It’s been a great fall at Milton: Parents’ Weekend, Class dinners, Donut Days, and our Milton-Nobles refreshment tables have provided time and space for some of us to gather and get to know one another. We have a lot planned in the coming months, and we hope you can join us either in person or via technology. One of our goals this year is to build our community. To that end, we’ve added some new events, and we’ve changed our meeting access from the difficult-to-hear conference bridge to an interactive video feed.
Before we tell you about the activities we’ve hosted and entice you to join in what’s to come, we want to announce a new initiative, intended to create an opportunity for us to gather. A series of morning coffee socials will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in Straus Library, on December 14, February 22, April 11, and May 23. Join us to meet new friends, connect with old, or just to say “Hi!” Email Ann Marie directly if you know you’ll be attending, but also know that last minute drop-ins are warmly welcomed too! Breakfast beverages and treats will be provided. We look forward to seeing you!
Parents’ Weekend Re-Cap
Parents’ Weekend, October 16 and 17, was well-attended and packed with activities. Class III and IV parents enjoyed their class dinners on Thursday night in advance of the formal start of the Parents’ Weekend programming.
The highlight of Friday’s program was the opportunity to attend classes and to meet our children’s teachers and advisors. Having the glimpse into the teaching and learning that make Milton so amazing is always treasured, as is the chance to enjoy Head of School Todd Bland’s reflections and highlights. At the end of the day, the Parents’ Association hosted a wine and cheese reception, which gave us all a chance to relax and mingle.
Saturday was beautiful, and the athletic fields were lined with cheering fans. Thank you to our athletic liaisons, Rosemary & John Sheehan and Rennan Bayturk, and their team of volunteers, for organizing and providing a delicious array of treats at the Parents’ Association hospitality tables.
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. This fall, we hosted two Donut Days: September 24 and November 17. It is truly mind-boggling to see over 80 dozen donuts disappear in mere minutes!
In January, our 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. With great response from the students, this will be the third year that we bring Barn Babies to campus.
The spring recess treat days are scheduled for February 11, April 7 and May 19. To volunteer, please contact Eileen Hogan.
Have something to donate to the Senior Showcase raffle?
On Saturday, February 6, 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 from the raffle offset the cost of prom tickets. Might you have access to prizes that would ensure the event’s success? If not, we gratefully welcome cash donations of any amount, 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 a hit…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 (Liesl Gilman and Jane Fitzpatrick) before winter break if you have something to donate, or if you would like to make a cash contribution. 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 kick off the College Weekend events. Mark your calendars for Friday, January 8, at 7 p.m. in the Robert Saltonstall Gymnasium. Check your email inbox for your invitation. If you have questions, please contact class representatives: Lisa O’Connor or Bea Sanders.
Interested in volunteering for the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch?
The Milton Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day is a wonderful annual event hosted by the Upper School Parents’ Association. This special day includes a delicious breakfast and lunch prepared by parents, an exciting raffle, and special gift items. It is our way of expressing our gratitude and appreciation for all that the faculty and staff do for our children and families throughout the year. This year’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day will be held on Wednesday, February 10, in Straus Library.
This event is only possible with your help. 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 make a monetary donation to help make this a special and memorable event.
A “Sign-Up Genius” will be sent out just after the holidays so that you can sign up to lend a hand. Ways to help will include:
- Preparing a homemade dish
- Volunteering on the day of the event (Wednesday, February 10)
- Purchasing beverages
- Helping with decorations
In the meantime, we will be collecting raffle item donations. Raffle donations that have been a huge hit in the past include professional sports tickets, theater or concert tickets, gift certificates for dinner and a movie, gift certificates to local retail establishments, or a weekend getaway opportunity. We welcome all donations of your choice. Please contact Jean Piazza at jean.piazzafamily.org@gmail.com if you would like to donate a raffle item.
Another way to help. You may send in monetary donations to help pay for decorations, assist in the purchase of raffle items, or help pay for a small token of appreciation gift to all faculty and staff members.
Thank you in advance for your help and generosity. We look forward to creating a wonderful, memorable event. Please contact me at lisagrace4@yahoo.com or 781-264-4198 with any questions or concerns.
Recent Parents’ Association Meetings provide insight to campus life
Thank you to our featured guests who provided their time, insights, and perspectives on student life at Milton. Our gratitude to:
- Katie Collins, Director of the Academic Skills Center – December.
- Bryan Price, Chief Information Officer (and the voice of our snow day announcements) & Andre Heard, Associate Dean of Students – November.
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 11. We hope that this date makes it possible for boarding parents to attend the meeting when they return their children to campus. Peter Parisi, Director of Performing Arts, will be our guest speaker. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Caroline Saltonstall Conference Room. If you are unable to join us in person, please consider attending remotely via webinar. To access the meeting, visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6363211710946805762. Pre-registration is required, though it can be done a few minutes in advance. Join us, too, on February 8 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.
Ann Marie Oliver P’10,’13,’17, President
Doug Lareau P’18, ’22, Vice President