January 26, 2023
from Mark Segal, Upper School director
Last Wednesday, after a long holiday weekend, Upper School students returned to campus for the start of quarter 3 and semester 2. Over the past week they have quickly fallen into the routine of their classes, and in the case of their non-elective courses, have retrieved information learned during quarter 1 to apply to their quarter 3 classes. In an August 2021 blog post, Harvard University outlined the importance of starting a new semester strongly and provided eight tips to do so. Please find below four suggested tips that will be helpful to MPA upper school students:
- Find Your Study Zone: starting a new semester is a good opportunity to evaluate (and re-evaluate) if the space being used to study is optimal for learning. All too often students find their way from their desk or kitchen table to their bed because it is more comfortable, and their laptop computers are easily portable. Scholastic.com states that making a space comfortable, but not too comfortable, will keep students “alert, focused, and relaxed.” Providing a space with good light where they can lay out their materials is key to their learning success.
- Train Your Brain: a student’s brain is just like any other muscle in their body. “The more it is exercised, the more agile it will become.” Returning to a first semester class will engage a different part of a student’s brain and they will, just like when they work out, become “sore” for the first week or so. As they build up strength and muscle memory, they will be able to experience academic success in their classes.
- Get and Stay Organized: kidshealth.org shares that “everything is easier when you are organized.” Starting a new semester allows students to clean out their backpacks, start a new notebook, and “offload” items that are no longer needed. Looking at the start of a new semester like it is a fresh start will allow students to establish good habits from which they will benefit for the remainder of the year. It is also important for students (and parents) to establish a system for looking at Schoology. Students should be looking at it at least once daily and parents should look at it once or twice a week to get a sense of how their students are doing and to learn more about what wonderful topics they are covering in class.
- Don’t Wait to Ask Questions: Students wait to ask their teachers for help too often. A September 2022 New York Times article shared that people don’t ask for help because they have a fear of rejection or because they do not want to impose on others. Once students, however, acknowledge that they are struggling and need assistance, they realize that teachers are there to assist them and want their students to apply their self-advocacy skills. Waiting too long to ask questions may put students behind, relative to their peers, in learning class material which, in turn, makes it harder to catch up. MPA teachers are often available before and after school, and during student study halls to meet and answer questions that students have.
I am excited that many Upper School students are already using these tips. To those who are not, there is always time to put them into place and benefit from their usage.
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon,
Mark
Important Information
- The Winter Show Class of 2023 is proud to present: The Influenced Invalid (Adapted from The Imaginary Invalid by Moliere) January 26, 27, & 28. All shows are in the MPA BlackBox Theatre. Please use Door 4. About The Show: MPA has commissioned professional playwright, Ryn Stafford, to adapt a brand-new play – just for us! Inspired by our life and times, Ryn has set Moliere’s original play The Imaginary Invalid in today’s Covid pandemic. The resulting play is ridiculous, funny, smart, and satirical. Join us for an evening full of belly laughs and gummy bears! Synopsis: Argan is a passionate theatre director who feels overwhelmed with all that she must manage. A hypochondriac through and through, Argan heads to the internet to find a magical cure from so-called “health gurus” (who are really just influencers looking to make a buck… or a million). Argan’s coworkers and friends are worried about her and the fact she buys these promotional wellness fads hook, line, & sinker. Will Argan’s friends save her from herself in time, or will she be stuck in a self-perpetuating sick-bubble forever? Show & Ticket Information available here.
- Do you have a high potential, high achieving, and intellectually curious 8-11 grade student? 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. Their 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. Need-based financial aid is available. More information about MITY can be found here. For more information you may contact Erica Brewinski, Executive Director, on (651) 243-2221 or by email at erica@mity.org.
- ISACS Parent Education Series – Raising Our Village: Creating a Culture of Dignity. Wednesday, February 15, 6:30 PM. Rosalind Wiseman, best-selling author of Queen Bees and Wannabees, states this webinar will help parents gain the tools to allow children to thrive. From young people’s friendships, anxiety, social media use, conflicts with friends and family, and the constant pressure to “keep up,” Wiseman will share how to best connect with young people, especially when they need us most. As our children navigate a constantly changing educational environment, we know supportive relationships and social skills are critical to their emotional well-being. These skills are essential for young people to engage in education, manage emotions, and become responsible and positive members of families and communities. This session will define the difference between dignity and respect and the impact on communicating with young people, establish foundational principles in alignment with community and family values, help guide children and students as they navigate their friendships online, provide a deeper understanding of the role and purpose of emotions, and strengthen communication between adults and young people to avoid breakdowns and power struggles. Concrete skills required to increase adults’ ability to support the emotional well-being of the children and young adults in their care will be shared. 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.
- The Parents Association Community Grants Initiative is proud to recognize 2 recent grant awards. The Cheese Club and HOSA both recently received funding to go towards work the clubs are doing this year. Grants are open to MPA clubs or MPA staff. If your club has an idea and needs funding, consider applying for a grant. For more information and to apply click here.
- If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to upper school administrative assistant Chanda Williams at cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org.
Looking Ahead
- January 26: Winter Show, 7-8:30 PM, Black Box Theatre
- January 27: Winter Show, 7-8:30 PM, Black Box Theatre
- January 28: Winter Show, 2-3:30 PM, Black Box Theatre
- January 30: “State of the School” Coffee, 8:15-9:15 AM, PCR
- January 31: “State of the School” Virtual Meeting, 7-8 PM, Online
- February 2: Cabaret Concert, 7:30-8:30 PM, Family Commons
- February 3: Lower & Middle School Conferences, 8 AM-4 PM, MPA
- Upper School Classes Are In Session
- February 7: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Nicholson Center
- February 8-10: Grade 10 Deep Portage Field Trip, Hackensack, MN
- February 17: Professional Development Day, No Classes
- February 20: President’s Day, No Classes
- February 23: Upper School Band & Orchestra Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center
- February 24: Upper School SnoDaze Activity, Time and Location To Be Determined
