April 18, 2024
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, April 19: Pairing Assembly, 2:20-3 PM
- Friday, April 19: MS/US Grade 5-12 Speedracer Video Tournament, 3-5 PM, Room 150-151
- Friday, April 19: Spring Auction, 6:30-11 PM, Dellwood Golf Club, bid from home >
- Wednesday, April 24: HeadSpace “Inspiring Global Responsibility,” 3:15-4:15 PM, Library
- Thursday, April 25: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
- Friday, April 26: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center, tickets >
- Saturday, April 27: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center, tickets >
- Sunday, April 28: Spring Musical Performance, 2-4 PM, Nicholson Center, tickets >
- Wednesday, May 1: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
- Thursday, May 2: MS Family Dinner, 5:15-6 PM, Family Commons
- Thursday, May 2: Grades 4-8 Transition Meetings, 6-6:45 PM
- Thursday, May 2: MS Vocal Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
- Friday, May 3: Connect With MPA’s New Middle School Director, 8:15 AM, Library
- Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM, volunteer >
- Wednesday, May 8: MS Parent Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Library
- Wednesday, May 8: MS Grade 5 Service Trip, 8:30-11:30 AM, Off Campus
- Wednesday, May 8: MS/US Orchestra Concert, 7 PM, Nicholson Center
- Thursday, May 16: MS/US Band Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
- Monday, May 20-Friday, May 24: MS Grade 7 Washington DC Trip
- Friday, May 24: Senior Walk, 1 PM, MPA Campus
- Monday, May 27: No Classes, Memorial Day
- Tuesday, May 28: MS Field Day, 12:30-3 PM, Soccer Fields, South Lawn
- Friday, May 31: MS Adventure Day (5/6 Canoeing + 7/8 Valley Fair Performance)
- Monday, June 3: LS/MS Grades 4 and 8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM
- Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM
- Tuesday, June 4: Early Release, 10:30 AM
As of this reading, there are 31.5 days of school remaining in the 2024-25 school year. Each of those days will be filled to the brim with learning, activity, performances, celebrations, and anticipation of summer and the next school year. Now more than ever, it is important that you read each week’s newsletter and check, double-check, and triple-check your family planners against the master calendar online so your family doesn’t miss anything important!
Quarter 3 Report Cards Available in Schoology
Parents can now access Quarter 3 grades in Schoology. Please review your student’s grades to determine if there are any habits, routines, or processes that need to be adjusted to ensure success through the end of the year. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to teachers and/or advisors.
We are now firmly in our final quarter together for this year. Maintaining focus, engagement, and stamina at this time of year can be challenging. Spending some time with your Middle School student to check in, set expectations, and maintain momentum, is a great way to keep them accountable and prepare them for the year ahead.
Spring Sports: Calendars, Cancellations, and Coordinating Schedules!
Spring sports seasons are upon us, and schedules can be very fluid depending on the weather. Please know that we, along with the Athletic Department, do our best to avoid last-minute cancellations of games and practices, but sometimes they cannot be avoided. Please bookmark the MPA Athletics website on your phone and check the weekly athletic schedule regularly to plan and organize your family activities. Additionally, please ensure that Dawn Zimmerman has your most current contact information to be in touch as needed. You can reach her at dzimmerman@moundsparkacademy.org.
It’s Performance Season: Get Your Concert Attire Ready
School concerts at MPA are considered a formal occasion, and Middle School ensemble members are asked to dress in concert black, and all students in choir, music, orchestra, and band must participate in our final performances. We want to affirm all identities and growing bodies with our 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)
We are supportive of students selecting items in which they feel comfortable and confident. Please do not choose clothing with words, labels, or patterns.
Pro Tip: Do not wait until the week of the concert to ensure your students’ clothes fit! They are growing fast these days, and ensuring you have appropriate concert attire may require a trip to the department store.
Middle School Dinner + Transition Meetings
Please plan to join us on Thursday, May 2, for our Rising Grade Level meetings and Middle School Vocal Concert. This is an exciting evening when we share a meal and offer insight for you and your student about next year, our new schedule, class trips, and more. Our evening will begin with dinner at 5:15 PM, transition meetings at 6 PM, and then our concert at 7 PM. We hope you’ll join us for all (or part!) of our evening.
SAGE and Chef Chris are making pizza/flatbread, salad, and dessert, as well as allergy-friendly options. If you would like dinner, please Venmo $5 per person to Molly Oliver @Molly-Oliver-7 (also your RSVP). Be sure to note the student/family name and any allergies. RSVPs are due by April 27.
NOTE: Rising Upper School parents will meet with Mr. Segal and Mr. Dean, Upper School Director and Assistant Director, respectively. It’s another great opportunity to learn what’s ahead!
Special Guest: Mr. Errickson, MPA’s Incoming Middle School Director
Mr. Errickson will be in Minnesota in a couple of weeks for a short visit on May 2 and 3. He will join us for our Middle School dinner, transition meetings, and performance on May 2, and we will host a coffee gathering on Friday morning, May 3. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
Attention: All Grade 8 Parents! Moving Up Ceremony + Slideshow
We are beginning our planning for the Moving-Up Ceremony on Monday, June 3, 1:30 PM. Please mark your calendars now for this special occasion to celebrate our eighth-grade class and to welcome our newest Middle School classmates from Lower School.
All parents and families of our grade eight students are asked to submit three photos of their student to be shared in the slideshow! All eighth-grade students will have photos included and this is your chance to celebrate your amazing kid.
Please send three photos to Christine Larson at chrisandmatt@hotmail.com at your earliest convenience. The three photos should include one of each of the following:
- one from when they were young;
- one that captures their passion and personality; and
- one from Middle School with their friends.
The sooner you send these, the sooner we can begin putting together the most amazing keepsake slideshow!
NOTE: The Passion Project Showcase will immediately precede the Moving-Up Ceremony on the same day at 1 PM. Please save the date/time on your calendars now—the end of the year will be here before you know it!
