Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year! In the book, Learning by Doing, Du Four, Du Four, Eaker, and Many, state that the very essence of a learning community is a focus on a commitment to the learning of each student. Although the hallways here at MPA are fairly quiet, teachers are busy at work preparing to help students learn. In preparation for a great school year, we have included a few items of importance below that will help you get ready for the start of the 2008-2009 school year.

Many parents (and a few students) are interested in finding summer academic work that will reinforce this year's learning and prepare students for next year.  I thought it might be helpful to send along a few suggestions from our teachers regarding summer work that students might do, and I'm happy to pass along their suggestions below.

Reading:  We all believe in the importance of reading, and our English Department and library staff have put together great resources. Go to http://library.moundsparkacademy.org/readinglinks.shtml for reading lists, book news and other word-related information.

Math:  A good website for interactive math practice is http://aaamath.com while more basic skills can be drilled at
http://spearfish.k12.sd.us/west/Specials/Penny/math.htm.

Writing:  Students should practice "fun" writing, perhaps by journaling or writing letters to friends or relatives.  (Everyone loves to get a letter!)  Most students need to improve their keyboarding skills, and an inexpensive typing program such as Mavis Beacon or Mario Teaches Typing can do so in an enjoyable way.

World Language:  Vocabulary review is a great use of time.  Most students have flashcards they've created over the year, and spending ten minutes a day (perhaps over breakfast or while riding in the car) will dramatically improve their mastery going into next year.

Social Studies:  Getting students up to date on current events is a great idea, and two good methods are by having them read a newspaper or a news weekly such as "Time" or "Newsweek."  We also recommend listening to an in-depth news show such as National Public Radio.

Music:  Find a fun book of tunes for your child to work on over the summer--perhaps music from popular movies, Disney or something similar.  This is a great way to keep kids practicing their instruments or voices.

And finally, many teachers recommend time spent on some of the things that are all too rare in many kids' lives--eating dinner as a family, taking a hike for fun, bike riding and being outdoors in unstructured time.  Keep those kids active (not sleeping too late or playing too many video games), and enjoy the summer as a family.

-Bob Cooke

The MPA 7/8 Math Club earned Gold Level recognition from the MATHCOUNTS Club Program for 2007-2008.  To do this, at least 12 members of the Math Club had to complete monthly challenges with five problems each and get eight or more correct on a 10-problem ultimate challenge.  About 20 members of the math club met all of these challenges.

The 7/8 Math Club meets on alternate days in place of study hall, and spend its time working on problems and generally talking math.  Here the club members take a break from thinking to pose with their new banner.

Mounds Park is one of only two schools in Minnesota that earned Gold Level recognition--congratulations to the club members and Mr. Ethier, their advisor!

Just a quick note--our last full day of school is Thursday, June 5th.  That Friday (June 6th), students have a short day; they should arrive at 8:30 a.m. and we will begin the day with a yearbook assembly.  Following that, students will clean their lockers, pick up yearbooks and have time to say goodbye and get yearbooks signed.

Middle School students are dismissed at 10:30 a.m. and should be picked up from school no later than 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 6th.

Last Friday, our eighth grade went to Banning State Park on a combined science and history field trip. They (and many brave/tough adult chaperones) hiked five miles, taking in the sights and learning about the history and geography of the region. Highlights included climbing through several quarries that were last used 100 years ago, seeing where the last train out of Hinckley outran the great fire by crossing a burning trestle bridge, and enjoying the comradeship of good friends.

Student comments:  "Awesome," "tons of fun," "best field trip ever!"