The Gladfly - July 2004

Newsletter of the Maine School of Science and Math Parents Group
On the web: mssmvoice.org

Terrie Frisbie, President     ncalder@earthlin.net     586-6127
Alice Chartrand, Co-President     chartran@midcoast.com     594-0688
Jon Eaton, Treasurer     cmmj@verizon.net     354-2234
Jane Karker, Enrichment     janekarker@earthlink.net     354-0524
Paul Meyer, Communications     prmeyer@colby.edu     779-1932
David Haines, Student Life     dhaines@abacus.bates.edu     784-4821

Welcome to parents of new students! Contact any of us at any time for help or information and/or view our web site.

The following Mission Statement for the MSSMPG will be discussed, amended and voted on at the upcoming annual meeting:

The Mission of the MSSM Parents Group is to:

enhance and enrich the MSSM academic and residential experience for our children, and in doing so help ensure a vibrant and expansive future for MSSM;

offer a forum in which MSSM parents can share and discuss concerns, proposals, and ideas;

serve as a bridge between parents and the school and an avenue for parental involvement in support of the MSSM mission.

MOVE IN DAY: Sat. August 21st. Look for the MSSMPG registration table. The Annual MSSMPG meeting will be held 3 pm. MSSMPG Bylaws have been drafted by Nigel Calder (ncalder@earthlin.net, 586 5154 or 586 6127) who heads an Ad Hoc Bylaws Committee to finalize them for presentation that day (see web page for draft).

MSSMPG Elections will be held at the October Parent Conference weekend (absentee ballots will be available).

New MSSMPG Student Life Chair David Haines will serve on the Ad Hoc Executive Director Search Committee. MSSMPG Parents have compiled three questions for inclusion in interviews which have been sent to the committee.

MSSMPG expressed its sorrow at Pat Farrell leaving by presenting him with a Camelback hydration system for hiking and cross-country skiing. MSSMPG also thanked Dottie Martin for her service with a gift of serving dishes. These gifts were presented at the senior video night the evening before graduation.

Thanks! To MSSM parent Arthur Lerman (now alumnus parent) who as State Representative from the Augusta area lobbied in the state legislature this spring to help us regain $32,000 cut from the MSSM budget.

Faculty News: Joe Siddiqui will not be teaching this fall due to administrative responsibilities, however new teacher Heather Van Ligten will take over upper level math courses. John Corrigan has resigned and Eric Pelkey has been hired full time in the English Department to replace him. Deborah McGann will not be teaching this fall due to serving as admissions officer this year.

Administrative News: Norma O'Keefe's new position as Dean of Academic and College Counseling does not yet have a job description but we understand that she will be handling academic support in addition to college counseling. Cathy Bowker continues as full time Academic Dean. The Dean of Residential Life job description has been finalized by the Board and includes living in the residential hall, reporting directly to the Executive Director and supervising the Host Family Program. Several candidates have been interviewed for the position so far.

Tougher Alcohol/Drug Policy: pending legal approval the MSSM Board has expanded the current policy to mandate expulsion for alcohol and drug offenses, but has created a hearing panel including two Board members to ensure due process. The live-in Dean of Residential Life will assess incidents immediately (within 24 hrs) but the policy specifies "a MSSM Dean" as there will be times that person is not available. See MSSMPG web page for report of meeting.

The Jeff Harris Report was presented to the MSSM Board of Trustees on July 11th and is now a matter of public record. Exiting Chair Polly Haddow presented a summary of how cited needs will be met. Changes included live-in staff supervision in the residential hall. Copies are available through the MSSM Executive Director or through the MSSMPG.

MSSM Web Page is being renovated thanks to alumnus Jason Park Davis. Special thanks to parent and MSSMPG Communications Chair Paul Meyer for his expertise and suggestions.

The Host Family Program is being rejuvenated thanks to MSSM Trustee David King, parent Dale Gordon and Host Parents Mike and Susan Dugal.

Thank you to parents Barbara Martin, Charlene Donahue, Deb Olson, Rick and Tamra Bergeron, Kathy Killins and Kevin Wells, and Dale Gordon, who have volunteered to host Coffee Hours for prospective parents and students this month.