News

March 3, 2010

Head's Letter
A welcome back to our busy Upper School students who have returned from Project Week.
This issue of The Independent Thinker highlights the Academy's investment in the kind of experiential learning that occurs outside the four walls of the classroom.

It includes "Reports From the Field," a series of notes compiled by our faculty on the various learning experiences had by students right here at home, around the world, and even the final frontier – Space. The depth and breadth of the activities your children have participated in showcase the talent and imagination of our faculty who create extraordinary learning opportunities for them. Project Week strives to educate the whole child, allowing students to explore the worlds of clean energy, the culinary arts, Impressionism, and past civilizations . . . just to name a few.

And while the semester has been full of students performing successfully, two Upper School students have also excelled, Kierra Morris, was selected by Illinois Basketball Coaches Association to be on the First Team, All-State Team, a first for any Morgan Park Academy basketball player. Stephanie Heniff placed first in the Creative Youth Art Fair of 2010. Congratulations!

I'm also looking forward to the Middle School performance of Charlotte's Web, this weekend (tickets available through Ms. Deb Kraus.)  Best of luck to the cast and crew!

Sincerely,

Catherine Raaflaub, Ph.D.


Admissions Update
We are pleased to announce that Morgan Park Academy has experienced an upsurge in qualified candidates for next fall.  Despite national trends reported by the NAIS, the Academy has seen a 45% increase in applicants.  Not only do we anticipate a full ninth grade, we have reason to believe there will be a waitlist for Preschool, Kindergarten and First Grade. We attribute our success to you!  Because parents have told their friends and neighbors about the Academy, we have had record attendance at Open Houses and Admission Coffees this year. 

The next Admissions Coffee will be held on March 10 at 9:00 a.m.  Please call the Admissions Office for more info at 773-881-6700 ext. 246 or email amourgelas@morganparkacademy.org.  Thank you for helping us recruit mission appropriate students for the Academy.
 
Reception for Exclusive Resorts Vacations Scheduled
Please join representatives from Exclusive Resorts for a cocktail reception on Thursday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Alumni Hall Library. Learn how you can jointly purchase a four or seven-night vacation with family and friends, 80 percent of all proceeds will go to the Academy. The resorts are luxurious and in grand locales, such as Los Cabos, the Cayman Islands, and Costa Rica.  Click here to learn more, or call Jennifer Williams at 847-918-7854.  RSVP today.



Incentives Announced for Annual Giving Appeal
Orlando, Florida, the Magnificent Mile, The United Center. Any of these great destinations could be yours if you contribute (or have already given) to this year’s History in the Making Annual Giving Fund (AGF). We have two goals this year:  100 percent parent participation toward the AGF and a total of $550,000. Here’s how to get in on the action:

• Make a contribution to the Annual Giving Fund before May 7. Depending upon the level of gift, you will be eligible for three special prizes.  Please note, if you have given, your name has already been entered in the drawings. To become eligible for the top prizes, you are welcome to increase your gift.  To give online click here. Parent volunteers will also be calling families to encourage participation from March 6-14.
• Encourage 100 percent parent participation. A gift at any level can make a difference.

What are the incentives for parents? 

• For every $2,500 you have given to the AGF this year, your name will be entered in a raffle for a one-week stay at a stunning six-bedroom, fully furnished resort villa, with outdoor pool just minutes from Disney World. 
• All donors who have given between $1,000 and $2,499 this year will have their names placed in a raffle for a weekend stay at a private Hancock Building condo on the Magnificent Mile.
• All donors who have given between $500 and $999 this year will have their names placed in a raffle for two tickets to a Chicago Blackhawks game during the 2010-2011 season.

What’s in it for the kids?

• For all grades that reach 100 percent participation, breakfast at Snackville Junction or an ice cream social at Rainbow Cone. The Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth Graders are currently leading the way with over 50 percent participation! 
• For the grade that raises the most funds (weighted by the number of students in each grade), there will be lunch at Ed Debevics Diner or Sesame Inn, or tickets to watch a White Sox victory. Kindergarten, Eighth, Ninth, and Eleventh Grade have contributed the most to date.

 
Already a Donor?
Check out the online donor wall. Click here to see your name.

Open Door – Judo Offer
There is a special offer for all new Judo students. Sign-up for Judo today and receive 50% off the class fee. Pay just $200 for the remainder of this year’s class. Judo meets Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. through May 13, 2010. For more information and to register click here.

Earn Passport Points for Global Scholars This Summer
The Academy Summer Camp has expanded its programs to provide students with the opportunity to earn points toward their Global Scholars Passports. We Are What We Eat, is one such class – students will study food, farming and the environmental impact of our eating habits. Armed with this knowledge, they will debate the options available to American farmers and farmers in countries around the world. Click here for detailed descriptions and other exciting summer camp opportunities.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROJECT WEEK, REPORTS FROM THE FIELD:


Space Camp Program
Eleven Juniors and Seniors, accompanied by Academy teacher Mr. Weil, traveled to Huntsville, Alabama for eight days of non-stop excitement at Space Camp/Aviation Challenge.  "Everyone had a tremendous time and learned a lot about the space program and aviation during the whirlwind adventure," said Mr. Weil. The group participated in simulated shuttle missions and astronaut training (including flying the orbiter and space walks), aviation simulators, rocket construction and launch, SCUBA training, and team-building events, among many other activities.

Culinary Adventure Through Italy
Students from the “Culinary Adventure Through Italy” trip participated in a Tuscan cooking class in Florence, visited a scenic Pecorino Cheese Factory, and tasted local olive oil and chocolate, while en route to Rome, the “eternal city”.  These sixteen Morgan Park Academy students combined Italian cuisine with historical, cultural and architectural wonders.  

So You Want to Be a Food Network Star?
Iron Chef, Barefoot Contessa, Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin, Bobby Flay’s Throwdown . . . our students were up for the challenge! From February 19 to 21, Upper School Students had a three-day culinary adventure. They received personal lessons and instruction from trained chefs at Kendall College. This included instruction on the preparation of Food Network Star recipes, recipes from the movie Julie & Julia, and Julia Child's cookbook. Final participation in an Iron Chef activity marked the culmination of the three days. The group was divided into two teams and competed in the style of the hit television show. Winners received prizes from Ms. Grutzius. The project allowed students to visit the culinary school with an eye to a possible career in the culinary arts, and introduced students to an area in which they might develop a life-long passion.

Students Learn to Conserve
Students who participated in Conserve Chicago learned about organic farming, renewable energy, and water reclamation, in a series of hands-on labs and tours. They dug their hands into the dirt and worm boxes at Angelic Organic farm in order to understand the impact of organic methods on soil. They collected eggs in a chicken coop and helped move hay for the animals. They learned where their food comes from and how to make informed choices about the food they consume. Students also subjected their noses to a tour of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, where they observed the process of readying waste water from our homes for return to area rivers.

The exploration of renewable energy and the building of a hydrogen battery at the Museum of Science and Industry was a welcome departure into the study of clean energy. The students finished their journey with a trip to an organic sustainable restaurant, where they were left with the understanding  that green may not always be clean, but it is as good for our stomachs as it is for our planet.

Students Pull All Sorts of Stunts
Eleven Upper School students spent three days learning the world of stunt work by attending Stunt School. The students learned various aspects of stunt work including high falls, throws, and fight scenes. After rigorous training, the students put together their own scenes, which were filmed and evaluated by seven stunt professionals.


Adventures in Costa Rica 
The eight participants in the Costa Rica Language Immersion and Service Project Week, spent an unforgettable seven days exploring the cultural and biological diversity of this Central American country. The students practiced Spanish with host families in an indigenous community and painted the walls of a local high school. Then they visited the rainforest, where they got a good look at dozens of animals they had never seen before, including a glow-in-the-dark beetle.

French Fun in Chicago
Students who participated visited various francophone-related destinations. The group enjoyed everything from 19th century Impressionist paintings at the Art Institute to lunch at La Sardine. They also toured the new West Loop French Market –  shopping in an authentic European market with fresh produce, breads, pastries, chocolate (especially chocolate!), and cheeses. Then it was off to the Alliance Française to watch a classic comedy Molière, followed by a cooking lesson featuring fresh salad dressing, crêpes, and clafouti aux fruits. Délicieux!

Students Experience Turkey
This year Academy students visited Turkey during Project Week. Turkey is a country rich in history and culture. Once the seat of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, a crossroads for trade between Europe and China, and the heart of ancient religious civilizations, Turkey is now a modern country closely connected to the interests of Europe and the United States. It remains deeply tied to its Turkish and Islamic heritage. The students were amazed by the rich layers of history and Turkish hospitality and culture.

Project Linus
Project Linus is an organization that collects handmade blankets for children who are victims of trauma. This was a “home project.” Students remained on campus during Project Week making fleece blankets with pockets. The blankets will be delivered to a Project Linus representative in New Lenox, Illinois.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celebrating Black History Month
On Friday, February 19, the Lower School held its annual Black History celebration. Volunteers from the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades shared songs, poetry, skits, and dances to commemorate the history and cultural contributions of African Americans. The program was organized by Third Grade teacher, Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Clark, Mothers’ Club president and parent. During the celebration, Elijah Moss, a Third Grade student gave a moving speech inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King. Read the speech here.

MATHCOUNTS 2010
On February 20, five young mathletes and their math coach Mrs. Scolan, made their way to the CNA Building on the corner of Wabash and Jackson to compete in the 2010 MATHCOUNTS Chicago Chapter competition. Joining other mathletes and coaches from the Chicagoland area, they competed in the only mathematics program of its kind for Middle School students. MATHCOUNTS emphasizes teamwork and practical problem-solving, skills important to a child’s academic success. While Morgan Park’s team didn’t advance to the state finals this year, all of our mathletes gave their best and enjoyed the competition.

If The World Were 100 People
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 view the 100 People Project video, click here.

Knitting Chemo Caps for Kids
The Upper School knitting group is at it again! Last semester, the group made 17 scarves for returning soldiers and their family members. Their latest project will be the knitting of hats of all sizes for children undergoing chemotherapy treatments. The students hope that making these soft beautiful head coverings will brighten the hearts of children fighting this terrible disease. The group will continue knitting hats until next year, when they will be delivered by the students to families at the Ronald McDonald House. The hat project will be part of the Academy’s Locks of Love hair donation and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in December 2010. If you are interested in donating hair for this December event, start letting it grow now! If you’re a knitter and would like to be a part of this project, contact Upper School English teacher, Ms. Grutzius.


Middle School Students Travel to Costa Rica
Middle School students completed their Spanish  language and cultural excursion trip in February when they traveled to Costa Rica.  The students visited the Gabriela Mastrias School and learned the difference between American schools and Costa Rican schools.  MPA students also explored the different ecosystems of Costa Rica, through a variety of activities. They visited the Volcano Poas and hiked through the rainforest.  This trip was a truly memorable educational experience for all.
 
Hike & Bike- March Update
The progress report is now available online.

Girls’ Basketball Champions
The Varsity Girls’ Basketball team captured its third straight Regional Championship on February 11 in front of a packed crowd at the Morgan Park Academy gym. After a close first quarter, the Warriors defense held Illinois Lutheran to three total points in the second and third quarters. This let the Warriors win by a score of 45-25 and gain their 20th victory of the season. The team lost in the sectional semi-finals to Elgin Academy, but with a final record of 20-8, the most wins in school history!

St. Patrick’s Day Family Festival
Join us for the St. Patrick’s Day Family Festival on Sunday, March 14 in the Art Center from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. This event is free, and is the first in what will be a new South Side tradition! Activities include: McNamara Irish Dancers performance, karaoke, an Irish Soda Bread Contest, crafts, traditional Irish food and beverages.  Contact Betty Callihan for details at 773.881.6700 ext. 234.

Winter Sports Banquet
The Upper School Winter Sports Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the Dining Hall. Please view and complete the informational flyer and return to Coach Pariso with ticket payment enclosed.

Chicago Storm Spring Break Camp
Is your child interested in participating in a soccer camp this Spring? The Chicago Storm have a great opportunity. Visit our Athletics page for details.