After a busy fall, the holidays and the winter are upon us! Parents’ Weekend, Class Dinners and Donut Days have provided time for gathering and getting to know one another. We look forward to the remainder of the year and hope that you will join us for our upcoming events!
Parents’ Weekend is chock full of activities
Parents’ Weekend, October 17 and 18, was well-attended and packed with activities. Class III and IV parents enjoyed their class dinners on Thursday night before the busy day on Friday. We are delighted to report that moving the Class III dinner to Parents’ Weekend seems to have been a big success!
Friday’s opportunity to experience a school day with our children provided insights to the many things that make Milton so amazing. Meeting with teachers and advisors gave parents a perspective on their child’s classroom and campus experiences. Hearing reflections and highlights from Head of School Todd Bland was a fitting end to the day. Following his presentation, the Parents’ Association hosted a wine and cheese reception, giving parents an opportunity to relax and mingle.
Saturday was beautiful, and the athletic fields were lined with cheering fans. Thank you to USPA athletic liaison Judith Webster and her team of volunteers, for organizing the Parents’ Association snack tables across campus and providing a delicious array of treats.
Student Activities Committee hosts treats and exam stress-buster
On selected days throughout the year, parent volunteers provide recess treats (donuts, apples, clementines) for the students. How long does it take students to discover and devour over 80 dozen donuts, and 20 dozen apples and clementines? Sources say fewer than five minutes!
In January, the USPA Student Activities committee will provide exam treats in the Student Center. In addition to the edible treats, the USPA will again host the Barn Babies stress-buster in Pritzker Science Center. Last year’s experience with Barn Babies was a huge success.
The spring recess treat days are scheduled for April 7 and May 19. To volunteer, contact Eileen Hogan.
Have something to donate to the Senior Showcase Raffle?
On Saturday, February 7, Class I students will host the Senior Showcase, their annual talent show. An element of the evening’s festivities is the drawing of raffle prizes, which have been donated by parents. The proceeds of the raffle offset the cost of prom tickets. Might you have access to prizes that would ensure the event’s success? If not, consider donating cash, and we’ll do the shopping for you! Past prizes include:
- Tickets for a sporting event or concert (Any of our Boston teams, popular musical performers, etc.)
- Electronics (Apple products are always hot!…headphones, tablets, etc.)
- Gift certificates to local restaurants or stores (Steel & Rye, Abby Park, Lululemon, etc.)
- Travel/Vacation opportunities (including airline or resort gift certificates)
Contact the Class I Representatives (Diana Maguire andShashi Davae) by December 20 if you have something to donate. To make a monetary contribution, please visit our fundraising page. Thank you for helping to make the prom a special occasion for our students!
Class II Parent Dinner kicks off College Weekend
The Class II Dinner will once again be part of the College Weekend events. Mark your calendars for Friday, January 9, at 7 p.m. in the Robert Saltonstall Gymnasium. Invitations will be emailed soon. If you have questions, please contact class representatives: Elizabeth Hazard and Banu Atkinson.
Interested in volunteering for the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch?
On Wednesday, February 11, the much-anticipated Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch will be held in Straus. Sara James is organizing the event, whose theme is “A Taste of Summer.” This week, you received a request for volunteers for set-up, serving or donating a dish. Please consider participating. This event is only possible with your help. Please take a look at the list below. If you live locally, we hope you will volunteer to cook, serve, clean-up or contribute a food item. No matter where you live, you can donate a raffle item, or contribute a monetary donation to the gift fund, to help make this a special and memorable event.
We hope you will consider contributing in one of the following areas:
- If you can prepare a homemade dish, email Sudie DiGiovanni at sndigi@gmail.com. The food team will provide recipes and suggestions and coordinate the meal that begins with a light breakfast and a wonderful array of dishes and desserts for lunch.
- If you can send in a beverage, email Catherine Spahr at cfspahr1@yahoo.com.
- If you can volunteer to help on the day of the event, contact Susan Martin srmartin4@comcast.net.
- If you would like to help with the decorating, email Donna Morin at donna1morin@gmail.com.
- If you would like to donate a raffle item, contact Jean Piazza at jean.piazzafamily.org@gmail.com. Popular past raffle donations include professional sports tickets, theater tickets, gift certificates for dinner and a movie, gift certificate to local retail establishments, and the offer of a weekend away at a family-owned vacation home.
Thank you in advance for your generosity. We look forward to creating a wonderful and memorable event with your help.
Contact Sara James, with questions or to volunteer.
Recent Parents’ Association Meetings provide insights to campus life
Thank you to our featured guests who provided their time, insights, and perspectives on student life at Milton. Our gratitude to:
- Jackie Bonenfant, Dean of Academics; Indu Singh, Dean of Teaching & Learning and Jose Ruiz, Dean of Students – December.
- Lisa Morin, Director of Counseling – November.
- Lamar Reddicks, Dean of Athletics – October.
Thank you to the many parents who have attended our Monday evening meetings either in person or via our conference bridge.
Join us for Upcoming Parents’ Association Meetings
The next Upper School Parents’ Association meeting will be on January 5. We hope that this date makes it possible for boarding parents to attend the meeting when they return their children to campus.Katie Collins, Academic Skills Center Director will be our guest speaker. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Caroline Saltonstall Conference Room. For those who are not able to come to campus, call the conference bridge at 1-800-867-0549 – access code: 8982389. Join us, too, on February 2 when Rod Skinner, Director of College Counseling will be our guest.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season, and we’ll be in touch again in February.
Lisa Bell P’12,’14,’22 President
Ann Marie Oliver P’10,’13,’17 Vice President
