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Vista de las Cruces Kindergarten Class Visits Midland |
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In May, the Kindergarten class from Vista visited Midland. Katie Isaacson hosted them and gave them a tour of the garden, where they learned about cover crops, composting and the different vegetables we plant. They were also treated to lunch to see how our produce is used in the kitchen. They are in the process of planting their own garden. It was a very hot day, so they lined up a couple times at the garden "wash bin" to get their heads doused with water to cool off. Click here to see more downloadable photos in a Picasa album.
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Alumni/ae, Parents and Friends Weekend |
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 Enjoying a BBQ lunch on the field Sunny skies, 80 degree weather and a weekend filled with reunions and activities marked this year's Alumni/ae, Parents and Friends Weekend. For the reunion years alone, there were class members from '42, '52, '62, '72, '92 and '02! Jim Quick '68 was honored as the 2012 recipient of the John Dreyfuss '52 Distinguished Alumnus Award on Sunday, April 29. There isn't a building on campus that hasn't been improved by Jim and his crew. As the old assembly benches seemed to get lower and lower to the ground and sat at interesting angles, Jim came to the rescue, with some help from his crew, a couple of Midland students, and some classmates, and built new assembly benches . He has continued his tradition of adding/fixing a table or bench (or several!) as he has done for the past several years around Alumni/ae, Parents and Friends Weekend.
Click here to see downloadable photos of the weekend in a Picasa album. Click here to see wonderful photos and a video by Peter Kunasz '62, who was at Midland for his 50th reunion. |
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Midland School at SB Earth Day |
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For the seventh year in a row, Midland faculty members and students have had a booth at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. With an educational focus, we talk about Midland as well as energy and our solar installations. Although the weather was gray and chilly, we met some wonderful folks this year.
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| Capstone, Madison and Omavi |
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Global Warming: Thinking it Through |
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On Sunday evening, April 15, 2012, Dr. James L. Powell came to Midland and gave the Twelfth Annual Mason Willrich '50 Lecture on Global Environmental Issues, "Global Warming: Thinking it Through." Dr. Powell is the Executive Director of the National Physical Science Consortium, USC – RAN. Dr. Powell opened his talk stating that climate change will be the defining issue for our students in their lifetimes. He presented graphics summarizing bodies of evidence from ice cores and carbon isotope ratios in atmospheric CO2 that incontrovertibly link fossil fuel burning by humans to atmospheric CO2 and rising global temperatures. He presented his own findings from an exhaustive literature search on the relative number of papers (published and cited) in peer-reviewed scientific journals addressing climate change. The scientific community is not divided on the existence or cause of global warming. Known facts demonstrate that it is real, caused by humans, dangerous, and, at the same time, can be addressed and ameliorated with major changes in behavior, technology, and policy if we act decisively and soon enough. His enlightening talk was followed by a Q and A session, which brought questions from both students and faculty members and addressed what we can do to be proactive and be heard by our state and country’s leaders. Dr. James L. Powell was born in Berea, Kentucky and graduated from Berea College with a degree in Geology. He holds a Ph.D. in Geochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and several honorary degrees, including Doctor of Science degrees from Berea College and from Oberlin College. He taught Geology at Oberlin College for over 20 years. He served as Acting President of Oberlin, President of Franklin and Marshall College, President of Reed College, President of the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia, and President and Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. Powell currently serves as Executive Director of the National Physical Science Consortium. President Reagan and later, President George H. W. Bush, both appointed Powell to the National Science Board, where he served for 12 years. Asteroid 1987 SH7 is named for him. He has authored nine books.
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| Students await the lecture |
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Longest Standing Midland Club |
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Since he joined Midland's faculty in 1977, BG Kresse '68 has been holding his "Games Club" where he serves his famous popcorn and lemonade while students partake in a variety of games from cards to Jenga to video games.
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Three Generations of Midlanders |
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On Thursday, March 29, John Frost '42, his son John Frost '86 and grandson Alec Frost '16 (incoming freshman next year), and Heidi (Alec's mom) visited Midland for an afternoon stroll around campus. It was a special trip down memory lane, especially for John '42.
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David Salehpour '14 Runs LA Marathon |
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David Salehpour '14 ran his first marathon by competing in the L.A. Marathon. Faculty member, Don Redl, ran with David as a pacer, helping David to maintain a pace that would meet his goal of finishing under four hours. David easily met his goal by finishing in 3:47:23. Don says, "David was really strong until the last five miles, and even then, he was able to maintain his goal pace despite the fatigue. He also had a tremendously strong finish in the last quarter mile. He bolted so fast that his parents were only able to get a picture of him from behind." The L.A. marathon had a good turnout and excellent weather this year. 18,856 runners finished the race. David came in 1,778th, and he finished 32nd out of 712 in his age group. Congratulations David!
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Snow Day |
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Midland awoke one Sunday to a wet campus from 2 inches of much needed rain and surrounded by snow covered peaks... March 18th, winter finally arrives. After work period, Ammaria Kjos '12, India Salter '14, Tenaya Storm '14, and Bandit the dog '14 went on a trip to the snow with faculty member Derek Harwell '88. Two days later we had temperatures in the 70s for the official first day of spring... March 20.
Click here for downloadable photos in a Picasa album by Derek.
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Students Assist Locals With Tax Prep |
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This year, and under the advisement of Don Redl, four students, Miles Dakin '13, Micah Kalem '13, Charlie Lehman '13 and Diego Marcogliese '13 (back row with Don on the left) completed their re-certification through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to prepare taxes for low-income families in the Santa Ynez Valley. For four Sundays, the students volunteered their time to help local families receive refunds totaling over $30,000 by taking advantage of the Earned Income, Dependent Care and Child tax credits. In addition, four other students, Oliver Rothenberg '15, Anthony Tamaribuchi '15, Talei McCloud '15 and Omavi Quadir '14 (front row) have been working on their certification in order to participate next year.
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Girl Scout Cookie Casino |
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As a way to enjoy the multitude of Girl Scout cookies that were purchased from Emma Dreyfuss '15, Don Redl offered a Girl Scout Cookie Casino Club one afternoon in March. Students convened to make GS cookie shakes, GS cookie stuffed chocolate chip cookies, and parlayed some of their GS cookies to participate in a round of Texas Hold 'Em. Perhaps as a follow up, Don will offer a running club to burn off all the calories...
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Girl Scout Cookie Mania |
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Emma Dreyfuss '15, on behalf of her younger sister, extended her Girl Scout cookie sale to the Midland community. Little did she know she would be undertaking quite the enterprise. She distributed 523 boxes, with the help of some friends, that were ordered by Midland students and faculty! Don Redl will be offering a "Girl Scout cookie eating club" in the near future...
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One February Afternoon |
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What might you see while strolling around campus on a beautiful February afternoon? Students reading with dogs close by, faculty members reading with dogs (and a cat) close by, students and faculty walking, students with work laps working, horses, and of course, stunning Midland scenery.
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| Danica reading with her dog Maybe |
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Hats for a Cause |
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David Salehpour '14 announced at assembly in late January that he was raising money to register for an upcoming marathon. He is selling hats that his mom has knitted to raise funds. Any funds raised beyond what he needs to register will be donated to CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County), where his cousin underwent chemotherapy for cancer.
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Midlanders Compete in Spartan Race |
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Congratulations to faculty members Don Redl and Johnny Ninos on taking first place in the 2-person relay Spartan Race in So Cal on Sunday, January 29! Juan Mesones '13 and Cory Cramer also competed. Midland is the perfect training location!
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Family School Green Door Visits the Midland Library |
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On Wednesday, January 25th, students and teachers from The Family School's Green Door came to Midland for Story Time in the Library. Michelle Bone, Midland's Librarian, read "Yo, Vikings!" to the group, and then everyone enjoyed some cocoa outside. The children perused the Midland Library "Children's Books" section before heading back to The Family School. We look forward to having Story Time again! Click here to see downloadable photos in a Picasa album.
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MLK Day at Midland |
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On Monday, January 16, 2012, Midland School celebrated and honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with Damali Ayo, Author, Artist and Speaker. Damali presented “I (You) Can Fix Racism,” and engaged Midland faculty and students and shared concrete steps for overcoming racial oppression. Her humorous and personal approach was well received and the day concluded with a thoughtful discussion of needs and solutions as students in school communities address these issues in this day and age.
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