Community Outreach Alliance Continues
Successful Holiday Service Projects
The Community Outreach Alliance Club is happy to report that its Thanksgiving Food Drive was a smashing success! Thanks to the generosity of the MPH community, more than six boxes brimming with items were donated to two food pantries: the local Jamesville Food Pantry and the Salvation Army on Erie Boulevard. Both pantries are extremely grateful for the donations! Thanks to all who brought in items. 

A New Initiative 
The Community Outreach Alliance Club is also excited to announce its new initiative! COA is partnering with Interfaith Works to donate items to two refugee families in Central New York; one from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the other from Syria. Students and teachers can sign up to bring in presents for each family, including gift cards, toys, and other items! Individuals who bring in presents will be entered into a raffle, with the possibility of winning great prizes – including gift cards, student homework passes from teachers, and more! If you are interested in signing up to bring in an item, please talk to Mrs. Chhablani. Items should be brought in by December 17 (the Friday before holiday break).

This initiative is sure to make a big impact on these families' lives, so please remember to sign up for items if you are interested!
Video: Plans for our Return from Break
Head of School Dave McCusker wraps up the week and details our plans for return from the upcoming holiday break, along with a request for students and families.
Your Voice, Informing our Strategic Planning
Select picture for link to full document.
Taking a look at the Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent MPH Conversations virtual meeting, MPH 2025: Advancing Strategic Priorities. More than 160 people across multiple constituency groups responded to a recent survey outlining MPH’s six strategic priorities. Read the report to learn more about the responses to that survey as we move into the next phase of our strategic planning process.
MPH Photos of the Week
Althea made her first visit to campus this week to give and receive some love from Lower School students. Althea and her handler, Mrs. McCusker, are a registered therapy animal team and will be visiting classrooms and mingling with students throughout the next two weeks. Advisors and other faculty and staff have signed up for 20-minute visitation times. Anyone interacting with Althea must wash their hands with soap and water after the interaction. This is to help keep students/employees with dog allergies safe. We ask that students do not bring any dog treats from home to share with visiting animals. All dog treats will be provided by MPH and will be nut and peanut free. 
Student-Organized Shelter Food Drive Continues
As a refresher: Our Holiday supply drive needs your help. We need one big final kick to reach our goal. We received toys but are still in need of dog and cat food! If each student brings one can or bag we could meet our goal by the end of the week. Only seven days are left to ensure that our furry friends have a great Christmas!

Two MPH seniors are organizing a holiday supply drive from November 29 to December 17 for the Humane Association of CNY, a local no-kill, not-for-profit animal shelter.

The shelter has a suggested supply list to help with selecting donations – check the food list for specific items that won't upset stomachs. Collection bins are located on campus in the Phoenix Lobby, McNeil Lobby, and throughout the Lower School.

From the organizers: The recent pandemic has added additional strain on pet owners, and the number of abandoned pets has surged. Many shelters are not-for-profit and depend on donations. The main thing shelters need most is pet food a lot of pet food! Helping shelters by donating food along with other supplies provides them with financial relief as they strive to place homeless pets in permanent, loving homes. Our goal is to collect 500 lbs of dry food and 100 cans of wet food. Please help us make a difference. 
Online Drivers Ed and SAT Prep Offered
All ONLINE Drivers Ed and SAT Prep classes from MPH fit our students' busy schedules and feature the high-quality instruction you'd expect from our fantastic community programs.

Drivers Ed begins January 31 and features pre-recorded chapter reviews, along with assignments and quizzes. Parents/guardians provide support for the required 24 hours of driving time and submit weekly logs.
SAT Prep starts February 7 and features a Sunday Zoom class that is recorded for anyone who can't attend at that time.

All classes are recorded and will be available up to 7 days if a class is missed.
The Scene Around MPH
Winter Concerts Scheduled for Dec. 14 and 17

In-person attendance to both of MPH's concerts will be limited to two guests per student, BUT MPH's own magicians at Light and Magic will livestream the concerts on YouTube (links included in a separate email to parents) for those who can't attend.

Middle and Upper School Winter Concert
Tuesday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Lower School Winter Concert
Friday, December 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Students Explore Enlightenment by Creating Newspaper

Ms. Chhablani's World History class did projects this week on the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment.

They had a choice of starting a revolution, making a speech, or writing a period newspaper. This particularly creative newspaper was written by Elise Eng and Gabby Range.

(select image to view the entire paper)
Sharing Their Loves of Horses with the Lower School
MPH 9th graders Arabella Ferris and Alexis Forester visited the second-grade classroom this week to tell the students about their passion outside of school – horses. The girls told the group of inquisitive 7- and 8-year-olds that they started horseback riding when they were about 4 or 5 years old.

They told the classes that they are each responsible for 4 to 6 horses at the stable they belong to, and they both compete in horse shows and jumping competitions. The 9th graders showed pictures of their horses and shared the unique personalities of each horse with the class. They told the students how they feed, brush, and ride their horses almost every day and are dedicated to the care of their beautiful four-legged friends. They brought brushes, hoof picks, and even horseshoes to show the students. Thank you, Alexis and Arabella, for sharing your knowledge of horses with the second grade!
Roots and Shoots Planning January Can Drive
The Roots and Shoots club is planning to hold a can drive January 6 and 7 for MPH parents to drop off any cans they have collected during the holidays. Students would be collecting cans from parents in the morning drop-off line. They are hoping to then exchange these cans and donate the money to the Sierra Club.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."

Maya Angelou
Last Call for Lost-and-Found Items Coming Up
As a service to our community, MPH4MPH and Community Outreach Club will clean out the Lost-and-Found bin. The contents will be organized and on display in the art hallway next week. Students should plan to take a walk through the display and retrieve any of their belongings. Items not claimed by the end of next week will be donated to benefit the Interfaith Works Refugee Resettlement project also underway courtesy of Community Outreach Club.
Tabletop Rivalries Renewed in Student Lounge
The MPH Student Lounge is whole again. This fall has seen the addition of a new, red, shining ping pong table, shown here being put to good use.
The Holiday Season is Full
of MPH Alumni Events
Wreaths Across America
Each December, veterans are remembered and honored by wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

Join the MPH Community by sponsoring a veteran’s wreath or volunteering to place wreaths on Saturday, December 18, at a local cemetery. Find a location near you. If you should have any other questions, please email Kbelgrader@mphschool.org.

Jingle & Mingle
We invite you to join us to “Jingle and Mingle” on Wednesday, December 22, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at The Fitz at Oh My Darling in Downtown Syracuse for hors d'oeuvres, soft drinks, and drinks.

Please save the date and RSVP by December 10. Best to you all for a joyful and healthy holiday season!

Manlius Pebble Hill School | 315-446-2452mphschool.org