January 12, 2023
from Jenn Milam, Middle School director
As we finish quarter two this week, and look toward the long weekend, we are also excited to connect with you at our Winter Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 2, 3, and 9. For families with multiple students, registration through PickATime begins tomorrow, Thursday, January 12. Registration for all families is open on Friday, January 13. Detailed instructions for sign-ups were sent via email to all Middle School parents on Monday. If you have questions or need assistance with conference registration, please contact the Middle School office or email Ms. Lassonde (jlassonde@moundsparkacademy.org).
Academic Process Monitoring
All assignments, projects, and assessments are due Friday, January 13, unless otherwise arranged with a teacher. This is the end of the quarter and an important milestone, as we are halfway through the academic year. Grades for quarter two will be available Monday, January 23, and we will begin assessing academic progress toward matriculation for next year.
Any students who are not meeting academic success benchmarks may be placed on “Academic Probation” with their academic progress being more closely monitored, as we consider re-enrollment for the next academic year. As a rigorous college preparatory school, we work diligently to ensure all students are successful. You can find MPA’s Academic Probation and Invite Back Process on our website.
No Classes on Monday, January 16 and Tuesday, January 17
MPA will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his important contributions to civil rights and our country. On Tuesday, January 17, teachers will be engaged in professional development and given time to finalize grades and prepare for the transition to next quarter and new semester courses. Enjoy your long weekend!
Fifth Grade Music Share—Thursday, January 26, 2:20 PM (Recital Hall)
All grade 5 families and friends are invited to join us for our music share on Thursday, January 26, in the Recital Hall! Our youngest middle school musicians will showcase their growth and learning with new instruments and discovered skills. It’s always a delightful celebration of music and a great time to gather – we hope to see you there!
Middle School Snow Tubing Outing—Thursday, February 16
For our newest cherished tradition for our Middle School community, we will load buses with all Middle School students and leave MPA at 2 PM and head to BADLANDS SNOW PARK (772 Kinney Rd, Hudson, WI 54016) for an afternoon of sledding and tubing fun! This event is meant to be an all-community outing, a chance to have fun together, and share the joy of living in the snowy north. Siblings and parents are encouraged to join us at the park!
Our Parent’s Association and MPA partner to provide the cost of admission to the park and transportation. A food truck (cheese curds and philly cheesesteak sandwiches!) and the park snack bar will be open for cash purchases for hungry kids! Please send $10-15 with your student for the day to purchase food.
We’d like parents to meet us at the Snow Park for fun and fellowship and will ask that students begin departing at 4:45 PM. If you cannot meet us at the park, your student can return to MPA, via bus, and you can meet them at 5 PM, at school to go home. Please indicate your additional ticket needs and transportation plans here!
We hope you’ll join us and enjoy the best part of Minnesota winters!
iTERM
iTERM 2023 is the week just prior to Spring Break – February 27 through March 3! All courses have been assigned and teachers are beginning to plan, prepare, book field trips, secure community activities, and build courses that are sure to ignite new passions and engage the imagination! Please begin to look to Schoology pages for updates, “get-excited” notices, and information about your student’s iTERM course.
Additionally, all iTERM course fees have been added to your TADS billing account. If you have questions, please reach out to the Middle School office.
NOTE: During iTERM week, Middle School study hall is not offered. Please plan for your student to sign-in to Panther Den or prepare for pick-up at 3 PM.
Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY)—Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Do you have a high potential, high achieving and intellectually curious 8th – 11th grade students? This might be a great opportunity for you! The Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY) program offers 30 unique courses in STEM, Humanities, and the Fine Arts, and is an excellent exposure opportunity to post-secondary opportunities. Need-based financial aid is available.
If you are unfamiliar with Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY), they are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 1967 to provide academic enrichment opportunities to gifted and talented students. The high school program is held at Macalester College and draws students from all over the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota, the United States, and the world.
You may contact Erica Brewinski, Executive Director, for more information, at (651) 243-2221 or by email at erica@mity.org.
ISACS Parent Education Series—Upcoming Webinar Tuesday, January 17, 6:30 PM
The next ISACS Parent Education webinar in the series features Eboo Patel who will address the strengths provided by religious diversity. Eboo Patel is a widely acclaimed civic leader who believes that religious diversity is an essential and inspiring dimension of American democracy. Named “one of America’s best leaders” by US News and World Report, Patel is founder and president of Interfaith America (formerly Interfaith Youth Core), the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. He served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote addresses, and wrote five books, including We Need to Build: Fieldnotes for Diverse Democracy published in May 2022. He is an Ashoka Fellow and holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship.
We invite parents, caregivers, and older children (grades 7-12) to join so you can listen and discuss as a family. We look forward to spending this hour with Eboo Patel, Interfaith America, as he shares his thoughtful perspective on Religious Diversity: A Great American Strength.
Please join this important presentation by registering for the webinar here.
NOTE: Registration is required for access to the webinar, and at no additional cost to you! You can also register to receive the recording if you are unable to attend in real time.
“Middle School Matters”: A Community Book Study—You’re invited!
Middle School is a time of rapid changes, new experiences, and sometimes, perplexing encounters in a new world in which we (parents!) did not grow up! In partnership with Ms. Cooper, our school counselor, and Ms. Meras, our new Middle School Dean, I will be hosting a community book study this spring. We will do a shared reading of “Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond–and How Parents Can Help” by Phyllis L. Fagell.
We will meet four times to align with the four major sections of the text via Zoom, to discuss, share, wonder, worry, ponder, and problem-solve alongside teachers, experts, and other community members the mystery and magnificence of the middle school years. We invite you to have dinner with your family, put your feet up, pour a drink of something you enjoy, and meet us online, the following dates at 7:30 PM, from the comfort of your living room!
- Wednesday, February 22, 2023 (Values and Integrity)
- Thursday, March 23, 2023 (Social Skills)
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023 (Learning)
- Thursday, May 18, 2023 (Empowerment and Resilience)
We will have guest speakers and experts for each of the four sections of the text and will share our own personal journey in raising spirited, well-balanced, resilient, kind, and good humans.
You can purchase the book in any format of your choosing, and in whatever way you’d like. Here are a few options:
- Paperback from Amazon
- Audible (Audiobook)
- Youtube (not the book, but a great presentation)
Or you can check it out at your local library!
You can also just drop in for a listen, join the conversation, and build community. I am hoping with a later evening gathering time, and the flexibility of ZOOM, that we’ll have the opportunity to connect and grow our community in a way that makes space for the various family and scheduling demands we all juggle. Join Zoom Meeting.
- Meeting ID: 332 737 0417
- Password: MSMatters!
Basketball Schedules, Ski Races, and More!
With the unpredictability of weather and winter illness, it’s important that you bookmark the basketball and winter sports activity schedules. As a reminder, you can access all MPA weekly sports schedules (practices, games, and races) here.
If you have questions or concerns about any athletic team or event, please reach out to Dawn Zimmerman (dzimmerman@moundsparkacademy.org).
Be well. Take care of one another. Stay warm!
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
- January 13: End of Quarter 2
- January 16: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No Classes
- January 17: Professional Development + Grading Day, No Classes
- January 18: Quarter 3 Begins (A-Day)
- January 20: Rising Upper School Meeting for 8th Grade Families, 8-9 AM (PCR)
- January 21: Future Cities Competition, Dakota County Technical College, 8 AM-4 PM
MS Quiz Bowl Tournament - January 26: Rising Upper School Meeting for 8th Grade Families, 6-7 PM (PCR)
- January 27: Winter 7/8 Dance, 7-9 PM, Family Commons
- February 2: LS/MS Parent Teacher Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
- February 3: LS/MS Parent Teacher Conferences, 8 AM-4 PM, LS/MS No Classes, US classes in session (regular day)
- February 9: LS/MS Parent Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7 PM
- February 16: All Middle School Snow Tubing, Badlands Snow Park (2-5 PM)
- February 17: Professional Development Day, No Classes
- February 20: President’s Day, No Classes
- February 21-24: SnoDaze Week
- February 27-March 3: iTERM 2023
- March 6-17: MPA Spring Break
- March 20: Classes Resume
