Elementary

Thanks for a Successful Play It Forward! Golf Tournament

We offer a big Thank You to Jen and Bart Meltzer (Ben, 2nd), for co-chairing the 4th Annual Play it Forward! Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 17, at DeLaveaga Golf Course. This gym fundraiser was a great success, thanks to the planning and hard work by Jen and Bart.

A special shout-out to Armand Nascimento (Nicole, 12th) and Robert Moreno (CeCe, 8th) for a delicious barbeque, and to Letty Bess (Courtney, 12th; Cameron, 8th), faculty member Matt Meachen and his mom, Sue Meachen, for their work before, during and after the tournament.

Summit for Planet: Thank You, One and All!

We want to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” and “Congratulations” to our faculty, students, parents, family and community who participated in 2012 Summit for the Planet . We are so grateful for your energy and support – whether as a walker, trash fashionista, songbird, band member, dunker or dunkee, wreath maker, pledge getter, pledge giver, volunteer in advance or onsite – all contributions were essential, recognized and so much appreciated!

More than 250 people walked and ran together on Saturday, representing MMS and seven other nonprofit organizations. A combined total of more than $26,800 was raised, of which $22,765 – and counting – was raised in support of Mount Madonna School!

Sixth Grader Wins a Second Place Award at State Science Fair

Congratulations to inspired young scientist Lekha Duvvoori of Gilroy, for her recent achievement at the California State Science Fair in Los Angeles. More than 1,000 projects were entered and displayed at the event, 25 in the category that Lekha entered: Mammalian Biology, Junior Division (grades 6 to 8). Lekha spoke with seven judges over a four-hour period, and ended up being awarded Second Place in her category!

Students Participate in National Dance Week Performances

Mount Madonna School is fortunate to have many talented and graceful dancers among its student and faculty body. Last week, Dancer and dance teacher Lorraine Kinnamon and several students participated in “Santa Cruz Dancing in the Street” in downtown Santa Cruz as part of the local activities surrounding National Dance Week (April 21-27).

Barcelona Dance Grand Prix: Congratulations Preethi and Shri Krupa

Kudos and congratulations to Mount Madonna School 10th grader Preethi Balagani, who along with other dancers from the Shri Krupa Dance Company won three awards at the prestigious 26th annual international Barcelona Dance Grand Prix held earlier this month.

Founded and guided by choreographer and artistic director, Guru Vishal Ramani, students at Shri Krupa learn and perform in the Bhartanatyam tradition, south India’s classical dance form.

Second Graders Seek Help for Shelter Animals

Recently Mount Madonna School’s (MMS) second grade students attended three classes through the “Growing Kinder” Humane Education Program of the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS). The program is founded by Jen Walker, an experienced animal welfare advocate and humane education specialist. The first session began with Walker guiding the students on a behind-the-scenes tour at the animal shelter. For their next couple meetings, Walker offered lessons at MMS with her cat, Guido, and dog, Moon.

Fifth Grades’ Owl Project Wins Top State Honors

“It is very important to learn how to save our ecosystems,” comments fifth grader Jules Barivan. And for the past several months, the class has been doing just that – engaging in extensive research, public speaking, local habitat restoration and community outreach and education, all as part of their project “Give A Hoot: It’s Foul to Hurt the Burrowing Owl.”

Sixth Grader Wins Bid to California State Science Fair

Congratulations to inspired young scientists Lekha Duvvoori, Sara Bautista, and Addy Catterall-Pendleton, each of whom won awards in the recent Santa Cruz County Science Fair!

Sixth grader Lekha’s project, “I See What Eye See, Low Light Color Vision” won kudos and multiple awards in the Junior Division (6th-8th grade), including a nomination to the upcoming Broadcom MASTERS middle school science competition; and an invitation to participate the 61st annual California State Science Fair.