Welcome to all of the new students and parents of MSSM, and welcome back to all of the returning students and parents.   I hope all of you have had a nice relaxing summer.   The start of a new year at MSSM is upon us and, if your household is anything like mine, you are beginning to gear up for Move-In Day.   The Executive Committee has been meeting through the summer and has done a lot of work in preparation for the new school year.

         The MSSMPA will be a part of both Move-In Days.   There will be information about the bus schedules, Bus-Stop Parents, events planned for the year along with a new method for donating to MSSMPA events.   Please be sure to stop by and say hello.   We look forward to connecting with the new parents and touching base with returning parents.

         Traditionally, the MSSMPA has asked for donations and assistance as each event approached.   We are changing things this year.   In an effort to provide the MSSMPA with better budgeting and the parents with a simple process, the Executive Committee will be supplying donation cards with the MSSMPA packets.   You will be able to make one donation at the beginning of the year and not be concerned about year-long requests for money.   The cards will give you the opportunity to decide which events you wish to support the amount of support you wish to provide.

         In past years, the MSSMPA has sponsored two events during the year.   Mystery Weekend and Prom, both held in the spring semester.   This year we will be adding a 'Not Yet Winter!' festival in October.   More information regarding this event will be available at Move-In.   In the spring semester, we will have two events 'the Alomst Spring' Festival formerly Mystery Weekend) and the Prom.

         The wing lounges are in need of furniture help.   There is a need for chairs, coffee tables, end tables, study desks, and sofas.   If you have furniture that is in good condition (durable, clean, no tears or stains) that you would be willing to donate, conatct Steve Symonds directly (contact info below).   Steve has the master list of the needs for the lounges and will coordinate.   Donation pieces could be brought up at Move-In Day.

         The Executive Committee has changed the 'hub parent' job.   The position has been renamed to Bus-Stop Parent.   The Committee has limited the job to just those tasks that are needed for the bus stops.   In the past, the 'hub parent' was responsible for coordinating a hub meeting during the year.   In consultation with Walt Warner, the hub meeting methods will be changed.   Walt will fix the dates for each bus stop meeting and the Executive Committee, and the Bus-Stop Parents will work together to select a location.   The events will be a mix of weekend and weeknights.   All parents are invited to attend any or all of the hub meetings that they want.

         The Executive Committee has reviewed the current by-laws and has determined that they are far more complex than the size of the organization requires.   As of this writing, the by-laws are being simplified and will be presented to the parents at Move-In Day and set for a vote of the changes at our September meeting (held during Parent's Weekend at MSSM.)

         Currently the Executive Committee consists of Steve Symonds, president, Theresa Torrent-Ellis, vice-president, Stacy Benjamin, treasurer, and Laurie Cornwall, secretary.   At our spring meeting, we will be electing new officers.   Steve, Theresa, and Stacy will have graduating Seniors and will not be elligible to hold an office.   The MSSMPA will need parents to fill these positions.   Contained in your packet from the MSSMPA will be description of all the MSSMPA positions.   Please consider taking a position.   The MSSMPA is an important part of the overall experience that our kids have as part of this excellent education opportunity.

Steve Symonds
MSSMPA President
symonds@roadrunner.com