News

Head's Letter
One of the pleasures of being in a school community like Morgan Park Academy is the close relationships I have been able to develop with our students' parents. In the few short months since I have been here, I have been able to host several receptions in my home. It has been both rewarding and thought-provoking. I appreciate the time that parents have taken to sit with me, and their invaluable input on how to shape our school. The aim of these State of the School receptions is to encourage our parents to become active participants in an ongoing dialogue that regards our programmatic vision for the Academy's future.

I hope you have enjoyed being in my home as much as I have enjoyed having you. If you have not already done so, please join me on Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. for our final reception.

Kind Regards,

Catherine Raaflaub, Ph.D.

Prizes Revealed for Grades that Reaches 100% Participation toward Annual Giving Fund
Breakfast at Snackville Junction and ice cream treats at Rainbow Cone are just a few prizes being offered to Academy students when their grade reaches 100% participation in this year's Annual Giving Drive.  A class field trip to Ed Debevic's or a White Sox game will go to the grade that raises the most money.

Parents and students can see which grade is currently in first place by watching the rising thermometers in the Art Center, outside each classroom and online. To show your support today click here. 

The Annual Giving Fund online donor wall is now live at the school web site and will be updated regularly.  Thank you to our donors!

A Memorable Vacation That Supports the Academy
Through a partnership with Exclusive Resorts, Academy families and their friends can purchase a four or seven-night Exclusive Resorts vacation in some of the world's most desired destinations: Tuscany, Los Cabos, Mexico, Vail, or Hawaii, the list is endless! Think sandy beaches, white powder slopes, the vineyards of Tuscany . . . impeccable accommodations, great service and a once-in-a-lifetime vacation with family and friends, all while supporting the Academy. This exceptional opportunity is available on a first come, first served basis. Only five trips will be offered for purchase. The Academy will receive 80% of all proceeds, which can mean up to $25,000 from Exclusive Resorts. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and start your travel plans; parents will be sent additional information this week.

Girl's Basketball Wins Third Straight Regional Championship
The Varsity Girls Basketball won their third straight Regional Championship when they defeated Illinois Lutheran 45-25 in front of a packed crowd at the Morgan Park Academy gym on February 11.  In addition the team set a school record for most victories in a season with 20.  This has been a successful season and enjoyable season for the Warriors, we will miss Seniors Anne Wiegel, Emma Dryjanski and All-Conference selection Eileen Cullina.  However, the future should be bright as we return eight players from this years team including All-Coneference selections from this season Sydeny Stewart and Kierra Morris.  Morris was also selected as the ISL Co-Player of the Year.  To view the Sun-Times article, click here.  

Girls Varsity Basketball Awards
Congratulations to the following award winners: 1st Team All-Conference (Junior Kierra Morris); 2nd Team All Conference (Senior Eileen Cullina, Junior Sydney Stewart); Player of the Year (Junior Kierra Morris); Coach of the Year (Tom Drahozal.)

Vision and Hearing Screening
Parents, please read the Vision and Hearing Screening letter, outlining the screenings to take place on Tuesday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 10.

Fathers' Club Gym Night
Do you have cabin fever?  Come to the Fathers' Club Gym Night on Friday, February 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the gym building. Activities include basketball, volleyball and dodgeball. Open to all Lower and Middle School students accompanied by a parent. Click here to view the flyer. Contact Tom Dryjanski for details, at det249@msn.com.

Calling All Little Dancers
Morgan Park Academy's little dancers (Pre-School and up) will begin a new session of dance on Monday, February 22 from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. in the Art Center Gallery. Classes take place Monday through Thursday. This will be the final session of the school year. All students are welcome to join. Miss Ellen produces a wonderful springtime program in May. All dancers who participate get the chance to show off their talents on the big stage. To join, e-mail Betty Callihan, at BCallihan@morganparkacademy.org, or call 773.881.6700 Ext. 234


Summer School - Register Online Today
Summer school information is now available online. This new user friendly interface is easy to navigate. Students of all ages are encouraged to register and space is limited. Many of the Academy's summer favorites will be offered again, in addition to a number of exciting new selections. including opportunities for Upper School students to earn points towards their Global Scholars diploma.

We are pleased to announce that popular dance instructor, Maria Lanier-Ware will return. To read her biography, click here.

Admissions Notices
The All-School Open House on February 7 proved to be a great success. More than 40 families attended with eligible children across all divisions. A panel of eight students representing the Upper, Middle, and Lower Schools moderated by Dr. Raaflaub made quite the impact. Grade-level tables with teacher representatives, and a tour of the Academy campus, conducted by parent volunteers and student ambassadors impressed attendees. A special thank you to our parent volunteers and students ambassadors.
 
Screenings for new students entering Pre-school through Fourth Grade will take place on campus starting Wednesday, February 17. Space is limited. Pre-School, Kindergarten and First Grade are filling up fast. Please contact Adriana Mourgelas, Director of Admissions at AMourgelas@morganparkacademy.org if you need to schedule a new student screening. Please let your friends know that participation in this screening will give them the best chance to secure a spot in next year's class. Students entering Fifth through Twelfth Grade must sit for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE.) Click here for details.

College Counseling Newsletter
Please view the college counseling newsletter for the latest information, including information about the ACT and the SAT, visiting colleges and Project Week.

Join Connor McGrath at the Chicago Wolves Game
Connor's Mite hockey team at St. Jude Knights Hockey Club, took the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL) Wolves Cup championship. During the game, Connor had one unassisted goal  and got three assists for a total of four points.   The president of the NIHL was in attendance and determined Connor the MVP for the game. He was recognized individually with a trophy and will represent his team at The Chicago Wolves game on Saturday, March 6. If anyone is interested in attending, his team has tickets for sale at a very reasonable rate (ranging from $15 - $31, and the team that sells the most tickets gets a tour of the locker room!) Contact Don McGrath by email at d-mac1@att.net.

The MPA Way
Please view the latest edition of The MPA Way, the Academy's student-produced monthly newspaper.

Senior Student is a Scholarship Finalist
Jazmine Williams, senior, has been named a finalist for the National Achievement Scholarship Program. This program recognizes outstanding African American students. Jazmine will find out in late February if she is one of the scholarship winners. Best of luck, Jazmine!

Six Flags Reading Program
The Six Flags Reading Program for students in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade is winding down. All reading logs must be turned in by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19. This is a firm deadline. Six Flags has stringent participation requirements. Children who have completed the program and turn in their logs are eligible for one free ticket to the Six Flags theme park. If students have lost their logs or run out of room, they may keep track of their reading minutes on a sheet of notebook paper. Thank you for your support and for encouraging your children to read. If you have questions, contact Jennifer Young, the librarian at JYoung@morganparkacademy.org

International Day Activities
On January 29, Morgan Park Academy held its annual International Day celebration. Along with a wonderful all school assembly showcasing song, dance, and story from a wide variety of cultures, the day was filled with cultural activities for our Lower School students. For several weeks each classroom researched a chosen country, and then invited others to visit and share in that nation's food, crafts, games, and stories. The following is a snap shot of their classroom travels:
 
Our Primary school students began in England, where they enjoyed high tea and made greeting cards - did you know the first greeting card was created in England? Next they were off to Egypt, where they learned to make Egyptian jewelry. Students then ventured to Japan where they studied the Cherry Blossom Festival and learned to greet one another in Japanese. Their final destination was Australia, where they explored the country's varied natural landscape, including eucalyptus forests inhabited by koalas.
 
Students in the Intermediate grades traveled to Scotland. They were shown magnificent castles, studied the country's vast history, and learned of the efforts of men like William Wallace. During their studies of Kenya they made traditional masks. Then it was on to Canada to sample maple sugar and play traditional Inuit games. Students participated in the skilled artistry of China by making origami boats. Other stops included Russia and Morocco.
 
The Kindergarteners explored the nation of France. After making French passports and decorating the classroom with French flags, they watched a French film called The Red Balloon. The students enjoyed les croissants and les raisins and played a marble game called les billes, enjoyed by French students during school recess. No study of France would be complete without the French masters of the art world! Students learned of Henri Matisse and imitated one of his techniques called "drawing with scissors."
 
Mrs. Carter's Senior Pre-school class took a tour of China. They enjoyed tea and created their own Chinese calendar, just in time for Chinese New Year. Ms. Larson's Senior Pre-school class created a Japanese restaurant in their classroom where they sat on the floor, had noodles, and drank tea. They paraded throughout the school dressed in their homemade kimonos and carried their Japanese Koi kites while singing "Our Koi is up so High!" 

Our youngest students, the Junior Pre-schoolers also visited Japan. Each student donned a traditional Japanese costume, designed by Miss Becky Frontera and sewn by Mrs. Catherine Nathwani. Students listened to Japanese stories and colored their "My Japan" booklet.  To view photos of International Day, visit our flickr page.

Kids Chronicle (February Edition) is Now Online (Lower School newspaper published quarterly; highlighting student work and activities.)

Jesuit Excellence Tour Visits the Academy
The Jesuit Excellence Tour (JET) will be visiting the Academy campus on Thursday, February 25 in the Dining Hall during the Upper School Advisory time, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. JET, visits select high schools in different metropolitan areas across the country. This year, seventeen of twenty eight Jesuit universities will be represented.

Announcing the Bernard Kormann Reichel '36 Global Scholarship
Through the generosity of Betty Reichel, daughter of Bernard Kormann Reichel, a 1936 Morgan Park Military alumnus, the first endowed scholarship dedicated to the Global Scholars program has been endowed at the Academy. The first scholarship recipient will receive a $1,250 renewable scholarship each year throughout high school.

"Learning was so important to my dad's success in business and in life, and he instilled this value in my own life. So on behalf of my father, I want to be able to help young people pursue their own learning," said Ms. Reichel. Her father was a successful entrepreneur and business owner, learning the construction, furniture, and shipbuilding industries, and eventually owning a number of companies in Texas and Georgia as well. Dr. Raaflaub, Head of School notes: "We are grateful to Betty Reichel for her generosity and her understanding of the importance of lifelong learning, a key component of an Academy education. This scholarship is a wonderful fit between a donor's desires fulfilling a need at our school."