of the school year with a complimentary lunch in the company of your friends and fellow parents. RSVP by May 6 with your choice of sliced turkey club sandwich or fresh veggie sandwich to Stacie Franc at staciefranc@charter.net or 314-991-8990 or Nancy McKown at Ncm1957@aol.com or 314-962-5153. Click here for flyer.
PARENT EDUCATION – Susan Hiemenz, Vice President shiemenz@aol.com
ELIOT SUMMER ACADEMY:
Anyone interested in registering for the Marine Ecology class held this summer, please do so as soon as possible by registering on line here. This course is offered for Grades 10-12 involving summer dates of July 5-20 with a cost of $3900. Contact Sarah Tolch 314-995-7450 x7507 or stolch@micds.org if you have any questions.
Course description: This course will give students the opportunity to develop a solid understanding of coral reef ecology and marine biology research design. Currently, coral reefs are in danger of dying off due to a variety of causes. The study, understanding, and conservation of this ecosystem is paramount to maintaining their continued existence on earth. The course will begin in St. Louis with significant background research into issues relating to this ecosystem. On July 7, students and faculty will fly to the Cayman Islands where they will spend eight days at the Little Cayman Research Center conducting research and experiencing the natural splendor of coral reef ecosystems. Upon return, the class will debrief and present their research. All students must be SCUBA certified. SCUBA training will be offered on the MICDS campus as part of the course.
The prerequisite classes are: 101 Cells, 201 Genetics, 141 Atomic Structure, 251 Reaction Quantites (or equivalent)
CULTURES WITHIN
Vicky Wroten, Chair, (314) 315-7700 vwroten@charter.net
Celebrating Cultural Heritage Months:
Chinese New Year (Feb changed to April):
In April (rescheduled from February) all students taking Chinese ate lunch at Wei Hong. Xing Xue, a Kung Fu master, who trained at the Shaolin Temple in China gave the students a presentation of techniques, weapons and boxing styles at lunch to celebrate the New Year with Mrs. Childs. Later, they enjoyed the Buddha center.
Mardi Gras: French (March):
MARDIS GRAS DESSERT TASTE FEST was held March 2 from before late start at the Blanke Room. The French students and baking club baked their French delicacies for the MS and US. Some donated king cakes and other goodies! A crepe bar with many toppings was the hit of the morning. Thanks to the many families that helped: Hiemenz, Hurley, Houghtaling, Archie, Miller, Biggs, Gallupi, Randle, Encarnation, Dr. Bean, Rush, Trowbridges, Fox, Portnoy, Carnal, Polk with teachers: Barrs, Standley and Postolace.
Certamen: Latin (April):
The Missouri Junior Classical League Convention, a Latin quiz bowl, will be held April 30 in Columbia, MO, and MICDS teachers Ms. Griffin and Mr. Llufrio will bring 15-20 MS and US students to compete with other schools from the state. Three level teams will answer questions regarding Latin, Roman civilization and mythology. Ms. Griffin has been practicing with 8th-12th grade students since November to prepare them for this challenging certamen “contest”. Cultures Within will be providing a cooler of drinks, & snacks along with fruit to supplement their lunch for their big day!
Passport to the World Event:
We are postponing our Passport event for next year. Mr. Huewe, Mr. America and Mr. Llufrio made every effort to launch the International council in the Upper School this year. In doing so, their hope was to create a Passport event that would be student-driven, needing support from the Cultures Within committee. Unfortunately, due to the new trimester system, AP exams falling on the same week, the snow days, end of year demands for the faculty, and students’ need to end their last trimester with strong GPA’s, made it impossible for the international council and our Cultures Within committee to get our event off the ground. Fortunately, we made some progress this year and we are looking forward to getting your help next year! Details will be forthcoming.
PARENT NETWORK
Marni Rebman, Chair (808) 268-5017 marnirebman@aol.com
Jen Goley, Vice-Chair (618) 781-4956 goley@sbcglobal.net
RACE TO NOWHERE:
Hundreds of thousands of American educators, parents, and students have embraced Race to Nowhere, the new documentary that explores the high-pressure, high-stakes culture that has come to define many of our children’s lives. MICDS’ “Candid Conversations” group will be hosting a screening of this important, thought-provoking film in Mary Eliot Chapel on the Middle School campus on the evening of Wednesday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. The presentation has been generously underwritten by current MICDS parents Andy and Dee Dee Kohn.
All current and recently enrolled JK-12 families at MICDS (as well as all faculty and staff at the school) are invited to join us on May 4 for the screening. Note that we encourage parents to consider coming to the screening with their children in grades 7-12 but not those in earlier grades due to the PG-13 rating of the film. A panel discussion debrief will follow directly after the screening, one including MICDS personal counselors, college counselors, learning specialists, students, and parents. Seating in Orthwein Theatre is limited, so please reserve your free tickets as soon as possible using the following weblink: http://rtnmicds.eventbrite.com. On the evening of the event, please bring printed out copies of your tickets.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY RELATIONS – Pele Childress, Vice President peleann@msn.com
AFS – American Field Service
Stacey Carman, Chair (314) 422-9894 carmans@swbell.net
Kelley Carman, Vice-Chair (314) 852-9798 carman@sbcglobal.net
MICDS is currently looking for a family to host a foreign exchange student for the 2011-2012 school year. If you are interested in learning more about this rewarding opportunity for your family, please see the AFS host family link for further information. Contact AFS sponsors: Nancy Richardson nrichardson@micds.org or Ana Saldana asaldana@micds.org. For additional information please review the following website: http://www.afs.org/afs_or/focus_on/hosting
ARTS BACKERS
Suzanne Dalton, Chair (314) 614-3388 scdltn@yahoo.com
LS drama: A Night at the Art Museum. The Fourth Graders will premiere a brand new musical: A group of students on a very special sleepover field trip to the art museum have close encounters with the spirits of master artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Pablo Picasso. The Ghostly Artists and the school children are swept up in a mystery when Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” is stolen from its frame. Performances will be held during the school day in the Freeman Theatre.
Tuesday, May 17 — Day 5 (4A cast performs at 9:00, 4B performs at 2:00)
Wednesday, May 18 — Day 6 (4B cast performs at 10:00, 4A performs at 2:00)
FACULTY APPRECIATION
Felicia Pulliam-Jones, Co-Chair/US (314) 220-4020 fapj1215@sbcglobal.net
Linda Werner, Co-Chair/US (314) 432-4180 plknwerner@aol.com
Bonita Otti, Co-Chair/MS (314) 616-2011 tibyt@sbcglobal.net
Barbara Richert, Co-Chair/MS (314) 984-9724 barbara.richert@sbcglobal.net
Lisa Johnson, Co-Chair/LS (314) 989-0862 lijohn@charter.net
Jobie Summers, Co-Chair/LS (314) 276-0008 jobieandmeade@sbcglobal.net
MICDS PARENT AMBASSADORS
Vicky Wroten, Chair MS/US (314) 315-7700 vwroten@charter.net
Michelle Cohen, Chair LS (314) 265-9684 michelle-cohen@sbcglobal.net
Thanks to all of the Parent Ambassadors who made our admission events such a great success this year! Our touring season is complete, but if you want to get a head start in training to become a tour guide for next year, and becoming a Parent Ambassador, contact Vicky Wroten at 314-315-7700 vwroten@charter.net. You can have the opportunity of greeting and hosting events or conducting tours to help spread the great news about the wonderful learning experiences at MICDS.
PLANT SALE
Tracey Singer, Co-Chair, (314) 991-9006 tfs64@aol.com
Jane Southworth, Co-Chair, (314) 313-6472 janesw@charter.net
SPRING BOOK SALE
Michelle Cohen, Co-Chair (314) 265-9684 michelle-cohen@sbcglobal.net
Angela Martin, Co-Chair (314) 724-0946 mmartin05@aol.com
Tammy Walsh, Co-Chair (314) 469-1516 labtrw@aol.com
COMING SOON!! THE SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR AT MICDS.
BUY GREAT BOOKS IN A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS.
WHEN: TUES, MAY 3RD 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WED*, MAY 4TH 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
THURS, MAY 5th 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WED*, MAY 4TH 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
THURS, MAY 5th 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE STUDIO
WHY: THE PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES.
VOLUNTEER FOR A 2 HOUR SHIFT!! –EMAIL ANGELA MARTIN @ MMARTIN05@AOL.COM
*READING, WRITING, AND RUNNING DAY IS THURSDAY – MAY 6TH FOR THE LOWER SCHOOL
SPORTS BOOSTERS
Lisa Windsor, Chair, (314) 965-0699 wtalyf@aol.com
Bev Mach, Vice-Chair (314) 750-1752 bevmach@sbcglobal.net
Thank you for all your support this year! This year Sports Boosters coordinated team parents for about 85 teams in the upper and middle school, hosted 3 coaches dinners, supplied rally towels for the Coaches vs. Cancer “Think Pink” and Chaifetz games, and funded Gatorade with the athletic department for our athletes on the field. In May, we will be hosting the Senior Awards Banquet for 45 athletes (who have earned 5 or more varsity letters), their parents and the athletic staff. And finally, thanks to our generous Sports Booster members this year. Because of you, we will be making a financial donation to the Upper and Middle School Athletic departments. Thank you again for supporting Sports Boosters!
SPIRIT WEAR CLOSET
Mary Murawski, Chair, (314) 567-6530 m.murawski@yahoo.com
Vicky Wroten, Co-Chair, (314) 315-7700 vwroten@charter.net
We are so grateful to parents, who continue to donate gently used items: MS Choir shirts, PE clothing, boy’s navy blazers, MICDS-logo’d sweatshirts and t-shirts, Graduation dresses and Graduation ties. Bring your donations to the receptacle at the MS checkered hallway or US May Hall lobby. If the needed size is available, your student can have it at no cost. Anyone interested in helping with collection and distribution efforts throughout the year, contact Mary Murawski m.murawski@yahoo.com 314-567-6530
SCHOOL SERVICES – Bev Mach, Vice President bevmach@sbcglobal.net
BOOKSTORE
Laura Barnes, Co-Chair, (314) 997-2290 ldbarnes@mac.com
Martha Martin, Co-Chair, (314) 993-9659 marthamartin@sbcglobal.net
The Bookstore Committee needs your help! Please volunteer for a shift once a month. Sign up with a friend! There are usually 2-3 volunteers per shift. Several slots are available. Please call or email Martha Martin or Laura Barnes. They will help coordinate a time for you to work!
Laura Barnes ldbarnes@mac.com or 314-997-2290
Martha Martin marthahmartin@sbcglobal.net or 314-993-9659
GARDENING
Blair Thompson, Chair, (314) 569-0482 b_y_thompson@hotmail.com
Gardening Committee desperately needs volunteers!!! Please join us on Tuesday April 26/ Wednesday April 27. (Lunch provided by Lisa Lyle on Tuesday!) We could use your help in planting flowers, making our campus beautiful for all the upcoming spring events and receptions. The more volunteers, the faster it goes….so bring a friend or two along for a morning/afternoon of fresh air and exercise! No experience necessary; we will provide the trowels if you provide us with an hour or more of your precious time. Please contact Blair Thompson 314-569-0482 (b_y_thompson@hotmail.com) or Laura Streett 314-716-3213(lstreett@att.net) for more information.
GREENHOUSE
Kim Pope, Chair (3618) 616-2655 kimpopealton@yahoo.com
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Do you need a green fern or pretty live plant for your next school function? Call the Greenhouse Committee.
CONTACTS: Judith Stupp (314) 968-1462 or Kim Pope (618) 616-2655
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
Chalana Scales-Ferguson, Chair/US, (314) 838-7705 chalanaf@sbcglobal.net
Leanne Morgan, Chair/LS, (314) 479-5328 lbones@sbcglobal.net