August 26, 2021
WELCOME to the 2021-2022 School Year! 
Every other week my newsletter will come to you with highlights of upcoming events, information about what’s happening in our neck of the woods, the all-important list of dates for your family calendar, and usually a little about what I’m thinking about or what may be helpful to you as we do this parenting-of-middle-schoolers journey together. I hope you’ll look forward to the Middle School News & Notes and find them helpful.
Remember that this newsletter will always be in the Panther Post, along with archived issues, for you to review. ?
STUDY HALL and PANTHER DEN!
A few years ago, now we began offering a one-hour study hall immediately after school (3:15-4 PM). It was a huge success as it offers students a quiet, structured, and monitored place to get some work done before heading home for the evening. I have seen happy parents with less homework to manage at night and have heard students gleefully share the list of assignments or tasks they were able to finish in just the short 45 minutes with real focus and attention.
For study hall to be productive and helpful, we share the following expectations with students:
- No cell phones are allowed. The same rules that apply during the regular school day apply in study hall. Cell phones should be “off-and-away”.
- No earbuds/listening to music while working. I have explained to students that research and science on the brain and learning teaches us that when we focus on fewer things, even one at a time, we work more efficiently and more successfully. Music is a distraction to manage and 45 minutes with no music or distraction can make for a much more productive time.
- Games or videos on school computers are also not allowed – this is a quiet time to get homework finished or to read a book. The teachers supervising study hall can direct computers be put away completely if needed.
- Collaborative/group work is not ideal for this setting and students should be encouraged to work on independent tasks as much as is possible.
- Students may bring a quiet and not-messy snack to study hall, if they’d like.
I want to thank you, in advance, for reinforcing these positive strategies at home. As a faculty in the Middle School, we want to support positive study and self-management practices as they will well serve the students for the many years of education ahead of them.
Finally, you may pick-up your student at any door to the school. Please make arrangements and plans with your student where they will meet you at 4pm. If they are going to be picked up before 4pm, please have them let the study hall teacher know so they can meet you at the agreed upon place.
Study Hall will begin next week, Monday, August 30! Please remember that any student not picked up by 4 PM, will be sent to Panther Den and charged for after-school care.
MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL and SOCCER
Practices start next week, and you should have received an email from the Athletic Office with more detailed instructions. If you did not receive a communication, or if you have questions, please email Dawn Zimmerman (dzimmerman@moundsparkacademy.org).
- Middle School practices are from 3:15-4:45 PM on campus. Busses are not available at 4:45 PM, so if your student is participating in sports, transportation will need to be arranged.
- Masks should be worn both inside and outside during sports, unless in the field of play or during designated mask breaks.
- Please send snacks with your student to eat prior to practice and a WATER BOTTLE! They work hard and are often hungry and thirsty after school.
- Remember to have a plan for pick-up after practice that involves them going to their locker to retrieve their backpacks/laptops, if needed.
We anticipate having game schedules very soon and are excited to have some outstanding athletic seasons!
Mrs. Lassonde and the Middle School Office
Mrs. Lassonde is our Middle School Assistant – otherwise known as co-pilot, queen, or all-knowing-wonder-working-unicorn! Please get to know her and her contact information.
Mrs. Lassonde (pronounced “La-ssone”) is available by email at jlassonde@moundsparkacademy.org and by phone at (651) 748-5565. We need to hear from you if you need an early dismissal or late arrival for an appointment, an absence from classes, or have any other question or concern, please reach out.
ARRIVAL and DISMISSAL
Thank you for having your students to us on-time, ready to learn, and joyful! Things will only continue to get better as we all relearn how to do this as a community.
? DRIVEWAY SAFETY and KINDNESS ?
- Thank you for continuing to do your AUXS Safety Screening app and for showing it at your arrival in the morning.
- Please remain in the line, at arrival and dismissal, and do not “budge ahead” or “leapfrog” around cars. We are all moving as fast as we can and we know you have other places to be – leapfrogging or moving to the front of the line (bypassing other cars already in line) is not only unsafe, but unkind.
- You may park and wait for your student to exit the building – please just be mindful of them crossing a very busy area of the parking lot.
- There are lots of moving parts, people, and directions in the morning and afternoon. We ask that you not be on your cell phone while driving through campus to be able to keep an eye out for young people and their families in the parking lots!
- Finally, remember that if you’re a multi-division family, your Middle Schooler can enter the building in any of the three entrances (Lower School – Door 1, Middle School – Door 4, Upper School – Door 7).
UPDATE: 5th Grade and New Student Instrument Night
In lieu of the instrument night on August 30th (Monday), Ms. Lawson (Director of Orchestras) and Ms. Wantock (Director of Bands) will host a ZOOM parent meeting for those new to band and orchestra. This meeting will be on Monday, August 30TH from 6:30-7:00PM.
Parents can expect a detailed overview of how instrument trials will be conducted (during the school day), share information on instrument rental, and offer the opportunity to ask questions. We are making this adjustment to our regular instrument night to be attentive to health and safety protocols and we appreciate your understanding and engagement.
If your student is selecting an instrument, please plan to attend!
5th Grade and New to MPA Students Band and Orchestra Meeting: August 30 at 6:30PM
https://moundsparkacademy.zoom.us/j/8421829900?pwd=ME51bVpRbzhJZkE0WHBmOTR1MUNiUT09
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Lawson (hlawson@moundsparkacademy.org) or Ms. Wantock (rwantock@moundsparkacademy.org).
SCHOOLOGY BOOTCAMP and PARENT TROUBLESHOOTING!
As we scale up and get more engaged in the academic program, there will be an increased wish for you to be connected in Schoology! As new parents, and maybe even for those of you who are returning, Schoology can be a big virtual web of “stuff” that doesn’t make much sense. I invite you to join me for a virtual session to learn more about the structure and function of the learning management system and how you can best engage with it to support your student.
Please join us at one of the following sessions to learn more:
- Tuesday, September 7 @ 9:00AM
- Thursday, September 9 @ 4:00PM
- Tuesday, September 14 @ 6:00PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://moundsparkacademy.zoom.us/j/99679890943?pwd=VkdNMklXQXlsV2dQN3NDdWpjWHBqQT09
Meeting ID: 996 7989 0943
Password: Schoology
Password: 526951313
Sept 6: LABOR DAY—NO CLASSES
Sept 7: Schoology Bootcamp for Parents #1, 9:00am
Sept 9: Schoology Bootcamp for Parents #2, 4:00pm
Sept 13: MPA All-School Picture Day
Sept 13-14: Middle School Show Auditions
Sept 14: Schoology Bootcamp for Parents #3, 6:00PM
Sept. 16: Middle School Show CALLBACKS
Sept 30: All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7PM
Oct 7: All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-8PM
Oct 8: All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 8AM-4PM, NO CLASSES
Oct 20-22: Fall Break – NO CLASSES
