October 5, 2023
from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director
A Look Ahead
- Friday, October 6: Picture Retake Day
- Monday, October 9: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Wednesday, October 11: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-9 AM, Family Commons
- Thursday, October 12: All School Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
- Friday, October 13: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM, register for K-8 Panther Care
- Wednesday, October 18: Lower School (PreK-4) Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 8:15-11 AM, Family Commons, Gallery, register
- Wednesday, October 18: Lower School/Middle School (K-6) Grandparents and Special Friends Day Music Performance, 11-12 PM, Nicholson Center, register
- Thursday, October 19-Friday, October 20: No Classes, Fall Break, register for K-8 Panther Care on October 20 only
- Tuesday, October 31: Lower School Halloween Celebration (wear costumes, see below)
We’ve had some wonderful weeks of learning in September in the Lower School! Our recent homecoming assembly was a hit, where the children met the upper school sports captains and found out that Mrs. Honan was in the Panther costume all last week, among other fun things. For photo retakes on Friday, October 6, any student who is retaking their photo does not need to wear their uniform to school. Please read on for more information about upcoming events and reminders.
Quarterly Parent Coffee Follow-Up
It was wonderful to see many parents earlier this week at our quarterly lower school parent coffee. We discussed the recent Fastbridge assessments, heard from Chef Chris who manages our cafeteria program, and had time to get to know each other more deeply. Please look out for an upcoming survey, where you will be invited to share your ideas on topics for future coffee mornings.
Playground Expectations Video
Please check out this student-created video to see student voice in action, and the great work of our second-grade students. They created playground norms and expectations with the video guidance of Ms. Fisher and Ms. Scalia. The password to view the video is MPALS (all capital letters) and the link expires in 100 days. Enjoy!
Jacket Reminder
The weather is changing, and cooler fall temperatures are here. Kind reminder to send your child to school with a light jacket so they stay warm during recess.
CHAMP Assembly on October 11
At the next CHAMP assembly on Wednesday, October 11, we will wear our class color t-shirts. Please ensure your child wears their special class color CHAMP shirt next Wednesday. The class colors are:
- PreK: orange
- Kindergarten: yellow
- Grade 1: red
- Grade 2: blue
- Grade 3: purple
- Grade 4: green
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences, October 12-13
We are looking forward to welcoming you to campus for in-person parent-teacher conferences on:
- Thursday, October 12, 3:30-8 PM
- Friday, October 13, 8 AM-5 PM, No Classes
We are looking forward to welcoming you to campus for in-person parent-teacher conferences on: If you need any assistance, please contact Michelle Wiger, Lower School assistant, at mwiger@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5562.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day 2023
This year’s PreK-8 Grandparents and Special Friends Day is October 18! If you are a returning family, you may remember this day has been a half day in years past. This year it is a full school day, with many special activities for students and their guests. Here is the schedule for Lower School (PreK-4):
- 8:15-8:45 AM: Check-in and refreshments
- 9 AM: Visit classrooms with your student
- 11 AM: K-6th Grade music performance
Lower School students are welcome, with permission, to leave with their Grandparents or Special Friends when the performance concludes or remain at school for the rest of the day. Please contact Michelle Wiger, Lower School assistant, at mwiger@moundsparkacademy.org if you plan to have your student leave mid-day. Guests with Middle School students are welcome to stay for lunch and afternoon activities. Please view the full schedule by clicking here. RSVP is required for all guests, including parents who wish to attend the music performance or stay for the full day. Click here to RSVP by October 13. For questions, please contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, director of development and community engagement at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org.
Blood Drive, October 26
The MPA first grade class and Upper School Student Council are joining together to host this year’s Red Cross Blood Drive for a joint community service project on Thursday, October 26 from 12-5 PM. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: Mounds Park Academy. This blood drive is currently closed to the public, which means those interested in participating will need to search by sponsor code: Mounds Park Academy. The drive will be opened to the public on October 18 after MPA community members are given the opportunity to register first.
Lower School Halloween Celebration, October 31
The Parents Association is helping to plan a fun Halloween celebration on Tuesday, October 31. Each class will have a class party which includes fun, games, and an obstacle course during the day; and a Lower School-wide costume parade in the afternoon. As your child creates and/or chooses their Halloween costume, please help us to ensure that costumes are easy to move in and are celebratory of other cultures (as opposed to cultural appropriation). For safety and inclusion reasons, costumes should not include blood or gore, weapons, or full-face masks.
No Classes Reminders
Monday, October 9: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Friday, October 13: Fall Conferences, register for K-8 Panther Care
October 19-20: Fall Break, register for K-8 Panther Care on October 20 only
