Wednesday was a busy morning at MICDS, with accepted Lower and Middle School students enjoying some time on campus before the Friday enrollment deadline.
Prospective Middle Schoolers were welcomed in Brauer Hall and Auditorium for breakfast, mingling and a presentation. They visited with each other and reconnected with teachers they had met throughout their admissions process. One of the MICDS robotics teams, Rampage, was on hand to demonstrate their robot and talk about the club. Then, everyone gathered in Brauer Auditorium for a special presentation that featured a video chat with incoming Head of School Jay Rainey. Mr. Rainey showed off his own congratulatory “red tube,” a traditional mailing for new students. He popped the top and drew out his red and white clapper and a green cowbell to laughter before settling down for a heart-to-heart. He told families that he’s looking forward to sharing his first year with them, learning about all the things that make MICDS great while settling into the community. He’s excited to get started and is looking forward to meeting them at the beginning of next school year.
Families then heard from Jennifer Schuckman, Head of the Middle School, who enthusiastically welcomed our guests. “This day always feels like we are opening a gift, a gift of the next generation of our community,” she said. “Today is the day we get to untie the bow and let the box burst open with your talents and potential, and there is so much to celebrate!” She talked about how our students are our guiding north star in all that we do and that they give purpose to our days. Schuckman then introduced two current MICDS students, 7th grader Rachel Phillips ’24 and senior Ollie Reeb ’19. Phillips and Reeb shared their experiences as first-year student and as a seasoned veteran, respectively. (Read Rachel’s talk here, and Ollie’s here.) A red-tube raffle for a variety of Rams gear rounded out the morning, and some students and families took advantage of another tour around campus before departing.
The Lower School morning catered to our littlest audience, forgoing a structured event in favor of mingling in the cafeteria and visiting the classrooms and teachers. Students were able to play in the spaces, meet their new teachers and start to feel at home. Parents were able to chat with Janet McMillion, Head of the Lower School, and Amy Scheer, who will serve as the Interim Head of Lower School for the coming school year. A surprise visit by the MICDS Ram delighted the crowd, with children hugging and posing with our beloved mascot. Balloons and breakfast treats helped create a festive atmosphere of celebration about the future of our School.
The MICDS community is thrilled to welcome these new students and their families to our community. Families at both events were encouraged to pick up a “Home of a Future Ram” sign on their way out. Look for these signs around town and welcome these new Rams to our community!