An overview of upcoming Parents Association volunteer committee activities
February 2011 Events & Activities
Karen DiGasbarro 314-822-1042 kfctslouis@sbcglobal.net
PARENTS ACTIVITIES – Susan Johnston, Vice President sjohnston@earthlink.net
COOKBOOK
Julie Flom, Co-Chair, (314) 443-9659 jbflom@hotmail.com
Tracy Jasper, Co-Chair (314) 862-3501 tkjasper13@gmail.com
The MICDS 150th anniversary cookbooks are available anytime in the MICDS Bookstore. They are $15 a copy. Please contact Julie Flom at jbflom@hotmail.com or Tracy Jasper at tkjasper13@gmail.com with any questions.
SPRING LUNCHEON
Nancy McKown, Co-Chair (314) 962-5153 njcje@aol.com
Stacie Franc, Co-Chair (314) 991-8990 staciefranc@charter.net
Spring is just around the corner, so
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for the MICDS Spring Luncheon on MAY 12.
Celebrate the end of the school year with a delicious lunch in the company of your friends and fellow parents. Details to come soon- look for the flyer in the spring mailing!
PARENT EDUCATION – Susan Hiemenz, Vice President shiemenz@aol.com
ELIOT SUMMER ACADEMY:
Anyone interested in registering for the Marine Ecology class held this summer, please do so as soon as possible by registering on line here. This course is offered for grades 10-12 involving summer dates of July 5-20 with a cost of $3900. Contact Sarah Tolch 314-995-7450 x7507 or stolch@micds.org if you have any questions.
Course description: This course will give students the opportunity to develop a solid understanding of coral reef ecology and marine biology research design. Currently, coral reefs are in danger of dying off due to a variety of causes. The study, understanding, and conservation of this ecosystem is paramount to maintaining their continued existence on earth. The course will begin in St. Louis with significant background research into issues relating to this ecosystem. On July 7, students and faculty will fly to the Cayman Islands where they will spend eight days at the Little Cayman Research Center conducting research and experiencing the natural splendor of coral reef ecosystems. Upon return, the class will debrief and present their research. All students must be SCUBA certified. SCUBA training will be offered on the MICDS campus as part of the course.
The prerequisite classes are: 101 Cells, 201 Genetics, 141 Atomic Structure, 251 Reaction Quantites (or equivalent)
CULTURES WITHIN
Vicky Wroten, Chair, (314) 315-7700 vwroten@charter.net
Celebrating Cultural Heritage Months:
On Wed March 2nd, we will be celebrating a MARDIS GRAS DESSERT TASTE FEST at 8 a.m.-9 a.m. before late start at the Blanke Room. The French students and baking club will be baking their French delicacies and offering a wonderful taste fest that morning. We are hoping to offer a Crepe bar, so any donations of fillings, toppings or shells will be appreciated. Please contact Vicky Wroten vwroten@charter.net 314-315-7700 if you’d like to help with donating, setting up and/or hosting the event.
Our committee has already celebrated: a German Oktoberfest in September, the Tango Expo in October for the Spanish classes, La Befana for the Italian students in January and the Chinese New Year in February.
MICDS Passport event:
The Latin students and the International Council will be hosting our Passport event to be held on Thursday, May 5, from 4-7 p.m. There will be tables representing countries throughout the MS Library, Harris Room, and the Alumnae Room organized by continents. In order to encourage LS students to visit, we are hoping to present multicultural performances (tango dancers, Chinese kung fu master, Irish dancers, etc.) in Mary Eliot Chapel. Parent Consuls and Student Ambassadors will be actively promoting their country with interactive and educational activities.
We NEED your help, so if you are interested in participating, contact Vicky Wroten vwroten@charter.net 314-315-7700. The following countries will be represented by parent consuls and student ambassadors: Africa, Brazil, Poland, Germany, France, Japan, China, Greece, India, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Dominican Republic.
We would like assistance with the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, Italy, England, Israel, Egypt, Russia, Korea, Spain, and Mexico.
PARENT NETWORK
Marni Rebman, Chair (808) 268-5017 marnirebman@aol.com
Jen Goley, Vice-Chair (618) 781-4956 goley@sbcglobal.net</
Are you in a book group? Looking for recommendations?
How about Dr. Wendy Mogel’s Blessing of a Skinned Knee or her new Book, Blessing of a B Minus. Check out her reader’s guide on her website, wendymogel.com, to help facilitate a great discussion.
In addition – SAVE THE DATE
The J and MICDS are hosting Dr. Mogel on the evening of Monday, March 28th for:
Raising Self-Reliant, Optimistic Children in Today’s World: an Evening with Dr. Wendy Mogel
Internationally acclaimed clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of the classic work and one of our own PJ Library Books, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee and her new book, The Blessing of a B Minus is coming to St. Louis.
Dr. Mogel will share her celebrated perspectives on raising a family, Monday, March 28, 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Staenberg Family Complex at the Jewish Community Center (the J) in Creve Coeur. The event is co-sponsored by MICDS and the J. Two tickets for each MICDS family are available for free at the MICDS Bookstore. Additional tickets will be sold for the event at $10 for individuals and $15 for two in the bookstore or can be ordered online at www.brownpapertickets.com, or calling the J ticket office at 314-442-3191, or in person the J locations in Creve Coeur and Chesterfield. The event is expected to sell out, so early reservations are recommended.
We encourage you to bring your self and your students (7th-12th grade). MICDS will also be continuing the conversation through a series of discussions during the month of April after this event. Look for additional details closer to the event.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY RELATIONS – Pele Childress, Vice President peleann@msn.com
AFS – American Field Service
Stacey Carman, Chair (314) 422-9894 carmans@swbell.net
Kelley Carman, Vice-Chair (314) 852-9798 carman@sbcglobal.net
MICDS is currently looking for a family to host a foreign exchange student for the 2011-2012 school year. If you are interested in learning more about this rewarding opportunity for your family, please see the AFS host family link for further information. Contact AFS sponsors: Nancy Richardson nrichardson@micds.org or Ana Saldana asaldana@micds.org. For additional information please review the following website: http://www.afs.org/afs_or/focus_on/hosting
ARTS BACKERS
Suzanne Dalton, Chair (314) 614-3388 scdltn@yahoo.com
LS Drama: A Night at the Art Museum: A Musical. The Fourth Graders will premiere a brand new musical: A group of students on a very special sleepover field trip to the art museum have close encounters with the spirits of master artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keefe, and Pablo Picasso. The Ghostly Artists and the school children are swept up in a mystery when Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” is stolen from its frame. Performances will be held during the school day in the Freeman Theatre.
Tuesday, May 17 — Day 5 (4A cast performs at 9:00, 4B performs at 2:00)
Wednesday, May 18 — Day 6 (4B cast performs at 10:00, 4A performs at 2:00)
MS Drama: Homeroom: A Musical Revue – Charlotte Dougherty and Tim Storey will be directing the 7th and 8th grade play with the help of Jason Roberts as musical director to present a musical next spring. Homeroom, A Musical Revue will be performed at Freeman Theatre on March 3rd, 4th and 5th at 7 p.m. This musical is written by Andrea Green and Selma Tolins-Kaufman. Additional material and book revision was completed by Thomas Stratton, Jr. Reserve the dates on your calendar to see this great musical!
US Drama: The Troubadours’ production of Hairspray on February 24-27, 2011 sold out in record time. This musical delights audiences by sweeping them away to 1960’s Baltimore, where the 50’s are out — and change is in the air. Loveable plus-size heroine, Tracy Turnblad, has a passion for dancing, and wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show.” Overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to vanquish the program’s reigning princess, integrate the television show, and find true love (singing and dancing all the while, of course!) without mussing her hair?
FACULTY APPRECIATION
Felicia Pulliam-Jones, Co-Chair/US (314) 220-4020 fapj1215@sbcglobal.net
Linda Werner, Co-Chair/US (314) 432-4180 plknwerner@aol.com
Bonita Otti, Co-Chair/MS (314) 616-2011 tibyt@sbcglobal.net
Barbara Richert, Co-Chair/MS (314) 984-9724 barbara.richert@sbcglobal.net
Lisa Johnson, Co-Chair/LS (314) 989-0862 lijohn@charter.net
Jobie Summers, Co-Chair/LS (314) 276-0008 jobieandmeade@sbcglobal.net
MICDS PARENT AMBASSADORS
Vicky Wroten, Chair MS/US (314) 315-7700 vwroten@charter.net
Michelle Cohen, Chair LS (314) 265-9684 michelle-cohen@sbcglobal.net
Thanks to all of the Parent Ambassadors who made our admission events such a great success this year! Our touring season is complete, but if you want to get a head start in training to become a tour guide for next year, and becoming a Parent Ambassador, contact Vicky Wroten at 314-315-7700 vwroten@charter.net. You can have the opportunity of greeting and hosting events or conducting tours to help spread the great news about the wonderful learning experiences at MICDS.
PLANT SALE
Tracey Singer, Co-Chair, (314) 991-9006 tfs64@aol.com
Jane Southworth, Co-Chair, (314) 313-6472 janesw@charter.net
SPRING BOOK SALE
Michelle Cohen, Co-Chair (314) 265-9684 michelle-cohen@sbcglobal.net
Angela Martin, Co-Chair (314) 724-0946 mmartin05@aol.com
Tammy Walsh, Co-Chair (314) 469-1516 labtrw@aol.com
Looking for a fun way to get involved at school but short on time?
Volunteer for the Spring Book Fair!
Volunteers are needed for two hour shifts Tuesday, May 3 through Thursday, May 5.
For information, contact Angela Martin at mmartin05@aol.com.
Two hour shifts will run throughout the day Tuesday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
SPORTS BOOSTERS
Lisa Windsor, Chair, (314) 965-0699 wtalyf@aol.com
Bev Mach, Vice-Chair (314) 750-1752 bevmach@sbcglobal.net
Spring is right around the corner and Sports Boosters has many activities still to come. We will be training team parents for the Upper and Middle School spring sports, gearing up for the spring coaches dinner and the Senior Awards Banquet. We are also looking at options for the gift to the upper and middle school athletic departments. In order to make all of this happen we need your support! If you have not yet joined Sports Boosters, please consider doing so by clicking here or downloading the form from the athletic portal. Your contributions help improve the athletic program, which directly benefits our athletes. Thanks and GO RAMS!
SPIRIT WEAR CLOSET
Mary Murawski, Chair, (314) 567-6530 m.murawski@yahoo.com
Vicky Wroten, Co-Chair, (314) 315-7700 vwroten@charter.net
We are so grateful to parents who continue to donate gently used items: MS Choir shirts, PE clothing, Boy’s navy blazers, MICDS-logo’d sweatshirts and t-shirts, Graduation dresses and Graduation ties. Bring your donations to the receptacle at the MS checkered hallway or US May Hall lobby. If the needed size is available, your student can have it at no cost. Anyone interested in helping with collection and distribution efforts throughout the year, contact Mary Murawski m.murawski@yahoo.com 314-567-6530
SCHOOL SERVICES – Bev Mach, Vice President bevmach@sbcglobal.net
BOOKSTORE
Laura Barnes, Co-Chair, (314) 997-2290 ldbarnes@mac.com
Martha Martin, Co-Chair, (314) 993-9659 marthamartin@sbcglobal.net
The Bookstore Committee needs your help! Please volunteer for a shift once a month. Sign up with a friend! There are usually 2-3 volunteers per shift. Several slots are available. Please call or email Martha Martin or Laura Barnes. They will help coordinate a time for you to work!
Laura Barnes ldbarnes@mac.com or 314-997-2290
Martha Martin marthahmartin@sbcglobal.net or 314-993-9659
GARDENING
Blair Thompson, Chair, (314) 569-0482 b_y_thompson@hotmail.com
GREENHOUSE
Kim Pope, Chair (618) 616-2655 kimpopealton@yahoo.com
Do you need a green fern or pretty live plant for your next school function? Call the Greenhouse Committee.
CONTACTS: Judith Stupp (314) 968-1462 or Kim Pope (618) 616-2655
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
Chalana Scales-Ferguson, Chair/US, (314) 838-7705 chalanaf@sbcglobal.net
Leanne Morgan, Chair/LS, (314) 479-5328 lbones@sbcglobal.net