February 9, 2023
from Jenn Milam, Middle School director
This time of year can seem like a never-ending series of not-so-exciting repetitive routines and recurring tasks, especially when the weather is cold, we spend most of our days indoors, and schedules get busy. This is why we have strategically placed a good bit of our “fun” at this time of year. More, Middle school students, like their younger peers in Lower School, also need opportunities to play, even if that play looks different. One thing we all do, all students PreK-12, is have recess! Recess is important (and required!) part of your student’s day (think VITAMIN D and social time!) and I encourage you, to encourage them to bring appropriate outerwear to be outside. Students are not allowed to “opt out” of recess or choose to stay indoors.
You can read about the importance of play for Middle School students in this great article from the Hechinger Report.
We are looking forward to a few weeks of excitement in the Middle School as we get ready for our snow tubing event, look toward iTERM, and send our Minnesota State Future Cities champions off to Washington DC to compete in the national competition.
Join Us! Middle School Matters: A Community Book Study!
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:
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.
Meeting ID: 332 737 0417
Password: MSMatters!
Please let us know if you’ll be joining us here.
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 dzimmerman@moundsparkacademy.org.
iTERM 2023
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.
Planned Absence Policy
We understand that families may make vacation and time-away decisions that make sense for their family and not necessarily with the school calendar. While we support your travel and quality time, please also work with us to recognize that missing school can be challenging for your students, and we should work together to help them in keeping up with academic assignments, assessments, and projects.
Please review the MPA Planned Absence Policy and work diligently to communicate your family’s plans with the Middle School office, as well as helping your student to communicate directly with their teachers. It is an important lesson in self-advocacy and self-management for a Middle School student to attempt this task independently.
Students are not penalized for missing school; however, they are responsible for the work missed as determined by their teachers. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out.
Snow Tubing is One Week Away!
As of Panther Post, we are a week away from our big Middle School snow tubing outing next Thursday, February 16, from 2-5 PM. As a follow-up to my email from Monday, the next several paragraphs contain all you need to know about the event, including volunteering needs, and tasks to complete so that you and your middle school student can have the best time!
For our newest cherished tradition for our Middle School community, we will load buses with all Middle School students and leave MPA at 1:30 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, parents, and families are encouraged to join us at the park!
NOTE: There are a variety of hills and tubing options ranging from small to more advanced hills and slides. If you would like your student to wear a helmet, please send one along with them, and have a conversation with them to that end. There are no helmets provided for tubers at the park.
Additionally, please plan accordingly for the weather with snow boots, snow pants, coats, gloves, hats, scarves, and other items that will help your student be comfortable and warm and have fun! There is also a warming chalet available, and we’ll have a bonfire, too!
Our Parent’s Association and MPA partner to provide the cost of admission to the park (for students!) and transportation. A food truck 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 and snacks. I will give everyone a little snack before boarding the buses, but kids love to grab things from the snack bar!
Registration for Extra Family Tickets and Transportation
We’d really like parents, siblings, and family members to meet us at the Snow Park for fun and fellowship and ask that you include the number who will be tubing at the link included here. Additionally, we ask that students begin departing at 4:45 PM from the park if you are there and they are riding with you.
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. NOTE: Students returning to MPA on the bus will leave Badlands Snow Park at 4:15 PM to be back at school for 5 PM pick-up.
Please indicate your additional ticket needs and transportation plans here!
Additional Guests (and Tubers!)
The Parents’ Association is sponsoring the cost of MS students to tube. Guardian adults and sibling guests are welcome to tube from 2-4:45 PM at $15 per guest. You can pay for additional tickets by following the instructions below.
Please pay for your additional tubers:
- By Venmo to @Christine-Larson-31 (picture is our family dog). Be sure to write your family name and student grade(s) in your submission.
- OR send cash/check written out to Christine Larson, PA Co-President with your student to the MS office, be sure to write your family name and student grade(s).
Please register your additional guests no later than Monday, February 13.
Volunteers Are Needed!
We appreciate your interest in helping and need adult volunteers before, during and after our snow tubing date. This is a great way to meet other Middle School parents, enjoy the view of our awesome kids having a great time, and share a beautiful afternoon before the long weekend!
Click here to see options.
Be well. Take care of one another. Stay warm!
Important and Upcoming Events
- February 9: LS/MS Parent Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7 PM
- February 10: Winter 5/6 Dance, 6:30-8:30 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
