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Most Recent Issue:
The Gladfly -- July 2005
Newsletter of the Maine School of Science and Math Parents Group
Visit our web site: mssmvoice.org.
David Haines, President
dhaines@abacus.bates.edu
784-4821
Dale J. Gordon, Vice President
dgordon@micmac-nsn.gov
498-3583
Sylvia Lowry, Treasurer
sylvia@lowryh2o.com
374-5471
Steven D. Powell, Communications/Publicity
rightrty@adelphia.net
354-2457
GRADUATION 2005 featured wonderful, inspiring speeches and comments
by, among others: Larry Berz , astronomer and teacher; and Pete Pedersen, mathematician, teacher, and Student Senate advisor.
MSSM BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND MSSMPG MEETINGS: Read MSSMPG reports on the
Feb 5 and April 9 meetings at
http://mssmvoice.org/Board.html.
Minutes for the June 4
Board Meeting are at
http://www.mssm.org/about/boardminutes.htm.
MSSMPG HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JUNE BOARD MEETING:
Before the general meeting alumnus parent Alice Chartrand attended the Finance Committee meeting and MSSMPG president David Haines and alumnus parent Tamra Bergeron attended the Academic and Residential Life Committee meeting
Attending the General Meeting: Parents David Haines, Tamra Bergeron, and Alice Chartrand;
Alumnus: John T. Giblin; and outgoing MSSM Student Senate President Ben Lofton.
DEAN OF ADMISSIONS Deb McGann reported that enrolment is on an
upward turn, w/ 104 students so far expected this fall and the possibility of last minute commitments this summer.
COLLEGES THAT THIS YEAR’S GRADUATES WILL ATTEND will be listed at www.mssm.org.
Many other top notch schools admitted our graduates (for example Bowdoin, Williams, Brown U!) but were not chosen for personal or financial reasons.
BOARD COMMITTEES: Chair Mike Edgecomb described the expansion of
advisory committees for the next year. He would like to include parent and student representatives on many of them. (Contact MSSMPG president David Haines if you are interested!). Mike noted that all committee meetings, except Personnel, are open to public observation.
THANKS were expressed to alumnus parent Nigel Calder and MSSMPG President David Haines for their volunteer efforts which contributed to the successful search for our new executive director.
NEW MSSM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Walter Warner attended the Finance
Committee meeting and expressed his commitment to retaining the current high
quality of food service. He also noted that we will retain the new school
nurse, who will help the school to comply with state health statutes. He
told the general board meeting that strategic planning, both long term and for the next year, are important to him. The plan will include marketing and admissions. He wants to involve the Parents Group, alumni, and the MSSM Foundation in overall planning. He wants to post provisional board minutes on the MSSM web site within 2 weeks of the meeting so that the Parents Group does not need to issue its own report. [We also note that during his address at graduation Walt made two commitments: one to continue the work toward high quality living experience in the residential hall, and the other to connect alumni with the school and seek their input.]
DURING PUBLIC COMMENT TIME alumnus parent Tamra Bergeron spoke of her experience advocating for a student with Asperger’s Syndrome. Board members were interested to hear that sending schools can provide special education funds towards interventions that can help other students as well.
MSSMPG PRESIDENT David Haines thanked the Board for involving Parents
Group in school concerns. He offered to create a list of MSSM parents
who can contact prospective parents. He listed some issues of concern from
past meetings, as well as recent parent suggestions. One was to create
an e-mail site or chat room for admitted students to use during the
summer to communicate with each other and with returning students, as
many colleges do.
ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS sponsored by The MSSM Parents Group:
THE JOINT APPROPRIATIONS AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARING in Augusta
Feb 15 : MSSMPG President David Haines joined Board Chair Mike Edgecomb and Interim Executive Director Joe Siddiqui in quietly lobbying for MSSM.
MYSTERY WEEKEND AND OPEN HOUSE March 18-20 was a great success, with
numerous memorable moments (the MSSMPG Web site has photos)! Princess
Sara Ibenputin unfortunately missed her interview and was not admitted.
As usual students, staff, and faculty enjoyed themselves very much - and
this time we were able to entertain prospective students and their parents
during their tours of the dorm. Prospective students/parents also enjoyed
the parent-sponsored coffee shop Saturday afternoon. It was a blast for
the parent volunteers! Join us next year! Thanks to parents Jane Karker,
Karen Donlan, Dale Gordon, David Haines, Fred Jelin, Alice Chartrand, Terrie Frisbie, Cathy Hampton, Sylvia and Jerry Lowry!
PROM BANQUET April 15 was prepared by chef Tom Robinson and was top restaurant quality, as usual. Volunteer parents organized by Barbara Martin were treated to glimpses of their sons and daughters in formal dress. The MSMMPG web page has photos.
FACULTY/STAFF APPRECIATION DAY ON APRIL 15 was organized by Karen
Donlan and Terrie Frisbee. Thanks to all who sent goodies, cards, and e-mails to our deserving staff and faculty!
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MSSM FOUNDATION invited parents to
attend their May 2 meeting: Alice Chartrand, David Haines, and Sylvia
Lowry participated in this meeting. This non-profit fundraising group
requested VOLUNTEERS from the Parents Group to become members and to
attend quarterly meetings. (contact David Haines if you are interested.)
INTERVIEW DAY AT LIMESTONE May 7 Parent Jim Dunn talked with several
prospective parents. Karen Donlan compiled a list of “places to stay/things
to do,” which was handed out and will also be distributed to new parents
in the fall and is on our Web site.
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