December 1, 2022
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rom Ann Jurewicz, Lower School director
The winter weather has set in, and it is an absolute joy to have the students sledding on the hills at recess. Please remember to send your child(ren) to school with snow pants, hats, mittens, and scarves, and consider keeping an extra set on hand in their lockers for any kind of weather. Minnesota is known as a state of “weather whiplash,” where temperatures can rise or plummet in ranges of 40 degrees or more in 24 hours. Also, as we enter the month when many “festivals of lights” are celebrated, we hope to educate about and honor the many spirited traditions. Speaking of traditions, we have the annual MPA Book Festival happening next week, and thank the parent association and librarian Nancy Lage for their collaboration and planning efforts.
ISACS Parent Education Series–JOIN US TONIGHT!
Parents and families, we hope you will join other independent school parents for one of several evening sessions led by an exceptional and highly regarded team of experts to help you support your children in all areas of their development. We look forward to learning right along with you! The next upcoming webinar is:
Gift of Failure
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Jessica Lahey, Educator & Author
From ISACS: Modern parenting has become defined by an unprecedented level of overprotectiveness. We all know parents who rush to school to deliver forgotten assignments, challenge teachers on disappointing report cards, mastermind their children’s friendships or interfere on the playing field. According to bestselling author, Jessica Lahey, “overparenting” has the potential to both ruin children’s confidence and undermine their education. By letting go and allowing children to learn how to solve problems on their own, we give them the tools to grow up to be self-reliant, confident, and successful adults. That’s the Gift of Failure. Jessica reminds us that teachers, and others who work with children, also teach responsibility, organization, manners, restraint, and foresight—important life skills that shape stronger futures. Lahey champions failure as a crucial element of long-term success while providing indispensable advice to parents for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, competitive sports, and more. All are invited. The recording of this webinar will be available until January 31, 2023.
Registration is free, but pre-registration is required! Please register here to attend from the comfort of your home! Read More
from Mark Segal, Upper School director
MPA’s Board of Trustees collaborates with the Head of School to guide the school’s strategic direction, to protect its mission, to support the school’s development efforts and to safeguard the school’s financial stability.
Pie Love
Can’t make it into school that week? Valley Bookseller is dedicating their 
by Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
Congratulations to our eighth graders moving on to the Future City State competition, and to our All-Stars, who really went above and beyond working in their groups!
It is MPA’s number one priority to provide the safest campus environment possible for you and your children. Lately, we have noticed an uptick in risky driving behavior in our parking lots and drive-thru lanes.
Congratulations to tenth grader Rowan Mulrooney and ninth graders Truman Wilgocki and Warner Reid who auditioned and were selected to be members of the American Choral Director’s Association 9-10 State Honor Choir!
Due to the weather, all afterschool activities, including games, practices, Panther Club/Den, Middle School study hall, and meetings are canceled this afternoon, Tuesday, November 29. MPA will remain in session until our regular dismissal time of 3 PM.