December 14, 2023
from Jenn Milam, Middle School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, January 12: Class of 2028 Parent Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
- Thursday, December 14: Middle School (Grades 6-8) Band, Orchestra and Choir Concert, 7 PM
- Tuesday, December 19: Class of 2028 Parent Coffee, 6:30-7:30 PM, PCR
- Wednesday, December 20: 5/6 Feed My Starving Children/Bowling Field Trip
- Thursday, December 21-Tuesday, January 2: No Classes, Winter Break
- Wednesday, January 3: Classes Resume
As we count down the days to winter break, it is important to remember that not all of us, even our own children, look forward to two weeks away from the routine, structure, support, and friendships. This can be a good time to pause and check in with your student (and yourself!) to ensure you’re managing stress, expectations, and change healthily. As young people begin to anticipate a change in routine, it’s not uncommon for them to become more restless, anxious, or stressed. There may also be increased feelings of grief and sadness, particularly for those who lost a loved one or experienced big life changes over the past year.
While it’s expected and okay for all of us to talk about and be excited for time away from school/work, we can also be more mindful of how others, even in our own homes and families, are processing the time ahead. Here are a few helpful hints:
- Be aware of how you are framing winter break and the holidays ahead. Do not assume that everyone will be happy with the change in routine or feel that less structured time is good. Ask open-ended questions that leave the door open to a variety of responses. Consider questions like “What would make this break good for you?” instead of “Are you excited for the break?”
- Be an open and listening ear. Check in on your young people, individually, especially if they may be displaying a change in mood or behavior, and let them know that you understand this time of year can be a lot to balance.
- Brainstorm a fun winter break to-do list with your middle schooler. Have your young person/people list or share simple and fun things they can do over break. Encourage them to check out books from the library to read for fun, work on an art project, perform acts of service, help around the house, or play outside. Normalize rest and slowing down—playtime is never out of style for humans!
- Connect students to resources if/when possible (or needed). Please let a counselor or your division director know if you have concerns about access to food, shelter, or other essentials, including mental health resources, as we approach the winter break. There are many mental health resources and crisis numbers available if you are/become concerned about your own family or a loved one.
- Mental Health Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” OR “MN” to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988
- TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386 / Text “START” to 678-678
- Walk-In Counseling Services
A special thank you to Ms. Cooper, Middle and Upper School Counselor, for framing this message for us as school professionals that I am sharing with you now as parents.
Remember to take care of one another….and yourself.
Tonight! Winter Music Performance is Almost Here
Tonight, Thursday, December 14, at 7 PM in our Nicholson Center, we will enjoy a musical performance by our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. School concerts at MPA are considered formal occasions, and Middle School ensemble members are asked to dress in black. We want to affirm your identity and attire choices. Here are some options you can choose from:
- a long sleeve black dress shirt
- a pair of black dress pants (no leggings, yoga pants, etc.)
- a long black dress or long black skirt with black tights or hose
- a black belt
- black dress socks (if not wearing tights)
- a pair of black dress shoes (no heels higher than an inch)
For the winter concert, you may add accents/accessories of blue, silver, and gold! All groups/students are asked to report at 6 PM for rehearsal and pre-performance preparations. Please do not be late!
Winter Service Learning and Fun
On the last day before winter break (Wednesday, December 20), it is a tradition that our fifth and sixth-graders visit Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) for a morning of fellowship and service. We will board buses to FMSC to work to prepare meals for children and families experiencing food insecurity around the world. Then, we will return to campus for lunch and venture out again for an afternoon of fun with friends—this year, we are bowling at Sun Ray Lanes!
We ask that all fifth and sixth-grade students bring $5 to offset the cost of bowling that afternoon, and MPA will cover the rest. Please send cash with your student to school in an envelope to give to Ms. Nagle.
If you’d like to join us for this fun day, please contact Ms. Nagle (cnagle@moundsparkacademy.org) to let her know you’d like to accompany the group.
WINTER DRESS-UP DAYS!
Next week, as we make our way to Winter Break with a three-day week, we’d like to invite all middle school students to join in the fun of dress-up days!
- Monday, December 18: “One more sleep!”—PJ day
- Tuesday, December 19: “It’s the holiday season!”—Winter white-out and holiday spirit colors
- Wednesday, December 20: “Baby, it’s cold outside!”—Holiday/ugly sweater day
