Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day
Under a canopy of lights strung from the balconies of Straus, faculty and staff enjoyed an escape from yet another bleak and weather-filled February day with a Mediterranean-inspired theme breakfast and luncheon Wednesday, February 7. The event is put on by the Parents’ Association in honor of those who help and encourage our children every day, and included a free raffle with prizes ranging from a trip to Africa to dinners at local restaurants, all donated by parents. At tables decorated with lemons and tangerine arrangements, teachers and staff enjoyed Greek-themed foods and desserts, cooked and served by parents. Many thanks to Veronica Geroukos and Jeannie Peters, who co-chaired the event, to Ellen Shohet, who planned the menu, to Amy O’Conner, who brought the drinks, to Sara Taylor and Cindy Glennon, who purchased and wrapped the gifts, and to Ann Jenness and Leah Goldberg, for transforming Straus with their decorations. Meredith Hall, Jen Jordan, Suzanne Meyer and Cecily Mehlman procured the amazing list of raffle items and ran the games. Thank you all who contributed time, skill, money and raffle items to enable another successful event.
Senior Showcase Raffle
The Class I students’ Senior Showcase raffle Saturday, February 3, was a huge success, raising $14,325 ($4,000 more than last year). Proceeds will cover at least half the cost of prom. Prizes included tickets to Bruins and Celtics games, lunch with Todd Bland, and the ever-popular reserved Loop parking spot! Many thanks to Nina Panarese and Joanne Urquhart for coordinating the event, and to all the parents who donated money or prizes or bought tickets.
Class II Dinner/College Weekend
Last month, the USPA hosted the Class II Dinner for parents on January 5, with speaker Deb Shaver, the director of admission at Smith College. She spoke about the college search process with her son, and advocated lots of patience, and an understanding that our own application process was very different from what students are facing now. The following morning, Joy St. John, dean of admission and financial aid at Wellesley College, spoke to both parents and students, reminding them that college is not a prize to be won, but a match to be made, and talked about the process from the admissions office point of view.
Upcoming Parents’ Association Events
On Tuesday, February 27, at 7 p.m., the USPA will host a panel discussion with Todd Bland, David Ball and Indu Singh, moderated by Rod Skinner, college counseling director. The conversation will be live streamed for those who can’t attend, and questions from remote listeners can be sent to uspa-questions@milton.edu. A reception follows. Invitations will be emailed soon.
Upcoming Parents’ Association Meetings
All are welcome at the monthly Upper School Parents’ Association meetings, held at 7 p.m. in the Caroline Saltonstall Conference Room. For those unable to join in person, dial-in instructions to listen in and e-mail for questions are in each month’s meeting invitation emailed about a week prior.
Upcoming dates and speakers:
- Tuesday, March 6: Rod Skinner, College Counseling, Director
- Tuesday, April 3: Caroline Sabin, English and Rob McGuirk, History