May 5, 2022
from Renee Wright, Lower School Director
Marvelous May is Here
We have had a hard time getting spring in Minnesota, but it is finally here! It has been so nice to see sun this week! With a little sunshine and a lot of rain we should soon see blossoms on the trees and little shoots poking through the dirt in our gardens. Just as we all anticipate spring, we also anticipate the end of the school year. May and June are months full of joyful moments and MPA traditions. I will share some of these special events coming soon so you can mark your calendar.
- May 19: PreK Family Music Event Outdoors at 8:15-8:45 AM (Rain date 5/20)
- May 31: LS Track and Field Day at 1-2:45 PM (Rain date 6/2)
- June 4: MPA Graduation at 6 PM
- June 6: Vocabulary Bee at 8:30 AM (For participants families only.)
- June 7: Moving Up Ceremony at 1:30 PM (Grade 4 families only.)
- June 8: Last Day–Yearbook assembly at 8:30 AM/Early dismissal
- June 8: Kindergarten Graduation at 9 AM
DATES TO REMEMBER:
- All library books are due May 27
- No Classes Monday, May 30–Closed to observe Memorial Day
CAMP I CAN FOR GIRLS
Below you will see information about a summer camp for girls. This information comes from Dr. Jules Nolan and Tara Keegan.
Camp I Can for Girls is open to grades 1-8. This camp will be led by School Counselors who are mental health therapists. Camp offers the opportunity for girls to grow their social skills, practice managing different emotions, strengthen their friendship skills, and learn about self-awareness and conflict resolution. With a social-emotional learning platform, Camp I Can will integrate SEL activities and lessons, team-building experiences, fun games, and a place where each student can turn their “cant’s” into “I can’s!” For more information, please visit www.campicanforgirls.com. For additional questions, please email at campicanforgirls@gmail.com.
Tips For Parents
Learning from Mistakes
One of the most powerful things you can do for your children is to encourage them to try new things and take risks. At MPA we teach our students that it is acceptable and even desirable to make mistakes. A mistake does not signal a failure, it is an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop resilience. Tell your child you believe in next time and second chances. To get your child to internalize your message you have to show him/her what you mean in a variety of ways. Here are a few things you can try:
- Read stories about mistakes. I suggest Barney Saltzberg’s book, “Beautiful Oops”
- When you make mistakes in front of your child talk about what you learned from them.
- Use visual reminders. Post little signs in your home saying, “Don’t be afraid of making a mistake”” Send the message that it is good to be courageous.
- Remind your student that our Lower School CHAMP theme for the year is “perseverance.”We encourage students to keep their heads up, and never give up…no matter what.
