November 14, 2024
from Mark Segal, Upper School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Sunday, November 17-Saturday, November 23: Fall Campaign
- Monday, November 18: US Boys Basketball Parent Meeting, 6-7 PM, Family Commons
- Thursday, November 21: Give to the Max Day
- Thursday, November 21: Spirit Wear Day
- Thursday, November 21: Give to the Max Day Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
- Friday, November 22: US Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
- Wednesday, November 27: No Classes, Thanksgiving Break
- Thursday, November 28: No Classes, Thanksgiving Break, MPA Campus Closed, Panther Club Closed, PreK Closed
- Friday, November 29: No Classes, Thanksgiving Break, MPA Campus Closed, Panther Club Closed, PreK Closed
- Wednesday, December 4: Founders’ Day Breakfast, 7-8 AM, Family Commons
- Wednesday, December 4: MS/US Parents: Students and Screens, 1:45-3 PM, Recital Hall
- Thursday, December 5: US Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
As a student and younger adult, I would often hear people describe themselves as “burning the candle at both ends.” Not knowing what exactly this phrase meant, I found myself politely nodding and doing all I could to change the subject to something I understood better. Fast forward several years, I now clearly understand this phrase, especially as an educator and a parent, and realize that sleep is a crucial component of health and well-being, particularly for teenage students. During adolescence, the body goes through numerous physical and mental changes that require rest and sleep for a young adult (and older adults, too) to function. Research shows that teenagers need about eight to ten hours of sleep each night to support their growth and development. Unfortunately, many students struggle to meet this requirement, especially during the winter months when they often leave for school and return home in darkness.
The consequences of students not having enough sleep can be serious. Studies indicate that sleep deprivation can negatively impact cognitive performance, memory, and attention span. A report published by in July 2023 by the Centers for Disease Control highlights that “students who do not get enough sleep tend to have lower grades, an increased difficulty concentrating in class, and a higher risk for many health problems.” This is particularly alarming, considering that the winter season can exacerbate these issues due to reduced natural light exposure, which can affect mood and energy levels.
Sleep also plays a vital role in mental health, which is especially important during the teenage years. The World Health Organization states that adolescents are “at a higher risk foral health issues, and inadequate sleep can contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress.” When students prioritize sleep, they not only support their academic performance but also increase their emotional resilience, which developing ment enables them to face the challenges of school and young adulthood more effectively.
As we head into the shortest days of the year, the importance of sleep for teenagers cannot be overstated. As they confront the academic and social demands of school, prioritizing sleep is essential for maintaining both academic success and mental well-being. Educators and parents need to work in partnership to emphasize the need for healthy sleep habits, ensuring that students understand the critical role sleep plays in their overall health and success in school. By fostering an environment that promotes adequate rest, we can help our youth thrive academically and emotionally.
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 contact the Upper School administrative assistant, Chanda Williams, at cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org.
- Class of 2027 Parent Meeting: Please join Mark Segal and Jay Dean on Thursday, November 14, at 6 PM for a grade-level meeting for 10th-grade parents. We will discuss the February Deep Portage trip, review Upper School programmatic materials, discuss academic expectations, and the ongoing school/family partnership. We will meet in the Recital Hall for our conversation about working together on behalf of your children. This gathering is a wonderful opportunity for us to discuss ways we will work in partnership to support the 10th-grade students. We will be done by 7 PM to allow ample time for those who plan on attending the 7:30 PM Upper School Vocal Concert. There is no need to RSVP for this event. Coffee, tea, and a sweet treat will be served.
- Join Us In Igniting Dreams, One Gift At A Time: From November 17-23, we’re celebrating our community’s generosity and the power of dreams with our annual MPA Fall Campaign: Igniting Dreams, One Gift At A Time! This event allows us all to come together in support of MPA’s mission, culminating in Give to the Max Day on Thursday, November 21. We look forward to seeing our performers at our annual Lip Sync Assembly, an all-community event, at 2:20 PM. In celebration, Thursday will also be MPA spirit wear day! This year, we join together to ignite our students’ dreams of today and tomorrow. For more information or to make a gift, visit the Fall Campaign Webpage. For any questions about the Fall Campaign, please contact Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement, at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org.
- Upcoming Upper School Conferences: Second quarter Upper School conferences are right around the corner. They will take place 3:30-8 PM on Thursday, December 5, and 8-5 PM on Friday, December 6. For these conferences there will be no Upper School classes held on Friday, December 6, yet regularly scheduled Lower and Middle School classes will be held that day. Similar to the first set of conferences, Upper School students participate in their conferences and are required to attend. A communication will be sent next week to Upper School families with conference registration information.
- Wednesday, December 4, 1:45-3 PM: Students & Screens Parent-School Community Discussion, “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt: To follow up on our discussion from the inaugural Students & Screens event in October, we will delve into another section of Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation,” this time focusing on what he calls the Four Harms: social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, and addiction. Parents, please join us on Wednesday, December 4, from 1:45-3 PM in the Recital Hall to engage on these topics and more. The discussion will be led by Jay Dean, Upper School assistant director; Paul Errickson, Middle School director; and Michael Moran, director of academic technology, along with some Middle and Upper School students. If you are interested in joining this community discussion, please RSVP using this form.
