February 11, 2021
Save the date for this upcoming grades 7-12 Parent Education Event. The Upper School Parents Association is virtually hosting a parent education event on Monday, March 1, from 7-9 PM. This session will cover ways to work with children during this period of social distancing, the lack of being able to socialize, issues with too much social media, depression caused by isolation, lack of social normal activities, and other concerns parents are currently facing. More details and a Zoom link will be communicated when they are available. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
The MPA Math League team had their final meet of the regular season on Monday. The top scorers were senior Sean Park with 10 points, junior Leo Yu with eight points, sophomore Anthony Troullier with seven points, senior Steve Min with seven points, senior Amit Manicka with six points, and junior Amy Xiang with five points. The team earned 20 points on a challenging team round, thanks in part to sophomore Qiya Zhang solving a really tough geometry problem with less than a minute remaining!
It is MPA’s number one priority to provide the safest campus environment possible for you and your children. This takes on new meaning during the 2020-21 school year, but we’d like to share some important traffic safety reminders too. Please share this information with all of the drivers in your home, in addition to others who may provide transportation for you. Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Without being able to gather together this year as they usually do, Upper School Peer Leaders have been creatively connecting with their seventh and eighth grade groups virtually. They met for the first time last week, splitting into groups based on interests, like current events, STEM, social change, and study skills. In the books and movies group, led by seniors Emmet Tanzer-Tragatsch and Ishika Muppidi and sophomore Lucy Cowen, students got to know each other and make connections through their favorite genres, types of media, and what’s trending on Netflix right now.
Get all of your Panther gear for the upcoming spring athletics season at the next Spirit Store flash sale! This Valentine’s Day-themed sale will start on Friday, February 5 and end on Saturday, February 6 at 11:59 PM EST.
Sign up here for spring sports!
Over winter break the Middle School fifth and sixth grade Student Council hosted a readathon fundraiser! The purpose was to encourage students to cozy up with a book over the holiday season, as well as raise money and awareness for two important causes. This year’s readathon money went to the MPA COVID relief fund and a local animal shelter.
Save the date! The 2021 Spring Auction: The Best Is Yet To Come is going virtual! The MPA volunteer planning committee is pleased to share sponsorship packages are now available with amazing perks, at-home meal kits, and great ways to get involved and give back to the school you love. Save the date for April 16 and visit 
Save the date for Thursday, February 11 at 7 PM, for a Community Education Event: A Check In On Suicide Awareness And Prevention. Families and students in grades 7-12 are invited to virtually attend a mental health education event facilitated by MPA staff and leading school psychology professionals. The conversation will be hosted by Upper School Director of Guidance, Randy Comfort, and Middle and Upper School Counselor, Ashley Cooper, along with a team of school psychologists from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Important topics of mental health will be addressed by MPA parent and professor, Dr. Todd Savage, along with professors Dr. Scott Woitaszewski, and Dr. Anne Zaslofsky. With COVID-19, school stress, and other life challenges, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between what is normal and something more serious. During this session, attendees will receive up-to-date information about depression and suicide, discuss how to support someone who may be struggling with their mental health, explore supports available at MPA, and engage in a Q&A session.
If you loved