Walk This Way
With several weeks of on-campus learning under our belts, we remain committed to the ongoing evaluation of our surroundings and to making adjustments when necessary. To that end, we've made some very visible changes throughout campus in each and every hallway. "Keep Right" floor decals spaced eight feet apart strattle a solid red divider to help students (and adults!)remember to keep their distance from one another while walking to and from classrooms. Take a look!
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Click the image above to see photo gallery. |
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The Upside to Physical Distancing! |
While the practice of physical distancing may sometimes present challenges, it can also reveal opportunities! Because of our physical-distancing protocols, Intro to Photo students could not work in the darkroom for their first unit during which they explore the history of photography. No problem! Introducing a new photo opportunity: Students instead focused on a different part of photography history, highlighting the alternative process known as cyanotype, made popular by photographer and botanist Anna Atkins. Students experienced a historical process of combining iron-based chemicals to create a light-sensitive material and experimented with variations of these chemicals to create different results. Because experimentation is so critical to fostering a strong photography mindset, AP Chemistry teacher Mr. Vural volunteered his time to help the photography class run experiments on how acids and bases would affect the color and outcome of the students' work! Cyanotypes also made for a great project that our simulcast learners could complete at home. Simulcast learners found that products like dish soap, Windex, and salt could alter their photography. Intro to Photo students learned a bit of history and a bit of science, while creating visually striking work all the while having a lot of fun. |
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Bringing Suzuki Lessons to Parents |
Those familiar with the Suzuki method of strings instruction know that parent participation in lessons is a critical part of the process. So what do you do when parents can't be in the lesson room with their children? MPH Suzuki teacher Ms. Mirakian has brought the lessons to them! Short lesson demos were created to guide parents as they work with their children for at-home practicing. Take a look at the demos below: |
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Fight the Flu!
One of the many ways in which MPH is encouraging health and wellness is to make getting a flu shot as convenient and simple as possible.
A pharmacist from Kinney Drugs will be on campus Thursday, October 8, from 11: 00 a.m. to 2: 00 p.m., to administer flu vaccines to Middle and Upper School students and employees in the gym. This is the link to register. Because of our health and safety protocols, there are no drop-ins this year; you MUST register.
Registrants should park in the McNeil lot and then enter through the Phoenix doors.
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Kindergarten Was Buzzzzing This Week!
Amy Critz, executive assistant to the head of school, joined the Kindergarten class this week to share her firsthand knowledge about the importance of — and roles played by — pollinators in nature, specifically honeybees. In her spare time, Miss Critz is a beekeeper. She displayed enlarged photos of her apiary and garden, as well as several beekeepers’ tools for the students to see. Miss Critz described the process from which honey is derived — from the bees' first taste of nectar to the extraction of honey from the hive — emphasizing along the way how important these special “pollinators” are to sustaining our food supply, in addition to creating (and then sharing with us humans) the naturally sweet treat many of us enjoy so much. Perhaps the most critical takeaway from Miss Critz’s presentation was, at least with regard to honeybees: “let them be(e)!”
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Check out the video above! |
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Click the image above to view photo gallery |
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Introducing The MPH Steel Drum Band |
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Wind Ensemble looks a bit different this year...primarily because our health protocols prohibit the use of wind instruments! But in typical MPH fashion, band instructor Mr. Huyge resourcefully pivoted; he improvised by organizing a steel drum band, performing a mix of unpitched percussion and includes cowbell, conga, drum set, quiro, maracas, and break drum -- plus the actual steel drums, a.k.a. "pans." It turns out these students have a lot of raw musicianship that transfers to new instruments remarkably quickly. Watch for an outdoor performance soon, but in the meantime, check out the photos below.
And you'll soon get your actual Wind Ensemble fix, too! Our student musicians are preparing videos of individual parts for band pieces, which will be integrated using video and audio processing gear and applications.
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MPH Assistant to Division Heads Juhee LaHaye posted this pic before running her virtual 5k! |
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Happening NOW -- Virtual Homecoming 2020
"Zoom" into classes, run/walk a 5K, and catch up with the head of school. It's all part of our Virtual Homecoming Weekend! Learn more about the activities planned here!
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Looking Ahead: Spirit Week
Time to start digging through your closets, students!
Spirit Week will be October 13-16 (there is no school on the 12th due to Columbus Day).
Tuesday: Decade Day
Wednesday: Honorable Icon Day
Thursday: Funky Hat and Sock Day
Friday: MPH Spirit Day
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A Message from Our International Students Coordinator
If you had a chance to look up the moon last night, you would have seen a big full moon staring back at you. In much of East Asia it was Mid-Autumn Festival, a major holiday based around the lunar calendar. Each year, the festival falls on a slightly different date, and this year it happened to coincide with a week-long holiday in China called Golden Week. Many in China take this time as an opportunity to travel and reconnect with extended family, some of our simulcast learners in China included.
Our on-campus international students from China have been working on family holiday cards during tutorial outside my office. If students, parents, or employees would like to know more about Mid-Autumn festival, feel free to drop by or email me. Thank you for all your support for our international students.
Lily Kuo
International Students Coordinator
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