Milken Mini Stories: Wildlife Week Celebration, MIX Interviews, and Record-breaking Middle School Open House
Milken Hosts Urban Wildlife Week Celebration
Milken’s Environmental Club hosted an Urban Wildlife Week event on Friday, October 20. Urban Wildlife Week celebrates wildlife that live in cities and highlights the challenges that they face in their interactions with humans.
During Oneg, Urban Wildlife Manager for the National Wildlife Federation Tessa Charnofsky, MSW/MPA presented on the challenges faced by mountain lions and other animals who are surrounded by freeways. She spoke about plans for a proposed wildlife bridge at Liberty Canyon in Agoura Hills over the 101 Freeway. Scientists believe wildlife bridges are the best way to ensure genetic diversity and the long term survival of mountain lions in Southern California. As part of the Oneg, the Environmental Club constructed a model bridge and freeway from posterboard, moss, and Matchbox cars simulating the future bridge, as well as creating welcome signs for the National Wildlife Federation hikers arriving later that afternoon.
Five hikers, including Jason Goldman, PhD ’03, led by California Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, retraced the path of the P-22 mountain lion that lives in Griffith Park. P-22 has garnered national media attention for surviving against the odds surrounded by three freeways. The group of hikers arrived on the Milken campus at 4:30 PM after leaving Topanga Elementary on Topanga Canyon Blvd. in the morning. The 14-mile journey was part of four-day hike from Agoura Hills to Griffith Park for a total of about 50 miles. The hikers were greeted at Milken by David Kates, librarian and Environmental Club faculty advisor; Polly Kim, science research teacher; and Jane St. Clair, Middle School creative writing and photography teacher. This was Milken’s second annual Urban Wildlife Week celebration.
MIX Interviews
On Thursday, October 19, students participated in an X-Project interview day on the Middle School campus to help them select topics for their X-Projects, the passion projects that students work on throughout the year and showcase at the annual Milken Innovators Expo (MIX) in March. More than 20 experts from the fields of business, wellness, technology, transportation, public policy, media, environment, and architecture were interviewed by our students and answered questions about their fields of expertise. Each student had the chance to meet with two experts and many left their conversations inspired to move forward with their X-Projects.
Record-Breaking Middle School Open House
On Sunday, October 22, more than 400 people attended the Middle School Open House, a record-breaking attendance for the Saperstein Middle School Campus. Guests were welcomed to campus by an array of blue and white balloon sculptures that dotted the path from registration all the way through the campus to the amphitheatre where families were able to partake in a program fair. The fair offered students and their families a chance to meet teachers and students representing various classes and electives, like robotics and Jewish students, as well as sports, summer programs, and much more, all while listening to the musical stylings of our Jazz musicians.
“This was largest event we’ve ever had at the Middle School,” noted Ashley Jackson, director of admission for the Middle School. “We had students and families from 26 schools throughout all of Los Angeles, making it one of our most diverse events.” Guests enjoyed a preview performance from the Middle School musical, and had the chance to sit in classes with teachers, tour the campus, and even meet the Milken Wildcat. They also heard from both Head of School Gary Weisserman and Middle School Principal Limor Dankner, who spoke about the mission and values here at Milken, and what makes us a special campus and community.
In between trips to the beloved donut wall and the selfie station, guests attended classes and hear students speak candidly about their experiences at Milken and why they chose to attend. “The best part of the event was to watch the parents and students get excited about education and Milken,” noted Mrs. Jackson. Students who are interested in applying to Milken should inquire online in order to begin the admission process.
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