TMS Senior Matthew Mills receives commendation in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program

Head of school, Peter Esty of The Marin School announced today that Matthew Mills has been named a Commended Student in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Corporation which conducts the program.

Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competition by taking the 2009 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

"Recognition of high-achieving students is essential to advancing educational excellence in our nation," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "As demonstrated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program, the young men and women named Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country."

Update from TMS Director of Admissions

As I'm getting ready for our Information Open House on October 3, I can turn to look out my office window and across campus to a gorgeous fall day in the Marin Headlands. Independent school admissions follow a seasonal cycle more or less beginning this time of year as families and students get to know us in the fall. It continues through the winter when much of the behind-the-scenes work is done as applications, transcripts, and recommendations are read and reread, then into spring -- which often comes too soon in our field -- as decision letters are mailed and contracts are returned. After a quick pause to breathe, the cycle starts all over again!

One of the many benefits of doing admission work for The Marin School is that our small-by-design environment allows admissions to be ongoing, despite where in the season the traditional admission process happens to be. Mid-year relocations and students finding themselves not well placed in the school they currently attend typically have few options for quality independent school education. The Marin School, however, is an option, and a wonderful one at that. We love to meet potential applicants any time of year for consideration any time of year. parents are often a school's best advocates: Please spread the word about this possibility for mid-year enrollment, and let me know how I can work with you to make The Marin School as known and admired as it deserves to be.

Thank you!

Margarita Rhodes

Director of Admissions

Ph: 415 339-9336 ext. 104

mrhodes@themarinschool.org

http://www.themarinschool.org/

"Race to Nowhere" - October 4th Screening at the Lark Theater

The film Race to Nowhere will be shown at the Lark Theater, Monday, October 4th at 7:30 pm, including a discussion hosted by Kieran Ridge, English Deptartment Chair at The Marin School.

Race to Nowhere is a close-up look at the pressures on today's students, offering an intimate view of lives packed with activities, leaving little room for down-time or family time. It explores the reprecussions of our over-burdened scheduled world on our young people.

For more information on the film and to purchase tickets click here

TMS Participates in Peace One Day

September 21 was declared International Day of Peace by the United Nations in 2001. This year the Sausalito Woman's Club partnered with the international organization, Peace One Day, inviting the community to get involved by joining community members and local schools for an interactive experience using the film and educational materials of Peace One Day founder, Jeremy Gilley.

The TMS photography students, led by Marianne Owens, submitted art posters of what peace meant to them. TMS students displayed their art at the evening reception attended by community leaders. More photos here

Frequent "TMS Presents" guest in the News

Niels Mueller, who has twice been a guest at TMS Presents, is the producer/writer behind the new CBS series The Defenders. The series starts tonight - so don't miss it! More information and a preview of the show can be found at www.cbs.com/primetime/the_defenders.

TMS Board of Trustees announce extension of Peter Esty's tenure as Head of School

The Marin School Board of Trustees announced yesterday that Peter Esty has agreed to extend his tenure as Head of School through the 2011-2012 academic year.

Earlier in the week, the Board unanimously endorsed the recommendation of the Search Committee to defer the search for a Head of School, and to extend Peter's tenure effective immediately.

In making the announcement, Merrill Boyce, chair of the Search Committee and Ted West, chair of the Board of Trustees, said that the Board believes strongly that Peter's leadership experience and optimistic approach to our mission will lead TMS to realize the goals we have set in our strategic plan.

More information can be found at:

Letter from the Board of Trustees
Peter Esty's profile
TMS Strategic Plan

TMS Senior Matt Mills spent his summer "working" the birds

TMS Senior Matt Mills spent his summer volunteering at The Chula Vista Nature Center in San Diego. The CVN Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing environmental education on coastal resource conservation, and instilling a respect for nature and wildlife in people of all ages.

Rescued birds; including owls, pelicans, gnatcatchers and eagles, are just a few of the NCV Center's resident native birds. Matt took all manner of care of the birds, particularly the raptors. He spent many hours being the guy standing and talking with visitors at the Center. They call it "working" the birds.

More pictures of Matt and friends can be viewed on TMS' website

TMS Filmbridge 2010 Guest in the News

TMS Filmbridge Festival 2010 guest, Jennifer Lawrence of "Winter's Bone" has just been named one of The 10 Breakout Female Stars of 2010.

As part of the Filmbridge program, Jennifer, along with director Debra Granik, came to campus last April to talk with students about their Sundance Grand Jury prize winner "Winter's Bone", complete with a screening of the film prior to its release at the SF Film Festival. It's anticipated that Jennifer will receive an Oscar nomination for her role as an Ozark teenager tracking down her bail-jumping father.

The TMS Filmbridge program is directed by Kirean Ridge, TMS English department head and film instructor.