April 7, 2022
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director
Spring Has Sprung!
While it does not feel like it, we are in the middle of Minnesota spring! We are counting down the days to warm recess time, reading outside, and the eagerness to bust out of the classroom/building to learn outside.
7/8 Grade Dance Party and Parent Social Opportunity
This Friday, April 8, from 7-9 PM, our 7/8 Student Council, lead by Marina Dale and Jocque Warner will host our first dance in the Family Commons. Please note the following details:
- Entry fee is $10 and includes pizza, beverage, and snack.
- Outside food/drink may not be brought to the event. No exceptions.
- Phones will collected from all students upon entry to the building and placed into a bin at the start of the evening and can be picked up at 9PM at the end of the event.
- Dress is “come as you are” casual
- In addition to dancing and fun music, we also have bean bag toss in the hallways, card games and other board games available to play and gather with friends.
Please do not drop your student off before 6:55 PM and plan to promptly retrieve them at 9 PM. All drop-off and pick-up happen at DOOR 1 (Lower School office).
Book Festival at MPA
While many of our events remain virtual this year, there are a few places where YOU and your middle schooler can get involved. Please join us from now, until April 17 to share in the adventure of reading and promote literacy at MPA.
Daily, from now until the end of the festival, gently loved books are for sale in our hallways during the day. Paperback books are $.25/each and hardcover just $1.00. You’re welcome to donate books your family no longer wishes to keep and sending a few dollars with your avid reader to select a few new ones is a great way to support the festival!
You can also purchase new books for yourself and others to benefit the library. Visit this link to place your order. Mention MPA in the order comments or when purchasing in person and 20% of the order will go back to the MPA Library. Looking for a different selection? Visit this link to place an order with Usborne Books & More. Based on your purchases, MPA Library will earn 50% of the sales back in FREE BOOKS!
Finally, you are invited to connect with the community at one of the events below:
- Look at your teacher’s wish list and buy books to donate to the classroom.
- Listen to stories and poems performed by our MPA students, teachers, and parents starting by clicking here.
- Post your family’s book recommendations on our padlet board!
- Check out student book recommendations posted in and around the school
- Don’t forget to wear your PJs in Lower School, April 8
- Bring a book for National DEAR day to Drop Everything And Read! April 12
- Attend MPA Book Club discussing Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel, April 14, 6:30 PM, Library
Let’s Dream
We’re excited for the 2022 MPA Spring Auction: Let’s Dream, which will be held on Friday, April 22 at A’bulae in Lowertown. This is an opportunity for our entire community to gather safely together and celebrate the year. The event will feature an amazing meal, fun games and prizes, and the chance to bid on and win wonderful auction items, all in support of the MPA community. The event raises more than $200,000 in support MPA students, staff, and teachers.
Sponsorship packages and tickets are available now!
Thank you to our volunteer committee: Karen Chan, Rebekah Cook, Sarah Cotter, Lucia Gray, Amy Kotch, Tara Lafferty, Jennifer Macdonald, Amy Minear, Renee Roach, Mindy Ruane, Kelley Still, Leslie Todero, and Lisa Vale
Please contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, director of development and community engagement, via email at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org or at 651-748-5532 with any questions.
Overnight Class Trips
The fifth grade class is, as you read this issue of Panther Post, living the dream at Osprey Wild. They arrived safely yesterday and will continue their great overnight adventure until tomorrow. Parents, pick-up for the end of the day is at usual time. They will return happy, full of joy, tired, and ready for a warm shower and yummy dinner!
Our eighth grade class will be traveling to Eagle Bluff April 13-15. Please be on the look-out in your email for more details in the coming week with important information. I strongly suggest parents and students review packing list, look toward the weather to prepare appropriate clothing for the weekend, and discuss appropriate behavior expectations while away.
Quarter 4, Placement Letters, and Grade Reports
We are officially into our final quarter of the year and perseverance, continued commitment to academic work, and exemplary character are still important–perhaps more important now as we look to build schedules, advisories, and plans for the next academic year.
Grades will be finalized for quarter 3 on Monday. Additionally, if you are re-enrolled at MPA for the 2022-2023 school year, you will receive a letter from me that identifies your student’s placement for mathematics and world language. Please note that these decisions are collaborative and consider a student’s work habits, assessment average, and potential for success. It is important that we work correctly to place students in the appropriate classes where they are adequately challenged and have the most opportunity to be successful.
If you have specific questions, concerns, or want to discuss the next school year, please reach out to your student’s current advisor or me or send an email with your thoughts and wonderings.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Middle School (but were afraid to ask)!
On Tuesday, April 19, we will gather in the Family Commons as a community of Middle School parents, families, and community to have an open and candid (and sometimes painful, and sometimes funny!) conversation about what it means to be a young adolescent these days. What I have learned through the years is that parents are often the “last to know and first to worry” when our children are at this stage. Our goal is two-fold: share what we have learned so you can feel more prepared to walk this journey with a Middle School student (and beyond!) and continue to invest in, nurture, and shape our community around our young people with shared values, expectations, and wisdom.
In collaboration with the Parent’s Association, I will be joined by Mr. Lamar Shingles, Director of Equity and Belonging, and Dr. Jules Nolan, School Psychologist, to respond to questions, share insights, offer learnings, and facilitate meaningful conversation.
Please plan to join us at 6:30 PM, in the Family Commons on campus, for this event. Look for more details, opportunity to RSVP, and to submit questions in advance of the event.
NOTE: There will be an opportunity to view a live stream of the event; however, the virtual option will be limited in its interactive capabilities. We hope you’ll join us live for this event!
Important Dates
- April 6-8: Fifth Grade Overnight Trip, Osprey Wild
- April 19: Middle School Parent Event, 6:30 PM, Family Commons
- April 22: Fifth Grade Math Masters Competition
- MPA Spring Auction
- April 27 Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 12:30-2:30 PM
- May 5 Middle School Family Dinner (with Rising Fifth Graders)
- Middle School Vocal Concert, 7 PM
- May 12 Middle School/Upper School Orchestra Concert, 7 PM
- May 19 Middle School/Upper School Art Show, Opens at 6 PM
- Middle School/Upper School Band Concert, 7 PM
