Setting Milton’s Priorities: Be Sure to Weigh In

Strategic planning is center stage at Milton right now. 

Milton’s trustees, administrators, faculty and staff mobilized this broad-based planning effort last January. All are eager to connect with as many Milton parents as possible, and secure your points of view about Milton’s future. We are intently focused on making sure Milton’s mission and values are renewed, revitalized and relevant.

Please join the many parents who have expressed their opinions through the feedback link at Milton’s Strategic Planning Web site. Use the link that says: Give Us Your Feedback.

Over the last several months, parents shared their perspectives in person with Head of School Todd Bland or Principal David Ball, at events on campus and across the country. From Boston and New York to Florida, the Midwest and the West Coast, Todd invited parents and alumni to join him in conversation. Mr. Ball has extended the conversation from the Milton campus to Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
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Governor Deval Patrick Will Address the Class of 2012

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Milton Academy Class of 1974, will deliver the commencement address to this year’s graduating class. Governor Patrick was elected to office in 2006 and is now serving his second term as the state’s first African-American governor.

Born and raised in Chicago, Deval came to Milton in 1970 as part of the A Better Chance program, which provides “access to quality education for thousands of young people of color… who can compete effectively in schools, colleges and the workplace.” (abetterchance.org) Classmate Anna Waring ’74, a fellow ABC alum, met Deval during the summer program before they both matriculated at Milton. “Friendly, sweet, serious about his work and compassionate,” is how she describes Deval as a 13-year old.
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Graduation 2012: A Time for Joyous Celebration

Graduation is fast approaching and Milton's administration, faculty and staff are preparing for the celebration. Festivities begin on Thursday, June 7, with a reception for the graduating students, their parents and their guests from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Schwarz Student Center. A variety of groups will perform at the event to give Class I parents a last chance to witness some of the many talents of the Class of 2012.

The graduation ceremony will be held on the lawn in front of Robert Saltonstall Gym on Friday, June 8, at 10 a.m. Live video streaming of the event will be available on Milton's Web site. Further information about the live streaming will be provided later this spring.

Click here to find further details of the graduation ceremony and surrounding events.

Important Dates for Class I Students

Milton's New Head Monitors

Does April feel like election season to you? Fresh from the Class II Retreat, full of energy and spirit for their class and School, Class II students find the courage to rise to the challenge of running for office. Over the course of a week in mid-April, ten boys and three girls—self-nominated—made his or her case to all students and to the faculty, that he or she should be one of the two head monitors for the 2012–2013 year.

On Wednesday, April 11, ten male candidates delivered three-minute speeches to a packed house in the ACC. Students, Class IV through Class I, then had until 11 p.m. to rank the nominees in order from one through ten. Those three boys receiving the highest-ranking votes went on to deliver longer, final speeches, with the three female candidates, on Tuesday, April 17.
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Poland, Belize, Florida
Spring Break Trips for Teams of Many Kinds

Carrying instruments, sporting equipment and looking forward to jam-packed itineraries, Milton students boarded planes headed for domestic and international destinations.  Spring break in March brought enriching and exciting experiences.

The Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Singers toured in Germany and Poland. After landing in Berlin, the group of 65—including students, parents and faculty members—traveled to Poznań and Trybunalski, Poland where they performed in local churches.

“In Trybunalski, we were guests at a reception where the bishop of the church and mayor of the city presented us with gifts,” says Don Dregalla, chair of the music department. “During the reception, the chamber singers serenaded our hosts.  Starting the tour this way was spectacular.”
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Milton Hosts Online Creative Writing Workshop

This week, alumni collected online to touch base once again with faculty members Jim Connolly and Lisa Baker, along with nine creative writing students in a "workshopping" session. Training in how to workshop effectively, that is, to read, critique and support fellow writers, is a particular and cherished Milton experience. Alumni report that the quality of Milton "workshopping" is rarely matched by their college versions of the same. During the online session, faculty discussed the creative writing process at Milton, and the importance of collaboration as the centerpiece of that process. Students read poetry and critiqued selected pieces. Use the link below to listen to a recording of the Webinar.
Listen to the online workshop.

Earlier this month, accepted students and their families visited Milton to get a closer look at our School. Milton's musicians, actors and dancers took to the stage in King Theatre to give these new students a taste of the art program. Click on the videos below to view samples of our students' performances.

Ian Torney ’82 Exhibits in the Nesto

Milton’s Nesto Gallery opened its doors on April 10 to At the Horizon: Recent Paintings—an exhibition by alumnus Ian Torney, Class of 1982.

“I have been a painter of the observed landscape for nearly two decades now, painting in oil on board or canvas,” says Mr. Torney in his artist statement. “I came into my practice initially as a plein air landscape painter, making small works not wholly beholden to but derived from what was seen on location, and in reaction to a myriad of external (and perhaps internal) circumstances… I strive to make even my small canvases possess an inherent monumentality.”

His recent series, At The Horizon, is an “exploration of the boundless implications of ambiguity, mystery and promise found where the earth meets the sky,” he says. “It is an exploration directed as much by where the paint leads as it is by what the subject inspires.”

The show continues through May 15 on the lower level of Milton’s Art and Media Center. The gallery is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment. For parents unable to visit the gallery, click on the link below to view a photo slideshow of Ian's work on display.
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What Happens at C2R?
Class II Retreat Kicks off Election Season

Each spring, as the seniors begin to look to life beyond Milton, the Class II students prepare to become the School’s leaders, setting the goals and the tone for the coming year. The official start to this shift happens during the Class II Retreat (C2R). Class II students and their advisors venture to Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for a weekend of bonding with classmates and activities designed to get students thinking about their identity as a class, and their new role as leaders.

On March 31, buses arrived at the camp retreat in the late afternoon, and students spent most of the pre-dinner hours competing in friendly games, such as capture the flag. After the family-style, sit-down dinner, students heard from the weekend’s keynote speaker, Mr. Mike Weber, who specializes in leadership workshops and presentations for high school and college students. “Mike Weber does a great job of redefining for students what a leader really is,” says André Heard, associate dean of students. “He explains that each of us can be a leader by exercising our own influence on those around us. The stronger our relationships are, the more influence we have. The more we connect with others, the easier it is for us to motivate people to action.”
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More Than One Way to Serve
Milton Players Use Basketballs and Nets

Basketball players, girls and boys, brought their passing and shooting skills to a variety of community service events during the winter months.

In December, the Community Service Program hosted a holiday party for children from the Brookview House, a shelter for at-risk and homeless mothers and children. The afternoon kicked off with basketball games in the Robert Saltonstall Gymnasium, and members of the girls basketball team assisted.

At the anniversary of Haiti’s earthquake, Milton organized its third successful Hoops for Haiti basketball event in the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center. On January 18, student teams faced off against squads that included administrators, staff and faculty from throughout the School. The event raised a total of $1,005. Proceeds went to the Boston Foundation's Haiti Fund, which awards grants to projects that address challenges of permanent housing, education and rural livelihoods outside of Port-au-Prince.
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Milton Hosts Annual BISCCA Fair

The BISCCA (Boston Independent School College Counselors Association) College Fair will take place on Milton’s campus this Sunday, April 29, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the ACC. The fair is an opportunity to gather initial information about many colleges and meet admission officers who will likely be reading the Milton students’ applications. Running concurrently with the fair will be a couple of breakout sessions. Please see the schedule for the times and location of these sessions.

Over 120 college representatives will be in attendance. Download a list of schools and programs that will be part of this year’s fair. Parents are welcome to attend with their student.

Principal David Ball Talks with Parents

On the night before spring break, Upper School Principal David Ball met with parents in Straus Library.

Parents will soon be able to access their Milton statement through Milton's online parents' portal, myMilton. Working closely with the business office, Milton's technology team has developed a system to gather information from the School's database and securely render that data—in the form of traditional monthly statements—in myMilton. Current monthly statement recipients will receive an email from the business office informing them that their statement is available for viewing in myMilton. Parents can always find these statements by logging in to myMilton and clicking on the "Monthly Statement" link from the "Student Info" dropdown menu. Milton is excited to offer this long-sought option to parents. This initiative also furthers the School's commitment to developing sustainable practices where possible. It is our intention to begin the process in July, however the business office will communicate additional information as we near the end of this academic year. In the interim, please take a moment to ensure the School has your current email address on file. Log in to myMilton and navigate to the "My Info" menu option to verify or change your email address.

Milton Hosts College Kick-off 2012

The College Counseling Office hosted it's annual College Kick-off event for Class II families. For those who missed the event, click below to listen to audio of the presentation.

Download audio

Emergency Drills Aim At Keeping Our Campus Safe

Preparing for effective, efficient response in the event of emergencies is an evolving endeavor at any school. Ensuring the safety of our students and employees is Milton’s priority.

Once each semester, Milton’s Campus Safety department, along with town safety officials, conducts a School-wide emergency lockdown drill. During these planned drills, Milton Academy’s outdoor siren (located on the Ware Hall roof) sounds with instructions. At the same time, indoor public address systems broadcast instructions in several campus buildings. Finally, our electronic communication system broadcasts, through email and cell phones, information and instructions to faculty, staff and students—all of whom have been instructed in the School’s safety procedures.

Though we do not activate the parent communication element during a practice drill, in the case of an actual emergency, the same electronic notification system would send broadcast email and cell phone notification to parents, as soon as is reasonably possible.

Please be sure to keep your contact information up-to-date through your myMilton account. You may also send address, phone or email changes to directory_feedback@milton.edu.

Video Blog Gives Admitted Students an Insider's Look at Milton

The admission office at Milton launched a video blog Web site this March to give newly admitted students a closer look at our School. Launched prior to new students' revisits to Milton's campus, the site features videos collected over the last year that capture the fun and excitement that happens in and outside our classrooms. From the annual Boat Building contest in Paul Menneg's class to a walk through a reception of the student art show and from rehearsals of the 1212 Play to heated battles on the squash courts, each video is a small slice of life at Milton. While welcoming our newest students, the site also attempts to to let our new families know who we are. Click below to view the site.
www.welcometomilton.com

Thanks to the entire Board for their hard work reaching out to students, parents and the School's administration this year. One of our goals was to continue to improve communication among the Milton community. We have had frank and substantive discussions with Academic Dean Jackie Bonenfant, Dean of Students Bridget Johnson, Athletic Director Lamar Reddicks, and Cathy Everett, chief communications officer, all of whom were candid, informative and interested in listening and acting on the Board’s concerns and issues. We continue to seek ways in which communications for all parents are helpful, pertinent and easily accessible. This online parents' newsletter, Centre Connection, is one of the best ways to keep abreast of what is happening on campus with students and parents. The College Counseling site provides information for students and parents regarding counseling meetings, test dates and college visits to the campus and surrounding area. The Milton Magazine, accessible online at miltonmagazine.org, is published twice a year and features insightful writing, photography and discussion. It is a vehicle to keep alumni connected with the School and for students to see where alumni have made their marks.

Parents of boarding and day students worked together over the year on many fronts from Donut/Apple days, class dinners, and exam treat bags to the wonderful Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch. The Parents’ Association liaison, Sally Drescher, and Milton’s communications office, led by Cathy Everett, have been instrumental in disseminating our message safely and effectively and we thank them for their help and support.

Our president, Helene Haddad, and vice president, Lita Young, have been dynamic leaders and we thank them for all their hard work in setting our goals and making this a successful year. Lita Young will continue on as president next year and we know her leadership will be thoughtful and energetic.

As the year ends, we look ahead to many special events ahead of us:

Upcoming Events

Monday, May 7
Milton Parents' Association Meeting 7-9 p.m. in the CSG conference room
Everyone is welcome to attend either in person or by phone. The guest speaker for the May meeting will be Rod Skinner, College Counseling.

Saturday, May 12 at 6 p.m.
The annual Boat Dance for Class II students will take place again this year. A favorite event of the students, they enjoy delicious food planned and donated by the Parents' Association and a lovely evening on the water aboard a cruise boat that leaves from the Boston docks. Many thanks to the Class II parent reps, Mita Spilo and Candace Simourian for coordinating this event.

Tuesday, May 15 at 7 p.m.
The Parents' Association hosts the closing event in Straus Library with Head of School Todd Bland. He will speak to “the state of the Academy” and will entertain an informal question and answer session over dessert and coffee.

Tuesday, May 22
Students will be treated to Ice Cream at 10 a.m. in the Schwarz Student Center.

Friday, May 25
Parents' Association sponsors snack tables for Milton-Nobles Day, various athletic fields.

Saturday, June 2
The Class I Parent event will take place on Saturday, June 2, 7-9 p.m. in Wigg Hall. Class I parents will enjoy a final social gathering right after sending the students off on the trolleys to their Senior Prom at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel. All of the students will return to the Schwarz Student Center following the prom and be picked up by their parent at 2 a.m. The Class I reps, Wendy Ballinger and Judy Reilly, are working with the School to make sure that the Prom is a great and memorable event.
 
Monday, June 4
Milton Parents' Association Meeting 7-9 p.m. in the CSG conference room

Wednesday, June 6
Classes end

Thursday, June 7
Principal/Faculty Reception for seniors and parents 4 p.m. in the Schwarz Student Center

Friday, June 8
Graduation 10 a.m.
Dorms close at 6 p.m.

News posted this month on milton.edu

Michael Lou immerses himself in teaching his classes so thoroughly that sometimes a student needs to remind him gently that the time has come for them to move on to the next class.

“Sometimes I don’t know where the time has gone,” laughs Michael. “I can forget the time because I enjoy being in the presence of all these young minds who are so curious about the subject matter.”

Michael was born in Rangoon, Burma, after his parents fled the Japanese invasion of Shanghai. His grandfather, who helped raise him, piqued Michael’s interest in history with stories about China’s past. When Michael was young, the family relocated to Boston for educational opportunities. After attending Middlesex and Brown University, Michael was working in fund management when he decided to earn a master’s in history at Harvard. His thesis was on modern Chinese military strategies.
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Orchestras and Choral Groups in the Lights this Weekend

Two spring concert events will play to audiences in the Kellner Performing Arts Center. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27, the orchestra and chamber orchestra greet audiences in King Theatre for the annual Spring Orchestra Concerts. The Chamber Orchestra opens the evening with three movements from Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 103. Karen Li (I) will be the featured violinist in Pablo de Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs). The full orchestra will honor American experimental composer John’s Cage’s 100th birthday by performing 4′33″(Four Minutes and 33 Seconds). The audience will leave envigorated as the concert concludes with a march by John Philip Souza called The Washington Post.

On Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m., the second concert event features a rich combination of music by the Milton's chamber singers, gospel choir, a cappella groups and Glee Club. The chamber singers will perform songs from their recent tour in Germany and Poland. The Glee Club will perform George Handel’s Let Their Celestial Concerts Unite. The concert is dedicated to Jean McCawley, long-time member of Milton's music department and active in her retirement with Milton’s music and alumni programs.

From the Balcony of King
Watch Glee Club rehearsals
Watch orchestra rehearsals

Challenging Work for Actors New to Milton’s Stages
A Streetcar Named Desire

Wigg Hall becomes a cramped apartment in working-class New Orleans for the spring 1212 Play production of Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire. Peter Parisi, chair of the performing arts department, is directing the play with the help of two student assistants, Emilie Tréhu (I) and Rick Dionne (IV).

Nine of the ten cast members appear for the first time on the Milton stage in this production. Shannon Reilly (I) plays Stella Kowalski and Clare Dingle (II) plays her sister, the fading southern belle, Blanche DuBois.

“Blanche is a fascinating character,” says Clare. “She is complicated and tragic. She is delicate, but she can also be so cruel to the people around her.”

Adam Basri (II) plays Stella’s husband, Stanley, whose character demands a physical presence on the stage; Adam is up to the task. Referring to the original stage and film versions with Marlon Brando as Stanley, Peter says, “I told Adam that I don’t want to see Brando’s Stanley, I want to see Adam’s Stanley. He has succeeded in finding new ways to portray the character, such as really showing the relationship between Stanley and Stella.”

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, May 3 and 4; and 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 5.

A Picture Perfect Spring for Sports

Milton's varsity baseball and girls' tennis teams remain unbeaten, so far this season. Boys' lacrosse has just come off a huge win against Belmont Hill. The golf team has five wins while girls' lacrosse and sailing have earned more victories than defeats (both are 4-3). The games and matches have been fun to watch. Click below to view snapshots of the action.
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Beatnik Café: An Evening of Talent, by and for Students

The popular Beatnik Café—an evening of live entertainment, for and by the students—has grown since its inception in 1996. Eagerly anticipated by students, and fondly remembered by young grads, Beatnik always draws a full house.

Three or four times a year, students pack Straus Library, lounging on couches and beanbag chairs, feet dangling between rails of the second floor balcony, for a show of their classmates’ artistic talents. Music of all kinds—classic guitar, rap, rock, hip hop, acoustic—along with original poetry readings and improv comedy round out the night’s performances. Though most of the acts are by students, faculty members occasionally get in on the action as well, delighting with skills on the guitar, the piano or vocals.

Beatnik, which embraces the music and mood of a real coffee house, is hosted each year by the board of the Magus/Mabus, Milton’s literary magazine. One former Magus board member says, “Any event that taps into the vast supply of talent that Milton's student body has is going to be great, but Beatnik is unique because of its relaxed atmosphere. The emphasis is on having a good time, not putting on the best performance. There is always plenty of food, couches and friends to go around.”
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With Its Own Surprises: Arabian Nights at King Theatre

Rich cultural and historical tales will unspool on stage in this spring’s main theater production, Arabian Nights. The script is playwright Mary Zimmerman’s adaption of the legendary collection of Persian stories, The Arabian Nights: The Book of 1,001 Nights.

“The focus of the tales is the strength of women,” says Dar Anastas, director and performing arts faculty member. “In a society where women had no official power, the stories show the ways they do have power.”

The stories, interwoven with dance and music, revolve around two main characters—Shahryar, the Persian king and Scheherezade, his new wife.

“The storytelling is really cinematic, so the challenge is to capture this sense and make the production flow from story to story,” says Dar.

Dar plans to extend the stage out into the seating area and surrounding the stage on three sides, to bring the audience members into the story. Four students are helping Dar design unique and fantastical sets and lighting. Moving elements will evolve with the action and Dar also promises one surprise scenic moment.

Arabian Nights will fill King Theatre on Thursday, May 17, and Friday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m.

A Night at the Improv

Last Friday night, Milton's Improvisation actors served up laughs to fellow students at Improv Night 2012. Taught by performing arts department chair, Peter Parisi, Improvisation is an advanced drama class that challenges students to think quickly on their feet and create believable characters in surprising situations. Click below to view front-row snapshots of the fun.
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530 and Counting

An amazing number of families—530 to be exact—have contributed to Milton Academy this year. Of the 530, 422 families made gifts or pledges totaling over $1,100,000 to Milton's Annual Fund—leaving the School only $200,000 from this year's goal. Thank you to all of these families and the Annual Fund volunteers that made this possible. These gifts directly and immediately support every aspect of learning and living at Milton. If you have not already given, please consider joining the 71 percent of parents who have made a gift to the Annual Fund. Our goal is to reach 80 percent parent participation. Please visit www.milton.edu/donate to donate online or send a check to Alumni & Development Office, Milton Academy, 170 Centre Street, Milton, MA 02186.

The Class I Parent Gift: A Milton Tradition 

The Class I Parent Gift allows Class I parents to commemorate their children’s Milton experience with a significant gift to the Academy. To date, nearly 60 percent of Class I parents have made gifts and pledges to the 2012 Class I Parent Gift. Thank you to each Class I parent who has contributed, and to the 20 Class I Parent Gift Committee members whose hard work and dedication have made this possible. If you have not yet given, please consider your own contribution as we strive to reach a goal of 100 percent parent participation before June 30, 2012. Donate online or send a check to Alumni & Development Office, Milton Academy, 170 Centre Street, Milton, MA 02186. Please note you can maximize your gift by taking advantage of the 5-year pledge payment option.  Your entire pledge will count toward the Class I 2012 Parent Gift total, and you may pay the pledge over time (up to five years), with the first installment due by June 30, 2012.

For more information about Milton Academy’s Parents’ Annual Fund or Class I 2012 Parent Gift, please contact Shannon Ollerhead, director of annual giving, at 617-898-2374 or shannon_ollerhead@milton.edu.

We Want You: Volunteer at Milton

Please consider joining our dedicated group of volunteers. This academic year, over 100 parents volunteer with the Annual Fund and the Class I 2012 Parent Gift Committee. Parent connections through phone calls, emails and letters are crucial to the success of both the Annual Fund and the Class I Parent Gift, and volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Milton parents. Whether you are from Massachusetts, California or China, please consider becoming more involved in Milton’s parent community! If you are interested in becoming a parent volunteer for the 2012–2013 academic year or would like to learn more about Milton’s parent giving program, please contact Shannon Ollerhead, director of annual giving, at 617-898-2374 or shannon_ollerhead@milton.edu.

Who is this?

Name this faculty member (pictured below) who began his career at Milton as a math teacher.

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