Welcome Back! Upper School Back in Session
The Upper School at Milken kicked off the 2017-2018 school year on Monday, August 28. The campus was abuzz with activity as the stillness of summer subsided and the students arrived in droves for the first day of classes. Students hurried to class chatting, laughing, and catching up with friends. The aroma of chicken on the grill from Vicki’s Lunch box wafted through the campus. Those were just a few of the familiar sights, sounds, and smells that signaled that school is back in session.
Marcus Bernstein ’18 delivered the first senior sermon before an audience of students, faculty and staff at the opening Town Meeting of the school year. Bernstein encouraged students to expand their comfort zones and assured them it is not hard to do if they take baby steps. Head of School Gary Weisserman focused on the Milken Portrait of the Graduate–which incorporates standards and methods which enable students to see the world through a Jewish lens—and implored students to take positive action to make a real impact on the world around them, and to act with empathy justice and compassion toward others. Principal Kimberly Schwartz followed by saying students can’t ignore what is going on in the world right now and the pursuit of justice is a responsibility for us all.
Student Government President Noah Cohen revealed there will be a new improved Oneg—a joyful time for community building to prepare emotionally and spiritually for Shabbat— this year. While not mentioning what the changes will be, he showed a short video touting Oneg 2.0.
The Town Meeting wrapped with Rabbis Gordon Bernat-Kunin and David Saiger, praying for the faculty and staff and for those affected by the flooding in Houston. Everyone departed the Town Meeting excited, energized, enthusiastic for what should be an awesome new school year.
Today wasn’t the first day that Milken students ventured back to campus. They began trickling back to campus a few weeks ago. Seniors attended the college essay writing workshop where they learned to craft the perfect college essay. Admissions officers from several colleges reviewed students’ essays and offered practical tips and advice on how to improve them. Student leaders held their leadership retreat on August 22, coming together to strategize for the upcoming year. They held workshops on topics such as calendaring events, running meetings, and building community.
All students were back last week, however, attending the Upper School orientation on August 26. Students connected with each other, participated in workshops, reflected on how they can add value to the community, and set goals for the upcoming year. Incoming freshmen were given tours of the campus from the Vatikims (senior mentors) to help them get acclimated to the Upper School campus. Tenth graders had a variety of fun workshops to choose from, including a healthy cooking demonstration, stress-busting yoga, and a Hebrew sing-along. Eleventh graders hit the beach for a citizen science research project, while the seniors attended college counseling sessions.
Students arrived on the Saperstein Middle School Campus on August 28 for the first day of a two-day orientation. After assembling in their Advisory groups, students attended an opening ceremony. Principal Limor Dankner welcomed everyone, Rabbi Aaron Finkelstein gave the blessing, Assistant Principal Chris Scarlata introduced faculty and staff, and everyone participated in an icebreaker. Students have a preview day of their classes on August 30. Afterward, they head off to Camp Milken, held at Camp Hess Kramer, which runs from August 31 to September 1, where they will engage in team building activities, team challenges, and icebreakers. Classes at the Middle School begin on September 5.
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At Milken Community School, we think education is more than what you know. Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the School we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.
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