May 30, 2024
from Mark Segal, Upper School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Library
- Friday, May 31: US Math Finals
- Friday, May 31: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20 AM-12 PM, Room 150-151
- Friday, May 31: US English Finals, 12-1:30 PM
- Monday, June 3: MS/US End of Quarter
- Monday, June 3: US Science Finals, 8:45-10:15 AM
- Monday, June 3: US Social Studies Finals, 12-1:30 PM
- 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
- Wednesday, June 5: US Senior Dinner, 6-8 PM, Dellwood Country Club
- Friday, June 7: Madrigal and Concert Choir Rehearsal, 10-11 AM, Nicholson Center
- Friday, June 7: US Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal, 11 AM-1 PM, Nicholson Center
- Saturday, June 8: US Commencement, 6-7 PM, Nicholson Center, watch live (password 2051)
- Friday, June 14: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
- Monday, June 17: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
- Tuesday, June 18: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
- Thursday, June 20: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
- Friday, June 21: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
One would think that after nearly three decades in the education field, I would have become an expert, or at the very least knowledgeable, in saying goodbye to students at the end of the year. After spending the school year building relationships based on trust, shared values, and lived experiences, it is no easier today than in 1995 to bid students farewell as the school year ends. I have found that toward the end of each May, when stress, fatigue, and emotion are running high, I focus on the positive interactions and experiences shared with students throughout the year. Although this practice eases the inevitable, I still get sad thinking about not having those students as part of the day-to-day community and how quiet the building will be over the summer. It was wonderful to witness the smiles, exuberance, and accolades at the end of last week during the Senior Walk and Upper School Awards Assembly and refreshing to have the seniors back on campus earlier this week as they hosted Service-Con and shared their senior service projects with the MPA community.
Gemma Cheney, a senior clinical psychologist and visiting lecturer at Royal Holloway University of London, says, “Students who are securely attached and have grown up with caring teachers in their lives, turn up in the classroom and school building ready to engage and learn.” This aligns well with the Class of 2024. They have represented their classmates and MPA extremely well, and I am excited to see them pursue their dreams as they spread across the United States next year as MPA alumni. I invite you to attend graduation next Saturday evening (June 8) to celebrate the Class of 2024.
Before then, however, final exams are scheduled for students in grades 9-11 tomorrow (Friday, May 31) and next Monday (June 3). The schedule of exams is:
- Friday, May 31: Upper School Math Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM, Various Locations
- Friday, May 31: Upper School English Final Exams, 12-1:30 PM, Various Locations
- Monday, June 3: Upper School Science Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM, Various Locations
- Monday, June 3: Upper School Social Studies Final Exams, 12-1:30 PM, Various Locations
As a reminder, Upper School students are not required to be on campus on Friday or Monday when they do not have a final exam scheduled.
As this is my last contribution to the Panther Post this year, I hope your families have a wonderful summer filled with rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.
Important Information
- A reminder for Class of 2025 families: Mounds Park Academy has a long-standing tradition that juniors participate in the annual graduation ceremony by serving as an Honor Guard for the graduating class. The junior class leads the graduation procession into and the graduation recession out of the Nicholson Center, adding a nice element of formality to the event. Next year, when you graduate, the Class of 2026 will do the same for you. For the graduation ceremony to run smoothly, members of the junior class will need to attend the graduation rehearsal on Friday, June 7. They should plan to be in the Nicholson Center at 11 AM.
- If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to the upper school office via cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org.
