February 2, 2010
Head's Letter
I am impressed with the generosity and caring of our community in the face of the recent tragedy in Haiti. The students held a fantastic fundraising drive, raising more than $2,000 for vital support in the region. As an institution our goal is to encourage social responsibility. I’ve heard it said that community service is the fullest expression of our humanity—this phrase fits so well, and we should be proud of the small part we play.
Our mission as educators is to help our students develop into citizens of the world. Citizens, who are accountable to those who surround them. Increasingly the scope of our daily lives is interrelated and dependent upon others, not just to our immediate community. The social responsibility modeled by the students who organized and participated in this effort tells us that they are already making a difference in the world.
This same spirit of interconnectedness and international community extended to the activities held on campus to mark International Day. Underlying Friday's vibrant presentation of song, dance, and performance was the ever powerful message of world kinship. Students shared the wisdom of African sages through proverb and the culture of India through Bollywood style dance. Pulsing performances of the Irish reel left the audience feeling lighthearted and celebratory. Two Upper School students conveyed their hopes for global diversity in a thought provoking rendition of Blackbird by The Beatles.
I'd also like to thank the volunteers who made the International Day lunchtime feast possible. Our mothers painstakingly prepared a smorgasbord of global delights. For a brief moment we ate our way around the world, what a treat.
Sincerely,
Dr. Catherine Raaflaub
Head of School
The Annual Giving Fund The Advancement Office is gearing up for the second phase of this year’s giving
appeal. Thus far we've raised $320,000 and have
$230,000 left to raise to reach this year's goal of $550,000. Nearly 40% of all Academy families have given to the four pillars of History in the Making (
click here to see funds raised by grade). For those parents who have given, we thank you again for your support. To help us reach our goal of 100% parent participation this school year (and what a powerful message that would send!), we will display grade level thermometers around campus, update families regularly through the website, provide prizes to grades that reach 100% participation, and a grand prize to the grade that raises the largest dollar amount! Stay tuned for details.
In addition to these efforts, we are posting an Annual Giving Fund Donor Wall on the school’s new website to recognize current donors. To be counted among these donors, please
give today!
Parent Receptions
Parents are reminded to RSVP for one of the State of the School Receptions at the Head of School’s home on campus. These receptions give parents the chance to meet the Head of School, enjoy conversation with one another, and learn of exciting initiatives underway. If you have further questions regarding these events, contact Anndell Quintero at 773-881-6700 ext. 265.
Open House – Spread the Word
Our Open House is coming up on Sunday, February 7 at 1:00 p.m. If you know someone who is mission-appropriate, please encourage them to come to the Open House and learn more about our school and the community. You can also point them to our new website, which outlines everything from the admissions process to the breadth of academic and co-curricular programs we offer. By recommending a family, you are taking an active role in shaping who ultimately benefits from an Academy education. For more information, please contact Adriana Mourgelas, Director of Admissions via e-mail or call 773-881-6700 ext. 246 for more information.
Open Door After School Programs
Morgan Park Academy's Open Door Program is offering a variety of courses after school. Classes are still open and we encourage you to enroll. Look for a flyer in your child’s Friday folder or click here for more information or to register.
Passport Program
Morgan Park Academy kicked off its Passport Program during the week of International Day. All students were issued a passport that will be kept by their homeroom teachers in Lower School and their advisors in Middle and Upper Schools. Throughout their Academy careers, students are involved in many activities that support our Global strand of cultural education, service and environmental sustainability. The passport provides them a place to record their experiences and accomplishments in a tangible way. Make sure to look out for these fun little burgundy books around campus!
Fathers' Club Gym Night
Back by popular demand is the Fathers' Club Gym Night, open to all Lower and Middle School students and fathers on Friday, February 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join us for a fun night of shooting hoops, volleyball, soccer or dodgeball with your son or daughter, or just enjoy some quiet reading time and snacks. View the flyer or contact Tom Dryjanski for details, at det249@msn.com.
The Hike and Bike Update
The Hike and Bike challenge proved a tough one last month, but the Academy conquered three more states and added another 3,413 miles to the grand total! To read Coach Oczkowski's full report, click here.
Students Discover Real Connections to Reading
On January 27, Seniors in Ms. Claire Concannon’s AP English Language and Composition class welcomed former Morgan Park Academy parent, Jim Shaw to their class discussion. The students have read The Wretched of the Earth by Franz Fanon, an important theorist of revolution, colonialism and racism of the last century. Mr. Shaw is a student of revolution and has been active in revolutionary movements. He discussed how Fanon’s text is relevant to current society and its application to the conflicts of today. Students became actively engaged in exploring the role of violence in revolution, as well as the possibility of an ideal government that would avoid oppression of any kind. The class plans to read the Autobiography of Malcolm X next.
Mock Trial Team Reaches Top Four
On January 22, Morgan Park Academy’s mock trial team competed against 15 other teams in the first round of the Cook County Regionals at the Daley Center in Chicago. The Plaintiff's team of attorneys Dominique Ranieri and Andrea Hunter, and witnesses Devin Grover and Riddhi Shah squared off against Hubbard High School in the first event. Attorneys Joe Misulonas, Mary Raddawi, Bintu Njie and Tom Odier, with witnesses Preeti Gaddam and Hannah Yehudah argued on behalf of the defense against Maine East in the second match-up. The Academy’s team placed in the top four along with Evanston, Oak Park High School, and Chicago Christian. The team made their case again the next morning in the Federal Dirksen Building courtroom, and has the opportunity to go on to state trials as a wild card nominee in March. Coach Grutzius congratulates the team, including other members Mike Manley, Lindsay Bartolini, Frank Wilson, Skylar Taft and Noor Hamadeh.
Aid Raised for Haiti
Morgan Park Academy raised over $2,000 in donations for victims of the earthquake in Haiti last week. The Upper School Student Council, under the leadership of Senior Mary Raddawi, conducted a huge all-school bake sale. Council members, teachers, and staff contributed homemade cookies, bars, and brownies. Alumna Ellen Rasmussen also described her traumatic earthquake experience to students. She teaches mathematics in the neighboring Dominican Republic at the Carol Morgan School. Ellen, who visited her family in Chicago on break, returned to the Dominican Republic on January 25, bringing with her the money collected through the Academy community’s efforts. The Carol Morgan School will purchase supplies and transport them by truck to Haiti.
College Financial Aid NightParents and students are encouraged to attend a College Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Arts Center. A speaker from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will host a presentation on both merit-based and need-based financial aid options, filling out the FAFSA application, and other topics that concern financing college education.
A Night at the MoviesEvery family needs an evening out
together once in a while - especially on these long, cold winter nights. Make it
cozy by enjoying a movie together.
This month the Academy will begin Family Movie Night in the theater. The first feature film
will be Disney Pixar's
UP Friday, February 12, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The movie is free of charge; all children must be accompanied by a parent. Contact Betty Callihan for details by
email or at
773-881-6700 ext. 234.
IHSA Regionals at Morgan Park Academy
Morgan Park Academy will be
hosting the Girl’s IHSA Basketball Regionals. They will begin on Monday February 8, 2010. Come out and cheer on your lady
Warriors as they defend their Regional title. The schedule is as follows:
Mon., Feb. 8
Game 1 at 6:00 p.m: (4) Lansing (Luther East) vs. (5) Bridgeview (Aqsa)
Game 2 at 8:00 p.m: (3) Chicago (C. Hope Academy) vs. (6) Villa Park (Islamic Foundation)
Wed., Feb. 10
Game 3 at 6:00 p.m: (1) Chicago (Morgan Park Academy) vs. Winner Game 1
Game 4 at 8:00 p.m: (2) Crete (Illinois Lutheran) vs. Winner Game 2
Thu., Feb. 11
Game 5 at 7:30 p.m: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
The Art of Judo
The Morgan Park Academy Judo Club
gave a wonderful sneak peek performance of the Japanese Art of Judo, it's
techniques and philosophy, on International Day. Club members include Mr.
Michael Delaney, Eudell Watts, Jack Berkey, Jack Seastrom, Elijah Moss, and
Andrew and Madison Delaney. All were on hand to show off their skills in the
martial arts. Students inspired by the program are welcome to join in on the
fun. Classes are every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Christine Linnerud Room.
Please visit our website for more information and the required registration
forms.
Around the World in Sixty Minutes
The Academy's lunch time culinary
trip around the world is an International Day favorite. This delicious potluck feast,
features dishes from the myriad of cultures represented by our families. It's
an experience teacher Jean Doyle describes as "The best lunch of the
year!" The Mothers' club works tirelessly to organize, heat, and serve the
offerings brought in by Academy students—lovingly prepared as a family project
just the night before. Students
peruse bulging tables full of strange and exotic delicacies often going in for
seconds. To view a photo gallery of International Day festivities, click here.
Exchange of Global Cultures Unites the Academy
Lower School students marked
International Day through the extended study of a foreign country and
participation in a final presentation to other Lower School classrooms. Upper
School students took part in this global exchange by visiting Lower School
classrooms to share in an activity, book, or craft from the country that was
studied.
For students of the Middle
School, International Day kicked off a semester long string of events stemming
from the 100 people: A World Portrait initiative.
To read more about this international project click here.
Upper School National Honor
Society members and Global Scholars organized a cultural assembly with
performers from Third through Twelfth grades. These performances included a
traditional Chinese ribbon dance, a theatric rendition of an Indian folktale,
African drumming and a poignant performance of The Beatles' song Blackbird by Jared Bell and Alex Coston,
that underscored the importance of world peace.
International Day is a treasured tradition at the Academy and a chance for
students to share their heritage while learning about the traditions, beliefs,
and cultures of others. Namaste!
Calendar of Upcoming EventsThur, February 4 - Parent Reception
Sun, February 7 - All School Open House
Tues, February 9 - Parent Reception
Tues, February 9 - College Financial Aid Night
Wed, February 10 - Admissions Coffee
Thur, February 11 - Parent Reception
Fri, February 12 - Movie Night
Fri, February 19 - Fathers' Club Gym Night
Check the
Calendar for more details.
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