| | Quicklinks MSA Home Page Construction Blog School Calendar Athletics Schedule Parent Volunteer Assn Current News Upcoming Events FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 » Varsity Swimming 5:00pm vs. Kings Academy » Winter Concert
7:00pm, SAC MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 ~No PM Programs This Week~ » 3rd Period Exam (PU/CA/U) » Chick-fil-A Day (L/M Only) » Hanukkah ends at sundown TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 » 4th Period Exam (PU/CA/U) » Middle Boys Basketball
3:00pm, vs. Waldorf, Gym » Varsity Girls Basketball
4:00pm, vs Academe of the Oaks, Gym » Varsity Boys Basketball
5:30pm, vs Academe of the Oaks, Gym WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 » 5th Period Exam (PU/CA/U) » Rising 9th Grade Parent Breakfast
8:30am, Upper Great Room » Faculty Luncheon
11:30am, PreUpper Great Room » Middle Boys Basketball
3:30pm, vs. Cumberland Academy, Gym THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 » 6th Period Exam (PU/CA/U) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 » Early Dismissal
12:15pm L/M Carpool; 12:30pm PU/CA/U Carpool; 12:45pm Bus Departs DECEMBER 21 - JANUARY 1 » School Closed
Winter Holiday MONDAY, JANUARY 4 » Classes Resume (L/M) » Winter Learning Program Begins (PU/CA/U) TUESDAY, JANUARY 5 » Parent Volunteer Assn Meets
6:30pm, Hampton Inn Mansell Road
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| | Art of the Week 
A guitar sculpture by Jacob Botnick, 8th grade-PreUpper, in honor of tonight's band concert.
College Acceptances  Congratulations to the following Seniors on their acceptances at the indicated schools:
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Caroline Bonds - New College of Florida and Oglethorpe University -
Marshall Stoddart - Savannah College of Art and Design -
Haley Williams - Coastal Carolina University, SC and Oglethorpe University
Swim Parents A great BIG THANK YOU to all the parent volunteers who helped with the timing and recording at our Swimming Mustang Time Trial last month! The meet was a huge success and we simply could not have done it without you. Coach Josh Hersko
Feature Teacher  Meet Bryan Sellers!
Bryan teaches 7th Grade Science in the PreUpper School. He joined Mill Springs at the start of the school year. All of his previous teaching experience is with the 7th grade and he has been at a combination of both public and private schools. His thought about teaching is that most students want to learn when they enter a classroom. He says, "it is my job as an educator to not put out that spark but to fuel it." That means "managing an effective classroom, showing your students you care about them, and taking time/effort to plan instructional strategies that will be engaging, creative, and effective." What does he like about MSA? "The fact that I can bring my dogs, the interactions with my students, and the freedom we have as teachers, as many schools teach to a standardized test." I asked him about how he spends his spare time, in return he asked me, "Do teachers have spare time?" But then he went on to tell me that he enjoys "videography, Podcasting, playing guitar, racquetball, taking my dogs to enjoy the outdoors, and watching movies." He loves Mexican food and has just finished reading Andy Weir's "The Martian". Most might not know that he never wanted to be a teacher growing up. "My interests were in broadcasting and the media. Only when I observed my mom, who was a teacher, did I appreciate what happens in the classroom. It was then I realized I wanted to have a career that would help students and make a difference." Thank you for what you do Bryan and welcome to Mill Springs.
Food Drive Update The annual canned food drive was a resounding success! This year as a school we collected 11,963 POUNDS of food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank! This equals 9,969 meals to hungry children, seniors, and families. We don't know the rankings for this year yet, but the ACFB representative told us that last year we were one of the top 8 donors overall, no other school is on that list! The competition between schools gets a little crazy with some hair pulling and the principals. But regardless of which school gathered the most canned goods (CommArts) the families that visit ACFB end up being the real winners. As Robert always says, " Small schools can do big things," and you do!  
1. All the cans; 2. Principals Susan (PreUpper) and Kay (CommArts) 3. Loading the cans on the truck; 4. Gathering the cans  
2015 Exam Bus Route & Times
 On the PU/CA/U early dismissal exam days (December 14-17) there will be an MSA mini bus leaving campus at 11:00am and traveling the regular Late Bus route down the Johnson Ferry corridor and into Sandy Springs dropping students at the usual four Late Bus stops.
The cost is $15/day. CLICK HERE for times and stops. Contact William Turner (wturner@millsprings.org) to make a reservation early, seating is limited to 14.
No PM Program Next Week
There will be no PM programs the week of December 14th. The Winter Session of the PM Program will resume on January 4th.
Meeting the Governor 
Bryce Zimmerman, an 8th grader in PreUpper, who is not only in the band and sings for the MSA Chorus, but he also sings with the Atlanta Men's Choir. He previously sang with the Atlanta Boys Choir until he auditioned and was asked to join the men's group in September. When his choir sang at the State Capitol this past week, he was able to meet Governor Deal. Chorus teacher Kate says, "Bryce has a fabulous voice and is a hard worker and so he has also been chosen as this week's MUSICIAN OF THE WEEK." Congratulations Bryce!
2015-2016 Annual Fund Update  Thank you to all the families who have already made your gift to this year's Annual Fund. With your help, we are closing in on our $250,000 monetary goal.
- Total Raised - $185,398
- Total Parent Participation - 50%
If your family has not yet made a gift, please consider helping us achieve both our participation and monetary goals by making a gift today. For your convenience, you can make your gift online by CLICKING HERE. Remember, "participation" means a gift of ANY SIZE.
Early Dismissal/School Closed  Friday, December 18, 2015
12:15p – L/M Carpool 12:30p – PU/CA/U Carpool 12:45p Bus Departs SCHOOL CLOSED: Winter Holiday December 21 - January 1
Author Interview
Guest Journalist - Hailey Lober, 6th Grade, Middle School On Wednesday, December 9, the Middle School interviewed the author Liesl Shurtliff about her novel Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin. The students read this novel for their summer reading book report. The novel is about a boy named Rump trying to find his name and his destiny. Along the way he makes interesting friends, has fun adventuring, and wants the reader to come along on the journey with him. Mrs. Shurtliff answered many student questions during her twenty minute interview. She told the students about all of the books she has written and ones that are in the early stages of being written. One of those coming out this spring is a follow up to Rump called Red. A character the students fell in love with while reading the novel Rump. One of the students in Ms. Courtney’s class asked her if she is interested READ MORE
Lower Visits Coral Lab 
This week, Carolyn Shapiro of our Lower School brought her students down to our Coral Lab in PreUpper to observe our parent tank and to hear a brief talk on the importance of coral restoration work, the vital role corals play in the stability of our oceans, and how our coral project provides us with the opportunity to learn more about these mysterious and fascinating little animals, and how it fosters a meaningful and lasting awareness for coral reef ecosystems around the world. Following a Q & A with the students, MG gave them a mangrove propagate to raise in their classroom in honor of their first visit, which Seth Horwitz (bottom 2nd from right) is holding in the picture. The Ocean’s Awesome!
Domination in Mustang Nation!  The wrestling team played host to three schools on Tuesday night and put on an awesome display of sportsmanship..., quiet confidence, and swagger as we competed at a very high level from start to finish. Coach James said, "I am proud of our coaches and wrestlers and I am excited about this year's team!!!"
GO MUSTANGS!
Big Brother is Watching 
Michael Griffeth's 8th Grade Language Arts class made presentations on the books that they read. PreUpper students Jake Bryant and Grace Gersack prepared this wonderful presentation board after they read George Orwell's 1984.
Eagle Project Needs Your Help 
My name is Michael Healey (pictured holding a Kit) and I am a Life Scout from Boy Scout Troop 6955 in Alpharetta, GA. I am currently planning my Eagle Project and I am seeking donations of some or all of the materials that will be required to carry out my project. My project will be to collect items to make up to 300 personal hygiene kits for the flood victims of South Carolina. My goal is to complete my project and deliver the personal hygiene kits to Harvest Hope Food Bank in December. Hopefully, these kits will arrive just in time to make their Holidays a little easier. The following is my list of materials needed to make the Personal Hygiene Kits: - Plastic zip closed bags - one gallon 10' x 14' (holds all the other items below)
- Hand Towels - 15 x 25 inches to 17 x 27 inches
- Comb - 5”
- Shampoo & Body Bath - 2 oz or larger
- Bath Soap - 1.5 oz or larger
- Deodorant - 1.5 oz or larger (Roll-on)
- Toothpaste - 1.5 oz or larger Fresh Mint
- Toothbrush - Disposable 30 Tuft Nylon
Please turn your items in to school or contact me directly. I am very grateful for any assistance you can provide toward my Eagle Project. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your time. Michael Healey - Eagle Scout Candidate – Troop 6955 840 Ramsden Run, Alpharetta, GA 30022 Phone: 678-566-1920 michaelhealey99@gmail.com
Save the Date 
MSA is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast for all of our wonderful, awesome, and super helpful volunteers. This event is for anyone who volunteers at our school in any way (including but not limited to PVA, Arts Alliance, Booster Club, Grandparents' Day, Level Reps, etc.) Please mark your calendars and join us for a hot, delicious catered breakfast as a small token of appreciation for all YOU do for Mill Springs Academy. January 14, 2016 8:30 - 10:00 AM PreUpper Great Room RSVP HERE
Calendar Change 
We have begun the challenging process of determining the calendar for the 2016-2017 school year. If you look at your spiral bound calendar, you will notice a date for the start of school that is marked tentative and is now incorrect. So please make a note that the First Day of School for 2016-2017 will be Monday, August 15, 2016. Other major dates for the next school year, large holiday's and the like, have been determined and are now on the WEBSITE CALENDAR.
Community Cares & Concerns 
Please keep the following from our Community in your thoughts and prayers: If there is ever a care or concern you would like to share with the community, please just email me at any time, I will be glad to include either names or situations. For privacy, I will only list names and claim ignorance if anyone asks me for details. Cheri
Quote of the Week Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. --Henry Ford | |
