December 2 Upper School Division News

December 2, 2021

us student science classby Mark Segal, Upper School Director

It has been clear over the past year and a half that being a part of a community provides us the opportunity to connect with peers at both social and emotional levels. Strengthening interpersonal relationships make us feel that we belong and that we are something greater than ourselves. It is for this, and many other reasons, that we are working hard to bring back a sense of “normal” in the lives of upper school students and provide them with the Rites of Passage that makes MPA the special place it is. It is for these reasons that the Student Council will again be hosting the Semi-Formal dance this Saturday evening, December 4, at Prestwick Golf Course for 9-12 grade students. The dance will run 8-11 PM and all attendees should plan to arrive before 9:30 PM. The Student Council sold tickets during lunch this week, and we are expecting strong attendance.

Maintaining the health and safety of those in attendance remains a priority, and all MPA students who plan to attend are required to wear facemasks for the duration of the dance and will need to provide negative covid test results within 72 hours of the dance. Unlike earlier this year, either PCR or at home rapid antigen test results are acceptable and should be sent to msegal@moundsparkacademy.org by dinner time Friday. On campus testing will not be provided. MPA students may also invite a guest to the dance. All guests must currently attend high school and must be registered using the Semi-Formal guest form no later than 12 PM on Friday, December 3. Guests may not register at the Semi Formal dance. All guests are required to provide proof of covid vaccine AND a negative covid test result within 72 hours of the dance. Either PCR or at home rapid antigen test results are acceptable and should be sent to msegal@moundsparkacademy.org by dinner time Friday. (Please find below important information about home COVID-19 Antigen self-testing kits sent home today)

According to Happiness.com, “Humans aren’t meant to be alone all of the time: connecting as part of a meaningful community is important for our mental well-being.” The past couple of years have been a challenge for social interactions and building relationships. As social beings, it is experiences like dances and social gatherings that brings us together and unites us. Events like this, actually, help us develop a stronger sense of personal and collective identity. I am excited about and looking forward to our first off campus upper school dance in more than two years. I hope your child(ren) will be joining us.

Important Information

  1. The Upper School Winter parent/student/teacher conferences this evening 4-7 PM and tomorrow 8 AM-4 PM. Similar to the Fall, all conferences will be held via ZOOM and individual teacher links can be found here. Upper School students participate in their conferences and are required to attend. If you need private time without the student in attendance, please indicate this at the beginning of the conference. As a reminder, there are no upper school classes tomorrow (Friday, December 3). Lower and Middle school classes, however, WILL MEET tomorrow.
  2. At Home COVID-19 Testing Information: MPA was able to procure BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen self-testing kits for our students to access free of charge. The test is completed at home with rapid results without the need to ship samples to a lab or for a prescription from your healthcare provider. We are not allowed to administer this test at school. This test cannot be used for symptomatic clearance without a PCR test confirmation of a negative result. However, for other screening or clearance testing, this is a wonderful resource to have.
  3. A two-pack test was sent home with your Upper School student today. We do not anticipate getting additional tests based on the supply availability. Distribution to Middle School and Lower School students will happen in the coming days as we receive the remainder of our supply.
  4. Thank you for your partnership. If you have questions, please email Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, director of development and community engagement and our covid lead at covid@moundsparkacademy.org.
  5. Upper School Parent Social REMINDER – While the kids dance the night away, let’s meet up for a late dinner!
    Where: India Palace, 8362 Tamarack Village #120, Woodbury
    When: December 4, 8:15-10:30 PM
    Details: India Palace has agreed to stay open late for us that evening. If we can get at least 20 people to come, they will provide dinner, coffee, tea, and soft drinks for $16.00 per person. Beer, wine, and lassis are available for an additional cost. Please RSVP to Staci Banks, sbhehe42@icloud.com or Venmo the cost of dinner for your party to @Staci-Banks-Hehenberger.
  6. 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.

Looking Ahead

  • Thursday, December 2: Upper School Conferences, 4-8 PM
  • Friday, December 3: No Upper School Classes, Upper School Conferences, 8 AM-4 PM. Lower and Middle School Classes DO MEET
  • Saturday, December 4: Upper School Semi Formal Dance, 8-11 PM, Prestwick Golf Course
  • Tuesday, December 7: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, via Zoom
  • Friday, December 10: Freethinker Friday, STEAM, The MPA Way, 12-12:30 PM, MPA Facebook Page
  • Tuesday, December 14: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, via Zoom
  • Friday, December 17: Winter Break Begins After Classes, 2:50 PM
  • Monday, January 3: Classes Resume, 8 AM
  • Saturday, January 8: Robotics Team Kickoff Event, All Day, MPA Campus
  • Friday, January 14: End of Quarter 2 & Semester 1 Classes
  • Monday, January 17: No Classes, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Tuesday, January 18: No Classes, Professional Development
  • Wednesday, January 19: Start of Quarter 3 & Semester 2
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