To the entire Upper School Parents’ Association Board, we thank you for all your hard work connecting parents, the School’s administration, and students this school year! We have continued to improve communication among parents, and between parents and the School. We have enjoyed frank and substantive discussions with department chairs, administration, and faculty, all of whom were candid, informative, and interested in engaging about our concerns and ideas. In its second year, our recent panel discussion featuring Head of School Todd Bland, Upper School Principal David Ball, and Dean of Teaching and Learning Indu Singh provided insight and a forum for extended discussion about the complexities of Milton’s academic program.
We are making progress in seeking ways to promote helpful, pertinent and easily accessible communication with all parents. To that end, this year, we piloted several new initiatives. First, we initiated a morning coffee program for local parents to stop in and just catch up with one another. All who could attend—if only for a short visit—appreciated this informal touch point. Second, we established a new Connections committee, whose function it is to provide more and expansive ways for parents near and far to connect with each other and with Milton. Third, we live-streamed all our monthly meetings, so that parents who are unable to attend in person are able to both see and hear our monthly speakers and participate in the discussion. Working on the reliability of our technology is an ongoing goal. The School, too, continues to provide a number of ways to keep abreast of what’s happening on campus through Centre Connection, the College Counseling site, Milton Magazine, and the monthly “what’s happening on campus” emails from Dean of Students José Ruiz.
Some of the initiatives that we are working on for next year include:
- Obtaining a dedicated space on campus for the Parents’ Association which will provide an area not only for parents to gather, but a space for parents to relax, check email, or wait for their children. This will be especially helpful for parents who are on campus for an extended period of time.
- A cookout for all Upper School students and parents on registration day. This purely social event will provide students, both day and boarding, an opportunity to interact socially before classes start. And, it will provide time and space for parents to meet and to renew friendships.
- Parents’ Weekend:
- Hosting a social hour at each of the dormitories during Parents’ Weekend. This event will provide an opportunity for boarding parents within each dormitory to meet and get to know one another. For the dorm social hours we will need two parents from each dorm to serve as hosts.
- Hosting a tailgate on Saturday during sporting events for all Upper School students and parents.
- Expanding our Connections committee to initiate gathering opportunities for boarding parents in Hong Kong, Seoul, Beijing, and New York.
- Establishing a Facebook page where all parents can post information, ask questions, share thoughts and ideas with each other.
- Outside speakers on relevant current topics for parents.
These new activities and offerings are exciting and dynamic and are brought about by input received from all of you in order to meet the needs and desires of our parents. But to be successful we will need your help. Please email Ann Marie Oliver at the Parents’ Association directly at annmarieoliver3@hotmail.com if you are interested in helping with one of the above activities. Together we can create a well connected community of warmth, friendship and support.
Our president Ann Marie Oliver, and vice president Doug Lareau, have been dynamic leaders and we thank them for all their hard work in setting our goals and making this a successful year. We are grateful to Ann Marie for continuing as president again next year.
Parents of boarding and day students worked together over the year on many fronts from Apple/Donut days, class dinners, outreach to new families, and exam treats and Barn Babies, to the wonderful Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch. Thank you to everyone who developed and fine-tuned our many events:
- Ann Marie Oliver expanded the New Parent Welcoming Program to a new level of warmth and welcome.
- Eileen Hogan and Bridgette Minicus and the Student Activities Committee continued our ever-popular Apple/Donut Days, provided tables of healthy treats and cider throughout exam week, once again hosted Barn Babies during exam week, and even offered Valentine treats to students passing through the Stu during recess!
- The class dinners have been lovely connecting events – thank you Class Reps:
- Class I (upcoming on June 4) – Jane Fitzpatrick and Liesl Gilman
- Class II – Lisa O’Connor and Bea Sanders
- Class III – Rose Kernochan and Heidi Handler
- Class IV – Michele D’Ambrosio and Alicia Fenton Greenaway
- Rennan Bayturk, and Rosemary and John Sheehan continued to enhance and host our hospitality tables on Parents’ Weekend and Milton-Nobles Day each season.
- A special nod to Lisa Grace and her remarkable team for imagining and creating a tropical oasis for our most important event of the year, our Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch!
Thank you all, those mentioned by name and those who worked just as hard. We look forward to your valuable and inspiring involvement again next year.
Over the next couple of months, we will be reaching out to parents to fill our Parent Association board, so if there is a role you would like to explore, please let us know. A list of available positions will be sent out within the next month.
As the year ends, we look ahead to many special events, so please mark your calendars.
Upcoming Events:
- Monday, May 2 — Milton Parent Association Meeting 7–9 p.m. in the CSG Conference Room
Everyone is welcome to attend either in person or via webcast. Next month we are delighted to welcome Heather Flewelling, Director of Multiculturalism and Community Development to our meeting. To access the meeting via teleconference, click here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. - Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m. — The Annual Boat Dance for Class II students
A yearly favorite, students 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. - Thursday, May 19 — Treats for students at 10 a.m.in the Schwarz Student Center.
- Friday, May 27 — Parents’ Association sponsors snack tables for Milton/Nobles Day
- Saturday, June 4 — Senior Class Prom and Class I Parent Reception
While the School is planning a great and memorable prom, Class I representatives, Jane Fitzpatrick and Liesl Gilman, are organizing the Class I Parent Reception. This year will feature a promenade with photo opportunities for all. The tradition of hosting the Class I parents for a final social gathering and light meal following the pre-prom picture-taking on the quad continues this year. Immediately following the departure of the trolleys to Boston at 7 p.m., Class I Parents will proceed to Wigg Hall for the reception. Additional information regarding the prom, including pick-up time and location are forthcoming, as are invitations to Class I Parents. - Monday, June 6 — Milton Parents’ Association Meeting 7–9 p.m. in the CSG Conference Room
Everyone is welcome to attend either in person or by phone/webinar. The guest speaker for the June meeting will be Director of College Counseling Rod Skinner. - Tuesday, June 7 — Classes end for Class I
- Wednesday, June 8 — Classes end for Classes II-IV
- Friday, June 10 — Graduation 10 a.m. Dorms close at 3 p.m.Day Students: The buses run in the morning on June 10, but one hour later than usual. This schedule should enable students to arrive at School around 9 a.m. and thus have plenty of time to prepare for the procession. The buses will leave School at 1:30 p.m. from the parking lot by the pool on Randolph Avenue. Parents picking up day students should do so in front of Ware Hall after 1 p.m. Boarding Students: The ceremony should end around noon, followed by a light luncheon, and so midday flights (after 2:30 p.m.) should be convenient. Boarding parents who will pick up their sons and daughters are asked to do so before 3 p.m., as dormitories will close at the end of the afternoon.