It is only the third week of school, but the volunteers in Lower School have already been out in full force.   When you enter the building at the south entrance, you may have noticed the bulletin board congratulating the children who have birthdays in August and September.  This bulletin board changes each month and is put up by parent volunteers.  The children always gather round when the new board goes up to see whose names appear for that month, and they squeal with delight when they find their own name or that of a friend, so thank you for your creativity as you make children feel special each month.

In August, we had the Used Uniform Sale with volunteers who set up, others worked the sale, and finally those who packed up when the sale was over.  Besides providing a nice service for parents, this sale also brought into the Lower School about $1200.  With this money, we hired a bus for the fourth grade conflict management training and are renting another in the spring to take the third graders to the James Sewell Ballet.  We will add the money that is left over to that of the winter sale to pay for an author who is coming in February.  Thank you for your hard work in making the traditional sale a success.

Last week, more volunteers showed up as all of us were honored with wonderful food in the lounge.  Not only did this provide a beautiful snack but it gave employees an opportunity to gather and share some time and stories together.

Now, of course, we are in the midst of the Magazine Drive and the planning for the Best of MPA.  Both of these take many hours of organization and are large fund raisers for the school.  Again, most of the work is done by our volunteers.

September 26th is our first duty-free lunch.  This year, we had 74 families volunteer to help at the lunches!  These days provide an opportunity for teachers to eat with adults off campus as opposed to their daily routine of eating with the children.  I am always grateful to the parents who come to help me out on those days because lunch might be pretty hectic if I had to do it all myself.  If you are only scheduled once during the year and want to help another time, please feel free to join us.  “It takes a village to raise a child” so the more help we get, the smoother the lunch and recess go.  

Finally, a huge thank you goes to everyone who sent in box tops last year.  As you know, we were able to purchase a climbing wall for the playground with the money raised through box tops, and your children are thoroughly enjoying the use of this new wall.  Our rule in Lower School is that children cannot climb over the wall just as they cannot go on top of any of the playground equipment.  If you have your children at the playground after school, please make sure to follow the same rules.  It makes it much easier for Panther Club and for the playground if we all use the same rules. 

As you can see, there are numerous opportunities to get involved at MPA, which is one of the reasons we have such a strong community spirit.  We all appreciate the time you spend volunteering at school and benefit greatly from it.  Thank you.

This Friday the 14th is MPA at the Metrodome.  If you have not purchased tickets yet, you can get them at the Dome itself.  Join us in section 100 as we cheer on our 3-4 choir when they sing the national anthem.  Remember that it is spirit day at school on Friday.  Children may wear any top that sports MPA on it.

Saturday the 15th is Homecoming at MPA.  Bring your children for the Fun Run at 9:45 a.m. and stay to watch some games or matches and to have lunch cooked on the grill.  Both Friday night and Saturday are great ways for your children to see friends in a fun-filled setting.

Monday, September 17th is the first meeting of the Lower School Chess Club from 3:20-4:20 p.m. in room 138.  Parent volunteers are needed even if you do not know how to play chess.  It is helpful to have extra adults for supervision.

Thursday the 20th is Picture Day.  Uniforms and a smile are mandatory for pictures.  You may purchase pictures of your child, but all children will have their picture taken as it will appear in the yearbook.

On Friday the 21st and Monday the 24th you can bring items that you would like to get rid of to the school parking lot.  There will be a trailer available for your “recycled treasures.”  This is another way the Parents Association raises money for the school and is an easy way for you to clean out that attic!

Hopefully you are getting a chance to enjoy this beautiful weather.  I know the children are thoroughly enjoying it at recess.