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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19
» PU/CA/U Student Conferences
PU/CA/U NO CLASSES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20
» IDA-GA Conference
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25
» Winter PM Program Ends
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26
» PU/CA/U Student Conferences
PU/CA/U NO CLASSES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29
» Varsity Baseball
Time TBD, @ Weber School » Spring PM Begins
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| Art of the Week 
This is a design by PreUpper, 7th Grader, Jacob Beck.
Think Like a Geologist
What a fun time we are having in Middle School Earth Science! Students are learning about the Ring of Fire, plate tectonics, and the mysteries and wonders of earth’s volcanoes. This current lesson has provided the students a chance to think like a geologist and make speculations based on their inquiry questions by researching and exploring the rhyme and reasons behind the characteristics of different volcanoes around the world. Students are creating detailed Power Points filled with historical facts, science behind the formation, emergency procedures, maps, photos, and fun facts that they will later share with the class. This lesson has allowed the students to incorporate their geography skills, prior knowledge of other natural disasters, and research skills of properly resourcing through scholarly websites. We are all looking forward to learning more about different volcanoes from one another. --Shannon Warchalowsky
Alumni Visits Guest Journalist - Brandon McCormick, Upper School Senior
During our 1st period Forensic Science class, Mill Springs Class of 2007 alumni, Tucker O'Brien, spoke to us. In speaking to our class, he provided a variety of information concerning the job market, surviving college, studying abroad, and gaining employment through a temp agency. The class asked Mr. O'Brien about Georgia College & State University, which is where he obtained his undergraduate and master's degrees. He advised that everyone should pursue college to the best of their abilities, seeing that the higher degreed earned statistically favors strong employment opportunities and correspondingly stronger pay. From Mr. O'Brien speaking to our class, we learned a lot about college and GCSU. Tucker is pictured at the head of the class speaking to the students. See Tucker's GOLDEN RULES HERE.
 Musician of the Week
Meet 8th grade PreUpper School student, Collins Losson. Collins rocks the piano in Band, sings, rules the basketball court, and is, in general, awesome-sauce. He is also our Musician of the Week!
Congratulations Collins!
Creative Essays in the Works
In the previous week in PreUpper Composition students organized and developed their first five-paragraph essay, which was a paper defining a Type Character, such as the Slob, the Cheapskate, the Jock, or any other of the student's choice. Students developed these topics in about 500 words and were able to revise the essay to improve its quality. We discussed how to write the next essay, which is one using Narration to tell a story in which a certain emotion was predominant, such as Fear, Jealousy, or Shyness, or any other emotion the student chooses to write about. Other writing assignments coming up include creating a business letter in the correct format for a job application document and also writing a film review after viewing a video in class. I am pleased to find that many of my Composition students are highly creative and are doing original work in their writing assignments. Pictured is Grace Gersack working on her essay. --Errol F. Sanders
Student Conferences
 If you haven't already been, you will be contacted about a designated conference time – please try to be on time as the conferences are scheduled back to back and if one conference starts late, that cascades through the day's schedule.
During days when there are conferences, the schools holding conferences do NOT have classes. However, the other schools do and buses run on the normal schedule.
If you are unsure or have questions please contact your principal.
Spreading Love - 1 of 4
Sixth Grader Ishwar Naik created a three dimensional heart to go with his poem.
Magnificent Adjectives!
Ms. Jodi’s class is learning about adjectives and how to use them to write descriptive paragraphs. Will Giles of 4th grade in Lower School wrote the following paragraph about his trip to the park. "Yesterday I went to visit my enjoyable and kind grandma. She took me to the titanic park down the street. I played on the massive swing set and marvelous slide. The park had some large oak trees. I looked up and noticed some indulgent blue birds in a tree. Then I saw a joyful man with a cute dog walk by me. I liked the playful dog so much that my fun grandma suggested that we adopt a sweet dog. It ended up being a marvelous day!"
Experience Like Heaven
The first weekend of February, PreUpper student Bryce Zimmerman attended the GISA Middle School All-Select Chorus and represented MSA well! Bryce was nominated by Chorus teacher Kate McElliott and was then selected by GISA based on his application for this prestigious chance to learn from a collegiate choral director and to sing with all the best singers from other private schools across Georgia. Bryce said about the weekend, “The experience was like heaven. I made lifelong friends and I learned so much! I also I had a wonderful time learning.”
Re-enrollment Due MONDAY!
It is re-enrollment time! Your deadline to get them turned back in is February 22nd - MONDAY! That is when we begin to open up enrollment to new families. So don't wait to get your contract and deposit in to Sheila. If you have questions please Sheila can be reached at sfitzgerald@millsprings.org.
Spreading Love - 2 of 4
Fifth Grader Smith Hill drew this terrific picture of a tank. Notice the detail of the gun that shoots hearts and the man holding up the Happy V Day sign.
Lowdown on MAP Testing
At Mill Springs Academy we utilize Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) tests to determine your child’s instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year in the areas of reading and math. MAP tests are unique in that they are taken on the computer and adapt to be appropriate for your child’s level of learning. That means that the test becomes more difficult the more questions your child answers correctly. When your child incorrectly answers a question, the test becomes easier. Therefore, your child takes a test specifically created for his or her learning level. And with MAP tests, we can administer shorter tests and use less class time while still receiving detailed, accurate information about your child’s growth. MAP testing is a powerful tool for monitoring student growth over time. Reports from MAP are available within 24 hours of testing ... READ MORE
Thes-Con
February 4th-6th the MSA International Thespian Honor Society Chapter 8170 attended Thes-Con in Columbus, GA. This conference had 4,000+ attendees from thespian chapters all over the state. Troupe Director Patrick Rose, Teacher Kate McElliott, Morgan Newman, Morgan Graves, Alexis Herrington, Sam North, and Cartwright Ayres all attended. We spent three days participating in workshops, watching shows and meeting fellow theater folk. We learned a great deal about theater crafts. One of the highlights for the troupe director was the making of breakaway bottle glass and how to use digital projection for live theater. Cartwright Ayres and Morgan Newman learned how to do several lifts and spins in a dance class (pictured). Alexis Herrington made a zombie duck plushy in her hand sewing workshop. We all are so exited to attend again next year.
Sign Up TODAY!
We are pleased to announce that our Spring 2016 PM Program line-up registration has begun. There are many new and exciting programs, and we have something for every age range.The programs include Arts & Crafts for Scottish Rite, Mustang Muggles (a Quidditch type game), STEM Club, Book Club, and then the standard favorites of The Art Barn (but on our campus), Explorers' Club, and of course KK's Club and Mentors!
You can REGISTER HERE today! The second item we would like to share is that Brittany Emge is now the new PM Program Coordinator for MSA - yes this is our very own Library Media Specialist. So if you have any questions about the PM Program, you can contact Brittany either via EMAIL or at 678-893-7839. You can REGISTER HERE today!
Spreading Love - 3 of 4
Alexander Agcaoili is a fifth grader in the Middle School.
Doggone Fun
Students in Lower School earned a Doggone Fun Fab Friday for working hard all week. Each day a teacher read a different story about dogs before morning announcements. On Friday we played dog breed bingo, we had a dog bone relay race and made doggie treat bags for shelter dogs. The treat bags will be donated to Angels Among Us Pet Rescue. Students also brought in their favorite dog stuffed animal. During dismissal, students ate some Scooby Doo dog bone graham cracker snacks and watched All Dogs Go To Heaven. Lower School loves dogs! --Jodi Easter-Smith
Excited for Math
Thursday the Upper School pre-calculus class walked up to Lower School to read books about math! After completing a unit on imaginary numbers each student wrote and illustrated a children’s book about imaginary numbers. We read all four books to the entire Lower School. “This was the best math class I have ever had!” said Nicole Thomas. Alexis Herrington was so excited to return to Lower School, where she once attended, to help get the students as excited about math as she was when she was their age. Pictured is Alexis reading the book she illustrated and Neil Jensen and Alex Diaz wrote.
Book Fair is Coming!  Save the Date for MSA’s Annual Barnes and Noble Book Fair!
When: Friday, March 4th from 4-7pm Where: Barnes and Noble Alpharetta, Northpoint Parkway What: An in-store book fair! Anything bought from the store will benefit MSA Library Events: Student artwork will be displayed, and MSA’s musical theater students will be presenting selections from Little Shop of Horrors, their Spring musical. Little Shop is a comedy horror rock musical set in the 1960’s about a plant that feeds on blood and the florists that work in the shop he is raised in. Selections for the book fair will be PG rated. Performance is at 6:30pm.
Spreading Love - 4 of 4
Sixth Grader Zack SoolaymanAli made a wonderful Valentines Day card to send.
I Was There!
Johnny Mathis: The Man, the Myth, the Legend. And I was there!
On Friday, January 29, 2016, Johnny Mathis brought his 60th anniversary tour to the Cobb Energy Center to delight fans of all ages. Okay, maybe not all ages, but the place was PACKED.
Johnny Mathis has been crooning classics for 60 years, and that Friday was the second time that I've had the opportunity to accompany him by playing in his orchestra. The last time was 2007 at The Fox Theatre. Where does the time go? He is an absolute delight to hear, and such a sweet man! As I signed my name in the front cover of his Horn I book, as players have for the last 60 years, I couldn't help but marvel at the legendary Horn playing signatures I saw. It was a true honor to be a part of such an historic event! --Elizabeth Regas
Who's Your Caddy?
Register now for Mill Springs Academy's 18th Annual Tee-off for Technology Golf Tournament: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Atlanta National Golf Club CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
All funds raised will benefit the technology program at MSA.
Sign Up Now!
Sign up now for Summer Sports Camp at Mill Springs Academy. We are offering co-ed basketball and soccer along with girls' volleyball. For more details CLICK HERE or talk to Coaches Phil Hanson for basketball or soccer, and Karen Kaiser for volleyball. This is an excellent opportunity for all new students to get to know some of our coaches and get in the groove before school starts in August. GO MUSTANGS!
Community Cares & Concerns 
The Lynch Family
The Roepe Family
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 The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.
--Albert Schweitzer
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Since we last talked, we have had Valentine's Day, President's Day and a College Coffee Talk. We took our new teachers to lunch and today we have student conferences for PU/CA/U. Tomorrow we are one of the sponsors of the IDA-GA Annual Conference (if you are attending visit Sheila and Kathy at the MSA table) and there is a GISA Job Fair on Sunday. So we will be out and about in town this weekend.
