September 14, 2023
Faculty and Staff Appreciation
Tuesday, October 10-Friday, October 13
The school year is getting into high gear and the first round of parent/teacher conferences is coming up. The Parents Association and MPA parents and families are continuing the tradition of donating snacks and treats to help our staff get through conferences and to show our appreciation to all MPA employees. Please consider donating a beverage or snack for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week. Remember to adhere to MPA Peanut/Tree Nut Policy when choosing snacks. Suggestions can be found on Sign Up Genius. Thank you from the MPA Parents Association! (Contact Tara Lafferty tmattrn@aol.com for questions). Sign up here.
Volunteer for Homecoming!
Friday, September 29-Saturday, September 30
MPA is looking for help during Homecoming Week. Whether you’re a new kindergarten family or a seasoned Upper School parent, the Parents Association invites you to help our school this Homecoming. MPA needs parents and students to help run the concession stand during Middle School and Upper School athletic events. We’re also in need of help to register students at Lower School workshops, help students on the rock climbing wall, don the Panther mascot costume, paint faces, and more. Upper School students can earn volunteer hours by participating. Middle School and Lower School students are welcome to work in the concession stand with parent supervision. Check it out here.
MPA Parents Association Affinity Groups
As part of MPA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the MPA Parents Association in collaboration with the Office of Equity & Belonging, will begin offering Affinity Groups for parents/caregivers of current MPA students. Affinity Groups help foster a sense of belonging by providing a space for parents and caregivers to connect through shared experience and shared identity. They can also offer group members affirmation, support, and a vehicle for advocacy, especially those identities and experiences that are generally under-represented or frequently misrepresented in dominant culture and discourse.
- Who leads affinity groups?
Affinity Group discussions are led by parent volunteers who work closely with the Parents Association DEI Committee and MPA staff to manage meeting logistics, support member participation and group cohesion, and provide periodic feedback and/or suggestions during scheduled MPA Parents Association DEI Committee meetings. Parents who are interested in volunteering as a group leader can complete this form. - Who can join?
Participation in affinity groups will require that a parent/caregiver self-identify with specific affinities detailed in each group’s description. This also holds true for volunteer parent leaders. - When and where are group meetings?
Initial affinity group meetings dates/times will be scheduled at the discretion of the Parents Association and MPA staff, and based on the availability of space. It is expected that meetings will take place at MPA or virtually when appropriate. Following initial meetings, changes to dates/times and location will be based on group consensus, while ensuring that maximizing participation remains the top priority. - How are groups created?
Affinity groups are established to meet specific needs within the MPA community. At any point, families can request the formation of a new affinity group using this form. All submissions for new affinity groups will be reviewed by the Parents Association and Equity & Belonging Office and a follow-up meeting will be scheduled with the requestor(s) to learn more about the desired group. It must be determined that there is both enough interest within the community and that someone is willing to lead the group before final approval of a new group. Following approval by the Parents Association, a new group will work with MPA staff to plan logistics for the initial meeting.
