December 16, 2021
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director
Winter Break
As you read this, we will be just one day away from winter break and I personally know 183 middle school students and their teachers who could not be more excited! We hope you all have a wonderful time away, filled with rest, fun, and joyful time with those you love. MPA classes resume on Monday, January 3–we will look forward to seeing you in 2022!
iTerm Forms Are Due Friday, December 17
All students have been assigned to an iTerm class for 2022! Paper copies of your student’s iTerm assignment were given to them on Monday. Enrollment in the course is not complete until the form is signed by you and returned to MPA. All course fees are assessed through TADS and it is imperative that your form and signature are received so that this process can begin over winter break.
If you have not seen your students form, or it has been misplaced, please reach out to the office ASAP. When the new year begins, we will begin solidifying plans for the week.
No Study Hall Friday, December 17
There is no study hall on Friday afterschool. Teachers will be leaving for some much-needed fun and fellowship together before heading home to be with their families. Please make plans to send your student to Panther Den if you cannot be at dismissal at 3 PM.
Ice Skating Friday, December 17: Grades 5 & 6
All students in grades 5 and 6 will spend Friday afternoon ice skating at Aldrich Arena! If your student has skates of their own, they are welcome to bring them, but skates are also available at the arena. If you are interested in joining the group, parents are welcome to contact Ms. Nagle (cnagle@moundsparkacademy.org) for details. It’s going to be a great time and a wonderful way to celebrate the start of winter break!
Swim Club @ MPA: Get Your Fins Ready!
Thank you for your interest in the MPA Swim Club of 2022! We are planning to start practices at the Maplewood YMCA on Wednesday, January 5. Please read the following carefully:
Practices will be held on Wednesdays. Lower School swimmers will be in the water from 3:30-4:15 PM. Middle school swimmers will be in the water from 4:15-5 PM. Parents are responsible for transportation to swim practices.
Please join the SWIM 2022 Schoology page. All future communication will be sent via Schoology. The access code is 46B8-Z7F4-RJMCW.
The fee for participation will be $250. Please mail a check to (or send to school with your student):
Mounds Park Academy
2051 E Larpenteur Ave
St. Paul, 55109
Attn: Dan Haase, Athletic Director
If you missed the information meeting and have questions about Swim Club, please reach out to DeeDee Stacy (dstacy@moundsparkacademy.org).
Homework & Late Assignments
We have been working very closely with your Middle School students to complete all outstanding assignments before the break, so that they can fully enjoy the time away. It is our policy not to assign homework/new work to be done over the break; however, if your student has outstanding work, they will need to complete that in the first week of break.
It is also important to know that we have a two-week grace period for late assignments. A student has two weeks from the assigned due date to submit a late assignment; thereafter, the grade becomes a zero. With winter break being two weeks, anything not submitted before we return, within the two-week grace period, will not be accepted. Please check-in with your middle schooler and make sure they are all caught up!
Please Continue To Be Thoughtful: COVID Protocols & Symptom Response
While all middle school students are vaccine eligible and most have received vaccinations, we ask you to remain mindful and responsive when symptoms/illness/the sniffles arise!
Just a reminder that any/all symptoms through our AUXS app and/or via email to COVID@moundsparkacademy.org.
Please do not email your divisional offices, directors, or teachers of an absence due to symptoms. It is important that all notifications are sent to Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, our COVID Health and Safety lead, so that you can be supported and informed of possible next steps including, but not limited to, the need to remain home, secure a negative test prior to return, and/or quarantine per CDC guidance.
Important Dates
- December 20-January 2: Winter Break, No School
- January 3: Classes Resume
- January 14: Quarter 2 Ends
- January 17: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Observance, No Classes
- January 18: Teacher Professional Development Day, No Classes
- January 19: Quarter 3 Begins
