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MSA Weekly News
September 20, 2013 Volume 7, Number 6
“If a student can’t learn the way we teach … we should teach the way a student can learn.
-Tweetie L. Moore, Founder
In This Issue Let’s Get Down to Business
Class of 2014
Meet Angela White
MSA Mini Day – PU/CA/U
Tellus Museum
Magic Milk Lab
Fine Arts Day
Super Hero’s
Astronaut Questions
Founder’s Day Fun Run
Polo Party Sponsors
Signs are Everywhere!
Senior Reader
Astronaut Questions
WRITE our “Five-A-Day”!
“Guys and Dolls”
Level L Project
Astronaut Questions
Organism Life Cycles
Senior Class Trip
Astronaut Questions
Annual Fund Kicks Off!
Braves Statistics in Algebra
Entrepreneur Shares Secrets
Let’s Get Down to Business! Here we are, it’s Friday again. It seems like September just started, yet I’ve got
information about events in October! We’ve had a wonderfully busy week once again.
Before we get down to business though, I need to let you know that next week we will
be holding a Lock Down Drill in case you hear something about it. It is an opportunity
for us to practice for the unlikely event we have a need. But basically everyone stays in
the room they are in and doors/windows are covered so intruders cannot see inside.
We stay quiet, as quiet as we can during the drill. We just wanted you to know in
advance so there are no worries. NOW let’s get down to business!
The Senior Class took a trip, Middle School went to the Tellus Science Museum, there
was a meeting for cheerleaders, there was a Parent Workshop about financing college,
we’ve had a fire drill, and today is all about mania! Mustang Mania that is! We’ve got
some fun stories from the ARISS communication with Astronaut Cassidy sprinkled
throughout the newsletter from the Middle School to share with you and there is lots
more great information to share, so don’t miss anything. I’ll let you get to it!
Have a great weekend!
College Acceptance
Congratulations to
Hanna Bowler
on her acceptance to
Shorter University!
Meet Angela White – Upper School Teacher
Astronaut Questions
Mustang Haunted Trails 5K
ARISS Items Wanted
School Portraits Available
Sports on Tap
The Bulletin Board
Cares and Concerns
Character Quote
Web Links of Interest
MSA Sports Calendar
The most current information when it comes to MSA Sports Schedules
MSA Home Page Find everything you need to find about MSA is here
The Bee Stang Blog Check out what’s happening at the hive
MSA PVA Web Site Learn what is going on with your PVA
MSA Weekly News Archives Catch up on past news
MSA Current Calendar School Calendar on the MSA website
Legend L = Lower School
M = Middle School
PU = PreUpper School
CA = Communication Arts School
U = Upper School
Social Media
Welcome to Mill Springs!
I’d like you to meet one of our new teachers, Angela
White. She is teaching Chemistry in the Upper School.
Before coming to MSA, she taught science at a private
Christian school in New York. She began her career
there as a student teacher! She taught 7-11 grade
students biology, chemistry, earth science and life
science for 3 months as a substitute. Then she was hired
for the next school year to teach chemistry and physics.
She is very happy (whooo hoooo – were her words) that
she has recently finished up her Masters in Secondary
Science Education. She tells me that her teaching
philosophy is very similar to MSA’s which is one of the
reasons she was so impressed by and attracted to the
school. “I feel that you can teach anyone anything, but
like getting kids to eat vegetables, it’s all in how you
serve it up!” She has a wide range of likes which include
cartoons (especially Spongebob and Chowder), a good
UFC fight, Pizza with pepperoni and garlic, and cooking!
She enjoys making up new recipes or trying to recreate
something she’s eaten before. She says, “that’s the
chemistry nerd in me!” She is currently reading our
chemistry textbook. Her thoughts on all of that? “What
can I say, we human beings are complex creatures!”
Make sure you say, “Hi” to Angela next time you are in
the Upper School.
MSA Mini Day – PU/CA/U
Mark Your Calendar!
Wear comfortable shoes!
PreUpper, Communication Arts and Upper Schools
Invite You to MSA Mini Day
Friday, September 27 ~ 8:10am – 1:00pm
Here is a wonderful opportunity to visit your child’s
Community. To experience “MSA Mini Day” you and your
child will follow his/her schedule and attend their classes.
You will meet your student’s teachers and see the
classrooms, learn everything about each of his/her classes
from curriculum to point sheets to grading, see artwork, and
meet your student’s friends. At the end of the “mini” school
Friend, Follow, Pin with Mill Springs!
Donate Today
Contact Us http://www.millsprings.org
Mill Springs Academy
13660 New Providence Rd Alpharetta, GA 30004
770-360-1336
day, join your student for lunch from the Varsity, served on
the UPUCA Green.
MSA “Mini Day” Schedule
8:10 – 8:30am Parents go to Student’s
Advisory
8:30 – 9:25am Levels Meeting
9:30 – 9:50am 1st Period
9:55 – 10:15am 2nd Period
10:20 – 10:40am 3rd Period
10:45 – 11:05am 4th Period
11:10 – 11:30am 5th Period
11:35 – 11:55am 6th Period
12:00 – 1:00pm Varsity Lunch!!
Students may leave with parents after lunch
If you are unable to attend, your student will participate in
classes as usual. Buses will run on regular schedules.
Tellus Museum
Guest Journalist – Audrey Henderson, Middle School
Going to the Tellus museum was fun because we got to do
and see lots of things there were new to us. For example, in
the gallery we looked at different types of engines and
vehicles including planes, helicopters, cars powered by
electricity, and cars powered by the sun and wind.
In the lab we measured how much sugar was in corn and
switch grass. There was some sugar in the corn and barely
any in the switch grass, and the reason why is there is
something holding the sugar in so that I does not come out
very easily.
To: All Mill Springs Parents, Board of Trustees, Newsletter Friends, Newsletter Family, Newsletter Professionals,
Newsletter Foundations and All Staff/Faculty
Also we went to the planetarium and watched a movie
which looked 3D even without glasses! It was about solar
flares on the sun, and how they now have two shuttles
orbiting the sun. Next month they are getting a piece of the
moon from NASA.
Magic Milk Lab in Chemistry Class
Pictured L-R: Chandler
Holt, Tim Schultheis,
Sophia Lane, Maritza Silva
Guest Journalist – Maritza Silva, Upper School
Vaidehi’s chemistry class did a “Magic Milk” experiment,
using whole milk, skim milk, four different colored food
dyes, and some dishwasher detergent. We measured 21ml
of both skim and whole milk, pouring them into two
separate petri dishes. We added a drop of each food color in
each dish: red, green, yellow, and blue; making sure the
colors did not touch in either dish. We dipped a cotton swab
soaked in detergent into the whole milk, we kept the swab
in there for 2-3 seconds, observing how the four colors
moved away from the detergent to the edge of the dish. The
colors in the whole milk did not touch or mix initially. We did
the same thing to the skim milk, noticing a different
reaction.
Milk consists of protein, vitamins and minerals. Nothing
happened when I touched the clean cotton swab to the
milk. But there was magic when I touched it with detergent,
it reacted with the protein in the milk and set a swirl of color
in motion. The detergent lowered the surface tension of
milk and formed the micelles (tiny balls of fat/lipid
molecules formed in aqueous solutions) causing the motion
of food colors. This fun lab helped us learn about chemical
reactions, surface tension, and the nature of detergents.
Tim Federle On Campus for Fine Arts Day
Last week we heard 15 students read their testimonials on
how Fine Arts have been important in their lives and 26
students sang the national anthem, led by student director
Will Domenico. Then students were captivated by special
guest, Broadway's Tim Federle. Tim shared his story:
speaking of difficulties in school with academics and sports,
compounded by a diagnosis of ADHD, and an overall feeling
that he did not "fit in." His message was clear and
memorable, "that which makes you feel different growing
up is what makes you special – in fact, may even become
your profession." Tim also talked about finding happiness
every day and CHOOSING to be happy. The students were
surprised by what he cited as the #1 most important thing
casting directors look for in auditions-- not smiles on faces,
not "the look," not even talent, but rather just BEING NICE.
In fact he said ALL employers look for this. In twenty years,
nobody knows your GPA, but they hire you and enjoy
working with you if you are NICE and you WORK HARD.
Super Hero Fab Friday
Last week’s Fab Friday. Our superheroes in Lower school earned Superhero Fab Friday. All week long we read super hero books. On Friday, Students played the web-slinging game with silly string, played superhero games on the computer, and shared their favorite superhero toys from home. After all the fun, they watched a movie and drank Power Punch and ate Pop-em Popcorn. As they left for dismissal they took home a superhero goodie bag.
Astronaut Questions – 1 of 5
Guest Journalist – Tom Billips, Middle School
Last Wednesday we got to talk to astronauts that were
flying over us. Some of us did. We had to use a hand radio
and a weird antenna thingy. My favorite part of the chat was
when we were trying to connect to the astronauts, and te
doctor was saying “kilo Kilo Katie Oscar Romeo is anyone iss
is anyone iss.” If I could have asked them a questions, it
would be: which do you think is better gravity or no gravity.
That was what happened last Wednesday.
Founder’s Day Fun Run
The Founder’s Day Fun Run is the same as it has been in the
past. Participants run an easy “stroller friendly” 3k course
around our athletics complex before heading over to the
Founders Day festivities which will include awards for top
finishers. This race is open only to the MSA community and
is good for those who wish to race or those who would like
to enjoy the morning with a walk. The money supports the
booster club/track and cross country programs. All
participants receive a Founders Day Fun Run shirt. A
registration form is HERE.
Polo Party Sponsors
The Signs are Everywhere!
Although road signs may not seem like the most captivating of topics, 9th grader Michael Martin proved they can be quite interesting. Michael presented hundreds of different directive signs to fellow Communication Arts students and explained what the colors, shapes, and symbols of each sign indicates. “Red always means ‘stop’ or ‘danger,’” he stated. After listening to Michael’s PowerPoint presentation, student Johnny Ray stated, “Thanks, Michael. I think I’m ready for my driving test.”
Senior Reader
On Friday after lunch, the Lower School students have
been enjoying a special treat. A Senior from “down the
hill” has been coming up to read a story to the younger
students, and everyone has a great time! The Lower
School students really look up to the older Mustangs and
are excited for story time at the end of the week. The
Seniors have planned other activities where they will
interact with Lower School such as the Halloween Parade,
holiday cards, ad more. Stay tuned for updates! Pictured:
Caroline Dyer reading
Astronaut Questions – 2 of 5
Guest Journalist – Emily Cowart, Middle School
On August 4th, Commander Cassidy flew over MSA in the
NSAS space station. It was amazing! If I were on e of the
students that got to ask Commander Cassidy a question, I
would ask, what do you eat in space? Are there certain
foods you cannot eat? When Commander Cassidy said that
he could hear us, it felt like the school was about to blast off
like a rocket ship. My favorite part was when Commander
Cassidy said he could hear us. I had a wonderful time!
Please consider the environment before printing.
At MSA, We WRITE our “Five-A-Day”!
In MG’s literature classes, one of the daily activities is
something called “Five-A-Day.” Five-A-Days are writing
exercises that focus on sensory experiences and personal
narratives and are no more or no less than FIVE
sentences. This week, the class focused on writing five
sentences that discussed the sense of smell. In particular, a
smell that is personal to the author. Some of the various
topics of scent were: kitchens, backyard forests, family
farms, sweat, new shoes, home interiors, book bags, and the
beach. At the end of the year, the Five-A-Day writing
activities are compiled into a formal, electronic journal that
functions as a personal narrative (of sorts) for the students
and provides a year-long “snapshot” of the student’s writing
progress for that school year. Pictured is Jake May reading
to the class about the various scents in his kitchen . . . way
to go, Jake!
Come See “Guys and Dolls” at the Lyric Theatre
On Sunday, October 27th at 2pm, a large group of students
and parents from MSA will be attending "Guys and Dolls" at
the Lyric Theatre (Atlanta's only local professional theatre
company). If you would like to join us, go to
www.atlantalyrictheatre.com or call 404-377-9948 to
purchase tickets (no need to cite a group name, etc., just
purchase tickets individually). Mill Springs will be producing
"Guys and Dolls, Jr." this year as our Spring Musical so come
get an idea of the show we will soon be working on before
auditions in November!
Level L Project Supports the Library
On Thursday, PreUpper School held an Out of Uniform day
to raise funds for MSA’s Library. This was organized by 8th
grader and Level L Cartwright Ayres, and students raised
$250! These funds will be used to add great titles for the
teens of MSA. Cartwright is also working on a “places of
fiction” sign that will be installed in the library to celebrate
the famous places from our favorite books. Thank you
PreUpper and Cartwright! Pictured: Cartwright and Ms.
Brittany holding the sign for “District 12” of the Hunger
Games series.
Astronaut Questions – 3 of 5
Guest Journalist – Patrick Reaves, Middle School
Last year, I was thrilled to know that we would be asking
questions to astronauts. I can’t believe that it actually
happened! When I heard that we were going to be on the
news, I got even more excited. The question I would’ve
asked you is: Do you have A/C and heating on the ISS? My
favorite part of NASA day was watching PreUpper launch
their rockets.
Organism Life Cycles in Lower School
Lower School is learning about the life cycle of different kinds of organisms. The science class incubated eggs for 21 days and watched the chicks hatch on Tuesday. Students have enjoyed watching them learn how to peck for food and drink water. By day 5 we will start to see them develop feathers. Everyone loves holding the chicks and hearing them peep. Pictured: Matthew White
Senior Class Trip
If at any time you wish to not receive further MSA Weekly News editions please just ‘reply’ with that information in the email to
This year, the class of 2014 had the opportunity to enjoy a
Senior Trip to Orlando, FL. They left on Saturday, Sep. 14
with Carolina Ayerbe, Greg Bodeep, Taniah Jones, and Keith
Muma to the Loews Royal Pacific Resort in the Universal
Studios property. They visited Islands of Adventure, where
they enjoyed Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, and
Super Heroes rides. On Monday, they visited Universal
Studios, where they rode The Mummy Returns, the
Simpsons, and Men in Black rides, among others. It was a
blast!
Astronaut Questions – 4 of 5
Guest Journalist – Lauren Yelverton, Middle School
I had a lot of fun when the astronauts flew over Mil Springs!
It was super exciting! I was anticipating for when they
picked up. When they did, I was really excited! The 9
students asked some really good questions. My favorite
question was, “How do you get a haircut in space?” The
question I would have asked was, “How do you sleep in
space?” My favorite part was when the 9 students started
asking their questions. It was really cool! That was one of
the most exciting and best days of my life! I hope one day I
could meet Commander Cassidy! It would be awesome!
Annual Fund Kicks Off!
The 2013-2014 Annual Fund is off to a great start! We’ve raised over $81,000 toward our $250,000 goal with 17% of our parents participating. Appeal letters have been sent out to all of our families and we encourage everyone to support by making a gift at some level. As a reminder our goals are:
1. Raise $250,000
2. 100% Participation from our school family (MSA Parents, Board of Trustees, Staff and Faculty)
Please visit the MSA website to learn more about the Annual Fund and make your gift today.
Analyzing Braves Statistics in Algebra
In my Algebra class we are doing a fun project to determine
who was the best hitter for the Atlanta Braves during the
2012 season. Students are utilizing a Stem and Leaf graph in
order to analyze and then organize the data from three
different important data sets for a batter. Students are
analyzing a hitter’s Slugging Percentage, Batting Average,
and RBIs to determine (in their opinion) which Atlanta Brave
had the best season from the plate last year. The class really
got into the lesson, and some of the artwork and creativity
was really amazing!!! Pictured: Samantha Paul, Zach Katz,
Tommy Ray, Noah Terpstra with Josh.
Entrepreneur Shares Secrets of Success
Communication Arts students learned that playing video
games for hours a day will not help you become a successful
businessman, according to Tim Ray, owner of Golden Home
Services, a home health company. Mr. Ray spoke to the
students as part of CommArts “Exploration of Careers”
Values class. When it comes to starting a business on your
own, Mr. Ray pointed out that you need both courage and
the willingness to work long hours. He also stressed that in
order to keep your brain at its optimum creative peak, you
should not engage in “passive” activities for too long. These
activities include watching television, electronic games, and
staying on the computer constantly. Another important part
of being successful in business is giving back to one’s
community. Student Jasmine Steinway asked what Tim looks
for in a new employee. He stated “someone with creativity
who looks at the world in a different way.” Tim Ray is the
Mill Springs Academy does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, handicap, national
or ethnic origin in its admissions policy or in its employments.
father of Johnny Ray, a 10th grade student in the
Communication Arts School.
Astronaut Questions – 5 of 5
Guest Journalist – Nicholas Grupe, Middle School
When I got to the gym, I knew that this was no little event
this was a huge event. When I sat down, I was watching the
slideshow and listening to music that they had playing. They
said that it would start at 9:30 but it did not, it was 10:00
when the event finally started. First there was a speech by
the head of school, then we started to send the radio
transmission, we picked up the signal at 10:16 and we
started talking to Commander Cassidy on the ISS. When we
were done we went down to the field to launch some
rockets that PreUpper school made. When we were done
with that we went back up had some snacks and drinks and
we went back to the normal schedule. My favorite part of
the experience was getting to listen to the people on the ISS.
What I would have asked Commander Cassidy is: What did
you feel like when you were flying up to the ISS?
Mustang Haunted Trails 5K
The Halloween event is the Mustang Haunted Trails 5k
listed here on active.com Mustang Haunted Trails 5k This
event is a trail race (in costume!) on the 5k cross country
course on campus and is definitely not stroller friendly. This
race is open to the public and limited to the first 100
registrants. Awards will be given to best costume as well as
for top finishers. All registrants and volunteers receive a
cool glow in the dark t-shirt designed by MSA alum Alaina
Macke. The event will also include a free candy walk
around the track for younger kids and families. Race
registration is $30 and parking is $5. I need volunteers for
this event in the form of monsters on the trail and table
sponsors for the candy walk. If interested contact Victoria
Jones.
ARISS Items Wanted
Did you attend the ARISS Radio Contact? Do you have any
photos or video from the event? Do you have any
newspaper or other source articles about it? Please send
them to Martha Muir. We are trying to put together a
complete file about everything that went on that day.
Thanks!
School Portraits Available
We completed this year’s yearbook photos and they are all
up in their respective galleries. You can access them for
viewing/purchasing by going to www.mocphoto.com or by
clicking on the links below:
LOWER SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
PREUPPER SCHOOL
COMMARTS
UPPER SCHOOL
The password for all galleries is MSA101 (case sensitive)
Please feel free to share the links with family, but remember
they will need the password too.
*ORDERING* If you order any single photo you will have
the option to buy a photo package by clicking on the “BUY”
button top right of the selected photo. (Package contains 1 -
8x10, 1 - 5x7 and 4 – wallets)
Order this package before Monday September 30 and you
will get it at the reduced price of $35. After this date the
price will return to the normal price of $45.
Retake date is scheduled for Thursday, September 26
starting at 9:00 in the Upper School Great Room.
Sports on Tap
Schedule (find a complete schedule HERE)
SOCCER
Tues, September 24th vs. Brandon Hall @ 4:00 @ MSA
Thu, September 26th vs. Howard @ 4:00 @ MSA
VOLLEYBALL
Tues, September 24th vs. Brandon Hall @ 4:00 JV/Varsity @ 5:00 @ MSA
Wed, September 25th vs. Howard @ 4:00 JV/Varsity @ 5:00 @ Howard
CROSS COUNTRY
Thu, September 26th @ 4:00 @ MSA
The Bulletin Board
Fri, Sep 20 – 3:30-5:00p – Mustang Mania
Cheri Harwood
Communications Director
Mill Springs Academy
Sat, Sep 21 – 8:00a – ACT Testing
Mon, Sep 23 – Chick-fil-A Day
Tue, Sep 24 – Booster Biscuit Breakfast
Tue, Sep 24 – PVA Meeting – Liz Parks residence
Wed, Sep 25 – Lock Down Drill
Thu, Sep 26 – School Portrait Retakes
Fri, Sep 27 – 8:30a-12:30p – Mini Day at MSA – PU/CA/U
Fri, Sep 27 – Krispy Kreme Breakfast
Fri, Sep 27 – Booster Pizza Day – L/M
Sat, Sep 28 – MSA Beautification Day
Mon, Sep 30 – Chick-fil-A Day
Tue, Oct 1 – Booster Biscuit Breakfast
Cares and Concerns of our Community
Please keep the following from our Community in your thoughts and prayers.
The Bell Family
The Dyer Family
The Silverman Family
Unemployed Families
Please email me at any time with individuals you would like to include on our list as their needs arise. For privacy, I will only list names and claim ignorance if you ask me for details.
Character Quote of the Week
“Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.”
- William James
