December 5, 2024
from Mark Segal, Upper School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, December 6: No US Classes, Conferences
- Friday, December 6: US Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
- Saturday, December 7: US Semiformal Dance, 8-11 PM, Woman’s Club (Minneapolis)
- Friday, December 13: PreK-12 MPA Preview, 8:30-10 AM, Gallery & Martin Lenz Harrison Library
- Monday, December 16: G7-12 Musical Auditions, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box & Choir Room
- Tuesday, December 17: US Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR
- Tuesday, December 17: G7-12 Musical Auditions, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box & Choir Room
- Tuesday, December 17: US Parent Coffee for Class of 2029, 6:30-7:30 PM, PCR
- Wednesday, December 18: G7-12 Musical Callbacks, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box
- Friday, December 20: Caroling with the Madrigal Singers, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni, 7:30-8 AM, Family Commons
- Friday, December 20: US Madrigal Singers and Chamber Orchestra Music Tour, Off Campus Field Trip
- Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3: No Classes, Winter Break
This Saturday evening the Upper School will hold its annual winter Semiformal Dance at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis. The Club, originally founded in 1907, was designed by the architect of the Foshay Tower, Leon Arnal, and moved into its location just off Loring Park in 1928. Hosted by the Student Council, the semiformal dance serves as an important social event that fosters unity and strengthens the bonds within our upper school community. High school dances provide students with an opportunity to take a break from academic pressures and engage in a festive environment. According to the educational journal Edutopia, “research shows that participation in school events like dances enhances students’ sense of belonging, which is crucial for their emotional and social development.” These events encourage students to connect with peers from their own and different grades, creating a more inclusive atmosphere that can lead to lasting friendships.
Recent data shows that school dances have decreased over the past five years due to “reduced student interest, difficulty in planning, and a greater risk for behavioral changes.” They are, however, incredibly important to adolescent development, and according to the American Psychological Association, “without them, student development and social interactions could be greatly impacted as they get older.” In today’s world, it seems that teens are more disconnected than ever. On average, high schoolers spend up to 8.5 hours daily connected to digital media, ranging from social apps like Facebook and Snapchat to computers and television (Fortune Magazine, October 24, 2023). With all this screen time, students have less opportunity for face-to-face interactions. Social interaction is one of the most important things offered from school, and school dances serve as an important place for social interaction.
I am excited to attend the semiformal dance on Saturday as a chaperone and am appreciative of the organization and planning that the Student Council has put into making this annual event a success. The Women’s Club website states that, “We are many things to our members and guests—a friend, a respite, a force for good, a place for belonging.” This description aligns well with the MPA Upper School community.
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.
- Upper School Conferences: Second quarter Upper School conferences take place 3:30-8 PM tonight (Thursday, December 5) and 8-5 PM tomorrow (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. Please remember that Upper School students are expected to attend conferences with their parents and guardians.
- Upper School Quarterly Parent Coffee: Join us on Tuesday, December 17, from 8-9:30 AM in the PCR. Upper School parents have often asked if classes could be offered for them as they, like their children, want to benefit from the expert MPA faculty. During this meeting, Upper School social studies teacher Mike Vergin will present to Upper School parents as if he was their teacher. Please join us as he shares, “Scenes from a 27-Year MPA Career: Mr. Vergin’s Top Five Experiences.” Mr. Vergin will present information on his top five topics/resources from which he draws inspiration.
