Middle School

Hands-On Middle School Science

Mount Madonna School eighth graders Indigo Kelly, Ruby Bracher and Phoebe Grant, observing salt water density gradient columns they created as part of a lesson on fluid density. Eighhth grade students are studying Chemistry and learning about fluid density and how the density of salt water affects the currents in the open ocean and the biodiversity in estuaries.

Drive for Schools Fundraiser!

Thank you!

THANK YOU to everyone who chose to support your school through the Drive for Schools fundraiser. It is an important one in that it allows all of us to reach outside our own pocketbooks to friends, relatives, neighbors, and business associates. Along this line, thank you to Jessica Cambell for setting up the ticket sales opportunity at Deluxe Foods in Aptos.

Drive for Schools raised $13,755 for our annual and capital funds, which, unfortunately, was quite a bit short of the $20,000 goal. We will need to make up this shortfall in our other fundraising efforts this year.

MMS Faculty Member Seeks Support for Cancer Treatment Research

Before she was teaching middle and high school science at Mount Madonna School, Lisa Catterall worked in cancer treatment research. The company folded in the 1990s after the treatment it focused on stopped working for patients. A few weeks ago, Catterall had an epiphany while watching a student experiment with iron filings in the chemistry lab and realized why the treatment stopped working.

Students’ Works Selected for Congressional Art Competition

Artworks by three Mount Madonna School (MMS) seventh grade students – Ruby Bracher, Sienna Clifton and Sydney Ota – were selected for inclusion in “An Artistic Discovery,” the 2013 Congressional Competition held earlier this week in Watsonville, and organized by District 20 Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel).

“It’s a source of pride to have our students’ work on display in this art discovery competition,” commented MMS middle school art teacher and local Santa Cruz artist Sandy Shaw. “MMS has talented students with amazing passion for creating art. I want to support them in having their work out there publicly and getting them the recognition and praise that is so well deserved.”

Eighth Grader Performs at Regional Dance America Festival

Three Mount Madonna School students, all dancers with Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre (SCBT), recently participated in the Regional Dance America (RDA) Pacific Region Festival of Dance in Phoenix, Arizona. The students, fifth grader Milana Beck, sixth grader Riley Butler, and eighth grader Amelia Busenhart, represented SCBT at this showcase event, and Busenhart, a member of SCBT’s senior company, performed in a company ensemble at the festival.

Don’t Miss the Vendors and Organizations at the 2013 Summit for the Planet!

In addition to the enjoying the morning walk-a-thon with friends and family, attendees of the Summit for the Planet celebration will not want to miss the engaging array of eco-conscious vendors and organizations at the event. Below is some information about event participants.

Thank you to sponsors SunRidge Farms and the Michael Lee Educational Foundation who helped make this event possible (but will not be hosting event booths).

SunRidge Farms

‘Fun-raising’ and Family Fun at Summit for the Planet

Whether you come to walk in support of your favorite local nonprofit organization or for ensuing fun, the 7th annual Summit for the Planet Walk-a-thon and Earth Day Celebration offers something for all ages. The celebration will feature solar vehicle races, ‘eco-carnival’ games, live animals, community networking, ‘green’ businesses, live music, and delicious, organic foods – including ice cream from Santa Cruz’s Penny Ice Creamery!