February 8, 2024
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, February 9: No LS/MS Classes, Conferences
- Wednesday, February 14: Middle School Parent Quarterly Coffee, 8:15-9:30 AM, Library
- Wednesday, February 14: MS Grades 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, Panther Center
- Thursday, February 15: Re-enrollment Deadline
- Thursday, February 15: LS/MS Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
- Friday, February 16: No Classes, Professional Development, Panther Club Closed
- Monday, February 19: No Classes, Presidents’ Day
- Monday, February 26: SnoDaze Spirit Week Begins
- Friday, March 1: SnoDaze Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
- Monday, March 4-Friday, March 8: i-Term 2024
This may be the first year since joining the MPA family in 2018, that the groundhog predicted an early spring! While we miss the sledding hill at recess, we are grateful to not be bundling up every day to be outside and maybe, just maybe, our spring sports will have a smooth start to their seasons.
As we approach conferences this week, I hope you’re also taking the time to connect with your Middle School students about how their year is going, what is working well for them, and where adjustments may need to be made to see great success. An important part of growing up is coming to a better understanding of how you learn and what you need to be successful. It was in Middle School when I realized that I needed clear checklists, absolute silence to fully comprehend what I was reading and studying and that not having a plan caused me an immeasurable amount of anxiety and caused me to procrastinate and avoid. Identifying hurdles and needs like these for your Middle School student helps them to manage their learning and their emotions and learn to ask for what they need. I encourage you, the next time you’re in the car, running errands, or sharing time on the sofa at home, ask your Middle Schooler about how they learn, what tips and tricks they’re learning, and where they’re finding success. If they’re not sure, guide them—help them see that learning is work, takes intentionality, and doesn’t just “happen.” The best part is that they get to decide how it happens! Read More
What are you currently doing, professionally and/or personally? What experiences or relationships have inspired you along the way?
This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the January 27, 2024 issue of InsideMPA. 
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director
New! Parents Association Trivia Night 
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director
One of the most memorable seventh-grade traditions at MPA is completing NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is a national effort where participants write a novel throughout November. “It’s one of my favorite units to teach,” said Maddy Wolfe ‘12, seventh-grade English teacher at MPA. “They create well-rounded characters, complex story worlds, and a plot laced with tension, all while learning and incorporating language rules and mechanics.”
This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the December 20, 2023 issue of InsideMPA. 
It’s been 35 years since I graduated from Mounds Park Academy. Had you asked me then, I would never in a million years have predicted my eventual return as both a parent of a senior and, equally incredibly, as a mentor for the school’s FIRST® robotics competition (FRC) Team 3926, the MPArors.
from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director