In the Schools Milton June 12

Milton Academy Graduates 181

The members of Class of 2011 received their diplomas on the lawn outside Apthorp Chapel during the School's 212th graduation exercises on Friday, June 10. As is tradition at Milton's commencement, graduates and faculty were led by a bagpiper as they made their way from Straus Library to the ceremony on the quad. Following an invocation by Chaplain Suzanne DeBuhr and welcome by Head of School Todd Bland, the student speakers, Elisabeth Makishima and Samuel Shleifer—elected by classmates to speak on their behalf—addressed the audience. The graduation speaker for the Class of 2011 was author Reif Larson, Milton Academy Class of 1998. Reif 's first novel, The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, was a New York Times bestseller and is currently published in twenty-nine languages.  

Salute the Arts a Success

“Salute the Arts,” an intergenerational event hosted by on May 21, featured dozens of work by local artists, a live auction of an original painting by local artist JoAnn Rothschild, a children’s puppet show and entertainment from Milton High’s jazz combo and the Fuller Village chorus, led by Harriet Rossen. 

Many residents of Fuller Village turned out to see the eclectic mix of children’s artwork and the works of their fellow residents. In addition, a large number of Milton Public School families attended the event and participated in the activities.  

“Fuller Village is happy to partner with the Milton Public Schools to foster intergenerational respect, understanding and fun,” said Deborah Felton, executive director of Fuller Village. “We have a group of residents who volunteer weekly in the elementary schools and hosting the ‘Salute the Arts’ was a wonderful event to showcase the Fuller Artists as well as the excellent Milton Public School's music and arts programs.” 

“This was an exciting way for us to showcase this partnership,” said Mary Gormley, Superintendent of the Milton Public Schools. “We appreciate all the time and effort that Ms. Felton, her staff and her residents put into making this event such a success.” 

Ms. Gormley said that two Fuller Village residents in particular, Blossom Glassman and Myrtle Flight -- along with Tucker Elementary School Principal Marcia Uretsky -- were responsible for much of the planning and execution of this successful fundraiser. 

More than $5,000 was raised at the event, all of which will support the Milton Public Schools arts programs. 

Milton Resident Wins Fontbonne Award

Skye Ellement of Milton and Abington was awarded the Fontbonne Award at the graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 26. The award is given to the student that best exemplifies the values of a Fontbonne woman. When presenting the award, Mary Ellen Barnes, Head of School, proclaimed, “A Fontbonne woman is a woman of wisdom and grace, gracious hospitality, leadership and service, integrity, courage and dreams, faith and one who lives the four R’s – Respect, Responsibility, Reconciliation and Reverence. We would like to recognize a member of the Class of 2011 who has consistently embodied these ideals over her four years at Fontbonne Academy. By vote of the faculty and administration, The Fontbonne Award is presented to Skye Ellement.” 

Milton Public Schools Recognize Volunteers

In a small gesture designed to recognize their huge contributions, the Milton Public School administration hosted a reception on June 7 to thank volunteers who serve the public schools. 

Representatives from more than a dozen volunteer groups attended the event, which was held in the courtyard of . 

“When planning this event, we wanted to emphasize the importance of volunteerism,” said Glen Pavlicek, chairman of the Milton School Committee. 

Specially-made fortune cookies were handed out at the event, which enclosed volunteer-inspired fortunes, such as: “Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer,” or “The smallest act of kindness is more than the grandest intention.” 

Some examples of the organizations and volunteer groups involved in the Milton Public Schools include: 

FAVA (Friends and Advocates for the Visual Arts); FAME (Friends and Advocates for Music Education); Art Docent Volunteers/Meet the Artists Program; MVAA (Milton Visual Arts Alliance); Fuller Village Volunteers; Library Volunteers; Fuller Village “Salute the Arts” event volunteers; Milton Foundation for Education; CATZ Program; Outdoor Classroom Project volunteers; Milton Special Education Parent Advisory Group; PTOs from each school; PTFSO at Milton High; Site Councils; Milton High Boosters; Indoor/Outdoor Concessions; Sporting Event volunteers; Fundraising Event volunteers; School Diversity Committees; School Committee Subcommittees; Screening Committees; Landscapers; and special committees, such as Facilities Subcommittee, Health & Wellness Subcommittee, M-PACE (Milton Partnership for Arts & Cultural Enrichment), School Choice Committee, Citizens for a Diverse Milton and the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Fontbonne, St. Agatha increase collaboration

In a letter to parents dated June 4, principal Maureen Simmons wrote that Janine Winters, the resource room teacher at St. Agatha, will be co-directing a Musical Theater Summer Camp at Fontbonne Academy in July. She cited Winters’ work on St. Agatha’s recent production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr., as a contributing factor to the decision. 

Simmons wrote, “We are gratified that the administration at Fontbonne Academy has recognized Mrs. Winters’ accomplishments to this degree […] I would also note that this new partnership is the result of an ever-growing relationship between Fontbonne Academy and St. Agatha School. Administrators of both schools are committed to the growth and development of their school’s programs, and the increase in the number of program offerings and new students at both schools provides evidence that we—and they—remain viable, vital Catholic schools in our Archdiocese.”