Upper School Division News May 18, 2023

May 18, 2023

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Looking Ahead

• May 19: Class of 2023 Last Day of Classes
• May 24: Upper School Vocal Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center
• May 25: Senior Performances, 10-11:30 AM, Recital Hall
  •  Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, MPA Campus
  • Upper School Awards Assembly, 1:45-3 PM, Nicholson Center
  • MPA Retirement Gathering, 4-6:30 PM, Family Commons
• May 26: No Classes, Professional Development
• May 29: No Classes, Memorial Day
• May 30: Upper School Service-Con, 1-4 PM, MPA Indoor Track
• May 31: Class of 2023 Senior Dinner, 6:30 PM, Off Campus
• June 1: World Language Final Exams, During World Language Classes
• June 2: World Language Final Exams, During World Language Classes
  •  Class of 2023 MANDATORY Graduation Rehearsal, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Nicholson Center
• June 3: Commencement, 6 PM, Nicholson Center
• June 5: English Final Exams, 8:45–10:15 AM, Locations TBD
  •  Math Final Exams, 12-1 PM, Locations TBD
• June 6: End of Quarter 4/Semester 2
  • Social Studies Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM, Locations TBD
  • Science Final Exams, 12-1 PM, Locations TBD
• June 7: Last Day of School
  • Yearbook Assembly, 8:15 AM, Nicholson Center
  • Dismissal, 10:15 AM

It is hard to believe that the 2022 – 2023 school year is coming to an end. Students in grades PK-11 have 11 class days left before their summer vacations begin. The Class of 2023, however, has their last day of classes tomorrow (May 19). Thirteen years of schooling will draw to a ceremonious close when they, as a group, pull down the boldly written #1 which hangs in the Upper School Commons. Each afternoon the senior class gathers at the end of the day to pull down the handwritten numbers 10 to 1 as they countdown their last days on campus. The emotion expressed and cohesion shown by the group is a joy to witness as they celebrate one of the MPA Rites of Passage as the soon to be graduating class.

The US Center for Disease Control shares that, “school connectedness has long-lasting effects on (students’) health and well-being.” The trusting relationships built between the 60 members of the Class of 2023 have been critical in their emotional educational journeys. They have laughed, danced, played sports, debated, shared stories, and grown together as young adults during their high school years. They have also openly welcomed and accepted new students into their Class and have appreciated the new perspective each brings to the fabric of this special group. The members of the Class of 2023 have experienced so much over their upper school career. Each time a new challenge was presented to them, they rallied around and leaned into each other and kept moving forward.

The next two weeks will be ones of self-discovery for this special class. They will complete assignments and work on their Senior Service Projects for Service-Con—the final items are due before they cross the stage to receive their diplomas on June 3. Thankfully, there is still time for the community to be with them before their special day. You are invited to attend the annual Senior Walk and the Upper School Awards Assembly on Thursday, May 25, and Service-Con on Tuesday, May 30. These events will allow us to publicly recognize the Class of 2023 and witness the impact they have had and legacy they will leave behind.

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Important Information

1. 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.
2. Please note that Friday, May 26 is a professional development day and no MPA classes will be held.
3. On Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6, there are no regular upper school classes – there are only final exams for grade 9-11 students during those two days. Students may be on campus before and after their final exams and lunch will be available for those students on the MPA lunch plan 11:20-11:45 AM. Light breakfast and snack items will be available throughout the day to all Upper School students outside of the upper school office. Please note that Middle and Lower School students will follow their regular class schedules, and only Upper School has a modified schedule for final exams.

• • Monday, June 5
    8:45-10:15 AM – Upper School English Final Exams
    12-1:30 PM – Upper School Math Final Exams
  • Tuesday, June 6
    8:45-10:15 AM – Upper School Social Studies Final Exams
    12-1:30 PM – Upper School Science Final Exams