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As I write this, The Wall Street Journal has just printed an article listing us as one of the most successful high schools anywhere.  I could talk about how I disagree with their method of arriving at that conclusion (although the conclusion is, of course, correct) or how superficial and uninformative are all systems of ranking schools.  However, my interest is more in how we measure or even understand so complex a process as education.  I am concerned with how the world defines success for a school.  What makes a school “good” or, more importantly, good for a particular child?
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Milton Academy's Visiting Artists

Bill Irwin
Melissa Dilworth Gold Visiting Artist
Mr. Bill Irwin, a Tony Award-winning actor, comedian, dancer, mime and clown, was on campus December 4 and 5 as this year’s Melissa Dilworth Gold Visiting Artist. Bill’s talents are diverse: in addition to performing, his career has also involved producing, directing, writing and choreographing. His Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor was awarded for his role in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee. He has also been noted for his popular Great Performances special on PBS and for his role as “Mr. Noodle” on Sesame Street. During his two-day visit to Milton, he taught several Master classes and talked with students and faculty about these various art forms.
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Claire Messud ’83
Bingham Visiting Writer 
 Author and alumna Claire Messud ’83 returned to campus on Wednesday, November 14, as part of Milton’s Bingham Visiting Writers Series. Claire’s first novel, When the World Was Steady, and her book of novellas, The Hunters, were finalists for the PEN/Faulkner Award; her second novel, The Last Life, was a Publishers Weekly “Best Book of the Year” and an “Editor’s Choice” at The Village Voice. All three books were New York Times “Notable Books of the Year.” Her most recent book, The Emperor’s Children, has earned wide acclaim; the New York Times Book Review named Messud an author of “unnerving talent.”
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Applications Available for Off-campus Study Programs
A few weeks ago, Milton hosted a student assembly about off-campus programs in order to stimulate thinking about possibilities for Class III students for the 2008-2009 academic year. Programs offered to students include CityTerm, The Main Coast Semester of the Chewonki Foundation and The Mountain School Program of Milton Academy.  If your child is interested in one of these programs, they may pick up an application and instructions from Jessica Davis in the Deans’ Office. Completed applications, along with a list of teachers who will be providing recommendations, need to be returned to Jessica Davis by February 4, 2008. Students may apply for multiple programs.

Click here for more information about these off-campus programs.  Contact associate dean of students, André Heard, at andre_heard@milton.edu if you have questions.

Help Connect Senior Projects with People and Places in Boston
Each year, many Class I students participate in Senior Projects for the last five weeks of their Milton experience. They develop, propose and implement projects that extend their skills or provide challenges in new areas; experience work in a professional arena; or work with their hands on artistic or practical constructs. Often students need mentors or professional settings to fulfill their project ideas. For example, graphic designers, scientists (and their laboratories or classrooms), physicians, artists, architects, radio and television professionals and chefs are routinely part of the pantheon who support Milton seniors during project time. If you have an idea, an opportunity, or an expertise that you think might be helpful to members of the Class of 2008, please send an email to faculty member Anne Kaufman, who directs senior projects (anne_kaufman@milton.edu).

Students Spend Another Spring Break Helping Those in Need
In March of 2008, 27 students and three adults will travel to Belize in Central America during their spring break vacation to help renovate school classrooms, assist with the installation of water pumps, and tutor children.  This is the third annual service trip sponsored by the community service program, following two years of traveling to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. On Saturday, January 5, the community service program hosts a student-faculty talent show to rally support and funds for the trip.  Proceeds from the event will pay for building supplies and other materials needed for the community where the group will be working.


Milton Dining Wins National Recognition
After a smooth transition into a newly renovated kitchen days before students arrived for the 2007-2008 academic year, Milton’s dining services, FLIK Independent Schools at Milton Academy, added a few trophies to decorate their spice rack. Executive Chef Andrea Donofrio won the National Whole Grains Challenge, a competition involving restaurants, schools and hospitals from across the country. FLIK won the challenge in the category of K-12 independent schools by demonstrating a commitment to serving whole grains. In November, Michael Santoemmo, catering director at Milton, won the President’s Award, and Milton’s dining management team and staff were awarded the Northeast Account of the Year and the National Account of the Year in recognition for their continuing efforts to serve healthier food. 

Thank You to Those Who Made Parents' Weekend a Success
It was wonderful to see so many fellow parents on campus over Parents' Weekend taking part in their student's day.  It appeared to be a valuable experience for all.  A heartfelt thanks goes out to the hosts of the class parent receptions: Lucinda and Richard Larson (Class I), Laurie and Paul Konowitz (Class II), Nancy Reed and Sam Perkins (Class III) and Kricket and Jonathan Seidman (Class IV).  These gracious hosts provided a warm welcome into their homes to parents after the busy day of activities.  Each party was well attended by over 100 guests, many of whom were visiting from all over the country and points beyond.  We were happy that our guests even included several delightful grandparents.    

Class Dinners
We are pleased to report that the Class III and Class IV dinners on campus were also a success.  The candlelit dinner in Straus Library for Class III parents was organized by class rep, Mindy D’Arbeloff, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank her for planning this great evening.  At the dinner, Class III parents were pleased to meet Class III deans, Don Dregalla and Maria Gerrity.  Deans Dregalla and Gerrity mentioned that they are getting to know the students quite well by this point in the year; the deans also reminded parents to contact their child’s advisor with any questions initially, but parents were also encouraged to contact the class deans, particularly if there are questions about attendance or morning check-in procedures and things of that nature.  Class III parents also heard an interesting discussion with one of Milton's police officers who spoke about teen driver safety.  The officer cautioned that teens should be reminded to buckle up and to make sure others in the car are buckled in.  Of course, parents should remind young drivers to obey all traffic regulations including those that are applicable to junior operators.

We would also like to thank Andrea Peabody for her hard work in organizing an entertaining Class IV parent dinner in Wigg Hall.  This was a great opportunity for parents new to the school to meet and greet one another.  Class IV parents were addressed by several administration and faculty members including academic dean, David Ball, who gave an excellent talk about the adjustment to Milton.  Class deans, Ms. Steimle and Mr. Fitzpatrick, also provided a number of very timely observations about life in Class IV.  Parents were also treated to a delightful presentation by a small group of the Miltones. 

Thanks also to Flik for the delicious cuisine served with a smile at both dinners.

Parents' Association Dues
We would like to thank the 30% of families who have paid their dues for this school year.  If you haven’t paid yet, please send your check for $60 for one student or $100 for 2 or more students to:

Mark Kaplan, Treasurer MAPA
38 Winthrop Street
Milton, MA 02186

Milton Mix-Ups
The Mix-Up Committee is still looking for a few additional hosts in all classes, both local families and out-of-town families.  The dinners can be completely designed by the host with as many guests as the host would like to entertain.  Pot luck is the most common style, with each guest bringing a dish.  It does not have to be a fancy dinner party, just a good opportunity to spend time with other parents.  Year after year, many parents say it is the best social gathering of the school year. 

Gregg Reilly
Chair, Mathematics Department

“Sports data are the typical resource of statistics ‘guys,’" says Gregg Reilly, math department chair, “so I make sure not to use sports for our analyses.  Recently we checked out the relationship of fat and calories in pizza, for instance, and the percent of mishandled baggage relative to the percent of on-time flights.  I love statistics; teaching it is a passion of mine.  Technology has made statistics accessible to everyone; because it’s accessible, it's interesting.  Using a graphing calculator or Fathom software, you download data.  So you spend most of your time investigating it and interpreting it — a much more interactive learning process.” 

Gregg is a “statistics guy,” but he also teaches calculus and pre-calculus, math I and geometry (but not all at once).  He has been teaching at Milton since 2001, joining the faculty here after 16 years of teaching in public schools. 
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A Weekend of Winter Concerts
 
The much-anticipated orchestral and choral Winter Concerts are this weekend.  Choose between two concerts or better still, enjoy both: Friday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 9 at 4:00 p.m. in the Ruth King Theatre.
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Coaches Corner
A wrap-up of the 2007 fall varsity athletic season 
 
On Wednesday, November 14, coaches and athletes gathered in Straus Library to celebrate the stories and successes of the fall athletic season at the annual Fall Awards Dinner. Coaches Kevin Macdonald (football), Richard Buckner (girls' cross country), Peter Kahn (girls' soccer), Juan Ramos (boys' soccer), Bronwen Evans (field hockey) and Scott Bosworth (boys' cross country) shared their thoughts about the 2007 fall teams and the players that stood out during the season. Click here to read a team-by-team summary from this year's coaches.

Milton Presents 
 
Milton's performing arts department presented three powerful plays this fall that once again showcased students' talents and passion for theatre. Cllck here to view a slideshow of photos from The Diary of Anne Frank, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Proof.

Let the Games Begin
Last week, Milton's Mustangs took charge of the ice, water, mountains, courts and mats to begin the 2007–2008 winter athletic season. Use the links below to view varsity game schedules and results or click here to get updates on all of Milton’s winter teams.

Varsity Game Schedules
Boys' Basketball
Girls' Basketball
Boys' Hockey
Girls' Hockey
Skiing
Boys' Squash
Girls' Squash
Swimming
Volleyball
Wrestling

Parents’ Fund
Milton Academy’s Parent Giving program has experienced tremendous success during the first half of the 2007–2008 academic year.  We would like to say a big “Thank you!” to parents who have already made a gift to the Parents’ Annual Fund this year.

The great achievement thus far is, in no small part, due to all of Milton’s parent volunteers who play an integral role in our Parents’ Fund.  There have been great results from the two fall Parent Giving phonathons, with a combined $39,425 raised from 50 gifts and pledges.

Thank you to the following Parents’ Fund volunteers who participated in our November and December phonathons:

Jackie Bechek – P ’06 ’07 ’10,
  Parents’ Fund Co-Chair
Marty Cavanaugh - P’18 ’20,
  Parents’ Fund Co-Chair
Ed Vilandrie – P’18 ’20,
  Parents’ Fund Co-Chair
Mary Burke – P ’12 ’13
Betsy Cohen – P ’07 ’10
Michael Connolly – P ’20
Bob Cunha – P’15 ’19
Jodi Feeney –P’16
Heidi Gilmore – P ’14
Nancy Harris – P’09 ’10 ’15
Mark Kaplan – P’10
Todd Peters – P’13 ’16 ’20

Two more Parent Giving phonathons will take place in 2008; please mark your calendars:

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

Parent Giving phonathons take place in Milton Academy’s Development Office that is located in the Caroline Saltonstall Building. 

As the calendar year comes to an end, please consider making your gift to Milton Academy. Click here to make a gift online.

You can also make your gift in honor of your child, or a Milton teacher or coach.  The individual will be notified that a gift was made in their honor and the gift will be listed in Milton Academy’s 2007–2008 Annual Report next fall.

Class I 2008 Parent Gift
The Class I 2008 Parent Gift will establish the Class I Endowed Fund for Faculty Support that will help the Academy recruit, retain and recognize the expert faculty who teach at Milton.  Currently, 16 percent of Class I parents have donated almost $180,000 to the Class I Endowed Fund for Faculty Support.  Please consider making your gift or pledge to the Class I 2008 Parent Gift.

The Class I 2008 Parent Gift Committee has been reaching out to Class I parents who have not yet made a gift as we strive to reach the goal of 100 percent participation. 

We would also like to thank the Class I 2008 Parent Gift Committee members:

Gail & Don McGovern, Class I 2008
  Parent Gift Committee Co-Chairs
Charlie & Steve Wagner, Class I 2008
  Parent Gift Committee Co-Chairs
Amy & David Abrams
Candace & Virgil Aiello
Mimi & George Bennett
McKey & James Berkman
Gayle & Stephen Bernstein
Ruth Birnberg & Thomas Shapiro
Deedie & Michael Bouscaren
Diane & Pericles Caminis
Peggy & Albert Chao
Sara Read - Englis
Anne & Alain Goldrach
Ilene Greenberg & Michael Maynard
Anne Harris
Cela & Matthew Hobbs ’72
Patricia Hopkins & Peter Friedensohn
Lucinda & Richard Larson
Frances & Clint McSherry
Karen & Gary Miller
Anne & Ned Pride ’76
Carol Flynn-Rice & Peter Rice
Dorothy Sanders & Charles Walker
Nidia & Jorge Schuhmacher
Pamela & George Thorpe
Barbara & James Waterhouse
Nancy Watters & Stephen Sayre
Sandra & Chester Williams
Anne-Marie & Thomas Woodhouse

Please contact Shannon Ollerhead at shannon_ollerhead@milton.edu or 617-898-2374 with any questions regarding the Class I 2008 Parent Gift. Gifts must be received by June 30, 2008.