| Artwork of the Week  One Eyed Wizard Dude This fun, colorful and creative painting is a study in texture by Upper School student Michael Flanigan.
A Note of Thanks Thank you to ... Garon Allen!  Thank you so much for surprising the staff of Communication Arts with hot lunch! Nothing is so wonderful as a fresh, homemade southern spread. Your generous support and random acts of kindness prove yet again that we have the best kids, and the most wonderful parents and grandparents. We are filled with gratitude, and with delicious pink-eyed peas! You've put a smile on our faces Garon. Thank you for being part of our community (nobody makes macaroni like you).
The Staff of Communication Arts (It must be really good, as I got TWO thank you's for Mr. Allen! He is the grandfather of Nic Allen, 7th grade)
Feature Teacher  Meet Susan Day - Counseling Director
Susan does counseling in all of the schools with all of the students and has been here since 1989. Susan started by teaching Social Studies in the Upper School and became a counselor in 2001. She says she likes everything about MSA, "but especially the students!" Her counseling philosophy is, "everyone has the capability and desire within themselves to improve." Before coming to Mill Springs she had an equestrian training and teaching facility, which explains her love of horses today. Her favorite food is dark chocolate and in her spare time, she still rides horses. She also enjoys reading, currently she is reading a Patricia Cornwell novel titled, "Dust". Thank you for what you do everyday Susan!
SCHOOL CLOSED
 Monday, February 16
SCHOOL is CLOSED
in honor of
President's Day
Book Club Projects
This week in Michael Griffeth's 8th grade PreUpper classes, students worked together in their book club groups to produce a creative project for the Jacques Cousteau book, Silent World. Below is a picture of Siobhan Hightower and Emily Hyman's project, which was a gluten-free "cave-diving" cake, complete with an underwater cave made from fondant and a miniature cave diver." SCUBA diving never tasted so good!
PM Program Starts Tuesday  The spring season of PM Program begins Tuesday, February 17th and ends May 14th. Registration is due February 6th and we have some very exciting programs to share with you! Fencing unfortunately has been canceled, but KK's, Explorers and STEM Clubs will start the new season with new projects and activities. Art Barn will return along with some warmer (we hope) weather. But that is not all ... we have two brand new programs that we know the kids will really enjoy. CLICK HERE to register today as sessions are filling up fast!
Q&A with Amy Ray 
After the concert last Friday on Fine Arts Day with Amy Ray, she was able to stick around to take questions and chat with some of the fine arts students and here is what some students had to say: “Seeing Amy Ray perform on Friday was so inspiring. Her performance was incredible and her introductions to songs were so interesting. It really inspired me to continue writing songs and hopefully get better at it. I really appreciated how open and kind she was when I got to talk to her at the end.” – Lauren Crisp, Upper School Student “Amy Ray- Wow! I enjoyed your music. I loved the way you told us how you thought of the song. I’d give you nine out of ten stars. I like the Indigo Girls! : )” - Adriano Hagedorn, Lower School Student
Additional Sport Offering  The Athletic Department has added Strength & Conditioning to the spring sport offerings. They are also offering the following:
- Middle/JV/Varsity Boys & Girls Track
- Varsity Boys & Girls Tennis
- Varsity Boys Basebll
- Lacrosse
- Golf
All Spring Sports begin Tuesday, February 17. Please CHECK THE WEBSITE HEREfor information regarding all of the programs that are offered.
Valentines of Appreciation
 The Middle School students wanted to share their valentines of appreciation with an Atlanta Police unit in lieu of sharing valentines amongst themselves. Their creations will be sent along with Girl Scout cookies! Pictured are many of the valentine's and here are the words of Bryce Dickerson:
Dear Officer Tealer: I am writing to wish you a safe and Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you for protecting us from all of the bad people that break the law. Sometimes, they harm people with weapons, and sometimes they steal expensive things that belong to other people. My family is lucky because we live in a secure community. A person that lives close to us had their wheels and tires stolen recently off of a truck by thieves. Thanks again for keeping us safe and Happy Valentine's Day! Your friend, Bryce
Student Conferences
PU/CA/U Student Conferences No Classes for PU/CA/U February 20 & February 27 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.
Sign Up for Summer Now
 This summer we are offering Summer School (for high schoolers), Sport Camps, and Mark Trail Camp. All of our programs are open to the general public and advertised outside of school as well. So don't wait to get your spot secured.
If you need or know someone that needs Summer School (rising 9-12 grades), come to MSA this Summer. We are offering core classes and certain electives under our Forward Thinking program. Look for SUMMER SCHOOL INFO HERE. We are offering a different sport camp each week over the course of the summer where students can practice or learn new skills. You can find the SUMMER SPORTS INFO HERE. Information on the MARK TRAIL CAMP is HERE. MTC is an activity based camp for 6-14 year olds. Any questions? Contact:
Carpool Tips  Dismissal times are as follows: Lower– 2:45pm. Middle– 3:00pm. PU/CA/U – 3:15pm. Buses pick up at 3:25pm. To avoid the PU/CA/U carpool line, parents can wait until 3:30 to pick up.- The carpool lane is a NO PASSING ZONE, at all times and especially if there is a bus with FLASHING LIGHTS.
- The speed limit on campus is 10 miles per hour.
- To keep the carpool line moving – ensure your carpool tag is on your rear view mirror BEFORE entering the carpool line.
- Do NOT leave your car unattended in the carpool line. If you need to go inside, please PARK.
- Contact your principal, either via phone or email, as early as possible if there is a change in transportation.
- If you exit from the L/M carpool line, please watch for the traffic coordinator to wave you on before coming down the hill to leave campus.
- If you need to pick up a PU/CA/U student early, plan to arrive before 2:30 as it will be difficult to get to the PU/CA/U parking lot once carpool begins.
Thanks for your patience and cooperation in making our carpool safe for students and everyone.
Community Cares & Concerns
Please keep the following from our Community in your thoughts and prayers. The Regas Family The Sampson Family Unemployed Families Please email me at any time with individuals you would like to include on our list as their needs arise. For privacy, I will only list names and claim ignorance if you ask me for details.
Character Quote of the Week 
Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right path, the final forming of a persons character lies in their own hands. --Anne Frank | 
