Perhaps no one monument could be made to tell the whole truth of any subject which it might be designed to illustrate. – Frederick Douglass “Emancipation Monument,” a bronze statue designed and sculpted by Bostonian Thomas Ball more than a century ago,…
Growing Up in Santa Cruz, April 2022, Teacher’s Desk, “A Glimpse Through the Keyhole,” by Lisa Catterall. “…the only path to lasting global peace will be education, of the unbiased sort that provides a scaffolding for the soul, a habit of critical…
For the 16th annual Summit for the Planet, everyone is welcome to check out the wildlife and family-friendly activities on Saturday, April 23 from 9:00am to 1:30pm at Mount Madonna School. This FREE public event begins with a 5K family hike through…
On a clear, sunny morning last week, curious students explored the flora and fauna of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, investigating invertebrate specimens, water, air and soils tests, and recording observations in nature journals. Mount Madonna School (MMS) fifth and…
By Lisa Catterall Children make your life important. — Erma Bombeck I’m staring at a dresser covered with dirty glasses. They have rings of dried and yellowed milk, encrusted smoothie droplets, and they are sitting on top of a stack of plates,…
From squid and jellyfish to sand, surf – and even Santa Cruz’s iconic Big Dipper roller coaster – each has inspired the sense-infused descriptions and evocative art pieces of Mount Madonna School (MMS) fourth graders. For the past several months as part…
Growing Up in Santa Cruz, February 2022, Teacher’s Desk, “The World is Knocking” by Lisa Catterall. He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. – Friedrich Nietzsche This week I had the pleasure of teaching in a true…
By Shannon Kelly In May, as part of the Values in World Thought program, junior and senior students will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to experience government in action. One key aspect of the program is providing students the opportunity to engage…
It is my conviction that there is no way to peace — peace is the way. — Thich Nhat Hanh Children are naturally more present than grown-ups. They are honest, in the moment, yet often are a bit “wound up.” Practicing mindfulness with…
Two Mount Madonna School (MMS) high school classmates are running a book drive as part of their Senior Capstone Project. They are accepting donations of new and used books for all ages, and in particular are interested for inclusive books reflecting the…
