The MSSM Parents Association has had a productive school year thus far supporting the parents, students, and the school. The MSSM PA provided supplies and support for the Cast Party for the fall play, Lady from the Sea. Things slowed down over the holidays but plans for Penguin Weekend (February 15) consumed much of January and February. Penguin Weekend included games and contests designed to take the kids minds off their studies and culminated with a live band dance in the lower lounge. Between the dance and activities, over 80 students participated. The 87 Surveys gathered from the students reinforced the importance of this event and many suggestions for improvement. The Association is now in the planning stages for the prom this spring in conjunction with the student prom committee.

The Association has been active in assisting the administration in marketing, recruiting, and the recently held Science Bowl. Flyers for summer camp have been distribued at two of the Central Maine Mathematic League meets and Pam Perkins has arranged, with the assistance of parents, coffee nights with prospective students and their parents. MSSM Parents have also offered their houses to provide accommodations for students competing in the 2008 Science Bowl in Gorham and some parents have also served on committees assisting the school in its efforts to achieve accreditation. As always, there are numerous tasks that occur on a weekly basis which, though not as visible, are nonetheless crucial. These include parents willing to drop off supplies for other family's students, making phone calls, supporting the trip to France, and of course, the efforts of the hub parents.

In preparing this report, I asked the MSSM parent community to respond with their list of positives and negatives. I have grouped their responses by category and am including only those which were important to more than one parent. The parents would like to relay to the Board of Trustees their extreme satisfaction in the following areas: Praise for the overall academic program was the most frequently mentioned item. The parents were expressive in their high regard for the teaching staff, the commitment Walt Warner has made to insuring quality instruction, and the establishment of mandatory study hours.

The Dorm staff was also singled out for their exceptional efforts along with their dedication to the interests of the students. The staff was also praised for fostering a strong sense of community among the students and providing the individual attention students need. The guidance staff was praised for their excellent work in preparing the students for college.

Many are pleased with the changes that have occurred this year with the health and nursing services.

The parents would also like to relay to the Board of Trustees their dissatisfaction in the following areas:
Communications- This was the most mentioned category covering several elements. Progress reports have not been produced in a timely manner or with the frequency that the parents would like. Information regarding the business of the Board of Trustees has not been readily available. The communication between returning parents and new parents was extremely compromised.
Sleep management- This was a very hot topic at the beginning of the school year and has since quieted down, but the concern still remains. A number of parents had students suffering from a lack of sleep. The parents want to be comfortable that everything that can be done to promote and educate good sleeping habits is being done.
Dorm Security- In light of the number of tragic events that have occurred at learning institutions over the last several years, adequate security in the dorms has been mentioned by the parents. Concern was expressed that security in the dorms should be improved.
Student segregation- A proposal to segregate the sophomore students in a separate wing has received negative feedback from parents and students alike. The community aspect of MSSM is one of the most important elements of the school. Anything that would disrupt that community will be viewed very negatively.

The MSSM parents association needs to bring forward one element of this yearŐs administrative effort that caused a large problem for the ParentŐs Association. When the new students arrived this last fall, there was no involvement of the PA. This made it impossible to connect with the new parents in order to supply them with the information and assistance seasoned parents can provide. Explaining and educating the new parents about the ParentŐs Association including key communications media such as the Yahoo Group did not occur. The MSSM PA needs to be involved with new parents as soon as it can be arranged. At the least, the ParentŐs Association needs to play a role in the new student move-in day.

The overall sense from the parents has been positive. There are things that are being done well, and others that need to be improved. With continued parent input and involvement, MSSM will continue to improve and thrive.

Lastly I would like to thank Dale Gordon and Jane Yurko for their guidance, Carla OŐ Sullivan for her work managing the parents Yahoo group, Bernie Castonguay for his work on mystery weekend, Rebecca Holcombe for her support as Vice President and her daily efforts in support of the school, Laurie Cornwall for managing the parent lists, and Stacy Benjamin for managing the money. I would like to offer my thanks to the numerous parents that have volunteered their time and money in support of the MSSM community.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Symonds
President, MSSM Parents Association