December 1, 2022
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director
As we find ourselves in the cold, snowy, wintery weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break, it’s important to help your student focus on consistency with their habits related to completing work, getting enough sleep, eating good and healthy food, and finding quality downtime (screen-free is always a good idea!). Because this time of year can be hectic and challenging for adults, and because we know young people regulate (emotionally, socially, and psychologically) with the grown-ups around them, it is important that we offer calm, consistent, and caring support for them and take care of ourselves, too. One of my favorite podcasts takes a new approach to self-care and compassion and its relation to how we care for others…rather than the age-old wisdom to “put your oxygen mask on first,” she suggests filling our own cup so much that it overflows, and it is from that overflow that we give to those who depend on us and need us to be ever more present in their days.
Fill your cups so that they overflow … what a great goal for December!
YOU’RE INVITED! SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE, TALENT, AND YOURSELF with our division!
Many of you have reached out looking for ways to reconnect with the community after two long years apart, and we have a great idea we think you’ll love! We’re looking to begin a new initiative in the Middle School—A Parent Showcase! Several parents have offered to share their time, talents, hobbies, professions, and interests with our middle school students via a short presentation given during afternoon advisory time. These showcases would happen on B-days from 2:20-3 PM once or twice a month, depending on the volume of presenters and grade-level match. If this interests you, please fill out this form, and we will contact you to schedule your showcase!
We look forward to learning more about you and growing our community!
ISACS Parent Education Series–JOIN US TONIGHT!
Parents and families, we hope you will join other independent school parents for one of several evening sessions led by an exceptional and highly regarded team of experts to help you support your children in all areas of their development. We look forward to learning right along with you! The next upcoming webinar is:
Gift of Failure
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Jessica Lahey, Educator & Author
From ISACS: Modern parenting has become defined by an unprecedented level of overprotectiveness. We all know parents who rush to school to deliver forgotten assignments, challenge teachers on disappointing report cards, mastermind their children’s friendships or interfere on the playing field. According to bestselling author, Jessica Lahey, “overparenting” has the potential to both ruin children’s confidence and undermine their education. By letting go and allowing children to learn how to solve problems on their own, we give them the tools to grow up to be self-reliant, confident, and successful adults. That’s the Gift of Failure. Jessica reminds us that teachers, and others who work with children, also teach responsibility, organization, manners, restraint, and foresight—important life skills that shape stronger futures. Lahey champions failure as a crucial element of long-term success while providing indispensable advice to parents for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, competitive sports, and more. All are invited. The recording of this webinar will be available until January 31, 2023.
Registration is free, but pre-registration is required! Please register here to attend from the comfort of your home! Register here.
Middle School Transition Conversations–Share with those you know!
I’ll be offering two additional meetings for rising Middle School families to learn more about Middle School at MPA, to ask questions, and share in the excitement and wonder of this next important phase in students’ educational journey. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, December 8, 3:30 PM, and/or Tuesday, December 13, 8:15 AM. We will have coffee and hot tea and some light refreshments available. No need to RSVP, just join us if you can!
You’re invited to share your wonders, worries, and wishes by responding to this form. Additionally, if there are specific questions or topics you’d like to be addressed, they can be sent to Jenn Milam at jmilam@moundsparkacademy.org.
COMING SOON! Middle School Music Concert (Grades 6-8)
Our fall music concert is quickly approaching, and we hope you’ll mark your calendars and save the date for Wednesday, December 14, 7 PM. You are welcome to bring extended family and friends, too! This concert is a showcase of our growth as ensembles for grades six through eight, and it will include all our singers, string players, and band musicians.
We work hard to affirm all students’ identities while also nurturing an understanding of concert expectations, including those for dress. Your student has the following options to choose from as they prepare to perform in December.
Option #1
- long-sleeved, white dress shirt or blouse
- colorful tie
- black dress pants
- black belt
- black socks/ tights (no exposed skin)
- black dress shoes
Option #2
- long-sleeved black shirt or blouse
- black dress pants or black skirt (knee-length sitting)
- black dress shoes (flats or low heels, no more than 1 inch)
- black socks/tights (no exposed skin)
NOTE: Attendance and participation at all performances is a required and expected part of participation at MPA in our music programs. A performance is viewed as a summative assessment or final project presentation, and students missing this important event not only impacts them but the entire ensemble. Each of our music teachers has shared these expectations at the start of the year in their course syllabi. All students are expected to be present and participate in the entire program.
Parents Association Middle School Pre-Concert Dinner & Gathering, December 14, 5:30-7 PM
Concert days can be hectic, let us help organize dinner! The Parents Association invites sixth through eighth-grade families to gather and nourish your family before the MS Concert. Dinner will be served in the Family Commons beginning at 5:30 PM. Students will go off to rehearsal and parents/guardians can socialize until the concert begins at 7 PM. We kindly request you to pay $10 per person to help offset the cost of your meal. Don’t hesitate to let us know if this cost is a barrier to your family’s attendance. We want to see you all! We’re serving picnic-style box meals prepared by the Lake Elmo Inn. RSVP and payment is requested by Friday, December 9 at 4 PM here!
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
On Friday, December 18, our fifth and sixth-grade classes will spend the morning volunteering at Feed My Starving Children and then the afternoon roller-skating in Burnsville. We would love to have parent volunteers join us for the day to celebrate the end of a great semester while giving back to the greater community. If you are interested in joining us, please email Ms. Nagle at cnagle@moundsparkacademy.org.
Each fifth and sixth-grade student is asked to pay $5 for skating fees. You can send your money by check or cash in an envelope to the school with your student labeled with their name.
Be well and take care of one another.
IMPORTANT DATES and UPCOMING EVENTS
- December 5-9: MPA Book Festival
- December 7: Founders’ Day Pancake Breakfast, 7-8 AM, Family Commons
- December 14: Middle School Music Concert (Grades 6-8) Choir, Band, and Orchestra, 7 PM
- December 14: Pre-Concert Dinner and Gathering, 5:30 PM, Family Commons
- December 18: Grades 5 + 6, Volunteer at Feed My Starving Children and Roller Skating. NO STUDY HALL!
- December 19-January 2: WINTER BREAK! NO CLASSES!
- January 3: MPA Classes Resume, 8 AM
