MSA Weekly News - October 14, 2016

October 14, 2016 | Vol 10, Iss 9, No 333

NEWSLETTER

Well for a short week, it sure was long! We had Monday off and Yom Kippur was observed this week. We have begun holding student conferences. That makes for lots of work, but the kids get a bit of time off. Today a squirrel decided to eat through the power lines to campus. Everything went dark for a brief moment (probably while the squirrel was being cooked) and then only some of the power came back. Lots of random issues with the power fluctuations we were having. That made for a very interesting day. Thanks to all of those who worked through all of that. Tomorrow is Founder's Day the celebration we look forward to each year, it's always a fun time so make sure you come and enjoy lunch with us.

Oh and hey, it's National Dessert Day make sure you take our Dessert Survey. See you Monday!

Art of the Week

This week's Art of the Week is by Communication Arts student Connor Doyle. Connor is passionate about all planes and hopes to one day be pilot. In art he created a very large plane sculpture out of plaster that could barely make it out of the art room door. Great work Connor!

Thank you Dexter Edge and the V-ball Parents

I wanted to give a BIG thank you to Dexter Edge and the Volleyball team parents! Mr. Edge has been our team parent for 2 years now and he is an essential part of the success of the Lady Mustangs Volleyball team. He made sure that we have line judges at each match, snacks, drinks, and a second line of communication for parents. All the parents have done so much this season and we just want to thank them for their time, support and encouragement throughout the season! One last special thank you to all the parents who have been line judges throughout the season, y'all are the best. I know that as parents you want to watch your player from the stands and sacrificing that to help during the matches is something that we would like to recognize. Being a line judge is not always the easiest, friendliest, or rewarding position to be in. Thank you to everyone who has made this season a success. We could not ask for a more supportive group of parents and fans, THANK YOU!

Coaches Karen, Lisa and Brad

Musician of the Week

Please congratulate our Musician of the Week, Bryce Zimmerman, freshman in the Upper School. Bryce is in band and chorus and will be representing MSA at Literary Festival as the boys' soloist this year. Bryce practices daily, is always researching music, and he will be CONDUCTING the other 23 members of the chorus at Founder's Day (pictured practicing with half the choir) as they sing the national anthem. Way to go Bryce!

Class of 2017

Please congratulate Andrew Balog on his acceptance to Kennesaw State University!

Reinhardt University has extended acceptance to Scott Collins - Congrats!

Feature Teacher

Meet Henry Franklin. Henry teaches Algebra, Calculus, and Trigonometry in the Upper School. He has been a substitute teacher for the last couple of years and was hired full-time this fall. He likes being here because of the strong community feel, the small class size and the parent involvement. Previously he was a teacher at Chattahoochee Technical College and has also been a tutor, privately, and professionally. His teaching philosophy includes teaching by example, and he encourages students to believe in and achieve their full ability. Outside of school he loves to eat Paella Valenciana and veal. He enjoys jet skiing, going to the movies and traveling.. Currently he is reading a book by Taylor Caldwell titled, "Great Lion of God."

Thank you for what you do Henry!

Deadliest Catch, Will Lucas, MSA Class of 2008

Alumni Will Lucas stopped by Mill Springs the other day and shared a little bit about his latest endeavors. He is currently working on a salmon boat in Alaska, on which he is pictured holding jelly fish - I might add. It also seems that he is preparing to spend some time as part of the crew on the fishing vessel, Time Bandit (also in Alaska), as they are filming for the Deadliest Catch that will air later on Discovery. He is incredibly excited about this opportunity and if you are inclined to watch this show he asked that we root for Team Blue! Be safe and happy voyages to you Will!

Atlanta Maker Faire

Nearly two-thirds of the students in the PreUpper School attended and got involved with the Atlanta Maker Faire. Held in Decatur on October 1 and 2, this event, attended by 20,000 - 30,000 visitors, featured over 100 booths of different 'makers.' The majority of the booths focused on electronic and technology based projects. There were many robots and computers that guests could interact with as well as some not so technological, such as the fascinating black smithing booth. There were drone races, some of which ended in spectacular and unfortunate crashes.

Among the booths located on the Decatur High School football field was one representing the "Georgia Section of the American Radio Relay League,' where MSA students could check in with Martha to receive their ticket worth extra credit in their science class. They also had the chance to interact with various aspects of ham radio in that booth such as sending their name in Morse code, building and soldering a small blinky toy, playing with restored 1950's era radio teletype machines, sending and receiving digital radio communications, and talking on the radio at the Special Event station.

PreUpper students James Maichle KM4QHQ and Ben Groff helped guests in the Amateur Radio booth investigate various parts of that booth. They even carried a radio around asking others at the Faire if they'd like to 'say hello on ham radio.' Colin Bechtel KM4SZO helped our guests make blinky toys. Pictured is student Robert Lake with teacher Martha Muir.

35th Annual Founder's Day - TOMORROW

Please mark your calendars and plan on attending our annual Founder's Day celebration on:

Saturday, October 15, 2016

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

For those families new to Mill Springs, our Founder's Day event is like a fall family picnic and is our way of honoring the school's founder, Tweetie L. Moore.The event is FREE OF CHARGE and includes:

Lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A
Rock Climbing Wall with Spider Jump
Video Game Theater
Outdoor Laser Tag
Two Giant Hamster Balls
Bounce House

NOTE: The event will take place near our athletic fields on the MSA Campus. When entering the campus that day, please follow all traffic signs down into the fields for event parking.

Crankenstein

Have you ever met a Crankenstein? I'm sure you have, you may have even been a Crankenstein. What is a Crankenstein, you might ask. Well, a Crankenstein is person that is being extremely cranky. We completed an interactive notebook on the book Crankenstein by Samantha Berger. They learned new vocabulary words, completed writing responses to reading, and made connections with the characters. The most important lesson for this unit was learning different strategies to handle frustration and how to help a friend when they are feeling cranky. For the culminating activity, the students had to follow oral directions to draw Crankenstein. Then, they had to choose vocabulary words that described the character and write a paragraph using at least three new terms (pictured Daniel Moses and Patrick Keane).

Daniel wrote: Crankenstein was disgusted by his pancakes. He was impatient when waiting in long lines. In my opinion, Crankenstein was too cranky.

Patrick wrote: Crankenstein was cranky before bedtime. He was impatient waiting in line. In my opinion, Crankestein was too irritated.

--Branigan Hughes, Lower School Teacher

Public Open House

Wednesday, October 19

9:00 - 11:00am

Student Activity Center

If you know someone that might benefit from attending MSA, please invite them to an Open House or better yet bring them! In case you haven't attended an Open House, it provides prospective parents with an overview of the school, a wonderful Fine Arts presentation, at least one parent and one student perspective, a tour of the school and an opportunity to speak with the principal. It's a great opportunity for them to get a feel for what we are all about. Word of mouth is by far the biggest way families find their way to Mill Springs and we know that you sometimes have the chance to be "Mill Springs on the Street", we thank you for sharing MSA!

Middle Soccer WINS!

Our young Running Mustangs clinched another play-off berth by crunching the Cottage School by a score of 5-1 yesterday!!! What a game! To follow are details of the upcoming tournament, we hope you will come and cheer on our Mustang Ponies. All games are at the Waller Park Extension.

Game 1 - Tues, Oct 18, 3pm - #2 Swift A vs. #3 Swift B

Game 2 - Tues, Oct 18, 4pm - #1 Waldorf vs. #4 MSA

Game 3 - Thurs, Oct 20, 3pm - Runner up of Games 1 & 2

Game 4 - Thurs, Oct 20, 4pm - Championship Game (Winners of Games 1 & 2)

Dance Workshop

Our very own Fine Arts teacher, Brenda Smith, will be offering two dance workshops for students in grades 7-12 who are interested in auditioning for the spring musical, Singin' in the Rain. She is awesome in DANCE and ART! Dance workshops are October 19th and October 26th from 3:30-5:00 in the theater. Sign-ups for dance workshop and auditions are posted in the theater. Auditions are November 2nd and 3rd from 3:30-5:00.

Eagle Scout Court of Honor

On Tuesday, I was able to join senior Brandon Carr, his family, friends, and Scout Troop 226 at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony. It was nice to see all the young men state the Scout Oath and Law, receive badges, move up as leaders in the Troop and share their experiences as Boy Scouts. The Scout Master shared with everyone all of Brandon's accomplishments and talked about his Eagle Scout project, which was a garden at the Swift School.

The Upper School Mill Spring Family is very proud of Brandon and hopes he will continue to use the leadership and life skills he has learned to become an Eagle Scout; this will prepare him for college and the real world.

--Cynthia Traylor, Principal Upper School

Parent Volunteer Association Meets

Thursday, October 20th

7:00 pm

PURE Taqueria Roswell

http://puretaqueria.com/roswell/

Bert Show's Big Thank You - REMINDER

The time of the year has come again for Bert's Big Thank You!! This is a campaign to send a handwritten THANK YOU letter to every troop that is overseas and has to be away from their families for Thanksgiving. This is such an important cause, because those that have to be away from their families for the holidays can get some love and gratitude from all of us here at home.

It is an annual tradition for Mill Springs to get involved in the Big Thank You. Last year we sent over 100 letters, and we would love to send even more this year. We would love you to get involved! The letter does need to be handwritten and heartfelt. It can be a short thank you or as long as you would like to make it (within one page). If you get your letters to me in Lower School by October 21st, I will make sure they get to the station to be sent out to our troops. Thank you so much!

Link for The Big Thank You in case you would like more information: http://thebertshow.com/bigthankyou/

Link for the letter format/specifications:

http://thebertshow.com/big-thank-letter-format/

Carissa Nelson, Lower School

LAST CALL for Box Tops!

Turn in Box Tops by Friday, October 21st for our fall submission and drawing. Place in a zipped bag or envelope with your students name & grade on the bag to be eligible for the drawing. Drop in the collection containers in each school or office. Labels for Education, Tyson A+ labels and My Coke Rewards caps/codes should be turned in now too.

Fall drawing winners will be announced in November.

Each School will have a winner that can choose a $10 gift card from Barnes & Noble, Dick's, Target, or Toys R Us.

Contact Beth Kane at beth-kane@outlook.com with any questions.

Thanks for your participation!

Team USA Names Athlete of the Week

We are so excited to be able to share that our very own wrestling coach, John Hanrahan, has been selected by Team USA as Athlete of the Week after winning the UWW World Championships. A great big congratulations Coach John, we are very proud of you.

You can read the entire ARTICLE HERE.

Fathers' Night with Robert

Review from an Upper Dad last year: "Fathers' Night was well worth my time and I am very glad that I had the opportunity to participate."

Thursday, October 27, 2016

7:00 - 9:00pm

Middle School Great Room

RSVP TODAY by CLICKING HERE

What is LD? What is ADHD?

Come to explore these issues with your host and Headmaster, Robert Moore.

He will present the F.A.T. City Workshop video "How Difficult Can This Be?" by Richard D. Lavoie, a nationally known expert on learning disabilities.

In this video Richard Lavoie shows why the classroom can be an intimidating place for kids with learning disabilities. In the video he leads a group of parents, educators, psychologists, and children through a series of exercises that cause Frustration, Anxiety, and Tension … feelings all too familiar to children with learning disabilities. By dramatizing the classroom experience so vividly, Lavoie lets us see the world through the eyes of a child.

At the end of the video, a casual discussion will take place on strategies for working more effectively with learning disabled children.

We will serve pizza and wings. This is a Dad's only event!

Please RSVP so we can plan for food by CLICKING HERE.

What Harry Potter Qualities do YOU Possess?

The students of Ms. Courtney's Reading classes have been reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Expanding on what they have been reading about, in Language Arts the students were sorted into the different Hogwarts Houses (Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff) and tasked with completing a writing assignment about what qualities they possessed that helped get them sorted into their House. It required the students to dig deep and think about the characteristics and personalities they believe they possess. Many students shared personalities and characteristics from many of the Houses; everyone had to really think about what qualities they possessed and why they might value them more over others. They also tried on the Sorting Hat! Pictured Edward Gorgoll and Zach Porter

Visiting College and Portfolio Review

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film is visiting MSA!

Thursday, November 3rd

12:15 - 1:00 pm

in the Art Studio

RSVP today to Janet Ford to reserve your spot in the conversation!

Also the Watkins rep will be reviewing artist portfolios. Let Janet/Brenda know if you want a portfolio review.

Bert's Big Thank You - Letter 1 of 2

Guest Journalist - Mia Nemesh, 8th Grade, PreUpper

To whom it may concern,

I just wanted to thank you and everyone else in the armed forces. My name is Mia, thank you for going out everyday to risk your lives to save ours. I know that many schools have kids write letters to the armed forces, and a lot of them are forced and sound false or not meaningful. Unlike a lot of students I actually enjoy writing letters to all of you. Both of my grandfathers were in the armed forces so I have come to respect everyone out there. You all out there go out willingly and you have no idea what lies ahead. Which is a very heroic thing to do and for that I am and will always be grateful of you and everyone else out there. All of you protect our freedom so we can grow up in a safe home. I can't write out how much I appreciate you all, once again thank you.

Sincerely, Mia Nemesh

Registration Window is Open

We have opened the registration window for the 2016-2017 Winter PM Program. Please make your registrations by November 11.

The Winter session will begin on November 8th and run through February 23.

You can find INFORMATION HERE.

You can REGISTER HERE.

Depleted but Never Cheated

With the AAC Regular Soccer Season Championship, Number One Seed in the AAC Tournament, and a Big Gut Check at stake, the Mustangs rallied around each other and defeated the Cottage School 3-1. "This was a signature victory for our Team and Program; and to accomplish it without 5 starters, truly epitomizes what we intend to do."

The Cottage School wasted no time dictating tempo, controlling the game, and drew first blood scoring within the game's first ten minutes. Both teams continued to battle, and as the first half came to a close, the Cougars held on to a 1-0 advantage. "We were playing like a bunch of Handsome Dans. We were tentative, and they were taking it to us. We had to have an old time Billy Sunday Prayer Meeting behind the shed; and once we got our minds right, we went back to business and our blue collar ways. We practice physical, we play physical, and we live physical!" READ MORE

What is the PVA (Parent Volunteer Association)?
The Parent Volunteer Association works to support the school in their efforts to optimize the students' educational experience at Mill Springs Academy. Our two main goals are community and fundraising. First, the Mill Springs Academy community is as unique as its students. We, as parents, have traveled a sometimes winding road to find ourselves here, and this community of parents "gets it". This community is a place where we can share our stories, our children's struggles and successes with parents who understand in a way that other parents cannot. Second, our fundraising for Mill Springs Academy is essential as we continually strive to improve the school and its amenities. Our cause is one of highest importance, our children's educational experience.

At our fabulous annual Barn Bash & Auction last month, the PVA raised over $21,500 in funds we plan to donate to the school. In our PVA membership drive thus far this year, we have raised over $5,000. How will this money be spent? By being a PVA member and attending PVA meetings, you may provide a voice as to how the funds we raise should be spent within our school. This school year, the PVA is raising funds to upgrade needed technology in our classrooms: Smart Boards, new laptops for teachers, and improvements in network connectivity. We have other projects in mind and want to hear your opinion!

Join the PVA today at http://www.millspringspva.org/join-us. Contact millspringspva@millsprings.org for more information about YOUR school's PVA!!

How Far Away will it Land?

This week in Algebra and Trigonometry class, the students took on a competition to use math to predict the distance of projectiles. This is possible with quadratic equations, which the class is learning to solve by different methods. Solving a particular kind of quadratic equation predicts what distance away a projectile will land, and students competed out on the track this week to see who could make their projectile throw match the computed prediction the most closely. The winner was Sean Brinkley!

-- Sam Adams, Teacher Communication Arts

ADHD Awareness Month

It's time to celebrate the gift and manage the challenges of ADHD. If you would like to learn more about ADHD please check out www.adhdawarenessmonth.org.

This week we are suggesting a fantastic book that is a wellspring of information and insight to understanding the role that emotions play in ADHD. It is "Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults with ADHD" by Dr. Thomas Brown. It offers a series of true stories about intelligent, capable teens and adults who have gotten "stuck" at work, school, and/or social relationships because of their ADHD. The author offers ways to manage emotions in a positive way and details paths that people with ADHD can take to lead to a more rewarding and productive life.

"We must recognize the critical role of emotions, both positive and negative, in initiating and prioritizing tasks, sustaining or shifting interest and effort, holding thoughts in active memory, and choosing to engage in or avoid a task or situation." --Thomas Brown, PhD

Bert's Big Thank You - Letter 2 of 2

Guest Journalist - Iris Dunn, 8th Grade, PreUpper

To the daily protectors of the freedom of our country,

My name is Iris Dunn, and I live in Roswell, GA. Personally, I admire your courage in the face of danger. I thank you for protecting me and my family from any threats overseas and risking your life to preserve the freedom that we enjoy in our country. I would never have the bravery to do something so selfless. I'm sorry that some times I take you for granted. I've never fully appreciated that the people serving overseas are real people. Children's parents, sisters, brothers, even someone's son or daughter and I'm glad to have this wake-up call. Whoever is reading this letter, I want you to know: You inspire me to be brave. Thank you for having the courage to get up everyday and fight for the freedom of people that you have never meet.

Take Care,

Iris Dunn

I eagerly await your reply

What's YOUR Favorite?

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

In honor of National Dessert Day, today, I am taking a poll to find out what are our favorite desserts. I hope you will take just a moment and fill out the 3 question DESSERT SURVEY. But do this today as the survey will close down on Wednesday, October 19 at 3pm.

Next week I will share the results with you.

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

I can't wait to find out the delicious results!

MSA Fine Arts Collective

Check out photos of the work created by our Fine Arts students over the years at the new MSA Fine Arts Collective website - www.MSAarts.org.

Here you will find student portfolios of every current art student! There are also photos from many of the musical theater and drama performances of years past. We will be adding continuously to this site as the students complete more fantastic work over - check it often!

Success in Math

In PreAlgebra we are learning the distributive property and how to simplify variable expressions. We have spent five class periods learning the intricacies of how to use the distributive property to make multiplying easier, and how to combine like terms while managing negative coefficients.

For 8 years the image below has been written on my board. If I say, "Look at the term…." Any student I've had should say "AND the sign in front."

Students are beginning to understand expressions are made up of littler pieces of math called terms. They are learning that when reading an expression x - 7 you would say x minus seven, but if you were examining the pieces of the expression you would identify them as x and negative seven.

I love these lessons and the structure of the distributive property as I know students will have to distribute in future problems at least 1000 times before they finish high school. Here's to current and future math success.

--William Turner, PreUpper Teacher

Got Pictures?

Through the course of the school year, if you attend a sporting event or any activity on campus, or off, and you take pictures while you are there, I would love to have them!

I need nice, clear pictures for all kinds of things: Facebook, Instagram, the lobby monitor in Admin, MSA Weekly News, advertisements, printed items, etc.

Email your awesome camera work to pictures@millsprings.org and I will put them to work! If you have any questions, call Cheri (770-360-1336). Thank you!

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.

--Will Rogers

Community Cares & Concerns

The Covert Family

The Jones Family

The Vargas 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