Into a tall, clear glass cylindrical container, about a third full with tap water and dishwashing detergent, Mount Madonna School (MMS) parent John Wagner using metal tongs drops a small chunk of dry ice. “We’re here to talk about things that are cold,” he tells the gathered third and fourth grade MMS students. Dry ice, Wagner says, is frozen carbon dioxide and has a temperature of 123 degrees below zero.
Quiz question:
When driving in mountains, who has the right-of-way on narrow road ?
a. vehicle going uphill?
b. vehicle going downhill?
Answer: Vehicle traveling uphill has right-of-way. Vehicle traveling downhill backs up to let him pass…
For nonprofit organizations, determining how to creatively and successfully meet annual fundraising goals can be difficult and time-consuming – and frequently not a lot of fun. With the dual intent of putting the “fun” back in “fundraising” and bringing together other local nonprofit organizations – including, educational, environmental, and youth-focused groups – Mount Madonna School (MMS) is again hosting its annual community walk-a-thon and celebration –a family event intended to make fundraising as easy as a walk in the park!
All nonprofit organizations are invited to participate in the 6th annual Summit for the Planet Walk-a-thon on April 28. Mount Madonna will coordinate the event and do most all the work, while participating groups are invited to organize a team of walkers to walk for their organization, and their walkers, in turn, are urged to gather pledges of support.
Nine-year-old Lily Hernandez held up a deer antler as she listened to a presentation about the Ohlone people of long ago. Nearby, her friend AnMei Dasbach-Prisk examined a replica of an Ohlone arrow. The girls and their fourth grade class from Mount Madonna School were visiting Chitactac-Adams County Heritage Park in Gilroy to learn about California history and Native American culture. Chitactac-Adams Park is an authentic site of a former Ohlone village.
Standing in front of the class, the sandy-haired boy shuffles his feet, avoiding eye contact with the middle school students seated before him. He looks up, shyly meets his classmates’ gaze, and takes a deep breath. Exhaling, he begins telling a story in Spanish. The words come haltingly at first, then, as his confidence improves, he relaxes and expands his vocabulary, exploring different sentence structures and verb conjugations.
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 1/20/2012, “Mount Madonna fifth graders give a hoot about bird on state’s concerned list,” by Joel Hersch. Read more: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_19777552?IADID=Search-www.santacruzsentinel.com-www.santacruzsentinel.com
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 1/15/2012, Education Digest: “Students to perform ‘Voices,” and January 18 5th grade Burrowing Owl Presentation.” Read more: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_19746580?IADID=Search-www.santacruzsentinel.com-www.santacruzsentinel.com
What: Presentation and DVD screening on the Western Burrowing Owl, subject of Mount Madonna School’s 5th Grade Class current environmental project.
When: Wednesday, January 18, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Reservation requested; contact Kathy Fieberling at (831) 345-1226 or
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 12/25/2011, Education Digest, “Dolls and scones mark the holidays” and “Students rally to help needy.” Read more: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_19617236?IADID=Search-www.santacruzsentinel.com-www.santacruzsentinel.com
The large metallic mixing bowl on the table gleams, reflecting the arms and faces of the children around it. These children are third graders at Mount Madonna School, and with their hands covered in flour, they laugh and talk while mixing together dough for apple scones. The scones will later be baked and enjoyed by the students as part of their holiday celebration. Once the dough is finished and hands are washed clean, the children move on to making dolls.
