May 16, 2024
from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, May 17: LS PreK Music Family Share, 9-9:30 AM, Panther Center
- Friday, May 17: LS Grade 1 Poetry Picnic, 2-3 PM, Playground Area; Martin Lenz Harrison Library (rain location)
- Thursday, May 23: LS Grade 3 Field Trip, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM, Off Campus
- Friday, May 24: PreK-Grade 12 Spirit Wear Day!
- Friday, May 24: Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, South Entrance
- Friday, May 24: LS G1 Ms. O’Keefe Class Play, 8:45-9:15 AM, Room 21
- Friday, May 24: LS G1 Ms. Steingraeber Class Play, 8:45-9:15 AM, Room 21
- Friday, May 24: LS Grade 3 Showcase, 1:45-3 PM, Family Commons
- Monday, May 27: No Classes, Memorial Day
- Tuesday, May 28: LS Field Day, 8:30-11 AM, Soccer Fields, South Lawn
- Wednesday, May 29: LS/US Grade 4 Introduction to the Instruments Concert, 10:30-11:20 AM, Panther Center
- Wednesday, May 29: LS G3 Ms. Wermager Class Play, 1:15-1:45 PM, Black Box
- Wednesday, May 29: LS G3 Ms. Stewart Class Play, 2:15-2:45 PM, Black Box
- Thursday, May 30: Development Open House & Volunteer Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 AM, Family Commons
- Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
- Friday, May 31: LS G4 Mr. Wilson Class Play, 1:15-1:45 PM, Black Box
- Friday, May 31: LS G4 Ms. Kimmerle/Stacy Class Play, 2:15-2:45 PM, Black Box
- Monday, June 3: LS End of Trimester 3
- Monday, June 3: LS G2 Ms. Scalia Class Play, 8:15-8:45 AM, Black Box
- Monday, June 3: LS G2 Ms. Fisher Class Play, 9:15-9:45 AM, Black Box
- Monday, June 3: LS/MS Grades 4 and 8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
- Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM, Nicholson Center
- Tuesday, June 4: Dismissal, 10:30 AM, no afternoon care or transportation home
- Tuesday, June 4: Kindergarten Graduation And Class Picnic, 9:15 AM-2 PM, Family Commons, Gallery, Playground
- Wednesday, June 5-Friday, June 7: No PreK
- Monday, June 10: First Day of PreK
While we are on the threshold of the end of the academic year, and the new beginnings that summer offers, it is important to reflect on our journey thus far. What skills has your child gained over the past 10 months? What were some bumpy spots in their development as humans this year? What were some breakthroughs, triumphs, and successes? These questions could be fun to bring up at the dinner table at home, as we help our students not only set goals for the future but to look back and realize just how far they have come already.
CHAMP News
At our final CHAMP assembly for the academic year, we learned about demonstrating self-control. Mr. Sheehan also helped us to understand self-control in the context of playground games and gave us some great tips for being good sports… and great CHAMPs! The children also heard from their Upper School friends about three different ways that they can help take action in our local communities by participating in the hygiene product drive, the plastic film recycling drive, and the clothing drive. Please check out Schoology in the coming days for more information on these worthy initiatives, which are part of the Senior Service Projects in the Upper School. The students also presented the new trash bin that they earned as part of our Earth Day Challenge. Special thanks to our kindergarten community, who spearheaded this initiative!
May Sprit Days: Wear Your MPA Gear
On Fridays in May (May 17, 24, and 31), Lower School students are invited to wear their MPA gear (sweatshirt or t-shirt) as their top, with uniform bottoms. Let’s continue to show our Panther pride throughout the month of May!
Field Day on May 28
Please look out for more information from our PhyEd team on the upcoming Field Day which will take place on the morning of May 28. The team is looking for parent volunteers to help make the event a success. Please check your email for more.
Camp-I-Can for Rising Grades 1-4
We are pleased to share that MPA will now be an official site for Camp-I-Can, and participation in the camp will be free of charge for MPA students (rising grades 1-4)! Camp-I-Can is staffed by experienced licensed school counselors and mental health practitioners while offering the opportunity for campers to develop social skills, emotional management, self-awareness and conflict resolution through activities, lessons, team-building experiences, fun games, and more. Please look out for more information coming your way!
Last Day Of School: Yearbook and Assembly And Early Dismissal
On the last day of school, we all meet for our annual Yearbook Assembly at 8:15 AM in the Nicholson Center—our entire community, PreK-12! Parents and families are welcome, and it’s often standing room only. Once our assembly has concluded, students move to their advisories to pick up their yearbook (if one was ordered!) and commence our community-wide signing, celebration, and joy-fest!
NOTE: This is a very abbreviated day. The school day begins at 8 AM and all students are expected to be picked up at 10:30 AM. There is no Panther Care provided on the last day of school. Please plan with friends, classmates, or on your own to pick up your student no later than 10:30 AM, as our teachers, staff, and administration are eager to begin their summer break, too!
