If your child has any interest in the arts, then make sure you check out our summer brochure. Melinda Moore, the drama teacher who produced the winter show and has taught a myriad of classes, is offering a variety of drama classes for children Pre-K through Upper School.  Your child can learn how to audition for a part, dabble in improv, or take a creative drama class.

If crafts are more your child's "cup of tea," then a class in constructing things out of recycled materials, making a keepsake craft, or creating gifts or toys might be just what they need.

The music classes are also exciting this summer.  Mari Espeland, Mindy Mennicke and Leah Abbe, all music teachers at MPA, have created classes for all ages.  They include movement, singing and some even weave in a craft.  The Middle School students will love experimenting with drumming circles and recorders.  And, of course, hip hop appeals to a wide group of students and proved popular last summer.

We have almost 100 registrations already, but keep adding classes so they get filled.  Sign up soon so we can hire all the teachers we need. 

Nansee Greeley

Lower School and Summer School Director

Children grow and change so much over the course of a year that it is very natural for them to be curious about things that grow in nature.  Thus the Pre-K children have been introduced to such books as "The Carrot Seed," "Planting a Rainbow" and "The Empty Pot."  They have even turned their sand table into a black dirt table so they can practice the planting of plastic flowers.  Oh what a lovely mess they are creating.

Of course, they could not stop with the planting of pretend flowers so they planted grass seed because it grows quickly.  Wanting to know what is happening under the earth, they are also observing the root system of plants by planting seeds in plastic bags that contain dirt and water.  

All of this is carried over to music class where they pretend to be seeds that grow and sprout.  You can imagine the music room as they do vocal exploration through the sounds of baby animals.  All of this will culminate with the family music time that takes place on May 29th.  It is wonderful to watch parents and children make music together.

Now the first graders are taking growing to a whole new level.  They have planted flowers for a very special occasion and those sit under the grow lights waiting for the next drink of water. This planting helps children understand the water cycle.  Meanwhile, lady bugs and meal worms progress through the various stages of growth in their own containers.  The children just squeal when they discover a meal worm that has turned into a beatle or a larva that has changed to a lady bug.  

The ant farms in the other corner of the room draw much attention because there is nothing more fascinating than the busy lives of ants and the pathways they create under the earth.  By first grade, the children have become real scientists as they learn to observe carefully and make accurate recordings of their observations.  True to our MPA standards, these classrooms are literally alive with learning.

Nansee Greeley

Lower School Director 

May 9th and May 12th 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. our Recycled Treasures van will be in the parking lot.  It's a great time to do your spring cleaning and get rid of unwanted "treasures" while helping out the school.

May 13th 8:30-9:30 a.m. The Parent Group on Student Learning will meet in the Large Conference Room to hear about books on tape and webpage links for student services. They will also take some time to reflect on the meetings this past year and make suggestions for next year.

May 15th 3:15 - 5:00 p.m. Bring your pajamas and come have fun at the LS Spring Pajama Party Dance featuring the Teddy Bear Band in the cafeteria.  Click here for the registration form and more information.

May 20th is our last duty-free lunch.  Thank you for your help in letting teachers eat lunch without children once a month.  Join us even if you are not signed up as we can always use the extra hands.

May 22nd 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. is Kindergarten Round-Up.  Meet your child's homeroom teacher and get filled in on all the details of the Kindergarten year for 2008-2009.

May 28th 12:15 - 3:00 p.m. is Lower School Track and Field Day.  Join in the fun as you watch all Lower School children participate in the track and field day.  Sit in the stands or lead the cheering, but make sure you are there to support your child as they particpate in this exciting event.

May 29th 9:00-9:30 a.m. Pre-K Family Music Time.  After you drop your children off, come for a cup of coffee before we all head down to the music room.

May 30th Third Grade Play in the Black Box Theater.  Ms. Beggin's at 1:15 p.m. and Ms. Wright/Stinson's at 1:45 p.m.

June 2nd Kindergarten Play in the Black Box Theater.  Ms. Petersen's at 10:00 a.m.

June 3rd First Grade Play in the Black Box Theater.  Mr. Wilson's at 2:00 p.m. and Ms. Meland's at 2:40 p.m. 

June 5th Fourth Grade Drama performance in the Black Box Theater at 10:00 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.  Kindergarten - Ms. Found's at 10:00 a.m. in the Lower School Drama room.