September 15, 2022
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director
I am pleased with how everyone is settling in so far to this new year and I appreciate your support at home with checking Schoology, offering structure for homework, ensuring assignments are completed, and that your students are as successful as they can be. As many of you have heard me say, Middle School is a “time-on” not a “time-off” even as our young people live in bigger bodies and speak to us with larger vocabularies! Remember, to also protect “down time” and not to over-schedule—everything can be so exciting and so fun, that it’s easy to get overwhelmed!
Study Hall and Panther Den!
I am so pleased with how effectively the study hall is being used this year and how well students are following the expectations of productive time. I am also grateful for your attention to coming into the building to sign your student out from Study Hall. I am a big proponent of supervision and safety, and this small act (even if a tiny bit inconvenient) ensures that all students are safe and accounted for.
Middle School Volleyball and Soccer
Practices start today, and you should have received an email from the Athletic Office with more detailed instructions. If you did not receive a communication, or if you have questions, please email Dawn Zimmerman (dzimmerman@moundsparkacademy.org).
Middle School practices are from 3:15-4:45 PM on campus. Busses are not available at 4:45 PM, so if your student is participating in sports, transportation will need to be arranged.
Please send snacks with your student to eat prior to practice and a WATER BOTTLE! They work hard and are often hungry and thirsty after school.
Remember to have a plan for pick-up after practice that involves them going to their hallway locker to retrieve their backpacks/laptops, if needed.
A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT GAME SCHEDULES:
As you have noticed, game schedules can be quite fluid and can shift, sometimes at the last moment. You will always receive a note from the Athletic office when this occurs and we offer our apologies, in advance, for the chaos and confusion this sometimes causes. Often, it is out of our control! Please also know that if a game starts late, you are responsible for planning for your player after school following our regular protocols (study hall, Panther Den, etc.).
Overnight Class Trips—Coming Soon!
We have successfully completed our first overnight trip! Sixth grade made it to Lanesboro and back safely and returned tired and full of great stories with friends, classmates, and adventure.
Our next trip departs next week, and we’re excited to share these special moments with our students. IF you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your respective trip leader!
- Grade 5 Overnight Wednesday, September 21 to Friday, September 23
- Trip Leader: Ms. Nagle (cnagle@moundsparkacademy.org)
- Grade 8 Overnight Monday, September 26 to Wednesday, September 28
- Trip Leader: Mr. Milam (johnmilam@moundsparkacademy.org)
Students in Grade 7 will be traveling to Washington DC in May 2023! If you have not registered, please contact me to receive registration links and details.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
We are looking forward to welcoming you to campus for in-person parent-teacher conferences beginning on September 29! Please check your email for registration and scheduling details through Pick-A-Time. Note that there are firm deadlines and times when the system is open and closed. Families who do not schedule by Friday, September 23, will not be able to add conferences during this fall conferencing window.
The system will open tomorrow (Friday!) at noon for general registration and is currently open for MPA families with multiple students. If you have questions or need support, please reach out to the Middle School office.
Fall conferences are scheduled for the following dates, for all divisions!
- Thursday, September 29: 3:30-7 PM
- Thursday, October 6: 3:30-8 PM
- Friday, October 7: 8 AM-4 PM (no classes this day)
As a gentle reminder, these are short, 10-minute conferences and we ask that you are mindful of the limited time that each teacher has with families and help us to stay on schedule!
Monday! Middle and Upper School Curriculum Night!
We are excited to welcome all Middle School families to campus on Monday, September 19, 6:30-8 PM, for Curriculum Night 2022.
This is a night for new and returning parents and guardians to come to school to meet their child’s teachers and learn about the school year ahead. Teachers will share key components of the curriculum, the progression of grade level skills, classroom expectations, and outline developmentally responsive aspirations for students socially, emotionally, and academically. Teachers will also offer tips on parent-teacher communication, homework support, and organization techniques to help parents best guide their students through the school year.
When you arrive, you’ll be given a folder with a welcome letter, our MPA Middle School Community Expectations, a schedule of sessions offered, and a list of teachers and their room numbers. You’ll be able to select the sessions you attend and prioritize based on interest and need of your student and family. We are excited to share with you what we do and what we’ll be learning together this year!
SAVE THE DATE: Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day, October 19
We will welcome Grandparents and Special Friends to campus no Wednesday, October 19. Be on the lookout for an invitation, schedule, and RSVP details soon. We look forward to reinstituting this beloved tradition in which Grandparents and Special Friends are invited to see lessons in the school and enjoy a musical performance. Please note this is an EARLY DISMISSAL DAY and the school day ends at 11:30 AM.
Tomorrow—Middle School Homecoming Games!
A treasured part of MPA Homecoming is our Middle School Games Day! We will be playing all day tomorrow, inside and out, and invite your students to wear school colors and spirit wear. Please apply sunscreen, encourage your student to wear tennis shoes/athletic shoes, comfortable clothing, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Hats are welcome as are layers if we start the morning off cool.
Be well and take care of one another!
IMPORTANT DATES and NOTABLE EVENTS
- September 16: Middle School Homecoming Games Day
- September 17: MPA Homecoming Celebration and Events
- September 19: MS/US New Parent Dinner and Curriculum Night
- September 21: Grade 5 Overnight, departs
- September 26: Grade 8 Overnight, departs
- September 29: Fall Conferences, 3:30-7 PM
- October 7 Fall: Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
- October 8 Fall: Conferences, 8 AM-4 PM (No Classes)
- October 28: End of Quarter 1
- Grades 5/6 Halloween Carnival (3:30-4:45 PM)
- Grades 7/8 Fall Dance (7-9 PM)
- October 31 Grading Day (No Classes)
