Handling High School: New MPHS Parent or Know Someone Who Is? MPHS is hosting an event for new parents called "Handling High School".  It will take place Thursday, September 11, at 9:00 AM in the Art Gallery.  Join us for an opportunity to meet staff, to ask questions of a panel of experienced MPHS parents, and to hear tips from MPHS counselor Vicki Brunnick on how to help your freshman make the adjustment to high school.  If you know a new parent, help us spread the word!   This event is open to all Myers Park parents.

MUSTANG GLOBAL MENTORS: If you’re looking for a worthwhile way to earn service hours, we’re working on a new project to strengthen the student body right here at Myers Park.   The objectives of the "Mustang Global Mentors" program are to: Encourage interaction between different cultures Create a new, comfortable environment for ESL students Create lasting relationships between students of diverse backgrounds Applicants for the program will each be interviewed and paired with an ESL student. Then, mentors will be responsible for planning and providing one weekly activity with their student in attempts to integrate them into the Myers Park community. Often, events will be orchestrated as a group. So, essentially, you’ll be earning CAS hours for participating in enjoyable, meaningful activities with MPHS students.   We have a number of students who have expressed interest in participating, but we are still in need of six more male volunteers. Volunteers must be seniors or juniors who are able to drive. If you’re interested in being part of this new initiative, or would like to hear more about it, please contact Rachel Myrick (rachel.myrick@yahoo.com) as soon as possible. Our first meeting will be after school on Monday, September 15th in Mrs. Hampson's office in the LA Building.   Thanks!

Carolina Kids' Triathlon: Hello, past Volunteers! The last Carolina Kids' Triathlon in our 2008 summer series is this Saturday morning, August 30th.  Would you, your family and/or friends be interested in volunteering at this event?  We are in need of 12-14 more volunteers. Link to event's website page with details and maps  http://www.chfmag.com/EventRegistration/CarolinaKidsTri08.html   The August 30th events will be held at:   LeRoy Springs Recreation Center 971 Tom Hall Street Fort Mill, SC 29715 - It's only 6 miles south of the Ballantyne area.   Volunteer Coordinator, Melinda Yelton, will be holding a Volunteer Orientation Session at 7:00 a.m. in the event's transition area.     If you are available and interested, we would sincerely appreciate your help!  Just give me a shout and I'll look forward to seeing you...and feel free to pass this message onto others who may be interested!   Best regards,   Kim Stephens Charlotte Health & Fitness Magazine & Website kim@chfmag.com 704-906-1591 

University of Virginia and Duke Interest Meetings: The University of Virginia is hosting an evening program for parents and students interested in learning more about the admissions process at UVA.  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th at 6:30 PM at the Doubletree Guest Suites Charlotte/South Park.   Duke University is hosting a session for parents and students on Wednesday, September 10th at 7:30PM .  The session will be held at the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park at 5624 West park Drive. Vicki H. Brunnick, MA,LPC  School Counseling Department Myers Park High School vicki.brunnick@cms.k12.nc.us 

IB Students CAS Opportunity: CHAMP is a great way to get CAS hours, while having a substantial, positive impact on the life of a child. CHAMP stands for CHildren Achieving Maximum Potential and it's a one-on-one tutoring program that partners high school students with elementary aged children in Charlotte's South Tryon neighborhoods. We aim to help children excel and build confidence academically and to create meaningful, mentoring friendships with children who so want to be loved. CHAMP is a program that was started by Myers Park United Methodist Church in 2000. It now encompasses two programs, CHAMP, which meets from 5:30-8 on Monday nights and CHAMPION Readers, which meets from 5:30-7 on Thursday nights. The Monday program includes a meal, over which you can spend even more time getting to know you little buddy. In addition to tutoring, there are character lessons, games, speakers and field trips! The programs have grown so much in recent years that our number of children ("Little Buddies") has surpassed our number of high school tutors ("Big Buddies"). For students who want to get involved, there will be two Big Buddy orientations , on Thursday, August 26th, and Tuesday, September 29th, from 6-7:45 at Myers Park United Methodist Church. If you can't make it to either, but would still like to be a Big Buddy in the 08-09 school year, or have any questions, please contact Kathryn Bergstrom at krbergstrom@carolina.rr.com . 

Attention IB Seniors:  It's that time again! Summer CAS hours are due by September 3rd in LA-24 (Mrs. Berini's room). You can come by and pick up any forms you need. Thanks! Bethany Pico

Welcome from IB PAC President:  Dear IB Families: Welcome to a new school year!  Monday will be an exciting day as the 2008-2009 school year begins.  As you will learn, there are many terrific projects and plans on the schedule for the IB program and the IB Student Council this year.  It looks to be another very active and successful year for the IB program!   One of the first events of the year will be an IB Parents Advisory Council ("PAC") meeting.  The meeting specifics and other information are included in a flier in the MPHS PTSA packets that were mailed out last week.  To make sure all existing IB families have this date on their calendar, I thought it might be helpful to send an IB Express with the flier attached to get you started.  In short, the meeting specifics are as follows:   What:  Myers Park IB Parents Advisory Council meeting When:  Thursday, September 4, 2008;  7:00pm to 8:00pm Where:  MPHS Auditorium Why:  Meeting to start the IB PAC year and for Dr. Thomas to talk about the IB program, Mrs. Berini to discuss CAS requirements, Student Council leaders to layout their plans and much more.  There also will be time for Q&A.   Prior to the meeting, please refer to the IB PAC website, www.myersparkibmatters.com, for additional information.  We will be updating the site often once the new school year begins.   I look forward to seeing you on September 4!   Best regards,   Don Pomeroy President, IB PAC

 IB Council Representative Elections Results: Thanks to all IB Council members who attended the meeting last night and stayed to help Freshmen during Orientation. The representative elections in all three grades were extremely close.  In the case of a tie, three positions were awarded.   Senior Representatives: Suman Sivasubramaniam Vignesh Sivasubramaniam Tong-Tong Xiang   Junior Representatives: Tanvika Gupta Emily Hudson   Sophomore Representatives: Priyang Shah Gurjant Sekhon Sophie Mercer   Once again, thanks to all the candidates. The grade level representatives will be meeting with executive officers during the first weeks of school.

ATHLETIC PASSES: Do you have your season passes, yet?  Do you have your exclusive parking space for game night?    IT'S TIME, time to join the Mustang Club and get your 2008-09 season pass to all home athletic events.   Come to the football game opener against Garringer HS this Friday night and get your season passes.   Parking spaces are going fast, so get yours now!  Simply bring your check book and we'll have order forms at the Mustang Gate by the gym.  Season passes will be honored for this endowment game and passes can be picked up at the Mustang gate for those who have already placed their order.  Student pass  $75,  Regular Family pass  $195,  Ultimate Family pass $275   See you at the game.  GO MUSTANGS - Ashley Fisher, Mustang Club Membership tensash@aol.com 

CAMPUS CLEAN-UP: Please plan to join us for a campus clean-up on Saturday, August 23rd from 9-11am so that we can start the new school year looking our best!  We'll meet at the front circle.  Please bring gloves, rakes, trimmers, wheelbarrows and shovels if you have them.  Contact: Kim Reitterer kreitterer@elmengr.com or Priscilla Walters priscillawalters@aol.com for more info.  THANKS!!

 IB Student Council Representative Elections: Subject: IB Student Council Representative Elections   The IB Student Council will be meeting before Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 21st in the cafeteria at 4:30. All members are expected to attend. Please note that the meeting time has been changed to 4:30. Executive officers should arrive at 4:00, speakers at 4:15, and members at 4:20.   The candidates for grade level representatives are:   Sophomores: Victoria Hughes, Sophie Mercer, Will Robertson, Jessica Saunders, Gurjant Sekhon, Priyang Shah.   Juniors: Debolina Banerjee, Tanvika Gupta, Emily Hudson, Webster Hughes, Roopa Panduranga.   Seniors: Suman Sivasubramaniam, Vignesh Sivasubramaniam, Tong-Tong Xiang,   Attached are platforms for all representatives. Members will elect candidates on 8/21, so you must attend the meeting in order to vote. Thank you, and we will see you all on August 21st!

Season Athletic Passes for the 2008-2009 Year: HEY SPORTS FANS It's time to join the Mustang Club and get your Season Athletic Passes for the 2008-2009 year.  You will receive a brochure in a PTA packet through the mail.  Simply fill out the enclosed form, write a check to MUSTANG CLUB and send it to:  Ashley Fisher  (tensash@aol.com) 3923 Stoney Ridge Trail, Charlotte, NC  28210   Or bring it to the opening football game on Aug.22 at Myers Park.  Passes will be distributed at the Booster gate on game day or passes will be available for pick up in the MP front office from Mr. Formon after the start of school.  Student pass-$75, Regular Family pass-$195, Ultimate pass-$275 (includes 2 seat cushions and your exclusive parking space)   Don't delay and get your pass now for the best buy in sports entertainment.  Thanks for supporting our student athletes!

CAS Opportunity: Panthers vs. Redskins, Sat, August 23, Bank of America Stadium     Please help!! Support the March of Dimes, gain service hours, have fun!     The March of Dimes will be selling “Philly Pretzels” prior to the Panthers vs. Redskins game at the Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, August 23rd.  Half of all proceeds will go directly to the March of Dimes organization.  We are looking for 20 Myers Park students to help with this great fundraiser.  We will start around 5 pm and finish at the start of the game.  If you can help, please email Paige VanTassell at paigevt03@aol.com.

5K Run/Walk for Isabella Santos   Saturday, October 11 at Ballantyne Corporate Park 8:30 a.m.   We need volunteers to hand out race packets, t-shirts, etc. and assist with cleanup the morning of the race.  Volunteers will need to be onsite from 7:00 a.m. until approximately 10:00 a.m.   Please contact Nico or Samantha Forlenza at jforlenza@carolina.rr.com   Thank you! 

Campus Clean-up: The campus clean up will be held on August 23rd, from 9 am until 11 am.  We will meet at the front circle in front of the Administration Building.  This is a great chance to get your community service hours in early.  We will be provide coffee, donuts, and Gatorade for thirsty and hungry students. 

CAS Opportunity: Olde Providence Elementary School at 3800 Rea Road, needs about 5 students to help un-box and shelve some Science Materials.  The date is Monday, August 11 from 12:30-4:00.  If you can assist us, please email r.mckenzie@cms.k12.nc.us.