May 19, 2022
from Mark Segal, Upper School Director
It is hard to believe that the 2021–2022 school year is coming to an end. Prek-11 have 13 class days left before their summer vacations begin. The Class of 2022, however, has their last day of classes tomorrow, May 20. Thirteen years of schooling will draw to a ceremonious close when they, as a group, pull down the boldly written #1 which hangs in the Upper School Commons. Each afternoon the senior class gathers at the end of the day to pull down the handwritten numbers 10 to 1 as a countdown of their last days on campus. The emotion expressed and cohesion shown by the group is a joy to witness as they celebrate one of the MPA Rites of Passage as the graduating class.
New York Times author and Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren says, “We are made to enjoy the physical presence of other human beings. We are made to enjoy rainstorms or sunshine or walks in the woods. We are made to enjoy touchable things. We cannot escape or overcome this need… Our attempts to do so go against the grain of our deepest human needs and longings.” I believe that Warren is speaking directly to the 51 members of the MPA Class of 2022. They have experienced so much over the past couple of years. Each time a new challenge was presented to them, they rallied around and leaned into each other and kept moving forward.
The next two weeks will be ones of self-discovery for this special class. They will complete assignments and work on their Senior Service Projects–the final items due before they cross the stage to receive their diplomas on June 4. Thankfully, there is still time for the community to be with them before their special day. You are invited to attend the annual Senior Walk on Friday, May 27 and the Senior Service Fair on Tuesday, May 31. Both of these events will allow us to publicly recognize the Class of 2022 and witness the impact they have had and legacy they will leave behind.
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.
Important Information
- Class of 2022 Families–please remember to return your Senior Dinner RSVP form and payment by Monday, May 23.
- A group of committed and talented upper school students have re-started the online newspaper Freethinker. They have worked hard to write and share stories with the MPA community about schoolwide, local, national, and international happenings. You are invited to visit their website here to see the wonderful work of our students.
- The Upper School Awards Assembly is scheduled for 1:45 PM on Friday, May 27. Upper School students will be recognized and celebrated for their achievements. MPA community members are invited to attend this annual event.
- If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to Rachel Westmoreland by email at rwestmoreland@moundsparkacademy.org or phone on 651-748-5544.
Looking Ahead
- Thursday, 5/19: Middle & Upper School Band Concert, 7 PM, Nicholson Center
- Friday, 5/20: Last Day of Classes for the Class of 2022
- Tuesday, 5/24: MPA Town Hall, 7-8 PM, via Zoom
- Wednesday, 5/25: Upper School Vocal Concert, 7:30 PM, Nicholson Center
- Thursday, 5/26: MPA Retirement and 40th Anniversary Celebration, 3:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
- Friday, 5/27: Special Class of 2022 Programming, All Day, On Campus
- Friday, 5/27: Senior Walk, 1PM, MPA Campus
- Friday, 5/27: Upper School Awards Assembly, 1:45-3 PM, Nicholson Center
- Monday, 5/30: No Classes, Memorial Day
- Tuesday, 5/31: Senior Service Fair, 1-4 PM, McKeown Track
- Wednesday, 6/1: Senior Dinner, 6:30 PM, Off Campus
- Thursday, 6/2: New Family Panther Party, 4:30-6 PM, MPA Campus
- Friday, 6/3: Mandatory Class of 2022 Graduation Rehearsal, 11 AM, Nicholson Center
- Saturday, 6/4: Class of 2022 Commencement, 6 PM, Nicholson Center
- Monday, 6/6: English Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM
- Monday, 6/6: Math Final Exams, 12-1:30 PM
- Tuesday, 6/7: Social Studies Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM
- Tuesday, 6/7: Science Final Exams, 12-1:30 PM
- Wednesday, 6/8: Yearbook Assembly, 8:15 AM, Nicholson Center
- Wednesday, 6/8: Early Dismissal, 10:15 AM
