Flying into Fall Fest Fun |
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It started with crazy hats and crazy hair, and it ended with kids going crazy for pumpkins, goodie bags, and something called "Ga Ga Ball."
It was Fall Festival 2021. And it was FUN.
Friday was the highlight of the week, opening with a creepy Senior Snack provided by the Philanthropy and Engagement Office and featuring a cadre of seniors dressed up as Head of School Dave McCusker, complete with the standard ties, button-down, and ever-present MPH nametag. Staff and students, advised not to wear full, masked costumes due to COVID concerns, were respectfully creative, wearing "seasonally themed outfits" that ranged from pumpkin shirts to something hairy from the Marvel movies to the "Where's your hall pass?" teamwork outfit at the front desk.
Thanks to Lower School program support specialist Alyssa Palmer, the STEAM Park was the center of activities throughout the day as Lower School students searched for pumpkins and goodie bags while enjoying the gorgeous fall day.
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Kindergarteners estimated how many seeds
were in a pumpkin.
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Bats in the Lower School's Belfry. |
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Lower School kids gathered up pumpkins and goodie bags that students in Grade 5 hid all
around the STEAM Park.
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Taking stock of the pumpkin harvest. |
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Extra clean with some human-sized sanitizers at the Golden Ticket testing window this morning. |
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No sneaking by this crew at the front desk. |
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He's not Hagrid. Haggard, maybe. But not Hagrid. |
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Senior Snack and the creepy crawlies. |
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New Staff Profile | Sarah Keser | Grade 4 Teacher |
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Syracuse native Sarah Keser relocated to the area this year after teaching for 20 years in North Carolina. After graduating from college with a B.A., she moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina, and began her teaching career. During her time in the classroom, She taught first through fifth grade.
For the past 16 years, Sarah was a faculty member at Jones Dairy Elementary School in Wake County, North Carolina.
Sarah always knew she would become a teacher. Her hope is to create a warm and nurturing environment that encourages her students to feel comfortable to be themselves and engage and participate in the class environment. Sarah’s relocation was bittersweet because she loved her students and colleagues, but she wanted to be close to her family.
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Sarah is thrilled to be back in Syracuse and excited to be teaching at this amazing school! She is grateful for the kindness, generosity, and support that she has received from the MPH community. |
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New Staff Profile | Zach Osborne | Earth Science and Chemistry Teacher |
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Hello! My name is Zach Osborne, and I will be teaching Earth Science, Chemistry, and AP Chemistry. I’m originally from Wisconsin (Go Pack Go!) and found my way to Central New York after accepting on offer to complete my doctoral research at Syracuse University. |
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My research involved growing minerals at elevated pressures and temperatures, studying specific aspects of mineral chemistry, and using that geochemical information to create tools that allow geologists to estimate the pressure and temperature conditions of mineral formation in natural rocks.
Aside from laboratory experiments, my earth science and geochemistry background has included field work, sample preparation, operation of advanced analytical scientific instrumentation, and several years as a teaching assistant at the graduate and undergraduate level. One of my favorite parts of my earth science experience has been traveling to different places to study the local geology; I have participated in trips to places within and outside of the U.S., including Arizona, Hawaii, Nicaragua, and Iceland! Outside of science, I enjoy spending time with friends and family being active (I began learning to golf during the pandemic), playing board/card games, and watching tv shows and movies.
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The first rule of Ga Ga Ball is that no one can explain what Ga Ga Ball is. The second rule is that it's ok to end a sentence with "is" in Ga Ga Ball. The third rule seems to be, "it's the opposite of soccer – you can't touch the ball with your feet, except you can if you want to do it." The fourth, and most important rule? Have fun. Scream a little.
It's Ga Ga Ball.
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Mark your calendars, encourage your friends, and double the impact! Our annual Two-for-Tuesday giving campaign kicks off on Tuesday, November 9! Stay tuned for details on how you can help us match dollar-for-dollar or donor-for-donor in the month of November to support student access and scholarships through The MPH Fund.
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MPH Model United Nations Hosts Successful Conference |
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MPH's Model United Nations team held a successful conference this past weekend, with nine local schools and more than 150 students attending. Since MPH hosted the conference, awards are given to other participating schools. This year, Fayetteville-Manlius and Liverpool won Outstanding and Distinguished delegations, respectively. |
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MPH also introduced a new award system honoring MPH faculty and staff from the past. The new awards are:
The William Verbeck Award for Strategic Thinking
The Jeffrey Mangram Award for Public Speaking
The Andrea Danial Award for Diplomacy
The Baxter Ball Book Award
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Historic Knox Farmhouse Project Update with Project Managers |
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Head of School Dave McCusker is joined by representatives from CBD Companies in Syracuse and Koehler/Rice Design and Planning in Boston to discuss progress on the renovation of the campus's most iconic structure. |
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Vision Screening Available from Manlius Lions Club |
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On Wednesday, November 3, the Manlius Lions Club will be coming to campus to complete vision screenings for Lower School students. Middle and Upper school students are also invited to participate in this screening.
This is a non-invasive, painless, and quick opportunity that requires no medication or preparation. Their equipment offers technology that can diagnose many vision problems an eye chart would miss, particularly in our youngest students. For more information, visit www.lionskidsightusa.org.
All Lions Club members working with us are fully vaccinated and will follow our MPH Social Compact (six feet apart, masks on at all times, etc.).
The vision screening does require parental permission. We ask you to complete this consent form and return it to the Health Office no later than Monday, November 1.
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Celebrating a Fantastic Season for MPH Boys Varsity Soccer |
It didn't end the way we'd hoped, but a Section III Class D Semifinal appearance and Coach Don Ridall's 600th win at the varsity level, along with a 10-3-1 record, left us plenty to celebrate at the conclusion of the season. The boys played well against Belleville-Henderson at Mexico HS on Wednesday, dominating play in the first half, but eventually succumbing to the Panthers, 2-1. |
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Chekhov's The Seagull On Stage November 5 and 6
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Upper School actors and crew will be presenting The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov, November 5 and 6 in the Coville Theater. A limited number of tickets are available here for fully vaccinated audience members. Masks are required, and seating will be physically distanced.
In December, a professionally produced video of the Upper School play will be available for the entire MPH community. Bravo to our student actors, crew, Ms. Dwyer, Mr. Koziara, and Mr. Eighmey for their dedication, artistry, and expertise in producing the Upper School play!
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Upper Schooler Shares Luge Experiences with Third Grade |
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MPH ninth grader Johnathan Howard gave a presentation this week to the second graders about his participation and interest in luge.
He told the class that when he was in Grade 3 here at MPH, he read a book and did a report about the sport, igniting his passion for luge. Johnathan was presented an opportunity to try luge in Lake Placid when he was about 12 years old, which led him to train with the U.S. National team. Johnathan is now ranked fifth in his age group in the country!
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Johnathan brought pictures, showed a GoPro video of what it looks like going down the luge course, and allowed the students to inspect his suit, protective helmet, and face shield. The second graders had many questions for Johnathan and enjoyed his discussion.
This is the first in a planned series of presentations by Upper Schoolers about their passions and interests. If families know of other Upper School students who would like to get involved, have them see Pat Bentley Hoke, director of Student Life.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
From Ms. Dwyer's Advlsory
"There's got to be a voice deep within you that is untouched by definitions. And it is there that you become divinely who you are."
– Viola Davis
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Class for Girls Focuses on Body Positivity |
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Parents of girls aged 12-17: The Psychological Services Center at Syracuse University is offering a four-week class focusing on body positivity.
This is a prevention program that provides a forum for young girls to confront unrealistic beauty ideals and engages them in the development of healthy body image through verbal, written, and behavioral exercises.
These classes are FREE and begin on November 11. For more information or to sign up, please see the attached flyer.
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Día de los Muertos
Grade 6 students learned about Día de los Muertos this week in Ms. Trouyet's class and set up a traditional altar.
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