MVPS Upper School

Written by: Sarah Buck, Upper School Communications Prefect

Photo by: Molly Christian

Beginning Wednesday, September 4, Upper School students will be given the chance to volunteer their time on Wednesday mornings before the start of school.

Upper School students will volunteer at the Founders Campus to help with carpool duty. Everyone will receive community service hours for doing so. It is an excellent opportunity for not only the Upper School to interact with the younger students, but to also have a lot of fun and to unify our school across all grade levels!

The younger kids at carpool will get a kick out of seeing the Upper School students in the carpool line. Students will help to unload cars and to make sure the younger ones are safe and in the right place. This can potentially help fulfill the required four hours of community service per semester; students should reach out to Ms Parker with questions.

For further information, contact Unity Prefect, Addie Goins, via email at [email protected].

Written by Tyler S Thigpen

Image via

Dear Upper School Students and Families,

I am excited to let you know that on Tuesday, September 4, an individual named Kyle Maynard will visit Mount Vernon to speak to you, Middle School students, and Lower School students.

Kyle is an author, speaker, and ESPY Award-winning mixed martial arts athlete, known for accomplishing these things despite being a congenital amputee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czXTkNyzF98

We will gather to listen to Kyle at 9:30am in the Glenn Campus Gymnasium.

I am grateful to our Athletic Director, Mark Heiser, and Event Coordinator, Molly Christian, for orchestrating the event. I expect this will be one to remember.

The bell schedule for next Tuesday is below.

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend,

Tues, Sept 4, 2012

7:50-9 1st period

9:05-9:25 2nd period

9:30-10:15 Assembly with Kyle

10:20-11:05 Finish 2nd period

11:10-12:05 6th period

12:10-12:40 Lunch

12:45-1:50 3rd period

Written by Sierra Middleton

Addie Goins, Junior, is the Unity Prefect for the 2012-2013 year.

Addie has been attending Mount Vernon for 12 years and she still loves every moment. Last year Addie was chosen to be the Unity Prefect. She wanted this position because she loves "having responsibility and the idea of unifying the entire school and making us all one student body,” she commented.

She plans on unifying the school in many fun ways including; movie nights, student tutoring systems, reading to Kindergarten classes, planting flowers in the spring and more. Addie’s role is important because she is in charge of bringing the entire school together. Addie stated about her job that “MV resembles a family and I believe it is my responsibility to help us stick together.”

Ms. Anderson came to Mount Vernon from Memphis, Tennessee - but in a roundabout way!

She was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and spent her high school years attending Phillips Exeter Academy with none other than the infamous Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook! (That is her only claim to fame, and no, they were not friends!).

While at Exeter, Ms. Anderson discovered her passion for the French language and had the opportunity to study abroad in Grenoble, France for six months. She loved her host family so much that she still keeps in close contact with them today.

Following graduation from high school, she went on to college at Duke University, where she majored in Political Science and French Literature and served as the Vice President for her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. She was also the chair for a volunteer organization in the local public school system, and this is where she developed a true passion for education.

After Duke, Ms. Anderson decided to dedicate her passion to Teach for America, a program that places teachers in some of the highest-need classrooms in the country. This is what brought her to Memphis, Tennessee, and her experience there will remain forever close to her heart.

Written by Sierra Middleton

The new bell schedule has been brought up countless times in the halls of Mount Vernon. The teachers are enjoying the new bell schedule because they are able to do more than just lecture; they are able to create new and innovative ways to teach.

Mr. Sommers, Upper School French teacher, stated, “I like the new schedule a lot. I think it exposes students to a more varied approach to learning. It prepares them for the type of schedule they will have in college. The longer class periods also lend themselves to more in-depth coverage and analysis of material.”

Most students appreciate the new schedule as well. Sophomore Lizzie Hartinger voiced her opinion saying “I like the new way the schedules are set up, and I think it’s fine that class is an hour long, but I hate how we have a short lunch and such a short time in-between classes.“

Senior Emmy Bowman and John Willingham, a freshman, had a similar opinion, “I think it is perfect. Being able to have more class time during the week, a six period schedule, and an enrichment period is awesome! It is the best schedule I have ever seen.”

The Mount Vernon Center for Design Thinking launched August 2010 in the Lower School. Last year, it reached the higher grade levels, and is being implemented in the Upper School curriculum again this year.

So what is design thinking?

Based on a model developed by Stanford University Institute of Design, better known as d.school, Mount Vernon students identify real world issues, collaborate through research, test their results, and produce prototypes to impact the world rather than simply consuming information, recalling facts, and never applying them to to the relevant, applicable global marketplace confronting their future.

And Mount Vernon Design Thinking Needs You!

Design thinking is all about using empathy to identify a need then taking action by prototyping solutions. Below are items needed for “low resolution” prototyping. Please do not buy anything. Any disposable items would be greatly appreciated. Drop any materials off in Mr. Edwards 3rd floor science lab.

Hank Kunath is one of Mount Vernon’s celebrated art teachers.

He is respected by his colleagues and loved by his students. Having served as a teacher at Mount Vernon for six years, Mr. Kunath has brought much of his culture and past experiences into the classroom. Kunath graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor in Arts, and later completed is Master of Arts degree concentrating on print making and art history from Murray State University. Kunath's inspiration ranges from his frequent travels out west to Oaxaca, Mexico, where he has taken Mount Vernon students to study painting, photography, drawing, and Colonial and Indigenous Mexican history.

Prior to teaching our students, Mr. Kunath has participated in some impressive projects! He worked as an Art Director for a children’s magazine, as a traveling art teacher under President Johnson’s War on Poverty Legislation, and as an Assistant Professor of Art at Kennesaw State University.

Written by Hannah Zenas Photo by Molly Christian

It’s a new year! Another year older, another year wiser, and more importantly another year of new beginnings. At last week’s Convocation on Friday, August 17, Mount Vernon celebrated these new beginnings. It’s a new beginning for the 168 new student who have joined the Mount Vernon family this year, a new beginning for the largest freshman class to join the high school, and a new beginning for everyone else, especially the seniors because it’s their last year of high school.

We are all so blessed to be going to such a thriving school, full of opportunities, individualism, and innovation. Dr. Jacobsen said that he wants us to start the year with these virtues in mind: Ask questions, fail up, share the well, and have fun. Asking questions rather than meeting problems with answers develops knowledge deeper than answers can give you. If you had no questions, what would there be to answer about learning and growing?

Failing up means that you have to fail before you can succeed. As Tom Krause once said, “There are no failures - just experiences and your reactions to them.”

Sharing the well goes back to the Bible. Jesus was sitting at a well when a Samarian woman, whom the Jews never affiliated themselves with, approached with a great thirst. Jesus, no matter of the animosity between the Jews and Samarians, shared the water and his forgiveness. We need to share our blessings and talents with everyone, no matter what clique they’re in or how you feel about them.

Most importantly, have fun! That one doesn’t need much explaining, other than take this year to be yourselves and enjoy every moment you’re given, even if you don’t enjoy school or classes, enjoy the time with your friends and the experiences you’ll learn from this year! Remember to not forget to thank those who give so much to us.

2012-2013 will be the inaugural season of the Mount Vernon Upper School Debate Team!

A general information session will be hosted in his room in the Upper School (212) Tuesday morning, August 21st, from 7:30-7:50 AM.

Debaters will have the opportunity to polish their researching, critical reading and public speaking skills while competing against nationally competitive debate teams from public and private schools from the Atlanta area and the rest of the country.  At the school’s first Chapel last Wednesday, students heard from the debate coach, Mr. Zach Strother, about the personal, social, and academic benefits of participation in policy debate.

Fun Facts:

State and national award winners from forensics/debate teams have a 22-30% higher chance of acceptance into an academically competitive university compared to the rest of the pool.

Captains of nationally competitive debate teams are 60% more likely; compare that to school newspaper reporters (3%), sports team captains (5%), class presidents (5%) and band members (3%).

Mr. Strother, who has previously coached teams that have competed in the finals of national championships at the Junior Varsity and Varsity level, is very excited to begin the Mount Vernon program. At the upcoming informational meeting, students will get a glimpse of what policy debate looks like, as well as an idea of the costs and time commitment involved. Interested students who can’t make it to the meeting are encouraged to speak with Mr. Strother before or after school for more information.

MVPS Upper School teachers work diligently to update their teacher websites for virtual learning and collaborative opportunities.

Join us Sunday, August 12, for the Upper School Kick-Off.

New students should arrive by 4:15pm.

All returning students, 5:00pm.

See you there!

Email Krista Parker with questions at [email protected]

Written by Tyler S. Thigpen

In the spirit of beginning the School year together, I want to invite you to Upper School Orientation Tuesday, August 14. The event is designed for parents and students to connect with teachers, finalize a number of logistics, and learn of our main goals and initiatives for the year.

Freshman Orientation begins in the Glenn Campus Gymnasium at 9:00 a.m.

Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Orientation begins in the Glenn Campus Gymnasium at 10:45 a.m.

One point of discussion for Orientation, and a topic to which I would like to introduce to you in advance is this year’s bell schedule. To facilitate more instruction time for your students and also more teacher collaborative planning time, we have designed a schedule that meets both priorities and offers various other benefits. I invite you to further explore this development below.

Dear Mount Vernon Family,

We hope you are enjoying summer!

In preparation, we have gathered together important information about the new year. We call it the Online Summer E-Packet and it includes items such as: a letter from each division head, student health forms, uniform requirements, after school activities, textbooks, Mount Vernon’s Summer Reading/Math Program, the Parent/Student Handbook, and many more items to help you prepare for the 2012-2013 school year. All returning and new families are encouraged to complete the necessary forms for each student within the Summer E-Packet by August 1.

To access the Summer E-Packet, please click on the applicable link:

Upper School

As a reminder, all forms must be completed for each Mount Vernon student. In the meantime, have a wonderful summer!

Dear Families,

Please find below the summer and try-out schedule for our respective fall athletic programs.  Please note, any student-athlete participating in summer workouts, must have an up-to-date physical on file.  All students that do not have a physical on file will not be allowed to try-out in the fall.  If you have any questions, the Varsity Head Coach for each program may be contacted via email.  Those contacts are listed below at the bottom of each program description.

Football

Spring Workouts

Spring football practice will begin on May 7 and conclude on May 17.  Practices will be in “shells” (helmet, shoulders pads, shorts).  Equipment issue will take place during lunch and immediately after school on Thursday, May 3.  All participants must have an up-to-date physical on file, as most should if they participated in a sport at MV in the fall, winter and/or spring.

At the conclusion of spring football practice (May 17), we will have a parent meeting to discuss the dynamics of the Varsity/JV team, summer workout schedule/summer camps, and individual player evaluation(if desired).

Spring football schedule:

May 7, 8, 10, 11

May 14-17

Practice time – 3:45-6pm

Summer Workouts

Tuesday, May 29-Thursday, July 26  6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

**Note** GHSA Dead Week, Week of July 2-no workouts

5/6th Grade Football and 7/8th Grade Football

Spring work out/Sizing-May 9, 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Summer Optional Work outs- June 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, and 28  July 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, and 26              Time: 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Mandatory Parent/Student Meeting- July 28  Time: TBD

Fall Practice

Varsity will begin Friday, July 27, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Middle School (5th-8th) will begin Monday, July 30, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Contact Coach Reggie Burnette [email protected]

Volleyball

Varsity/Middle School Volleyball (5th-8th Grade)

Open Gyms 7/10, 7/12, 7/24, 7/31 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Emory Team Camp  July 16-18

Summer Dig Team Tournament July 26-28

Tryouts Aug 1 -2nd from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Contact Coach Mark Sluzky [email protected]

Cheerleading

Varsity Cheer Summer/ Fall Schedule

MS/US Tryouts – May 7- May10, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Founders gym

MS/US Uniform Fittings – May 14 beginning at 3:30 p.m., Glenn Campus girls locker rooms

Varsity Cheer Meeting – May 14 at 3:30 p.m. Glenn Campus cafeteria

Mustang Youth Cheer Camp – June 4- June 7, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Glenn Campus stadium/gym

Varsity Summer Workouts- Begins June 12- July 18, Tue & Thur 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (times could possibly change)

Varsity UCA Camp – July 19- July 21, @ University of West Georgia

Varsity Cheer Camp with LONGgevity – July 23 – July 27,  9 a.m -6 p.m. @ Founders gym

Varsity Cheer fall practice begins Aug 7, practice every Tues & Wed 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (days could change)

Contact Coach Katina Long  [email protected]

Cross Country

Summer Conditioning Workouts:

Varsity Cross Country

Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:30 a.m. starting July 2

Middle School Cross Country

Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:30 a.m. starting July 2

Contact Coach Mike Farry  [email protected] or Katie Jones [email protected]

Softball

Fall 2012

Key Dates

Summer Camp:

June 4-8 Grades 4-8

Summer Workouts:

8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays during the following weeks:

6/12-14                 6/19-21                 6/26-28                 7/10-12                 7/24-26

Tryouts:

Varsity – 8/1 – 8/3 (8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)

MS – 8/6 – 8/7 (8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)

Blue & Gold Game (8th – 12th) – Saturday 8/11 (10 a.m. to 12 Noon).  BBQ (MS & Varsity) 12 Noon – 2 p.m.

Softball Season End:

MS – 10/6

Varsity – 10/27

Contact Coach Mike Edmonson  [email protected]

Mark Heiser

Director of Athletics

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School

(Office) 404-252-3448 Ext. 2266

(Cell) 404-429-4210

Written by Clark Taylor

On the evening of Saturday, May 12, 2012, four new Mount Vernon thespians were initiated into the International Thespian Society: Caroline Courtney, Brice Veach, Alexa Dunford, and Savannah Rettig.

The awards ceremony included recognition of all the MVPS Allstars who are in the Society:

Dana Cohen

Caroline Courtney

Alexa Dunford

Brayden Gomer

Breonca Hackney

Miles Mallory

Joseph Martin

Jonathan Moore

Savannah Rettig

Brice Veach

Our Parent Liaisons: Eleanor Mallory and Twila Hackney

Recognition of Seniors: Brayden Gomer, Breonca Hackney, and Miles Mallory

And the following theatrical awards for the 2011-2012 school year were given:

Techie Award= Hank Kunath

Rookie Award= BryceVeach

Best Supporting Actress= Dana Cohen

Best Supporting Actor= Joseph Martin

Best Actress= Caroline Courtney

Best Actor= Brayden Gomer

Honor Thespian of the Year Award= Miles Mallory

A big thanks goes to Alison Dunford and Martha Moore for helping organize and record the event.

A great night was had by all!

Written by Nancy Ike

Young Life is coming to Mount Vernon!  Please join us for an informational meeting on what Young Life is and how the program facilitates mentors coming alongside teens to help them to grow in their faith.

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The meeting will be on Wednesday, May 16th at 8:00am in the Glenn Campus conference room. Coffee and a light breakfast will be provided.

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To RSVP or ask any questions, please contact Nancy or Steve Ike (Young Life Committee) at [email protected] or (404) 376-7817 or Allison McCarthy (Young Life Area Director) at [email protected] or (770) 709-8551.

Written by Sierra Middleton

For inquiries about hosting an exchange student, contract Meg Brown, MVPS International Coordinator, at [email protected]

Bob Luo and Rebecca Liao, Chinese exchange students, have been at Mount Vernon for a full semester now...and they love it!

Bob hails from Shenzhen, a Chinese metropolis in South China that is very similar to New York City, only bigger, with 10.3 million inhabitants. Rebecca came to Mount Vernon from Mianyang City, which, with 4.6 million people, is the second largest city of Sichuan province in Southwest China.

Bob is thrilled about the opportunity to graduate from Mount Vernon in a few years. Rebecca, too, reporting, “It is totally different between Georgia and China. On the one hand, the school is different. I went to a boarding school in China. So, at 6:30am at my school all students run 800 meters every single day. Then you have breakfast and classes...from 7:30am to 10:30pm. And then, we can go to our bedroom to sleep. As for teachers, in Chinese school, students stay at the same classroom and teachers come to find you. It is just the opposite in American school. And in one Chinese classroom, there are fifty students and one teacher."

Of his first semester at Mount Vernon, Bob said one of his “favorite activities is gym, because I can do different exercises.” This year, Bob has two favorite subjects. He mentioned,  “When I studied in China, I was the leader of history and politics classes...[it is] one of my favorite subjects is history. However, having come here, I am now more interested about math.”

Among the things Rebecca has liked most to learn about include making friends, improving her English, and experiencing firsthand what a life in the United States really looks like. For Bob, learning how to be more independent, and how to be successful, are king.

Both exchange students have noted the obvious difference in food. From their perspective, Americans eat a lot of cheese. "In China, people don't eat cheese often," Rebecca quipped. "We have cheese in supermarkets, but it is not popular.”