October 28, 2021
from Mark Segal, Upper School Director
When I started at MPA six years ago, one of my main goals was to get to know the upper school students. It would have been easy to ignore the seniors as their days on campus were numbered and only focus on the subsequent classes. As I thought about it, however, there was also great value in getting to know the Class of 2017 as they had every reason to provide candid feedback about their upper school experience from which I could learn. To achieve this, I proposed to Dr. Hudson that he and I schedule small group lunches with members of the senior class to get to know them better. That decision six years ago was one of the best choices I could have made as I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with members of each graduating class. During each lunch Dr. Hudson and I ask the students to tell us when they came to MPA, what they are thinking about for plans after graduation, and to share their “MPA Moment” – a memory or interaction from school that they will carry with them.
Last week, Dr. Hudson and I held the first of five senior lunches. The nine students who attended represented students who have been at MPA since pre-kindergarten to someone who joined the Class of 2022 as an 11th grader. More than half of those who attended joined the community as upper school students and I still remember the first time I met them during their initial admission interview. Their MPA Moments ranged from a recent special on campus celebration of their 18th birthday to celebrating as a team upon learning the Robotics Team qualified for an international competition. Each attendee smiled and nodded, affirming the storyteller of their moment. Each student then shared their thoughts for after graduation. Some were specific (i.e.: studying environmental science at the University of Oregon or pursuing an EMT license while taking classes in premed or biology) and others were more general (i.e.: looking into policy and economics programs on the East coast or pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering).
I share this as most members of the Class of 2022 spent the recent Fall Break visiting schools or diligently working on their college applications. As you may imagine, the stress level within the class is high. It is, however, wonderful to see them (safely) gather around a computer screen reading personal essays and making thoughtful suggestions that will highlight each other’s candidacies to their chosen colleges and universities.
It is hard to believe that we are already thinking about and preparing for the Class of 2022’s next adventure. Watching them develop and mature over the past number of years tells me that they are ready for the next step. Although the next seven months will go extremely quickly, I am thrilled that our community continues to get the chance to be with and celebrate them.
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon,
Important Information
- The end of quarter 1 is Friday, October 29. Please help your child(ren) complete their assignments and assessments before the end of the day on Friday. There is no school on Monday (11/1) as teachers close their grade books and prepare for the start of quarter 2 on Tuesday, November 2.
- As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we ask for your diligence in working with our Covid-19 symptom response and contact tracing team. At the first sign of symptoms, parents should complete the daily AUXS app symptom screening and/or email covid@moundsparkacademy.org. This should happen BEFORE seeking a Covid -19 test. When a negative Covid-19 test is required for student clearance, results must be provided prior to the student’s return. All symptomatic community members, regardless of vaccination status must remain at home pending those results. Thank you for your partnership. For any questions, please contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org.
- The Mock and Pre-ACT exams will be held on Monday, 11/1. These are not official ACT products, but tests designed to give students a testing experience in anticipation of taking the actual ACT exam in the spring of junior year. All tenth and eleventh grade students should plan to take the Pre and Mock ACT and please find below some important testing logistics:
- The Mock ACT for eleventh graders will start at 8:30 AM, so students should report to school no later than 8:15 AM that day.
- The Pre- ACT for tenth graders will start at 9:00 AM, so students should report to school no later than 8:45 AM that day.
- Report to door 7 to enter the Lansing Center Lobby
- Every student needs to do the AUXS safety app the morning of the test
- BRING A Calculator and several sharpened pencils
- Students will directed to the main testing room or the extended time rooms.
- Regular time testing should last 3 hours and 15 minutes
- Extended testing time will vary for when they will end
- Please reach out to Director of guidance, Randy Comfort (rcomfort@moundsparkacademy.org) with any questions.
Looking Ahead
- Fri, 10/29: Last Day of Quarter 1,
- Senior Retreat, 8:00-6:30 PM, Camp St. Croix and MPA
- Mon, 11/1: No Classes, Grading Day
- 10th Grade Pre-ACT Testing, 9:00 AM-12:15 PM, MPA Campus
- 11th Grade Mock ACT Testing, 8:30-11:45 AM, MPA Campus
- Tues, 11/2: First Day of Quarter 2
- Wed, 11/3: US Instrumental Concert, 7:30-9:00 PM, Nicholson Center
- Sun, 11/7: Virtual MPA PK-12 Admission Preview, 2-4 PM, Online
- Wed, 11/10: US Vocal Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center
- Fri, 11/12: Senior Performances, 8:00-9:15 AM, via Zoom
- Thurs, 11/18: Give to the Max Day
