Discovering Community at Milton Academy
by Ingrid Frank (P'05)

It all started when I went looking for a way to become "more involved" at Milton. Ever since my son went off to elementary school, I have always tried to support his education by volunteering, and this was what I had in mind. Last year, as the parent of a (new to Milton) 10th grade day student I wasn't feeling particularly connected. I asked around and found out that the Parents' Association was just the vehicle for my involvement.

Like most volunteer organizations, the Parents' Association told me they could always use extra help. They told me that the next PA event—Faculty and Staff Apprciation Day—was planned for February; this would be a great way to get involved. I arrived at the assigned time, but had no idea of what to expect until I walked into Straus. I was so impressed by the way the staff and faculty were treated that day that I immediately volunteered to help next year.

During the winter I spent time each and every day, emailing and making phone calls, making "to do" lists and coordinating this very special event. I was somewhat worried since the brunch concept, an event started by dedicated Milton parents some years ago, had evolved into a much more elaborate and complicated event. Having been a small part of last year's brunch I knew it could be an awesome task to accomplish. Thankfully, simply by placing sign-up sheets at Parent's Weekend, and making phone calls, more than 75 Milton parents volunteered to help with the brunch.

The endless number of details that needed attention required countless volunteer hours: invitations were designed, printed, and folded into origami cards; envelopes were addressed; mailboxes were stuffed; orders were placed for rentals; paper goods were purchased; drinks were ordered; parents volunteered to bring food; student musicians signed up to provide background music; takeout containers and cookies were ordered; parents were assigned times and days to help; Cranes were folded; Posters were made; and plants were ordered.

Early on February 11, right after drop-off, a great bunch of parents showed up to help me out. Most didn't know me. I'm certain they didn't know what they were getting into, but I had big plans to keep them busy. The jobs were not glamorous, but everyone went about their assignments with a smile and a lot of energy. We moved heavy furniture, vacuumed floors and rugs, dusted bookshelves and scrubbed the kitchen. Tiny white lights were strung around the balcony, while large graceful paper origami cranes were meticulously strung and arranged on fishline. Jasmine, heather, ivy and other beautiful plants were arranged on long wooden tables. A welcoming poster was placed in the hallway. Sweat equity from many helping hands turned the Straus Library into something unrecognizable.

The morning of the brunch, just as I was confidently thinking I had things perfectly under control, something strange happened. I placed a call (at a prearranged time) and asked campus security to unlock the kitchen and entrance to Straus so we could start our set up. They said, ok fine, as soon as they were done with seven more dorm firedrills. My heart pounded in my chest, but as luck would have it, less than ten minutes later they arrived and rescued me. Maybe, just maybe, my luck was turning around. Before I had time to panic, food started arriving in the carpool lines along with lots of needed helpers. By this time the sweet aroma of Dunkin' Donuts coffee along with the chocolate, cinnamon and other delicacies abounded. Jazz music emaneted from the piano.

The kitchen sparkled and parents kept busy making up platters of food as muffins and coffeecakes and quiches arrived. Parent volunteers welcomed the faculty and staff as they entered the room. The food just kept on coming. The variety was amazing. The fireplace crackled and glowed, the joyous sounds of chatter amongst faculty and staff was pleasant to the ear.

Before the day was over, in excess of 75 parents and students contributed in various ways. Please accept my apology if I forgot someone... but special thanks to:
Kayo Berman, Zoe Billman, Judy Bullitt, Julia Carey, Lisa Clifton, Victoria Croll, Deb Dean, Jayne Enos, Carol Flynn-Rice, Jake Frank, Pam Frechette, Kathy Friedman, Ayca Gazelle, Pam Haran, Candy Haydock, Nina Hunnewell, Roxanna Hurst, Laura Jeppesen, Georgette Katuna, Francine Koris, Kathy Kram, Lucinda Larson, Richard Larson, Pam Lazares, Kathleen Linehan, Maureen McGee, Marianne McNamara, Karen MIller, Phil Mulvey, Rhonda Myers, Louisa Paige, Elaine Pantizoupolas, Marjie Paul, Deborah Posin, Anne Pride, Gita Rao, Andrea Reid, Patti Salem, Jorge Schuhmacher, Margaret Sheldon, Ann Stock, Margaret Sullivan, Karen James-Sykes, Mayumi Tonegawa, Judy Tucker, Rayna Wynn, and Jason Yeager.

The event was over before I had a chance to really look around me and see what we created. Fortunately, pictures were taken to record the beauty of the room. The elegant paper cranes are still flying high in Straus library as a reminder of what a group of people can do when there is a common goal.

As I have now come to recognize, there is no shortage of enthusiasm or generosity at Milton Academy. The parent community is most certainly alive and well and thriving. I didn't know Milton was that kind of place. Despite the reality that our children don't always want or need us to meddle in their lives at school, the support the PA provides to the faculty and staff at Milton clearly enhances their lives as well as that of the entire school. Working with energetic and enthusiastic PA co-presidents Judy Tucker and Rhonda Corey-Myers as mentors, it was just a matter of time for me to see what we could accomplish, if only we all worked together to make a difference. And, so...to literally take the words as written by Ellen Mittman and Joan Sclar to our great community of parent volunteers (you know who you are)....

"How do we thank you for all that you've done
When it comes to great parents...Milton is number one.

There were muffins, cupcakes and cookies galore.
The chocolate dipped strawberries the faculty did adore.

The coffee cakes, fruit and flowers too.
Nothing was omitted...it was all done by you!

I wish you could have heard the teachers gasp with surprise.
Honestly, I think we brought tears to their eyes.

We apologize for the lack of a handwritten cheer
But fortunately there were too many bakers to do one this year.

So our heartfelt thank you for your hard work and delicious treats.
We could never have done this without all your sweets."