August 29, 2024
from Mark Segal, Upper School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Monday, September 2: No Classes, Labor Day
- Tuesday, September 3: Alumni Current Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
- Wednesday, September 4: US Grade 11 Families College Counseling Meeting, 7-8 PM, Virtual Meeting
- Friday, September 6: School Photos, 7:30 AM-12 PM, Indoor Track
- Friday, September 6: Ice Cream Social, 3-4 PM, South Lawn
- Tuesday, September 10: US Grade 12 Parent College Counseling Night, 6:30-7:30 PM, Virtual Meeting
- Thursday, September 12: MS/US International Program Back to School Social, 3:30-5 PM, Benz Courtyard
- Sunday, September 15: Admission & Indexed Tuition Applications Open
- Tuesday, September 17: US Signs of Suicide Screening (G9 & New G10 Students), 7:30 AM-2 PM, PCR
- Wednesday, September 18: US Signs of Suicide Screening (G11), 7:30 AM-2 PM, PCR
- Sunday, September 22: Twin Cities Partnership College Fair, 1-3 PM, Breck School
Summer is one of my favorite times of year – the sun shines more brightly, the days are longer, and the green grass provides a wonderful balance of color to the bright blue summer sky. It is the perfect time for me to think about the previous school year while planning and adjusting for the upcoming one. It is also a time where the school building can be eerily quiet as most teachers, administrators, and students are enjoying the slower pace of the year and are on vacation. Each year, while I sit at my desk in the quiet building, I play Simon and Garfunkel’s famous ballad, “The Sound of Silence.” As much as I enjoy the solitude, there is something special about the return of students and faculty and the noise that comes with them to campus.
As I write this entry for Panther Post, I am sitting at my desk and members of the Class of 2025 are gathering for their Senior Sunrise in the Upper School Commons. Usually held in the Benz Courtyard on the first day of school, it was moved inside this year due to the early morning rain. According to Jill Fletcher, a college readiness instructor and contributor to Edutopia, reconnecting through special gatherings after time away from peers “allows students space to feel seen and heard, which positively impacts their performance. (Creating opportunities where relationships can be built and strengthened) throughout the school year doesn’t take much effort but reaps many benefits in and beyond the classroom.”
Having people, especially students, back on campus is music to my ears, and I am excited about all that lies ahead for the 2024–2025 school year.
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.
Important Information
- If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to upper school administrative assistant, Chanda Williams, on cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org.
- Class of 2025 reminder: Please remember to complete the online form with your student’s name on their graduation diploma. The deadline for this is Friday, September 13. Please reach out to Mark Segal should you have questions.
- MPA Homecoming is scheduled for the week of September 23. There will be “wacky” dress-up days, an all-school Homecoming assembly (Friday afternoon), a special FREE BBQ for Upper School students on Friday, various athletic contests on Saturday, and the annual on-campus Homecoming Dance Saturday night. Please don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the wonderful festivities.
- All school fall conferences are right around the corner. They will take place 3:30-8 PM on Thursday, October 10, and 8 AM-5 PM on Friday, October 11. More information will be shared toward the end of the month regarding signing up for conferences, but for those new to the community Upper School students participate in their conferences and are required to attend.
