February 22, 2024
by Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Thursday, February 22: Head of School Search Parent/Guardian Listening Session, 7 PM, see email for the link
- Friday, February 23: Head of School Search Parent/Guardian Listening Session, 8:15-9 AM, Gallery
- Saturday, February 24: Head of School Search Parent/Guardian Listening Session, 10-10:45 AM, see email for the link
- February 26-March 1: SnoDaze Spirit Week
- Monday, February 26: MS Parents/Guardians Coffee with Middle School Director Candidate, 8:15-9 AM, Gallery
- Tuesday, February 27: Grade 6 Battle of the Books, 10-11:15 AM, Library
- Wednesday, February 28: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
- Thursday, February 29: MS Parents/Guardians Coffee with Middle School Director Candidate, 8:15-9 AM, Gallery
- Friday, March 1: MS Parents/Guardians Coffee with Middle School Director Candidate, 8:15-9 AM, Gallery
- Friday, March 1: SnoDaze Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
- Monday, March 4-Friday, March 8: i-Term 2024
- Monday, March 11-Sunday, March 24: No Classes, Spring Break
- Monday, March 25: Classes Resume at 8 AM
February days seem long as we are eagerly working our way to i-Term and Spring Break. Please remind your student that the hardest and most rewarding part of being a student is using good habits and routines each day to be successful and realizing that success. Encourage them to keep their focus for just a little while longer until we all get a much-deserved spring break!
NWEA MAP TESTING: Student Reports Coming Home!
We have wrapped up our second administration of the NWEA MAP Growth assessment and we will be sending home student reports next week. These will come to you via mail in hard copy. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email or phone.
i-Term 2024: TRAVEL! PLAY! BUILD! DREAM! LEARN!
In just over a week, on Monday, March 4, i-Term 2024 will begin–a week of passion-driven, inquiry and exploration in a chosen area, alongside peers from all grades in the Middle School, and led by a teacher (or two!) and maybe even a tour guide! Your students have been entered into Schoology courses where they will get updates, information, announcements, and other key information for their week.
For many of you, i-Term is new … here are a few things you can expect:
- Students have lunch as usual, each day, just as they always do! Your student should plan to bring lunch or eat at school (if they have a purchased lunch plan) unless otherwise told by their instructor/course leader. Some of the courses involve cooking, field trips to markets in the city, or other excursions, but for the most part, lunch is at MPA right after recess every day.
- The day begins at 8 AM and ends at 3 PM, just like always! You should follow regular drop-off and pick-up procedures.
- Their i-Term course leader will tell them what they need to bring, if anything. They should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and plan not to change for P.E.
- They can bring snacks, water bottles, and any other creature comfort they normally use.
- Please follow the dress code, per usual.
- The days are full, active, engaged, and so much fun—expect a tired Middle Schooler at the end of the day.
- Behavior and conduct expectations remain high, and students are expected to show up, participate, engage, and be good and contributing members of our community.
- If your student is traveling to Ely, Quebec, or Costa Rica, your course leaders have been in touch with details about travel, packing lists, and more. Please read thoroughly all communication in preparation for these trips!
- The best part about this week is there is no homework assigned, no schedule, and no grades—it’s a week of learning and exploring for the fun of it!
- We encourage students to be caught up, as much as possible, by the end of next week, as there is no time for school assignments during this week. Projects, outstanding assignments, and other schoolwork should be completed at home and submitted prior to spring break to avoid missing the two-week grace period to submit late assignments.
- School dismisses promptly at 3 PM on Friday to head into Spring Break!
Finally, on Friday, March 8, from 2:15-3 PM, we host an i-Term Share Fair! Each course prepares a display to showcase what they did together and what they learned, share some new skills, and show off their products! Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on campus for this awesome event!
2024 MPA Spring Auction on April 19
Be on the lookout for information about the 2024 MPA Spring Auction: Together, We Can Move Mountains, scheduled for Friday, April 19 at Dellwood Country Club. This is your chance to attend a night of fun, inspiration, and community building while supporting MPA with fellow parents, alumni, and friends.
