I look forward to seeing everyone at the 25^th celebration tonight. It is difficult for me to believe that 25 years have gone by since my husband and I first walked through the front doors to bring our children to MPA. It will be fun to see both those who have not been at the school for a while, as well as those who come daily. It is always great to meet new people and reconnect with those you know. 

Next week looks pretty calm with two important events: 

January 11th at 6:30 p.m. is the Parent Information Evening for people interested in kindergarten for the fall of 2007.  If you or any of your friends or neighbors might be interested, please call the Office of Admission and let them know you will be coming. It is a great time to meet both KG teachers and to hear in detail about the process your child will go through for KG admittance. 

On January 12th beginning at 8:00 a.m. there is a coffee for all parents new to MPA. At the same time we like these parents to have returning parents to chat with and meet, so please come to help us celebrate the mid-year. At 9:00 a.m. the Lower School Parent Association meeting will begin in room 113, and both of our world language teachers will be presenting a mini lesson for our enjoyment. This lesson will help you understand how a child can sit in a class and follow a lesson, even though their mastery of the language may be well below what is going on in the lesson. It is an interesting phenomenon and well worth seeing. 

Please remember to send your children with warm clothes as we do go out almost every day for recess, and it is a long time to be cold. Snow pants and boots are a must, and if your fourth grader is too “cool” to wear either of these just let them know it is a school rule. 

I hope 2007 will be a wonderful year for you and your family. 

Nansee Greeley
Lower School Director