Juniors Becky Kliman and Bryan Nickerson enjoy a sunny lunch on the patio of Building 3.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Students Support School in Sierra Leone
Working with English teacher Jonah Weaver and an organization called Compassion First, Garland Searle, Jesse Vad and other students are promoting a program to support the Makripodis Secondary School in Sierra Leone, a west African country still recovering from years of civil war. To raise funds, the students here are selling blue-white-and-green bracelets for $3 each. All proceeds will go towards the purchase of supplies for the school, where a textbook, for example, will cost just $5. Donations can also be made at: https://secure.compassionfirst.org/eDonation/index.asp?Donation_form_id=30&isAdmin=1
Ten-Minute Break Policy Change
In an earlier post (Oct. 29) we described a Student-Council-sponsored survey aimed at determining whether the School should keep in its daily schedule a ten-minute break that came just before the final hour of classes. Students had expressed dissatisfaction with the break, and newly elected Student Council president Noah Levenson had promised to address the matter with the administration. The survey was carried out, showing that 2 out of 3 students wanted to do away with the break, while 2 out of 3 teachers preferred to keep it. With that information, the administration met with the full faculty to consider the issue. While it was made clear that the final decision on such matters of school policy must come from the administration rather than a student plebiscite, the faculty applauded the way the Student Council had represented students' wishes and voted to abolish the break. The last three classes of the day now meet with just the normal five-minute passing periods in between, and students are released at 3:25 instead of 3:30.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
College Planning Information for the Week of 11/30/09
Colleges Visiting TMS - A full list of the colleges currently scheduled to visit as well as a list of a few Open House events and local information sessions are posted on the Family Connection site. Here are the colleges scheduled to visit us in the next two weeks. Please add your name to the sign up sheet on my door and get the permission of your teacher to attend.
* Cornish College of Arts - Monday 11/30 at 11:00
College of the Week - Global. Rigorous. Inspiring. Macalester College challenges students to consider ideas from multiple perspectives, to be responsible global citizens and to forge solutions to problems that the world faces today and will encounter tomorrow. Students come from every state and 90 countries. The academic program ranks among the top 20 in the nation and includes broad research and internship opportunities. Graduates reap the benefits of a global education in the job market and at the nation’s top graduate programs.
Did you know? There are many deadlines in the college planning process. but do you know the derivation of the word? During the Civil War there were not enough prisons to house captured soldiers so a line was drawn in the dirt around the captives. Prisoners who ventured outside the line were shot. Thus, the deadline! While no one gets shot in the college planning process, there are a number of inflexible deadlines, one of which is the 11/30 deadline for UC and CSU applications. Do I sound like a broken record yet?
My Schedule this Week - I will be on campus on Monday from 9-4:30, Wednesday 10-4:30 and Thursday 10-4:30.
FOR SENIORS
Your UC and CSU applications are due MONDAY 11/30 and should be submitted NOW to avoid the usual traffic and computer meltdowns on the deadline day.
Application Help On Monday 3:30-4:30 AND Wednesday 2:30-4:00 - See you in the Library!
Send test scores to your colleges - Don't forget that colleges want your official scores directly from the College Board or the ACT, even though they may have asked you what your scores were on the application. See me if you need help figuring out if your scores have been sent.
You know you're a senior if....
• Your college plans were the most popular topic of conversation at the Thanksgiving table.
• Every time you see the word Saturday, you can’t help but shiver as you notice it begins with the letters SAT.
• All of your internet bookmarks end with .edu,
• Holiday breaks don't feel like breaks or holidays.
• You delete more e-mail than you read but never delete a message from Susan. ☺
• You get more mail in one day than you have gotten in all of your 17 or 18 birthdays combined.
• You can't remember your friend's cell number, but you have no problem filling in your school’s CEEB code.
• Between Pre-Applications, Common Applications and Supplemental Applications, you feel you have never applied yourself so much.
SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines - If you need to take or retake the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT this fall, the registration deadlines have passed. To test as a standby, see me.
--
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor
* Cornish College of Arts - Monday 11/30 at 11:00
College of the Week - Global. Rigorous. Inspiring. Macalester College challenges students to consider ideas from multiple perspectives, to be responsible global citizens and to forge solutions to problems that the world faces today and will encounter tomorrow. Students come from every state and 90 countries. The academic program ranks among the top 20 in the nation and includes broad research and internship opportunities. Graduates reap the benefits of a global education in the job market and at the nation’s top graduate programs.
Did you know? There are many deadlines in the college planning process. but do you know the derivation of the word? During the Civil War there were not enough prisons to house captured soldiers so a line was drawn in the dirt around the captives. Prisoners who ventured outside the line were shot. Thus, the deadline! While no one gets shot in the college planning process, there are a number of inflexible deadlines, one of which is the 11/30 deadline for UC and CSU applications. Do I sound like a broken record yet?
My Schedule this Week - I will be on campus on Monday from 9-4:30, Wednesday 10-4:30 and Thursday 10-4:30.
FOR SENIORS
Your UC and CSU applications are due MONDAY 11/30 and should be submitted NOW to avoid the usual traffic and computer meltdowns on the deadline day.
Application Help On Monday 3:30-4:30 AND Wednesday 2:30-4:00 - See you in the Library!
Send test scores to your colleges - Don't forget that colleges want your official scores directly from the College Board or the ACT, even though they may have asked you what your scores were on the application. See me if you need help figuring out if your scores have been sent.
You know you're a senior if....
• Your college plans were the most popular topic of conversation at the Thanksgiving table.
• Every time you see the word Saturday, you can’t help but shiver as you notice it begins with the letters SAT.
• All of your internet bookmarks end with .edu,
• Holiday breaks don't feel like breaks or holidays.
• You delete more e-mail than you read but never delete a message from Susan. ☺
• You get more mail in one day than you have gotten in all of your 17 or 18 birthdays combined.
• You can't remember your friend's cell number, but you have no problem filling in your school’s CEEB code.
• Between Pre-Applications, Common Applications and Supplemental Applications, you feel you have never applied yourself so much.
SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines - If you need to take or retake the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT this fall, the registration deadlines have passed. To test as a standby, see me.
--
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
TMS Teacher on NBC's Trauma Tonight
TMS teacher Chris Pflueger will be on the NBC show "Trauma" tonight at 9pm. In the episode Chris' character is involved in a turkey fryer accident. Chris spent over an hour getting makeup applied for the scene that will air tonight.
There will be a viewing party at Mojito in San Francisco tonight that Chris will be attending. TMS student Meredith Sacks is also hosting a viewing party at her house. We'll put a clip from the episode on here once it airs.
There will be a viewing party at Mojito in San Francisco tonight that Chris will be attending. TMS student Meredith Sacks is also hosting a viewing party at her house. We'll put a clip from the episode on here once it airs.
upport our local actors on network tv! THIS WEEK WILL BE THE THANKSGIVING EPISODE.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
College Planning for the Week of 11/23/09
Colleges Visiting TMS - A full list of the colleges currently scheduled to visit as well as a list of a few Open House events and local information sessions are posted on the Family Connection site. Here are the colleges scheduled to visit us in the next two weeks. Please add your name to the sign up sheet on my door and get the permission of your teacher to attend.
* Cornish College of Arts - Monday 11/30 at 11:00
College of the Week - Smith College educates women of promise for lives of distinction. One of the largest women’s liberal arts colleges in the United States, Smith enrolls 2,800 students from nearly every state and 70 other countries and is renowned for its vibrant intellectual and cultural community. The college’s open curriculum allows students to choose from 1,000 courses in more than 50 areas of study. Students also may take classes through Five Colleges, Inc., a consortium that includes Smith and nearby Amherst, Hampshire and Mount Holyoke colleges and the University of Massachusetts. Smith is noted for its outstanding resources, including the Museum of Art, Botanic Garden and one of the largest undergraduate libraries in the country.
What's the real cost of college? Test your grasp of economics with this recent article from the New York Times.
My Schedule this Week - I will only be on campus on Monday from 9-4:30 but will be checking my email all week.
FOR SENIORS
Your UC and CSU applications are due 11/30 and should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid the usual traffic and computer meltdowns during the last week of November.
Application Help On Monday 3:30-4:30 - See you in the Library!
What happens to my application after I submit it? Click here to view a video that takes you behind the scenes of admission offices at a large and small college to see how they handle the mail they receive. at the bottom. See what Admission Offices look like at this time of year and don't panic if you get word from them that they are missing a transcript or letter of recommendation. After looking at the pictures you'll see that they probably have it but haven't matched it with your file. Check with me if you want me to resend material.
Checklist for each application: For each application, make sure that......
* Someone else has reviewed your application - a good thing to ask parents to do. I am happy to review course and grade entry for CSU and UC applications.
* You have printed and saved a copy of the application.
* You paid the application fee or applied for a fee waiver.
* Your test official test scores have have been sent to the college by the College Board or the ACT.
* You've asked Susan to send any required transcripts, teacher recommendations or Secondary School Report (counselor recommendation).
* You have sent any additional documentation such as writing samples and resumes to the college
SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines - If you need to take or retake the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT this fall, the registration deadlines have passed. To test as a standby, see me.
--
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor
* Cornish College of Arts - Monday 11/30 at 11:00
College of the Week - Smith College educates women of promise for lives of distinction. One of the largest women’s liberal arts colleges in the United States, Smith enrolls 2,800 students from nearly every state and 70 other countries and is renowned for its vibrant intellectual and cultural community. The college’s open curriculum allows students to choose from 1,000 courses in more than 50 areas of study. Students also may take classes through Five Colleges, Inc., a consortium that includes Smith and nearby Amherst, Hampshire and Mount Holyoke colleges and the University of Massachusetts. Smith is noted for its outstanding resources, including the Museum of Art, Botanic Garden and one of the largest undergraduate libraries in the country.
What's the real cost of college? Test your grasp of economics with this recent article from the New York Times.
My Schedule this Week - I will only be on campus on Monday from 9-4:30 but will be checking my email all week.
FOR SENIORS
Your UC and CSU applications are due 11/30 and should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid the usual traffic and computer meltdowns during the last week of November.
Application Help On Monday 3:30-4:30 - See you in the Library!
What happens to my application after I submit it? Click here to view a video that takes you behind the scenes of admission offices at a large and small college to see how they handle the mail they receive. at the bottom. See what Admission Offices look like at this time of year and don't panic if you get word from them that they are missing a transcript or letter of recommendation. After looking at the pictures you'll see that they probably have it but haven't matched it with your file. Check with me if you want me to resend material.
Checklist for each application: For each application, make sure that......
* Someone else has reviewed your application - a good thing to ask parents to do. I am happy to review course and grade entry for CSU and UC applications.
* You have printed and saved a copy of the application.
* You paid the application fee or applied for a fee waiver.
* Your test official test scores have have been sent to the college by the College Board or the ACT.
* You've asked Susan to send any required transcripts, teacher recommendations or Secondary School Report (counselor recommendation).
* You have sent any additional documentation such as writing samples and resumes to the college
SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines - If you need to take or retake the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT this fall, the registration deadlines have passed. To test as a standby, see me.
--
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor
Friday, November 20, 2009
News From the Art Room
The art room has been a flurry of activity recently. Students are busy at work beginning the "artist chair" project where they transform a chair to echo the style of a well-known artist. Thanks to numerous chair donations from The Marin School community (and sometimes the sidewalk), the project is underway!
All this, while our new clay and kiln room have been under construction. The kiln has arrived and we're very close to launching our new clay program in the art department. Stay tuned...
All this, while our new clay and kiln room have been under construction. The kiln has arrived and we're very close to launching our new clay program in the art department. Stay tuned...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sophomore Parents' Book Group
The first Sophomore Parents Book Group discussion, led Wednesday by English teacher Jonah Weaver, was a great success. The parents are a thoughtful and informed group of readers, observed librarian Marybeth Coleman. During the year Jonah will be suggesting the novels and short stories for them to read concurrently with their students, in hopes that the parent book group discussions might facilitate communication between parent and child on another level, as readers..... opening up to other areas. The novel's themes of responsibility and honor segued into many areas of parental concern around those topics.
We also discovered that today's novel, The Chronicle of a Death Foretold, is a particular favorite of Spanish teacher Gustavo Jimenez, and that Gustavo had spent time with Gabriel Garcia Marquez in Cuba. The next time Jonah teaches this novel, it would be very terrific for Gustavo to speak to the translation questions and provide his unique perspective.
Good stuff, Jonah and parents!
We also discovered that today's novel, The Chronicle of a Death Foretold, is a particular favorite of Spanish teacher Gustavo Jimenez, and that Gustavo had spent time with Gabriel Garcia Marquez in Cuba. The next time Jonah teaches this novel, it would be very terrific for Gustavo to speak to the translation questions and provide his unique perspective.
Good stuff, Jonah and parents!
Zoology Class Continues Work on the Watershed Project
The zoology classes went out to the bay today (11/18) to help the researchers from the Watershed Project count and measure spat (baby oysters) at the pier at the Marin Rod and Gun Club in San Rafael. We are one of the pilot schools participating in their "Oysters on the Half Shell" program. They are working to restore the native Olympia oysters to the bay. It was a beautiful day, but a bit cold.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Possible Futsal Program Through TMS
Originating in Brazil, futsal is a fast-paced, indoor soccer league that focuses on basic skill improvement: dribbling, passing, shooting, defending, and overall team skills. Marin Indoor Futsal League kicks off the season the weekend of January 9-10 and continues through the 1st weekend in March. Several TMS students have shown interest in forming a futsal team and are eager for games to begin! For more information, or if you have a son/daughter who is interested in playing for Marin Futsal, please see the attached futsal application or call Jonah, TMS athletic director, at 415-339-9336 ext. 110. Interested parents may fill out the form and send it with a check payable to Frank Bonardi, league director; I'll then mail applications together.
Watch the video below to see Futsal in action. This clip features Brazil vs. Australia:
You can also download the application form through your google mail account here:
http://docs.google.com/a/themarinschool.org/Doc?id=dcfrb5pj_53hfnmcccn&btr=EmailImport#
Go Nighthawks!
Watch the video below to see Futsal in action. This clip features Brazil vs. Australia:
You can also download the application form through your google mail account here:
http://docs.google.com/a/themarinschool.org/Doc?id=dcfrb5pj_53hfnmcccn&btr=EmailImport#
Go Nighthawks!
Monday, November 16, 2009
TMS Hosts Blood Drive
Spearheaded by Meredith Sacks, the Student Council orchestrated a blood drive on campus last Friday, the 13th. The Council had been promoting the drive for two weeks prior to the event, using skits, posters and other promotional materials provided by the Blood Centers of the Pacific, our partner for the event. In the end, a number of students proudly gave blood. Sam Klitsner ('11), arm bandaged, remarked that he had made sure to eat steak and spinach the night before -- and good that he did, because more than a few willing donors were turned away for failing to meet the prescribed levels of iron and/or platelets. Ryan Williams and Vladimir Mironshteyn (both '11) were two more life-savers that day. Thanks to all who made the effort!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
College Planning for the Week of 11/16/09
Colleges Visiting TMS - A full list of the colleges currently scheduled to visit as well as a list of a few Open House events and local information sessions are posted on the Family Connection site. Here are the colleges scheduled to visit us in the next two weeks. Please add your name to the sign up sheet on my door and get the permission of your teacher to attend.
- Dominican University - Monday 11/16 at 12:00
- Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising - Wednesday 11/18 at 11:45
Colleges of the Week - Dominican is right in our own back yard and a great place for all sorts of liberal arts students but particularly known for nursing, occupational therapy, teacher training and business. If you haven't come to a college rep visit yet this year, this may be your last chance to hear about small liberal arts colleges! Across the bridge in San Francisco, FIDM is the place to go for training in all facets of the fashion industry - design, manufacturing, retail, media and graphics.
Do you know? - A lighter topic this week! There is no shortage of wacky websites devoted to college planning but my personal favorite is the Campus Squirrel Listing, documenting the attributes of a college's squirrel population. Also, here's an amusing photo essay on the Evolution of the College Dorm.
Do you know? - A lighter topic this week! There is no shortage of wacky websites devoted to college planning but my personal favorite is the Campus Squirrel Listing, documenting the attributes of a college's squirrel population. Also, here's an amusing photo essay on the Evolution of the College Dorm.
My Schedule this Week - I'll be on campus Monday 10-3:30, Wednesday 8-4 and Thursday 10-4:30.
FOR SENIORS
Take a breath! A few of you are over the finish line and have submitted all your applications and many others are almost there, trying to meet the "Submit them all by Thanksgiving" goal. Take a minute for a deep breath. If you are feeling overwhelmed, come see me and we can break the work down into manageable chunks.
Your UC and CSU applications are due 11/30 and should be submitted this week to avoid the usual traffic and computer meltdowns during the last week of November. If you have not submitted these applications and you need/want assistance, please schedule time with me during a free period this week as my time at school for the rest of November will be limited. Remember that the entry of courses and grades on the CSU and UC applications can be tricky and I am happy to double check your work.
Application Help On Wednesday 2:30-4 and Thursday 3:30-4:30 - While after school application help has been very productive for many of you, if you want individual sustained attention from me, please schedule time with me during a free period. If you plan to stay after school on Wednesday or Thursday and want to work in a quieter space than the Library, just let me know.
Checklist for each application: For each application, make sure that......
Take a breath! A few of you are over the finish line and have submitted all your applications and many others are almost there, trying to meet the "Submit them all by Thanksgiving" goal. Take a minute for a deep breath. If you are feeling overwhelmed, come see me and we can break the work down into manageable chunks.
Your UC and CSU applications are due 11/30 and should be submitted this week to avoid the usual traffic and computer meltdowns during the last week of November. If you have not submitted these applications and you need/want assistance, please schedule time with me during a free period this week as my time at school for the rest of November will be limited. Remember that the entry of courses and grades on the CSU and UC applications can be tricky and I am happy to double check your work.
Application Help On Wednesday 2:30-4 and Thursday 3:30-4:30 - While after school application help has been very productive for many of you, if you want individual sustained attention from me, please schedule time with me during a free period. If you plan to stay after school on Wednesday or Thursday and want to work in a quieter space than the Library, just let me know.
Checklist for each application: For each application, make sure that......
- Someone else has reviewed your application - a good thing to ask parents to do. I am happy to review course and grade entry for CSU and UC applications.
- You have printed and saved a copy of the application.
- You paid the application fee or applied for a fee waiver.
- Your test official test scores have have been sent to the college by the College Board or the ACT.
- You've asked Susan to send any required transcripts, teacher recommendations or Secondary School Report (counselor recommendation).
- You have sent any additional documentation such as writing samples and resumes to the college
Housing Applications and Deadlines - At some of the larger universities there is a separate process for applying for housing and often those deadlines come before the admission application deadline. Check the university website to make sure you don't miss important deadlines!
Common App college but you are not using the Common App? Please let me know if this is the case. I send recommendations and transcripts electronically but they are only matched when you use the Common App. If I know you are using some other application, I will mail the material.
SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines - If you need to take or retake the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT this fall, the registration deadlines are approaching. The late registration deadline for the December 5th SAT or SAT Subject Tests has passed. To test as a standby, see me. To register go to wwwcollegeboard.com. The late registration deadline for the December 12th ACT is 11/20 and you can register at www.actstudent.org.
Common App college but you are not using the Common App? Please let me know if this is the case. I send recommendations and transcripts electronically but they are only matched when you use the Common App. If I know you are using some other application, I will mail the material.
SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines - If you need to take or retake the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT this fall, the registration deadlines are approaching. The late registration deadline for the December 5th SAT or SAT Subject Tests has passed. To test as a standby, see me. To register go to wwwcollegeboard.com. The late registration deadline for the December 12th ACT is 11/20 and you can register at www.actstudent.org.
FOR JUNIORS
Test how much you know about colleges - Check out these college trivia quizzes. There are quizzes about specific colleges, where colleges are located, testing and mascots. You might be surprised how much you already know!
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor
Monday, November 9, 2009
TMS Students Attend The American Indian Film Festival
Students in the Native American Studies class attended the 34th American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco today. They viewed three films including Marches Point, Finding Their Own Dance, and Buried Stories. You can view the trailer for Marches Point below:
March Point Trailer from Victor Pascual on Vimeo.
Student-Faculty Soccer Match
Last Tuesday, in an event that has become something of a fall tradition at TMS, a team of volunteer students played a team of volunteer faculty members to see who would have soccer bragging rights for the rest of the year. Last year's contest was a blow-out victory for the teachers (boo!), but with a strong student team this time the game -- though still a faculty win (boo!) -- was much closer. Next contest: on the sand at Stinson Beach in May!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
College Planning for the Week of 11/9/09
Colleges Visiting TMS - A full list of the colleges currently scheduled to visit as well as a list of a few Open House events and local information sessions are posted on the Family Connection site. Here are the colleges scheduled to visit us in the next two weeks. Please add your name to the sign up sheet on my door and get the permission of your teacher to attend.
- Mitchell College - Monday 11/9 at 11:00
- Dominican University - Monday 11/16 at 11:45
- Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising - Wednesday 11/18 at 11:45
College of the Week - Mitchell College is a coeducational, private residential institution in New London Connecticut offering associate and bachelor degree programs in the liberal arts and professional areas. The college is dedicated to providing a challenging education in a caring and cooperative environment for all students, including those with untapped potential and those with diagnosed learning disabilities. In addition to the college, Thames Academy provides a post graduate year program for students who have graduated from high school but are not yet ready for college.
Do you know? - Can't visit a college but want to check out the campus? You can view college video tours at youniversity.com.
Do you know? - Can't visit a college but want to check out the campus? You can view college video tours at youniversity.com.
My Schedule this Week - I'll be on campus Monday 10-4:30, Tuesday 12-3:30, Wednesday 12-2 (tentative) and Thursday 10-4:30 (tentative).
FOR SENIORS
Application help Wednesday 12-2 - Wednesday is a day off.... a good day to make big progress on college applications and maybe even finish a few. Come as you are, bring your ipods and computers and join me at school from 12-2. I'll need at least three students to make this possible. Please sign up on my door or let me know by email that you'll be there.
Checklist for each application: For each application, make sure that.........
What the heck does "show, don't tell" mean to me? When writing essays for college applications, students are encouraged to show, not tell. For examples of the difference between the two approaches, check a web page from Seton Hill University.
If you want information about financial aid - If you and your parents would like information about financial aid, please let me know.
Application help Wednesday 12-2 - Wednesday is a day off.... a good day to make big progress on college applications and maybe even finish a few. Come as you are, bring your ipods and computers and join me at school from 12-2. I'll need at least three students to make this possible. Please sign up on my door or let me know by email that you'll be there.
Checklist for each application: For each application, make sure that.........
- Someone else has reviewed your application - a good thing to ask parents to do. I am happy to review course and grade entry for CSU and UC applications.
- You have printed and saved a copy of the application.
- You paid the application fee or applied for a fee waiver.
- Your test official test scores have have been sent to the college by the College Board or the ACT.
- You've asked Susan to send any required transcripts, teacher recommendations or Secondary School Report (counselor recommendation).
- You have sent any additional documentation such as writing samples and resumes to the college.
What the heck does "show, don't tell" mean to me? When writing essays for college applications, students are encouraged to show, not tell. For examples of the difference between the two approaches, check a web page from Seton Hill University.
If you want information about financial aid - If you and your parents would like information about financial aid, please let me know.
SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines - If you need to take or retake the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT this fall, the registration deadlines are approaching. The late registration deadline for the December 5th SAT or SAT Subject Tests is 11/12. To register go to www.collegeboard.com. The late registration deadline for the December 12th ACT is 11/20 and you can register at www.actstudent.org.
FOR JUNIORS
Thank you for your attendance and participation last week during the College Information evenings. A special thanks to Zohar for helping me set up on Wednesday.
--
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Senior Government Classes Visits U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
On November 4, the senior class visited the United States Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The 9th Circuit is the largest and most active of the 12 regional Courts of Appeals and is housed in the historic Federal building on 7th and Mission. The building was built in 1905 and survived the 1906 earthquake and fires. Our visit was hosted by Kathleen Butterfield, an attorney at the Court. The visit included a tour of the building and courtrooms, designed in an impressive ornate style intended to impress visitors with the importance and gravity of the business conducted there. The class sat in on the oral arguments for three cases, the most intriguing of which presented the issue of whether the police are required to get a search warrant before downloading evidence from a suspect’s computer when the suspect is sharing that evidence on LimeWire. The class had read and discussed the case beforehand and observing the lawyers argue the case was great and gave the class pointers on how to argue their own cases in the upcoming TMS Moot Court. The highlight of the tour was sitting down after the hearing with the three judges on the panel for a question and answer session.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tolerance Speaker Visits TMS
Marc Elliot spoke to the entire school Tuesday afternoon on the issue of tolerance. He spoke about what it is like to live with tourett's syndrome and how people can be more accepting of others. The presentation was filled with comedy and audience participation and was well received by the students. During advisory period today the school's peer educators will lead small group discussions on the topic. You can learn more about Marc Elliot by visiting his website and by watching the clip below.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Student Project on Fredrick Douglass
TMS junior Robert Little created this film on Fredrick Douglass for his U.S. History project.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Drama Workshop with Professional Directors and Actors
On October, 8th the Mill Valley Film Festival came to The Marin School as the film and drama departments had the pleasure of hosting the co-directors Stephanie Argy and Alec Boehm and two cast members Donal Thoms-Capello and Meg Brogan from one of the festival’s excellent feature films, The Red Machine. In preparation for the visit, the TMS drama students prepared scenes from the film’s script, a 1930’s-style caper; on the day of the visit the students shared their work live with the professionals. The students then viewed the same clips from the film, and ran through a mock filming of one of the scenes themselves with the professionals’ help. Local press and Mill Valley film representatives captured the morning’s events. All of the students appreciated hearing the professionals’ artistic insights and savored the unique learning opportunity.
TMS Celebrates Halloween with the New Village School
On Friday, October 30th, Marin School students came to classes wearing Halloween costumes, as the culmination of a Student Council-sponsored spirit week around the holiday. Student Council members had stayed after school earlier in the week to decorate the halls and library with ghoulish objects and accents.
As a special part of the celebration, led by senior Melanie Arenson, TMS invited the elementary-school students of our neighbors here at 100 Ebbtide, the New Village School, to join our lunchtime costume contest. Sweet smiles rippled across the gathered faces of the TMS community as a parade of adorably costumed five- to eleven-year-olds marched into our courtyard. They acted as judges for the older kids' contest, giving their heartiest approval to junior Derrick Ly's rendition of a TeleTubby.
The School looks forward to continued cooperation with our younger neighbors!
Dia De Los Muertos at TMS
TMS is celebrating Dia De Los Muertos today with a presentation at the morning meeting by the foreign language students and an all-school potluck at lunch. On Friday students in the Spanish 3 class took a fieldtrip to San Francisco to view altars for the Day of the Dead.
College Planning for the Week of 11/2/09
College Night for Juniors and Parents - Choose the date you want to attend - either Wednesday November 4th at 7:00 or Thursday November 5th at 7:00 in the Hawk's Nest. The agenda will include all the must-know information for juniors launching the college planning process. We'll talk about testing, characteristics of colleges, types of colleges, how to search for colleges and when to visit. Juniors are expected to attend one of the evenings. Please let me know which evening you are planning to attend.
Upcoming CollegeWeekLive College Fairs - Virtual college fairs will continue all year with the World's Largest Online College Fair – CollegeWeekLive Fall, November 4-7. To learn more, visit collegeweeklive.com.
The good news we rarely hear - Tired of the media reports about how hard it is to get into college? The National Association for College Admissions Counseling released their 2009 report regarding the state of college admissions, stating that “. . . the average acceptance rate across all four-year institutions in the US is approximately two-thirds (67 percent)." We hear about the most selective colleges all the time but remember that there are only 135 colleges out of 2000 that accept less than 50% of their applicants.
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Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor
Upcoming CollegeWeekLive College Fairs - Virtual college fairs will continue all year with the World's Largest Online College Fair – CollegeWeekLive Fall, November 4-7. To learn more, visit collegeweeklive.com.
The good news we rarely hear - Tired of the media reports about how hard it is to get into college? The National Association for College Admissions Counseling released their 2009 report regarding the state of college admissions, stating that “. . . the average acceptance rate across all four-year institutions in the US is approximately two-thirds (67 percent)." We hear about the most selective colleges all the time but remember that there are only 135 colleges out of 2000 that accept less than 50% of their applicants.
Colleges Visiting TMS - A full list of the colleges currently scheduled to visit as well as a list of a few Open House events and local information sessions are posted on the Family Connection site. Here are the colleges scheduled to visit us in the next two weeks. Please add your name to the sign up sheet on my door and get the permission of your teacher to attend.
- McDaniel College - Monday 11/2 at 8:30
- University of Oregon - Wednesday 11/4 at 10:15
- Mitchell College - Monday 11/9 at 11:00
College of the Week - Situated on a scenic hilltop in Westminster, Maryland, the McDaniel College campus is just a short distance from Baltimore and Washington, DC. The academic environment provides 1,700 students an expansive range of intellectual and practical experiences so that they can debate, defend and articulate their ideas with clarity, and explore issues with a multicultural, global and flexible perspective. Academic, athletic and social opportunities abound in which students can explore, test their potential, and realize their leadership skills over four years. McDaniel is one of the college profiled in Colleges That Change Lives.
Do you know? - "Liberal arts college" is a term used to describe the most general and common form of higher education. At a liberal arts college you are typically encouraged to explore many subject areas including humanities (English, languages, art, philosophy), the social sciences (psychology, history, political science etc) and the "hard" sciences (biology, math, geology). Although some liberal arts colleges also offer majors such as business and engineering, a purely liberal arts college would not. Liberal arts colleges tend to focus their attention on educating undergraduates seeking a bachelors degree rather than on graduate students seeking master's degrees. Liberal arts college particularly value the development of critical thinking and reasoning, writing skills and research ability over the skills associated with one specific occupation.
Do you know? - "Liberal arts college" is a term used to describe the most general and common form of higher education. At a liberal arts college you are typically encouraged to explore many subject areas including humanities (English, languages, art, philosophy), the social sciences (psychology, history, political science etc) and the "hard" sciences (biology, math, geology). Although some liberal arts colleges also offer majors such as business and engineering, a purely liberal arts college would not. Liberal arts colleges tend to focus their attention on educating undergraduates seeking a bachelors degree rather than on graduate students seeking master's degrees. Liberal arts college particularly value the development of critical thinking and reasoning, writing skills and research ability over the skills associated with one specific occupation.
My Schedule this Week - I'll be on campus Monday 8-4:30, Wednesday 10-9 and Thursday 10-9.
FOR SENIORS
Only you can send your test scores to your colleges - Even when you enter your test scores on an application, the college expects you to have the College Board or the ACT send official score reports to them. You'll need to sign back into your College Board/ACT account and may have to pay additional fees to do this. This is the most common missing piece of an application, causing delays in reading and processing your application. When sending SAT scores to colleges, avoid "Score Choice" and send all your scores since many colleges will take your best score for each section, regardless of sitting.
A good essay on essays - Check it out.
Application Help on Wednesday 2:35-4:00 - I'll bring some food, you bring your college stuff and we'll work on whatever is your top priority. Don't know what to do first? No problem - we'll figure it out.
What's all this email from CSU campuses? If you have submitted your CSU applications, you are probably getting lot of email about your application. Read these messages carefully and set up your student accounts. This is the only way the campuses will communicate with you and the only way you'll know if they need anything from you, like a transcript. If you need help managing this, enlist aid from a parent or come see me!
The two most important questions you should be able to answer! Know what the most frequently asked questions are in an interview?
Only you can send your test scores to your colleges - Even when you enter your test scores on an application, the college expects you to have the College Board or the ACT send official score reports to them. You'll need to sign back into your College Board/ACT account and may have to pay additional fees to do this. This is the most common missing piece of an application, causing delays in reading and processing your application. When sending SAT scores to colleges, avoid "Score Choice" and send all your scores since many colleges will take your best score for each section, regardless of sitting.
A good essay on essays - Check it out.
Application Help on Wednesday 2:35-4:00 - I'll bring some food, you bring your college stuff and we'll work on whatever is your top priority. Don't know what to do first? No problem - we'll figure it out.
What's all this email from CSU campuses? If you have submitted your CSU applications, you are probably getting lot of email about your application. Read these messages carefully and set up your student accounts. This is the only way the campuses will communicate with you and the only way you'll know if they need anything from you, like a transcript. If you need help managing this, enlist aid from a parent or come see me!
The two most important questions you should be able to answer! Know what the most frequently asked questions are in an interview?
Why are you applying to Ideal U? and..........
What is important to you?
Need help with your answers? Stop by or schedule time with me and I'll be happy to help you.What is important to you?
SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines - If you need to take or retake the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT this fall, the registration deadlines are approaching. The late registration deadline for the December 5th SAT or SAT Subject Tests is 11/12. To register go to wwwcollegeboard.com. The regular registration deadline for the December 12th ACT is 11/6 and you can register at www.actstudent.org.
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor
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