The seniors are anxiously anticipating their last year at MPA and the uncertainty of what the future holds for each of them.  The juniors want to know if the rumors about the challenging eleventh grade year are true.  Tenth graders are excited about getting their driver’s license and the freedom that brings to their social lives, and ninth graders are busy on their new computers and have lots of questions about what to wear at their first Upper School dance.  The school year has begun.  These are exciting times for the Upper School at MPA.  The division is now thriving with adolescents eager to learn and faculty energized to teach them.  I want to welcome students and parents to another great year!

This year will be bittersweet for me.  For 22 years, I have experienced the excitement of students and faculty returning to begin each new school year.  Last week, I announced to the employees that this would be my last year as the Upper School Director.  After 14 incredible years as an administrator, the time has come for me to move on to another exciting stage in my life.  As the leader of the Upper School, I am excited to experience, for one more year, the “magic of MPA” and the opportunity to see the school through the eyes of our seniors as they anticipate the changes that are coming.  I am confident that the school will find the perfect successor.  I want to thank all of you for your deep support.  I will treasure all the memories!

What’s happening in the Upper School:

August 31st:  USPA Meeting, 8:30 a.m., LCR

Agenda:

            1.  Grade level responsibilities for the year

            2.  Homecoming

            3.  Possible agenda items for future meetings

September 5th, Wednesday:  Senior Potluck. 6:00 p.m.

All seniors and their parents are invited to the annual Senior Potluck.  Please bring a dish to share.  The event begins at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.  The program includes information from the Josten’s representative about graduation announcements and cap and gowns, information from Randy Comfort and Lisa Pederson, and final words from Maureen Conway and Richard Meacock (who will get the absolute final word).

September 15th, Saturday:  Homecoming

Homecoming Dance - The Annual Upper School Homecoming Barbecue and Dance will be held Saturday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. with a barbeque in the west parking lot, followed by a dance in the Black Box.  Tickets for the dance are $5.00 and food is $1.00 per item (hot dog, pop, cookies).  Dress is casual.  The dance ends promptly at 11:00 p.m.  Here are a few general rules for Upper School dances:

1.  No student will be allowed to enter the dance after 9:30 p.m.

2.  Any student who leaves the dance cannot return.

3.  Students are not allowed to go to their cars without an adult escort.

4.  If students want to bring a guest from another high school, they must pre-register the student.  Forms are in the Upper School office and must be returned by Friday before the dance.  Forms will not be accepted at the dance.

5.  All school rules are enforced at dances both on and off campus.

6.  Students do not need to come with a date to any dance.

Trip to Spain - March 15-25, 2008

Open to Spanish students in grades 9-12

Informational Meeting for Students and Parents

Wednesday, September 12^th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 150

Contact Ginna Schultz (gschultz@moundsparkacademy.org) or Kathleen Sheridan (ksheridan@moundsparkacademy.org) to RSVP for the meeting or for information/applications.

The application deadline is October 15th.  If you attended the meeting last spring, you do not need to attend again.

For more specific information, you can also visit the website http://panthers.moundsparkacademy.org/~gschultz/exchangetrip.html