MVS Express Course Catalog

Welcome to the complete schedule of MVS Express!

Below you will find the classes offered in three sections:
Special Events, Movies and Classes
Please scroll down to find the exciting choices!

Upcoming Special Events

Throughout the school year, we find different speakers and events to present to our community. Below are unique opportunities to experience something exciting in Dayton and beyond. Keep checking the schedule, because we update the schedule with new events!

Paris in the Spring 2013

Sunday, March 17 – Saturday, March 23, 2013

Finally, a MVS immersion for adults! Francophile and MVS French teacher, Peter Camm is hosting this weeklong excursion around the City of Lights this March. It’s a not-to-be-missed adventure with excursions to Versailles and Reims, visits to world-renowned museums, stops at patisseries and chocolatiers – all ending with a dinner cruise down the Seine.

Below are the trip details and costs. This does not include airfare.

DATES: The program begins with a welcome reception and dinner on Sunday evening, March 17 and concludes with breakfast on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Participants will make their own travel arrangements to & from Paris and are, of course, able to extend their stay in Europe if they wish.

FEATURES:

6 night stay at the 3 star Hôtel Muguet, a small hotel in the centrally located 7^th arrondissement
Continental breakfast daily
Welcome reception & dinner on Sunday
Local transport by métro and train for all visits
Entrance fees for all museums, sites etc.
Morning excursion to the Chateau of Versailles
Day trip to Reims by the TGV (high speed train) to visit the cathedral and a famous Champagne House for a tour & tasting
Seine River dinner cruise
Galeries Lafayette shopping discount card
Map, restaurant list, printed itinerary
Peter Camm as host and guide

In the event that Peter Camm is unable to host (for unexpected medical or family reasons), every effort will be made to find a substitute guide for all or part of the itinerary. In all cases, the participants will be able to follow the itinerary, with all the features, with or without a guide.

PARIS TOURING & VISITS: Ile-de-la-Cité with visits to Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle, Latin Quarter, Eiffel Tower, Rodin Museum, Louvre, Opéra, Galeries Lafayette & shopping district, Montmartre & Sacré Coeur, Orsay Museum (dependent on earlier return from Reims), Orangerie, the Marais & Place des Vosges

The program includes morning, afternoon and evening visits
Public transportation and walking will be how we get around Paris!

COST FOR LAND PROGRAM:

$1,575 per person (sharing a double room)

$2,150 per person (single room)

$1,525 per person (triple)

Please note that return airfare to Paris, airport/hotel transfers, and lunches & dinners except where noted are excluded.

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION

$650 deposit at time of registration
January 11, 2013 Balance due and final registration date—if places are available & with full payment
For a cancellation received on or before 1/10/13 the fee is $250.00 per person
For a cancellation received between 1/11/13 and 2/9/13 the fee is $650.00 per person
For a cancellation received between 2/10/13 and 3/16/13 there is no refund.

This trip is offered in conjunction with Richard Lewis Travel. (614) 939- 4333. (800) 634-5295. Richard, a former MVS parent and trustee, is available to help with your plane reservations and additional travel plans.

MVS Express Spring Road Trip!

Architectural Tour to Columbus, Indiana

Calling all art lovers! Only two hours away from Dayton is Columbus, Indiana – the city ranked 6th in the nation for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects, just behind the much larger cities of Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco and Washington DC. See and learn about buildings designed by I.M. Pei, Eero Saarinen, Cesar Pelli, Richard Meier and sculptures by artists such as Henry Moore – all in this small midwest town of 44,000 people. How did it come to be and why Columbus? Come on board to learn more about the city and the art culture surrounding it. The MVS Express Bus leaves our campus at 7:15 am, arriving for the 10:00 am guided bus tour through Columbus. Enjoy lunch at one of the fine downtown restaurants and top it off with an ice cream before getting back on the bus. MVS Art teachers, Rob Gartzka and Kathi Johnson will join us as our art authorities. Think and talk about art all day with interested people and engaging surroundings. To read more about how Columbus became this architectural mecca, go to Columbus, Indiana main Web page.

Date and Time: Saturday, April 13 from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Meet the bus at MVS
Cost: $75.00 includes lunch

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Friday Night at the Movies!

Three films

Four new MVS core values

Integrity, Celebration, Grit and Kindness

Storytelling can be the most effective way to learn how people behave under dire circumstances, how they treat others and how making tough decisions can change the course of one’s life. Through the viewing of these three movies, our four core values are exemplified in the roles of the starring characters. We invite you to bring your family and join the discussion about how we can incorporate our MVS core values into our everyday lives.

These films are suitable for students in middle school and up, but we encourage you to read about the films online to ensure that it meets with your standards.

Screenings of fun cartoons are shown before each movie and babysitting will be provided for parents with younger children. Please register so we know how many children will be present for the babysitting services.

Fall Film:

Win Win – This compelling film by Tom McCarthy stars Paul Giamatti as an overwhelmed attorney and part-time wrestling coach who with good intentions schemes to keep his practice from going under by acting as the legal caretaker of an elderly client. Surprise twists enter the story when Giamatti’s character sees potential in a talented wrestling student who suddenly shows up in his life. To watch the trailer and learn more about the content, visit here.

Date and Time: 7:00 pm, Friday, November 16, 2012
Location: MVS Alumni Theater
Admission: Suggested donation – $10.00 per family, free popcorn

Winter Film:

Cinderella Man – Even if you have seen this movie, it’s worth a second viewing. This true story is about James Braddock, a professional boxer in the 1920’s who achieved his greatest success against the most daunting odds. Showing true courage through adversity, Braddock fights for his family by taking risks and overcoming great hardships. To watch the trailer and learn about the content, visit here.

Date and Time: 7:00 pm, Friday, March. 8, 2013
Location: MVS Alumni Theater
Admission: Suggested donation – $10.00 per family, free popcorn

Spring Film:

The Blind Side – This sports-themed film was inspired by author Michael Lewis’ best-seller The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. This is the true story of Michael Oher who was living on the streets when he was welcomed into the home of a conservative suburban family and over time matured into a talented athlete. The kindness of this family illustrates selflessness as they celebrate their differences and the talents of this young man who shows true grit as he attempts to be a star athlete. To watch the trailer and learn more about the content, please visit here.

Date and Time: 7:00 pm, Friday, April 19, 2013
Location: MVS Alumni Theater
Admission: Suggested donation - $10.00 per family, free popcorn

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Classes on Campus

This is the listing of classes taking place on the MVS campus throughout the year. We’ve scheduled them by terms, so you can easily spread out your class selection and not get too overwhelmed by the choices. Some are created in a series, some are offered for one night only. Try your hand at creating an old chair into a piece of art. Spend four Tuesday nights with a group of friends discussing TED videos or commit to yoga classes for one hour a week. Give it a try and bring a friend – share the wealth that MVS has to offer!

“Is There an App for That?”

Tech Classes for Parents and Other Interested Grown-ups

Are your children teaching you how to use your iPad? Are you frustrated daily as you witness the speed with which the younger generation zip through texts and programs that take you an infuriating amount of time? Lin Jenkins, our MVS Technology Integrator, offers three classes to get you started in the tech world. She’ll help you weave through the maze of techno jargon, discover the need-to-know apps and programs that will help streamline your daily life, and even get started on some new tech adventures!

There are three sessions – one offered each term.

Fall:

The World of Apps: Get to know your iPad or other tablet; How to find apps that suit your life; What’s this Web 2.0 business, anyhow?
Monday, Sept. 17, 2012

Winter:

The World of Google: Not just a search engine any more! Google has produced an incredible number of new (and interwoven) tools – all free! We’ll check out Gmail, Google Apps, Documents and much more!
Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013

Spring:

You Decide the Topic. The Suggestion Box is open: Lin will teach the most-requested topic (or maybe two!) and help you establish a personal Peer Learning Network
Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Location: Lower School Technology Lab
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Cost: $30.00 for one session and $80.00 for all three classes (one class per term)

The Politics of Economics:

Discussion on how economic issues, domestic and foreign, define the political process in America.

Since the birth of the United States in 1776, economic “circumstances” have had a profound impact on life in America. Lest we forget, it was “taxation without representation” that helped launch the Colonies’ revolution against England!

Much has changed over the course of our Nation’s history, but economic power and influence still pervades much what happens in Washington, D.C. and across the country. With a close, hotly contested presidential race unfolding, what roll will “the economy” play with both the candidates and the voters?

Without overly politicizing the discussion, we will discourse about how the economic health of a nation and its people’s economic status influences their thinking about the U.S. Government’s role in the Nation and the World.

The Divergent Thinking of David Brooks

Articles to Contemplate

Once a term, upper school history teacher, Blair Munhofen brings interested minds together to focus on a particularly relevant David Brooks article. Known for offering compelling view points on various topics ranging from politics to family, New York Times columnist David Brooks writes articles that introduce new concepts, ideas or perspectives, often leaving the reader wanting more discussion on the topic. As a bona fide Brooks enthusiast, Munhofen will highlight one Brooks’ article a term. You just read the article and come prepared to engage in the conversation. Get out of your box and talk about something fresh, enlightening and maybe even a little uncomfortable!

Fall: Thursday, Oct 11, 2012
Article: The Limits of Empathy

Winter: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013
Article: Why Our Elites Stink

Spring: Thursday, March 14, 2013
Article: Honor Code

Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: Lange Library, upper school
Cost: $15.00

TED Talks: Ideas Worth Spreading

TED Talks, an elective class at MVS for upper school students is now available to you. The innovative TED.com started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED). Now its scope is even broader and these 18 minute video presentations feature prominent speakers who deliver ideas that can change attitudes and perspectives.

Students have called this class a life-changing experience as they listen to the most potent and empowering talks chosen by history teacher Glenn Squiers. He offers questions to ponder after each presentation. Come prepared to be engaged by this inspiring class!

This is the first of three TED series offered. Please check the winter and spring term for details on other series.

Four classes in the series: 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Location: Room 1 in upper school
Cost: $110 for all four classes or $30 each

Fall: Four Tuesdays – October 2, 9, 16, 23 Register Here
Winter: Four Wednesdays – Jan. 23. 30 & Feb. 6, 13 Register Here
Spring: Four Tuesdays – April 16, 23, 30 & May 7 Register Here

The Art of Drawing

Instead of committing to a series of drawing classes, improve your skills in one night – guaranteed! Teaching drawing is what upper school art teacher Linda Kretzler does best! She unravels the mystery of perspective by breaking down the skills into small components such as observing and drawing negative and positive shapes, shading, and using pencils effectively to get a confident line. By following her directions, you will walk away armed with ideas on how to be a better artist. No commitment beyond one night. Kretzler asks each participant to bring a drawing of a person and a chair sealed in an envelope. At the end of class you can compare your new work and be amazed by the difference.

Date and Time: Wednesday, January 9 – 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Location: Upper School Art Studio
Cost: $50

Transforming Chairs into Art

MVS art teachers Rob Gartzka and Kathie Johnson are established studio art furniture makers. They invite you to challenge yourself in a new way of creating art – bring in an old chair and they’ll guide you to design, create and paint your piece of furniture. With a little imagination, paint and by adding a few finials, the old chair sitting in your basement will transform into useable art. This class includes a field trip to see studio art furniture and a longer Saturday workshop. It’s all about the process, the flow and the finished product!

Date: Seven sessions – Feb. 19, 21, 23 (Saturday workshop), 26, 28 and March 5, 7
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Middle School Art Studio, located upstairs in Lofino
Cost: $275.00

MVS Green Club Community Events

The MVS student-led Green Club invites you to participate in three events designed to get you thinking green, learn more about sustainable environment through film and conversation, and eat delicious, healthy food in the process. There will be a documentary screening (yet to be announced) on Friday, Jan. 18 and the second event is the LOVVE (Local, Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian, Environmental) Celebration dinner created by the Green Club members. Join the crew on the MVS lawn on Friday, May 24. Entertainment will be provided by our own MVS students and the Green Club will prepare and serve the LOVVE meal! This is a great way to learn how to help our environment and our own bodies.

Winter Event:
Documentary Screening (TBA): Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 Register Here
Location: Alumni Theater
Time: 7:00 pm
Cost: $10.00

Spring Event:
LOVVE Celebration Dinner: Friday, May 24, 2013 Register Here
Location: MVS Lawn by Z-Lab
Time: 6:30 pm
Cost: $20.00

SoulCollage® Workshop

Through collaging, the process of cutting and pasting pictures on boards, you will access your intuitive wisdom, hear the voice of your soul and explore parts of your true self. Creator of SoulCollage®, Mar Feder, takes her students through an artist journey by guiding them through the process. SoulCollage®, can help nurture your personal, professional and spiritual growth and it requires no artistic experience or talent. All that is required is a willingness to open yourself to the process. These two workshops invite you to try something new and untap perhaps something inside that has been left unsaid. Mar Feder is a clinical counselor coach and SoulCollage® facilitator. Class is limited to 20 people. To learn more about Mar Feder and SoulCollage®, go to: SoulCollage Homepage

Dates and Time: Two Mondays, January 14 and 28, 2013, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Location: Middle School Art Studio
Cost: $25.00 per session

Event canceled – Vitner’s Delight on Valentine’s Day

Combine horticulture and viticulture with the MVS Z-lab culture and your valentine’s evening will be one to remember. Jack Keegan, Miami University’s Greenhouse manager and professor of viticulture (the study of grapes) and enology (the study of wine) and an acclaimed International Bordeaux wine expert, takes us to new dimensions on how we drink and evaluate wine. We’ll learn to taste the difference in various Bordeaux wines, while we nibble on delicious creations inspired by our own Z-Lab’s expert Patti DeLotell. We’ll end the evening with some chocolate tastings. Gather your friends and loved ones and be prepared to wallow in the love of wine.

Date and Time: Thursday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 pm
Location: Z-Lab on MVS Campus
Cost: $65.00

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